Behind The Mic With AudioFile Magazine podcast

#Theater #Books #Arts #Robin Whitten #AudioFile Magazine

26:18

How do you know when it’s time to make your next big career move? With International Women’s Day around the corner, we are excited to feature Avni Patel Thompson, Founder and CEO of Milo. Avni is building technology that directly supports the often overlooked emotional and logistical labor that falls on parents—especially women. Milo is an AI assistant designed to help families manage that invisible load more efficiently. In this episode, Avni shares her journey from studying chemistry to holding leadership roles at global brands like Adidas and Starbucks, to launching her own ventures. She discusses how she approaches career transitions, the importance of unpleasant experiences, and why she’s focused on making everyday life easier for parents. [01:26] Avni's University Days and Early Career [04:36] Non-Linear Career Paths [05:16] Pursuing Steep Learning Curves [11:51] Entrepreneurship and Safety Nets [15:22] Lived Experiences and Milo [19:55] Avni’s In Her Ellement Moment [20:03] Reflections Links: Avni Patel Thompson on LinkedIn Suchi Srinivasan on LinkedIn Kamila Rakhimova on LinkedIn Ipsos report on the future of parenting About In Her Ellement: In Her Ellement highlights the women and allies leading the charge in digital, business, and technology innovation. Through engaging conversations, the podcast explores their journeys—celebrating successes and acknowledging the balance between work and family. Most importantly, it asks: when was the moment you realized you hadn’t just arrived—you were truly in your element? About The Hosts: Suchi Srinivasan is an expert in AI and digital transformation. Originally from India, her career includes roles at trailblazing organizations like Bell Labs and Microsoft. In 2011, she co-founded the Cleanweb Hackathon, a global initiative driving IT-powered climate solutions with over 10,000 members across 25+ countries. She also advises Women in Cloud, aiming to create $1B in economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs by 2030. Kamila Rakhimova is a fintech leader whose journey took her from Tajikistan to the U.S., where she built a career on her own terms. Leveraging her English proficiency and international relations expertise, she discovered the power of microfinance and moved to the U.S., eventually leading Amazon's Alexa Fund to support underrepresented founders. Subscribe to In Her Ellement on your podcast app of choice to hear meaningful conversations with women in digital, business, and technology.…

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

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Find your next great audiobook on our podcast, Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine. Every Monday through Friday, AudioFile Editors recommend the best in audiobook listening. All in 6 minutes or less. It’s short, sweet, and just what your ears need. Want more? Listen to our bonus episodes featuring conversations with the best voices in the audiobook industry.

1761 episodes

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

updated 2 days ago

Series home•Feed

1761 episodes

#Theater #Books #Arts #Robin Whitten #AudioFile Magazine

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Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

1
Earphones Award Roundup 16:03

2 days ago16:03

16:03

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Laura Rossi discuss three recent Earphones Award-winning audiobooks. AudioFile awards Earphones to exceptional audio experiences—it’s our version of a starred review, specifically for the audiobook. Laura and Jo highlight Mary Oliver’s poetry collection DEVOTIONS, read by Kimberly Farr; Karen Thompson Walker’s novel THE STRANGE CASE OF JANE O, read by Jay Myers and Alex Sarrigeorgioiu; and Alton Brown’s essay collection FOOD FOR THOUGHT, which he narrates himself. They share why these audiobooks won Earphones, and why they are well worth your listening time. Read our reviews of the audiobooks at our website: DEVOTIONS: https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/268465/ Published by Penguin Audio THE STRANGE CASE OF JANE O.: https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/266653/ Published by Random House Audio FOOD FOR THOUGHT: https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/261405/ Published by SImon & Schuster Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

1
THE ECHOES by Evie Wyld, read by Sebastian Humphreys, Vivien Carter 8:09

3 days ago8:09

8:09

Sebastian Humphreys and Vivien Carter perform this complex story about Hannah, her family, and Max, Hannah’s late boyfriend who’s now haunting their London apartment. After he dies, Max watches Hannah move on with her life and marvels at how much he still had to learn about her. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester discuss how each perspective sounds unique. As the plot unfolds, Carter’s narration maintains the tension leading to every plot twist and holds the listener’s attention to the end. Read our review of the audiobook at our website: https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/266448/ Published by Random House Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

1
STONE YARD DEVOTIONAL by Charlotte Wood, read by Ailsa Piper 7:31

4 days ago7:31

7:31

AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester and host Jo Reed discuss how narrator Ailsa Piper evokes the stark Australian Outback in her performance of this captivating novel, shortlisted for the Booker Prize. To escape her busy life in the city, a middle-aged woman visits a small religious community for peace and quiet. Years later, she returns to the community, this time for good. But not long after she joins the nuns in their daily life, a plague of mice descends upon the entire state. As the mice invade every nook and cranny of the nuns’ home, Piper conveys all of the eeriness of the event. Read our review of the audiobook at our website: https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/266652/ Published by Penguin Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

1
WAITING FOR THE LONG NIGHT MOON by Amanda Peters, read by Megan Tooley, Ussani Taylor 8:16

5 days ago8:16

8:16

Megan Tooley and Ussani Taylor deliver moving performances of Amanda Peters’s short stories, which explore the Indigenous experience throughout American history. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester discuss this new work from the author of THE BERRY PICKERS. Tooley performs most of the stories, using a sweet lilting voice, gentle delivery, and subtle shading of personality. Taylor, who reads four deeply moving, emotionally difficult pieces, gives a tough and perceptive performance. Together, they create an important listening experience. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Recorded Books Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

1
BLACK WOODS, BLUE SKY by Eowyn Ivey, read by Rebecca Lowman 7:14

6 days ago7:14

7:14

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester discuss Rebecca Lowman’s evocative performance of this atmospheric novel—with a large dash of fabulism—set in the Alaskan wilderness. Birdie is a single mom who is waitressing at a lodge when a man walks in and changes her life. Arthur is an outdoorsman, a man of few words, but it’s love at first sight. Birdie and her daughter, Emaleen, go to live with Arthur in his remote cabin, spending the summer days basking in the beautiful Alaskan mountains. It’s all idyllic—until a dark element enters the story. Read our review of the audiobook at our website: https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/266403/ Published by Random House Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

1
In Conversation with Ann Powers and Alison Fensterstock on HOW WOMEN MADE MUSIC 34:48

9 days ago34:48

34:48

Host Jo Reed talks with Ann Powers, critic and correspondent for NPR Music, and editor Alison Fensterstock about collaborating on HOW WOMEN MADE MUSIC, AudioFile’s spring Audiobook Club Pick. A mosaic of essays with archival recordings of the artists, HOW WOMEN MADE MUSIC: A Revolutionary History from NPR Music is an Earphones Award winner and was one of AudioFile’s Best Audiobooks of 2024. Alison and Ann talk about the origins of this vibrant and ambitious project, the use of archival audio, what this recentering reveals about music history, and more. Read our review of the audiobook at our website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/261162/. Published by Harper Audio. Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

1
SILENT SPRING by Rachel Carson, read by Susie Berneis 10:25

10 days ago10:25

10:25

Carson’s SILENT SPRING has been the gold standard of the environmental movement for more than 50 years. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss how narrator Susie Berneis is more than up to the task of making the complex workings of the natural world easy for the average person to follow. Berneis truly excels when her narration mirrors the emotion Carson made so evident in her work. She is by turns passionate, saddened, uplifted, and furious at the history and impact of synthetic pesticides on every aspect of nature and our lives. Read our review of the audiobook at our website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/151168/ Published by Dreamscape Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

1
HANG ON ST. CHRISTOPHER by Adrian McKinty, read by Gerard Doyle 8:14

11 days ago8:14

8:14

Golden Voice narrator Gerard Doyle once again brings the quirkiness and erudition of D.I. Sean Duffy to life as he takes on a case that his boss, who is away on vacation, can’t handle. It’s 1992 in Belfast, and the murder of an IRA assassin means that Duffy must clock more time hunting for the killer despite his efforts to cut back as he nears retirement. AudioFile’s Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed discuss how Doyle’s slyly humorous tone makes the story feel like a caper at times as he revels in Duffy’s unorthodox approach. Read our review of the audiobook at our website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/257606/ Published by Blackstone Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

1
KING: A LIFE (YOUNG ADULT EDITION) by Jonathan Eig, Yohuru Williams, Michael G. Long [Adapt.], read by Dion Graham 12:07

12 days ago12:07

12:07

Teen listeners are given a well-rounded portrait of the leading figure in the Civil Rights movement, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King—fleshed out by fascinating and coherent accounts of the events of the day and the people around him. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss how Golden Voice Dion Graham masterfully portrays the voices and emotions of Dr. King’s orations. This production succeeds at reinforcing the fact that the inspiring civil rights leader “is a person, not just a holiday.” Read our review of the audiobook at our website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/265129/ Published by Macmillan Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

1
GEORGE ORWELL'S 1984 by George Orwell, Joe White [Adapt.], read by Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Erivo, and a Full Cast 8:55

13 days ago8:55

8:55

AudioFile’s Robin Whitten and Host Jo Reed discuss this 2025 Audie Award winner for Audio Drama, which is also an Earphones Award winner and was one of AudioFile’s Best Audiobooks of 2024. Andrew Garfield and Cynthia Erivo lead a crew of inspired English actors in creating a full-cast, filmlike 21st-century reimagining of one of the twentieth century's most important novels. The production is peppered with eerie urban soundscapes and a haunting musical score. Andrew Scott gives a terrific turn as the enigmatic O’Brien, who leads our heroes into a world of doubt and betrayal. Read our review of the audiobook at https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/251022/ Published by Audible, Inc. Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

1
JANUARIES by Olivie Blake, read by Alexandra Palting, Daniel Henning, David Monteith, Ferdelle Capistrano, Olivie Blake, Stephanie Németh-Parker, Steve West 7:14

17 days ago7:14

7:14

A full cast of narrators, including the author, delivers this enchanting collection of short stories about love, magic, and betrayal. AudioFile’s Alex Richey and host Jo Reed discuss how each of the 14 stories is tenderly delivered by an emotionally committed narrator. Some standouts include Stephanie Németh-Parker as a woman who grants wishes at a bridge during the full moon and David Monteith portraying a man who accidentally kills the woman he intends to marry, only for her to come back and haunt him. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/256526/ Published by Macmillan Audio. Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

1
DEATH OF THE AUTHOR by Nnedi Okorafor, read by Liz Femi, Anthony Oseyemi, Jason Culp, Chris Djuma 7:05

18 days ago7:05

7:05

Liz Femi is the primary narrator of this meta-narrative about a paraplegic Nigerian American woman and her unexpected rise to fame. Suddenly unemployed, Zelu risks writing a novel unlike any she’s ever written before, a futuristic sci-fi epic about androids who exist after humanity becomes extinct. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alex Richey discuss how Femi’s distinct voices and the rest of the narrators’ performances complement each character's personality, thoroughly enriching this Earphones Award-winning audiobook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

1
LISTEN TO YOUR SISTER by Neena Viel, read by Kristolyn Lloyd, Eric Lockley, Zeno Robinson 7:15

19 days ago7:15

7:15

AudioFile’s Alex Richey and host Jo Reed discuss how this fantastic ensemble of narrators excel equally at emotionally connecting to complicated emotional characters, elevating colloquial language, and enhancing mysterious, violent horrors. Kristolyn Lloyd portrays 25-year-old Calla as she struggles to hold her life together. Calla would do anything to keep her brothers alive and safe, but neither sibling listens to her. When Calla’s brutal nightmares come to life, the siblings must escape to a remote cabin in the woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

1
HEAVENLY TYRANT by Xiran Jay Zhao, read by Rong Fu 7:43

20 days ago7:43

7:43

Narrator Rong Fu returns in the next audiobook in the Iron Widow series. Zetian has awakened Qin Zheng, legendary emperor of Huaxia from centuries past. He desires a complete overhaul of Huaxia to eliminate corruption and misogyny, but despite a common goal, it is still one Zetian is forced into. AudioFile’s Alex Richey and host Jo Reed discuss how Rong Fu skillfully adjusts her accent when voicing Qin Zheng, using a British accent most of the time, and switching to a different accent as he changes dialects. Her depictions of old and new characters are easily distinguishable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

1
Behind the Mic with Marshall Karp and January LaVoy 31:03

23 days ago31:03