How to Listen to Newsletters Instead of Reading Them
Clear your inbox backlog by turning newsletters into audio you can enjoy anywhere
Newsletters are one of the richest sources of insight on the internet, but inbox overload means most of them go unread. speakeasy lets you convert any newsletter URL — from Substack, Beehiiv, Ghost, or a plain email web link — into polished audio in seconds. You can listen while commuting, cooking, or exercising instead of carving out dedicated screen time. The audio files sync to iCloud so they follow you across your iPhone and Mac. Turn your newsletter subscriptions from a source of guilt into a genuine daily learning ritual. This guide walks you through everything you need to know, from the basic setup to advanced tips that most users miss. Whether you're new to text-to-speech or looking to optimize your existing workflow, following these steps will help you get the most out of speakeasy and save significant time in the process.
Steps
Open the newsletter in your browser
Navigate to the web version of the newsletter you want to hear. Most email clients include a 'View in browser' link. For Substack, simply copy the post URL from the Substack app or your email.
Share the URL to speakeasy
Tap the Share button in Safari or Chrome and choose speakeasy from the Share Sheet. The app will immediately start extracting the article text, stripping ads, navigation, and footers so only the content is converted.
Listen and manage your library
Once synthesized, the newsletter episode appears in your speakeasy library with the original title and source. Play it immediately or save it for later. Completed listens are tracked so you always know where you left off.
Why this matters
Understanding how to listen to newsletters instead of reading them isn't just about following a checklist — it's about fundamentally changing how you consume content. Most people spend 2-3 hours daily reading articles, newsletters, and blog posts on their phones. Converting that reading time to listening time opens up hours of productivity you didn't know you had.
The process is simpler than you might think: Open the newsletter in your browser → Share the URL to speakeasy → Listen and manage your library. Once you've done it a few times, it becomes second nature, and you'll wonder how you ever managed without it. speakeasy handles the technical complexity behind the scenes, so you can focus on the content rather than the conversion process.
Common mistakes to avoid
When learning to listen to newsletters instead of reading them, there are a few pitfalls worth knowing about upfront. First, don't try to convert everything at once — start with a few articles you're genuinely interested in, and build your listening habit gradually. Second, make sure you're using the right voice and speed settings for the type of content you're converting.
Another common mistake is not taking advantage of speakeasy's iCloud sync. Your audio library syncs automatically between iPhone and Mac, which means you can queue articles on one device and listen on another. This is especially useful for articles you discover on your desktop but want to listen to during your commute.
Advanced tips for power users
Once you've mastered the basics, here are some ways to level up your workflow. Use the iOS share sheet to send articles directly from Safari, Twitter, or any other app to speakeasy — no need to copy-paste URLs. Set up a dedicated listening time each day, and queue articles the night before so your library is ready to go.
Experiment with different playback speeds for different content types: news articles work well at 1.5-2x, while technical or philosophical content benefits from 1.0-1.2x. You can also use speakeasy's voice preview feature to find the perfect voice for each type of content. Many power users maintain separate mental categories — a deep voice for serious analysis, a lighter voice for casual blog posts.
Getting the best results
The quality of your audio depends on several factors that are worth optimizing. speakeasy works best with well-structured articles that have clear paragraphs and headings. Most blog posts, newsletters, and news articles convert beautifully. Extremely visual content (infographics, charts-heavy pieces) may lose some context in audio form, but the text content still converts well.
For the best listening experience, use headphones or earbuds — the nuance in speakeasy's AI voices is more apparent with direct audio delivery. If you're listening through phone speakers, you might miss subtle intonation that makes the experience feel natural. Finally, don't forget to rate and organize articles in your library — this helps you build a personal audio archive you can revisit anytime.
Key takeaways
- The setup process takes less than a minute once you know the steps
- Start with content you're already interested in to build the listening habit
- Use iCloud sync to seamlessly move between iPhone and Mac
- Experiment with playback speed to find your optimal listening pace
- The iOS share sheet is the fastest way to convert articles
Tips
- Batch convert several newsletters each morning so you have a full day's listening queue ready during your commute.
- Substack newsletters convert especially cleanly — speakeasy's extractor is tuned for Substack's post format.
- Use the library search to find old newsletter episodes you saved but haven't listened to yet.
Frequently asked questions
Turn any article into natural-sounding audio. Paste a link, press play, and stay informed while you move.
Coming soon on Android