I'm With Stupid

Nick Podehl’s narration of *I’m With Stupid* isn’t just a performance—it’s a full-body workout for your listening muscles. His portrayal of Felton Reinstein, a self-described disaster who can’t stop saying the wrong thing at the worst possible moments, lands with such commitment that I found myself physically flinching at Felton’s inevitable verbal pratfalls. Podehl’s ability to toggle between deadpan exhaustion and hyperventilating panic sells the humor and heartbreak of a kid whose brain runs a marathon while his mouth jogs in place. The supporting cast is just as strong: his grandma’s raspy, no-nonsense rasp, his dad’s booming disappointment, and his crush’s frustratingly perfect enunciation all feel like real people with real stakes. That said, the audiobook’s pacing occasionally stumbles—Felton’s internal monologues, while endearing, sometimes drag in the middle of a scene, leaving me wishing for a sharper editorial hand. And while Podehl’s physical comedy is spot-on, his female characters occasionally slip into caricature, robbing them of nuance (a missed opportunity in an otherwise thoughtful YA novel). Still, those quibbles fade in comparison to what works: a relatable, laugh-out-loud protagonist whose flaws make him impossible not to root for. If you’ve ever felt like your words betrayed your intentions, this audiobook will feel like a therapy session wrapped in a comedy routine.