<p>Your voice communicates leadership long before your words do.</p><p>In this solo episode of <strong>Scaling Nerds</strong>, Marina Schmidt explores a subtle but powerful communication skill most founders never think about: <strong>vocal placement</strong>.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Links</strong></p><p>Connect with the host:</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/schmidt-marina/">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/schmidt-marina/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p>[email protected]</p><p><br></p><p>Could use some help with your comms? </p><p>Work with Marina via <a href="https://www.wearekinetik.com/">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wearekinetik.com/⁠⁠</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Why do some people instantly sound trustworthy, calm, and authoritative — while others unintentionally sound nervous, strained, or less confident than they actually are?</p><p>The answer often lies in <strong>where the voice is coming from in the body</strong>.</p><p>Drawing from vocal training, podcasting experience, and hundreds of founder conversations, Marina explains how founders can use their voice more intentionally when pitching investors, speaking on stage, or leading teams.</p><p>You will learn how different vocal placements — from head voice to chest voice to belly voice — affect how others perceive your confidence, credibility, and presence.</p><p>Most importantly, Marina shares simple exercises you can use <strong>before an important presentation or pitch</strong> to ground your voice and project calm authority.</p><p>If you are a technical founder who wants to sound as credible as the work you are building, this episode will help you become more aware of the leadership signal hidden in your voice.</p><p><br></p><p>In This Episode</p><ul><li><p>Why the voice of a pilot can instantly calm nervous passengers</p></li><li><p>The concept of <strong>vocal placement</strong> and why it matters for founders</p></li><li><p>The five common places people speak from: head, mouth, throat, chest, and belly</p></li><li><p>Why <strong>chest and belly voice</strong> create more authority and trust</p></li><li><p>The difference between <strong>speaking loudly and projecting your voice</strong></p></li><li><p>How vocal strain and sore throats reveal poor vocal placement</p></li><li><p>A simple breathing exercise to ground your voice before a pitch or presentation</p></li><li><p>Why smiling slightly while speaking can make your voice sound warmer</p></li><li><p>How founders can consciously train their voice for leadership presence</p></li></ul><p><strong>Your voice shapes first impressions.</strong><br>Before people process your ideas, they interpret your vocal tone, grounding, and confidence.</p><p><strong>Authority is often a physical phenomenon.</strong><br>Speaking from the chest or belly creates a grounded vocal tone that naturally communicates credibility.</p><p><strong>Projection is not about volume.</strong><br>It is about directing your voice so it carries through a room without strain.</p><p><strong>Warmth can be heard.</strong><br>Even a subtle smile changes the vocal pattern and makes a speaker sound more approachable.</p><p>Before an important pitch or presentation:</p><ol><li><p>Find a private space.</p></li><li><p>Place your hands on your lower back.</p></li><li><p>Lean slightly backward in a gentle backbend.</p></li><li><p>Take slow <strong>deep belly breaths</strong>.</p></li></ol><p>This activates the diaphragm and helps move your voice into a more grounded register.</p><p>Key TakeawaysPractical Exercise From This EpisodeWho This Episode Is For</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>