I agree with Karen that the SCM handbooks are so invaluable to someone who wants to know what CM said without wading through a ton of words to find the real gems. The handbooks are so helpful because they have taken quotes on the topics from all the volumes and are presented together. They are awesome!
I do encourage you to work and persevere in reading her volumes. They are worth the time. She feels like an old friend now. =) In the meantime:
A Charlotte Mason Companion is a great introduction to CM.
Mind to Mind by CM and Karen Glass is an abridged version of Volume 6. Karen Glass edited out the parts that aren’t relevant (stories of people or situations that are not helpful to us because they are so old and unknown). She added clarifying chapter headings before each chapter. I find it helpful as I study the original. But it is easily read on its own.
For other more specific help:
Librivox has Volume 1 read aloud for free:
https://librivox.org/home-education-series-vol-i-home-education-by-charlotte-mason/
Emily at Living Books Library has Volume 1 and Volume 4 read aloud and available as downloads that you pay for:
http://www.livingbookslibrary.com/p/charlotte-mason-audio.html
There are lots of podcasts, but remember that each person is putting their own interpretation or twist on her words as they implement them into their schools. This is not bad, but remember that there is more than one way to implement her principles and methods.
A Delectable Education, Your Morning Basket, and The Mason Jar with Cindy Rollins, and Schole Sisters are a few CM podacsts.
For more detailed lists, I have included a link from my blog that is a list of CM educational things that I recommend. It is under the Charlotte Mason tab – click on recommended reading. This link will take you right there.
https://mysouldothdelight.wordpress.com/charlotte-mason-resources/history/