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

Turbo Tax's Ingenious Ad on Mundane Tasks Tax season has come and gone, and with it, the unpleasant yet essential yearly chore. As voice actors, we have the opportunity to audition for various creative commercial campaigns. One such campaign, the new Turbo Tax ad, caught viewers' attention around Super Bowl time this year. If you paid close attention, you likely thought, "Wow, the head of marketing deserves a raise," or you may have simply ignored it and enjoyed some tasty wings. Regardless, this campaign effectively takes a universally dreaded task and transforms it into something more palatable.

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!

The Essex Steam Train - three decades later! As a kid growing up in Connecticut with a serious passion for trains, I would beg my parents every chance I got to visit the Essex Steam Train, a tourist attraction for families both local and out of state. As an adult, I recently got the chance to ride the train again, nearly 30 years later. What a thrill it was!

Determining Diagnosis via Voice Recognition A.I. technology has been impressing me more and more over the past few years. In just a short amount of time, developers around the world have been able to recreate voices of past celebrities and voice actors - a pipe dream only five years ago. Alongside these amazing breakthroughs, creators have also taken aim with their A.I. recognition software towards another big issue: the medical industry. A fascinating article published to NPR recently has explored the possibilities of diagnoses via A.I. vocal data - detecting serious illnesses with just the sound of your voice! Long term, iPhones or Alexa could detect changes in your voice, such as a cough, and advise you to seek medical attention.

Subscribe for more trains & such >> I made it to Grand Central in 12 Minutes On January 25th, after many long arduous years of expensive construction and planning, Grand Central Madison finally opened its doors to the public. As part of MTA's East Side Access project, LIRR trains will now arrive at Grand Central Terminal, freeing up congestion at Penn Station. While I was not there for the momentous grand opening, I did make it the next day. Took the LIRR from Woodside, Queens to Grand Central Terminal. What a sight! All I can say is the people of NYC asked and the MTA delivered. As you'll see, the layout is quite impressive. Glad I was able to witness this moment in train history. Christian is a Voice Actor & Narrator who loves trains, travel, coffee, and all things audio. Follow along ❤️ on Instagram + YouTube

Cruising the railway towards Rhinecliff A big hobby of mine has always been a nice relaxing train ride. I know, it might seem a little mundane when compared to the many amazing things to do in New York City, but there's nothing quite like setting aside an entire day to experience the love of travel, in one of its most accessible forms. On many occasions, I bring along a camera, to film some great footage of my favorite stations and locomotives. Rhinecliff Station in particular has caught my eye recently, with a nice open design and neighboring view, it makes for a spectacular scene.

R.I.P. George Lois, a legend of the ad world. The famed and influential art director George Lois has passed away at the age of 91. Some years ago, I picked up his book in hopes of learning more about the ad industry. I soon learned that not only was George behind some of the most influential and award-winning campaigns of the 1960s and 70s, but was supposedly one of the inspirations for Don Draper's character on the hit tv series Mad Men. Iconic.

High speed trains in under 45 minutes Can you imagine getting to your destination (what would normally be a 2.5 hour ride) in under 45 minutes, and in a capsule-like pod zooming across land like a jet plane? It's soon to become a reality...in Canada.

Sonic Escape Taking a break from reality is crucial these days and chillout/study playlists seem to be the sonic remedy for that. They're in our YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify feeds and feature some of the most organic, relaxing beats and grooves for ultimate concentration. The following is a list of some of my favorite DJs and Beatmakers out there. Each of them are unique in their own right, having created a distinct sound and artistry that is unmatched. Check them out below! Evil Needle A French/German DJ with obvious talent for blending lush melodies and grooving beats that hit headphones hard. Cookin' Soul In the style of east coast 90s hip hop, this DJ/Sampler/Producer extraordinaire has some of the most ear-catching material out there with new albums dropping often. Sarah The Illstrumentalist LA-based producer and DJ who is constantly evolving her sound and educating the masses on how to keep it fresh. Sarah is certainly one artist you don't want to miss. Misha This Finnish Beat maker and Producer can be heard on many compilation albums on the Chillhop label. His sound is unmistakable and features some memorable collaborations. Freddie Joachim Who's ready for Freddie? This beatmaking god sounds good in every setting. Just check out his awesome YouTube channel to see him in action.