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PODCAST

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast

Good Aural is a podcast about what makes an audiobook work.Hosted by award winning narrator Brenda Scott Wlazlo, this podcast breaks down what actually makes a performance land. We cover everything from character and chemistry to pacing, prep, and the moments that make listeners stay.For narrators, actors, audiobook fans, and anyone curious about the industry, these short episodes are honest, practical, and rooted in real experience.

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All Episodes

13:44

Episode 26: The Plight of the Workhorse Narrator

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/09/30

Send us Fan Mail Audiobooks are getting bigger. Celebrity casts, splashy productions, behind-the-scenes videos, mainstream press. And honestly? That’s exciting. But as audiobooks become more visible, I’ve been wondering whether the career audiobook narrator is actually getting harder to see. In this episode: Why celebrity audiobook casting isn’t really the problemHow the pathways to recognition are changingThe growing second job of narrator visibilitySources & Further Reading Audio Publis...

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15:23

Episode 25: Maintenance Mode: Your Career Has to...

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/09/23

Send us Fan Mail Well, I’ve got some news. I’m pregnant! I’m thrilled to finally be able to say that out loud. I am also deep in the first trimester, and holy cow, it has kicked my butt. I’ve spent most of September doing the absolute bare minimum. I’m getting my work done. I’m answering the emails that need answers. But all of the extra stuff I’m normally doing to grow my career? Not happening. So that’s what I wanted to talk about this week. We spend a lot of time in this industry talking a...

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15:30

Episode 24: You’re Not the Star (And That’s Actually...

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/09/09

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Good Aural, I’m looking at audiobook production through my theater brain and talking about what changes when we stop thinking only like performers and start thinking like members of a much larger creative team. Because talent matters. Obviously. But once you can do the job, there’s another question that matters when producers are deciding whether they want to work with you again: What are you like to work with? We’re talking about: Why audiobook narration i...

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16:24

Episode 22: Who Gets to be an Audiobook Coach?

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/09/02

Send us Fan Mail There is a LOT of discourse happening right now about who is actually qualified to coach audiobook narrators, and I have thoughts. Because on one end, we have incredibly experienced, prolific narrators whose advice may not always apply to someone trying to break into this industry in 2026. On the other, we have newer narrators who are really good at navigating the current hustle and are already charging thousands of dollars to teach other people how they did it. And somewhere...

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17:52

Trying to Sound Sexy: What Romance Narration Is...

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/08/26

Send us Fan Mail What makes a romantic scene genuinely sexy in audio? For me, it begins with character. What does this person want? What are they afraid to reveal? What changes between these two people because of this encounter? What it doesn't involve is heavy breathing and trying to sound "seductive." In this episode, we look briefly at the history of romance, from Jane Austen and the rise of modern commercial romance to ebooks, indie publishing, and BookTok. I also discuss how ...

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16:26

Episode 21: You Can't Act Genre...Can you? (Re: the...

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/08/19

Send us Fan Mail Today, I’m revisiting character work and giving my friend Steve his due ;) After my last episode on nuance and character choices, Steve, who is both a character actor and a dialect coach, pointed out that genre changes the conversation. And he’s right. I still think subtlety is king. But subtle doesn’t look the same in every book. A cozy mystery, LitRPG, middle grade adventure, thriller, procedural, romantasy, and mafia romance can all ask for different things from a narrator...

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16:11

Episode 20: BookTok and the Audiobook Industry (Does...

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/08/12

Send us Fan Mail Lets talk BookTok. What began as a giant virtual book club is now a major marketing force. Publishers watch it, authors build campaigns around it, and Audible has created a dedicated BookTok destination. In this episode, I talk about how follower counts are becoming part of an audiobook narrator’s professional currency (particularly in romance and LitRPG) and what that means for talented narrators who aren’t interested in becoming full-time content creators. BookTok can...

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15:59

Episode 19: When should you raise your rates and how...

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/08/05

Send us Fan Mail When should you raise your rates and how do you do it without panicking?! In this episode, I’m opening up the hush-hush conversation about money in the audiobook industry. We’re talking about underpricing, scarcity, ongoing series, loyalty rates, invisible labor, and the fear that charging more will make you less castable. Most importantly, I’m giving you a practical plan for moving from where your rates are now to where you want them to be—with real timelines and language ...

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18:22

Episode 18: Ethics and AI (A Creative Industry's...

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/07/29

Send us Fan Mail AI use is everywhere. But what does that mean exactly? Did someone use a tool to correct grammar? Did they have it look for redundancy in their writing or did they use it to create a cover, write AND narrate their book? In this episode, I break down the current AI categories to know in publishing and outline ways that narrators can not just protect their performances, but their moral code, too. Sources and show notes The Atlantic, “Is This What Comes After AI Sl...

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17:04

Episode 17: The Duet Narration Disconnect (What...

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/07/22

This week, I’m talking about the production problem behind duet narration, what audiobooks could learn from audio drama, and the small changes that could make these performances feel FAR more connected. I’m also asking what happens when the cheapest answer to the growing demand for multiple voices becomes AI. Duet narration does not just need two voices. It needs two people who sound like they are actually having the same conversation. Show Note Sources: “He Said, She Said: Why Creato...

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13:26

Episode 16: Finding a Door Into Difficult Stories

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/07/15

If you're in this industry long enough, you'll get THAT book. That one that challenges your tongue and breath control, the one that didn't get the full editor pass, or the one where the characters and you just don't seem to click. And I get it. It's hard to get passed. So in this episode we chat about ways to dig in deeper, shift your mindset and do the dang thing. Want to keep in touch? Me, too! Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree and Check out my website: Brendascottwlazlo.co...

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13:46

Episode 15: My Biggest Prediction About Audiobooks

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/07/02

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 to lists. This one is my mark in the sand. Do you think I'm right? Want to keep in touc...

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13:48

Episode 14: Ignoring Bad Reviews Is Not Good Advice

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/06/24

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 protect our peace while noting that this is an ongoing conversation that needs more than just my voice talking about i...

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14:21

Episode 13: That Growly Voice Is Hurting You (Why...

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/06/17

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 you some game changing tools that will forever be featured in your MMCs. Want to keep in to...

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14:11

Episode 12: Why Everyone Else Seems Ahead of You (And...

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/06/10

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 accomplishment you’ve ever had, this is a conversation for anyone who’s feeling stuck, behind, or inti...

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14:32

Episode 11: Reading Between the Lines: Narrating...

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/06/03

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 cra...

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15:57

Episode 10: How Hormones Affect the Female Voice

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/05/27

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

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13:37

Episode 9: The Hidden Burnout Behind Avoidance

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/05/20

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 dee...

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15:23

Episode 10: Audible's new Royalty Share + Virtual...

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/05/15

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. ...

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13:27

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

Good Aural -The Audiobook Podcast ·

2026/05/13

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 emo...

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27 results

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