No Voice, No Problem: AI, Assistive Tech, and Playing Big with Communication Differences

What happens when you lose your voice… literally?

Right after last week’s podcast episode, I got sick. Fever, ear infection, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat... the works. Then came the sleepless nights. Then the dry hacking cough. Then laryngitis. Then, forced whispering.

It’s been a week.
And this Play Big Queen is still going through it.

Showing Up Anyway

This weekend, I still showed up to support a sister who had the brilliant idea to beta test a Flash RESISTERS Community Meetup.

The goal? To give Instagram creators who pour themselves into activism every single day a space to dance, connect, and release some of the heaviness they carry.

Creators like @queenwithacrookedcrown (the mastermind behind the idea), @harlowsmusings, @the.healingvibe, @democracyonthego, and @resist.riseup.movement collaborated on posting about this flash event.

Together, with just one IG post, we invited our combined 785.4K followers and even with only six hours notice, we had a beautiful and intimate turnout.

It was healing.
It was needed.
It was worth the stretch.

And it was also the last of my voice.

Canceling Wasn’t an Option

At first, I thought I might take a sick day from recording my podcast.

I’m a huge advocate for rest, self-care, and not burning out.

But I didn’t want to cancel. It didn’t feel aligned.

My autistic side that loves routine wanted to keep going.

And the truth is... I love what I do, I love my community, and I’m passionate about this mission.

So instead of canceling my podcast, I decided to create another way.

Recording Without a Voice

That “other way” became an opportunity to have a much-needed conversation around assistive technology, speech diversity, and inclusion.

I recorded the entire episode using the same AI and assistive voices I rely on to “read” text online.

It’s personal. Vulnerable. And a peek into what learning, studying, and leading looks like when communication doesn’t always sound human... but still carries power.

Key Takeaways from Episode 32

✔️ Losing your voice doesn’t mean losing your ability to communicate
✔️ How AI innovations are making speech tech more natural, expressive, and inclusive
✔️ Assistive technologies like Kurzweil 3000 are lifelines, not luxuries
✔️ Synthetic voices can support independence, but also highlight inequity
✔️ Neurodivergent readers often face longer processing times and higher barriers to access
✔️ True brilliance isn’t measured by fluency or tone, but by persistence, creativity, and self-trust

Listen Now

🎧 Episode 32 of the Play Big Queen Podcast is live:

No Voice, No Problem: AI, Assistive Tech, and Playing Big with Communication Differences

👉 Listen on Spotify
👉 Apple Podcasts
👉 YouTube

Join the Conversation

After you listen, I’d love to hear your thoughts:

💬 How do you feel when you listen to a synthetic or AI voice?

Does it change your sense of connection, and what do you think that means for inclusion?

Comment on the episode and let me know.

Because your voice...
whether it’s human, synthetic, loud, soft, or somewhere in between...
deserves to be heard.

xxx
Kate

Life, Leadership + Business Mentor
Confidence + Embodiment Coach
Neurodiversity Advocate
Play Big Queen Podcast Host

#PlayBigQueen #PodcastForWomen #NeurodivergentVoices #DisabledAndPowerful #AIAndAccessibility #WomenWhoLead #OwnYourVoice #InclusiveLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #NeurodiversityAdvocate #EmpoweredLiving #AuthenticLiving