Visiting Newark Broad Street Station Subscribe for more trains & such >> Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Newark Broad Street station in Newark, New Jersey for the first time. While it may not have been my favorite train station to film at, the experience was still memorable and enjoyable in its own right. As I arrived at the station, I was immediately struck by its charm. The architecture, with its historic touch, exuded a certain elegance that transported me back to a bygone era. The atmosphere was buzzing with activity as commuters and travelers went about their daily routines, creating a lively backdrop for my railfanning adventure. I was able to catch most trains served at this station including Gladstone, Montclair-Boonton, Morristown and Newark Light Rail lines. One aspect that stood out during my visit was the relatively lower frequency of express trains passing through the station. Compared to some other locations I've visited, where express trains speed by in a whirlwind, Newark Broad Street had a slower pace. This might disappoint those seeking fast and exhilarating shots of trains in action. Additionally, diesel locomotives were less prevalent which was a bit limiting. The Weather's Redemption While the lack of express trains and diesel locomotives might have been a drawback for some railfans, the weather compensated for these minor inconveniences. One notable advantage of railfanning at Newark Broad Street station was the elevated platform, offering a commanding view of the surrounding area and the open sky. Positioned above the hustle and bustle, I had a unique vantage point to capture the trains as they arrived and departed. In addition, the station's close proximity to Interstate 280 relieved me from the stress of driving and navigating through rush hour traffic. Christian is a Voice Actor & Narrator who loves trains, travel, coffee, and all things audio. Follow along ❤️ on Instagram + YouTube

The Irony of Narrating Sports as a Non-Sports Enthusiast As a voice actor, I've always been fascinated with the art of storytelling. However, what's ironic about my profession is that I have no interest in sports whatsoever. Despite this, I've found myself narrating sports content with great success. This happened on a recent project I narrated for Professional Fighters League. You can see a snippet below. Many people assume that a passion for sports is a prerequisite for voicing sports content, but in my case, that couldn't be further from the truth. Instead, I rely on my ability to understand the script, interpret the tone, and convey the message in a way that resonates with the specific audience. It's a form of storytelling. I strive to convey the excitement, tension and drama of the game or match, even if I don't always understand the rules or the technicalities involved. In that way it's very similar to a theater performance, concert or event. It's almost as if my lack of sports knowledge and trivia has actually helped me in my profession. It allows me to focus on drama and emotions rather than being bogged down by the details. It also gives me the freedom to approach the script creatively and bring my unique voice to it.

Riding the Pascack Valley Line from Hoboken to Montvale Subscribe for more trains & such >> Join us on a rail adventure as we travel along the Pascack Valley Line on NJ Transit from Hoboken to Montvale, just before the New York State border. As a first-time rider on this route, I was excited to escape the chaos of New York and enjoy the added bonus of a diesel locomotive and passenger fleet. The Pascack Valley Line runs daily between Hoboken, NJ, through Hudson/Bergen counties and finally terminates at Spring Valley in Rockland County, New York. Although the ride was less scenic than the Bergen/Main Lines, especially at the beginning of the trip, it felt more like the Danbury or Waterbury branch of the Metro North New Haven Line. During the 1 hour and 25 minute ride, we passed through many small towns with each station having a crossing, which meant plenty of train horn sounds for this railfan. The NJ Transit conductors were friendly and professional, and we arrived in Montvale with high hopes of a full day of train activity. Unfortunately, I soon realized that only one train passed through here per hour. Nonetheless, Montvale is a charming town with enough activities to keep me occupied, including a Jersey Mike's, Starbucks and train tracks headed into the forest. I look forward to exploring a station with more train activity during my next adventure. Christian is a Voice Actor & Narrator who loves trains, travel, coffee, and all things audio. Follow along ❤️ on Instagram + YouTube

Subscribe for more trains & such >> A Railfan Paradise in the mountains of New Jersey Nestled in the picturesque Bergen County in Northeastern New Jersey, Ho-Ho-Kus station is a railfan's paradise. This station services both Main Line and Bergen County Line NJ Transit customers traveling to Suffern, NY or Hoboken NJ. Even express trains headed to Port Jervis, NY can be seen blasting through the station. The ride up to the station is smooth and scenic, with breathtaking views of the mountains. The station building, constructed in 1952, is small but cozy, more like a rest area than a full-service station. There are no amenities around, just three tracks - one northbound, one southbound, and a middle express track. Rush hour is bustling with rail activity, which is a sight to behold. And when there are no trains, the station is peaceful, with only the sounds of nature. Don't miss out on the chance to witness the magic of Ho-Ho-Kus station. Christian is a Voice Actor & Narrator who loves trains, travel, coffee, and all things audio. Follow along ❤️ on Instagram + YouTube

Appreciating the talented vocalist Samara Joy Lately, I've been listening to the entrancing melodies of Grammy award-winning vocalist, Samara Joy. Her voice is truly a delight to the ears, and it's incredibly refreshing to hear a talented performer who has it all - not just a good voice but also a genuine passion for music. Her performances are a breath of fresh air, and she truly deserves all the recognition she's receiving.

Navigating the Challenges of Home Recording Before the pandemic, voice over actors had a normal routine of auditioning and recording in person and at home. Our own recording booths were only used about half of the time. In early 2020, there were promising career opportunities, a swanky new office location for one of my agencies as well as regular socializing with agents, actors and other creative professionals a few times a week. However, everything changed to say the least and here we are over three years later. It seems like it was yesterday. While this has allowed for greater privacy and the ability to be one's true self, it can also lead to feelings of isolation and unease, especially when you're used to being in a studio surrounded by other creatives. However, as voice actors, we can use this vulnerability to our advantage and enhance each read/performance. By tapping into our emotions and creating a deeper connection with the characters we're portraying, we can bring authenticity and depth to every project. In addition, it's important to use our time at home wisely to avoid being stuck in one place all day. Taking breaks, exercising, and finding ways to interact with others are great ways to make the most of it. But it takes patience, determination and a love of what we do. And lastly, never losing sight of the fact that even though we may be physically alone, we're still a part of a supportive and creative community.

Bonding with Dad over the Rails Growing up, I didn't have the typical childhood experiences of playing little league or traditional sports. Instead, my dad and I shared a special relationship that revolved around music and trains. We played catch, but our real bonding occurred over our shared passion for locomotives.
 In 1989, I discovered a National Geographic documentary called "Love Those Trains," and it had me hooked. Living in New Haven, which was a hub of rail activity, allowed me to witness everything firsthand. Dad was my guide, taking me to train crossings, stations and showing me the ins and outs of that world. During this time, VHS was also becoming popular, and my dad had one of the earliest camcorders. He often filmed at family parties, events and, you guessed it, crossings so I began to take my micro-cassette recorder to capture the audio. Recently, I stumbled upon wumzeke's channel on YouTube, a fellow railfan, which showcases old Amtrak footage. Watching some of those videos brought back fond memories of Dad and I experiencing the magic of trains together. The sound of the classic F40PH locomotive, Amfleet passenger cars and the horn had an indescribable majesty that still resonates with me today.

Nick Offerman the actor, writer and wood shop owner If you haven't seen it yet, don't miss out on The Last of Us on HBO (Omg that was so two months ago). Although I never played the game, I've heard that the adaptation and storytelling are top-notch. Episode 4, in particular, features a beautiful on-camera love story that has captivated audiences worldwide, and the two actors responsible for its success are Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett of White Lotus. Offerman, best known for his portrayal of the stereotypically masculine Ron Swanson in Parks and Rec, proves himself to be a multi-talented individual who knows no limitations, breaking through genre and performance barriers to create memorable work. But, that's not all. He is also a gifted writer and proud owner of a wood shop, Offerman Woodworking. Nick Offerman is a positive presence in a chaotic and uncertain world and that inspires me.

Subscribe for more trains & such >> The perfect spot to catch trains in both directions Join me at one of the most picturesque spots along the Hudson Line: Irvington Station. Situated between Ardsley-on-Hudson and Tarrytown, this location is a favorite of mine for rush hour train-watching. Although these videos were taken on two separate visits, both were on rainy days. Thankfully, Irvington Station is unique with its trackside coffee and ice cream shop, Brrzaar, where I was able to stay warm and dry. You'll also enjoy the charming architecture of the homes along the Hudson River. The station services commuters traveling to Croton Harmon and Poughkeepsie, with the added bonus of Amtrak trains passing through regularly – a truly breathtaking experience. Christian is a Voice Actor & Narrator who loves trains, travel, coffee, and all things audio. Follow along ❤️ on Instagram + YouTube

Subscribe for more trains & such >> Capturing magic of trains in the moment As a resident of Queens, I enjoy capturing trains on camera all around New York City. In this video, we visit the Woodside 61st Street station, which is a busy transit hub serving Long Island Rail Road and 7 train commuters. The station is active 24 hours a day, and in this footage, I showcase trains during two separate times: once during evening rush hour, and once in the afternoon. Each time of day has its own unique atmosphere. At night, the station is peaceful and calm, free from the anxiety of bustling commuters. However, during the day, there is a sense of frenzy and excitement, and I try to capture it all on camera. This is what makes trains so captivating around large cosmopolitan areas like NYC – the constant motion and energy is a thrill to witness. Christian is a Voice Actor & Narrator who loves trains, travel, coffee, and all things audio. Follow along ❤️ on Instagram + YouTube

Revisiting Barbra Streisand's live recording The setting: November, 1962 NYC. The famed Bon Soir, a popular night club in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, is abuzz. Crowds gather outside in the crisp Fall air, eager to be let in to hear a young, relatively unknown singer from Brooklyn. Little do they know, the audience is in for something legendary... A few introductory announcements from the singer's manager, a slight name correction from the singer and the minute she opens her mouth to sing, the audience gets pure, raw talent and energy unlike anything they'd ever heard before. "Live," from my living room right now...

Lake Bell's new audiobook uncovers a fascination with sound Actor Lake Bell is no stranger to the world of voice - she does a lot of them. Her 2013 In a World gave us a fascinating (and satirically witty) look at the Voice Over industry, and shone a light on VO inner workings - some of which get rather murky and grindy. Here, she's amassed a wonderful knowledge of the more technical and personal depths of vocal art as a whole since then as well, creating an audiobook experience on how the simplest of voices can portray a sense of self unlike any other form of expression. What a joy to listen to!