December 2024 – November was much lighter on work than I anticipated or wanted. Going into December and January, it looks thin as well, though things can always be surprising. For example, last year, I ended up with work solidly in January on the television series Zero Day starring Robert DeNiro. Why it’s interesting to mention that here is because in Vanity Fair in November, there was a long piece on the upcoming series, and I was prominently featured in one of the photos, right next to DeNiro. That was cool to see — and when someone shared it with me, I didn’t realize at first what a cool opportunity it was!

Although I anticipated completing work on the audiobook for my 2012 book Long-Form Improv, a side project when I get time here and there, I put emphasis on other things in my life. I have about three or four production days left to produce it, and I expect within the next two months I will complete it. I am certainly taking my time! No other audiobooks came through this month, despite certainly a number of prospects, some of which I expect will lead to eventual audiobooks as the authors complete their writing.

So far this year, these are other audiobooks I’ve produced:

• Stop the Hassle: Simplify, Satisfy, and Succeed by Jim Bramlett
• Life Lessons From 7 Miles High: The View That Captured My Heart by Jeff Senour
• The Kings Have Won: The Battle For The Wealth Of Our Nation by Adrien Gold
• Unlimited Heart: How To Transform Your Pain Into Purpose; by Jim Kaveney
• The Art of Coaching: Mastering the Power and Principles for Executive and Personal Coaching by Raymond Friedman
• Campaign Civility by Dr. Ruben West
• We’re Overdosed by Barry I. Gold, PhD
• Irwin’s Luck (ebook version) by Veeraj Lal
• Irwin’s Luck (development version) by Veeraj Lal
• We’re Overdosed by Barry I. Gold, PhD
• The Art of an Organizational Leader by Raymond Friedman
• From Turmoil to Triumph by Anton Dabbs
• My Invisible Father: Turn on the Light to See the Unseen by Jaer Armstead-Jones
• Princess Max Conquers the World by Kevin Cripe

The list of all my audiobooks narrated to date are compiled here on my voiceover website, Voiceoverpro.co.  That business is my related to my other voiceover businesses with my wife, Voiced By Us and PoliticalVoiceovers.com!

Aside from that and a slew of voiceover jobs, I picked up work on several television shows, including continuing stand-in work on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, which ended its eleventh season this month. With respect to that show, something pretty cool happened in September. On the New York Times Podcast was an interview with the host, and he referenced my work on the show when talking about a fill-in host. Suffice it to say I was blown away. It was a nice addition to the Emmy Award wins the show gained earlier in September. I love working on this show.

My fitness routine picked up focus in November, and my running speed started to significantly pick up to my surprise, possibly in part because of the cooler temperatures. I also continued with weights and jumping rope, in which I am stronger on the whole.  The combination of the three fitness foci make me happy … when I have the time to do any of them!

-Ben