#283: Storytelling & Presentation Tips through Audio Book Narration – Karen Merritt

The Toastmasters Podcast with Greg Gazin

The Toastmasters Podcast is like a radio talk show featuring interviews with Toastmasters usually featured in the Toastmaster magazine. The purpose of the podcast is to amplify the magazine - to dig deeper or to put a voice to a face or written wordBut unlike a radio show, a podcast is on the Internet, and available, for free, to anyone in the world with an Internet connection, and a connected device capable of playing audio. 260+ episodes are at ToastmastersPodcast.comThe Toastmasters Podcast is co-produced by Toastmasters International and Archieboy Holdings, LLC, for our global audience of Toastmasters and those interested in public speaking and leadership.

[30:29] What do Shakespeare, children’s stories, and medical role-playing have in common? For Karen Merritt, they’re all part of her fascinating journey as an actor, voiceover artist, audiobook narrator, and Toastmaster. In this episode, Greg Gazin chats with Karen about how the art of audio & voice narration can sharpen your storytelling, boost your confidence, and bring any presentation to life.

Drawing on her background in theater and years of voice acting, Karen shares the secrets of audiobook narration—from mastering vocal variety to creating authentic character voices. She reveals how narrators use pitch, pace, tone, and even body language to transport listeners into a story.

You’ll also hear how Karen helps medical students build empathy as a standardized patient, teaches aspiring performers, and inspires others through her Toastmasters journey. Despite years on stage, she once feared public speaking—until Toastmasters gave her the confidence to bring her own authentic voice to audiences.

Whether you’re preparing a speech, recording a podcast, or just want to be a more engaging storyteller, this episode is filled with practical tips you can start using today.

Listen now and discover:

• Why audiobook narration is more than “reading out loud”

• How to use vocal variety to make stories come alive

• The role of body language—even when no one can see you

• How Toastmasters helped Karen overcome stage fright

• Practical tips for applying narration techniques to your next speech

Karen is one of the experts featured in Theater of the Ear: Uncover Storytelling Tips from Audio Narrators, Voice actors share their insights on how to tell an engaging story by Caren S. Neile. It can be found in the September 2025 issue of the Toastmaster Magazine.

About Karen

Karen Merritt is a multifaceted performer—actor, voice-over artist, and producer. As an audiobook narrator, she brings emotional depth and clarity to every project, drawing on her theater background. Her performances span Shakespearean dramas, contemporary plays, commercials, corporate videos, animation, and educational video games.

Acting credits include her latest audiobook, Call to Embrace: Hope of His Calling by Maryann Landers, available on Audible and other major platforms. Karen also serves as a standardized patient, helping medical professionals build empathy through role-play, and as a teaching artist, she shares her craft with aspiring performers of all ages.

Karen is  a member of the Elegant Speakers & Listeners (ESL) Toastmasters Club, where she currently serves as Vice President Membership.

Karen lives in Pittsburgh, PA USA and can be reached at https://www.karenmerritt.com/.