If you can talk, you can sing!
For anyone who says they can't sing.
The gap between anatomy and belief
When I talk about the physical and emotional benefits of singing, the most common response I hear is a variation of ‘I can't sing"‘ ‘I'm completely tone-deaf’, or ‘I would love to, but I really can't.’
It is true that a small percentage of the population has a genuine neurological barrier to processing pitch. Up to 4 per cent of people have congenital amusia, a condition that cannot be explained by hearing loss, brain injury, or other cognitive factors. Yet, in any given room, far more than 4 per cent of people will insist they are permanently and completely unable to carry a tune.
That gap between reality and the stories we tell about ourselves is significant. We accept that playing the piano, the guitar or the violin will require hundreds of hours of practice to master, even though some people seem to have more of a natural affinity for it than others. But because our voices are an inherent part of our anatomy, we tend to believe that singing tunefully is an innate, binary gift: you either have it or you don’t.
The Psychology of Voice
For anyone whose voice shakes when it matters, or who swallows what they really need to say.
When I talk about the psychology of voice, people often hope or expect to learn tactics for being heard, understood, and taken seriously, based on studies that show which pitch, accent, body language, or tone audiences best respond to. There can be real value in considering how we come across when we communicate, yet I don't offer tips and tricks that promise to endow you with an artificial air of authority, confidence, or persuasiveness. My passion lies in wholehearted, authentic communication. As a practitioner, I explore how our thoughts, emotions, and physical states shape how we express ourselves, and specialise in communication, trauma recovery, relationships, and a body-focused approach to wellbeing.
The interface between inside and outside
When I think of voice, I think about being heard, speaking out against things we find unacceptable, advocating for ourselves or others, performing or presenting in front of an audience, and the physical mechanics of speaking or singing.
Collective Psyche, Myth and Ritual
For anyone feeling disoriented by the stories our culture tells in a crisis – and looking for grounding that feels real.
Humans are hard-wired for connection. We evolved as pack animals who relied on safety in numbers, but we're also compulsive meaning-makers. When a crisis hits and the world stops making sense, the stories we tell ourselves determine whether we pull together or turn on each other.
Throughout human history, sharing stories around a fire helped our ancestors create a common identity, honour those who came before them, and navigate an unpredictable environment. Our ability to imagine together allowed us to build shared symbols, rules, and communities.