Conversations with Laurel

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.

Laurel turns around on the road for a homeless woman and ultimately realizes she is the one who's been given more than one gift.

Are you listening? Am I listening? Do we even know how to listen anymore? Laurel's visit with Buddhist practice teacher Ken McLeod, a peaceable man in a turbulent world, will provide you with glimpses of different ways to live your lives. Now retired, but still publishing books on Eastern philosophies for Western minds, Ken talks about his own journey and offers suggestions for listeners.

Sherry Ficklin, best-selling author of the Stolen Empire Series, visits with Laurel McHargue in this episode of Alligator Preserves! She explains how she has become "a toucher of things," and shares amazing stories of her own life and how her experiences have influenced her writing.

Laurel recounts a time she nearly instigated an international incident in a public restroom in South Korea. She was an Army Captain at the time, deployed to support the Team Spirit Exercise in 1989.

Stephanie R. Sorensen, author of "Toru: Wayfarer Returns," discussing her writing inspiration, challenges and routines, and her personal history with Japan. Her highly acclaimed novel takes readers on an alternate history journey to Japan in the 1800s, and includes action-packed steampunk elements.

Laurel shares an embarrassing moment when she misreads a warning sign in a campground bathroom.

Laurel talks about her family's relationship with house pets from early in her life through the adoption of her most recent pet Ranger, a German Shepherd dog. She shares her piece "Don't Get A Dog."

Laurel finally embraces her "pixie" hair style after countless attempts at growing it long. She talks about vanity and how she envied girls with long hair. After her butchering at the hands of an Army barber, she learned how to cut her own hair, and is grateful for the money she has saved over the years.

When her mother gives her a shoe box full of her father's letters home during World War II, Laurel realizes she never really knew the man who eventually became her father. She shares her thoughts about what her father was like as a very young man by reading one of his first letters.

Laurel makes an important discovery when she takes her baoding balls on a morning run and drops one. Her brainstorming about balls takes her back to childhood memories.