Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Mack.
Hi Candice, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My love for podcasting really started long before podcasts were even a thing.Back in school,once our work was finished for the day,I was that kid who talked nonstop with friends about whatever TV show we were obsessed with at the time-Buffy the Vampire Slayer being a big one.Talking about television was always how I connected with people.
When it came to soap opera,that connection became even more personal.My grandmother,Emily,was truly my soap partner-in-crime .I’d come home from school,she’d catch me up on the day’s episodes,and we’d talk about the stories and characters together.Those conversations has always stuck with me.Growing up,my dream was actually to be on a soap opera–but as soaps began to be canceled ,I still wanted to be part of the world and community in any way I could.
Later opportunities came when friends that I met on social media invited me onto their shows because they heard and saw my opinions on social media so shows like Buzzworthy Radio,In The Zone,and Liason Radio-to talk soaps.Those experiences gave me confidence and introduced me to an incredible group of people who shared the same passion.In June 2013,alongside friends I met through those shows-Samantha,Kerry and Kathy-we decided to take a leap and created SoapParty411,a weekly podcast recapping all the daytime dramas and discussing them as well as interviewing talent both behind the scenes and in front of the camera.
As the show grew,so did the opportunities.SoapParty411 was nominated for the Capital City Web Awards and has been named one of the Top 30 podcasts to Check Out in recent years including 2026.Along the way,I joined the Take2Radio family as a fill-in host and later became a full-time co-host after being recommended by Casey Hutchison.Being part of those platforms,and building trusted relationships within the industry helped get my name out there and led to appearances on other podcasts and projects.
In 2020,when the world came to a halt,Casey asked me if I wanted to join an audio drama called “Forever and a Day” .That turned out to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.Over five years (August 2020-May 2025),I didn’t just fulfill my dream of being part of a soap-style production-I voiced the character “Danielle”,served as a co-head writer and co-executive producer,and helped the show win the first-ever Indie Series Award for Best Ensemble in Audio Fiction.
That experience opened the door to more voice work with JLJ Media,including their number-one show “The Email”,where I play “VP” -a character who is sassy yet …even more sassy when you cross her.I’ve continued balancing podcasting,audio drama,and a strong social media presence,which even left to being selected by Casey Kasprzyk,co-executive producer of “The Bold and the Beautiful”,to be apart of “Bold Live”,where I would come on and discuss the show and interview actors-another experience I truly loved because it allowed me to thank the performers I’ve admired for years.
And somehow,alongside all of this,I’ve managed to remain a childcare teacher-which is also a passion I love as well.Podcasting has always been my way of communicating,connecting,and staying part of the community that shaped me.Whether it’s through NGE soaps,JLJ Media’s Soap Block or Beyond The Gates after show with myself and Amanda Russ and this also led to one of the most surreal,full-circle moments of my journey because I have been talking about this since I was a kid but I attended the Daytime Emmy Awards in October 2025 and conducted red carpet interviews for JLJMedia.It was one of those moments where I stopped and thought,this all started with me just talking about Tv and soaps with my grandma and in school-and I never stopped.
And look where that has taken me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road-and honestly,I don’t think meaningful journeys ever are.One of the biggest struggles early on was feeling like I was “just a regular person” in a space where it sometimes seemed like only insiders or people with connections where truly heard.There were moments when I questioned whether anyone would listen to my perspective or even my friends perspectives or if my voice mattered without a famous last name or industry ties.
That uncertainty affected my self-esteem.When you’re putting in so much time,passion,and energy,there’s a quiet fear that if no one is listening,it might all be for nothing.I wanted someone-anyone-to hear and see what I was building and understand that it came from a genuine love of the genre and the community that seriously helped me grow up.
Timing was another major challenge.Podcasting has never been my full-time job,so learning how to manage my time-recording shows,preparing content,promoting episodes,and still showing up fully for my career and personal life-took real effort.There were moments where burnout felt very close,and I had to learn when to push forward and when to step back so I didn’t lose the joy that made me start in the first place.
Finding the right people to bond with and have fun alongside was also a journey.Podcasting is collaborative,and building trust,chemistry,and creative balance takes time.On top of that,there were outside voices telling me podcasting was a waste of time or not “real work”,which made staying confident even harder in the beginning.
What kept me going was connection.Slowly,listeners showed up.Collaborators believed in me.I realized that being a “regular person” was actually my strength-it allowed me to connect authentically,build meaningful relationships,and grow organically.Looking back,the struggles did not stop me;they shaped me.They taught me resilience,balance,and confidence,and they made every milestone feel truly earned.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Besides being a childcare teacher ..I mean at my core,I’m a podcaster,voice actor,writer,and producer who specializes in soap operas and serialized storytelling.I’m best known for being a consistent,authentic voice within the soap community-someone who approaches the genre as a both a fan and a storyteller.
For over 13 years,I’ve been a co-host of SoapParty411,where we recap daytime dramas and celebrate the genre as a living,evolving art form.I’ve also been seen and heard across the JLJ Media platform,which has allowed me to reach wider audiences while staying rooted in what I love most:conversation,connection,and community.
Beyond podcasting,I’m especially proud of my contributions on the award-winning audio drama “Forever and a Day”.Being part of that project-as a voice actor portraying Danielle,as well as a co-head writer and a co-executive producer-was incredibly meaningful to me.It allowed me to step into the world of soap storytelling in a new way and be part of a team (Casey,Emily,etc) that helped the series win the first Indie Series Award for Best Ensemble in Audio Fiction.
What sets me apart is that I’ve built all of this as a “regular person” -without shortcuts,without industry privilege,and without losing sight of why I started.I represent the viewer who grew up loving soaps,who respects the craft,and who wants to uplift the people who make these stories possible.I don’t just talk about the community-I’m part of it.
What I’m most proud of is consistency.Showing up year after year,earning trust,building relationships,and creating spaces where fans and creators feel seen and appreciated.My journey proves that passion,persistence,and authenticity can open doors-and that sometimes,(and this is big so listen) simply “Being yourself is the strongest voice you can have.”
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way to support my work is by engaging with the platforms that make it all possible.People can watch the JLJ Media Soap Block every Sunday on JLJMedia YouTube Channel (make sure to like and subscrible),listen to SoapParty411,and check out the other podcasts I’m part of across all major streaming platforms.Listening,sharing,and joining the conversation truly makes a difference.
I’m always open to collaboration,whether that’s guest appearances,interviews,creative projects,or discussions centered around soaps,serialized storytelling,etc.Connecting with the community has always been the most rewarding part of what I do.
Anyone interested in working with me or reaching out can find me on social media.I’m active and accessible on Instagram ( @CandyMack82), Linkedlin (Candice Mack),and Twitter/X (@Candypooh).I love engaging with listeners,fellow creators,and industry professionals,and I’m always excited to see where those connections can lead.
