Conversations with Laurel

Wesley Sandoval broke the record for the Leadman Race in 2016. Find out why he signed up for this epic ultra-endurance high-altitude race series and how he convinced himself to go for the record. Also find out what it's like to compete with a brother! Wesley's race experience has truly been a family affair.

Would you ever ride with your partner on a bicycle built for two? Listen to this special episode with tandem racers Jana and David Zangerle and learn what it takes to cross the finish line with someone very close to you--physically and emotionally!

Rodrigo Jimenez, 41-year-old resident of Leadville, Colorado, is competing in his 5th Leadman competition in the Leadville Race Series. Listen to the incredible story of how he started racing, and stay till the end to hear how running for 100 miles above 10,000' elevation makes him feel!

Laurel recalls a serene paddleboard experience on Twin Lakes in Lake County, CO; the day inspired new scenes and characters (a fire-breathing dragonfly and a tortured octopus) for the second novel in her Waterwight series: Waterwight Flux.

Elden Nelson (a.k.a. "Fatty") has two decades of Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Race finishes under all of his belt buckles! Find out what makes him continue to come back to compete in one of the toughest races known to mountain bikers. See our visit on YouTube: https://youtu.be/j_uB2oVVtBk

Laurel shares her morning routine, a walk to "The Turn-Around Tree" with her friend John Orville Stewart, and how it has inspired characters, scenes, and plot twists in her novels...and a deeper friendship based on a shared goal.

My story "Tanked" for the 2018 NYC Flash Fiction contest. The challenge? Write a story of no more than 1,000 words using the following elements: Genre: Ghost Story Object: Bottle of Champagne Location: An Aquarium

A story about twin girls who uncover the mystery of their mother's death with the help of some supernatural birds.

Don't call her a cute little old lady. There's something about people who grew up on a farm. Octogenarian Marge Dorfmeister shares a lifetime of experiences, her poetry, her humor, and her ideas about the end of life.

Marvin and Lisa Sandoval discuss their experiences with the Leadville Race Series and what it takes for anyone, including YOU, to finish these epic endurance races! This is the third in a special series about these renowned races in Leadville, Colorado . . . races that start at 10,200' elevation!

Who will you remember today, tomorrow, and forevermore?  In this episode, Laurel reads an excerpt from an essay written by her West Point mentor, Pat C. Hoy II, who was instrumental in her decision to stay at the United States Military Academy. Pat's essay reminds us of the sacrifices made not only by service members of the Armed Forces, but by their families as well. Find the link to Pat's full e...

Short Story 3 is about plastic surgery . . . a flash fiction piece, 1,000 words short!

Ride a mountain bike over 100 miles in tricky terrain over 10,200' elevation? And do it again and again . . . despite extreme physical adversity? Ty and Roxanne Hall have eyebrow-raising stories about their experiences training for and participating in the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race, and tips for anyone who might consider signing up for this challenging race series. Do it! Sign up!

Laurel McHargue, host of the podcast Alligator Preserves, visits with Annalisa Parent, writing coach and author of "Storytelling for Pantsers: How to Write and Revise Your Novel Without an Outline." Annalisa discusses the benefits of planning and pantsing when it comes to writing a book, how neuroscience influences creativity, ways to work around writer's block, the evolution of language, and much...

Ever wonder how writers are inspired, what their routines look like, how they make characters "real" and relatable? I have answers for aspiring writers of every age! After my Skype session with a language arts class in Texas, the teacher compiled a list of insightful questions from her 7th grade students and sent them to me. In this episode, I answer them all!

Do you have what it takes to complete a 100-mile foot race through the Rocky Mountains? Ken Chlouber, founder of the Leadville Trail Race Series, believes in you--but you must make a commitment to yourself. In the first episode of this special Alligator Preserves series, Laurel visits with Ken and learns what's special about Leadville and this unusual race series.

Just because you can see the mountaintop, that doesn't mean you should attempt to summit without studying the risks and preparing for the unexpected. In this episode, Laurel describes "losing her 14er virginity" on La Plata Peak with Dr. Seuss characters in her head; she offers a warning to those who do not respect the power of nature. Additionally, she gives a shout out to Search and Rescue (SAR)...

You've heard the word Reiki, but what do you really know about this Japanese practice of using energy and light to heal? Are you a skeptic? Find out what these two Reiki practitioners (and sisters!) think about their experience giving and receiving Reiki.

What will you be doing when you're 85 years old? In this episode, Laurel visits with her friend's 85-year-old father--Bill Olson--and tries to determine why he still works every . . . single . . . day. This is Laurel's first attempt at curating a story from a last-minute decision to record an unplanned visit.

Do you remember your first kiss? How about your second? In this episode of Alligator Preserves, Laurel will tell you about a most memorable kiss and how she knew she was going straight to hell.

Pearl and Frank are on the road home after visiting family. It's Pearl's turn to drive. What happens on the road challenges her in ways she'd never imagined.

Are you sure you want to know how your children live? In this episode of Alligator Preserves, Laurel talks about a time she decided to help out her son by cleaning his apartment. She could have gone to a trampoline park . . .

“You pick a race with ‘Death’ in the title as your first marathon?” Well, yes, I did, and there were many good reasons behind my decision. In this episode, you'll learn a little World War II history and I'll share the ridiculous series of events leading up to my first full marathon. The Bataan Memorial Death March marathon is just one week away, March 25, 2018. If you live within driving distance...

Laurel's first original narrated short story about the dating game.

"War . . . What is it good for?" In this episode of Alligator Preserves, Laurel shares another letter from her father from WWII Army training and talks about her recent experience at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. She ponder the question of human evolution and asks the question, "How?" NOTE: Serious subject matter in part II of this episode.