What do you think?
Rate this book
Outspoken: Why Women's Voices Get Silenced and How to Set Them Free
A big think, conversation-changing book, full of practical advice, about how women can learn to claim the power of their voices in the workplace and at home, and what needs to change so they can finally be heard.
From the Supreme Court to the conference room to the classroom, women find themselves interrupted much more often than their male counterparts. Worse, a 2015 Yale University study revealed that women executives who spoke more often than their peers were rated 14 percent less competent, while male executives who did the same thing enjoyed a 10 percent competency bump. And a 2016 study from USC found women account for only a third of speaking roles in top US movies.
It's undeniable: women's voices aren't being heard - at work, at home, in every facet of their lives. The fault lies not with women, but in a culture that seeks to silence women's voices. However, there are skills every woman can harness to understand her own voice and learn how to use it with confidence.
With Outspoken, Veronica Rueckert - a Peabody Award-winning former host at Wisconsin Public Radio, trained opera singer, and communications expert - teaches women to speak with the confidence, clarity, and authority that will get them heard. Outspoken provides listeners with the insight, guidance, and encouragement they need to use their voice to successfully communicate in meetings, around the dinner table, and during future political debates.
Written with a warm and engaging tone, brimming with practical advice and accessible stories, Outspoken is a substantive yet entertaining analysis of why most males - and many females - don't grant women the power to speak. Most importantly, it includes solutions for change. Positive, confident and supportive, this welcome and much need guide will help reshape the world and make it better for women - and for everyone.
From the Supreme Court to the conference room to the classroom, women find themselves interrupted much more often than their male counterparts. Worse, a 2015 Yale University study revealed that women executives who spoke more often than their peers were rated 14 percent less competent, while male executives who did the same thing enjoyed a 10 percent competency bump. And a 2016 study from USC found women account for only a third of speaking roles in top US movies.
It's undeniable: women's voices aren't being heard - at work, at home, in every facet of their lives. The fault lies not with women, but in a culture that seeks to silence women's voices. However, there are skills every woman can harness to understand her own voice and learn how to use it with confidence.
With Outspoken, Veronica Rueckert - a Peabody Award-winning former host at Wisconsin Public Radio, trained opera singer, and communications expert - teaches women to speak with the confidence, clarity, and authority that will get them heard. Outspoken provides listeners with the insight, guidance, and encouragement they need to use their voice to successfully communicate in meetings, around the dinner table, and during future political debates.
Written with a warm and engaging tone, brimming with practical advice and accessible stories, Outspoken is a substantive yet entertaining analysis of why most males - and many females - don't grant women the power to speak. Most importantly, it includes solutions for change. Positive, confident and supportive, this welcome and much need guide will help reshape the world and make it better for women - and for everyone.
Audible Audio
First published July 2, 2019
46 people are currently reading
1372 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
August 4, 2019
This book starts with a focus on the actual voice and expands out into topics like politics, women in business, Disney films, and so on. It goes all the way up to some discussion of AOC, so very current.
I appreciated practical advice like how to overcome the compulsion to speak in a hushed tone in an open office layout, how to interrupt, and a discussion of whether we should be shushing our female children. It's clear that it is not the actual voices of women that are the problem, but the presence of women, but if women are socialized for silence this is a very powerful tool. The only answer is more women!
I had a copy from the publisher through Edelweiss; the book came out June 14, 2019.
I appreciated practical advice like how to overcome the compulsion to speak in a hushed tone in an open office layout, how to interrupt, and a discussion of whether we should be shushing our female children. It's clear that it is not the actual voices of women that are the problem, but the presence of women, but if women are socialized for silence this is a very powerful tool. The only answer is more women!
I had a copy from the publisher through Edelweiss; the book came out June 14, 2019.
August 4, 2020
Highly recommend you listen to the audiobook. Veronica Rueckert goes through so many layers of how and why women's voices get silenced and what women, allies, parents, everyone can do to change up the dynamic that allows for this type of injustice to happen. She's also incredibly expressive, humorous and engaging.
I typically hate audiobooks because I don't like people reading anything remotely self-help/self-improvement-related to me. It feels judgemental. I feel like their trying to brainwash me with their inflections and tonality and it fucks with my enjoyment. HOWEVER, this book was different. Veronica had some unique voice lessons and it's so important to experience the lessons that she has to share explaining how to really embrace, find and use your voice. There was ways to make good trouble in here too, she talks about maneuvers to get around people trying to silence you, interrupt you, trying to take credit for your work, etc. She gets into reclaiming your mofucking time, a la Maxine Waters. She talks about getting around other women who've internalized misogyny and ageist bullshit that also seek to limit the voices of women pushing their way through the ranks of the business, entertainment, political, sports and academic worlds, etc.
There are so many layers to this book she goes through how girls' perceptions of themselves start to change as young as 4-6 years old and how women have been socialized to manipulate how and limit the amount at which they speak as to not cause the illusion of a disruption based on sexist notions and externalized/internalized misogyny. She has so so many references, popular and obscure, and it's not boring or dry not even for one second. Outspoken is expansive in it's scope but not dry.
Veronica Rueckert discusses historical contexts that limited women's voices and the variety of modern ways that women are changing up the dynamic and how society can liberate itself from the madness.
I enjoyed it immensely. It was like listening to a great informative lengthy podcast. I highly recommend.
I typically hate audiobooks because I don't like people reading anything remotely self-help/self-improvement-related to me. It feels judgemental. I feel like their trying to brainwash me with their inflections and tonality and it fucks with my enjoyment. HOWEVER, this book was different. Veronica had some unique voice lessons and it's so important to experience the lessons that she has to share explaining how to really embrace, find and use your voice. There was ways to make good trouble in here too, she talks about maneuvers to get around people trying to silence you, interrupt you, trying to take credit for your work, etc. She gets into reclaiming your mofucking time, a la Maxine Waters. She talks about getting around other women who've internalized misogyny and ageist bullshit that also seek to limit the voices of women pushing their way through the ranks of the business, entertainment, political, sports and academic worlds, etc.
There are so many layers to this book she goes through how girls' perceptions of themselves start to change as young as 4-6 years old and how women have been socialized to manipulate how and limit the amount at which they speak as to not cause the illusion of a disruption based on sexist notions and externalized/internalized misogyny. She has so so many references, popular and obscure, and it's not boring or dry not even for one second. Outspoken is expansive in it's scope but not dry.
Veronica Rueckert discusses historical contexts that limited women's voices and the variety of modern ways that women are changing up the dynamic and how society can liberate itself from the madness.
I enjoyed it immensely. It was like listening to a great informative lengthy podcast. I highly recommend.
August 23, 2020
Wow. Wow. Wow.
I felt like this book was written for me, which is going to completely bias this review.
As a child I was extremely talkative, receiving the feedback that I talked too much on every report card. I was constantly getting in trouble for disrupting class or talking during lecture. As a kid I was told to be quiet and keep my voice down during free play time. I eventually learned to whisper in class so I wouldn't get caught talking out of turn.
While I've long been a daddy's girl, my dad has critiqued my tone of voice my whole life. Constantly telling me when I'm "using a tone of voice" with him that's unacceptable, which often makes me feel trapped and unable to express displeasure or frustration.
In high school, my sophomore English teacher called out my soft spoken voice in the middle of class. Randomly. I had just simply raised my hand to answer one of his questions. After answering he ignored my answer and just went on a tangent about my voice. This was over halfway through the school year (so not a reaction to the first time hearing my voice). He spent several minutes saying how I had the weirdest voice he has ever heard and that it was on an entirely different wavelength than any other human voice. This was after he'd previously told me my papers were physically painful to read so it did not feel like a compliment.
By the time I got to college I was still not-shy and was often the person in class who participates too much, constantly raising my hand to answer questions, leaving no percentage of that easy peasy participation portion of the grade on the table, and earning some eye rolls, I'm sure.
But somehow over that time, privately, I became more quiet. I had one guy after a 3 months of dating say he did not want to date me anymore. I asked why or if it was something I'd done and he said I didn't talk enough. My close friends and brother didn't even believe me when I told them he had said this because to them I'm a rambling Joe Biden.
My first job after college was as a commercial underwriter for a major insurance carrier. I spent all day on the phone talking to the agents in my territory. It wasn't going great, my voice didn't carry well over the phone. It didn't help that my manager had lost 40% of his hearing in one ear and often could barely hear me, but he also told me I should go to a voice coach.
I now have a different job for a different company, and was originally referred to the job by a friend. I don't know if I'd have gotten the job on my own, based on how they perceived me. After being in the role for 6 months I met with my director to share how things were going so far and he told me that the only thing that gave them hesitation in hiring me was my soft spoken voice. And that because of it, I hadn't projected confidence.
I work in an open office environment (go figure) in IT and am constantly told people can't hear me or they'll say that half the time they can't hear me but don't say anything and then just pretend that they did hear me.
This has been hard for me and frustrating because outside of work I still get told by my dad and the occasional romantic interest that I need to lower my voice.
I went to am ENT doctor to check for nodules because people say I often sound sick or will ask me if I have a cold. The doctor said there was no damage to my throat, which was good. He referred me to a voice coach but it was just out of my price range. I think we need more intermediate solutions in this area because I live in a city of 2.5 million and have only been able to find voice coaches for severe speech impediments and therefore they want to charge $800 an hour. And unfortunately, insurance doesn't cover those who simply want to improve their work and personal life. It seems we need companies and HR departments to step up. If you want women to sound different, offer coaching and voice lessons through your company benefits. There really isn't another path. I plan on tracking down more exercises that are surely on youtube since I have yet to find a voice coach.
I appreciated that this book offered simple exercises, and went beyond the classic "don't tell girls they're being bossy" which is grating. I also appreciated that this book called out why its not the woman's problem how she sounds. I run into this every day because perception is reality. And unfortunately it doesn't seem like you can ever be enough. The same job that almost didn't hire me because I wasn't confident enough, also told me once after a meeting, "you did great back there, especially when you said, 'this may not be the best approach but I was thinking we could do it this way'..." making it clear that I'll have better business success if I introduce room for doubt or acknowledge my potential shortcomings.
Women are constantly expected to temper how sure they are about statements they make but then told the next minute that they aren't likely to be able to command a room. And it is EXHAUSTING.
I felt like this book was written for me, which is going to completely bias this review.
As a child I was extremely talkative, receiving the feedback that I talked too much on every report card. I was constantly getting in trouble for disrupting class or talking during lecture. As a kid I was told to be quiet and keep my voice down during free play time. I eventually learned to whisper in class so I wouldn't get caught talking out of turn.
While I've long been a daddy's girl, my dad has critiqued my tone of voice my whole life. Constantly telling me when I'm "using a tone of voice" with him that's unacceptable, which often makes me feel trapped and unable to express displeasure or frustration.
In high school, my sophomore English teacher called out my soft spoken voice in the middle of class. Randomly. I had just simply raised my hand to answer one of his questions. After answering he ignored my answer and just went on a tangent about my voice. This was over halfway through the school year (so not a reaction to the first time hearing my voice). He spent several minutes saying how I had the weirdest voice he has ever heard and that it was on an entirely different wavelength than any other human voice. This was after he'd previously told me my papers were physically painful to read so it did not feel like a compliment.
By the time I got to college I was still not-shy and was often the person in class who participates too much, constantly raising my hand to answer questions, leaving no percentage of that easy peasy participation portion of the grade on the table, and earning some eye rolls, I'm sure.
But somehow over that time, privately, I became more quiet. I had one guy after a 3 months of dating say he did not want to date me anymore. I asked why or if it was something I'd done and he said I didn't talk enough. My close friends and brother didn't even believe me when I told them he had said this because to them I'm a rambling Joe Biden.
My first job after college was as a commercial underwriter for a major insurance carrier. I spent all day on the phone talking to the agents in my territory. It wasn't going great, my voice didn't carry well over the phone. It didn't help that my manager had lost 40% of his hearing in one ear and often could barely hear me, but he also told me I should go to a voice coach.
I now have a different job for a different company, and was originally referred to the job by a friend. I don't know if I'd have gotten the job on my own, based on how they perceived me. After being in the role for 6 months I met with my director to share how things were going so far and he told me that the only thing that gave them hesitation in hiring me was my soft spoken voice. And that because of it, I hadn't projected confidence.
I work in an open office environment (go figure) in IT and am constantly told people can't hear me or they'll say that half the time they can't hear me but don't say anything and then just pretend that they did hear me.
This has been hard for me and frustrating because outside of work I still get told by my dad and the occasional romantic interest that I need to lower my voice.
I went to am ENT doctor to check for nodules because people say I often sound sick or will ask me if I have a cold. The doctor said there was no damage to my throat, which was good. He referred me to a voice coach but it was just out of my price range. I think we need more intermediate solutions in this area because I live in a city of 2.5 million and have only been able to find voice coaches for severe speech impediments and therefore they want to charge $800 an hour. And unfortunately, insurance doesn't cover those who simply want to improve their work and personal life. It seems we need companies and HR departments to step up. If you want women to sound different, offer coaching and voice lessons through your company benefits. There really isn't another path. I plan on tracking down more exercises that are surely on youtube since I have yet to find a voice coach.
I appreciated that this book offered simple exercises, and went beyond the classic "don't tell girls they're being bossy" which is grating. I also appreciated that this book called out why its not the woman's problem how she sounds. I run into this every day because perception is reality. And unfortunately it doesn't seem like you can ever be enough. The same job that almost didn't hire me because I wasn't confident enough, also told me once after a meeting, "you did great back there, especially when you said, 'this may not be the best approach but I was thinking we could do it this way'..." making it clear that I'll have better business success if I introduce room for doubt or acknowledge my potential shortcomings.
Women are constantly expected to temper how sure they are about statements they make but then told the next minute that they aren't likely to be able to command a room. And it is EXHAUSTING.
June 8, 2019
Thanks to HarperCollins for the ARC at BEA 2019!
I feel weird responding to and critiquing this book, as a cis man. My close friend Saloni had some phenomenal things to say, so in the spirit of this book, I'll first link her review, since I agree with it and will be building on it: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I completely agree with Saloni, and I would like to add that while I think this book brings up an important problem with strong evidence (that women don't speak up enough and are often ignored), I don't agree with the author's conclusions (women should be assertive, rude, and cut people off the way men do). I feel like the conclusion we should reach from the fact that men cut women off all the time is....we need to collectively tell and teach men to shut the fuck up? And let women speak? Like?? I don't think the problem is improved if women start being the ones who ignore men's opinions and cut men off all the time. Maybe, people just shouldn't be cutting each other off and we should listen to people?
I also don't like that the author very lazily tried to link different women with very different approaches to power and social issues together due to the fact that they all shared a gender. Yes, Margaret Thatcher, Carly Fiorina, Hillary Clinton, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are all 1. cis-women and 2. faced sexism in the workplace. Apologies for not caring if Thatcher was ignored when she advocated for paramilitary death squads in North Ireland, Fiorina ignored when she fired thousands of HP employees due to her own incompetence, Clinton ignored when she tried to convince the Obama Administration to start a ground war in Syria. Class and race/ethnicity are also important vectors for speaking out, but the author maybe spends 3 pages in total addressing the experiences of poor women of color, choosing instead to focus basically the rest of the book on upper middle class/ upper class white women within the corporate and political world. I don't personally think that the world is better off if the Fortune 500 is 50% female; I'd rather women in the global south were redistributed the value of their labor, which is exploited by Fortune 500 CEOs, some of whom are women. I don't want 50% of the military's drone pilots to be women; I don't want there to be drone pilots, period.
I appreciate the desire to get women to speak up. But ignoring the other vectors of oppression women face (most notably, gay and trans women are basically not mentioned at all in this entire book ) is very much not cash money, as the youths apparently say.
Instead of reading this book, I recommend people read "Lean Out" by Marissa Orr. Let's dismantle the toxic gender hierarchies men have built, instead of teaching women how to integrate themselves into them.
I feel weird responding to and critiquing this book, as a cis man. My close friend Saloni had some phenomenal things to say, so in the spirit of this book, I'll first link her review, since I agree with it and will be building on it: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I completely agree with Saloni, and I would like to add that while I think this book brings up an important problem with strong evidence (that women don't speak up enough and are often ignored), I don't agree with the author's conclusions (women should be assertive, rude, and cut people off the way men do). I feel like the conclusion we should reach from the fact that men cut women off all the time is....we need to collectively tell and teach men to shut the fuck up? And let women speak? Like?? I don't think the problem is improved if women start being the ones who ignore men's opinions and cut men off all the time. Maybe, people just shouldn't be cutting each other off and we should listen to people?
I also don't like that the author very lazily tried to link different women with very different approaches to power and social issues together due to the fact that they all shared a gender. Yes, Margaret Thatcher, Carly Fiorina, Hillary Clinton, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are all 1. cis-women and 2. faced sexism in the workplace. Apologies for not caring if Thatcher was ignored when she advocated for paramilitary death squads in North Ireland, Fiorina ignored when she fired thousands of HP employees due to her own incompetence, Clinton ignored when she tried to convince the Obama Administration to start a ground war in Syria. Class and race/ethnicity are also important vectors for speaking out, but the author maybe spends 3 pages in total addressing the experiences of poor women of color, choosing instead to focus basically the rest of the book on upper middle class/ upper class white women within the corporate and political world. I don't personally think that the world is better off if the Fortune 500 is 50% female; I'd rather women in the global south were redistributed the value of their labor, which is exploited by Fortune 500 CEOs, some of whom are women. I don't want 50% of the military's drone pilots to be women; I don't want there to be drone pilots, period.
I appreciate the desire to get women to speak up. But ignoring the other vectors of oppression women face (most notably, gay and trans women are basically not mentioned at all in this entire book ) is very much not cash money, as the youths apparently say.
Instead of reading this book, I recommend people read "Lean Out" by Marissa Orr. Let's dismantle the toxic gender hierarchies men have built, instead of teaching women how to integrate themselves into them.
July 12, 2019
I wholeheartedly recommend Veronica Reuckert's groundbreaking analysis of the myriad ways women are unheard-- seen as "too much" or dismissed as "not enough"-- and, in both cases, silenced. Since reading Outspoken, I've been cognizant of my own patterns in speech and space, in posture and performance and am working to reclaim my voice I loved as a child-- before my library-job cubicle voice, before the shame in "talks too much" elementary school report card comments, before friends made fun of my singing on karaoke night, before my first public speaking-induced, deeply painful attack of nerves, before being told I apologize too much and before realizing who refused to make eye contact with me during important conversations.
Beyond the call for personal improvement, though, I'm also feeling a surprising strength post-Outspoken-read. Reuckert's call for reclaiming one's voice is certain, sincere and buoying-- and she asks that we begin where we are. Where am I? I have a long way to go but now give myself props for things like choosing as my life partner my friend who read Outspoken the day before I did and who has *long* held the open, supportive face I can look to when speaking my mind (the kind of face Reuckert recommends stationing in your audience when possible); remembering the (scary) time I asked someone to not interrupt me while I was speaking in a classroom environment; seeking professional advice regarding my voice/public speaking fears and-- not least-- choosing to buy Outspoken-- an entertaining, very well-written and insightful book. I am certain I will return to it often!
Outspoken is well researched yet written in a non-linear and informal, highly readable style. I appreciated both the richness and brevity of each chapter. It's an excellent commuter or lunch book. Each section can and ought to stand alone as an essay and I expect segments to appear in media and in classroom readers (gender studies, communication arts, business, etc.) I discovered Reuckert's enthusiasm for voice was contagious for me and enacted several of her exercises as I read along. My heavy Settlement cookbook gave me quite an abdominal workout and my soft palate will no longer be ignored.
Beyond the call for personal improvement, though, I'm also feeling a surprising strength post-Outspoken-read. Reuckert's call for reclaiming one's voice is certain, sincere and buoying-- and she asks that we begin where we are. Where am I? I have a long way to go but now give myself props for things like choosing as my life partner my friend who read Outspoken the day before I did and who has *long* held the open, supportive face I can look to when speaking my mind (the kind of face Reuckert recommends stationing in your audience when possible); remembering the (scary) time I asked someone to not interrupt me while I was speaking in a classroom environment; seeking professional advice regarding my voice/public speaking fears and-- not least-- choosing to buy Outspoken-- an entertaining, very well-written and insightful book. I am certain I will return to it often!
Outspoken is well researched yet written in a non-linear and informal, highly readable style. I appreciated both the richness and brevity of each chapter. It's an excellent commuter or lunch book. Each section can and ought to stand alone as an essay and I expect segments to appear in media and in classroom readers (gender studies, communication arts, business, etc.) I discovered Reuckert's enthusiasm for voice was contagious for me and enacted several of her exercises as I read along. My heavy Settlement cookbook gave me quite an abdominal workout and my soft palate will no longer be ignored.
August 19, 2022
This book was like visiting with an old friend. Although Rueckert brings her own voice and fresh perspective, this was a visit back to my my first years of college, immersed in vocal work. A great book for those women who struggle to find their voice and helpful for anyone wanting to understand the hidden and not so hidden dynamics between gender, status, societal conditioning and voice.
June 7, 2019
Thanks to Harper for providing me a free copy of this book at BEA 2019.
I'm honestly conflicted about the message of this book and have a lot of thoughts.
This book does not describe an innovative concept. There are hundreds, probably thousands, of books encouraging and advising women to be more assertive and more outspoken. Where the book becomes interesting is when Veronica focuses on how vocal tonality, pitch, and rhythm affect how someone is perceived, which did not comprise a majority of the book. Additionally, this book, like most, takes a very cis-gendered approach to the differences between men and women. In a society where gender fluidity receives more acknowledgment, messages from these books can feel antiquated.
Having recently read Lean Out (see review here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...), which highlights a lot of the pitfalls books like Outspoken fall into, it was hard to take many of the results of the research studies for face-value (i.e. how much time female characters speak in Disney movies, how many times female senators are interrupted, etc.). Using these studies as evidence, Veronica then lays out advice for the reader (assumed to be female) on how to be more Outspoken. She advises that women should take up more space with their bodies, should speak more powerfully, and should be at peace with interrupting others. She even describes that to promote and encourage such behaviors in her daughter, she gives her daughter permission to cry and scream in social places, even where it may be inappropriate such as the movies or an airplane.
It is this part of the book that had me really question the appropriate way to solve the male/female divide. From what I've read so far, there seem to be two schools of thought when looking at potential solutions for the glass ceiling.
1. From books like Outspoken, women should be taught opposite from the cultural conditioning they've received their whole life. They should be told to be loud, assertive, and outspoken, qualities that will allow them to compete with their male counter-parts.
2. From books like Lean Out, women shouldn't be graded based on criteria created by men. We should change the system so that women are appreciated for the skill-sets they possess without telling them they need to act like men.
I think both have their place depending on the audience, but it makes me wonder what the most effective method is to changing how women are viewed in our society. Obviously, we want to reach a point where men and women are viewed as equals and each are lauded for their independent strengths, however do we immediately jump to the roots of such beliefs and try to pull them out or do we first equalize women in a man's world before trying to make it gender-equal? I honestly don't know the answer and it is books like Outspoken and Lean Out that really allow us to further question the current climate, either intentionally or unintentionally.
The methods Veronica describes in her book allowing women to feel more "empowered" leave me feeling unsatisfied. Do we really need more people acting like entitled men? For me, the answer is a resounding no. But I'm not going to claim to know how to fix the problem.
Overall, although this book put me in a mild existential crisis yesterday, it's worth a read if you're looking for specific advice on how to be louder. However, the same message to be more assertive and outspoken can be found in many other books and provide a superficial fix to a much deeper problem.
I'm honestly conflicted about the message of this book and have a lot of thoughts.
This book does not describe an innovative concept. There are hundreds, probably thousands, of books encouraging and advising women to be more assertive and more outspoken. Where the book becomes interesting is when Veronica focuses on how vocal tonality, pitch, and rhythm affect how someone is perceived, which did not comprise a majority of the book. Additionally, this book, like most, takes a very cis-gendered approach to the differences between men and women. In a society where gender fluidity receives more acknowledgment, messages from these books can feel antiquated.
Having recently read Lean Out (see review here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...), which highlights a lot of the pitfalls books like Outspoken fall into, it was hard to take many of the results of the research studies for face-value (i.e. how much time female characters speak in Disney movies, how many times female senators are interrupted, etc.). Using these studies as evidence, Veronica then lays out advice for the reader (assumed to be female) on how to be more Outspoken. She advises that women should take up more space with their bodies, should speak more powerfully, and should be at peace with interrupting others. She even describes that to promote and encourage such behaviors in her daughter, she gives her daughter permission to cry and scream in social places, even where it may be inappropriate such as the movies or an airplane.
It is this part of the book that had me really question the appropriate way to solve the male/female divide. From what I've read so far, there seem to be two schools of thought when looking at potential solutions for the glass ceiling.
1. From books like Outspoken, women should be taught opposite from the cultural conditioning they've received their whole life. They should be told to be loud, assertive, and outspoken, qualities that will allow them to compete with their male counter-parts.
2. From books like Lean Out, women shouldn't be graded based on criteria created by men. We should change the system so that women are appreciated for the skill-sets they possess without telling them they need to act like men.
I think both have their place depending on the audience, but it makes me wonder what the most effective method is to changing how women are viewed in our society. Obviously, we want to reach a point where men and women are viewed as equals and each are lauded for their independent strengths, however do we immediately jump to the roots of such beliefs and try to pull them out or do we first equalize women in a man's world before trying to make it gender-equal? I honestly don't know the answer and it is books like Outspoken and Lean Out that really allow us to further question the current climate, either intentionally or unintentionally.
The methods Veronica describes in her book allowing women to feel more "empowered" leave me feeling unsatisfied. Do we really need more people acting like entitled men? For me, the answer is a resounding no. But I'm not going to claim to know how to fix the problem.
Overall, although this book put me in a mild existential crisis yesterday, it's worth a read if you're looking for specific advice on how to be louder. However, the same message to be more assertive and outspoken can be found in many other books and provide a superficial fix to a much deeper problem.
August 3, 2019
Really interesting and important book about speaking up, taking up space, discovering your own voice, persisting and interrupting when necessary as someone who is not a man. It leans a bit on the democrat/moderate side with all the American/Western politics mentions (and not enough mentions of really radical women and non-binary people who have spoken out loud to the end; less Maggie and Condie and more Malala and Grace, please). The tools are basic, but they do make a difference. I am only reviewing the audiobook (which I finished listening to in one night), but I would have loved it more if it came with printables and additional downloadable material to keep doing the exercises and bear things in mind as we navigate the world.
August 14, 2019
I loved this book. A great balance of storytelling, data, motivation and practical exercises to examine the female voice.
September 28, 2020
Samenvatting: vrouwenstemmen an sich zijn niet het probleem, maar er zijn ontzettend veel systemen die ervoor zorgen dat hen het zwijgen opgelegd wordt. Gewoon al de standaard zithouding -benen gekruist, weinig plaats innemen- beïnvloedt ademhaling en stemvolume. Triest onderzoek: als aan vijfjarigen gevraagd wordt welk geslacht de held van een verhaal heeft, dan antwoorden ze bijna allemaal hun eigen geslacht. Wordt hetzelfde gevraagd aan zesjarigen, dan is de slimme held volgens de meeste jongens én meisjes een jongen.
Dochterlief ging nog maar één week naar de instapklas op school toen ze verdrietig thuiskwam. Want ze was eigenlijk geen fan van de kleur roos, maar dacht dat ze daardoor geen echt meisje was. Zwijgzaamheid of communicatiestijl volledig toeschrijven aan het geslacht, alsof dat er inherent bijhoort, is een gemakkelijke en wat laffe manier om niet te moeten kijken naar de vele oncomfortabele systemen die het in stand houden.
Dochterlief ging nog maar één week naar de instapklas op school toen ze verdrietig thuiskwam. Want ze was eigenlijk geen fan van de kleur roos, maar dacht dat ze daardoor geen echt meisje was. Zwijgzaamheid of communicatiestijl volledig toeschrijven aan het geslacht, alsof dat er inherent bijhoort, is een gemakkelijke en wat laffe manier om niet te moeten kijken naar de vele oncomfortabele systemen die het in stand houden.
Read
July 2, 2019There's something for every woman in here. We've been trained our whole lives to take up the least possible amount of space, to be quiet and let the men speak. This book is about how to change that.
It doesn't mean screaming, of course, but how to change the way we talk (I'm guilty of hedging and uptalk, definitely, and probably a little vocal fry) and how to stop hunching in on ourselves on mass transit (if the guys can sprawl, we can---at the very least---sit up enough to be able to take deep breaths).
There's a lot that's valuable in here but not everything is applicable to every reader. Even so, I'm certain that every woman will find this book incredibly important and possibly even life-changing.
Highly recommended.
It doesn't mean screaming, of course, but how to change the way we talk (I'm guilty of hedging and uptalk, definitely, and probably a little vocal fry) and how to stop hunching in on ourselves on mass transit (if the guys can sprawl, we can---at the very least---sit up enough to be able to take deep breaths).
There's a lot that's valuable in here but not everything is applicable to every reader. Even so, I'm certain that every woman will find this book incredibly important and possibly even life-changing.
Highly recommended.
November 18, 2019
Incredibly relatable and inspiring as it is infuriating, I so appreciated Reuckert's stats and encouragement here. As a woman myself, much of what is said about the reality of women's voices is all too obvious, but I am always game to listen to ideas for rebelling against the status quo because I am not about to prolong anyone's complacency.
April 1, 2023
Really liked it - would love my mam and sisters to read this one 💕
dnf
April 23, 2021dnf @ 40%
non-fiction/self help is so hit-or-miss with me. like once in a while, I find something that makes me feel and learn and grow (like Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion or Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life, both of which I have been fortunate enough to have read this year). But in general, I just find it to be so boring.
I'm not giving this book a rating, because I have zero thoughts about it, and I stopped reading it quite early on. but honestly, I don't feel that I gained anything from it. I know that women's voices are silenced, I see and live the experiences in this book every day. and I don't think this was actually helpful in any way.
so yeah there's my mini rant, im going to unhaul this very soon.
non-fiction/self help is so hit-or-miss with me. like once in a while, I find something that makes me feel and learn and grow (like Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion or Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life, both of which I have been fortunate enough to have read this year). But in general, I just find it to be so boring.
I'm not giving this book a rating, because I have zero thoughts about it, and I stopped reading it quite early on. but honestly, I don't feel that I gained anything from it. I know that women's voices are silenced, I see and live the experiences in this book every day. and I don't think this was actually helpful in any way.
so yeah there's my mini rant, im going to unhaul this very soon.
July 9, 2019
I wholeheartedly recommend Veronica Reuckert's groundbreaking analysis of the myriad ways women are unheard-- seen as "too much" or dismissed as "not enough"-- and, in both cases, silenced. Since reading Outspoken, I've been cognizant of my own patterns in speech and space, in posture and performance and am working to reclaim my voice I loved as a child-- before my library-job cubicle voice, before the shame in "talks too much" elementary school report card comments, before friends made fun of my singing on karaoke night, before my first public speaking-induced, deeply painful attack of nerves, before being told I apologize too much and before realizing who refused to make eye contact with me during important conversations.
Beyond the call for personal improvement, though, I'm also feeling a surprising strength post-Outspoken-read. Reuckert's call for reclaiming one's voice is certain, sincere and buoying-- and she asks that we begin where we are. Where am I? I have a long way to go but now give myself props for things like choosing as my life partner my friend who read Outspoken the day before I did and who has *long* held the open, supportive face I can look to when speaking my mind (the kind of face Reuckert recommends stationing in your audience when possible); remembering the (scary) time I asked someone to not interrupt me while I was speaking in a classroom environment; seeking professional advice regarding my voice/public speaking fears and-- not least-- choosing to buy Outspoken-- an entertaining, very well-written and insightful book. I am certain I will return to it often!
Outspoken is well researched yet written in a non-linear and informal, highly readable style. I appreciated both the richness and brevity of each chapter. It's an excellent commuter or lunch book. Each section can and ought to stand alone as an essay and I expect segments to appear in media and in classroom readers (gender studies, communication arts, business, etc.) I discovered Reuckert's enthusiasm for voice was contagious for me and enacted several of her exercises as I read along. My heavy Settlement cookbook gave me quite an abdominal workout and my soft palate will no longer be ignored.
PS. An earlier Goodreads reviewer overlooked the author's inclusion of WOC and non-cisgendered voices. They're in this book and Reuckert spends quite a bit of time talking about how a silent place at the table is not enough-- that all women's voices must be heard. She also talks about her own background such that I am confused by the reviewer's accusation of a white, upper middle class lens. I have to wonder if the reviewer read Outspoken.
Beyond the call for personal improvement, though, I'm also feeling a surprising strength post-Outspoken-read. Reuckert's call for reclaiming one's voice is certain, sincere and buoying-- and she asks that we begin where we are. Where am I? I have a long way to go but now give myself props for things like choosing as my life partner my friend who read Outspoken the day before I did and who has *long* held the open, supportive face I can look to when speaking my mind (the kind of face Reuckert recommends stationing in your audience when possible); remembering the (scary) time I asked someone to not interrupt me while I was speaking in a classroom environment; seeking professional advice regarding my voice/public speaking fears and-- not least-- choosing to buy Outspoken-- an entertaining, very well-written and insightful book. I am certain I will return to it often!
Outspoken is well researched yet written in a non-linear and informal, highly readable style. I appreciated both the richness and brevity of each chapter. It's an excellent commuter or lunch book. Each section can and ought to stand alone as an essay and I expect segments to appear in media and in classroom readers (gender studies, communication arts, business, etc.) I discovered Reuckert's enthusiasm for voice was contagious for me and enacted several of her exercises as I read along. My heavy Settlement cookbook gave me quite an abdominal workout and my soft palate will no longer be ignored.
PS. An earlier Goodreads reviewer overlooked the author's inclusion of WOC and non-cisgendered voices. They're in this book and Reuckert spends quite a bit of time talking about how a silent place at the table is not enough-- that all women's voices must be heard. She also talks about her own background such that I am confused by the reviewer's accusation of a white, upper middle class lens. I have to wonder if the reviewer read Outspoken.
November 27, 2019
This book presented me with problems to chew and many solutions.
The problem was that I didn’t have a voice until relatively recently. I didn’t like the sound of my voice and didn’t have a good point of view (in my opinion). I’ve always loved singing, but even in choirs I was more worried about what I sounded like to those standing near me, than singing out. The problem is that nerves don’t help your singing or speaking voice, so it becomes a vicious circle.
The problem is that I can’t and don’t blame the patriarchy or society. In fairness to all the men in my family, my dad most importantly, my opinion and voice was never an issue. I have never worked with men who didn’t encourage my voice and my husband gets prouder of me the more I find it.
Maybe it was to do with my very English accent in a country that didn’t love the English in the 70’s. I felt so different and I didn’t like the feeling. I became shyer and shyer and my voice, outside of the home, got quieter and quieter.
If you think your lack of voice is due to society or the patriarchy I encourage you to unpack that. Is it still in existence or are your assumptions about your voice stuck in the past. Does “he” speak over you? Watch and see if he speaks over everyone. If he doesn’t calmly say “I noticed you only speak over the women in the room, I’m sure you are not aware of it but it could be something to keep an eye on”.
This can be very different for you if you grew up in an old fashioned home, or a culture where women are very much second class citizens. But unpack it and identify exactly where and how your voice is ignored, maybe some of the reasons can be fixed and some of them are assumptions.
I found my voice, how?
1) by creating a very clear point of view on specific topics. There are topics I have absolutely no opinion on, I don’t feel the need to fill the air with fake opinions on them just to push my voice
2) I have been working on the art of public speaking on those topics. It’s a bit of feel the fear and do it anyway. You just have to get over yourself!
3) one of the talks was so specifically time bound that I recorded the final draft and listened to it ad nauseam. By the end I was more than used to and comfortable with my voice.
Now I am very happy with my voice, in fact, instead of cringing when I hear it I can even tell you what I like about it.
If you struggle with finding your voice, this book would be well worth the read. It will help you explore reasons and works through exercises and examples that could really benefit you. An enjoyable and accessible read.
The problem was that I didn’t have a voice until relatively recently. I didn’t like the sound of my voice and didn’t have a good point of view (in my opinion). I’ve always loved singing, but even in choirs I was more worried about what I sounded like to those standing near me, than singing out. The problem is that nerves don’t help your singing or speaking voice, so it becomes a vicious circle.
The problem is that I can’t and don’t blame the patriarchy or society. In fairness to all the men in my family, my dad most importantly, my opinion and voice was never an issue. I have never worked with men who didn’t encourage my voice and my husband gets prouder of me the more I find it.
Maybe it was to do with my very English accent in a country that didn’t love the English in the 70’s. I felt so different and I didn’t like the feeling. I became shyer and shyer and my voice, outside of the home, got quieter and quieter.
If you think your lack of voice is due to society or the patriarchy I encourage you to unpack that. Is it still in existence or are your assumptions about your voice stuck in the past. Does “he” speak over you? Watch and see if he speaks over everyone. If he doesn’t calmly say “I noticed you only speak over the women in the room, I’m sure you are not aware of it but it could be something to keep an eye on”.
This can be very different for you if you grew up in an old fashioned home, or a culture where women are very much second class citizens. But unpack it and identify exactly where and how your voice is ignored, maybe some of the reasons can be fixed and some of them are assumptions.
I found my voice, how?
1) by creating a very clear point of view on specific topics. There are topics I have absolutely no opinion on, I don’t feel the need to fill the air with fake opinions on them just to push my voice
2) I have been working on the art of public speaking on those topics. It’s a bit of feel the fear and do it anyway. You just have to get over yourself!
3) one of the talks was so specifically time bound that I recorded the final draft and listened to it ad nauseam. By the end I was more than used to and comfortable with my voice.
Now I am very happy with my voice, in fact, instead of cringing when I hear it I can even tell you what I like about it.
If you struggle with finding your voice, this book would be well worth the read. It will help you explore reasons and works through exercises and examples that could really benefit you. An enjoyable and accessible read.
February 22, 2025
Unlike with men, women’s places in society have long been under debate. Many women face pressure to quiet their voices and opinions merely because of their gender. When that happens, though, society loses the individual contribution of women’s minds and spirits. Instead of growing forward together, we lose someone’s unique gifts. In this book, voice coach Veronica Rueckert attempts to liberate women’s voices from these oppressive patterns so that they can give back better.
As a male, I read this book to learn to appreciate the stories behind the women on my teams at work. It educated me about the struggles women often face to have their voices heard at home and elsewhere. I could easily envision how this spills over into conference rooms and how I can do a better job of bringing those voices out practically.
Still, this book left me with a bit of unease. It often illuminated any gender disparity as a source of evil. For example, she laments that many women cite their fathers as having a huge influence to shape their voices. I suspect, however, that many men would also cite their mothers with having a similar influence. More women and less men do not always equate to more good. She also points out an expert on women’s voices who felt so oppressed at home that she divorced her husband. While her husband may have been a jerk, I’m concerned about gender experts who can’t even help their own gender issues.
I also would have liked to have Rueckert explore genderfluidity and its impact on the voice. I’ve learned from younger generations just how fluid gender can be and how similar we all are to each other. Is a binary really called for in this case? Can men improve their voices by learning from women’s styles? Yes, I think so, and I think it applies not only to boardrooms but also to homes and families. I found much of Rueckert’s analysis overly simplistic and too tightly fitted into binary categories.
This book did help with my goal, and for that I am grateful. Nonetheless, I find myself wanting to better understand how we can all learn from each other. In racial issues, I have learned a lot from Martin Luther King’s and John Lewis’ concept of a “beloved community” where we rely on each other without emotional weight. I suggest we need a similar concept in gender relations. I did not find that concept in this book, sadly, and I posit that we need a more transcendent view of gender relations in times to come. What’s the way out of our gendered tensions?
As a male, I read this book to learn to appreciate the stories behind the women on my teams at work. It educated me about the struggles women often face to have their voices heard at home and elsewhere. I could easily envision how this spills over into conference rooms and how I can do a better job of bringing those voices out practically.
Still, this book left me with a bit of unease. It often illuminated any gender disparity as a source of evil. For example, she laments that many women cite their fathers as having a huge influence to shape their voices. I suspect, however, that many men would also cite their mothers with having a similar influence. More women and less men do not always equate to more good. She also points out an expert on women’s voices who felt so oppressed at home that she divorced her husband. While her husband may have been a jerk, I’m concerned about gender experts who can’t even help their own gender issues.
I also would have liked to have Rueckert explore genderfluidity and its impact on the voice. I’ve learned from younger generations just how fluid gender can be and how similar we all are to each other. Is a binary really called for in this case? Can men improve their voices by learning from women’s styles? Yes, I think so, and I think it applies not only to boardrooms but also to homes and families. I found much of Rueckert’s analysis overly simplistic and too tightly fitted into binary categories.
This book did help with my goal, and for that I am grateful. Nonetheless, I find myself wanting to better understand how we can all learn from each other. In racial issues, I have learned a lot from Martin Luther King’s and John Lewis’ concept of a “beloved community” where we rely on each other without emotional weight. I suggest we need a similar concept in gender relations. I did not find that concept in this book, sadly, and I posit that we need a more transcendent view of gender relations in times to come. What’s the way out of our gendered tensions?
December 20, 2019
Over the past decade or so, it has now become commonplace to tell women to assert themselves through their language. Countless experts have suggested that women should own our language, so that we too can excel in the male-dominated board rooms and offices. Women are told to stop saying "I'm sorry, but...", "I just had a quick question", or "I just think....".
What is so bloody wrong with being courteous and empathetic? Why are women being taught to be less empathetic and courteous so they can succeed? That seems to be the polar opposite of what we preach to children. Yet, this is the expectation we have of women today.
Is pushing to change the way women speak really empowering women?
Or. Are we simply catering to the ever-evolving patriarchy? By asking women to use more masculine language, aren't we simply reshaping women to fit more seamlessly into the patriarchal path to success?
In which case, how do we, then, empower women to take ownership of their voices (and subsequently, speech) in a way that is conducive to their nature and personal growth, without damaging their individual and collective psyche even further? Are there roles men play in this, and how do we facilitate men's personal growth so they too become allies to women?
These are the questions Veronica Reuckert answers in Outspoken: Why Women's Voices Get Silenced and How to Set Them Free.
Much like Sheryl Sandberg does in Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, Reuckert relies heavily on research and personal anecdotes. She weaves story after story from her personal experience of working with women to give life to the statistics that are littering the pages of her book.
Overall, Outspoken is a must read for every woman, with its brilliant take on empowerment through voice. I also really enjoyed the many breathing and voice exercises Reuckert has included at the end of each chapter.
What is so bloody wrong with being courteous and empathetic? Why are women being taught to be less empathetic and courteous so they can succeed? That seems to be the polar opposite of what we preach to children. Yet, this is the expectation we have of women today.
Is pushing to change the way women speak really empowering women?
Or. Are we simply catering to the ever-evolving patriarchy? By asking women to use more masculine language, aren't we simply reshaping women to fit more seamlessly into the patriarchal path to success?
In which case, how do we, then, empower women to take ownership of their voices (and subsequently, speech) in a way that is conducive to their nature and personal growth, without damaging their individual and collective psyche even further? Are there roles men play in this, and how do we facilitate men's personal growth so they too become allies to women?
These are the questions Veronica Reuckert answers in Outspoken: Why Women's Voices Get Silenced and How to Set Them Free.
Much like Sheryl Sandberg does in Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, Reuckert relies heavily on research and personal anecdotes. She weaves story after story from her personal experience of working with women to give life to the statistics that are littering the pages of her book.
Overall, Outspoken is a must read for every woman, with its brilliant take on empowerment through voice. I also really enjoyed the many breathing and voice exercises Reuckert has included at the end of each chapter.
August 5, 2020
I’m just starting to read for enjoyment again, and this was a great introduction to feminist literature for me.
Outspoken has a strong narrative voice, is incredibly researched and incorporates practical applications to the content discussed.
This book is a beautiful synthesis on the role of the female voice in modern America. It provides women with the needed encouragement to speak up, and remember the power of their voice. This book celebrates female voices, acknowledges the endless criticism they face and tries to make sense of it. I absolutely loved it.
It begins with 2 chapters that are focused on the individual. How women’s breath is restricted historically from corsets to spanks and train etiquette. How to find your breath, the significance of it, and breathing exercises to try at home. The same for the sound of your voice and learning to overcome stage fright.
My favorite chapter was “To Change or not to Change?”. Reuckert explains the many criticisms of female voices, the complaint and the counterpoint. I am guilty of uptalk, and had never considered that I developed it as a defense against interruptions. Reuckert validates women’s voices, and defends them.
In the rest of the book, Reuckert tackles bigger picture issues (ie. lack of female CEOs and Politicians) and how they are tied to speech and voice.
While the solutions she suggests are not perfect, she encourages women to speak up and not wait for permission. Ideally we should teach everyone to listen and be respectful, but until then make sure you’re heard. Some may see this as rude, I would say touché. I’ve always seen interruptions, dismissal and the resulting hesitation to speak up as normal. This book encouraged me to redefine what I see as normal. How to wrestle back a conversation, ensure that my ideas are recognized, and fight against a culture that celebrates a quiet woman.
This is a masterfully written and powerful book. It was the first literature I have read that actively encouraged me to use my voice in whatever form serves me. Furthermore, that being an outspoken woman is an important, positive trait.
Amazing book.
Outspoken has a strong narrative voice, is incredibly researched and incorporates practical applications to the content discussed.
This book is a beautiful synthesis on the role of the female voice in modern America. It provides women with the needed encouragement to speak up, and remember the power of their voice. This book celebrates female voices, acknowledges the endless criticism they face and tries to make sense of it. I absolutely loved it.
It begins with 2 chapters that are focused on the individual. How women’s breath is restricted historically from corsets to spanks and train etiquette. How to find your breath, the significance of it, and breathing exercises to try at home. The same for the sound of your voice and learning to overcome stage fright.
My favorite chapter was “To Change or not to Change?”. Reuckert explains the many criticisms of female voices, the complaint and the counterpoint. I am guilty of uptalk, and had never considered that I developed it as a defense against interruptions. Reuckert validates women’s voices, and defends them.
In the rest of the book, Reuckert tackles bigger picture issues (ie. lack of female CEOs and Politicians) and how they are tied to speech and voice.
While the solutions she suggests are not perfect, she encourages women to speak up and not wait for permission. Ideally we should teach everyone to listen and be respectful, but until then make sure you’re heard. Some may see this as rude, I would say touché. I’ve always seen interruptions, dismissal and the resulting hesitation to speak up as normal. This book encouraged me to redefine what I see as normal. How to wrestle back a conversation, ensure that my ideas are recognized, and fight against a culture that celebrates a quiet woman.
This is a masterfully written and powerful book. It was the first literature I have read that actively encouraged me to use my voice in whatever form serves me. Furthermore, that being an outspoken woman is an important, positive trait.
Amazing book.
November 18, 2021
3.5 stars
Firstly, I'd like to say that I did the audiobook, which I highly recommend because Veronica Rueckert herself is the narrator. This adds a lot of character to the book - it's read as it was intended to be heard - and it was wonderful to hear her own voice when talking about women's voices. Some of the things mentioned were incredibly intriguing, and the book highlights issues that I hadn't thought of before. And, what I most enjoyed about it is that she not only makes you think about them, but also gives real tips and tricks to help with those issues.
My biggest complaint about this book is that it's quite repetitive at times. Other women's stories that Veronica shares are compelling, but it gets to a point where most of them sound the same and don't really add anything to the point she's trying to make. It just makes it look like she's repeating the same points she's already made.
I also found that the order of the chapters are a bit all over the place?? Personally, reading the audiobook, I felt like the things that were talked about didn't flow together very well.
I should also add that a lot of the things she talks about are things that I personally already knew about (maybe that's why it felt so repetitive), with even entire scientific studies that I'd already read about. It's very good for people starting out to learn about feminism, but I myself already knew. However, the things that I didn't know were fascinating to read about.
Also, I kinda disagree with the conclusion?? The ending kind of gave me the impression that she thinks men should just stay quiet and let women speak all the time, which isn't a good point to leave off of. Women and men's voices should be equal, yes, and given the chance to be equal, yes, and we should do everything we can to stop the silencing of women's voices, but it's not really about silencing men either. I don't really know.
Firstly, I'd like to say that I did the audiobook, which I highly recommend because Veronica Rueckert herself is the narrator. This adds a lot of character to the book - it's read as it was intended to be heard - and it was wonderful to hear her own voice when talking about women's voices. Some of the things mentioned were incredibly intriguing, and the book highlights issues that I hadn't thought of before. And, what I most enjoyed about it is that she not only makes you think about them, but also gives real tips and tricks to help with those issues.
My biggest complaint about this book is that it's quite repetitive at times. Other women's stories that Veronica shares are compelling, but it gets to a point where most of them sound the same and don't really add anything to the point she's trying to make. It just makes it look like she's repeating the same points she's already made.
I also found that the order of the chapters are a bit all over the place?? Personally, reading the audiobook, I felt like the things that were talked about didn't flow together very well.
I should also add that a lot of the things she talks about are things that I personally already knew about (maybe that's why it felt so repetitive), with even entire scientific studies that I'd already read about. It's very good for people starting out to learn about feminism, but I myself already knew. However, the things that I didn't know were fascinating to read about.
Also, I kinda disagree with the conclusion?? The ending kind of gave me the impression that she thinks men should just stay quiet and let women speak all the time, which isn't a good point to leave off of. Women and men's voices should be equal, yes, and given the chance to be equal, yes, and we should do everything we can to stop the silencing of women's voices, but it's not really about silencing men either. I don't really know.
August 7, 2019
I'm confused by this book. I was initially enthralled with the book and was texting quotes to my friends, but then it didn't seem to have any organization to it? I don't know. The book begins with a discussion of your actual physical voice, which was interesting but definitely not groundbreaking. Many good points are brought up and she includes great examples, but they're again, not groundbreaking - though to be fair I have been studying things like this for a long time so it may be groundbreaking for others. However, the examples are all just kind of tossed in there with no real strategy it seems. It was hard to find a connection between everything.
I can say I appreciate the current-ness of the book - talking about AOC and the #MeToo movement (which was appropriately credited to Tarana Burke). But there was no intersectional analysis - race was briefly mentioned once I believe, regarding Condoleeza Rice - but that was about it. I understand this book was specifically written about women's voices, and maybe this is just me, but it's 2019. Let's get intersectional.
Oh I think it's important to note I still don't know how to set my voice free nor do I understand vocal fry.
I can say I appreciate the current-ness of the book - talking about AOC and the #MeToo movement (which was appropriately credited to Tarana Burke). But there was no intersectional analysis - race was briefly mentioned once I believe, regarding Condoleeza Rice - but that was about it. I understand this book was specifically written about women's voices, and maybe this is just me, but it's 2019. Let's get intersectional.
Oh I think it's important to note I still don't know how to set my voice free nor do I understand vocal fry.
December 27, 2019
An interesting book, though I feel like it really only scrapes the surface. Outspoken comments on the phenomenon of women traditionally keeping quiet, especially professionally, but it doesn’t do a lot to explore dismantling the structure holding it up. It’s mostly strategies for women to operate in the current state. Which is necessary, but also, nothing I don’t already know. But I also recognize that there are a lot of women who don’t know this stuff yet, and certainly plenty of men who would do good to read the book to understand how they are impacting their female colleagues I agree with another reviewer who said that we need fewer people acting like entitled men, not more. I think the world would be better and far more civil if we all tried to listen to hear instead of listen to speak, remind people not to interrupt rather than interrupting, and overall just showing more consideration for one another when communicating. I understand the world for how it is, but I’m not satisfied. I want better, and I wish this book focused more on how to get everyone communicating better, rather than communicating the same.
August 18, 2019
When I picked up this book, I thought it was going to be only about how women need to speak up more in the workplace. I never imagined depths that my sexism went in terms of female voices. Just a few weeks ago, I met a friend of a friend, and later commented on how dumb she sounded. My friend responded by saying she was actually quite smart, and did very well at her place of work. Reading this book made me realize how wrong my comment was. Yes, there are certain voices, often female voices, that for some reason we process as sounding dumb. Whether that be vocal fry or simply higher pitched voices, people should not be treated differently because of it. Reading this book made me think more about how I speak, and how I should speak more, but also how I can change the way I hear the voices around me. Good read.
October 15, 2019
Veronicia Reuchert's book, Outspoken, is a book everyone should read. It is so important for women's voices to be heard. The book is well written and easy to read with all important points reviewed at the end of many of the chapters. I was really interested in the revelations in the last chapters, because I didn't know that in India, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, and the UK, they have quotas mandating a required number of seats in lawmaking bodies be held by women. That really helps level the playing field and give women a great opportunity to shape policy that affects them. If we can imagine a better world, it is one that everyone is given a voice.
January 18, 2020
3.5 Stars, rounded down to 3 out of 5.
It is a very interesting book, half the author's view and pratical teachings about the voice, half a very strong view on gender and the actual period of women's emancipation.
I really connected to the way the author sees our voice as our portal to engage more, to claim more space, to stop being fearful and to embrace who we are and who we can be.
I don't classify it higher because it gets very specific from time to time about how to raise your voice, literally - I'm sure it can be extremely helpful for many women, I just didn't relate to that need of improvement all that much.
It is a very interesting book, half the author's view and pratical teachings about the voice, half a very strong view on gender and the actual period of women's emancipation.
I really connected to the way the author sees our voice as our portal to engage more, to claim more space, to stop being fearful and to embrace who we are and who we can be.
I don't classify it higher because it gets very specific from time to time about how to raise your voice, literally - I'm sure it can be extremely helpful for many women, I just didn't relate to that need of improvement all that much.
January 31, 2020
I had never thought much about my physical voice and the impact mine (and other women's) has in that direct sense, so Veronica opened my eyes.
While I am not fully convinced that changing my voice could change my life, reading this book definitely made me more aware of my voice in a public setting - and made me want to use it more!
This book provided motivation and insight into not just women's voices but our space in the public sphere. I put it down feeling empowered and wanting to buy my own copy (I rented mine from the library) so I could reread, highlight and take note of her most poignant sentences.
While I am not fully convinced that changing my voice could change my life, reading this book definitely made me more aware of my voice in a public setting - and made me want to use it more!
This book provided motivation and insight into not just women's voices but our space in the public sphere. I put it down feeling empowered and wanting to buy my own copy (I rented mine from the library) so I could reread, highlight and take note of her most poignant sentences.
June 26, 2025
I listened to this one while driving. Mainly it was what you might expect - a book about how women have been talked over, marginalized, interrupted, etc. But there is also a lot about the actual physical voice. I hadn’t heard the term vocal fry before. It would have been great to have an example especially since o was listening to the author read her book. I’m still not sure what it is even after trying to research it. So yes yes, let’s elevate women’s voices and our own as we can in the world. We need us! That said - lots of other books / articles / talks on this topic.
September 14, 2019
This book covers a broad range. From the physical mechanics of speech, to Susan B. Anthony, Hillary Clinton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Disney princess movies, the Supreme Court, Circe by Madeline Miller, open office cubicle culture, tips on how to interrupt and tips on how not to get interrupted, political representation quotas, and more. A very approachable, engaging, informative, practical, inspiring read. Read it over a couple days and enjoyed it a lot.
June 7, 2021
I wasn’t very impressed with this book unfortunately. I thought it was going to be a great feminist text and instead it was a mix of a few good bits of science and proper feminist writing interspersed with a load of pseudoscience, patronising ‘tips’ abs boring anecdotes about her clients. The work she reports SLTs doing seems very different to anything I’ve ever know an SLT to do and the general structure of the book was just disorganised. I was pretty disappointed with this overall.
October 27, 2019
I read this book very quickly. It was accessible and very interesting. I think it started out very strong but the message felt a bit unfocused and repetitive in the last couple chapters. There's lots of great information and research here but not much was groundbreaking - I felt I had heard alot of it before.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews