This week on Toon’d In!, Jim Cummings welcomes acclaimed actress and voice actor Nicole Oliver! Known for her commanding performances in animation and genre television, Nicole has built an extraordinary career spanning anime, western animation, and live-action sci-fi—captivating audiences with strength, warmth, and remarkable vocal range. She is best known as Princess Celestia in My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic and for her appearances in Stargate SG-1, along with an extensive body of work across animated series, video games, and feature films.
In this engaging and wide-ranging episode—recorded live at Fan Expo Vancouver—Nicole shares her journey into professional acting, from classical training to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in modern animation. She breaks down the technical craft of voice performance, including character development, vocal control, emotional authenticity, and the stamina required for long-running franchises. Nicole also reflects on working within ensemble casts, collaborating with directors, and adapting performances for different mediums—from ADR and dubbing to original animation.
Jim and Nicole dive deep into the evolving entertainment landscape—exploring the growth of the global voice acting industry, the rise of fan conventions as community hubs, and the crossover between animation, sci-fi television, and gaming culture. Along the way, Nicole opens up about longevity in a competitive field, mentorship, connecting with multi-generational audiences, and the responsibility of portraying characters who inspire fans around the world.
🎙️✨ Ever wondered how iconic animated characters are brought to life, what it takes to sustain a decades-long voice acting career, or how performers build lasting connections with fandoms? Settle in and get Toon’d In! for a dynamic, behind-the-scenes conversation about voice acting, animation, sci-fi storytelling, and the craft of performance—recorded live in Vancouver.
🎙️ Subscribe to Toon’d In! with Jim Cummings🎙️
Watch and subscribe for more exclusive interviews with legendary voice actors, animators, and entertainment creators:
👉 https://youtube.com/@jimcummingspod?sub_confirmation=1
Stay up to date with new episodes of Toon’d In! with Jim Cummings — the podcast celebrating animation, voice acting, and behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories.
🎟️ Live Appearances & Events with Jim Cummings
Meet Jim Cummings and special guests in person!
Find upcoming convention appearances, signing events, and live shows here: 👉 https://jimcummingsworld.com/appearances
Check back often for new cities and event announcements.
🎧 Listen to Toon’d In! with Jim Cummings on Podcast Platforms
Stream the full podcast on your favorite platform:
Spotify:
👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/2KcL9s28avVHQVEjFLPfMG
Apple Podcasts:
👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toond-in-with-jim-cummings/id1689588131
Search “Toon’d In! with Jim Cummings podcast” on any major streaming platform.
💖 Support the Podcast on Patreon
Get early access, bonus episodes, and exclusive content from Toon’d In! with Jim Cummings:
👉 https://patreon.com/jimcummingspodcast
Join the community supporting independent voice acting content and animation storytelling.
🎉 Book Jim Cummings on Cameo
Order a personalized video message from legendary voice actor Jim Cummings:
👉 https://cameo.com/toondinjimcummings
Perfect for birthdays, shoutouts, and animation fans.
📂 Recommended Voice Acting & Animation Clips
🗣️ How to Sound Like a Celebrity (Voice Match Tips)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MfzqN-ediEA
🍯 The Coolest Thing About Voicing Winnie the Pooh
https://youtube.com/shorts/7IIrgHIYIOE
🎙️ Top Voice Swaps & Character Transformations
https://youtu.be/1PcJr3WDy5Q
https://youtube.com/shorts/DwtLLmV0TPM
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/toon-d-in-with-jim-cummings--5863067/support.
New Zealand