Hi Folks, What follows is a sparklingly clear set of instructions for opting in to the audio version of Letters from an American (and yes, I’m being flippant. It always seems to me the tech stuff is easy… but only once you figure it out.) It turns out that you cannot use the Substack app to adjust your settings so that you can receive the audio version of the letters automatically. The instructions I sent around before should have made clear that you have to use the browser version of Substack to make ANY changes to your settings.
Heather, thank you so much for all you do for us! I love having both the audio and the written version. And it helps with people with low vision. I get tired of people griping when we are so honored to have you in our lives.
Susan My reading (moderate macular degeneration) is somewhat better than my hearing [expensive hearing aids are better than a hearing trumpet, but not by much.]
I enjoy reading Heather and the comments. I am delighted in the diversity from subscribers in complementing Heather’s historical overviews.
Mar 13·edited Mar 14Liked by Heather Cox Richardson
Heather Your detailed instructions about how to circumvent some of Substack’s details on how to obtain the audio of your LFAA (unless it’s after February 24th) brought to mind The Lord’s my Shepherd (Psalm 23).
How extraordinary that Heather makes an astonishing daily effort to provide us illuminating LFAAs, seeks to provide audio also, and then has to technically lead us through a complicated process correcting the Substack inadequate instructions.
Further reason to beatify Heather as a modern-day St. Joan. (Not quite, because Heather won’t be burned at the stake for her beliefs. She will be invited to President Biden’s inauguration next January 20th.)
For the life of me I could not change the settings & I understood what you were telling us. I do cenjoy reading your written explanation but it’s just easier to listen in the Spotify app if I want to listen. Robert Hubbell has a newsletter, Today’s Edition Newsletter, and there’s a link at the beginning for audio. I wonder how he has that set up? No matter what, I’m just grateful that you share your deep knowledge with us so we can understand our past to give insight and even hope in understanding our current events. V
Yes I can. I was just getting down to how far ahead the little ones are and us old ones will never catch up. My grandson is at UW Madison now, but ten or so years ago he put everything in order on my wife's iPhone in a minute or two and blew her away because her business is computer based. On another note, he changed his major to business from history. He followed you on FB while he was in high school. I think he is just looking at the job situation and doen't want to scrape by like so many humanities degreed folks have.
Stay warm back tere. I know you're used to it, but... as a Penobscot Rideout of many generations back, us sea farers undrestand.
I have always appteciated all you do for us. It means a lot.
Thanks, Heather, I’m sure many will and even me at some point . My day is a constant change in attention with the best g.children or favorite kid 🤫 calling, texting, popping up -on a break -driving, my daughters-making supper, my brother says talking to me prevents his ‘road rage from homicidal tendencies’! 😅, the herd broke out, a friend …like today dealing with her husband ‘s slip into severe Dementia and needing to talk. That GMA/Mom/the farm gal/Sis/a ‘sister’is there …I am blessed.
So often it takes me hours to read through , to get ‘ the rest of the story’ 😉they’re moments of peace and a captured audience of one, fascinated with ….Heather’s story today.
I was delighted when I found out there is an audio version. I found it in iPhone podcasts app and listen to it every day now. Thank you for this extra effort on our behalf.
I love reading her and I love listening to her. I thought all her readings were also on youtube where we can see our history/politics teacher. But, hmmm, no.
Thank you for trying to help those of us who are technologically challenged. However, you do such an incredible job of synthesizing the news with the historical record—you can let us all just figure it out! Thank you so much for helping me (and us) maintain our sanity in this time of crisis. I wait up every night for your letter (I’m in the Bay Area so that works). I’m so grateful for your Letters—and even though I’m 75, I will somehow figure out the audio! You just keep keeping the crazies at bay for the rest of us!
My thought is that, technologically, the easiest way to get the audio read is to simply follow the "Letters from an American" available on most podcast apps. (I use Pocket Casts.) I will also note for those who are Google-dependent, like me, you can speak to your Google Nest Home or other speaker device and say, "Hey Google, play Letters from an American" and it just starts playing. Works great.
Very clear and I always use audio when driving, walking, or in the gym. Next to Boston NPR/GBH, this really enhances my understanding of the bigger picture through the lens of historical analysis.
Thank you for all your hard work.
I like having both options, so thank you for the instructions!
Heather, thank you so much for all you do for us! I love having both the audio and the written version. And it helps with people with low vision. I get tired of people griping when we are so honored to have you in our lives.
Susan My reading (moderate macular degeneration) is somewhat better than my hearing [expensive hearing aids are better than a hearing trumpet, but not by much.]
I enjoy reading Heather and the comments. I am delighted in the diversity from subscribers in complementing Heather’s historical overviews.
Keith - I can listen to Heather AND write postcards. In my old age not good at multitasking, but this I can do!
Susan Kudos! My handwriting is almost illiterate. I do recall when postcards were 1 cent (and my handwriting was considerably better).
Heather Your detailed instructions about how to circumvent some of Substack’s details on how to obtain the audio of your LFAA (unless it’s after February 24th) brought to mind The Lord’s my Shepherd (Psalm 23).
How extraordinary that Heather makes an astonishing daily effort to provide us illuminating LFAAs, seeks to provide audio also, and then has to technically lead us through a complicated process correcting the Substack inadequate instructions.
Further reason to beatify Heather as a modern-day St. Joan. (Not quite, because Heather won’t be burned at the stake for her beliefs. She will be invited to President Biden’s inauguration next January 20th.)
I may have to run this past my grandson. I'll do my best. Cheers.
Truthfully? I just use Apple podcasts. :)
For the life of me I could not change the settings & I understood what you were telling us. I do cenjoy reading your written explanation but it’s just easier to listen in the Spotify app if I want to listen. Robert Hubbell has a newsletter, Today’s Edition Newsletter, and there’s a link at the beginning for audio. I wonder how he has that set up? No matter what, I’m just grateful that you share your deep knowledge with us so we can understand our past to give insight and even hope in understanding our current events. V
Agreed! I tried following the instructions, but never could get past the Settings step.
Yes I can. I was just getting down to how far ahead the little ones are and us old ones will never catch up. My grandson is at UW Madison now, but ten or so years ago he put everything in order on my wife's iPhone in a minute or two and blew her away because her business is computer based. On another note, he changed his major to business from history. He followed you on FB while he was in high school. I think he is just looking at the job situation and doen't want to scrape by like so many humanities degreed folks have.
Stay warm back tere. I know you're used to it, but... as a Penobscot Rideout of many generations back, us sea farers undrestand.
I have always appteciated all you do for us. It means a lot.
Ransom Rideout: Isn't THAT the truth.
In this 76-year-old's life: The remedy to IT problems: My grandson!
I think there was a basket ball team that might need us. Was it the 76ers? Some Revolutionary War team? I can't remember.
I love hearing Heather's voice reading the news. Especially on a day like today, when the news seems to be getting a bit more hopeful.
Uh - thanks for the default “don’t have to do anything” option. I prefer to read your commentary not hear it.
Thanks! I enjoy both versions, but if forced to pick I’d choose the print ! Your work is outstanding and all of us appreciate all you do!
I LOVE the audio version! Thanks!
Thanks, Heather, I’m sure many will and even me at some point . My day is a constant change in attention with the best g.children or favorite kid 🤫 calling, texting, popping up -on a break -driving, my daughters-making supper, my brother says talking to me prevents his ‘road rage from homicidal tendencies’! 😅, the herd broke out, a friend …like today dealing with her husband ‘s slip into severe Dementia and needing to talk. That GMA/Mom/the farm gal/Sis/a ‘sister’is there …I am blessed.
So often it takes me hours to read through , to get ‘ the rest of the story’ 😉they’re moments of peace and a captured audience of one, fascinated with ….Heather’s story today.
How I love a good story🫶
I was delighted when I found out there is an audio version. I found it in iPhone podcasts app and listen to it every day now. Thank you for this extra effort on our behalf.
I love reading her and I love listening to her. I thought all her readings were also on youtube where we can see our history/politics teacher. But, hmmm, no.
Thank you for trying to help those of us who are technologically challenged. However, you do such an incredible job of synthesizing the news with the historical record—you can let us all just figure it out! Thank you so much for helping me (and us) maintain our sanity in this time of crisis. I wait up every night for your letter (I’m in the Bay Area so that works). I’m so grateful for your Letters—and even though I’m 75, I will somehow figure out the audio! You just keep keeping the crazies at bay for the rest of us!
My eyesight and I thank you profusely for going to the trouble to record the Letters every day. Now I'm an even bigger fan!
My thought is that, technologically, the easiest way to get the audio read is to simply follow the "Letters from an American" available on most podcast apps. (I use Pocket Casts.) I will also note for those who are Google-dependent, like me, you can speak to your Google Nest Home or other speaker device and say, "Hey Google, play Letters from an American" and it just starts playing. Works great.
It was in my email; I didn't do anything special.
Very clear and I always use audio when driving, walking, or in the gym. Next to Boston NPR/GBH, this really enhances my understanding of the bigger picture through the lens of historical analysis.