Penthouse Comics: Your journey has taken you from Montreal, Quebec, to Ottawa, Ontario, and now all the way to Austin, Texas. Austin has to be a massive difference from where you grew up, right? Did it take a while to get used to?
Barbara Dunkelman: You would think it would be a massive difference, but it has been quite easy to adjust to life in Austin over these few years! There are a lot of similarities (especially between Montreal & Austin), and I grew up visiting the States quite a bit - I love both Canada and Austin. Though I will say, I think I enjoy the heat more than the cold!
PC: Your first voice role came by way of Yang Xiao Long in RWBY. I read that the awesome Monty Oum offered you that role. Were you nervous to try your hand at voice acting or was the confidence just there day one?
BD: I was a bit nervous - I had never done any real voice acting before (unless you count me and my brothers making silly voices all the time as kids). However, Monty and the whole crew made me feel so comfortable during the process, and knowing that he wanted me for the role definitely helped my confidence.
PC: Now your incredible career has featured both voice and live-action roles in various titles like Red vs. Blue, Blood Fest, Day 5, Fairy Tail, Justice League x RWBY, and more! Is there one role in particular that you look back on as your favorite?
BD: Voicing Yang in RWBY is definitely up there as my favorite - I’ve been voicing the character since the start of the show back in 2013, and it was my first-ever voice acting role. I also loved getting to play Ashley in Blood Fest! I never thought I would be in a movie, let alone a horror movie. It was a blast.We filmed that in the summer in Austin, so it was ungodly hot. Luckily it makes sense to be sweaty in a horror film, haha!
PC: Is there one character in general that you’d love to voice within animation?
BD: I have always wanted to voice Harley Quinn - she is such a fun character (that I also love to cosplay) and villains are extra cool to play! Voicing any character is always such a treat, because it’s a new challenge.
PC: I saw that you were one of five partial owners of the former indoor football team, the FCF Wild Aces. How did that come about? That has to be such an exciting journey to own a sports team?
BD: Hah! I love that y’all know this. My buddies over at Kinda Funny got involved with FCF and approached me about joining them as owners. I love football, and I love Kinda Funny, so it was a no-brainer. Watching those games live with everyone in chat was such a unique experience. It definitely helped having the best team in the league, not gonna lie.
PC: You recently had a major career change, although that part of your career might have been the longest tenured, it was only one part of the many roles you work in the industry. Any plans for what’s next?
BD: Yes, a massive change! Currently I am working on a Dungeons & Dragons podcast called Tales from the Stinky Dragon. We were able to take it independent and focus on it 100%. I get to call myself a professional D&D player now (even though I still feel very new at it). I am also hoping to pursue a clothing brand down the line! It’s something I have always dreamed of. Ultimately I am just excited to get to try things and discover new passions.
PC: You mentioned at one point that approximately 50% of your work was public facing with much of what you do being behind the scenes. Have you found it difficult to balance the work?
BD: It has been difficult at times, but I feel very fortunate to get to experience so many areas of production and business. It gives you a good appreciation for how everything comes together, especially in the entertainment business. The more difficult part is when those on the outside looking in don’t understand the work you do behind the scenes, when sometimes that can be the more challenging part.
PC: You and the excellent crew at the Stinky Dragon Podcast announced that you were going fully independent and continuing the podcast in the wake of the original production company going under. Going independent had to make the thousands of fans of the pod happy, right? It’s full on the best D&D podcast around with my favorite part being the amazing puppet shows!
BD: It’s truly a dream come true. We are so lucky to have such an incredible community of fans for our show who have been so supportive of us. Getting to do what you love, and having people enjoy it? You can’t ask for more than that.
PC: What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the entertainment industry?
BD: Always do you. When you’re someone in the online space, you will inevitably be subject to other people’s opinions of you - but nothing matters besides how you feel about yourself. Don’t take criticism from people you wouldn’t take advice from, and never let someone else’s success feel like your failure. It’s true what they say: comparison is the thief of joy. Always. Do. You.
PC: Have you had any mentors in your career? Why is it Lindsay Jones and how has she influenced you? Jokes aside, what’s it been like working with your best friends for years?
BD: Lindsay is wonderful, and has always been a huge inspiration - they kick ass! I have been lucky to work alongside some of the most creative, talented, and supportive people over my career. I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for them. Too many to name!
PC: How do you see the entertainment industry evolving in the next decade, especially concerning women’s roles?
BD: I think it will take some time before the industry evolves to where it should be regarding women's roles - we are still a few steps behind there. What I HOPE to see is women truly be treated as equals, to not be constantly put down or belittled for their opinions, or sexualized when that is not their intention or desire. It still feels like a hostile environment, which people claim to need thick skin to be part of as a woman - I hope that changes someday.
PC: What strategies do you use to manage stress and maintain your well-being in such a high-pressure industry?
BD: I try my best to keep a healthy mindset, as cliche as that sounds. I know I am capable and smart, and can figure out almost anything- and remind myself of that regularly. I also try to stay off social media more these days when I realize I may be doom-scrolling (a common occurrence these days).
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See the full photoshoot in Penthouse Comics #6