Todays Read Teamn 
Phil Hanley’s Journey with Dyslexia in ‘Spellbound’
The Challenge of Recording an Audiobook
Phil Hanley, a comedian known for his performances on The Tonight Show and various comedy specials, recently faced a unique challenge: recording the audiobook version of his memoir, Spellbound. His notable struggle with severe dyslexia made this task not just daunting but deeply emotional.
During the recording sessions, Hanley found himself grappling with every word. After two hours of recording, he had managed just 13 words, suggesting the immense personal effort required to bring his story to life.
A Life of Learning Differences
Hanley’s dyslexia shaped his educational experience from an early age. While his peers advanced to reading and writing effortlessly, Hanley’s first-grade memories were dominated by feelings of anxiety and shame. He described the learning environment as overwhelming, with letters and sentences often resembling abstract art rather than understandable text.
His struggles continued throughout school until his mother, a former teacher, ensured he received support, though it was often insufficient against the challenges he faced in a one-size-fits-all educational framework.
The Road to Recovery and Reinvention
Despite his academic hurdles, Hanley pursued modeling and comedy, ultimately finding his voice on stage as a means of coping with life’s challenges. He recalls how stand-up comedy allowed him to transform painful experiences into humor and to connect with audiences, in stark contrast to his childhood experiences with reading and writing.
His comedic journey led to opportunities that perpetuated his battle with dyslexia, as he reflected on the queries from young audience members about shame associated with their learning disabilities.
Writing ‘Spellbound’
Writing Spellbound took Hanley nearly eight years. The process began during a personal low point, staying at comedian Amy Schumer’s apartment post-breakup. He hired a freelance editor and diligently worked on how to communicate his experiences, focusing on concise sentences and relatable storytelling.
Determined to narrate his book himself, Hanley faced significant emotional challenges. He felt an obligation not only to his own narrative but also to the dyslexic community to demonstrate that it was possible to overcome such struggles.
Support System and Audiobook Production
For the production of the audiobook, Hanley’s team implemented unique strategies to assist him. They prepared sections of the book in dyslexic-friendly fonts and sizes to facilitate his reading. This accommodation allowed him to practice and familiarize himself deeply with the material before each recording session.
The recording environment was intentionally designed to be supportive, creating a safe space devoid of judgment. This supportive atmosphere was crucial for Hanley, who was accustomed to harsh evaluations during his early education.
A Message of Resilience
Through his experiences in writing and narrating Spellbound, Hanley sought to send a message of encouragement to parents of children with dyslexia. “They’ll have character, tenacity, determination. They’ll have the grit of someone who’s been through two divorces,” he stated, emphasizing the valuable life skills that can develop from facing learning challenges.
As his mother Joan remarked, “He was doing his best. It wasn’t his fault that he was learning differently.” Hanley acknowledges the significance of this support, adding, “I’ve never bombed with my mom.”