Episode 11: Reading Between the Lines: Narrating Queer Romance

Episode 11: Reading Between the Lines: Narrating Queer Romance

his week, I’m talking about queer romance in all it's history, subtext-y, glory. We cover the stories that had to be coded for generations, and the ways those roots still show up in the books we’re narrating today. From sapphic romance and power dynamics to acceptance, vulnerability, and the desire to be truly seen, we’re diving into some of the emotional undercurrents that can make queer stories feel different both on the page and behind the mic. And as always, we’ll bring it back to the craft because apparently I am physically incapable of not talking about audiobook narration. :) Want to keep in touch? Me, too!  Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree [https://linktr.ee/audiobookbrenda?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=7b6b6a26-64bf-46f7-9d20-8a2c1bcd76c3] and Check out my website: Brendascottwlazlo.com For service inquiries, use the contact me form through my website.

Episode 10: How Hormones Affect the Female Voice

Ladies… have you ever noticed your voice feels a little strained, tired, swollen, emotionally overworked, carrying things it technically shouldn’t have to carry? Weird how that happens. 🙂 But truly. This episode is definitely about estrogen. And definitely not about the exhausting reality so many women in romance audio have been privately navigating for years. So grab a heating pad, a cup of coffee, and maybe a paper trail. We’re talking about what happens when collaboration stops feeling collaborative… and why more of us are finally saying the quiet parts out loud. To the women in this industry: I see you.  Want to keep in touch? Me, too!  Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree [https://linktr.ee/audiobookbrenda?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=7b6b6a26-64bf-46f7-9d20-8a2c1bcd76c3] and Check out my website: Brendascottwlazlo.com For service inquiries, use the contact me form through my website.

Episode 9: The Hidden Burnout Behind Avoidance

This week, I’m talking about the emotional side of creative work that I think a lot of artists quietly carry around but rarely say out loud. The weird shame spiral that happens after a bad review, an awkward coaching session, a communication mistake, or a project that just didn’t go the way you hoped. The way those moments attach themselves to the work afterward until suddenly opening the planner, the inbox, or the session file feels emotionally loaded. As audiobook narrators, our work is deeply personal. Our voices, instincts, and emotional interpretation are part of the product. And when something goes wrong, it’s very easy to start treating those moments as proof that we are failing instead of seeing them as information we can grow from. This episode is about creative shame, avoidance, burnout, criticism, and learning how to return to the work without turning every hard moment into an identity crisis. Want to keep in touch? Me, too!  Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree [https://linktr.ee/audiobookbrenda?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=7b6b6a26-64bf-46f7-9d20-8a2c1bcd76c3] and Check out my website: Brendascottwlazlo.com For service inquiries, use the contact me form through my website.

Episode 8: Audible's new Royalty Share + Virtual Voice Push - Let's talk about it.

In this bonus episode of Good Aural, we’re talking about the ACX and Audible royalty changes, why narrators are freaking out a little bit, and what this industry shift could actually mean for your career moving forward. Because this isn’t just about percentages and payouts. It’s about the growing move toward subscription and engagement-based listening, the uncertainty surrounding royalties, and the very real fear a lot of narrators are feeling about AI and Virtual Voice entering the space. And honestly? Some of those concerns make sense. But this episode is not a doom spiral. It’s a conversation about adaptation. We talk about why AI may absolutely impact certain corners of the industry, especially lower-budget and high-volume projects, but also why human storytelling still matters deeply. Because narration is not just reading words cleanly. It’s interpretation. Trust. Emotional intelligence. Presence. Connection. We also get into what narrators can actually do right now: building a recognizable identity, strengthening your online presence, developing artistic taste, becoming a better collaborator, getting involved in community spaces like Audio Publishers Association and Professional Audiobook Narrators Association, and creating a career that is harder to replace because it is undeniably human. We also touch on the uncertainty of relying heavily on ACX royalties long-term and why platforms like Chirp, Hoopla, and LibriVox are becoming part of the larger conversation. Basically:  the industry is changing.  But generic is more vulnerable than humanity has ever been. And the narrators who adapt thoughtfully now are probably the ones who are going to last. Want to keep in touch? Me, too!  Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree [https://linktr.ee/audiobookbrenda?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=7b6b6a26-64bf-46f7-9d20-8a2c1bcd76c3] and Check out my website: Brendascottwlazlo.com For service inquiries, use the contact me form through my website.

Episode 7: Your Nervous System Doesn’t Know It’s Fiction

As audiobook narrators, we spend hours embodying fear, grief, rage, trauma, heartbreak, panic, and vulnerability in order to make stories feel real for listeners. But what happens when your nervous system starts responding to those emotions too? This week on Good Aural, I’m talking about emotional resilience in audiobook narration. We’re talking trigger warnings, boundaries, nervous system regulation, emotional decompression, and why narrators need better conversations around mental and emotional sustainability in this industry. Because your body doesn’t always know the difference between experiencing fear… and performing it convincingly. Want to keep in touch? Me, too!  Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree [https://linktr.ee/audiobookbrenda?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=7b6b6a26-64bf-46f7-9d20-8a2c1bcd76c3] and Check out my website: Brendascottwlazlo.com For service inquiries, use the contact me form through my website.