July’s Newsletter: Articulation tricks, summer reads and a posture trick
6 Aug 2025
Need some articulation help?
I often do voiceovers. It’s one of my favorite (paid) pastimes. 😀
Ever since I misused and temporarily damaged my voice at the star-studded Williamston Theatre Festival when I was 19, I’ve been obsessed with the speaking voice. I realized that, at least in my profession, if you don’t have a strong, healthy voice, you don’t have much.
You can’t act, you can’t speak at events, you can’t have normal conversations with friends, family, team members… It is extremely debilitating.
Upon return to university from that summer theatre festival, I had to take 6 months off acting and go to a speech therapist. It was a traumatic experience for me, but thankfully, it worked. In graduate school, I focused heavily on voice classes so that I could learn a vocal technique (the Patsy Rodenburg technique) that would ensure I’d never lose my voice again.
Fast forward 27 years, and, except for 2 bouts with laringitis, I’ve never lost my voice again!
Last week, the voiceover studio that I often work for called me and asked if my (bilingual) 10-year old son would be interested in doing an audition for a voiceover. I was delighted as was he! He’s never done a voiceover before, so I helped him rehearse for the audition. He was great at delivering the lines in character, but his articulation was a bit lacking. I led him in a quick articulation warmup, the same one my graduate school teacher had taught me. All of a sudden, his voice sounded more clear and more fluent in the English language.
After receiving his self-tape audition, the recording studio told us he sounded like quite the little professional! We’ll see if he gets the job!😎
Has anyone ever told you that you don’t articulate well? It’s the easiest and fastest thing to resolve! Check out these videos of mine where I teach you a few of the articulation exercises that I’ve learned over the years and that I teach to my clients daily! It works!
Watch My TEDx Talk: Elia Nichols | TEDxOltrarno
Summer Reads on Public Speaking
I had the absolute pleasure of returning as a guest and guest host on my amazing friend and colleague’s podcast, 15 with Fosca. We laughed, we shared, and yep — there’s a little Looking for some great reads to sharpen your public speaking skills this summer? As you relax on your beach towel, consider diving into one of these! I’ve found them to be full of helpful insights on public speaking.
Talk Like Ted, by Carmine Gallo
Are you giving a TED talk soon or would you like to? Before you start writing it, read this book. Carmine Gallo watched and analyzed hundreds of TED presentations to identify common elements that make them so impactful. He breaks down the secrets of the most effective and inspiring TED Talks to help anyone improve their public speaking skills.
How to Be Brilliant at Public Speaking by Sarah Lloyd-Hughes
Easy to read, well-organized, this book speaks to the modern speaker, whether that be a business person, a TEDx speaker, or a doctor at a conference. It has immediately-applicable tools to make your presentations and speeches engaging, heart-felt, and well-delivered.
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
The Heath brothers explore the fundamental reasons why some ideas grab our attention, are remembered, and ultimately influence our behavior, while others quickly fade away. This book has helped me understand why so many business people give boring, uninspiring presentations, and HOW they can make their ideas stick! surprise waiting for listeners 👀🎁 Don’t miss it!
Remember my mantra, awareness is power!
That’s all folks!
– Elia
PS – If this info was helpful, please pass it on to someone else who could find it beneficial!