Recording with Presence: Dr. Linda Schubring on the Audiobook Journey of Unfolded

What does it take to read your own story out loud? For Dr. Linda Schubring, CEO of Leadership Vision and co-author of Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane, narrating the audiobook version of her bestselling book was both a technical challenge and a deeply emotional experience.

In this episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast, Linda shares her behind-the-scenes reflections from the recording booth. She talks about the emotional, physical, and mental preparation it took to show up fully—and why she believes this audiobook is more than just a reading experience. It’s an invitation to be present.

Preparation: Holistic Readiness

“The act of preparing for this was holistic,” Linda shares. From simple things like limiting gluten and wine to prioritizing hydration, she approached the experience like a performer or athlete might: with care, intention, and presence. Acknowledging her history of lung issues, she was especially mindful of how her body would support her voice across multiple recording sessions.

Preparation wasn’t just physical. Linda talks about the emotional encouragement she received from friends—text messages saying “You were built for this”—that grounded her in confidence. These small, heartfelt gestures helped her embrace the responsibility of bringing her words to life for listeners.

“Know what you need to bring the best of you to the occasion.”

Practice: A Lifetime in the Making

Linda said she thought she had been preparing for this moment her whole life—though she didn’t always know it. From reading aloud as a child to studying piano, her early experiences helped her connect emotion and expression. Reading Unfolded aloud brought back those memories and revealed the power of practice.

She also practiced self-compassion. “When I would mess up, I could have easily gotten mad,” she says, but instead, she chose to offer herself grace. That mindset shift helped her regain rhythm and confidence.

“Other people mess up—and I can show kindness to myself. Eventually, I’m going to get it.”

Presence: Being Fully Linda

Perhaps the most profound lesson from the audiobook recording experience was about presence. “I didn’t want to read like an announcer. I wanted to be me.” By holding onto an “Unfolded Map” from a recent client workshop, she grounded herself in the purpose of her work and the people it impacts.

At moments, that presence brought her to tears. “I allowed myself to experience the book for the first time,” she says. This presence allowed her to feel, respond, and connect deeply to the words—even the ones she’d written months and years earlier.

A Different Kind of Listening

So, why listen to the audiobook if you’ve already read the book?

Linda hopes that listeners will find themselves called into something greater. “I want it to cultivate emotional awareness, to prompt reflection, and to inspire action,” she says. It’s not just about hearing a story. It’s about experiencing transformation—one word, one pause, one breath at a time.

Whether you’re a leader preparing for a keynote, a parent reading to your kids, or someone learning to show up more fully in your own life—this episode offers valuable insight into what it means to lead with preparation, practice, and presence.

Listen now—and consider what it might look like for you to step into your next moment fully prepared, practiced, and present.