Listening to audiobooks has always been about more than entertainment for me. Audiobooks need to challenge my thinking, provide vital information, illuminate why things are a certain way, and motivate me. As a working woman, I strive to maximize my time by learning as I walk, drive, do dishes . . . constantly seeking perspectives that elevate as I tackle mundane tasks. So I’m excited to recommend five audiobooks that focus on enhancing women’s professional and personal lives from the time they first enter the world of work to their final days. While the focus of these audiobooks is on women, anyone can benefit from their insights and information.

For those interested in succeeding in the corporate world, Bonnie Hammer delivers a series of myth-busting lessons in 15 LIES WOMEN ARE TOLD AT WORK. She backs her recommendations with research and stories from her career in the media industry, all delivered in her confident and expressive voice. Women on the entrepreneurial path will find Kathleen Griffith’s BUILD LIKE A WOMAN to be chock-full of gems curated from the author’s experience and the candid counsel of A-list female entrepreneurs. Griffith’s points are enhanced by her frank vocal tone. AGELESS AGING, narrated by Rebecca Stern, and GROWN WOMEN TALK, written and narrated by Sharon Malone, are both clarion calls for women of all ages to take charge of their physical, mental, and financial well-being. Finally, when it comes to understanding how we got to where we are now, HOUSEWIFE, narrated by Lyssa Browne, delivers an illuminating and informative picture. These audiobooks all provide well-narrated listening experiences that will keep you engaged while expanding your thinking.

15 LIES WOMEN ARE TOLD AT WORK: And The Truth We Need to Succeed
by Bonnie Hammer, read by Bonnie Hammer
Simon & Schuster Audio

Bonnie Hammer, whose career spans five decades in the media industry, offers women—and men, too—invaluable advice for succeeding at work—and at life. Delivering her own words, Hammer shares her own experiences, offers research to back her recommendations, provides helpful and usable advice, and does it all with humor and candidness. A treasure trove of lessons for everyone.

BUILD LIKE A WOMAN: The Blueprint for Creating a Business and Life You Love
by Kathleen Griffith, read by Kathleen Griffith
Macmillan Audio

The entrepreneur and founder of the global platform Build Like A Woman, Kathleen Griffith provides women at all stages of entrepreneurship with a blueprint to build a business and a life they love. As she narrates her own work in the voice of a down-to-earth best friend, Griffith openly reveals her personal experiences, including her breakdowns and breakthroughs.

AGELESS AGING: A Woman's Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan
by Maddy Dychtwald and Kate Hanley, read by Rebecca Stern
Mayo Clinic Press

Narrator Rebecca Stern rises to the challenge of delivering this treasure trove of helpful information. Because women now benefit from longer lifespans but poorer health, aging expert Maddy Dychtwald and coauthor Kate Hanley focus on research, stories, and other resources for women 50 and older—although people of all ages and genders might learn from the advice. Stern's even-paced, easy-to-listen-to narration stands out even when she's delivering inventories and resource lists.

GROWN WOMAN TALK: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Healthy 
by Sharon Malone, read by Sharon Malone
Random House Audio

Dr. Sharon Malone, board certified ob/gyn and certified menopause practitioner, serves as both author and narrator. She offers vital advice on managing one's healthcare and practical tips on following that advice. Throughout, Dr. Malone candidly shares personal stories, family experiences, and relevant case examples that will motivate listeners to take action. She conveys all this with warmth, humor, and a wonderfully easy-to-listen-to voice. A must-listen for women of all ages. 

HOUSEWIFE: Why Women Still Do It All and What To Do Instead
by Lisa Selin Davis, read by Lyssa Browne
Hachette Audio

Narrator Lyssa Browne guides listeners through this audiobook on the history and myths that surround the concept of housewife in the U.S. Brown delivers an informative, sarcastic, and enjoyable performance of this audiobook that explores how expectations of women have changed and what can be done to create a more egalitarian society. 

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