It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a year since I paused production of Sound Sorceresses after the fourth edition, prompted by a need to prioritize my mental health. This past year has been a time of healing and reflection—a time to focus on improving my mental well-being and taking intentional steps toward building the kind of world I want to live in.

With that in mind, I’m excited to share my next project with the Sound Sorceresses community!

If you’ve gotten to know me through Sound Sorceresses you’ve likely noticed how deeply I value education. Among my academic accomplishments, I’m especially proud to have earned a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies, a Master of Arts in Public & Nonprofit Administration, and a Graduate Certificate in Gender & Women’s Studies.

I pursued the graduate certificate to expand my ability to teach at the collegiate level. Unfortunately, with the liberal arts increasingly under threat in the United States, many of the teaching opportunities I had hoped for haven’t materialized. So—I’m making my own.

Beginning August 25, 2025, Rachel Teaches Gender could be arriving in your inbox every week. If you’re interested in subscribing, click here —I’d love to have you along for the journey.

In short, Sound Sorceresses is going to be taking a hiatus and I’m not sure how long the break will be for.

The slightly longer version is something I’ve touched on over this past year in the newsletter, but didn’t fully realize the extent of my own health challenges until quite recently. Although I’m physically healthy, my mental health has taken a serious nose dive and it’s become painfully obvious to me in the last few weeks just how difficult everyday life has become. The clear focus for me is on improving my mental health so that I can thrive.

If you’re interested in staying in touch with me, you can reach me via email at rachelhanson10@gmail.com or on LinkedIn.

Please keep celebrating women’s voices and our technical expertise. The world is better for it.

Sound Sorceresses is a celebration of the value women bring as technical experts and cultural torchbearers. This publication is focused on women actively engaged in audio storytelling.

We’ve just closed out our first year! What did you think of the editions in October 2023, January 2024, April 2024, and July 2024? What are you hoping to see more of?

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Just a few days ago, my spouse and I went to the State Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota to watch a live Stuff You Should Know recording. I normally would not bring up the fellas because this magazine is all about celebrating women. Still, this experience was a master class in allyship and I hope they release the episode so I can share it with you all!

Josh and Chuck talked about The Mad Gasser of Mattoon - a truly bizarre historical event that mostly impacted women in Mattoon, Illinois during World War Two. As this event was being reported, the women impacted by The Mad Gasser were mostly married so in the local newspaper were mostly referred to as, for example, Mrs. Bert Kearney. Josh and Chuck took the time to look up the first names of all the women (Mrs. Kearney’s name was Elsie), took the time to explain to the audience why this was difficult, and then made fun of this patriarchal throwback throughout the entire recording. For example, saying things like “She was allowed to use her first name for a while while her husband was at war.”

It’s this backdrop that I’m using to introduce the next article you’ll find in our October edition. is a podcast coach who focuses on heart-centered storytelling and I could not be more thrilled to welcome her to the Sound Sorceresses community!

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Heart-Forward Podcasting: Healing, Connecting, Growing

I first met Regina on a sleepy (for me) morning to kick off International Podcast Day in 2023 when Regina asked the critical question “What’s to Love about Podcasting?”

This is a conversation I’ve thought back on over this past year, and with the year I’ve had this paragraph from Regina’s article really spoke to me and I hope it resonates with you as well.

Regina says:

In a world where authenticity is often overshadowed by curated perfection, podcasts provide a space for real, unfiltered conversations. These conversations are not just about sharing knowledge or entertaining an audience but about connecting on a deeper, more meaningful level—with our audience, with our guests, with ourselves.

I’d love to know, what is one way podcasting has helped you know yourself better?

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Thank you so much for giving this newsletter real estate in your inbox and your attention. I’m looking forward to hearing from you and being back in your inbox on August 26!

Sound Sorceresses is a celebration of the value women bring as technical experts and cultural torchbearers. This publication is focused on women actively engaged in audio storytelling.

We’ve just closed out our first year! What did you think of the editions in October 2023, January 2024, April 2024, and July 2024? What are you hoping to see more of?

Subscribe now

Do you want to support Sound Sorceresses? Of course you do! Thankfully, there are a bunch of ways to do that 😊.

🎁Share this newsletter with a friend. It’s free!

🪙Give a 1-time financial donation of any amount through Venmo.

⚙️Take advantage of our 20% off launch sale on Printify.

👯‍♀️Subscribe for $8.50 a month or $100 a year.

I don’t know how you feel about it, but it feels nice to be back in the cadence of an every-other-week newsletter. As we get to a time of the year where other things are ramping up, it’s nice for the pace of something else to be ramping down. This line of thinking is reminding me of the April 2, 2024 episode of You Betcha She Did!, “Reach more GOALS by doing LESS”.

In this newsletter, I am really excited to be highlighting , who I am delighted to be welcoming back, and Jennay Horn. Both these women offer a refreshing and welcome perspective on audio editing and I’m excited for you to get a teaser for their October 2024 articles!

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Podcast Editing as an Aging Woman

It feels a bit odd to me to describe Steph as an “aging woman”, but I recently had to explain what a cassette tape was to a group of adults so maybe I’m not the best judge of that.

Aging can come with some uncomfortable emotions (what do you mean you’ve never heard of a cassette tape?) but it also impacts our bodies in very real ways, and when you’ve staked your claim in an industry that can be hostile to women it can be intimidating to realize things aren’t working as well as you might like.

Steph says:

The thing is, I can hear an electrical sound kilometers away. Always have and probably always will. Although I’ve got aging ears I can hear some things really well. And voices, I’m convinced, are one of them. Their nuances are my sweet spot. And they soothe my soul (but that’s a post for another day).

I think it’s fair to say, Steph and I would both love to know how getting older has changed (and dare I suggest, improved) your professional practice.

A Case for Podcast Content Editing

Jennay is the Head of Content at We Edit Podcasts and it is truly thrilling to have her as part of the Sound Sorceresses community. Jennay started out her professional life as a teacher and her journey has taken her to a place that truly helps the content of others shine.

It’s this expertise that she brings to our pages in October. Jennay says:

In podcasting, as in all other mediums for storytelling, the partnership between storytelling and content editing is where the magic happens. And when podcasters can fully embrace the importance of these two elements, their show becomes magic.

What are some times when your recording went “off the rails”, but you were able to cut it out to make your main message shine?

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Thank you so much for giving this newsletter real estate in your inbox and your attention. I’m looking forward to hearing from you and being back in your inbox on August 12!

Sound Sorceresses is a celebration of the value women bring as technical experts and cultural torchbearers. This publication is focused on women actively engaged in audio storytelling.

We’ve just closed out our first year! What did you think of the editions in October 2023, January 2024, April 2024, and July 2024? What are you hoping to see more of?

Subscribe now

Do you want to support Sound Sorceresses? Of course you do! Thankfully, there are a bunch of ways to do that 😊.

🎁Share this newsletter with a friend. It’s free!

🪙Give a 1-time financial donation of any amount through Venmo.

⚙️Take advantage of our 20% off launch sale on Printify.

👯‍♀️Subscribe for $8.50 a month or $100 a year.

I was so touched by all the feedback on the July 2024 edition of the magazine!

From saying:

to of taking to “cringey” (we all know it’s true) LinkedIn to talk about celebrating everything that makes us human:

this edition was, in my opinion, our best one yet.

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After our first year, I’m left reflecting on the victories (of which there are many!) and where there is room for growth (and there’s even more of that).

Being very real for a minute here, cold and flu season in the northern hemisphere kicked me in the butt. I also got COVID-19 very shortly after the January 2024 edition launched and the lingering brain fog has had a significant impact on the attention I’ve been able to give to the excellent pitches that have come my way. This isn’t a plea for attention or reassurance, but I can’t help but feel that you all deserve better.

Sound Sorceresses isn’t going anywhere. I love this magazine and remain (perhaps stubbornly) convinced that there needs to be a growing (and we are growing!) place on the internet that celebrates women and contributes to their material success.

A few ideas are percolating for what Sound Sorceresses is going to bring in Year Two, and I am cautiously optimistic that it is going to be awesome.

Before I close out, I do want to share that the podcast isn’t going anywhere. Substack is just being dumb and “audio” posts are freezing for me.

Sound Sorceresses is a celebration of the value we bring as technical experts and cultural torchbearers. We’re focused on women actively engaged in audio storytelling.

And today we’re celebrating the launch of the July 2024 edition of the magazine! If you’ve been following along these last few weeks, you know there are some incredible articles and interviews in the pages of this edition.

You can visit the Magazine tab at the top of the site or click the magazine cover below to get to reading ❤️.

In celebration of our first year, Sound Sorceresses is also launching a Printify shop with some pretty neat items to help you about your day.

Sound Sorceresses is a celebration of the value we bring as technical experts and cultural torchbearers. We’re focused on women actively engaged in audio storytelling.

The second edition of Sound Sorceresses was published on January 1, 2024, and edition three has been ready for your reading pleasure since April 1, 2024.

I’m sure you can guess the week that has just transpired based on the fact that this is a text-only newsletter. For the 30 of you who listen, I am so sorry for the break in your regularly scheduled programming. Hopefully, you can forgive me when you see the magnificent edition that is going to be in your inbox next week. How is June basically over!?

But before all of that, I want to make sure that you’re as excited as I am about the conversation between and 😊. In case you haven’t picked up on the theme of this edition (which I 100% did not plan), audio storytelling is for everyone.

Want to support Sound Sorceresses? Here’s how!

🥰 Click the like heart below to show us some audio love!

🏋🏽 Forward this issue to a friend and help amplify women in audio!

🐙 Help support the Sound Sorceresses magazine: You can make a 1-time donation here or subscribe starting at $8.50 USD

Stop Gatekeeping

, who is an audio storyteller and lifelong comic book nerd (her words, not mine) who sat down with to talk about the importance of nerd spaces as an avenue for equity and inclusion and their conversation absolutely had my heart soaring!

Like Jasmine, I love comics as a medium so when Jasmine said:

. . . comics are for everybody [because] they’re just such an intimate medium. You get to be the person that sets the pace of the story.

I knew there was another kindred spirit in the pages of Sound Sorceresses.

I hope you’re just as excited as I am for the edition of Sound Sorceresses coming out next Monday! It is a comforting and informative read, there’s something for every part of your journey and I am here for it. Thank you for sharing your space with me.

Because I don’t want to close us out by being too sappy, I’ll close us out by asking what your favorite comic or graphic novel is. I once cosplayed as Jessica Drew, who appeared as a pregnant Spider Woman, and there is a photo of my 2016 pregnant self below! Less easy to cosplay (especially for a lady who looks like me) is my actual favorite. It’s a manga series, A Bride’s Story, by Kaour Mori.

I, and all our incredibly talented contributors, will be in your inbox next Monday!

Sound Sorceresses is a celebration of the value we bring as technical experts and cultural torchbearers. We’re focused on women actively engaged in audio storytelling.

The second edition of Sound Sorceresses was published on January 1, 2024, and edition three has been ready for your reading pleasure since April 1, 2024.

I had an opening in mind for this week’s edition of the newsletter, but as I was sitting down to write it I received some pretty juicy family news and had to step away to share with my spouse. When I came back, the “real” opening I had was gone and this is what remained. Why do I admit this to you? Because I think it’s important to remember that Sound Sorceresses is one part of a very full life and that we all have responsibilities to ourselves outside of our work.

But also, this feels like a very solid introduction for Lindsay Patterson and , who are both joining us in July to share their expertise on telling stories in creative and meaningful ways!

Want to support Sound Sorceresses? Here’s how!

🥰 Click the like heart below to show us some audio love!

🏋🏽 Forward this issue to a friend and help amplify women in audio!

🐙 Help support the Sound Sorceresses magazine: You can make a 1-time donation here or subscribe starting at $8.50 USD

From Journalism to Kids’ Podcasts’

I was lucky enough to sit down with Lindsay over Zoom during a brief respite in the day (I was pretending it was nap time for my kids. I suspect her little ones were actually resting) to talk about her journey into the world of kids podcasting. When it came to the creation of Tumble, what Lindsay had to say has really stuck with me. She said:

We were just sort of imagining everything from scratch. I didn’t know that I wanted to create a community, but that’s what ended up happening.

Just like the creation of , which was featured two weeks ago, sometimes you just have to dive in and do it!

Ear Exploring Shanghai

is my absolute favorite type of academic - one who uses her skills as a researcher to help us all have a better understanding of the world around us. Diane is not based in the United States (big duh, once you hear what her article is about) but on my side of the globe where liberal arts education is under attack I think Diane’s ability to use her background as a researcher to pivot into a new field is the perfect example of how important flexible thinking can be!

We are fortunate to have Diane sharing her experience of creating a beautiful and comprehensive soundscape of Shanghai. She pioneered a technique and the result:

. . . blew me away. On good headphones, my recordings captured exactly the aural experience of being there.

I’m excited to hear what you think about Diane’s technique when you read her article on July 1!

It’s hard to believe there’s only one more newsletter between now and the launch of the new edition of Sound Sorceresses! Is there an article that you’re especially interested to read after the “teasers” of the last several weeks?

I’m excited to hear from you this week (thank you all for your feedback on the AI question, by the way!) and excited to be back in your inbox on June 24.

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Sound Sorceresses is a celebration of the value we bring as technical experts and cultural torchbearers. We’re focused on women actively engaged in audio storytelling.

The second edition of Sound Sorceresses was published on January 1, 2024, and edition three has been ready for your reading pleasure since April 1, 2024.

As we continue to “move and grove” toward July 1, I have a question for you. How do you feel about AI-generated images? So far the art in the magazine, except for the wonderful cover by Kate Rance, has been sourced from Unsplash but I’ve been playing with AI-generated images. Mostly, my spouse and I have been using it as a tool to help our kids have a visual of the fantastical visions in their heads. How would you feel about that type of art in the magazine? Let me know in the comments or send an email to soundsorceresses@gmail.com!

This edition of the newsletter is highlighting the excellent work of voice actor Tessa Flannery. Tessa’s satirical article really drives home what it can be like as a woman doing creative work on her own. In short, we’re better together!

Onward to the newsletter!

Want to support Sound Sorceresses? Here’s how!

🥰 Click the like heart below to show us some audio love!

🏋🏽 Forward this issue to a friend and help amplify women in audio!

🐙 Help support the Sound Sorceresses magazine: You can make a 1-time donation here or subscribe starting at $8.50 USD

A Director's Misogynistic Methods and a Voice Actor's Exit

As you get to know Tessa Flannery you start to think, “Is there anything this woman doesn’t do!?” Seriously, she’s a writer, producer, voiceover artist, filmmaker, theater maker, professor, and photographer. But living creatively as a woman can also be really hard and Tessa’s closing statement really drives this home. She says:

We reached out to the woman/voice actor with an opportunity to praise the Director, but sources close to her say she has left the entertainment industry to start a farm on a remote Scottish island..

Tessa’s article is a difficult “must-read” for anyone who wants to be a better ally to all workers and for people who want to join this growing community of creators and storytellers.

This is a shorter newsletter than is typical, but I’m so grateful to have spent this time with you this week. I’m excited to be able to connect with you on June 17!

Sound Sorceresses is a celebration of the value we bring as technical experts and cultural torchbearers. We’re focused on women actively engaged in audio storytelling.

The second edition of Sound Sorceresses was published on January 1, 2024, and edition three has been ready for your reading pleasure since April 1, 2024.

Welcome to Pride Month at Sound Sorceresses! I’m so excited to be celebrating this month, but also have a bunch of feelings around the fact that the next edition of Sound Sorceresses will be out and ready for you to read in just a month! If you’re interested in advertising in the July edition, check out this post on Facebook!

In this weeks newsletter, I have the pleasure of highlighting Mary Morgan, , and ! Let’s dive in to talk about authenticity, home, and more!

Want to support Sound Sorceresses? Here’s how!

🥰 Click the like heart below to show us some audio love!

🏋🏽 Forward this issue to a friend and help amplify women in audio!

🐙 Help support the Sound Sorceresses magazine: You can make a 1-time donation here or subscribe starting at $8.50 USD

The Thin Line Between Acting & Masking

When I reached out to Mary Morgan to share how much her World Autism Day post on LinkedIn meant to me and invite her to write for Sound Sorceresses, I didn’t expect to get a “yes”. So I literally could not have been more thrilled when Mary replied back accepting my invitation! Mary graciously agreed to write about masking and how that impacts her professional practice. She says:

My goals now are to work with as many creative people as possible and establish teamwork on projects I’m hired to be part of or that I create myself. The only pretending I do today is on stage, on film, behind a microphone, or with written words. 

Audio storytelling has some truly radical potential because of how accessible it is. Let’s continue building a world where we can all share our voices!

Hometown History

Audio storyteller and co-creator of , is joining us in July to talk about her path in audio storytelling and just how hard it can be to take your own advice! In her article she shares:

As I got off the call (which went unexpectedly well, Amy emailed later to say that it was very helpful and “surprisingly motivating”) I considered again the advice I had come up with on the spot, which was to work on a passion project during this fallow season for audio. Why didn’t I try taking my own advice?

And boy, did she take her own advice! If you haven’t tuned in to Hometown History, you really should. Even if you don’t live in New Jersey (as many of us do not), you’re going to love the curiosity that Katie and Ryan use to discover their new hometown.

We get to close out today with a press release from !

We’re working with the celebrated podcast Making Gay History. This year, for Stonewall’s 55th Anniversary, the podcast is re-releasing their fifth season, a look inside the 1969 Stonewall Uprising from the people who were actually there.

This re-release is also coming with some exciting extras: a bonus episode interview with June Thomas, former head of Slate podcasts, co-host of Working, and author of an upcoming book on lesbian spaces. Making Gay History host Eric Marcus, New York Times bestseller and author of a dozen books including two editions of Making Gay History, will also be on a panel for a live recording of Slate’s Slow Burn at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.

More info on Making Gay History and Eric Marcus below. Looking forward to hearing from you!

###

About Making Gay History

Making Gay History is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that addresses the absence of substantive, in-depth LGBTQ+-inclusive American history from the public discourse and the classroom. By sharing the stories of those who helped a despised minority take its rightful place in society as full and equal citizens, we aim to encourage connection, pride, and solidarity within the LGBTQ+ community—and to provide an entry point for both allies and the general public to its largely hidden history.

About Eric Marcus

Eric Marcus is the author of a dozen books, including two editions of Making Gay History (the original 1992 edition is entitled Making History), Why Suicide?, and Breaking the Surface, the #1 New York Times bestselling autobiography of Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis. Eric is also the co-producer of Those Who Were There, a podcast drawn from the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies. He is the founder and chair emeritus of the Stonewall 50 Consortium and is a founding board member of the American LGBTQ+ Museum. Learn more about Eric in this NBC News profile.

As ever, Sound Sorceresses would love to host your writing (I know there are a few subscribers waiting to hear back from me. Thank you for your patience!). I’m getting really excited for you to read the July 2024 edition, so don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss it on release day!

See you next Monday, I hope you have a great week!

Subscribe now

Sound Sorceresses is a celebration of the value we bring as technical experts and cultural torchbearers. We’re focused on women actively engaged in audio storytelling.

The second edition of Sound Sorceresses was published on January 1, 2024, and edition three has been ready for your reading pleasure since April 1, 2024.

I literally could not be more thrilled to start showcasing the incredible writers and storytellers that will be joining the Sound Sorceresses community in July! This entire edition is all about showing up as you are and using the priviledge you have to shine a light on injustice.

The work Emma Lehman and Marlene Sharp have been engaged in to shine a light on stories that have been in the dark for too long is truly inspiring. It’s an honor to have their gifts and voices grace the pages of Sound Sorceresses.

Want to support Sound Sorceresses? Here’s how!

🥰 Click the like heart below to show us some audio love!

🏋🏽 Forward this issue to a friend and help amplify women in audio!

🐙 Help support the Sound Sorceresses magazine: You can make a 1-time donation here or subscribe starting at $8.50 USD

Permission Slip:

Emma Lehman of is an artist and storyteller who embraces the physical and the digital in her artistry. As an investigative journalist, the stories she shines a light on are (really) award winning. As a photographer and embroidery artist, she uses her hands to make inspiring pieces of art (and sometimes make lemonade out of lemons - yes, she really did make this!).

In her article about the journey of making Gooned , Emma shares:

It turns out that making something with no “permission slip” was not only successful, but was the most rewarding piece of reporting I’ve ever produced. . . We can make a difference, even if all we have is an $80 microphone and an employee discount on refrigerated lasagna.

The Orange County Asperger's Support Group

Did you know that Sound Sorceresses accepts types of content other than articles? I’m guessing no, becuase we’re still so new! But of Pink Poodle Productions is here to remind us that there is some really incredible work happening in the world of accessibility. The Autism in Entertainment Conference had nearly 400 attendees and for their efforts are pleased to announce that:

The Orange County Asperger’s Support Group (OCASG). . . is being recongized by the Irvine Residents with Disabilities Advisory Board with the 2024 Disability Friendly Community Award.

This speaks to me on a deeply personal level. As a mama of an aspiring filmmaker on the spectrum, it means so much to me that there are incredible people like Marlene and Judi Uttal (president of the Orange County Asperger’s Support Group) who are doing great work to make employment accessible and sustainable for people on the spectrum.

Last week, I shared that I was toying with the idea of organizing some version of a semi-regular, but casual, Sound Sorceresses meetup. 100% of survey respondents said that they would be interested in something like that, but the percentage is somewhat misleading because only one person answered. I’m going to invite you one more time to participate in the poll (it’s below) and we’ll go from there 😀.

Thank you for making it to the end! I’m excited to see you again on June 3!

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Sound Sorceresses is a celebration of the value we bring as technical experts and cultural torchbearers. We’re focused on women actively engaged in audio storytelling.

The second edition of Sound Sorceresses was published on January 1, 2024, and edition three has been ready for your reading pleasure since April 1, 2024.

As May unfolds, we have the chance to honor mothers, a celebration often filled with warmth and joy. Yet, it's essential to recognize that Mother's Day can evoke a spectrum of emotions, acknowledging the diverse experiences within our community. This newsletter opens with this awareness, understanding of the complexities that this occasion may hold for many of us.

In my perspective, motherhood transcends biology; it embodies the nurturing and growth of what is good. Today, we spotlight an exceptional individual whose journey exemplifies this ethos. Yaneti Bakele, the president of the Podcast Club at Inver Hills, embodies resilience and growth through her storytelling craft. Her story not only inspires but also underscores the power of nurturing environments in fostering personal development.

Want to support Sound Sorceresses? Here’s how!

🥰 Click the like heart below to show us some audio love!

🏋🏽 Forward this issue to a friend and help amplify women in audio!

🐙 Help support the Sound Sorceresses magazine: You can make a 1-time donation here or subscribe starting at $8.50 USD

An Interview with Yaneti Bakele

Yaneti Bakele, the powerhouse behind Inver Hills Community College's Podcasting Club joined for a Sound Sorceresses conversation all about her student leadership journey. From reluctant beginnings to transformative leadership, Yaneti shares the story of how a passion for conversation turned into 'Talking About Your Truth,' the club's popular podcast. Through setbacks and successes, Yaneti's determination shines as she navigates technical challenges and fosters a safe space for authentic storytelling. When it comes to her journey, she says:

If you're really passionate about something, if you really want to do something, don't hold it off and try to wait on it later on and try to go and try new things. Even though it's scary, even though you can feel uncomfortable some days, if you just go out there and do something, it could really not only transform other people's life, but it can also transform your life.

I've had a thought lingering in my mind for quite some time now, and it's time to share it with all of you! Sound Sorceresses is a wonderful community, and I truly cherish the connections we've built through our newsletter and magazine.

I've been pondering the idea of hosting casual digital meetups on a semi-regular basis. These meetups would provide an opportunity for us to come together, discuss our shared interests, and perhaps even explore new ideas. While I envision Zoom-based gatherings every-other-month, lasting around 45 minutes, I'm eager to hear your thoughts and suggestions!

What do you think? Would you be interested in joining these meetups? Do you have any ideas for topics or formats you'd like to see? Your input is invaluable in shaping the future of our community.

Please take a moment to share your thoughts via the poll below or reach out to me directly. Let's make these meetups something truly special, tailored to the interests and preferences of our amazing readers. I can't wait to hear from you!

As we close out, I want to thank you very sincerely for your time this week! You can also catch up with us on Facebook and LinkedIn 😊. I’m excited to see you again on May 27!

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Sound Sorceresses is a celebration of the value we bring as technical experts and cultural torchbearers. We’re focused on women actively engaged in audio storytelling.

The second edition of Sound Sorceresses was published on January 1, 2024, and edition three has been ready for your reading pleasure since April 1, 2024.

Good morning! Welcome back to our weekly newsletter. I'm thrilled to reconnect with you and embark on this journey of celebration and anticipation together.

I know what you might be thinking: “Didn’t I just hear from Rachel last week?”. Yes, you did, and I'm excited to experiment with this weekly newsletter format. Our goal is to build excitement and celebrate the upcoming magazine editions while still honoring the incredible contributors from past editions.

As we transition from the April 2024 magazine to the upcoming July 2024 edition, it's important to shine a spotlight on the talented women who have contributed to our past editions. Their work deserves recognition as we eagerly anticipate the assembly of the next magazine behind the scenes.

In our April edition, Holly Taylor-Zuntz and Susan Thompson of the Voices of the Ancestors podcast graced us with their insightful article. If you haven't experienced Georgian polyphonic singing or need inspiration for your storytelling journey, their work is a must-read.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates and highlights from upcoming editions. Let's embark on this journey together and continue celebrating the creativity and talent within our community.

Want to support Sound Sorceresses? Here’s how!

🥰 Click the like heart below to show us some audio love!

🏋🏽 Forward this issue to a friend and help amplify women in audio!

🐙 Help support the Sound Sorceresses magazine: You can make a 1-time donation here or subscribe starting at $8.50 USD

The Voices of the Ancestors

Voices of the Ancestors epitomizes the global phenomenon of women uplifting each other. Holly and Susan's enchantment with the traditional three-part harmony songs of the Republic of Georgia reflects not just a musical fascination but a deep appreciation for the cultural tapestry woven by women across the world.

In the realm of Georgian polyphonic singing, recordings featuring men dominate online platforms. While acknowledging the musical prowess of men, it's crucial to recognize that women are equally pivotal in shaping the narrative of our collective history. Holly and Susan's journey has been a continuous quest for knowledge, yet their reflections resonate deeply within the Sound Sorceresses community:

...making the podcast is a constant learning journey in which no two days are the same. If you enjoy hearing women’s stories and songs weaved into an audio tapestry, we hope you’ll enjoy listening to Voices of the Ancestors.

Their story not only celebrates the power of women's voices but also invites listeners to join a vibrant community where every story and every song enriches our understanding of the human experience.

As you know, there’s an active goal here at Sound Sorceresses. I originally asked for your help to connect with 50 writers by May 1, 2024. Many of us struggle with time, but I think we all know it’s past May 1🤣. I am so grateful for all the connections that have resulted in 23 confirmed articles with five more in the works!

I am still very gladly taking pitches, so if you’re interested in writing, please fill out this form. Please also feel free to recommend folks!

As we close out, I want to thank you very sincerely for your time this week! You can also catch up with us on Facebook and LinkedIn 😊. I’m excited to see you again on May 20!

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Sound Sorceresses is a celebration of the value we bring as technical experts and cultural torchbearers. We’re focused on women actively engaged in audio storytelling.

The second edition of Sound Sorceresses was published on January 1, 2024, and edition three has been ready for your reading pleasure since April 1, 2024.

Welcome to the first newsletter of May! At this point, I imagine most of you know that my full-time job is in public higher education. It is with that lens that I say, the roll toward the end of the semester has been slow and maybe just a little painful. As a person who was raised in the Mormon church, I have an arsenol of Sunday School songs that I can recall on command - even several all about the pioneers colonizing the West. One such song goes “Here comes the ox cart, oh how slow. . . creak creak creak creak is their song”, and I think this refrain is somewhat fitting for where I’m sitting.

Thankfully, there is some celebration to be found and that is in the downright excellent interview between and Becca Seidel. Their conversation about lifelong learning, corageous collaboration, and the importance of having a life outside of work.

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🐙 Help support the Sound Sorceresses magazine: You can make a 1-time donation here or subscribe starting at $8.50 USD

An Interview with Rebecca (Becca) Seidel

Becca Seidel, was able to sit down with Sound Sorceresses regular and (at least to the readers) have a really lovely conversation all about navigating a constantly changing field. In true feminist fashion, Becca correctly gave credit to the mantra “there is no such thing as a podcast emergency” to Kathy Tu. She expounded by saying:

I care deeply about the work I create [but]. . . there is a whole world out there [and]. . . whatever the stress is, however consuming it feels, it will resolve somehow.

In a time when sharing stories can literally feel like the only thing staving off calamity, Becca’s reminder is such a breath of fresh air.

Interview - continued

I literally cannot say enough about of Platform Media LLC. This is a strange share, so bear with me. Just a few days ago I was thinking about Kara and her love of the Mavel Cinematic University when I was watching this TikTok by Jameelah Jones about the history of the prefix Ms.

The history of the prefix is deeply feminist, and more importantly it’s antiracist. When I think of Kara and the beautiful interviews she conducts and the story she aims to tell in all the work she does, the primary descriptor that comes to mind is “intersectional feminism”.

As you know, there’s an active goal here at Sound Sorceresses. I asked for your help to connect with 50 writers by May 1, 2024. The goal is to have confirmed articles so that I can focus my attention on growing the funding base. I seriously want to make sure folks are fairly compensated! I am pleased to confirm that there are 21 articles confirmed and three additional in the works!

If you’re interested in writing, please fill out this form. If you know someone who would be a great fit, send this newsletter along to them!

Thank you for making it to the end! I’m excited to see you again on May 20!

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Sound Sorceresses is a celebration of the value we bring as technical experts and cultural torchbearers. We’re focused on women actively engaged in audio storytelling.

The second edition of Sound Sorceresses was published on January 1, 2024, and edition three has been ready for your reading pleasure since April 1, 2024.

There’s nothing quite like an unintentional newsletter break! But let’s be real, sometimes that’s just how things go down. I’m grateful to be back in your inbox and I’m really excited to hear what you thought of the April 2024 edition of Sound Sorceresses!

There are still some January authors who deserve a ton of attention and I’m thrilled to be highlighting and Angela Mason in this edition of the newsletter.

Want to support Sound Sorceresses? Here’s how!

🥰 Click the like heart below to show us some audio love!

🏋🏽 Forward this issue to a friend and help amplify women in audio!

🐙 Help support the Sound Sorceresses magazine: You can make a 1-time donation here or subscribe starting at $8.50 USD

Why Should Anyone Care?

Cristina Marras, whose tag line is “art in all the wrong places”, uses multi-lingual storytelling as a political act. Her recent, award-winning, piece called “Every Library in my Life” is a beautiful example of this. Within her article, she also articulates the heartfelt need for connection across the linguistic divide when she says:

Now, back to my initial question: why should anyone care? Because I envision myself creating in the solitude of my semi-remote Italian island, I realise that I’m part of a broader political tapestry woven with threads of memory, language, and identity.

I would add that we should be grateful for people who communicate multilingually (if that wasn’t a word before, it is now!) because not all of us are blessed to be able to receive knowledge in anything other than our mother tongue.

The Art of Foley: Elevating Your Podcast with Authentic Sound

Angela Mason is an incredible creator (seriously, check out her portfolio) who reminds us that creating art is just as much about feeling as it is about technical skill. Her article, which is all about using what you have to create realistic sound effects, gave me a much-needed reminder of how important sounds are throughout your day.

If you’re feeling intimidated about using Foley in your productions, I hope Angela’s statement on Page 38 encourages you!

Let your imagination run wild by repurposing ordinary objects in extraordinary ways.

You never know what you have that is going to bring your audio story to life!

In the last edition of the newsletter, I asked for your help to connect with 50 writers by May 1, 2024. The goal is to have confirmed articles so that I can focus my attention on growing the funding base. I seriously want to make sure folks are fairly compensated! I am pleased to confirm that there are 18 articles confirmed - so there’s been incredible progress made and I appreciate your support!

If you’re interested in writing, please fill out this form. If you know someone who would be a great fit, send this newsletter along to them!

Thank you for making it to the end! I’ll be back on a regular schedule and will see you again on May 6!

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Sound Sorceresses is a celebration of the value we bring as technical experts and cultural torchcearers. We’re focused on women actively engaged in audio storytelling.

The first edition of Sound Sorceresses was published October 1, 2023 and our second edition went live on January 1, 2024.

I am a woman of a certain age so I’m going to open by saying, no - the title of this edition of the newsletter isn’t an announcement that I’m pregnant. It is an homage to the January 2024 authors, and who are going to be highlighted here.

Possibly not shocking, there’s also going to be an ask at the end but I promise it’s not too onerus!

Want to support Sound Sorceresses? Here’s how!

🥰 Click the like heart below to show us some audio love!

🏋🏽 Forward this issue to a friend and help amplify women in audio!

🐙 Help support the Sound Sorceresses magazine: You can make a 1-time donation here or subscribe starting at $8.50 USD

Who Do You Think You Are?

Flloyd Kennedy, Acress, Singer-Songwriter, Performance Poet, and Podcaster is an incredible artist who reminds us all to be our authentic selves. After all, there can be a lot of trauma associated with being made to be someone that isn’t “you”. Flloyd puts it so sucsinctly when she says:

She thought she was protecting me from criticism, from disappointment, because - in her own word: “I knew you had to have a tough skin to survive in that world and you were a little softy.” Bless, eh?

Flloyd’s article reminds us that it’s taking chances, making mistakes, and getting messy that make life (which, of course, includes telling our stories) worth living!

Rules for Growing

Kris Keppeler is the absolute epitome of lifelong learning. She found her voice in Junior High and has used it as a tool to narrate audiobooks, act (in front of and behind the mic) and podcast! And much to the delight of my middle child, she has even impersonated a cat.

Kris’ article is top notch through-and-through but my favorite quote from the whole thing is:

Don’t be afraid to apply what you’ve learned to expand your horizons.

Okay, so here’s the ask.

If you’ve been reading for a while, you know that illness has been a pretty constant companion in the Hanson household over this winter. I am even on the tail end of a stomach bug as I write and record this now! And that’s making it extra difficult to make solid connections with writers and advertisers. As we careen toward Year Two of Sound Sorceresses being here on the internet, I’m debating changing how I approach making the magazine. Without getting into the nitty-gritty, what I’d very sincerely appreciate is connecting with 50 writers by May 1, 2024.

If you’re interested in writing, please fill out this form. If you know someone who would be a great fit, send this newsletter along to them!

Thank you for making it all the way to the end! The April 2024 edition will be in your inboxes on April 1, and that’s no joke!

Subscribe now

Sound Sorceresses is a celebration of the value we bring as technical experts and cultural torchcearers. We’re focused on women actively engaged in audio storytelling.

The first edition of Sound Sorceresses was published October 1, 2023 and our second edition went live on January 1, 2024.

Can you believe we’re almost at the April 1 edition of Sound Sorceresses!? I am very excited for you to see what we have in store! We’ll be profiling some truly incredible women in this edition and I’m excited for you to get to know them!

But we also have some incredible women for you to continue getting acquainted with from the January 2024 edition. If you’ve ever felt at a loss for how to “treat” your room, you are going to love having the opportunity to review Ashley Dickson-Ellison’s article.

Finally, at the end of this newsletter, there are a few behind-the-scenes changes I’ll be mentioning. I’m glad you’re here, so let’s dive in!

Want to support Sound Sorceresses? Here’s how!

🥰 Click the like heart below to show us some audio love!

🏋🏽 Forward this issue to a friend and help amplify women in audio!

🐙 Help support the Sound Sorceresses magazine: You can make a 1-time donation here or subscribe starting at $8.50 USD

Podcasting on the Go

Ashley Dickson-Ellison of Unabridged Digital Media Solutions truly is the queen of adaptability. From her career pivots (high school teacher turned audio storyteller) to her ability to record basically anywhere has me in absolute awe of her.

Because my own office setup evokes more of a “if there’s enough clutter, surely it will sound great” (see picture below) Ashley’s comment…

While I am not someone who does major room treatment prior to recording, there are some circumstances where modifications are needed before recording.

filled me with immense relief! If Ashley doesn’t usually do “major treatments” to a room, maybe I’m doing okay.

We’re all professionals here - what does your recording space look like? Drop a picture in the comments or feel free to email soundsorceresses@gmail.com!

Last, but not least, some changes and news!

Our last two magazine editions have used an online magazine builder called Flipnsnack. I really wanted to like it, but the truth of it is I do not. Even for basic things like hyperlinks, it’s just not what I need and it’s not what you deserve! The flipbook effect is one that I LOVE so we’ll be doing a run with Heyzine. I’m eager to give it a try and to hear what you think!

Finally - one goal for this magazine is to ultimately help me and those who write for Sound Sorceresses to make a decent living. It’s been slow going in 2024 due to illness (which I’m sure isn’t surprising if you’ve been reading this year!) and I’d love to hear from you. What would you need to advertise with a magazine that has 340 subscribers and over 1000 views every month?

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Thank you for making it all the way to the end! I’m looking forward to seeing you again on March 25.

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The winner has been notified and we announced it in our January 15 newsletter but neglected to update the Giveaway page with the big announcement!

Sarah Golding of Quirky Voices won the Shure MV7 SRH440A Tripod Bundle!

We hope that this equipment brings your already fantastic game to the next level.

Every member of the Sound Sorceresses community is such an incredible human, and Sarah is no exception. As she said herself, Sarah loves a challenge so make sure to connect with her for exceptional storytelling, acting, and teaching!