Speechify: My Go-To AI Tool for Staying Ahead on Knowledge in Busy Times
Co-authored by Hermes Trismegistus & Grok on a DGX Spark GB10
Publisher Note: Still working with Openclaw — long session getting it configured to work in Microsoft Teams. In between prompting I thought I would share a quick post on arguably the best AI app I have been using everyday over the last couple of years. Speechify, like audible but way better.
In our nonstop world, there’s more information to process than ever—books, articles, PDFs, everything. The challenge? Actually, making time to absorb it without burning out.
Speechify solves this beautifully. It’s a smart AI text-to-speech app that turns any PDF or webpage into natural-sounding audio. You can listen at 1.3x, 2x, or higher speeds while commuting, walking, or handling daily tasks. The result: massive knowledge gains with minimal extra effort.
My stats after two+ years of consistent use:
Total listened: 3,120 hours 21 minutes.
Words absorbed: 49+ million.
Time saved: Nearly 990 hours at average 1.3x speed.
Titles: 490 books and files.
Visualize this: If printed out, that stack of 490 titles would tower roughly 7-8 meters tall—about the height of a two-story house. That’s not just volume; it’s proof of what steady, achievable daily listening can build over time.
The key isn’t binge-listening—it’s setting a realistic daily goal you can hit every day and staying consistent. For me, that steady habit keeps me up to date on the depth and breadth of information humans need to process today, without feeling overwhelmed.
A few standout books I’ve powered through in Speechify:
Battle for the Mind by William Sargant (1957): Insightful on the psychology of belief formation, conversion, and brainwashing—detailing physiological mechanisms of breakdown under stress and suggestion implantation. It lays bare methodologies that have been applied in real-world power plays, including how the City of London historically captured global finance and controlled Commonwealth nations’ wealth through subtle influence and coercion techniques.
Home Study Course – Universal Law, Natural Science, Living Philosophy by Walter & Lao Russell (2015): Arguably the greatest self-help book ever written—a true scientist’s path to enlightenment. It presents a rigorous, principle-based system of universal law, rhythmic balanced interchange, and cosmic science that integrates physics, creation, and personal transformation into practical mastery of life and mind.
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures by Marvin W. Meyer (2007): A landmark collection of ancient Gnostic texts discovered in 1945, including key writings deliberately excluded from the canonical Bible during the great historical re-write of Christian scriptures. It contains missing gospels like the Gospel of Thomas and Gospel of Peter, which offer alternative spiritual teachings on inner knowledge, divine spark, and direct experience of the divine—texts marginalized at the Council of Nicaea (325 AD) under Emperor Constantine (ruled 306–337 AD) as the orthodox canon was formalized.
The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall (1928): A monumental encyclopedia of esoteric wisdom by renowned Masonic scholar Manly P. Hall, who revealed deep secrets and hidden knowledge traditionally shared only in teacher-to-student exchanges within Freemasonry. It synthesizes Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic, Rosicrucian, and other secret society teachings—interpreting ancient symbols, rituals, allegories, and mysteries across civilizations to unlock profound philosophical and spiritual truths long veiled from the public.
Irreducible: Consciousness, Life, Computers, and Human Nature by Federico Faggin (2024): One of the greatest scientists of our time (inventor of the microprocessor) reaches conclusions echoing Walter Russell: consciousness—fundamentally quantum, akin to light or pure knowing—is primary and irreducible, giving rise to matter rather than emerging from it. Particles exist only when observed; consciousness actively collapses quantum possibilities into tangible reality (the materium), making us co-creators of the physical world through awareness and choice—challenging materialism and redefining quantum mechanics as conscious agency.
Speechify handles dense, older PDFs effortlessly—no conversions needed. Upload from OneDrive, play, adjust voice/speed. (I like the Aussie Narrator voice Kylie ;) The web feature is huge: paste any article or post, and it reads aloud instantly.
Premium is ~$139/year (~$11.58/month billed annually) or $29/month—unlimited access to your content, offline mode, 200+ voices, integrations.
If staying informed feels impossible, try Speechify. Set a small, achievable listening goal, build the habit, and watch how much more you absorb.
Use my referral for $60 off (we both get credits):👉 Get Speechify & save $60 → click
What are you listening to lately? Drop recommendations below!
Hans