We recently connected with Lori Waetzig and have shared our conversation below.

Lori, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Before diving headfirst into voice acting, I spent years in the tech startup and corporate worlds. Some of those roles gave me a creative outlet, but others were the complete opposite—void of any real space for creative expression. That lack became the fuel I needed to commit to being a full-time creative.

In those jobs, like in many companies, you’re often required to complete long, monotonous internal training sessions—whether it’s learning a new program or undergoing compliance training. They could take hours, sometimes days, and honestly, they were soul-draining.

Fast forward, and now I get to voice some of those very training courses for organizations. It feels surreal, like a full-circle moment. I can’t help but picture myself on the other side, and because of that, I pour extra care and energy into these projects, hoping to make the experience a little more bearable for the employees. It’s a constant reminder of how far I’ve come and how grateful I am to be doing what I love.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

After bouncing around different industries—music, restaurants, bars, film, and eventually tech—I realized my real passion was using my voice. In 2013, I purchased a Groupon for a voice acting class, and that first taste stuck with me. Over time, the desire to make commercial voice acting a career grew stronger, until I had to take the plunge and pursue it full-time.

I brand myself as a proud Italian American from New York, with a bio that says it all: “Your best friend who tells it like it is. A New Yorker who’s seen some sh*t! A relatable storyteller who’s been in your shoes. Lori delivers with genuine care in her reads and life. Edgy, humorous, and cool. She’s someone you can confide in—a young voice with life experience, full of motivation and excitement.” And that’s truly me. A Libra through and through, I love to hype people up, help them feel good, and represent brands in fresh ways.

Of course, it hasn’t been without challenges. Acting gigs have slowed down, competition has ramped up, and I’ve always wanted to build something of my own. That’s where my podcast, The Identity Shockwave Podcast, came in. It was born from my love for deep conversations and getting to know people at their core. From barbers to p*rn stars, working moms, musicians and light workers, I’ve interviewed all kinds of folks. Every conversation revolves around the same big question and theme: “Who are we, really?” And now, just like my guests, I’m in the hot seat!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I believe I was put on this Earth to serve others and help them feel their best, and I’ve realized my voice is the tool to do that. The struggle is balancing my instinct to please others with the need to stay true to the work I want to create. A quote from producer Rick Rubin really hit home for me: “Make art for yourself. Not the audience.”

When you believe in what you’re creating, when you think it’s cool, and when you create it solely for yourself, that’s when the right people and opportunities find you. That’s how I approached my podcast. It wasn’t just about putting my literal voice out there—it was about collaborating and making art with others. I see my interview style and the questions I ask as the canvas, and my guests’ stories are the paint. By the end, they get to step back and see just how beautiful and unique their journey has been. That’s the real reward.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

My inspirations are rooted in the metaphysical. After college, my first job was in the music industry, where I was just beginning to figure out how to be an adult. An older colleague shared something that stuck with me: “Don’t speak life into something you don’t want to happen.” It’s simple but profound—whatever energy you put into negative thoughts will only grow. Focusing on living joyfully and feeling good should always be the priority, and when you do that, success naturally follows.

Right before I moved to Los Angeles in 2014, I was introduced to a book that changed my life: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza. I wasn’t much of a reader, but the person who recommended it was so convinced of its power that I had to check it out. The book scientifically details how we can literally rewire our brains and neural pathways to attract more positive and desired outcomes, simply by changing our thoughts. It blew my mind and came at a time when I needed a major shift. It taught me to believe in my dreams, feel them as if they’re already happening, and trust that things will fall into place. It’s a continuous practice, but one that I’m grateful for every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.loriwaetzigvo.com
• Instagram: @lorimerrr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-waetzig/
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@IdentityShockwavePodcast
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/loriwaetzigvo
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-identity-shockwave-podcast/id1710021567

Image Credits

Eric Waetzig