Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelsey Poppen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kelsey, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I learned to do what I do largely by jumping in headfirst and figuring it out as I went. A lot of my learning came from auditioning constantly, booking projects, and making mistakes. I also spent a lot of time observing other actors’ work, researching industry norms, and slowly upgrading my home studio as I learned what actually mattered versus what was just noise.

Knowing what I know now, I definitely could have sped things up by asking for help sooner instead of trying to be a solo detective. Early on, I spent a lot of time googling and reinventing the wheel when a coach or mentor could have given me clarity much faster. I also would have trusted my instincts earlier. I wasted time thinking I wasn’t “ready enough,” when in reality, readiness in this industry comes from doing, not waiting.

The most essential skills were acting and adaptability, hands down. You can have a great voice, but if you can’t tell a story or take direction, it won’t carry you very far. Being able to adjust quickly, take feedback without spiraling, and stay grounded behind the mic mattered more than perfection. Technical skills became essential too. Clean audio, efficient editing, and knowing how to deliver files correctly are non-negotiable. And maybe the most underrated skill of all was emotional resilience. Learning not to take rejection personally is basically a survival skill in voice over.

The biggest obstacles were access and patience. A lot of information in this industry feels gatekept, and it took time to learn who to listen to and who to politely ignore. Progress often felt slow or invisible, which can mess with your confidence if you let it. Balancing auditions, work, learning, and life without burning out was also a challenge. There were definitely moments of feeling stagnant, but over time I learned that consistency beats intensity, and growth in this industry is rarely loud or linear.

Kelsey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello there, I’m Kelsey Poppen, a professional voice actor, performer, and storyteller with a background that is equal parts theater kid and marine mammal specialist. I’ve spent years studying animals and marine mammals, and somehow ended up talking for audiobooks, video games, and animated characters for a living. It’s pretty amazing

I started in theatre in my youth, bouncing between stage and kid commercial camps…learning early on how powerful storytelling could be. At the same time, I was equally obsessed with animals and science. I volunteered at animal shelters, worked at a pet store, and somehow became a Midwest kid who loved dolphins and the ocean. While I was drawn to the stage, I was also fascinated by animal behavior.

As I moved into the voice over industry, I quickly learned that it requires wearing many hats. On any given day, I’m not just an actor, I’m also a audio engineer, editor, and small business owner. I built my career through constant auditioning, networking, and learning directly from directors and studios. Over time, I developed a professional remote recording studio and began collaborating with studios in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. My work includes anime, video games, narration, and original projects for companies like Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime, Comedy Central, and Mega Entertainment.

What I solve for my clients is simple: I make their lives easier. I deliver broadcast-quality audio from my home studio, take direction well, meet deadlines, and know how to adjust quickly without overcomplicating the process. I’m reliable, adaptable, and collaborative, and I care deeply about serving the story. Whether it’s a high energy character session or a more grounded, emotional read, I show up prepared and ready to play.

What sets me apart is the combination of discipline and creativity. Science taught me patience, consistency, and how to observe before reacting. Acting taught me how to trust my instincts and take emotional risks. I take my work seriously without taking myself too seriously, and I believe kindness and professionalism go a long way in an industry built on collaboration.

What I’m most proud of is building a career that honors all sides of who I am. I’m proud of the projects I’ve worked on, the relationships I’ve built, and the fact that I didn’t have to choose between science and art. I found a way to let them mold into each other.

What I want my potential clients, collaborators, and fans to know is that I care. I care about the story, the people behind it, and the audience receiving it. My brand is built on authenticity, curiosity, and heart. Whether I’m voicing a character, narrating a story, or quietly nerding out about marine mammals between sessions, my goal is always the same: to tell stories that feel honest, engaging, and very much alive <3

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn in both voice over and marine mammal work was the idea that effort equals results. Early on, I believed that working harder, pushing more, or trying to control the outcome would lead to better performance or clearer progress. In reality, both fields taught me the opposite.

In marine mammal work, you learn quickly that animals don’t respond to force or urgency. You can’t rush behavior, demand connection, or impose your expectations. The best results come from patience, observation, and allowing trust to build on the animal’s terms. Listening and restraint are often more effective than action.

Voice over required unlearning the same instinct. I had to stop trying to “perform harder” or prove myself in every read. The strongest performances came when I trusted the text, stayed present, and allowed the moment to unfold rather than pushing for a result. Just like with animals, authenticity matters more than control, and subtlety often communicates far more than effort.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding thing for me as a creative is seeing a story come alive in a way that connects with people or even just making a single moment feel real and memorable. Whether it’s giving life to a character in a video game or anime, narrating a story so someone feels pulled in… that’s really special

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kelseypoppen.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseypoppen/
• Twitter: https://x.com/KelseyPoppen

Image Credits
Headshot- Jordan Fraker Photo
All other photos were taken by me