Audiobooks narrated by Suzie Althens

Marissa Henley (Author), Lisa Larsen, Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

Much of Western Maine reads like a Stephen King novel. The dense dark woods and backcountry ponds. The century-old houses with gravel driveways and immense flower gardens, acres of farmland miles from a highway. Serpentine country roads dotted with farmstands, and picturesque main streets lined with battered pickups. Places where—especially during the dark and rainy days of October and November—things can get downright spooky. Author Sharon Kitchens identifies the locations that serve as the basis for King's fictional towns of Castle Rock, Jerusalem's Lot, Derry, and Haven. Drawing on historical materials and conversations with locals and people who know King, the author sheds light on daily life in places that would become the settings for Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Dead Zone, Cujo, IT, and 11/22/63.

Sharon Kitchens (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

Symbiosis: A Very Short Introduction

Symbiosis, the sustained and intimate associations between unrelated life forms, is now recognized as a ubiquitous phenomenon, one that has shaped evolution since the origin of life and that continues to affect all species. This overview of symbiosis starts with a quick history of relevant early discoveries and researchers, and considers why symbiosis was so long neglected as a respectable topic of biological research and why it was a controversial topic. Today, symbiosis is widely appreciated as being everywhere in nature and as a pervasive influence on ecological communities. One chapter explores the fundamental drivers that lead to symbiotic associations, using examples to illustrate the nature of services exchanged between symbiotic partners. Another considers the evolutionary stability of symbiotic partnerships, which can quickly decay in the face of symbiotic cheating. A full chapter is devoted to the most consequential of all symbioses: the origin of the complex (eukaryotic) cell, and the origin of chloroplasts and green plants. Other triumphs of symbiosis described include the root-fungus associations that enabled plants to colonize land 450 million years ago, gut microbial communities that empower animals to utilize a wide range of foods, including plant fiber wood and sap, and coral-algal symbioses that resulted in the rise of coral reefs.

Nancy A. Moran (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Origins of Elected Strongmen: How Personalist Parties Destroy Democracy from Within

Since the end of World War II, democracies typically fell apart by coup d'état or through force. Today, however, they are increasingly eroding at the hands of democratically elected incumbents, who seize control by slowly chipping away at democratic institutions. To better understand these developments, this book examines the role of personalist political parties, or parties that exist primarily to further their leader's career as opposed to promote a specific policy platform. Using original data capturing levels of personalism in the parties of democratically elected leaders from 1991 to 2020, The Origins of Elected Strongmen shows that the rise of personalist parties around the globe is facilitating the decline of democracy. Personalist parties lack both the incentive and capacity to push back against a leader's efforts to expand executive power. As such, leaders backed by personalist parties are more likely to succeed in their efforts to dismantle institutional constraints on their rule. Such attacks on state institutions, in turn, reverberate throughout society, deepening political polarization and weakening supporters' commitment to democratic norms of behavior. In these ways, ruling party personalism erodes horizontal and vertical constraints on a leader, ultimately degrading democracy and raising the risk of democratic failure.

Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Erica Frantz, Joseph Wright (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Extinction of Experience: Reclaiming Our Humanity in a Digital World

Brought to you by Penguin. Drawing on decades of research, The Extinction of Experience is a philosophical defence of what makes us human – and a powerful, urgent call to reclaim ourselves in a digital world. Human experiences are disappearing. Social media, gaming and dating apps have usurped in-person interaction; handwriting is no longer prioritised in schools; and emotion is sooner expressed through likes and emojis than face-to-face conversations. With headphones in and eyes trained on our phones, even boredom has been obliterated. But, as Christine Rosen expertly shows, when we embrace this mediated life and conform to the demands of the machine, we risk becoming more disconnected and machine-like ourselves. There is another way. For too long, under the influence of corporate giants and tech enthusiasts, we’ve accepted the idea that change always means better. But rapidly developing technology isn’t neutral – it’s ambivalent, and capable of enormous harm. To improve our well-being, help future generations flourish and recover our shared humanity, we must become more critical, mindful users of technology, and more discerning of how it uses us. From TikTok challenges and algorithms to surveillance devices and conspiracy culture, The Extinction of Experience reveals the human crisis of our digital age – and urges us to return to the real world, while we still can. **A Lit Hub Most Anticipated Book of the Year** 'Essential reading in a dislocated world' KATHERINE MAY, author of Wintering 'A beautifully expressed ode to the vanishing components of life that remain unplanned, unresearched and unrecorded ... Excellent' ADAM ALTER, author of Irresistible © Christine Rosen 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Christine Rosen (Author), Suzie Althens, TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

He Called Me Sister: A True Story of Finding Humanity on Death Row

Deeply poignant and astonishingly personal, this 'moving story of a death in Tennessee' (Bill Moyers) shows hope can endure, grace can redeem, and humanity can exist—even in the darkest of places. It was a clash of race, privilege, and circumstance when Alan Robertson first signed up through a church program to visit Cecil Johnson on Death Row, to offer friendship and compassion. Alan's wife Suzanne had no intention of being involved, but slowly, through phone calls and letters, she began to empathize and understand him. That Cecil and Suzanne eventually became such close friends—a white middle-class woman and a Black man who grew up devoid of advantage—is a testament to perseverance, forgiveness, and love, but also to the notion that differences don't have to be barriers. This book recounts a fifteen-year friendship and how trust and compassion were forged despite the difficult circumstances, and how Cecil ended up ministering more to Suzanne's family than they did to him. The story details how Cecil maintained inexplicable joy and hope despite the tragic events of his life and how Suzanne, Alan, and their two daughters opened their hearts to a man convicted of murder. Cecil Johnson was executed Dec. 2, 2009.

Suzanne Craig Robertson (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

Walking in Light: The Everyday Empowerment of a Shamanic Life

A shaman can serve as a healer, storyteller, and a keeper of wisdom?but most of all, teaches Sandra Ingerman, “Shamans radiate a light that uplifts everybody. In our culture, we tend to focus on methods and forget that the greatest way we can offer healing to the world is to become a vessel of love.” With Walking in Light, this renowned teacher offers a complete guide for living in a shamanic way?empowered by purpose, focus, and a deep connection to the spiritual dimensions. “Shamanism remains so relevant because it continues to evolve to meet the needs of the times and culture,” teaches Sandra. Here you are invited to participate in the modern evolution of this ancient and powerful form of spirituality, featuring: - Foundational practices?lucid instruction on the shamanic journey, ceremonies, and other techniques for accessing the hidden realms of spirit - Compassionate spirits, allies, and ancestors?how to contact and build a relationship with your power animals and spiritual helpers - Healing from a shamanic perspective?practices that can integrate with and enhance any healing modality - Guidance for deepening your connection with the environment and the rhythms of the natural world - Ways to cultivate a rich inner landscape that empowers your intentions and actions in every aspect of your life, and much more Walking in Light: The Everyday Empowerment of a Shamanic Wisdomis a comprehensive resource filled with practical techniques, indigenous wisdom, and invaluable guidance for both new and experienced shamanic practitioners. Most importantly, Sandra Ingerman illuminates the meaning behind the practices?revealing our universe as a place where spirit is the ultimate reality, where our intentions shape our world, and where unseen allies support us on every step of our journey. This audiobook is skillfully read by Suzie Althens, and was produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, Vermont. Audio engineering by Mike Thal.

Sandra Ingerman (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

AI + The New Human Frontier: Reimagining the Future of Time, Trust + Truth

AI + The New Human Frontier: Reimagining the Future of Time, Trust + Truth by Erica Orange, a renowned futurist, offers a compelling exploration of generative AI's potential to enhance human creativity rather than replace it. This pivotal book navigates how AI tools will help shape the human experience, and aid in augmenting human ingenuity and imagination. The author eloquently argues that the essence of human intelligence—our curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, and more—is not only irreplaceable but will become increasingly valuable as AI evolves to take on routine tasks. AI + the New Human Frontier is a clarion call for embedding trust, human oversight and judgment into AI development, ensuring that the technology amplifies our most human capabilities. At a time when the lines between what is real, fake, true and false are becoming more blurred, reliance on human-centric solutions, not just technological ones, will become more critical. Perfect for business leaders, managers, executives, and professionals navigating the new landscape of technology, AI + The New Human Frontier provides not only a vision of the future but also practical advice on thriving in an AI-enhanced world. Add this book to your library to ensure you're ready for the transformative changes that lie ahead.

Erica Orange (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

How To End Christian Nationalism

Christian nationalism is a powerful and pervasive ideology, and it is becoming normalized. From Amanda Tyler, lead organizer of the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign, comes How to End Christian Nationalism, your vital companion for countering this dangerous ideology. Tyler draws on her experiences, conversations with pastors and laypeople, research, Scripture, her Baptist convictions, and her work as a constitutional law expert to help us confront Christian nationalist fervor. You'll learn how to distinguish Christian nationalism from the teachings of Jesus and to demonstrate how the former perpetuates white supremacy. This book also unpacks key truths we can share with others: Patriotism is not the same as nationalism. Religious freedom means little if it's not for everyone. Christians follow a gospel of love, not the idol of power. Here, you'll find stories of what Christians are doing to resist Christian nationalism in their churches and communities, plus ideas for your own work. From strategies for faith-rooted organizing to guidance for holding hard conversations with loved ones, Tyler offers practical ways to protect faith freedom for all. We've all seen what Christian nationalism can do. Now is the time for Christians to reckon with its harm. Now is the time to end it.

Amanda Tyler (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

At Every Depth: Our Growing Knowledge of the Changing Oceans

The world's oceans are changing at a drastic pace. In response, the people who know the ocean most intimately are taking action for the sake of our shared future. Community scientists track species in California tidepools. Researchers dive into the waters around Sydney to replant kelp forests. Scientists and First Nations communities collaborate to restore clam gardens in the Pacific Northwest. In At Every Depth, the oceanographer Tessa Hill and the science journalist Eric Simons profile these and other efforts to understand and protect marine environments, taking listeners to habitats from shallow tidepools to the deep sea. They delve into the many human connections to the ocean-how people live with and make their living from the waters-journeying to places as far-flung as coral reefs, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and the Arctic and Antarctic poles. At Every Depth shares the stories of people from all walks of life, including scientists, coastal community members, Indigenous people, shellfish farmers, and fisheries workers. It brings together varied viewpoints, showing how scientists' research and local and Indigenous knowledge can complement each other to inform a more sustainable future. This book offers a narrative perspective on the changing oceans, letting us see how our relationships to the oceans are changing too.

Eric Simons, Tessa Hill (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Parent’s Guide to Childhood Cancer: Supporting Your Child with Integrative Therapies Based on a Me

"Indispensable . . . Dr. Beine provides a practical primer on integrative cancer therapies for children based on a metabolic framework of understanding the disease. I can't recommend [this book] enough."-Chris Kresser, MS, LAc, founder of Kresser Institute; New York Times bestselling author An invaluable, revolutionary, research-based resource for parents-grounded in nutrition, detoxification, and mental wellbeing, while aiming to reduce suffering and promote long-term recovery. "Your child has cancer." Every day, forty-three American families hear these words, thrusting them headlong into the terrifying and unfamiliar territory of pediatric oncology. In A Parent's Guide to Childhood Cancer, pediatric oncology specialist Dagmara Beine guides readers through the most difficult scenario a parent will ever face-a child's diagnosis of life-threatening disease-and argues that the greatest tragedy of conventional oncology is its failure to incorporate safe, effective, and potentially life-saving integrative therapies. In A Parent's Guide to Childhood Cancer, Beine teaches parents how to effectively incorporate these integrative therapies alongside conventional oncology, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Beine's approach is grounded in the metabolic approach to cancer-pioneered by the work of Dr. Nasha Winters-applied to a wildly underserved cancer patient population: children. Topics include: - Understanding diagnoses and how to go about seeking a second opinion - Assembling a medical team that includes both conventional and integrative oncology experts - Essential tests-both conventional and integrative-and how to interpret them - How to develop a metabolically healthy, anti-cancer nutrition plan - Integrative therapies for specific diagnoses and reducing side effects - How to harness post-treatment detoxification and gut-healing protocols - The critical importance of, sleep, movement, stress reduction, and time outside - Plus much more Therapies covered include: - Mistletoe - N-Acetyl Cysteine - IV Vitamin C - Cannabinoids - Glutamine - Glutathione - Low-Dose Naltrexone - Melatonin - Hyperbaric Oxygen - And more With cancer, Beine says, there is no silver bullet. But with a metabolic approach and the wise integration of simple and effective complementary therapies under the supervision of a metabolic oncology practitioner, there is a path forward to what every parent wants for their sons and daughters: a happy childhood.

Dagmara Beine (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

Testing Education: A Teacher's Memoir

Since the 2002 implementation of No Child Left Behind, the American public education system has been fundamentally changed. Excessive testing, standardized curriculums, destructive demands on children, corporate-style evaluations, and top-down mandates have become the norm. In response, record numbers of demoralized educators have quit, and millions of students have been left educationally impoverished. This troubling transformation has been exhaustively critiqued by scholars and commentators. Yet one crucial voice has been missing. In Testing Education, Kathy Greeley recounts the impact of education reform from a teacher's point of view. Based on a teaching career ranging nearly forty years, Greeley details how schools went from learning communities infused with excitement, intellectual stimulation, and joy to sterile spaces of stress, intimidation, and fear. In this ultimately hopeful memoir, Greeley asks us to learn from the past to reimagine the future of public education.

Kathy Greeley (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Suzie Althens