GNY EP.213 | feat. Holly Adams
What does it mean to use your creativity in service of other people? In Episode 213 of Good News York, Noah Chrysler sits down with performer, voice actor, teaching artist, and clown Holly Adams for a conversation about storytelling, compassion, and creating opportunities for joy—even in the hardest circumstances.
Holly’s career spans audiobooks, audio dramas, theater, film, and circus, but a common thread connects it all: paying attention to people and finding ways to connect. She introduces the character archetypes of Commedia dell’Arte before sharing how discovering humor helped her navigate difficult experiences growing up. Along the way, she explains why being voted class clown meant so much to someone who was also her school’s valedictorian.
The conversation takes a powerful turn as Holly reflects on working with the real Patch Adams and participating in humanitarian clowning projects in Russia and Afghanistan. She describes why hospital clowning isn’t always about being funny. Sometimes, the most meaningful thing a performer can offer is a quiet song, a gentle presence, or a moment of warmth. In one particularly moving story, she recalls how music helped create a moment of connection between a woman with dementia and her daughter. Holly also discusses the training, sensitivity, and responsibility this work requires—and why clowning should be an act of service, never an excuse to punch down.
For aspiring voice actors and anyone who records narration, Holly shares practical advice about training, listening, equipment, professionalism, and understanding the story behind the words. She celebrates her One Voice Award for her performance as Miss Mary in the GraphicAudio adaptation of “The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires,” then gives Noah an impromptu lesson in making a voiceover feel warm, varied, and genuinely personal. Her advice goes beyond sounding polished: know what matters in the story, imagine who you’re speaking to, and recognize when pulling back can communicate more than pushing harder.
Holly also takes us inside her work engaging young audiences with the Syracuse Orchestra and introduces “The Mysterious Chirp,” her sci-fi mystery audio series. She explains how the project brings together humor, real science, inclusive worldbuilding, and actors playing roles they’ve always wanted to explore. We hear about collaborating with J. G. Hertzler, giving sound design students at Michigan Tech hands-on production experience, and leaving room for improvisation and wonderfully nerdy Easter eggs.
From hospital rooms to fictional spaceships, this episode explores how creativity can make people feel seen, invited, and a little less alone.
Chapters:
00:00 – Opening preview & meet Holly Adams
02:25 – Finding humor, class clown & choosing kindness
04:41 – Dell’Arte training & the real Patch Adams
06:31 – Humanitarian clowning in Russia & Afghanistan
10:58 – When connection matters more than comedy
15:31 – The training behind hospital clowning
17:31 – Don’t punch down: clowning as service
20:11 – Getting started in voice acting
22:29 – Holly’s One Voice Award-winning performance
23:20 – Voiceover tips: warmth, variety & emotional connection
28:50 – Making music engaging with the Syracuse Orchestra
32:30 – Creating “The Mysterious Chirp”
37:26 – Mentoring the next generation of sound designers
40:03 – Bonus adventures, interviews & the joy of audio drama
44:16 – Worldbuilding, improv & giving actors room to play
46:36 – Connect with Holly, listener ideas & sci-fi Easter eggs
50:54 – Celebrating Central New York’s creative community
Good News York: https://www.goodnewsyork.com
The Mysterious Chirp: https://www.themysteriouschirp.com
Click Stream Studios: https://www.ClickStreamStudios.com
This episode is sponsored by Ads on the Go. Thank you for supporting Good News York and helping us share conversations with the people making our community special. Learn more at https://www.getadsonthego.com.
Enjoyed the conversation? Like this video, subscribe to Good News York, and share it with someone who loves storytelling, performance, or making a positive difference. Tell us in the comments: What moment from Holly’s story stayed with you?
