Podcasting is a.... Sport?
When people think of “vocal athletes,” they picture Broadway performers powering through eight shows a week, voice actors doing exertions, or actors delivering intense monologues. But there’s another group of professionals pushing their voices to the limit, day after day — and they’re often overlooked in this conversation: podcasters.
Yes, podcasters are vocal athletes, too. And it’s time we treated them like it.
Your Voice Is Your Profession
Whether you host a weekly interview show, narrate an investigative series, or create comedy content, your voice is the tool of your trade. It is manipulated to create tone, timing, emotion, clarity, and connection. This is taxing and strenuous on the cords and throat, and as such, requires maintenance, training, and rest.
Most podcasters speak for extended periods of time — hours at a stretch, multiple days a week. Add on the pressures of promotion, guest appearances, live recordings and speaking engagements, and the vocal load can become significant very quickly. And unlike singers, podcasters often don’t think of themselves as using their voice in a “professional” capacity — which means they’re less likely to train, care for and protect their voice, warm up, hydrate, or rest between sessions. As a matter of fact, one of our vocal athletes is a prolific actor and singer, but only ran into vocal trouble when she started podcasting.
Repetition Without Rest = Risk
Recording episode after episode without vocal rest or proper technique can lead to fatigue, strain, and injury. Many podcasters report symptoms like hoarseness (starting at 16:42), vocal fry, vocal fatigue, or pain — especially if they’re speaking over background noise, using poor microphone technique, or pushing volume to match inconsistent audio levels.
Over time, these habits can lead to muscular tension, swelling, and long-term vocal issues — especially when ignored or brushed off as having “just lost my voice” The reality is: podcasters are vocal professionals operating at high capacity. That means they’re at real risk for the same types of injuries we see in singers and public speakers. And voice "loss" (ie temporary hoarseness) is a flag symptom for injury.
The Microphone Doesn’t Protect You
One common misconception is that speaking into a mic is easier on the voice — after all, you’re not yelling across a room, right? But microphones aren’t magic. Without proper mic training and expertise, many push their voices more on the mic. If you’re tensing your throat, pushing for volume, or speaking without breaks, you're overworking the same small muscles as a stage performer.
In fact, the pressure to sound “engaging” or “natural” on mic can lead to subtle but harmful habits — speaking at an unnaturally low pitch, increasing vocal fry, or holding tension in the throat and jaw. All of these can wear on the voice over time.
Podcasters Deserve Vocal Support, Too
It’s time to start treating podcasters like the vocal athletes they are. That means:
Vocal health check: get checked before demand is high, especially if you are losing your voice or having voice symptoms
Warming up before recording
Taking regular breaks during long sessions
Staying hydrated
Working with a voice therapist to cultivate a good vocal health routine
Monitoring vocal changes — and not ignoring signs of strain
Anyone whose audience expects them to deliver hours of high-quality content each week deserves the tools, resources, and respect of a vocal athlete.
Let’s Redefine the Term “Performer”
We live in a world where performance happens everywhere — not just on stages or in arenas, but in closets-turned-studios, home offices, and recording booths. If your voice is your livelihood, you are performing. And if you're performing consistently, you need a strategy to keep your voice healthy.
Podcasters, we see you. You’re doing demanding, creative, high-output work with your voice. And you deserve the same care, recovery, and support that every other vocal professional receives.
Need help supporting your voice behind the mic? The Center for Vocal Health offers preventative care, coaching, and treatment options for podcasters, voice actors, and content creators. Reach out to learn more.
