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Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Audiobook Reviews
The Comfort Of Ghosts
Horror Movie
The Stormlight Archive
The Wheel Of Time
Lady Sherlock
The Mirrored Heavens
Birding With Benefits
Sarah T. Dubb
Evan Sibley
Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
One Of Our Kind
Audiobook Industry
Kate Reading
Audiobook
Science Fiction
Maisie Dobbs
Housemates
90s Horror Films
Nicole Lewis
Chicago

Kirkus Audiobook Reviews Find your next great audiobook on Behind the Mic with Kirkus Reviews. Every Thursday, host Jo Reed and her guests discuss what they’ve been listening to and recommend the very best audiobooks. It’s the perfect way to keep up with new releases and hear about the ones you may have missed. Launched by AudioFile magazine in 2018, Behind the Mic now has its home at Kirkus Revie... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes1890Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsPerforming Arts

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Artwork for Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews

Latest Episodes

This week, Michele Cobb joins host Jo Reed to dig into

audiobooks built on backstory, beginning with Expert Witness, where

Gabra Zackman delivers Anne Wolbert Burgess’ account of trauma, justice, and the evolution of expert testimony with clarity and... more

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Stephen Cummings joins host Jo Reed to talk about Laurie

Gwen Shapiro’s immersive dual biography of Amelia Earhart and George Putnam, The Aviator and the Showman; Elliot Ackerman’s unlikely and darkly comic caper, Sheepdogs; and Mike Albo’s candid, a... more

YouTube

Contributor Alex Richey joins Behind the Mic host Jo Reed to talk about three fantastical audiobooks and how their different forms shape the listening experience. The conversation moves from Brandon Sanderson’s

story collection Tailored Realities to ... more

YouTube

AudioFile Magazine is now part of Kirkus Reviews,

and Behind the Mic marks the moment with a conversation with the

magazine’s founder and longtime editor Robin Whitten. Robin reflects on a life spent listening, how audiobooks and audiobook reviewing ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Karen Murray
Narrator of How Sweet the Sound
Episode: Interview with Karen Murray: Best Children & Family Audiobooks 2025
Greta Jung
Narrator of All the Tomorrows After
Episode: Interview with Greta Jung: Best Young Adult Audiobooks 2025
Christine Lakin
Narrator and actress known for her role in 'Step by Step'
Episode: Interview with Christine Lakin: Best Romance Audiobooks 2025
Maggi Meg-Reed
Narrator of the audiobook 'The Correspondent'
Episode: Interview with Maggi Meg-Reed: Best Multi-Voice Audiobooks 2025
Eunice Wong
Award-winning narrator
Episode: Interview with Eunice Wong: Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Audiobooks 2025
Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
Professional actor and audiobook narrator
Episode: Interview with Mia Hutchinson-Shaw: Best Mystery & Suspense Audiobooks 2025
Sara DiVello
True crime writer, founder and host of Mystery and Thriller Mavens, and co-chair of the Nantucket Book Festival
Episode: Who’s Listening? Author Sara DiVello
Grover Gardner
Award-winning narrator and audiobook producer
Episode: Interview with Grover Gardner: Best Nonfiction & Culture Audiobooks 2025
Ron Butler
Award-winning audiobook narrator
Episode: Interview with Ron Butler: Best Biography & Memoir Audiobooks 2025

Hosts

Michele Cobb
Publisher of AudioFile Magazine and host of the podcast, sharing insights on audiobooks and their narrators.
Jo Reed
Host of the podcast, known for facilitating engaging discussions about audiobooks and interviews with narrators and authors.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 170 ratings
  • Make it part of your morning routine!

    Great show. It’s a part of my daily morning podcast routine along with NPR’s Book of the Day.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hachimitzu
    United States8 months ago
  • The Ads???!

    Would have easily been a four star but for the AIPAC ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    duckpat
    United States8 months ago
  • Great content but ads are far too long for the length of the podcast

    If you have a 5-minute podcast, please don’t add 2-3 minutes of ads onto it.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    janeycanuck
    Canadaa year ago
  • An excellent resource that’s fun to listen to

    I love listening to these reviews and the sheer joy that the host and guests share for this Format. I’ve been introduced to narrators I’ve never heard before and have discovered must listen audiobooks.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MayWJ
    United Statesa year ago
  • Honest reviews

    I like that Jo adds a personal comment, occasionally negative, on the selections.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    PSDExpat
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the concise recommendations that help them discover new audiobooks.
The podcast is highly regarded for its insightful discussions about audiobook narration and the publishing process.
Listeners enjoy the hosts' enthusiasm and expertise, making it a valuable resource for audiobook lovers.
Some listeners have expressed concerns about ad placements interrupting the flow of content.
Reviews highlight the joy of hearing from narrators and authors, contributing to an engaging listening experience.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#219
Israel/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#229
South Africa/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Robin Whitten: Transitions and Continuity
Q: What do you find exciting when you're looking ahead at audiobooks and the work narrators are doing?
There will always be new voices to captivate listeners with new stories or revisit favorites.
Robin Whitten: Transitions and Continuity
Q: Robin, after 220 issues and 34 years of reviewing audiobooks, why did you decide to fold AudioFile Magazine into Kirkus Reviews?
Whitten believed it was time to find a new future for AudioFile and that Kirkus was the perfect partner.
Interview with Greta Jung: Best Young Adult Audiobooks 2025
Q: Why do you love doing books for young listeners and teens?
Stories help kids feel less alone, especially during confusing times in their lives.
Interview with Greta Jung: Best Young Adult Audiobooks 2025
Q: Did you reach out to Joanne Yi?
We exchanged messages on Instagram, and I found it inspiring that this was her first novel.
Interview with Greta Jung: Best Young Adult Audiobooks 2025
Q: How did you decompress after you were done recording every day?
I let the emotions come through me and I let them out, which often resulted in stopping and crying during recording.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews

What is Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on providing insights into the world of audiobooks, this podcast features editors and hosts recommending notable audiobooks and outstanding narrators each week. Topics often include discussions on a range of genres, from fiction and biography to children's literature, and highlight the artistry of narration, as well as the complexities of storytelling. Regular bonus episodes dive deeper into the creative process of various audiobook professionals, enriching the listener's understanding of the audiobook medium and its impact on literature. This unique blend of recommendations, insights, and interviews makes it a valuable resource for audiobook enthusiasts eager to discover their next listen.

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Which podcasts are similar to Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews:

1. NPR's Book of the Day
2. What Should I Read Next?
3. Book Riot - The Podcast
4. The Book Review
5. All the Books!

How many episodes of Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews are there?

Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews launched 7 years ago and published 1890 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews?

Recent guests on Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews include:

1. Karen Murray
2. Greta Jung
3. Christine Lakin
4. Maggi Meg-Reed
5. Eunice Wong
6. Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
7. Sara DiVello
8. Grover Gardner

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