Your voice communicates leadership long before your words do.

In this solo episode of Scaling Nerds, Marina Schmidt explores a subtle but powerful communication skill most founders never think about: vocal placement.

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/schmidt-marina/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

marina@wearekinetik.com

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Work with Marina via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wearekinetik.com/⁠⁠

Why do some people instantly sound trustworthy, calm, and authoritative — while others unintentionally sound nervous, strained, or less confident than they actually are?

The answer often lies in where the voice is coming from in the body.

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.

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.

Most importantly, Marina shares simple exercises you can use before an important presentation or pitch to ground your voice and project calm authority.

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.

In This Episode

Why the voice of a pilot can instantly calm nervous passengers
The concept of vocal placement and why it matters for founders
The five common places people speak from: head, mouth, throat, chest, and belly
Why chest and belly voice create more authority and trust
The difference between speaking loudly and projecting your voice
How vocal strain and sore throats reveal poor vocal placement
A simple breathing exercise to ground your voice before a pitch or presentation
Why smiling slightly while speaking can make your voice sound warmer
How founders can consciously train their voice for leadership presence

Your voice shapes first impressions.
Before people process your ideas, they interpret your vocal tone, grounding, and confidence.

Authority is often a physical phenomenon.
Speaking from the chest or belly creates a grounded vocal tone that naturally communicates credibility.

Projection is not about volume.
It is about directing your voice so it carries through a room without strain.

Warmth can be heard.
Even a subtle smile changes the vocal pattern and makes a speaker sound more approachable.

Before an important pitch or presentation:

Find a private space.
Place your hands on your lower back.
Lean slightly backward in a gentle backbend.
Take slow deep belly breaths.

This activates the diaphragm and helps move your voice into a more grounded register.

Key TakeawaysPractical Exercise From This EpisodeWho This Episode Is For