Conversations with Micah Ball

Today we’d like to introduce you to Micah Ball.

Micah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up between Golden and Central City, among an outdoor enthusiast family who also encouraged me in my creative interests; theatre, singing, and music especially. I attended Fort Lewis College in Durango from 1990-1992, studying Theatre and Philosophy, then after some “wanderlust travel-education,” I finished my bachelor’s degree in Communications & Performing Arts from Colorado State University in Fort Collins in 1997. During my time in both fine institutions, I got involved with their respective college radio stations and was hooked… After graduating from CSU, and another ‘walkabout’ through Europe, I took my first radio job with KIQXfm in Durango.

In 1998, I was offered a job with a radio company in Aspen and thus began a long history of broadcasting, voice acting, and emcee/announcer work for the Eagle / Roaring Fork / Grand Valleys in western Colorado. I earned representation for my voice work through GoVoices LLC in 2013, and in 2017 was offered on-camera representation by W-Talent Denver. My live announcer/emcee work had grown to where I was in final negotiation to emcee multiple events throughout the Rocky Mountains. Then… on the morning of April 2nd, 2019, everything changed; when an undiagnosed yet lifelong genetic epilepsy reared its ugly head and fully broke through into GTCs (Gran-mal Tonic-Clonics). However, I can still get on a microphone. So, I started up a podcast called “Seizure Salad ~Fustercluck Epilepticus~” as a way to help myself by helping others heal. I am a father of an incredible son, a caver, backpacker, snowboarder, and overall outdoor adrenaline junkie. I’ve lived, and am grateful for it.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Bumpy road. Very bumpy road. My budding career came to a screeching halt. Medical bills drained what savings I had. Above and beyond the material, I lost so much independence/self-reliance, self-esteem/self-worth, physical ability, etc… I can’t work on stage or on camera until my seizures are managed. I can’t drive until then, nor do so many things it’s too lengthy to mention here. My whole life changed. In ways, most don’t realize. Seizures come in all shapes & sizes and affect people in so many different ways. And it’s so much more than the physical. It’s the emotional, mental, and psychological fallout from the condition and treatment that will break me before actual epilepsy will.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a voice actor and producer/host of a podcast called “Seizure Salad ~Fustercluck Epilepticus.” I am also an on-camera actor and emcee/announcer for live events, although that is on ‘pause’ while my neurological team and I work through this discovery phase of my epilepsy. I specialize in speaking for my clients, podcast guests, and others so that they have a better chance of being heard. I’ve always been one who people open up to. I give people a platform where they can unabashedly be them. Honestly, I’m probably known for being a non-conformist, against the grain type. Or my voice; it’s deep and precedes me at times. I sound much bigger than I really am! What am I most proud of? My son. I don’t know if I can answer the question about what sets me apart from others… still discovering myself. Plus, treading new waters and trying new ground that I’m not sure has been tread yet. Maybe that’s the answer: I am taking a tragedy and using my skills and experience to turn it into a benefit for others.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I’m 5th generation Colorado boy and am very subjective on this! I like how the downtown core was revived in the early 2000s. As well as public transportation improvements. Nightlife, live music. RED ROCKS!!! I dislike! HUGE traffic problems in the last ten years. Honestly, I hate to say it but there seems to be an increase in rude/aggressive behavior. The increase in rude behavior seems to come from locals & newbies alike; can’t we all just relax?!?

Contact Info:

• Email: fustercluck@seizuresalad.org
• Website: https://seizuresalad.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeizureSaladPodcast
• Other: http://micahballvoiceover.com/

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