S3, Ep7 – In conversation with Dr Carrie Grant MBE
14 April 2023
In this episode Dr Reena is joined by a true household name that surely needs no introduction. As one of the UK’s best known pop vocal coaches, Dr Carrie Grant MBE is a BAFTA award-winning broadcaster, vocal coach, leadership coach and campaigner. With a TV and music career that has spanned over 35 years together with her husband (David Grant MBE) she is renowned for working with some of the most leading artists in the world including Gwyneth Paltrow, The Spice Girls, Take That, Will Young, and Charlotte Church.
Her TV and Radio work has included being a Reporter for The One Show and hosts with David the Saturday breakfast show on BBC Radio London. Many of you will also recognise her from being a judge and coach on the likes of Fame Academy, ITV’s Pop Idol, Gospel Choir of the Year, Teenstar and Open Mic just to name a few!
Listen in full to discover how Carrie makes it work so effortlessly on a daily basis.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
With an incredible career spanning decades—and having worked with some of the most globally prestigious names in the music industry and beyond—Dr Reena began the conversation by taking us back to the very beginning. Carrie immediately reveals that she started her career as a dancer on Top of the Pops, “which was huge at the time,” one of the BBC’s most prominent music shows. Carrie candidly shares that she “just wanted to be famous.” She felt her voice hadn’t been truly heard or valued before, fuelling her drive for recognition.
Having grown up singing and dancing—and humorously admitting she still can’t help but move whenever she hears music—Carrie soon realised that her initial role as a dancer wouldn’t fully satisfy her ambitions. She naturally gravitated toward networking and creating opportunities for others in the industry, introducing first-time session singers and pairing them with seasoned professionals. “I was like an usher,” she explains.
This organically evolved into requests for vocal coaching. Although hesitant at first to switch from singing to coaching, Carrie quickly recognised how special this path was. It became a turning point that propelled her toward greatness. She found the perfect balance in combining her passions—mentoring and coaching people. While singing had been rewarding, vocal coaching opened far greater doors, both for her and for her husband David, with whom she collaborates closely.
Carrie’s partnership with David is built on mutual strengths that perfectly complement each other. Being attuned to each other daily is crucial, as is knowing when one of them needs to step up or lean on the other’s expertise.
Carrie loves her multifaceted work—from mentoring and presenting to writing—and there’s no need for her to switch off. Yet, these projects represent just a small part of her life. Her home serves as a vibrant social hub throughout the week, hosting various support groups and activities she’s involved with.
On the topic of mentors, Carrie stresses their importance. She often looks up to people she doesn’t know personally but admires for qualities she aspires to embody, along with her close friends. Knowing when to listen is vital, and she recommends writing a letter to yourself on beautifully headed paper, deciding to take feedback only from a select few. This helps you navigate criticism without taking things personally.
When it comes to career advice for those starting out, Carrie emphasises the importance of learning about the industry and being patient. “Don’t underestimate the value of taking your time,” she advises. “You will be learning and growing your whole life—you never stop.” Committing to this lifelong journey is essential, as is building a supportive team to help cover any weaknesses.
Above all, never be afraid to ask for help—doing so keeps you front of mind for future opportunities. Carrie leaves us with a lasting takeaway from her latest book, A Very Modern Family, which should serve as a permanent life reference.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
Know when to evolve and find a career that truly meets your needs.
Reflect on what you are doing and why you are doing it.
Creative gifts are innately within you—embrace and nurture them.
Life is like a series of breadcrumbs: opportunities come your way, but be wise—ask yourself if it’s the right opportunity for you before taking it on.
On vocal coaching: when you coach people, you access their deepest parts, and their history reveals itself through their voice.
Ask yourself: What will really make me happy?
Finding mentors is incredibly important for growth and guidance.
Stop worrying about worrying, and never be afraid to ask for help.
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S1, Ep2 – In conversation with Harpz Kaur
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