
So Here's the Thing...
Notes on Growing Up, Getting Older, and Trusting Your Gut
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $14.81
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Alyssa Mastromonaco
About this listen
From The New York Times best-selling author of Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? comes a fun, frank book of reflections, essays, and interviews on topics important to young women, ranging from politics and career to motherhood, sisterhood, and making and sustaining relationships of all kinds in the age of social media.
Alyssa Mastromonaco is back with a bold, no-nonsense, and no-holds-barred 21st-century girl's guide to life, tackling the highs and lows of bodies, politics, relationships, moms, education, life on the internet, and pop culture. Whether discussing Barbra Streisand or The Bachelor, working in the West Wing or working on finding a wing woman, Alyssa leaves no stone unturned...and no awkward situation unexamined.
Like her best seller Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?, So Here's the Thing... brings a sharp eye and outsize sense of humor to the myriad issues facing women the world over, both in and out of the workplace. Along with Alyssa's personal experiences and hard-won life lessons, interviews with women like Monica Lewinsky, Susan Rice, and Chelsea Handler round out this modern woman's guide to, well, just about everything you can think of.
©2019 Alyssa Mastromonaco and Lauren Oyler (P)2019 Hachette AudioListeners also enjoyed...
-
Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?
- And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House
- By: Alyssa Mastromonaco, Lauren Oyler
- Narrated by: Alyssa Mastromonaco
- Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If your funny older sister were the former deputy chief of staff to President Barack Obama, her behind-the-scenes political memoir would sound something like this. Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? is an intimate and admiring portrait of a president, a candid book of advice for young women, and a promising debut from a savvy political star.
-
-
A woman works for obama
- By H. Winslow on 06-13-17
By: Alyssa Mastromonaco, and others
-
Prequel
- An American Fight Against Fascism
- By: Rachel Maddow
- Narrated by: Rachel Maddow
- Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Inspired by her research for the hit podcast Ultra, Rachel Maddow charts the rise of a wild American strain of authoritarianism that has been alive on the far-right edge of our politics for the better part of a century. Before and even after our troops had begun fighting abroad in World War II, a clandestine network flooded the country with disinformation aimed at sapping the strength of the U.S. war effort and persuading Americans that our natural alliance was with the Axis, not against it.
-
-
The fight to keep democracy alive
- By Rex on 10-19-23
By: Rachel Maddow
-
Enough
- By: Cassidy Hutchinson
- Narrated by: Cassidy Hutchinson
- Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ever since a childhood visit to Washington, DC, Cassidy Hutchinson aspired to serve her country in government. Raised in a working-class family with a military background, she was the first in her immediate family to graduate from college. Despite having no ties to Washington, Hutchinson landed a vital position at the center of the Trump White House.
-
-
Painful
- By Melissa C. on 09-28-23
-
Battling the Big Lie
- How Fox, Facebook, and the MAGA Media Are Destroying America
- By: Dan Pfeiffer
- Narrated by: Dan Pfeiffer
- Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bestselling author Dan Pfeiffer dissects how the Right Wing built a massive, billionaire funded disinformation machine powerful enough to bend reality and nearly steal the 2020 election. From the perspective of someone who has spent decades on the frontlines of politics and media, Pfeiffer lays out how the Right Wing media apparatus works, where it came from, and what progressives can do to fight back against disinformation.
-
-
Great book, sub-par Audible performance
- By Chris & Tracy on 06-22-22
By: Dan Pfeiffer
-
Yes We (Still) Can
- Politics in the Age of Obama, Twitter, and Trump
- By: Dan Pfeiffer
- Narrated by: Dan Pfeiffer
- Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Decade of Obama (2007-2017) was one of massive change that rewrote the rules of politics in ways we are only now beginning to understand (which is why we all got 2016 wrong). Yes We (Still) Can looks at how Obama navigated the forces that allowed Trump to win the White House to become one of the most consequential presidents in American history, why Trump surprised everyone, and how Democrats can come out on top in the long run.
-
-
Glad Dan read this himself
- By Debbie Mitchell on 06-20-18
By: Dan Pfeiffer
-
Sure, I'll Join Your Cult
- A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere
- By: Maria Bamford
- Narrated by: Maria Bamford
- Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Maria Bamford is a comedian’s comedian (an outsider among outsiders) and has forever fought to find a place to belong. From struggling with an eating disorder as a child of the 1980s, to navigating a career in the arts (and medical debt and psychiatric institutionalization), she has tried just about every method possible to not only be a part of the world, but to want to be a part of it. In Bamford’s “trademark blend of disarming intimacy and dark whimsy” (Publishers Weekly), Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult brings us on a quest to participate in something.
-
-
Hilarious and sincere
- By B. Bazzell on 09-06-23
By: Maria Bamford
-
Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?
- And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House
- By: Alyssa Mastromonaco, Lauren Oyler
- Narrated by: Alyssa Mastromonaco
- Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If your funny older sister were the former deputy chief of staff to President Barack Obama, her behind-the-scenes political memoir would sound something like this. Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? is an intimate and admiring portrait of a president, a candid book of advice for young women, and a promising debut from a savvy political star.
-
-
A woman works for obama
- By H. Winslow on 06-13-17
By: Alyssa Mastromonaco, and others
-
Prequel
- An American Fight Against Fascism
- By: Rachel Maddow
- Narrated by: Rachel Maddow
- Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Inspired by her research for the hit podcast Ultra, Rachel Maddow charts the rise of a wild American strain of authoritarianism that has been alive on the far-right edge of our politics for the better part of a century. Before and even after our troops had begun fighting abroad in World War II, a clandestine network flooded the country with disinformation aimed at sapping the strength of the U.S. war effort and persuading Americans that our natural alliance was with the Axis, not against it.
-
-
The fight to keep democracy alive
- By Rex on 10-19-23
By: Rachel Maddow
-
Enough
- By: Cassidy Hutchinson
- Narrated by: Cassidy Hutchinson
- Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ever since a childhood visit to Washington, DC, Cassidy Hutchinson aspired to serve her country in government. Raised in a working-class family with a military background, she was the first in her immediate family to graduate from college. Despite having no ties to Washington, Hutchinson landed a vital position at the center of the Trump White House.
-
-
Painful
- By Melissa C. on 09-28-23
-
Battling the Big Lie
- How Fox, Facebook, and the MAGA Media Are Destroying America
- By: Dan Pfeiffer
- Narrated by: Dan Pfeiffer
- Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bestselling author Dan Pfeiffer dissects how the Right Wing built a massive, billionaire funded disinformation machine powerful enough to bend reality and nearly steal the 2020 election. From the perspective of someone who has spent decades on the frontlines of politics and media, Pfeiffer lays out how the Right Wing media apparatus works, where it came from, and what progressives can do to fight back against disinformation.
-
-
Great book, sub-par Audible performance
- By Chris & Tracy on 06-22-22
By: Dan Pfeiffer
-
Yes We (Still) Can
- Politics in the Age of Obama, Twitter, and Trump
- By: Dan Pfeiffer
- Narrated by: Dan Pfeiffer
- Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Decade of Obama (2007-2017) was one of massive change that rewrote the rules of politics in ways we are only now beginning to understand (which is why we all got 2016 wrong). Yes We (Still) Can looks at how Obama navigated the forces that allowed Trump to win the White House to become one of the most consequential presidents in American history, why Trump surprised everyone, and how Democrats can come out on top in the long run.
-
-
Glad Dan read this himself
- By Debbie Mitchell on 06-20-18
By: Dan Pfeiffer
-
Sure, I'll Join Your Cult
- A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere
- By: Maria Bamford
- Narrated by: Maria Bamford
- Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Maria Bamford is a comedian’s comedian (an outsider among outsiders) and has forever fought to find a place to belong. From struggling with an eating disorder as a child of the 1980s, to navigating a career in the arts (and medical debt and psychiatric institutionalization), she has tried just about every method possible to not only be a part of the world, but to want to be a part of it. In Bamford’s “trademark blend of disarming intimacy and dark whimsy” (Publishers Weekly), Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult brings us on a quest to participate in something.
-
-
Hilarious and sincere
- By B. Bazzell on 09-06-23
By: Maria Bamford
-
The Light We Carry
- Overcoming in Uncertain Times
- By: Michelle Obama
- Narrated by: Michelle Obama
- Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There may be no tidy solutions or pithy answers to life’s big challenges, but Michelle Obama believes that we can all locate and lean on a set of tools to help us better navigate change and remain steady within flux. In The Light We Carry, she opens a frank and honest dialogue with listeners, considering the questions many of us wrestle with: How do we build enduring and honest relationships? How can we discover strength and community inside our differences? What tools do we use to address feelings of self-doubt or helplessness? What do we do when it all starts to feel like too much?
-
-
Very Disappointing—Too Ego-filled
- By Patricia Webb on 11-29-22
By: Michelle Obama
-
Grace
- President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America
- By: Cody Keenan
- Narrated by: Cody Keenan
- Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From Barack Obama’s chief speechwriter Cody Keenan, a spellbinding account of the ten most dramatic days of the presidency, when a hate-fueled massacre and looming Supreme Court decisions put the character of our country on the line, and a president’s words could bring the nation together or tear it apart.
-
-
A Must Read!
- By Anonymous User on 10-10-22
By: Cody Keenan
-
Un-Trumping America
- A Plan to Make America a Democracy Again
- By: Dan Pfeiffer
- Narrated by: Dan Pfeiffer
- Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There is nothing more important than beating Donald Trump in 2020, but defeating Trump is just the start of this timely book. Un-Trumping America offers readers three critical insights: first, Trump is not an aberration, but rather the logical extension of the modern Republican Party; second, how Democrats can defeat Trump in 2020; and third, preventing the likes of Trump from ever happening again with a plan to fix democracy.
-
-
If you care about our democracy, listen to this book.
- By kay on 02-25-20
By: Dan Pfeiffer
-
Spare
- By: Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex
- Narrated by: Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex
- Length: 15 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother’s coffin as the world watched in sorrow—and horror. As Princess Diana was laid to rest, billions wondered what Prince William and Prince Harry must be thinking and feeling—and how their lives would play out from that point on.
-
-
Gutterball!
- By Jimmyjoejangles on 01-10-23
-
The World as It Is
- A Memoir of the Obama White House
- By: Ben Rhodes
- Narrated by: Ben Rhodes, Mark Deakins
- Length: 15 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For nearly 10 years, Ben Rhodes saw almost everything that happened at the center of the Obama administration - first as a speechwriter, then as deputy national security advisor, and finally as a multipurpose aide and close collaborator. He started every morning in the Oval Office with the President’s Daily Brief, traveled the world with Obama, and was at the center of some of the most consequential and controversial moments of the presidency. Now, he tells the full story of his partnership with a man who also happened to be a historic president of the United States.
-
-
An immersive read; a thoughtful book; a tribute to
- By Jonathan Callies on 06-06-18
By: Ben Rhodes
-
You Can't Be Serious
- By: Kal Penn
- Narrated by: Kal Penn
- Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
You Can’t Be Serious is a series of funny, consequential, awkward, and ridiculous stories from Kal Penn’s idiosyncratic life. It’s about being the grandson of Gandhian freedom fighters, and the son of immigrant parents: people who came to this country with very little and went very far—and whose vision of the American dream probably never included their son sliding off an oiled-up naked woman in the raunchy Ryan Reynolds movie Van Wilder…or getting a phone call from Air Force One as Kal flew with the country’s first Black president.
-
-
The book is so much more
- By Ag on 11-04-21
By: Kal Penn
-
XOXO, Cody
- An Opinionated Homosexual's Guide to Self-Love, Relationships, and Tactful Pettiness
- By: Cody Rigsby
- Narrated by: Cody Rigsby
- Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Cody Rigsby has a lot of opinions: Kevin is the hottest Backstreet Boy; grape jelly is a crime against nature; if you wear flip-flops in New York City, you do not love yourself. But if there is one opinion—one truth—that he holds above all others, it’s that we shouldn’t let the fear of looking stupid or being judged hold us back from living our best lives.
-
-
This book GIVES MAIN BOOK ENERGY!
- By Coffee N Craft on 09-13-23
By: Cody Rigsby
-
The Education of an Idealist
- A Memoir
- By: Samantha Power
- Narrated by: Samantha Power
- Length: 21 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In her memoir, Power offers an urgent response to the question "What can one person do?" and a call for a clearer eye, a kinder heart, and a more open and civil hand in our politics and daily lives. The Education of an Idealist traces Power’s distinctly American journey from immigrant to war correspondent to presidential Cabinet official. In 2005, her critiques of US foreign policy caught the eye of newly elected senator Barack Obama, who invited her to work with him on Capitol Hill and then on his presidential campaign.
-
-
Sam's Power: Privilege in U.S. Politics
- By RelizzScholar27 on 11-09-19
By: Samantha Power
-
I Swear
- Politics Is Messier than My Minivan
- By: Katie Porter
- Narrated by: Katie Porter
- Length: 9 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Never having run for office before, Katie Porter charted a new path in 2018 when she was elected to Congress as a Democrat in historically conservative Orange County, California. Underestimated as a single mom and chided for her progressive values, Katie defied expectations. Then, using her signature whiteboard, she began to take CEOs and corrupt government officials to task in Congressional hearings. The videos went viral, introducing Americans to her no-bullshit style, and making her a coveted guest on cable news and late-night television.
-
-
Truly Genuine Storytelling
- By LReeves on 04-25-23
By: Katie Porter
-
Why Not Me?
- By: Mindy Kaling
- Narrated by: Mindy Kaling, Greg Daniels, B. J. Novak
- Length: 4 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Why Not Me?, Kaling shares insightful, deeply personal stories about falling in love at work, seeking new friendships in lonely places, attempting to be the first person in history to lose weight without any behavior modification whatsoever, and believing that you have a place in Hollywood when you’re constantly reminded that no one looks like you.
-
-
sad to even be writing this review :(
- By Brandin on 10-02-15
By: Mindy Kaling
-
Beyond the Wand
- The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard
- By: Tom Felton
- Narrated by: Tom Felton
- Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tom Felton’s adolescence was anything but ordinary. His early rise to fame in beloved films like The Borrowers catapulted him into the limelight, but nothing could prepare him for what was to come after he landed the iconic role of the Draco Malfoy, the bleached blonde villain of the Harry Potter movies. For the next ten years, he was at the center of a huge pop culture phenomenon and yet, in between filming, he would go back to being a normal teenager trying to fit into a normal school. Speaking with great candor and his signature humor, Tom shares his experience.
-
-
So enjoyable
- By Lisa Suit on 10-22-22
By: Tom Felton
-
After the Fall
- Being American in the World We've Made
- By: Ben Rhodes
- Narrated by: Ben Rhodes
- Length: 12 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At a time when democracy in the United States is endangered as never before, Ben Rhodes spent years traveling the world to understand why. He visited dozens of countries, meeting with politicians and activists confronting the same nationalism and authoritarianism that are tearing America apart. Along the way, he discusses the growing authoritarianism of Vladimir Putin, and his aggression toward Ukraine, with the foremost opposition leader in Russia.
-
-
A must read, won’t regret it!!
- By Jerrold S. Gertzman on 06-03-21
By: Ben Rhodes
Critic reviews
"A combination memoir and compendium of very good suggestions about how to get ahead—very far ahead—at an early age."—The Washington Post
"A moving, funny, and sometimes heart-wrenching look back at the years [Alyssa Mastromonaco] spent in politics and by [President Obama's] side. A must-read for anybody who's even remotely interested in how Washington works, but is worth reading for anyone who enjoys brilliant wit and once-in-a-lifetime stories...you'll probably end up reading it more than once."—PopSugar.com
"My favorite thing about Alyssa's books is knowing someone as normal as the rest of us can work in the most prestigious positions in the world and do it with a sense of humor and self-deprecation. We could all do with more of both. Read it, and laugh."—Chelsea Handler, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea
What listeners say about So Here's the Thing...
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- SASmith
- 04-02-19
Words don't describe home much I appreciate AM
Fantastic and funny essays, peppered in with some serious stuff. She is candid, smart, witty and charming. I recommend this book for everyone, not just women and/or fans of President Obama. I'm positive this is not the only time I will listen to this book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Phill Hill
- 03-13-19
Amazing book
I was so intrigued and captivated the entire time. I would highly recommend this book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Alex Fitzgerald
- 04-03-19
So much fun
As a young professional in the political world, I have a deep appreciation for all of Alyssa’s advice and tips. This was a lot of fun to listen to and would recommend for any young professional trying to figure it out.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Noelle Kownurko
- 01-06-21
funny, honest, and enjoyable
This was such a fun book, it made me feel less alone in the world.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- A. Rasmussen
- 03-26-19
Sunshine on a cloudy day
Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed the perspective, the love of music and the friendships you shared. I enjoyed that you gave advice and you are not afraid to also share your difficult moments. Love the thought of everyone dancing and singing because it is hard to envision that these days. Thanks for the sunshine.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Aleta
- 04-23-19
Not for me
Although I thought her first book entertaining and would highly recommend, I didn’t finish this one. I started hearing about Trump and couldn’t go on. Those who justify all he does annoys me but also hearing about his faults is annoying and not fun. I don’t know how much it continued because I returned the book. Alyssa is a great writer and narrator!!! This book just wasn’t for me! -Aleta
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Es
- 09-22-19
Great audible! Funny and heartfelt
Born to be a writer/narrator. Can’t wait for the next one! 5 stars for both books.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 05-03-23
Love your relatability
I love her humor and relatability. We can all appreciate hard work and hustle opening doors. I look forward to her third book!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Diane Morgan
- 07-26-19
Too lightweight; wanted substance
Was expecting more from this book than frothy essays. Sometimes funny, but mostly cheeky. Alyssa is clearly smart and competent, so expected more from the book than lightweight stories.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amanda Snyder
- 03-06-24
Ugh so great and I hate to use the word cute but cute
I loved listening to Alyssa read her book. She is so witty and a real person, it made it super fun to listen to.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!