Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast

Audiobooks are more popular than ever and that means that companies are going to compete to keep the consumer attention on THEIR platform. What does that have to do with us? A lot.  In this episode we deep dive into my predictions about the future of audiobook consumerism, the reasoning behind the current shift into streaming, and what we can do to make sure our names are at the top of future go t...

In today's internet landscape, just "Ignoring bad reviews" isn't a viable solution to engaging and building your community and brand online. So, what do we do? How do we wade through the trolls and criticism to create our online presence and be seen as the competent and compassionate audiobook professionals we are?  In this episode, I break down some steps we can take to protec...

My social media feed has been filled with narrators showing off their deepest, growliest, most rumbling male voices. Some of them sound incredible. Buuuuuuut there’s a difference between a voice that sounds impressive for 30 seconds and a voice you can sustain through a ten-book series. In this episode, we’re talking about the anatomy behind your voice, the warning signs of vocal strain, and give...

Feeling like everyone all of a suddenly took a masterclass in Canva while you slept?  Same. This week, I’m talking about the comparison trap, creative block, scarcity mindset, and what happens when watching everyone else succeed starts robbing you of your own momentum. From turning envy into useful information to creating a “proof file” for the days your brain conveniently forgets every accomplish...

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 sto...

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 coff...

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,...

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 t...

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 regulat...

Everybody keeps asking how to break into audiobooks. Wrong question. The real question is: what makes you impossible to replace? In this episode of Good Aural , Brenda talks about the biggest career shift happening in audiobook narration right now and why being “generically good” is no longer enough to build a sustainable career. The narrators getting cast consistently aren’t just selling a voice...

Everyone says audiobook narration “takes time.” But no one really explains what that means. Not just the hours in the booth, but the mental load. The second-guessing. The way your day has to shift to make room for quiet, focus, and consistency. The way your energy gets pulled into the work even after you step away from the mic. In this episode, I’m breaking down the real time commitment behind thi...

If you’ve been told that breaking into audiobook narration is as simple as reading in a closet, making a sample, and hopping on auditions… we need to talk. Because that advice isn’t wrong. It’s just incomplete. In this episode, I’m unpacking why so much of the guidance floating around this industry feels stale and why following it step-by-step might actually be what’s keeping you stuck. The landsc...

What’s trending in audiobooks right now?  Apparently… not prepping. In this episode, I’m digging into the growing conversation around “no prep” narration and why I don’t buy it. We’re talking about the difference between an actor being surprised and a character being surprised, the trust between narrator and listener, and why going in blind might actually be doing your performance a disservice. I...

You know what’s trending in audiobooks right now? Not being a storyteller. Or at least not sounding like one. I’m talking about where audiobook narration started, what we were trained to prioritize, and why listeners today are craving something way more grounded and real. Less performance, more presence. Listen to find out how to actually do that behind the mic. Want to keep in touch? Me, too!  Br...

Episode 1: The Truth About Audiobook Narration (It’s Not What You Think) If you’ve ever thought audiobook narration is just reading out loud… this is your first reframe. In this episode of Good Aural , I break down what audiobook narration actually is—and why having a “good voice” is not what makes a performance work. We talk about the biggest misconceptions, what listeners are really responding t...

Good Aural is a podcast about what actually makes an audiobook work. Hosted by full-time narrator Brenda Scott Wlazlo, this show pulls back the curtain on the craft behind audiobook storytelling—from performance and pacing to character work, chemistry, and the choices listeners feel but can’t always name. With over 250 titles across romance, fantasy, and beyond, Brenda shares real-world insight fr...