Tallulah Breslin

Tallulah joined Momma on July 26, 2021 for a live Q&A via Twitch and YouTube to talk about Gender Affirming Voice Therapy

About Tallulah

Tallulah Breslin specializes in gender affirming voice training. She has been guiding individuals in changing their voice gender expression since 2014. She presents locally and globally on gender inclusion, modifying voice gender expression, and voice empowerment. Many people struggle with listening to the sound of their own voice when their voice doesn't match their gender identity. At Mantra Voice, their goal is to teach people how to feel comfortable and confident speaking so that they can start living their lives as who they are.

Socials / Links for Their Info

• https://twitter.com/harmonicspeech 

• https://www.mantravoice.com/ 

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/gendervoice 

• https://www.facebook.com/mantravoicecoach 

• https://www.instagram.com/mantravoice 

Episode Summary

A must-listen for anyone exploring gender identity, navigating self-expression, or simply curious about how voice training can transform confidence and communication.

Key Takeaways

• Gender affirming voice training helps individuals align their voice with their gender identity.

• Voice training involves understanding and modifying various aspects of one's voice to achieve desired outcomes.

• Mental health is closely linked to voice identity; feeling misaligned can lead to significant emotional distress.

• Voice surgery is not a substitute for voice training and may not yield the desired results.

• Effective communication relies heavily on how we use our voice, not just the words we say.

• Age does not limit the ability to change one's voice.

• Voice exercises can help in deepening or lifting the voice.

In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, MommaFoxFire welcomes Tallulah Breslin, a specialist in gender-affirming voice training. Tallulah has been helping individuals modify their voice gender presentation since 2014, focusing on building confidence and empowerment for her clients. Her private practice, founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, provides a safe space for clients to explore their voices virtually.

The discussion begins with Tallulah’s journey into voice training, inspired by friends seeking help with voice changes during their gender transitions. A nursing home speech therapy background and the challenges of COVID prompted her to pivot to private practice. Tallulah emphasizes the transformative power of voice in aligning one’s self-identity, noting how misalignment can lead to discomfort, avoidance of communication, or struggles with self-advocacy. She shares that achieving alignment through voice training enables individuals to feel confident, communicate effectively, and reduce the emotional burden of being misgendered.

Tallulah explains the mechanics of voice production, likening the voice to an instrument with components including breath support, the vocal folds, and resonance chambers. She uses terms like “brighter” and “darker” to describe tonal qualities rather than binary gendered labels. This approach underscores the flexibility of the voice and the importance of finding a sound that resonates personally.

The interview also explores the typical process of voice training, which begins with understanding the current “voice recipe” and determining a client’s goals. Sessions involve learning and refining specific variables, from pitch adjustments to larynx positioning. Tallulah stresses the importance of hydration, avoiding strain, and addressing issues like acid reflux to maintain vocal health. She highlights the average time commitment for practice—typically 30 minutes to an hour daily—and emphasizes that results vary based on individual effort and physiology.

Audience questions touched on diverse aspects of voice training. One listener asked about voice surgery, to which Tallulah explained its limitations, suggesting voice therapy as a preferable starting point. Others inquired about age constraints, the relationship between mental health and voice alignment, and strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome while practicing a new voice. Tallulah encourages building community, recording and reviewing voice samples, and focusing on small, achievable steps during practice.

Beyond gender-affirming purposes, Tallulah notes that voice training has broad applications, from enhancing workplace communication to modifying accents. She acknowledges that societal biases, such as workplace discrimination based on voice or gender presentation, remain barriers but emphasizes the power of voice training to help individuals navigate these challenges.

Tallulah also shares personal anecdotes, including her passion for creating leather crafts and watercolors. She offers free monthly workshops to improve accessibility to voice training and highlights additional resources like Trans Refuge and her Facebook community.

The conversation closes with a reflection on healthcare inequities and a call to action for equal access to care. Tallulah inspires listeners with her commitment to helping others and her belief in the transformative impact of voice training.