Julia Whelan, a successful audiobook narrator, was recently interviewed by Brian Bartes on his podcast. We usually take for granted that audiobooks are right at our fingertips, a click away, without thinking about everything that goes into creating one. I learned from this podcast that there is a whole world of narration and narrators.
One question Brian asked drew an answer from Julia that struck a nerve in me. He asked her, “What do you hope your listeners get from your performance?” I hadn’t previously considered narrating an audiobook as a performance. She answered, “I hope they feel something. I think that is the point of literature, that is the point of performance, to connect us all in some common human experience.” Wow.
Do people feel something when you speak, when you perform, when you preach, when you give a brief talk, when you deliver a keynote, or when you write? Do people feel something when you lead? Or do you just dole out hum-drum information, instruction, and platitudes?
Are hearts moved, lives changed, and dreams ignited when you show up? Or is everyone mentally yawning?
Delivering information at a level that makes people feel something requires intention. For Julia to read a book and make it meaningful to the listener means that she shows up a certain way, rehearses a certain way, and take her craft seriously in order for each character in a book to come to life. It demands her to be passionate about a book, about its plot, and about her performance. She must believe she is making a difference in order for her performance to make a difference.
As a Christian leader or entrepreneur, leadership is your craft. Leading is your calling. Dig deep. Become. Be intentional to be meaningful so that everyone touched by your leadership will feel something and be changed.
How can I support you more as a Christian leader and entrepreneur?
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