• Let Your Life Speak

  • Listening for the Voice of Vocation
  • By: Parker J. Palmer
  • Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
  • Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (980 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Let Your Life Speak  By  cover art

Let Your Life Speak

By: Parker J. Palmer
Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $9.32

Buy for $9.32

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Finding one's calling is not just about finding something we can do - it is about finding what we can't not do. "Let your life speak" is a time-honored Quaker admonition to live one's life as witness to the deepest truths one knows. But as Parker Palmer explains, those words can also mean "listen to your life, and let it tell you what your truth is." Vocation, he writes, comes not from external demands but from listening to the true self, a listening that will always call us into some form of service to others. Though the details of our journey are singular, we draw from it that which is universal. This book is a moving and illuminating guide for anyone who seeks not just a job but a calling and companionship along the way.
©2000 John Wiley and Sons, Inc. (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A quiet but memorable addition to the inspirational field, this book has the quality of a finely worked homily. The writing displays a gentle wisdom and economy of style that leaves the reader curious for more insight into the author's Quaker philosophy." - ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Let Your Life Speak

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    654
  • 4 Stars
    191
  • 3 Stars
    86
  • 2 Stars
    31
  • 1 Stars
    18
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    534
  • 4 Stars
    182
  • 3 Stars
    72
  • 2 Stars
    23
  • 1 Stars
    8
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    545
  • 4 Stars
    163
  • 3 Stars
    69
  • 2 Stars
    25
  • 1 Stars
    20

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Deep Wisdom in these pages

I've now listened three times. I've learned a remarkable lot about myself in relation to my job and who I am. This is a great book filled with deep insights. If you are dissatisfied about your job and perhaps complaining about the shortcomings of your employer, this book may open up a whole new dimension to what is going on in you. It is one of the most profound spiritual teachings that I have ever had the good fortune to experience. I'm journaling about what I've learned about myself. Palmer guides us to be honest about ourselves in order that we may begin to find freedom from our boogie-men. The narator is great too.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Should Be Required Reading. For Humans.

Parker Palmer sheds light onto the shadow in us all which gets a very bad rap in these times. The linking of vocation and self and how it's essential to becoming our true self is quite poetic. Excellent read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great take on a purposeful life

His Quaker beliefs infuse this book, so may be a barrier to the committed atheist. However, an interesting approach to purpose.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great read/listen!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, this is a solid book for examining the way we live and make life's decisions.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Let Your Life Speak?

His chapter and perspectives on depression were unique and very insightful.

What does Stefan Rudnicki bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

This guy's amazing. He makes you visualize punctuation!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I'm not an extreme person. :/

Any additional comments?

This book makes you think about your life and it's direction in a wonderful way.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good for young people, not for mid-life or beyond

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I was encouraged by some positive reviews and thought it might be interesting to find out what I *really* should be doing after being in the same career for the last 30 years.... This book is more for younger folks just starting out on a career path. If you're later in life, you've heard all this (IMHO) and you might as well learn to make the best of what you have and build on the parts of your current vocation like best.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

More depressing than inspiring...

Perhaps because of the tone of the narrator I did not find this story about finding one's vocation especially compelling or helpful.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • JS
  • 01-20-19

Beautiful

I loved this book. As a Christian, I found it was helpful in reflecting on the root of our lives--created by God, in the image of God for good works that each of us are created to uniquely do... if we just submit to listening internally for who God made us be...and in my words, whose we are meant to be--God's; something Jesus revealed in becoming human, like us.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Phenomenal orator and one of the best books I’ve read.

This book granted me so much peace and insight about the twists and turns of my life and I, now, feel more confident about those to inevitably come. The author is a brilliant writer, humble and honest, you feel his triumphs and failures as well as his deliverance from difficult times in his life and in doing so we learn grace for the ups and downs of our own lives. Written beautifully the book reads almost like prose, and is a joy for the spirit and ears alike as the orator has a very pleasant and soothing voice. I enjoyed this audio book through and through.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Book to Return to Again and Again!

A reflection on revealing our life's calling. Looking at what we loved doing as children and our dark nights of soul experiences offer different access points for uncovering our purpose. Grateful for your vulnerability and wisdom Parker Palmer.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Speaking Truth to the Mystery of Faith

I find this book gripping and striking; allowing the inner light that comes from our inner-being speak to our deepest darkest places. Truly enlightening and affirming!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful