A podcast all about voice acting

I have a confession to make... I didn't think about the talented voice actors behind the animated series and movies I love until pretty late in life. I knew that people were giving life to the two dimensional characters I saw on the screen, but I'm embarrassed to say that was where I left it. One day though, I was thinking about the voices of Yoda and Fozzie Bear and how they sounded similar. It all clicked into place, and I began learning the names - and sometimes the voices - of the hard-working actors whose talents could really push a cartoon into the territory of phenomenal. That appreciation has grown over the years.

So, imagine my delight when I realized Rob Paulsen - the voice of Raphael from the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pinky of Pinky and the Brain, and Yakko from Animaniacs and sooo many more - hosts a podcast all about voice acting! It's appropriately called Talkin' Toons. I've only started listening, but besides the fact that Paulsen is a funny, entertaining guy, he also interviews lots of awesome actors. I mean, he knows so many people in the field that it's just like listening to two pals talk, laugh, tell stories, and occasionally break into random characters. Guests include Mark Hamill, Tara Strong, Phil Lamarr, Bill Farmer, and on and on. He also has a bunch of solo shows talking about how he got into voice acting, etc.

Whether you're a long time fan of voice actors, just discovering what the phrase "voice actor" means, or interested in getting into the field: this podcast is for you. The show is available through Paulsen's site or on iTunes. Go download all of them now.

And there's more! If you live in Los Angeles, Paulsen hosts live shows at the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club. I'll definitely make it a point to check out one of those soon!