Episode 37

Empowered & Out Podcast with Guest Jerry Ryba

Published on: 14th October, 2025

🎙️ Behind the Mic: Jerry Ryba on Voiceover Careers, Coaching Confidence & Showing Up Proud

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to become a working voice actor — or thought “Hey, I’ve got a great voice, maybe I could do that…” — this episode is for you.

This week on Empowered & Out, I sit down with the legendary Jerry Ryba (aka Rybawitz, aka Jelly) — a talent agent with 35 years in the business and two decades of voiceover expertise. Jerry has helped launch and sustain six-figure careers in voice acting, from animation to national commercials to network promos, all while keeping it real, witty, and deeply human.

We talk:

🎤 What makes a great demo (and what most people get wrong)

🎙️ The difference between commercial, narration, animation & promo VO

🏳️‍🌈 How the industry is evolving for LGBTQ+ talent

📣 Why confidence — not just talent — is everything

🧠 And yes… we bust the biggest myths about VO (including the “read in your underwear” fantasy)

Whether you're VO-curious, already in the game, or just want some industry tea and Jerry’s iconic quotes, you don’t want to miss this one.

🎧 Listen now and get ready to laugh, learn, and rethink what it means to find your signature voice.

To find my guest, Jerry:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-ryba-5986283/

To connect with Jonathan:

https://linktr.ee/empoweredandout 

All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Empowered & Out

About the Podcast

Empowered & Out
The LGBTQ+ Career Coaching Podcast
This is the podcast where LGBTQ+ professionals come to get real about career, confidence, and authenticity at work. Each week, Jonathan shares coaching insights on purpose, confidence, and unmasking at work—PLUS inspiring interviews with LGBTQ+ leaders, authors, and change-makers who are rewriting what success looks like in their industries.

From overcoming workplace discrimination, to unlearning internalized shame, to building a career that actually feels like YOU, these conversations are honest, practical, and rooted in the queer experience.

🌈 Whether it’s a solo coaching deep dive or a guest interview, Empowered & Out is here to help you thrive authentically, without apology.

About your host

Profile picture for J B

J B

JB Motivating From The 5280 Podcast is about me, Jonathan Barbe, living in the Mile High City, sharing my thoughts and opinions on positive motivation and self-improvement from my home in Denver, Colorado.