Brown, a social scientist and therapist, says that courageously sharing our weaknesses and desires helps develop the authentic relationships we need to become creative, loving, and effective. With moving stories full of colorful language, she shows how shame about our imperfections keeps us isolated and stunts our growth. We blossom emotionally when we speak honestly with people—not blurting secrets to just anyone but speaking from the heart and learning how to develop the steadiness needed to survive not being understood, respected, or loved. Karen White performs this thoughtful, often stream-of-consciousness writing with the measured phrasing of a theater-trained voice pro. Her speaking style is uniformly believable, but the high polish of her performance gives it an erudite edge that sounds at odds with the author’s casual humor and frequent self-disclosure.
Pub Date: Sept. 11, 2012
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781470814779
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Dan Harris traces his experience finding a quieter, more peaceful mind, and life, through the unlikely pursuit of meditation. Deeply skeptical, he’s ultimately convinced by the scientific research showing meditation’s benefits. Harris says the voice in his head, the “inner narrator” he seeks to quiet, is a “total pill”—a voice that “comes braying in, heckling us all day with an air horn.” Unfortunately, his own narration has a way of grating on the ear, especially when he’s describing meditation with a cynical, yet-to-be converted eye or taking a competitive approach to mindfulness. Eventually, the ear adjusts and listeners can absorb interesting glimpses into Harris’s life as a broadcaster and his journey with meditation. However, some still may prefer to read the book to themselves.
Pub Date: March 11, 2014
Duration: 7 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062331892
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
While a brief introduction to this audiobook is voiced by Dick Van Dyke himself, the balance is assigned to his friend Tom Bergeron. He does a remarkable, impeccable, and simply wonderful job, narrating with a rhythm and tonality similar to Van Dyke's. One might believe one is listening to the 100-year-old actor himself. In addition to talking about his life, Van Dyke also quite candidly describes living with the health and mobility issues that have touched him in his most recent years. Throughout the presentation, anecdotes and vignettes thoughtfully portray the pivotal influences on the man and his sensibilities. The novel approach of presenting the ever optimistic Van Dyke's "rules for living" works effectively.
Pub Date: Nov. 18, 2025
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668652992
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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