Tame Your Inner Critic: How to Tell Better Stories to Yourself, About Yourself

by Clare Bowditch

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Self Help, Psychology

3 pages, Audiobook

About the author

Clare Bowditch is a story-teller who lives in Melbourne with her husband Marty, their three teenage children, a white groodle, and one lone surviving free-ranging guinea pig. In terms of 'the fancy stuff', Bowditch is a bestselling ARIA Award-winning musician (Best Female Artist), Rolling Stone Woman of the Year (Contribution to Culture), Logie-nominated actor (for her role as 'Rosanna' on hit TV show Offspring), and a former ABC broadcaster who still misses her talk-back callers very much, and hopes they're doing okay out there. In her spare time, Bowditch does a lot of public-speaking and event-running. She uses humour and the collective terror of 'public-singing' as tools to teach skills around courage and self-leadership. She is also the founder Big Hearted Business, a love project designed to support creative people in their businesses, and businesses with their creative thinking. As a musician Clare has performed and toured with the likes of Leonard Cohen, Paul Kelly, Cat Power, John Butler, Snow Patrol and Gotye. The person she enjoys touring with the most is her drummer and husband, Marty Brown.

Reviews

[Sharah McConville · Rating 4 out of 5]

A serious topic delivered in a fun way.

[Biggest Little Book Talker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ya this was NOT for me.
There are some bits of useful information and seriousness, mainly personal examples.
But I couldn’t sand the singing, the random noise, the voices, and the overall childlessness of a book I was hoping to get some useful information from.

[Gail Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a serious topic presented in a fun way. Found listening to this useful, and restricted myself to one chapter a day - there's homework folks. And as with all self-help books, you need to actually think about what's being presented.

I hadn't really thought about naming my inner critic, but as I listened to that lesson, I realised that I had already named her. Since she's always doubting what I'm capable of, I refer to her as Thomasina. Now she can just take off. I'll practice the FAFLE method and can admit that I have actually procrastabaked too.

Worth listening to, would recommend it.

[Judy Phin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a few really valuable activities which I've put into action and have benefited from actually (fun and not too serious either). She has taken the buddy buddy approach in the way in which she delivers her message which I can see would work for a lot of people, but can also see it deterring a few. If you are just after something light and insightful (as if you're speaking to a friend) than this is great!

[Tris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was inspiring and entertaining.
It caused reason to do some self reflection and realize things that were holding me back. It’s time to chase goals, dreams, and tell my Frank to flip off :)

It’s a good, humorous wake up call that has you reevaluating your life in 2 hours.

As far as self help books go, I recommend this one some short and easy motivation.

[Denise B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, quirky listen on a serious topic.

[A.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using her experience as a storyteller, broadcaster, and (undercover) life-coach, Clare Bowditch collaborates with neuroscientist Dr Charlotte Keating to detail useful Cognitive Behavioural Therapy concepts that will help you tame your inner critic....
Five sections.

This was excellent - such a joy to hear an Aussie audio book. And she had legit solutions presented in a fun and easily remembered way, jokes, songs, (I might still be humming the homework song), and science!
Oddly, in a recent kindle sale I picked up the older mental health book she recommended as saving her life. Not sure why I bought it, either. I agonise over book purchases. I swear I do. So, I guess thanks, universe?
[ Dr. Claire Weekes, Self-Help for Your Nerves: Learn to relax and enjoy life again by overcoming stress and fear . ‘Nerves?’ ikr - it was first published in 1962]
I was walking and stayed out longer to replay the final episode.
I am going to go with 'Shush Cheryl' for shutting up my inner critic. [it really does sound like my father and my yucky ex husband, but as if either of them deserve more space in my head]
5 stars

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some small nuggets of golden pieces of advice, though personally I found the ‘singing’ and over-acted comedian attempts really off putting. I think this would have worked much better as just a normal self-help book/audio. However I do realise that these differences from the norm is what sets this series out from all the others on the market and for some people this would have worked perfectly - it just didn’t work for me.

[Caroline Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and to the point and very memorable. Let's FAFL and FOF!

[Ines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started listening to this audiobook because of friend who has a very loud inner critic and I wanted to help him out. I learnt this is more common than I knew and some techniques to work with. The author is funny, although it took me a couple of minutes to get used to her style, and her voice is full of happiness and understanding. The first 3 chapters are the strongest, but the whole series has been enlightening.

[Natalie Ogle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fast paced yet easy to follow podcast style format sharing that you are not alone when you feel attacked by your inner critic, how to be mindful of how you speak to yourself and reminding you that you, yes you, are worthy of the supportive words and love you give others. Comical, applicable and easily relatable this was a nice piece of personal development from which I was able to take kernels of wisdom.

[Piotr Karaś · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's yet another contribution to the methods of dealing with conflicting inner parts, esp. your inner critic. There's a motivational component in it like: there's a hero in you - just recall the time when you did the right thing and were glad with yourself later on, tap into it and grow from it; face the adversity, accept it and, while it's included in your plans, move on.

[Lalit Pamnani · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good audiobook. I liked the way it was recorded/made. As name suggests, it helps you having a better conversation with yourself. All the stories we tell ourselves about the events and our capabilities.
It's not a very deep dive on the topic, but if you are beginner or not familiar with psychology it maybe good place to start. It's entertaining as well ( less boring).

[Jelena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this audiobook completely by accident, but I'm so glad I decided to listen to it. I love how Clare creatively approached the serious topic of self-sabotage with childlike playfulness. The lessons are digestible, simple, and enjoyable; complex principles of how our brain functions are simplified so that everyone can truly understand and apply them. BOOM!

[Shantel Arendt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Personally found it hard to get anything from this, It felt like there was more focus on the sound effects than the content. It was only a 4 hour audiobook, but half of it was singing and silly noises. The actual content of the book could be summed up in 1 paragraph, and was at the end, the rest was just timing filling fluff to make it long enough to call a book.

[Aylya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, short and inspirational. Give it a listen, you won't regret 😉

[David Lillico · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable listen but a 20,000 foot view, good intro to find more on the topic

[Candice Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very encouraging and I would definitely recommend it to all of my friends who are feeling down on themselves and needs somebody else to speak words of encouragement and to guide them.

[Jessica Dunbar · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good listen, with some helpful advice. Sightly irritating writing style towards the end.

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good ideas. Bowditch is a delightful narrator. Could have been a single blog post.

[Kate Nack · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just nothing really new in this book for me. Some good reminders, especially if you have not explored the fight or flight response previously. Was hoping some more practical tips.

[Jorja · Rating 2 out of 5]

Topics were great- hated the the different voices and the sing songs that went along, felt like a children’s book.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, ridiculous, and hilarious. A quick book with helpful tips full of personality! A great team of helpful characters illustrating examples with humour and science

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I branched out and listened to an audio book out of my normal genre. This book is full of.... everything! It has great tips and so much enthusiasm.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny. Pretty basic, but entertaining.

[Victoria Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved how she delivered a tough topic with her humor and songs. Short and insightful read.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this Audible audio mostly useless, although, there are several sound ideas and practices. What I didn't like: a lot of screaming, loud noise, and some kind of a bad comedy show.

[Addison Christensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Useful info but the delivery gave me secondhand embarrassment. I am all for making serious topics lighthearted but this was so much so that it was distracting.

[Adam Goodburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some useful lessons.
A little cheesy in its presentation but 'a spoonful of sugar does make the medicine go down'!

[May Chloé · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s was overstimulating and repeat info.