The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis Podcast

Episode Title: What's On Your Bedside Table? Using Objects to Reveal Character and Truth in MemoirEpisode Description: In this candid and insightful episode, acclaimed memoirist Laura Davis shares a deeply personal meditation on aging while demonstrating one of the most powerful tools in a writer's toolkit: using objects to reveal character. Laura explores how the items on her bedside table—from CPAP machines to vaginal suppositories—tell the story of a changing body and a life fully lived. She then shows writers how to harness the power of objects to create vivid, revealing memoir scenes that resonate with readers. This episode offers both vulnerable personal storytelling and practical craft instruction for memoirists at any stage.What Laura Covers in This Episode:How the objects on her bedside table have changed dramatically from her twenties to her late sixtiesThe honest reality of aging bodies and the daily care they requireWhy writing about "embarrassing" objects can be liberating and create connection with readersHow objects function as character reveals in film, television, and literaturePractical techniques for integrating objects into memoir to demonstrate relationship dynamics and character developmentA specific example from her award-winning memoir The Burning Light of Two Stars using a deck of cards to chart her mother's dementiaA powerful writing prompt students can use immediately: cataloging their own bedside table itemsEpisode Highlights:From Sex Toys to CPAP Machines: Laura opens with a striking contrast between her bedside table at 22 and at 69, demonstrating how honest object-based writing immediately engages readers and establishes voice.The Vocabulary of Aging: Laura shares her visceral reaction to the medical term "atrophied vagina" and her journey through various treatments, modeling how writers can tackle difficult subjects with both humor and honesty.The Insurance Company Plot Twist: When Medicare refused to cover her $500 E-string, Laura's health narrative intersected with economics—showing how objects reveal larger systemic issues in our lives.Liberation Through Truth-Telling: Laura describes how her writing students responded to the bedside table prompt, discovering that sharing "embarrassing" items created unexpected community and connection.Objects as Film Language: Laura teaches writers to watch for how directors use objects to reveal character, offering a masterclass in visual storytelling that translates directly to the page.The Deck of Cards: Laura shares how she used one object—a deck of playing cards—throughout her memoir to show both connection and loss across 50+ years with her mother.The Assignment for Listeners: Laura issues a direct writing challenge to catalog bedside table objects, explaining why this specific prompt generates such rich, revealing material.Objects Change, Characters Change: Laura demonstrates how tracking a character's relationship to an object over time creates a powerful through-line in longer memoir narratives.About Host Laura Davis:Laura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience guiding memoirists and personal narrative writers. Her memoir The Burning Light of Two Stars won the 2021 BookLife Prize and has been celebrated for its unflinching honesty and masterful craft. Laura is known for her ability to create safe, generative spaces where writers can explore difficult material with courage and skill. She teaches regular writing classes, leads international writing retreats, and publishes The Writer's Journey, a reader-supported publication offering craft essays, writing prompts, and inspiration for memoirists. Her teaching emphasizes the power of specific details, honest storytelling, and the courage to write what's true.Resources Laura Mentions:Book: The Burning Light of Two Stars by Laura Davis (BookLife Prize Winner 2021)Publication: The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack (https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/)Website: Laura Davis's official site for classes, workshops, and retreats (https://lauradavis.net/)Writing Prompt: The Bedside Table Exercise—cataloging objects that reveal your current life stage and prioritiesKey Takeaways from This Episode:Use objects as character shorthand: The items people surround themselves with—especially intimate spaces like bedside tables—instantly reveal priorities, struggles, age, health, relationships, and values without requiring exposition.Embrace "embarrassing" details: Writing honestly about medications, bodily changes, and health challenges creates unexpected connection with readers who recognize their own experiences and feel less alone.Track objects across time: Following one meaningful object throughout a longer narrative (like Laura's deck of cards) provides structure and demonstrates character change more powerfully than direct statement.Study objects in visual media: Train your writer's eye by noticing how films and television shows use objects t

Midweek Pause for Peace: Finding Hope in Brokenness Through Donna Ashworth's Powerful VerseEpisode Description: In this Midweek Pause for Peace, acclaimed author and writing teacher Laura Davis shares "Perhaps, this world is broken," a deeply moving poem by Sunday Times bestselling Scottish poet Donna Ashworth. Laura explores how human connection becomes our most essential resource during challenging times, offering listeners a brief but profound respite that nourishes both heart and nervous system. This weekly practice pairs meaningful poetry with thoughtful reflection, creating moments of healing and hope when we need them most.Episode Highlights: Laura introduces featured poet Donna Ashworth. Her poem "Perhaps, this world is broken" beautifully balances acknowledgment of global difficulties with celebration of human resilienceCentral message: "being there for each other makes all the difference in dark times"Vivid imagery of care: flowers in hair bringing light, staying awake all night to hold someone's hand, running miles in silly suitsPowerful metaphor reveals that while "this world is shattered everywhere," human beings serve as the glue, "picking up pieces of each other to get through"Episode dedicated "to all the people helping"—honoring caregivers, helpers, and those who show upLaura's signature pairing of poetry with beautiful imagery creates dual nourishment for heart and nervous systemBrief, accessible format fits busy lives while delivering meaningful impact and moments of peaceResources Laura Mentions: Donna Ashworth's poetry collections including "To the Women," "Wild Hope," and "Growing Brave." You can find her on her website: donnaashworth.comAbout Host Laura Davis: Laura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience helping writers find their voices and craft compelling stories. Her memoir, The Burning Light of Two Stars: A Mother-Daughter Story, won the BookLife Prize for best memoir/autobiography of 2021. Laura's groundbreaking books, including The Courage to Heal, have been translated into 11 languages and sold more than 1.8 million copies worldwide.Laura teaches weekly writing workshops online and leads transformative writing retreats in the US and internationally, creating safe, intimate communities where writers experience breakthroughs both on the page and in their lives. Her Midweek Pause for Peace series provides writers and readers with weekly poetry, nature photography, and thoughtful reflection—creating sacred spaces for rest, healing, and creative renewal.Follow Laura: Subscribe for daily inspiration, writing wisdom, poetry, and community connectionThe Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support her work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. You'll receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems and nature photos, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/ Learn about Laura's writing classes, books, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

PODCAST SHOW NOTESEpisode Title: News Anxiety Relief: Stop Doomscrolling and Listen to the BirdsEpisode Description: In this essential midweek episode of The Writer's Journey, acclaimed memoirist and writing teacher Laura Davis addresses one of the most pressing challenges writers face today: news anxiety and information overload. Media fatigue and information overload have become widespread problems, causing psychological exhaustion, decision paralysis, and creative burnout.Part of Laura's weekly Midweek Pause for Peace series, Laura shares Alastair Muirhead's profound poem "Listen to the Birds, Not the News," which offers permission to step back from the constant flood of distressing headlines that depletes creative energy. As one therapist wisely notes, "We are wired for a village's worth of problems, not a planet's worth of problems." What Laura Covers in This EpisodeThe biological truth: humans evolved to handle local concerns, not global disasters 24/7How constant news consumption damages the creative writing process and mental well-beingThe healing power of returning to immediate, tangible observations in natureAbout Host Laura DavisLaura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience guiding writers through their creative journeys. Her award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars" won the prestigious BookLife Prize in 2021. Throughout her distinguished career, Laura has become known for her compassionate approach to teaching memoir and personal essay writing, helping countless writers find their authentic voices. Laura leads writing classes, workshops, and international retreats, creating transformative spaces where writers can develop their craft while exploring profound personal truths. Her work emphasizes the healing power of storytelling and the importance of creating community among writers.Poet Featured:Alastair Muirhead - Collector of stories, seeker of meaning, poet, and Trustee of libraries, museums, and art galleriesFollow Alastair Muirhead's work on Substack: https://tairmuir.substack.com/Perfect For:Writers struggling with news anxiety and creative blocks, anyone experiencing information overload and doomscrolling addiction, memoirists protecting their creative energy from media fatigue, people dealing with compassion fatigue and emotional exhaustion, mindfulness seekers looking for practical stress relief, and listeners drawn to Laura Davis' thoughtful approach to writer wellbeing and nervous system regulation during overwhelming times.Join Laura's CommunitySubscribe to Laura Davis' Midweek Pause for Peace series for consistent, nurturing content that honors both your need for beauty and your nervous system's need for calm amid information overload. Each week, host Laura Davis pairs beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry, offering writers and creatives essential respite from news anxiety, media fatigue, and the constant pressure to consume distressing headlines. Protect your creative practice and mental health with these weekly pauses.Connect with Laura DavisSubscribe to The Writer's Journey: laurasaridavis.substack.comExplore Laura's classes, books, workshops, and retreats: lauradavis.netEngage with the community by liking, commenting, and sharing postsThe Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support her work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. You'll receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems and nature photos, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/Learn about Laura's writing classes, books, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Episode Title: When Your Body Speaks and You Have to Listen: Navigating Aging, Illness, and Uncertain FuturesEpisode Description: In this deeply personal and reflective episode, acclaimed memoirist and writing teacher Laura Davis shares her meditation on aging, physical limitations, and the courage required to face an uncertain future. While recovering from diverticulitis, Laura examines what it means when a lifetime of manifesting, creating, and teaching collides with a body that insists on rest. Through a pivotal conversation with her friend Colleen about retirement and the profound realization that "I couldn't commit to feeling good in the future," Laura explores the shift from doing to being, from planning to presence, and from certainty to embracing the unknown.What Laura Covers in This Episode:The physical and emotional challenges of recovering from diverticulitis while preparing to teach an upcoming memoir retreatA transformative conversation with her friend Colleen about retirement, aging, and listening to your body's wisdomThe profound shift from a lifetime of saying "yes" and showing up no matter what, to acknowledging physical limitationsHow four decades of teaching, creating, and manifesting has given way to a new relationship with uncertaintyThe parallel between personal health challenges and collective uncertainty in our current political momentFinding meaning and connection in the present moment when the future becomes unplannableSending "love songs" to both a broken body and a broken world as an act of resilience and compassionEpisode HighlightsThe Maestro of Manifestation: Laura reflects on decades of community building, teaching, and creating—describing herself as someone who has brought together "hearts, bodies, souls, words, stories, community" with both effort and ease, making things happen simply by breathing in and out.Colleen's Retirement Journey: Laura shares how she's witnessed her friend Colleen, a gifted IFS therapist and trainer, navigate four years of retirement—watching fear transform into freedom and doing give way to spaciousness as Colleen let go of her "big-S self."The Sentence That Changed Everything: During a FaceTime conversation about gut problems and teaching anxieties, Colleen reveals a truth she'd never shared before: "That was a big part of why I retired. I couldn't commit to feeling good in the future."A Lifetime of Showing Up: Laura chronicles forty years of never hesitating to say yes to commitments, teaching through bronchitis, COVID, exhaustion, anxiety, jetlag, and family crises—always counting on herself to perform and be present.The Road of Uncertainty: Edging toward seventy, Laura describes envisioning "a scant calendar" and "a different kind of journey"—one that is unplanned, unpromised, unscheduled, and deeply rooted in the unknown.Present Moment Politics: Laura draws a parallel between her personal health journey and the collective experience since Trump's return to power, noting how daily conversations now focus on being okay "at this moment" and "right now."Simple Pleasures as Anchors: In the face of an unplannable future—both personally and for her new grandson entering the world—Laura finds grounding in sun, trees, friendship, walks in the woods, and her dog's wagging tail.Love Songs to Brokenness: Laura concludes with a commitment to send love songs to both her belly "that can no longer digest the things of this world" and to "this broken world"—an act of compassion she can still offer from where she is.About Host Laura Davis: Laura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience guiding writers through the transformative process of memoir and personal narrative. Her award-winning memoir The Burning Light of Two Stars won the prestigious BookLife Prize in 2021. As a master teacher, Laura has helped thousands of writers find their voice and tell their stories with courage and authenticity. She leads writing workshops, classes, and international retreats, creating sacred spaces where writers can explore their deepest truths. Laura's work focuses on the intersection of craft, healing, and personal transformation, making her a trusted guide for writers navigating both the page and their lives.Key Takeaways from This EpisodeHonor Your Body's Wisdom - When your body insists you stop and listen, there is profound wisdom in surrendering to its messages rather than pushing through with willpower alone.Redefine Success Beyond Doing - A lifetime of manifesting, creating, and teaching can evolve into a new relationship with being present, allowing spaciousness to replace constant doing.Accept the Unplannable Future - Acknowledging "I can't commit to feeling good in the future" is not defeat—it's an honest reckoning with aging, health, and the uncertainty inherent in being human.Find Anchors in Simple Pleasures - When the future becomes uncertain, grounding yourself in present-moment joys—sun, trees, friendship, connection—beco

Episode Title: Ancestral Wisdom for Writers: We Were Made for These TimesEpisode Description: Award-winning author and writing teacher Laura Davis offers a midweek meditation for writers and creatives seeking peace during uncertain times. In this brief but powerful episode, Laura shares the empowering song "We Were Made for These Times" by Jewish musicians Arielle Rivera Korman and R'Noam Lerman.Drawing on ancestral wisdom, community strength, and the resilience of those who came before us, this episode provides a moment of grounding for writers navigating life's challenges. Part of Laura's weekly Midweek Pause for Peace series, each episode pairs beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry and music to nourish both heart and nervous system.What Laura Covers in This Episode:The weekly Midweek Pause for Peace series: combining images, poetry, and music for nervous system regulation:Connecting with ancestral wisdom during challenging times for writers and creativesThemes of resilience, community strength, and drawing courage from previous generationsHow creative expression and sacred music support emotional wellbeing during uncertaintyThe power of remembering we carry wisdom and courage passed down through generationsIntroduction to Jewish liturgical music and restorative justice practicesAbout Host Laura DavisLaura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience guiding writers through their creative journeys. Her award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars" won the prestigious BookLife Prize in 2021. Throughout her distinguished career, Laura has become known for her compassionate approach to teaching memoir and personal essay writing, helping countless writers find their authentic voices. Laura leads writing classes, workshops, and international retreats, creating transformative spaces where writers can develop their craft while exploring profound personal truths. Her work emphasizes the healing power of storytelling and the importance of creating community among writers.Resources Laura MentionsMusicians Featured:Arielle Rivera Korman - Executive Director of Ammud: the Jews of Color Torah AcademyRabbi Noam Lerman (they/them) - Ordained at Hebrew College, restorative justice circle keeperSong: "We Were Made for These Times" by Arielle Rivera Korman and R'Noam LermanYou can listen to their song here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/publish/post/175020854Connect with the Artists:Arielle's music: soundcloud.com/user-227382512Ammud programs: eventbrite.com (search Ammud: the Jews of Color Torah Academy)R' Noam's music: soundcloud.com/user-614157782Key Takeaways from This EpisodeCreate regular pauses for peace - Build moments of contemplation into your writing routine to support your nervous system during challenging creative periodsDraw on ancestral wisdom - Remember that you carry the strength, courage, and resilience of storytellers and writers who came before youStay rooted in community - Connect with other writers and lean on communal wisdom when facing uncertainty in your creative journeyHonor the creative process - Recognize how music, poetry, and art can provide grounding and perspective during turbulent periods in life and writingRemember your purpose - Trust that you have the resources within you to meet the challenges of this moment in history and in your writing journeyEpisode Call-to-ActionTake a moment this week to pause and reflect on the ancestral wisdom you carry as a writer. Consider what stories, songs, or teachings from your lineage support you during difficult periods.Share this episode with a fellow writer who might need a moment of peace and encouragement.Join Laura's community by subscribing to receive regular inspiration, poems, nature photography, and essays on writing and life.Perfect For:Writers seeking peace and inspiration, memoirists managing creative anxiety, anyone drawn to Laura Davis' signature blend of poetry and meditation, and listeners who appreciate thoughtful, heart-centered content for nervous system regulation.Join Laura's CommunitySubscribe to Laura Davis' Midweek Pause for Peace series for consistent, nurturing content that honors both your need for beauty and your nervous system's need for calm. Each week, host Laura Davis pairs beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry, offering listeners a respite for both heart and nervous system.The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support her work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. You'll receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems and nature photos, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/Learn about Laura's writing classes, books, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasa

Episode Title:Fear Isn't a Stop Sign—It's a Doorway: Graseilah Coolidge on How Forest Immersion Could Build World PeaceEpisode Description:In this inspiring episode of The Writer's Journey, host Laura Davis highlights the groundbreaking work of Graseilah Coolidge, a former intelligence analyst turned forest immersion guide who believes that the path to world peace begins in the quiet embrace of nature. Laura shares how she discovered Graseilah's transformative practice of forest immersion and explores the powerful insights from Graseilah's TEDx talk, "How Forests Can Shape the Future of Peace." From her background in nuclear disarmament and international conflict resolution to her profound revelation in California's redwood forests, Graseilah's journey demonstrates how inner peace can ripple outward to create global change.What Laura Covers in This Episode:How Laura met Graseilah Coolidge while co-leading writing retreats in Tuscany and developed a friendship through forest hikesGraseilah's fascinating background as a former intelligence analyst with expertise in nuclear disarmament and conflict resolutionThe definition and practice of forest immersion: spending multiple days and nights alone in the forest with minimal provisions, supported by communityGraseilah's transformative experience in California's ancient redwood forests that led her to discover that peace begins withinHow Graseilah moved from traditional diplomacy to forest immersion as a tool for personal growth and global peacebuildingKey insights from Graseilah's TEDx talk "How Forests Can Shape the Future of Peace"Graseilah's vision of guiding world leaders through forest immersions to foster reconciliation, trust, and collaborationHow forest immersion awakens presence, awe, compassion, and belonging—essential qualities for changemakersGraseilah's powerful teaching: "Fear isn't a stop sign—it's a doorway"Laura's personal decision to participate in her first forest immersion in California's redwood forestsEpisode Highlights:The Tuscany Connection: Laura describes meeting Graseilah Coolidge while co-designing writing retreats at a stunning Tuscan villa complete with peacocks, olive orchards, and gourmet meals, finding in Graseilah a work partner who is capable, dedicated, hard-working, committed, reliable, and fun.Discovering Forest Immersion: During one of their regular forest hikes with Laura's dog Luna, Graseilah introduces Laura to the concept of forest immersion—spending days and nights alone in the forest with just a sleeping bag and water, supported by community, for profound communion with self and nature.From Intelligence to Inner Peace: Graseilah's fascinating background as a former intelligence analyst with a master's degree in nuclear disarmament and conflict resolution, and how she discovered the limits of traditional diplomacy in creating lasting peace.The Redwood Revelation: Graseilah's transformative experience spending days alone in California's ancient redwood forests without food or shelter led her to a profound truth: peace begins within, not in negotiation rooms."Fear Isn't a Stop Sign—It's a Doorway": When Laura expresses her fear about trying forest immersion, Graseilah offers this powerful reframe that becomes the episode's central theme, demonstrating how we can transform resistance into opportunity.Forest Immersion as Peacebuilding: Graseilah's vision of using forest immersions with world leaders as a tool for fostering reconciliation, trust, and collaboration—moving beyond traditional diplomatic approaches to create lasting change.The Power of Presence and Awe: How Graseilah's forest immersion practice awakens presence, awe, compassion, and belonging—gifts that empower people to reclaim their agency as changemakers and heal themselves and their communities.A TEDx Talk Worth Watching: Laura enthusiastically recommends Graseilah's TEDx talk "How Forests Can Shape the Future of Peace," describing it as powerful, profound, and spirit-lifting during times when thinking about the world can feel depressing.You can watch Graseilah's TedX talk here: https://youtu.be/mvyG_URZEr8?feature=sharedAbout Host Laura Davis:Laura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience guiding writers through transformative creative journeys. Her award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars" won the prestigious BookLife Prize in 2021, cementing her reputation as both a masterful storyteller and an expert in the craft of personal narrative. Throughout her distinguished career, Laura has led writing workshops and international retreats, helping countless writers find their authentic voices and tell their most important stories. Her approach combines deep compassion with practical expertise, creating safe spaces for exploration and emergence. Laura's teaching emphasizes the connection between personal transformation and creative expression, and she is deeply interested in contemplative practices and experienc

Episode Title: "Poetry for Peace: Embracing Light and Dark with Linda Pastan"Episode Description: Join host Laura Davis for this week's Midweek Pause for Peace, featuring Linda Pastan's profound poem "Why Are Your Poems So Dark?" Laura reflects on living between light and shadow, especially when darkness feels frightening, yet remains essential to our human experience. This calming episode pairs meaningful poetry with peaceful imagery to offer your heart and nervous system a midweek respite.What Laura Covers in This Episode:Why darkness is essential - Understanding the balance between light and shadow in lifeLinda Pastan's poetic wisdom - How the poem reframes our relationship with difficult emotionsThe moon metaphor - What lunar cycles teach us about witnessing and accepting life's fullnessFinding beauty in contrast - How dark stains on white pages create meaningPoetry as healing practice - Using verse to find comfort during challenging timesAbout Host Laura DavisLaura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over three decades of experience. She is the author of the award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars" (BookLife Prize Winner 2021) and specializes in helping writers access their most authentic stories. Through her Midweek Pause for Peace series, Laura pairs beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry, offering listeners essential moments of reflection, healing, and inspiration.Featured Poet: Linda Pastan Linda Pastan (1932-2023) was an American poet known for her concise, autobiographical verse exploring themes of family, aging, and mortality. She served as Poet Laureate of Maryland from 1991 to 1995 and published eleven collections of poetry. Pastan's work earned numerous awards, including a Pushcart Prize, the Dylan Thomas Award, and the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize.Key Takeaways from This EpisodeDarkness isn't something to banish but an essential part of life's wholenessBeing "dark most of the time" like the moon is natural and necessaryBeauty emerges from contrast - dark alphabets give meaning to white pagesDivine creation includes both light and shadow, ebony and illuminationWhen we feel sadness, we connect to the moon's witnessing of all human experienceResources Laura MentionsLinda Pastan's poetry collections: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_PastanThe Writer's Journey newsletter: https://lauradavis.net/Laura's writing retreats and workshops: https://lauradavis.net/Episode Call-to-ActionTake a moment this week to notice both light and dark in your life without judgment. Consider what the moon has witnessed in your experience and allow yourself the full spectrum of human emotion.Subscribe to Midweek Pause for Peace for weekly poetry and peace: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/Follow Laura's work for writing prompts and memoir techniquesJoin her intimate writing retreats worldwidePerfect for:Anyone seeking Laura Davis' signature blend of poetry and peace, those managing stress and anxiety, and listeners who appreciate thoughtful, heart-centered content.Connect with Laura DavisJoin Laura's CommunitySubscribe to Laura Davis' Midweek Pause for Peace series for consistent, nurturing content that honors both your need for beauty and your nervous system's need for calm.Each week, host Laura Davis pairs beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry, offering listeners a respite for both heart and nervous system. These midweek pauses provide essential moments of reflection, healing, and inspiration in our complex world.The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support her work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. You'll receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems and nature photos, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/Learn about Laura's writing classes, books, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Episode Title: REFUGE Anthology Open for Submissions: Writers and Artists Respond to Turbulent TimesEpisode Description: In this episode, acclaimed author and writing teacher Laura Davis shares a compelling submission opportunity from her student Cathy Krizik, an award-winning magazine designer and graphic artist. Laura discusses the REFUGE anthology—a full-color, beautifully designed collection seeking creative responses about courage and resilience in today's world—and reveals submission guidelines for writers, poets, essayists, and visual artists. Laura also introduces her transformative 14-day Write, Travel, Transform retreat in Cuba (April 2026), where writers experience cultural immersion in a society that celebrates storytellers as national treasures.Episode Highlights & Submission Guidelines for Refuge:Laura introduces Cathy Krizik, her long-time student and accomplished magazine designer, graphic artist, and writer who is currently workshopping her third book in Laura's evening feedback classREFUGE: Voices of Courage and Resilience in a World Gone Mad will be a full-color, beautifully designed anthology featuring essays, poetry, interviews, laments, prayers, paintings, drawings, printmaking, sculptures, and collages responding to today's turbulent timesCathy's goal is for readers to open the anthology and find comfort, community, solace, rejuvenation, hope, and inspiration during these challenging times.Writers can submit pieces up to 1,500 words or a maximum of three poems; previously published Substack pieces are welcome with proper attribution noted.Artists should submit PDF images for initial review, with final accepted work requiring high-resolution, 300dpi, CMYK print-ready formats in .jpg, .tif, or PDF.The submission deadline is November 30, 2025, with all work sent to [email protected] Cathy welcomes questions at the same email address.If you are not sure what to submit:Here are some prompts that might spark your imagination. How does it feel to be alive right now? What is breaking your heart today? What is mending your heart? What are you doing to stay sane and grounded? What do you reach for when the world overwhelms you?Where do you find solace? What does resistance look like to you? What worries you the most? Who inspires you and why? Is there a prayer you'd like to offer? What does the world you want to see look like? If you like to see some samples of the artwork in Refuge, you can see the Substack post here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/p/f05b7b6a-451f-4ce0-a0d2-891fda5d6cd0About Host Laura DavisLaura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience guiding writers through their creative journeys. Her award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars" won the BookLife Prize in 2021, cementing her reputation as both a masterful storyteller and expert writing instructor. Laura leads transformative writing workshops, classes, and international retreats, helping writers of all levels find their authentic voices and bring their stories to the page. Through her Substack publication "The Writer's Journey," Laura shares essays on craft, curated poetry, nature photography, and insights on living a creative life. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes community, courage, and the power of personal narrative to create connection and meaning.You can sign up for the info session for her trip to Cuba here: https://lauradavis.net/cuba/#signupYou can learn about the trip here: https://lauradavis.net/cuba/The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support her work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. You'll receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems and nature photos, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/Learn about Laura's writing classes, books, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Episode Title: “Finding Light in Dark Times: Chelan Harkin's Call to Rise"Episode Description: Join host Laura Davis for this week's Midweek Pause for Peace, featuring mystic poet Chelan Harkin's powerful untitled poem about finding inner light during crisis. After a difficult week in America, Laura shares this reminder of the indomitable strength we carry within, regardless of external circumstances. This healing episode pairs meaningful poetry with peaceful imagery to offer your heart and nervous system strength during challenging times.What Laura Covers in This EpisodeInner light during crisis - How difficult times summon our deepest strengthRising through collapse - Why foundations crumbling calls our light to emergeCommunity in division - The importance of holding each other tighterTransforming devastation - Making pain into fuel for growthIndomitable spirit - Accessing the strength that cannot be brokenAbout Host Laura DavisLaura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over three decades of experience. She is the author of the award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars" (BookLife Prize Winner 2021) and specializes in helping writers access their most authentic stories. Through her Midweek Pause for Peace series, Laura pairs beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry, offering listeners essential moments of reflection, healing, and inspiration during challenging times.Featured Poet: Chelan HarkinChelan Harkin is a mystic poet whose work draws deep influence from mystical poets including Hafiz and Rumi. Growing up in the Columbia River Gorge, she first fell in love with creative writing surrounded by natural beauty. After writing poetry for over a decade, she published her first collection "Susceptible to Light" in 2020, featuring her best poems from her teens and twenties. You can find her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/chani.harkin/Key Takeaways from This EpisodeCrisis and shaking foundations call our inner light to rise upWhen everything falls away, we discover previously hidden strengthDivision requires us to reach for each other and hold tighterOur integrity is tested during dark times so it can stand tallerDevastation can become fuel when we choose to burn through itResources Laura Mentions"Susceptible to Light" by Chelan HarkinChelan Harkin's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/chani.harkin/The Writer's Journey newsletter: https://lauradavis.net/Laura's writing retreats and workshops: https://lauradavis.net/Episode Call-to-ActionNotice where your light is being summoned this week. When you feel the earth shaking, remember the indomitable strength within. Reach out to hold someone tighter, and let your devastation become fuel for rising.Follow Laura's work for writing prompts and memoir techniquesJoin her intimate writing retreats worldwide: https://lauradavis.net/Perfect for:Anyone seeking Laura Davis' signature blend of poetry and peace, those managing stress and anxiety, and listeners who appreciate thoughtful, heart-centered content during difficult times.Join Laura's Community:Subscribe to Laura Davis' Midweek Pause for Peace series for consistent, nurturing content that honors both your need for beauty and your nervous system's need for calm.Each week, host Laura Davis pairs beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry, offering listeners a respite for both heart and nervous system. These midweek pauses provide essential moments of reflection, healing, and inspiration in our complex world.The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support her work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. You'll receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems and nature photos, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/Learn about Laura's writing classes, books, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

PODCAST SHOW NOTESEpisode Title: Writing Prompts: 3 Time-Travel Exercises to Discover Your Past, Present & Future SelfEpisode Description: In this transformative episode, acclaimed memoir teacher Laura Davis reveals three life-changing writing prompts that unlock profound self-discovery. With over 35 years of teaching experience and as the award-winning author of "The Burning Light of Two Stars," Laura guides listeners through a powerful exercise that explores identity across time. Learn how to write your way through personal transformation using techniques that have changed thousands of writers' lives.What Laura Covers in This Episode:Three specific writing prompts for exploring different versions of yourself across time periodsThe transformative power of third-person writing practice for gaining new perspective on your lifeHow to access deep unconscious material through continuous, unedited writingLaura's vulnerable personal responses to each prompt, including her struggles with envisioning the futureThe breakthrough technique of letting your future self speak to present worries and fearsStep-by-step instructions for implementing these life-changing exercises at homeWhy writing without stopping, planning, or editing creates the most powerful insightsEpisode Highlights:The Magic of Flow Writing: How 20 minutes of continuous writing without editing accesses rivers of creativity and self-knowledge hidden in your unconscious mindThird Person Breakthrough: Why referring to yourself by name creates psychological distance that reveals patterns and insights impossible to see otherwiseFrom Trauma to Triumph: Laura's raw journey from feeling like "a little leaf fluttering in the wind" to becoming an internationally acclaimed author and teacherFuture Self Wisdom: The powerful moment when Laura hands the pen to her future self, who offers comfort and perspective to present-day anxietiesPresent-Day Vulnerability: Laura's honest reflections on health challenges, aging fears, and the transition from intense productivity to rest and beingPractical Implementation: Exact instructions for using these prompts, including timing, technique, and what to expect from the writing processCreative Problem-Solving: How to work with difficult prompts when you feel stuck or unable to imagine certain life phasesHealing Through Writing: How these exercises facilitate emotional processing and personal growth through storytellingAbout Host Laura DavisLaura Davis is a master writing teacher and 7-time author with over 35 years of experience guiding writers through transformative creative processes. Her award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars" won the prestigious BookLife Prize in 2021. As co-author of the groundbreaking book "The Courage to Heal," Laura has influenced millions of lives through her fearless approach to truth-telling and healing through writing. She teaches ongoing Zoom classes to students worldwide and leads transformative international writing retreats. Laura specializes in helping writers excavate their deepest stories, develop authentic voice, and find profound healing through the written word.Opportunities to Work with Laura Mentioned in this EpisodeWednesday writing practice class on Zoom: https://lauradavis.net/writing-classes/#writingThursday feedback classes with Laura: https://lauradavis.net/writing-classes/#feedbackWrite, Travel, Transform: Cuba: https://lauradavis.net/cuba/Key Takeaways from This EpisodeWrite in third person using your name to create psychological distance that reveals new insights about your life patterns, growth, and authentic selfSet a timer for 20 minutes per prompt and write continuously without stopping, planning, or editing to bypass your inner critic and access deeper truthEmbrace discomfort with difficult prompts like imagining your future self - resistance often signals where the most important breakthroughs awaitUse the "hand over the pen" technique when stuck by letting different aspects of yourself (especially your future self) speak directly to your current concernsTrust the writing process completely to reveal what you need to know, even when you believe you have nothing meaningful to say about a particular life phaseConnect with Laura DavisWebsite & Class Information: https://lauradavis.net/Newsletter & Writing Resources: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/Weekly Writing Classes: Detailed information and applications available at lauradavis.netInternational Writing Retreats: Current offerings and upcoming destinations listed on her websiteThe Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support her work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. You'll receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems and nature photos, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/Learn about Laura's writing classes, books, workshops, and internatio

PODCAST SHOW NOTESEpisode Title: Going Home the Longest Way Around: Finding Peace Through Pat Schneider's PoetryEpisode Description:In this moving episode of her Midweek Pause for Peace series, acclaimed author and writing teacher Laura Davis shares Pat Schneider's profound poem "Going Home the Longest Way Around." Laura reflects on Schneider's dedication to making writing accessible outside traditional academic institutions and explores how stories become maps that guide us to each other. This peaceful interlude combines beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry, offering listeners a moment of reflection and healing.What Laura Covers in This Episode:Pat Schneider's revolutionary approach to accessible writing and writing groupsThe power of storytelling to create connections between peopleHow fragments of our lives become maps for understandingThe relationship between memory, fear, and love in our personal narrativesPat Schneider's gentle method of responding to shared writingThe metaphor of taking "the long way home" through our storiesEpisode Highlights & Timestamps[0:00] Laura introduces Pat Schneider and her mission to democratize writing[1:15] Reading of "Going Home the Longest Way Around"[2:45] Reflection on how stories become maps that guide us to each other[4:20] Exploring the poem's imagery of children in a dark canoe[5:30] Understanding how love and fear intertwine in our narratives[6:45] Pat Schneider's three gentle questions for responding to writing[7:20] The metaphor of "rocking in a dark boat on the water"About Host Laura DavisLaura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience guiding writers through their creative journeys. A seven-time author, her award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars" won the BookLife Prize in 2021. Laura specializes in helping writers craft meaningful memoirs and personal narratives. Through her writing classes, workshops, and international retreats, Laura has helped thousands of writers find their authentic voice and share their stories with the world.Key Takeaways from This EpisodeStories as Maps: Our personal narratives serve as guides that help us connect with others and understand our shared human experienceAccessible Writing: Writing and storytelling should be available to everyone, not just those in academic institutionsMemory and Truth: We can create meaningful narratives from fragments, even when our memories aren't perfectFear and Love Connection: What we love most can also make us most afraid, revealing our vulnerability and humanityGentle Response Method: Pat Schneider's three questions offer a supportive way to respond to shared writing that encourages rather than critiquesEpisode Call-to-ActionFollow Laura's work for regular doses of poetry, nature photography, and writing wisdomEach week, host Laura Davis pairs beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry, offering listeners a respite for both heart and nervous system. These midweek pauses provide essential moments of reflection, healing, and inspiration in our complex world.Perfect for: Anyone seeking Laura Davis' signature blend of poetry and peace, those managing stress and anxiety, and listeners who appreciate thoughtful, heart-centered content.Join Laura's Community: Subscribe to Laura Davis' Midweek Pause for Peace series for consistent, nurturing content that honors both your need for beauty and your nervous system's need for calm.The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support her work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. You'll receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems and nature photos, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/ Learn about Laura's writing classes, books, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Episode TitleHow to Connect with Your Writing Muse: A Journey into Creative SurrenderIn this transformative episode of The Writer's Journey, acclaimed memoirist and writing teacher Laura Davis shares her mystical encounter with her creative muse. Following profound advice from writing teacher Carolyn Brigit Flynn about protecting her soul, Laura guides listeners through a powerful meditation-inspired writing session that reveals the path to authentic creative connection.What Laura Covers in This Episode· Why protecting your creative soul matters more than productivity and busyness· How meditation and writing practice can create a portal to your muse· The journey of surrendering control to access deeper creative truth· Moving beyond questions like "Am I doing this right?" to authentic expression· Understanding that your soul naturally shows through your creative work· Using writing as a tool to step above daily drama and connect with essence· Practical guidance for writers seeking to deepen their creative practiceAbout Host Laura DavisLaura Davis brings over 35 years of experience as an acclaimed author and writing teacher, specializing in memoir and transformative storytelling. Her award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars" won the prestigious BookLife Prize in 2021. Laura has guided thousands of writers through her innovative approach that combines practical craft instruction with personal exploration, helping writers access their authentic voice and transform life experiences into powerful narrative. Her teaching philosophy centers on the belief that writing is both a craft to be mastered and a spiritual practice that connects us to our deepest truths.Resources Laura Mentions· Carolyn Brigit Flynn - Writing teacher and mentor· The Art of Memoir: Crafting Compelling, Vivid, True Life Stories retreat, Villa Maria del Mar retreat center, Santa Cruz, California, November 3-7, 2025· The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis newsletter and community· Laura's comprehensive website: https://lauradavis.net/· Substack publication: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/Key Takeaways from This Episode1. Prioritize soul protection over productivity by recognizing when external busyness threatens your creative essence and consciously creating sacred space for your artistic practice.2. Practice creative surrender to access your muse by approaching your creative source with vulnerability, humility, and willingness to release the trappings of daily concerns.3. Release self-limiting questions that ask whether you're "doing creativity right" - these concerns often dissolve when you connect with your deeper creative truth and natural expression.4. Trust your authentic creative expression by understanding that showing your soul through your work isn't something to achieve but something that naturally occurs when you write from truth.5. Use writing as a spiritual portal that allows you to step both into and out of life's drama, accessing higher perspective and creative freedom through regular practice.Episode Call-to-Action· Connect with your own creative muse by practicing Laura's powerful writing prompt: "What does your muse have to say to you?"· Dedicate time for quiet meditation and open writing, allowing whatever emerges to flow onto the page.· Ready to deepen your memoir writing practice? Join Laura for "The Art of Memoir" retreat in Santa Cruz, California, November 3-7, 2025, where you'll learn to craft compelling, vivid life stories under expert guidance in an intimate oceanside setting.The Art of Memoir: Crafting Compelling, Vivid, True Life StoriesVilla Maria del Mar, Santa Cruz, CAMonday, November 3 - Friday, November 7, 2025If you’d like to experience five unforgettable days writing to powerful and effective memoir prompts under the guidance of a master teacher, join me in Santa Cruz, California the first week in November for an intimate, unforgettable retreat at a gorgeous retreat center perched right on the Pacific Ocean. Many of us hold a deep dream of writing the story of our lives—so we can understand ourselves better, pass down family stories, or help others benefit from the lessons we’ve learned. By giving our experiences shape, texture, and beauty, we hope to create a lasting legacy that will inspire and inform.The Art of Memoir will teach you how to take life stories and craft them into memoir.In this transformative five-day workshop, you’ll connect with your inner voice, discover the healing power of language, and birth powerful true stories onto the page. Evocative prompts will lead you deeply into the world of memoir and story. Discover how to “find the story beneath the story,” why writers need to “slow down where it hurts,” and the secret of crafting tales rooted in the immediacy and physicality of the moment.Join Laura this November in Santa Cruz.https://lauradavis.net/memoir-retreat/ABOUT THE WRITER'S JOURNEY:The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication and podcast. T

IEpisode Title: Laura Davis' Midweek Pause for Peace: It Is EnoughEpisode Description: Join Laura Davis for this week's Midweek Pause for Peace, where she pairs beautiful imagery with soul-nourishing poetry. In this episode, Laura shares Danna Faulds' gentle poem "It Is Enough," offering a moment of stillness for your heart and nervous system during life's overwhelming moments.What Laura Shares:· A heartfelt reading of Danna Faulds' "It Is Enough" from "From Root to Bloom"· Personal reflections on finding peace through conscious breathing· How one breath at a time can anchor us amid personal and global uncertainty· Weekly poetry curation designed to calm and center your spiritAbout Your Host: Laura Davis creates weekly content that combines meaningful poetry with calming visuals, offering busy hearts a midweek moment of peace and restoration.Episode Highlights:· Laura's curated selection of healing poetry and imagery· Guided moments for releasing control and embracing present-moment awareness· Simple practices for stress relief through mindful breathing· Weekly consistency for building a sustainable mindfulness practicePerfect for: Anyone seeking Laura Davis' signature blend of poetry and peace, those managing stress and anxiety, and listeners who appreciate thoughtful, heart-centered content.Join Laura's Community: Subscribe to Laura Davis' Midweek Pause for Peace series for consistent, nurturing content that honors both your need for beauty and your nervous system's need for calm.Each week, host Laura Davis pairs beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry, offering listeners a respite for both heart and nervous system. These midweek pauses provide essential moments of reflection, healing, and inspiration in our complex world.The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support Laura's work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. You’ll receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems and nature photos, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/Learn about Laura’s writing classes, books, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ You can find Dana Faulds at: http://dannafaulds.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Episode Title: Nothing You Cannot Meet: Laura Davis' Memoir WisdomDescription: Join Laura Davis for an intimate look at how poetry becomes a pathway to personal strength. In this episode, Laura shares a transformative moment from her Wednesday writing class where Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer's poem "Sitting in a Quiet Room" sparked profound self-discovery—then demonstrates the power of the writing prompt with her own vulnerable memoir excerpt.What You'll Experience:Complete reading of Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer's powerful poem "Sitting in a Quiet Room"Laura's writing prompt: "Tell me about something you were afraid of that you were able to deal with in the end"Laura's own courageous response—a deeply personal story about calling her mother to reveal childhood trauma at age 28Insights from Laura's award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars"How revisiting difficult moments through writing reveals our hidden resilienceFeatured Poetry:"Sitting in a Quiet Room" by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer - exploring worry, curiosity, and the profound truth that "there is nothing here you cannot meet."About Laura Davis:Award-winning memoirist and writing teacher, author of "The Burning Light of Two Stars." Laura guides writers in crafting compelling true life stories through transformative memoir workshops.Key Themes:Memoir writing through personal exampleFinding strength through vulnerabilityMother-daughter relationships and healingChildhood trauma recovery and disclosureWriting as a tool for self-discoveryTeaching through authentic storytellingPerfect for: Memoir writers, personal development seekers, anyone healing from family trauma, writing students who learn best through example, and those who believe in the power of authentic storytelling.Try This Prompt:"Tell me about something you were afraid of that you were able to deal with in the end."Learn More:Laura's upcoming retreat "The Art of Memoir" at Villa Maria del Mar, Santa Cruz, November 3-7, 2025.The Art of Memoir: Craft compelling, true life stories and discover the healing power of language at this transformative 5-day in-person workshop in beautiful Santa Cruz, California. November 3-7, 2025. https://lauradavis.net/memoir-workshop/Special Offer for Laura's Online Writing Class:https://lauradavis.net/writing-classes/More About Laura:You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive beautifully curated poems, essays about life and writing, writing tips, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Episode TitleMidweek Pause for Peace: "Detached From Outcome" by James CrewsEpisode DescriptionJoin Laura Davis for another nurturing episode of Midweek Pause for Peace, where she pairs images from nature with poetry to offer moments of restoration for both heart and nervous system.This week, Laura features a beautifully contemplative poem by James Crews that explores the profound wisdom of acting without attachment to results. "Detached From Outcome" uses the metaphor of planting a tree you may never see mature to illuminate how we can find peace and purpose in the doing itself, rather than in guaranteed outcomes.Featured Poem"Detached From Outcome" by James CrewsKey Themes ExploredMindful action without attachment to resultsFinding meaning in the process rather than outcomesThe wisdom of planting seeds for future generationsSilencing the inner critic that demands certaintyLiving authentically and doing what makes you feel aliveThe patience required for long-term thinkingEnvironmental stewardship and legacyLetting go of control while maintaining purposeAbout the PoetJames Crews is a celebrated contemporary poet and anthologist whose work focuses on kindness, connection, and mindful living. His impressive body of work includes:Bestselling Anthologies:The Path to Kindness: Poems of Connection and JoyHow to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope (over 100,000 copies in print)Poetry Collections:The Book of What StaysTelling My FatherBluebirdEvery Waking MomentEssays:Kindness Will Save the World: Stories of Compassion and ConnectionCrews has been featured in major publications including The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The New York Times Magazine, The New Republic, The Christian Science Monitor, and on NPR's Morning Edition. He speaks and leads workshops on kindness, mindfulness, and writing for self-compassion from his home on forty rocky acres in the woods of Southern Vermont, where he lives with his husband.You can find his work at: https://www.jamescrews.net/ and read him on Substack: https://jamescrews.substack.com/Episode HighlightsLaura's reflection on the challenge of acting without knowing outcomesHow nature teaches us about patience and long-term thinkingThe freedom that comes from detaching from resultsFinding peace in uncertainty and impermanenceThe metaphor of tree planting as a spiritual practiceSilencing the "what if" voices that paralyze actionPerfect ForThose struggling with perfectionism and need for controlPeople interested in mindfulness and present-moment awarenessReaders drawn to environmental and nature poetryAnyone seeking wisdom about purposeful actionThose exploring Buddhist concepts of non-attachmentPeople interested in legacy and generational thinkingMindfulness ConnectionThis poem beautifully illustrates core mindfulness principles—being present, accepting uncertainty, and finding peace in the process rather than demanding specific outcomes. It offers a gentle guide for living with greater ease and authenticity.About Midweek Pause for PeaceMidweek Pause for Peace is Laura Davis's regular series designed to provide listeners with a moment of calm and reflection in the middle of busy weeks. Each episode combines the healing power of nature imagery with carefully selected poetry, creating space for both emotional processing and nervous system regulation.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.comSubscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive beautifully curated poems, essays about life and writing, writing tips, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Episode TitleHow to Create Tension Between Characters in Your Memoir: The Push-Pull Technique That Transforms Relationships on the PageEpisode DescriptionAward-winning memoir author Laura Davis shares the breakthrough storytelling technique that transformed her relationship with her mother on the page. In this practical episode, Laura reveals how a theatre director's unique assignment helped her create authentic tension in "The Burning Light of Two Stars" by mapping specific moments that connected and divided her family relationships. Writers will discover how to move beyond flat character dynamics to create emotionally compelling narratives that engage readers from start to finish.What Laura Covers in This EpisodeWhy Laura hired a theatre director instead of an editor for her memoir coachingThe specific "push-pull" exercise that creates authentic character tensionTwenty detailed examples of moments that brought Laura and her mother togetherNineteen concrete instances that drove them apart throughout their relationshipHow juxtaposing connecting and dividing moments creates visceral reality for readersThe ten-year journey of writing her BookLife Prize-winning memoirWhy this technique works for any complicated relationship in memoir writingPractical applications writers can use immediately in their own memoirsEpisode HighlightsLaura explains her decision to hire Joshua Townshend-Zellner, a theatre director, as her memoir coachThe breakthrough assignment: creating two lists of twenty moments that pushed characters together and apartLaura shares intimate examples from her "brought us together" list, including Torah ceremonies and family traditionsRevealing moments from the "drove us apart" list, including body image issues and generational conflictsHow inserting these specific moments helped Laura understand complex family dynamicsWhy the push-pull technique creates the "visceral reality" readers need to connect with memoirLaura discusses her ten-year writing process and the challenges of first-time story structureHow this exercise applies to other difficult relationships in memoir beyond parent-child dynamicsAbout Host Laura DavisLaura Davis is an acclaimed memoir author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience guiding writers to craft compelling personal narratives. Her memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars" won the BookLife Prize for best memoir in 2021 and received half a dozen additional prestigious awards. The book examines the endurance of mother-daughter love, how memory both protects and betrays us, and the determination required to fulfill difficult promises while confronting family ghosts.Before writing her memoir, Laura established herself as a bestselling author with six nonfiction books and became a recognized master teacher of writing craft. She has spent decades helping writers discover their authentic voices and transform raw life experiences into powerful stories. Laura regularly leads workshops and international retreats, specializing in writing techniques that create both healing for the writer and compelling reading for audiences.Her work has been praised by readers and critics alike, with testimonials noting her ability to create "eloquent and compelling" narratives that "feed the soul" and keep readers engaged from "the first page" to a powerful, gripping conclusion. Laura's teaching approach combines practical craft techniques with deep understanding of the emotional journey inherent in memoir writing.Resources Laura Mentions"The Burning Light of Two Stars" - Laura's BookLife Prize-winning memoir exploring mother-daughter relationshipsJoshua Townshend-Zellner - Theatre director who coached Laura through story structure and narrative tension"The Courage to Heal" - Laura's first published bestseller about healing from child sexual abuse (HarperCollins, 1989) referenced in the push-pull examplesStoryCorps Interview Project - National storytelling initiative where Laura recorded her mother's storiesThe Art of Memoir Workshop - Laura's upcoming five-day intensive retreat (November 3-7, 2025) at Villa Maria del Mar - Oceanside retreat center in Santa Cruz, California hosting Laura's memoir workshopThe Writer's Journey Substack Newsletter - Laura's regular publication for writers and memoir enthusiastsLaura Davis Official Website - Complete resource for writing classes, published books, and international retreat informationKey Takeaways from This EpisodeMap your relationship's push-pull dynamics - Create two detailed lists of twenty moments each: specific instances that brought you closer and concrete events that drove you apart throughout your shared historyFocus on concrete, sensory details - Include physical memories like sounds ("clink of ice cubes"), locations, and visceral experiences that ground readers in authentic moments rather than general statementsEmbrace relationship complexity - Show how we simultaneously love and resent the same people by strategically juxtaposing c

Episode DescriptionJoin host Laura Davis as she dives deep into the art of crafting powerful writing prompts that unlock forgotten memories and generate compelling memoir material. In this episode, Laura shares 35 years of experience creating personalized writing exercises that help writers excavate their deepest stories and reveals the techniques behind her most effective prompts.What Laura Covers in This Episode:The anatomy of effective writing prompts - What makes a prompt evocative vs. genericThe "burr in your side" principle - Why good prompts should feel provocative and edgySpecificity over generality - How "My father's hands" beats "Tell me about your father"Laura's famous "mother's legs" prompt - A detailed breakdown with real examples from her teachingMemory recovery through writing - How targeted prompts help writers reclaim forgotten experiencesThe ruthless editing process - When good writing doesn't make the final cut and why that's okayEpisode Highlights & Timestamps[05:30] Why generic prompts fail to generate powerful writing[12:15] Breaking down the "mother's legs" prompt and why it works so well[18:40] Laura reads aloud her own powerful response to the mother's legs prompt[25:20] How physical details unlock deeper emotional revelations[31:10] Laura's process for developing targeted writing prompts for students[38:45] The art of cutting beautiful material that doesn't serve your storyAbout Host Laura DavisLaura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over three decades of experience perfecting the art of memoir instruction and prompt creation. She is the author of the award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars" (BookLife Prize Winner 2021) and 7 other best selling books. She specializes in helping writers access their most authentic stories through carefully crafted exercises. Laura leads intimate writing retreats worldwide and has helped thousands of writers discover their voices.Key Takeaways from This EpisodeReplace generic prompts with specific, visceral details that create immediate imagesLook for prompts that feel like a "burr in your side" - slightly provocative and compellingUse physical characteristics to access deeper emotional truths about relationshipsTrust that targeted prompts will reveal more than direct, broad questionsRemember that even beautiful writing might not serve your larger story arc - and that's okayEpisode Call-to-ActionReady to unlock your own powerful stories? Try Laura's "mother's legs" prompt for yourself, or join her for an intimate 5-day memoir writing retreat, The Art of Memoir, right on the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz, California this November.The Art of Memoir: Crafting Compelling, Vivid, True Life StoriesVilla Maria del Mar, Santa Cruz, CAMonday, November 3 - Friday, November 7, 2025If you’d like to experience five unforgettable days writing to powerful and effective memoir prompts under the guidance of a master teacher, join me in Santa Cruz, California the first week in November for an intimate, unforgettable retreat at a gorgeous retreat center perched right on the Pacific Ocean. The Art of Memoir will lead you deep into your story and the craft of memoir.In this transformative five-day workshop, you’ll connect with your inner voice, discover the healing power of language, and birth powerful true stories onto the page. Evocative prompts will lead you deeply into the world of memoir and story. Discover how to “find the story beneath the story,” why writers need to “slow down where it hurts,” and the secret of crafting tales rooted in the immediacy and physicality of the moment.Connect with Laura DavisThe Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support her work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. You’ll receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems and nature photos, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/Learn about Laura’s writing classes, books, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ This episode is designed for writers, memoirists, and anyone interested in personal storytelling techniques. Laura shares practical, immediately applicable methods while demonstrating the emotional power of well-crafted writing prompts. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Poetry Medicine for Self-Criticism: When You're Hard on Yourself This Midweek Pause for Peace, curated by Laura Davis, features Colorado Poet Laureate Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer's healing poem "For When I Am Hard on Yourself." Laura Davis shares how this poetry became medicine during a difficult re-entry from Bali, offering gentle wisdom for anyone struggling with self-criticism, shame, or perfectionism.Key Questions This Episode Answers· How can poetry help with self-criticism and negative self-talk?· What are practical ways to practice self-compassion during difficult times?· How do you handle re-entry challenges after transformative travel?· What does it mean to "soften toward yourself" when experiencing shame?· How can mindfulness practices support nervous system regulation?Featured ContentPoem: "For When I Am Hard on Myself" by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer Host/Curator: Laura Davis Theme: Self-compassion, healing shame, poetry as medicine Location Context: Post-Bali retreat re-entry experience Cultural Insight: Contrast between Balinese values (beauty, creativity, spirituality, community) and Western productivity cultureAbout Rosemerry Wahtola TrommerColorado Poet Laureate (San Miguel County 2006-2010, Western Slope 2015-2017). Known for daily poetry practice and healing-focused work. Dedicated to helping others explore creative practice as medicine.You can subscribe to her daily poetry feed here. https://www.wordwoman.com/a-daily-dose-of-poetry/Episode Highlights & Actionable Insights· Body-Heart-Mind Connection: "If you can soften your body, your heart can settle, and if your heart can settle your mind can listen" - Augusta Kantra· Memory as Medicine: Plant seeds of peaceful memories to recall during shame spirals· Nature Metaphors for Healing: Float like water, soften like milkweed down, become gentle without thorns· Self-Talk Transformation: Shift from self-regret to self-remembrance· Travel Integration: How to process cultural contrasts and difficult re-entryPractical Applications1. When Experiencing Self-Criticism: Remember moments of floating, peace, gentleness2. Body Softening Practice: Physical relaxation as pathway to emotional healing3. Shame Response: Use poetry and gentle metaphors instead of harsh self-judgment4. Cultural Re-integration: Honor both transformative experiences and present reality5. Daily Practice: Subscribe to healing poetry for consistent emotional supportPerfect For Listeners Who Experience:· Self-criticism or harsh inner dialogue· Perfectionism and shame cycles· Difficulty with life transitions· Travel re-entry challenges· Interest in poetry as healing practice· Need for midweek emotional support· Nervous system overwhelm· Cultural contrast processingSeries Information: Pause for PeaceEach week, host Laura Davis pairs beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry, offering listeners a respite for both heart and nervous system. These midweek pauses provide essential moments of reflection, healing, and inspiration in our complex world.Join Laura's Community: Subscribe to Laura Davis' Midweek Pause for Peace series for consistent, nurturing content that honors both your need for beauty and your nervous system's need for calm.The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. You’ll receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems and nature photos, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/Learn about Laura’s writing classes, books, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Writing About Silence: Memoir Prompts That Transform Your StoryIn this episode, Laura Davis explores the profound types of silence we experience in life through creative writing and poetry. Inspired by Ada Limón's "The Quiet Machine," Laura shares a personal memoir about her relationship to different kinds of silence. This episode includes a transformative writing prompt: "Tell me about the kinds of silence you have known." Perfect for writers, poets, memoirists, and anyone using storytelling for healing and self-discovery.Key Topics & Timestamps:00:00-03:00 - Introduction: Why silence matters in memoir writing03:00-08:00 - Ada Limón's "The Quiet Machine" analysis and writing techniques08:00-15:00 - The silence writing prompt: step-by-step guide15:00-20:00 - Real examples: Types of silence in personal narrative20:00-25:00 - Creating safe writing spaces for vulnerable content25:00-28:00 - Building sustainable writing practicesFeatured Writing Exercise:Core Prompt: "Tell me about the ways you seek silence. Times you've been silent—or silenced. Tell me about the kinds of silence you have known."Host Bio:Laura Davis is a six-time HarperCollins author. Her books, including The Courage to Heal and I Thought We’d Never Speak Again have been translated into 11 languages and sold 1.8 million copies. Laura leads writing workshops in the U.S. and internationally that focus on writing as a tool for healing and transformation. She is currently completing a memoir about the dramatic twists and turns of mother-daughter love, The Burning Light of Two Stars www.LauraDavis.net.Call to Action:Join Laura's weekly writing classes at https://lauradavis.net/writing-classes/ There are current openings.You can find information about Laura’s other classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Episode TitleMidweek Pause for Peace: "Let Them Not Say" by Jane HirshfieldEpisode DescriptionWelcome to another episode of Midweek Pause for Peace with Laura Davis. In this weekly series, Laura pairs stunning images from nature with carefully chosen poetry to offer listeners a moment of reflection and restoration for both heart and nervous system.This week, Laura features the profound and urgent poem "Let Them Not Say" by award-winning poet Jane Hirshfield. This powerful piece explores themes of witnessing, collective responsibility, and the courage required to face difficult truths rather than turning away.Featured Poem"Let Them Not Say" by Jane HirshfieldFrom the collection "Ledger: Poems" (2020)Key Themes ExploredThe importance of bearing witness to difficult realitiesOvercoming the impulse to look away from pain and sufferingCollective responsibility and shared experienceThe tension between beauty and destructionFinding light and warmth even in challenging circumstancesAbout the PoetJane Hirshfield is a celebrated American poet, essayist, and translator with an impressive literary career spanning decades. Her accolades include:Author of ten poetry collections, including the National Book Award-longlisted "The Beauty" (2015)Finalist for the PEN USA Poetry Award for "Come, Thief" (2011)National Book Critics Award finalist for "Given Sugar, Given Salt" (2001)Author of influential essay collections including "Nine Gates: Entering the Mind of Poetry" and "Ten Windows: How Great Poems Transform the World"Translator and editor of significant works featuring historical poets, including "The Ink Dark Moon" and "The Heart of Haiku"Episode HighlightsLaura's reflection on why this poem resonates in our current momentThe power of poetry to help process difficult emotions and experiencesHow nature imagery can provide grounding during challenging timesThe role of witness and testimony in creating meaning from struggleAbout Midweek Pause for PeaceMidweek Pause for Peace is Laura Davis's regular series designed to provide listeners with a moment of calm and reflection in the middle of busy weeks. Each episode combines the healing power of nature imagery with carefully selected poetry, creating space for both emotional processing and nervous system regulation.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.comSubscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive beautifully curated poems, essays about life and writing, writing tips, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Episode TitleMidweek Pause for Peace: "Womanifesto" by Libba Bray - A Call to ActionEpisode DescriptionJoin Laura Davis for a special edition of Midweek Pause for Peace that breaks from the usual gentle reflections to deliver something designed to rouse and awaken. This week, Laura features "Womanifesto," a fierce and unapologetic poem written by bestselling novelist Libba Bray in 2017.Unlike the typical pairing of nature imagery with contemplative poetry, this episode presents a powerful call for activism - a rallying cry that demands we not look away, but instead channel our anger into action and authentic voice.Featured Poem"Womanifesto" by Libba BrayWritten in 2017Key Themes ExploredReclaiming authentic voice and powerRejecting societal expectations and constraintsTransforming rage into purposeful actionThe cost of silence and performative femininityCollective awakening and sisterhoodBreaking free from internalized oppressionThe power of "unladylike" expressionWhy This Poem Matters NowLaura explains her choice to feature this provocative piece as part of her typically gentle series, emphasizing how sometimes we need to be stirred rather than soothed. The poem serves as a manifesto for women who are ready to shed the "good girl" persona and embrace their full, messy, powerful selves.About the PoetLibba Bray is a #1 New York Times bestselling author known for her bold, uncompromising voice in both young adult and adult literature. Her acclaimed works include:The Gemma Doyle trilogy (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, The Sweet Far Thing)Going Bovine (Michael L. Printz Award winner)Beauty Queens (L.A. Times Book Prize finalist)The Diviners seriesUnder the Same StarsOriginally from Texas, Bray now divides her time between New York City and Paris. Her writing consistently explores themes of female empowerment, social justice, and breaking free from restrictive social norms.Episode HighlightsLaura's reflection on we need fierce words right nowThe difference between destructive anger and transformative rageHow poetry can serve as a catalyst for social changeThe importance of authentic expression over social acceptabilityCreating space for the "messy, expansive, unraveled" parts of ourselvesAbout Midweek Pause for PeaceMidweek Pause for Peace is Laura Davis's regular series designed to provide listeners with a moment of calm and reflection in the middle of busy weeks. Each episode combines the healing power of nature imagery with carefully selected poetry, creating space for both emotional processing and nervous system regulation.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.comSubscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive beautifully curated poems, essays about life and writing, writing tips, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

I hope you enjoy this Midweek Pause for Peace. Each week, I pair a beautiful image with a poem—a little something for your heart and your nervous system.—Laura DavisEpisode OverviewIn this transformative episode of "Pause for Peace," host Laura Davis explores Chelan Harkin's profound poem "November 6" - a rallying cry for finding our inner strength when everything seems to be falling apart. Laura reflects on how this poem reminds us of the inner strength that lives in all of us, and how we just need to find a way to tap it. This midweek pause reminds us that our deepest challenges often awaken our most powerful potential, calling us to rise and find the indomitable light within.Featured ContentPoem: "November 6" by Chelan HarkinTheme: Rising from collapse and finding inner strengthFormat: Poetry reading with inspirational commentaryDuration: Midweek pause episodeKey Themes ExploredInner Resilience: Discovering strength we didn't know we possessedRising from Devastation: Transforming collapse into fuel for growthCollective Support: The importance of reaching for each other in difficult timesLight in Darkness: Embracing our luminous nature during challenging periodsIntegrity Under Pressure: How trials test and strengthen our characterIndomitable Spirit: Finding that which cannot be defeated within usEpisode HighlightsOpening reflection by Laura Davis on the inner strength that lives within all of usFull reading of Chelan Harkin's stirring poem "November 6"Exploration of how foundations crumbling can awaken our lightDiscussion of burning through devastation to make it fuelMessage about not being afraid of the dark but bringing forth our lightCall to action: "Rise, and find the strength in your heart"Guest Spotlight: Chelan HarkinChelan Harkin is a celebrated poet and inspirational speaker who explores the mystical connections among "the family of things." Her work focuses on:Published Works:Susceptible to LightLet Us Dance: The Stumble and Whirl with The BelovedWild GraceThe Prophetess: The Return of The Prophet from The Voice of The Divine Feminine (newest work)Expertise Areas:Healing from trauma through poetrySelf-realization and personal growthCultivating wholeness and unityDismantling barriers that divide usMystical spirituality and connectionSpeaking & Impact:Chelan has shared her unique, inspired voice across the country, encouraging others to open their hearts and break down divisive barriers. She lives in Washington State with her children, Amari and Nahanni.Connect with Chelan HarkinInstagram: @chelanharkinFind her published works and speaking engagementsAbout This Episode's MessageThis poem serves as a powerful reminder that our greatest challenges often reveal our greatest strengths. When everything external falls away, we're invited to dig deeper and discover the indomitable force that lives within us - our capacity to rise, to love, and to shine light in the darkness.Reflection QuestionsWhat hidden strengths have you discovered during difficult times?How can you use your current challenges as fuel for growth?In what ways can you reach out and support others during collective struggles?What does it mean to you to "not be afraid of the dark"?About "Pause for Peace"Each week, host Laura Davis pairs beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry, offering listeners a respite for both heart and nervous system. These midweek pauses provide essential moments of reflection, healing, and inspiration in our complex world.The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.comYou can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Episode OverviewIn this deeply moving episode of "Pause for Peace," host Laura presents Dorothy Oger's stirring poem "For Love" - a powerful meditation on choosing love and compassion even in the midst of personal and global turmoil. This midweek pause offers listeners a moment of reflection, healing, and hope through the transformative power of poetry.Featured ContentPoem: "For Love" by Dorothy OgerTheme: Standing for love in troubled timesFormat: Poetry reading with reflective commentaryDuration: Midweek pause episodeKey Themes ExploredResilience Through Love: How to maintain compassion despite personal strugglesGlobal Consciousness: Expanding our circle of care beyond our immediate surroundingsHope in Dark Times: Finding light amid worldwide challengesPresence as Power: The transformative impact of witnessing and open-hearted presencePeace Through Poetry: Using art as a tool for nervous system regulation and healingEpisode HighlightsOpening reflection on offering presence and love in uncertain timesFull reading of Dorothy Oger's poem "For Love"Discussion of standing for love "even with a broken soul"Exploration of choosing light over darkness, love over fearMessage of hope for children's safety and open bordersGuest Spotlight: Dorothy OgerDorothy Oger is a trilingual coach, facilitator, speaker, artistic harvester, songwriter and poet. She is a deep listener who reflects complex experiences through poetry and intuitive drawing. She is skilled at creating a sense of safety and trust while encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone. You can learn more about Dorothy’s coaching, poetry and artistic work on her website.About "Pause for Peace"Each week, host Laura Davis pairs beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry, offering listeners a respite for both heart and nervous system. These midweek pauses provide essential moments of reflection, healing, and inspiration in our complex world.The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.comYou can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Podcast Show NotesEach week, Laura pairs a beautiful image with a poem—a little something for your heart and nervous system every Wednesday.Episode Title: Hope as Resistance: Poetry & Peace with David Joseph JuniorEpisode Description: Welcome to another episode of Midweek Pause for Peace, where host Laura Davis pairs beautiful imagery with powerful poetry to nourish your heart and nervous system. This week, we explore "Hope is a Form of Resistance" by poet David Joseph Junior—a moving piece that reframes hope not as passive wishing, but as an active, embodied practice of courage and defiance.Key Themes Explored:Hope as active resistance rather than passive waitingThe intersection of faith, justice, and healingPoetry as a tool for processing grief and building resilienceThe sacred nature of hope in difficult timesHow hope becomes a weapon against oppressionFeatured Poem"Hope is a Form of Resistance" by David Joseph JuniorKey Quotes from the Episode"Hope is not passive. It does not whisper only when the storm subsides. It roars in the middle of the flood.""Hope wears work boots, not wings.""Hope is not for the untested. Hope is for the bold.""Hope is how we resist without becoming what we resist."About the Featured Poet: David Joseph Junior is a writer, poet, and storyteller who explores faith, identity, and the quiet places where God still speaks. He writes for "the wilderness-walkers, the midnight wrestlers, and anyone learning to breathe again." Find his work on Substack at Whispers & Wildfires, where "quiet words ignite bold faith, healing community, and justice."Episode Highlights:Laura's reflection on hope as embodied practice vs. wishful thinkingAnalysis of the poem's powerful imagery and metaphorsDiscussion of hope's role in social justice movementsThe sacred responsibility of carrying hope forwardHow poetry can serve as both comfort and call to actionResources Mentioned:David Joseph Junior's Substack: Whispers & WildfiresMidweek Pause for Peace series archiveConnect with the Show: About "Pause for Peace"Each week, host Laura Davis pairs beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry, offering listeners a respite for both heart and nervous system. These midweek pauses provide essential moments of reflection, healing, and inspiration in our complex world.The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.comYou can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Each week, Laura pairs a beautiful image with a poem—a little something for your heart and nervous system every Wednesday.Today's featured poem is Don’t Hesitate by Mary Oliver.Mary Oliver was a beloved American poet who won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. Her poetry is known for its focus on nature, vivid imagery, and unadorned language. She found inspiration in the natural world and was known for her solitary walks in the wild. Don't Hesitate can be found in Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive beautifully curated poems, essays about life and writing, writing tips, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

You're Invited on a Virtual Vacation to Bali:Ready for a free virtual vacation to Bali? Join Laura Davis as she invites you along on her 10th sacred journey to this spiritual island. Experience temple ceremonies, meet traditional healers, and immerse in Balinese culture through her Substack posts and Notes. It's the next best thing to being there!Plus: discover her handpicked July Substack recommendations as a bonus.Laura's Five Substack Recommendations for JulyThe Feral Stack by Summer Koester: Cultural commentary for curious misfits @summerisferal, The Feral StackForager Field Notes by Michelle Dowd: Healing through creativity for cult survivors@mdowd, Forager Field NotesEveryday Ambassador by Annelise Riles: Global change through local action @Anneliseriles, Everyday AmbassadorFor the Love of Nature by Sue Kusch: Essays on place and natural connection @SueKusch. For the Love of NatureThe American Pamphleteer: Truth-telling for rebels and resistersExclusive Writing Workshop Opportunities @ladylibertie1, The American PamphleteerUpcoming Memoir Workshops with LauraIn-Person Intensive Workshop:Title: "The Art of Memoir: Crafting Compelling, Vivid, True Life Stories"Location: Villa Maria del Mar, Santa Cruz, CaliforniaDates: November 3-7, 2025 (5-day retreat)What You'll Learn: Inner voice connection, healing through language, "story beneath the story" techniquesRegistration Link: https://lauradavis.net/memoir-retreat-santa-cruz-november-2025More Info: https://lauradavis.net/workshopsOnline Masterclass:Title: "How to Write About What You Can't Remember"Format: 5-week interactive Zoom course with private Substack classroomSchedule: Tuesdays, September 30 - October 28, 2025Time: 12:00-2:30 PM ET / 9:00-11:30 AM PTUnique Feature: Community feedback system via private SubstackRegistration Link: https://lauradavis.net/online-memoir-course-fall-2025Course Details: https://lauradavis.net/memory-memoir-workshopYou can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Each week, Laura pairs a beautiful image with a poem—a little something for your heart and nervous system every Wednesday. Today's featured poem: At Albany Bulb with Elaine by Alison Luterman.Alison Luterman is a poet, essayist and playwright. Her books include the poetry collections In the Time of Great Fires (Catamaran Press), Desire Zoo (Tia Chucha Press), The Largest Possible Life (Cleveland State University Press) See How We Almost Fly (Pearl Editions), and a collection of essays, Feral City (SheBooks). Luterman's plays include Saying Kaddish With My Sister, Hot Water, Glitter and Spew, Oasis, Touched, and the musicals, The Chain (with composer Loren Linnard), The Shyest Witch (with composer Richard Jennings, and song cycle We Are Not Afraid of the Dark (with composer Sheela Ramesh). You can find her at: https://www.alisonluterman.net/ You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive beautifully curated poems, essays about life and writing, writing tips, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Each week, Laura pairs a beautiful image with a poem—a little something for your heart and nervous system every Wednesday.Today's featured poem: For Citizenship by John O’Donohue. John O'Donohue (1956-2008) was an Irish poet, philosopher, and former Catholic priest known for his writings on spirituality, beauty, and friendship. This poem is from his book, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive beautifully curated poems, essays about life and writing, writing tips, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Each month, Laura feature the work of one of her writing students and then deconstructs what made the piece work. This month’s featured writer is Michaela Sieh.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Each week, Laura pairs a beautiful image with a poem—a little something for your heart and nervous system every Wednesday.Today's featured poem: For When People Ask by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer.Dedicated to helping others explore creative practice, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer is an American poet, associated with Colorado. She was Poet Laureate of San Miguel County, Colorado from 2006–2010, and was named Poet Laureate of Colorado's Western Slope by the Telluride Institute from 2015–2017. You can subscribe to Rosemerry’s daily poems here.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive beautifully curated poems, essays about life and writing, writing tips, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Episode Title:"Laura Davis: From Premature Birth to Author - A Journey of Survival, Creativity, and Finding Awe"Episode Description:In this deeply moving interview from Kathryn Mockler's "I've Been Meaning to Ask You" series, bestselling author Laura Davis shares her profound journey that began with a dramatic premature birth weighing just 2 pounds, 12 ounces, separated from her identical twin sister.This conversation reveals how early trauma shaped a life dedicated to creativity, spiritual growth, and helping others find their voices through writing retreats in Bali and beyond.Key Topics Covered:Surviving Against Odds: Laura's dramatic start - born decades before 2-pound premature babies regularly survivedCreative Upbringing: Growing up in a home filled with music, theater, and artistic expressionSpiritual Transformation: How early separation led to a lifelong search for connection and aweWriting as Healing: The therapeutic power of storytelling and creative expressionGlobal Writing Retreats: Leading transformative cultural adventures for writersFinding Purpose: How childhood trauma became the foundation for helping othersGuest Background:Laura Davis, author of "The Burning Light of Two Stars" memoir, international writing retreat leader, and advocate for creative expression as healing. Currently leading her 10th writing retreat to Bali, focusing on sacred creativity and spiritual transformation. Laura is sharing this interview in her newsletter as a guest post from Kathryn Mockler's series.Episode Themes:Resilience and survivalThe healing power of creativitySpiritual awakening through natureFamily bonds and chosen familySocial justice and compassionTravel as transformationThe Healing Heart of Bali: A Writer's Journey of Renewal for Body, Mind, and Spirit"I take writers around the world on cultural adventures that spark awe, creativity and deep relaxation. In August, I’m bringing a group to Bali to study Balinese spirituality and meet with Balinese healers. We’ll be exploring three diverse “back roads” areas of Bali, meeting with artisans, hiking through coffee and clove plantations, experiencing the transformation that occurs when immersing in a culture that celebrates sacred creativity. And of course, we’ll be writing every day—writing together creates an intimate traveling community and gives people the opportunity to digest and integrate their experiences. This is my tenth time taking writers to Bali—obviously I feel a deep affinity for the stunning beauty and spiritual power of that island and its people."There is one final spot left on this trip.You can learn more here: https://lauradavis.net/bali/About the interviewer, Kathryn Mockler:Kathryn Mockler is a writer, screenwriter, experimental filmmaker, editor, and publisher and the author of the story collection Anecdotes (Book*hug Press, 2023), which won the 2024 Victoria Butler Book Prize and was a finalist for the 2024 Trillium Book Award, 2023 Danuta Gleed Literary Award, 2024 Fred Kerner Award, and 2024 VMI Besty Warland Between Genres Award. She co-edited the print anthology Watch Your Head: Writers and Artists Respond to the Climate Crisis (Coach House Books, 2020). Her films have screened at TIFF, EMFA, the Palm Springs Film Festival and most recently at the Arizona Underground Film Festival and REELPoetry/HoustonTX. She runs the literary newsletter Send My Love to Anyone and teaches screenwriting and fiction in the Writing Department at the University of Victoria.LAURA DAVIS’ WRITING CLASSES AND RETREATS:You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Each week, Laura pairs a beautiful image with a poem—a little something for your heart and nervous system every Wednesday.Today's featured poem: First Reaction by Danna Faulds.A long-term practitioner of Kripalu Yoga, Danna Faulds is the author of seven books of poetry: Go In and In, One Soul, Prayers to the Infinite, From Root to Bloom, Breath of Joy, and What's True Here, as well as the memoir Into the Heart of Yoga. You can find her at her website.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive beautifully curated poems, essays about life and writing, writing tips, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Laura shares how to transform your mindset in today's chaotic world through this powerful writing exercise. Explore what happens when you prioritize love over fear in just 15 minutes of writing.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Each week, Laura pairs a beautiful image with a poem—a little something for your heart and nervous system every Wednesday.Today's featured poem: Continue by Maya Angelou.A multitalented writer and performer, Maya Angelou is best known for her work as an author and poet. Her 1969 memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, made literary history as the first nonfiction bestseller by a Black woman. Some of her famous poems include “Phenomenal Woman,” “Still I Rise,” and “On the Pulse of Morning,” which she recited at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993 and which earned her a Grammy Award. Angelou enjoyed a career as a Tony- and Emmy-nominated actor and singer in plays, musicals, and onscreen. In her work as a civil rights activist, she collaborated with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, among others. The Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient died in May 2014 at age 86.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive beautifully curated poems, essays about life and writing, writing tips, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Episode Title: My Love Affair with the Human Voice: Where Words Meet SoulEpisode SummaryA captivating story about discovering the power of voice and storytelling that takes unexpected turns through remote adventures, creative risks, and life-changing decisions. This intimate narrative explores how a young woman's passion for radio and human connection shaped her journey as a writer and interviewer, leading to profound personal discoveries and creative breakthroughs.Subscribe to Laura's new The Writer's Journey podcast:Subscribe to The Writer's Journey podcast on your preferred platform to hear more stories about writing, creativity, and the transformative power of storytelling. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Substack.Link for spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5pzSIKx6nXONCVq7iLLm85Link for apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-writers-journey-with-laura-davis-podcast/id1818171475Link for YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXqh6Uxj-mVl44gIaLxQEZNJAz_zl0nBt This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Each week, Laura pairs a beautiful image with a poem—a little something for your heart and nervous system every Wednesday.Today's feature: poem in which I choose a bundle of kale next to a stranger by Maya Stein. Maya Stein has been a freelance writer and editor for more than two decades. She began a weekly poetry practice in 2005—10-line Tuesday —and you can subscribe to her weekly poems and learn about her marvelous books of poetry here. Maya also teaches marvelous writing classes.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive beautifully curated poems, essays about life and writing, writing tips, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Laura's Substack Recommendations for June 2025:@aimeeliu, MFA Lore. Aimee Liu offers her audience the invaluable, precious gift of her knowledge and experience as a veteran novelist, ghostwriter and graduate-level creative writing teacher. Her bestselling novels, informed by her Asian American heritage, have been published in more than a dozen languages, and she has written for the Los Angeles Times, The Los Angeles Review of Books and Poets and Writers, among many others. She distills the essential elements of a creative writing MFA in her articles, interviews and feedback services. MFA Lore is a must-read for aspiring authors to learn and be inspired by Liu’s insightful wisdom.@renpowell, Dramatic Roots. Ren Powell is a playwright and theater teacher whose work has been translated into eight languages. Her plays have been performed in the United States, Canada and Norway, where she now resides and teaches. She is also the author of six poetry collections. In Dramatic Roots, she explores being human through the creative process of writing, poetry and performance. Ren’s writing exercises help readers to find the physicality of language, peeling back description, revealing sensation and meaning. She offers readers a place to connect to the natural world, the self, to memory, and the human need to belong.@jessyeaston, AFTER/WORDS. Jessy Easton’s writing will leave you breathless. Her story of a childhood filled with meth, incarcerated parents, addiction, chaos and love, always rivets me to the page. Jessy writes what most would be afraid to say, and in facing the past plainly and with compassion, she teaches us how to write our way into a new future. Her essays and her serialized memoir, The One Who Leaves, are searing and unabashed, a clarion call for anyone who wants to face a painful past and create something new from the ashes. There is so much to discover and savor in the After/Words.@ronamaynard, Amazement Seeker. Full of wonder, joy and a lifetime’s worth of well-earned wisdom, Rona’s weekly posts are something I look forward to every Sunday. In a world that often feels disconnected and under threat, Rona’s writing grounds me, moves me, and reminds me to savor the beauty of life and its simple moments. As a lover of the art of writing and a well-turned phrase, Rona’s prose never disappoints. A master storyteller, she always makes every word count. An accomplished author of two memoirs, many articles, and former editor of Chatelaine, Rona’s stories always draw me in. Each week as I settle down to read her post, I never know what she’ll write about and am always eager to find out. Her contemplations of little things and big themes, whatever amazes her, always fills me with quiet, appreciative joy.My highlighted news source for the month:@thelefthook, The Left Hook. Wajahat Ali offers hot takes on politics and culture in this unapologetic haven for progressives and anti-fascists, with a good dose of humor and snark. A former commentator for CNN and writer for the New York Times, Waj has freed himself from the censorship of corporate media and writes frankly about everything from rising authoritarianism and pop culture to parenting and Legos. I especially love his live interviews and discussions—conversations you won’t hear anywhere else. The Left Hook is a vital compassionate community for those seeking to speak the truth freely and intentionally, with laughter, empathy, and no holds barred.Now here’s the recipe.I’ve been making this chicken dish for at least twenty years and every time I serve it, people want the recipe. It’s similar to Chicken Marbella, but not quite the same. I often double the recipe. It stores well and tastes better the second day—and the third, if it lasts that long.P.S. If you need precision in your recipes, you’re out of luck. I’m not a cookbook writer, but I love to cook, and everyone I’ve given this recipe to has done well with it.Laura’s Puerto Rican ChickenIngredients:Olive oilApple cider vinegarLots of black pepper, oregano and fresh garlic (a bag of peeled garlic would be great)4 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken thighs3 medium-2 large onions, diced2 medium-large green peppers, diced1 jar capers, drained of juice1 small or half a tall jar of green olives (I think the ones I bought were stuffed with garlic...definitely pitted)20-30 pitted prunes, depending on size4 TBL tomato paste1 bunch freshly chopped cilantro2 bay leaves1 quart organic chicken broth3-4 cups of white basmati riceMarinate chicken in a pot, covered with lots of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, oregano and garlic. Tons of garlic. I don’t know exact amounts, but a lot more olive oil than the apple cider vinegar. 5:1 is my guess.Marinate for at least an hour, or overnight. The longer the better. I aim for overnight, but it still tastes great if I run out of time and it doesn’t marinate that long.Brown chicken on all sides in olive oil (after taking it out of the marinade). You’ll need to do this

Each week, Laura pairs a beautiful image with a poem—a little something for your heart and nervous system every Wednesday.Today's featured poem: "Hold Out Your Hand" by Julia Fehrenbacher.Julia Fehrenbacher is a poet, an author, a life coach, a teacher, a regular practicer of yoga, and a sometimes-painter. She is most at home by the ocean and in the forests. You can find her at her website.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive beautifully curated poems, essays about life and writing, writing tips, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

Midweek Pause for Peace: a little something for your heart and nervous system every Wednesday.Today's featured poem: The Hardest Days by Clint Smith.Clint Smith is a teacher, poet, and doctoral candidate in Education at Harvard University. He is a National Poetry Slam champion, an Individual World Poetry Slam finalist, and has served a cultural ambassador for the US Department of State. He has been featured on TED.com, NBC News, and TVOne’s Verses and Flow. His poetry has been published or is forthcoming in GRAVTAS, Off the Coast, and elsewhere.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive beautifully curated poems, essays about life and writing, writing tips, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode, Laura Davis explores her journey to discover the essence of her business, what she really has to offer people--and has been offering people for the last forty years. You can find information about Laura's writing classes, workshops and retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

This is the start of a new feature on my Substack: Midweek Pause for Peace. I’ll pair a beautiful image with a poem—a little something for your heart and your nervous system.—LauraSometimes it feels like there’s nothing we can do, but we can always send love. This poem by Carrie Newcomer is a great demonstration of that.Carrie Newcomer is a songwriter, poet & podcast co-host with 19 nationally released CDs and 3 books of poetry. She often catches something luminous from the corner of her eye, chuckles at things no one is noticing & lives in the woods with 2 rescue dogs. Learn more and support her work at carrienewcomer.substack.com.If you'd like to regularly receive Laura's posts and poems, you can subscribe to her Substack: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Laura explores when chaos and uncertainty feel overwhelming and how identifying what remains constant offers refuge. Discover a powerful writing prompt that helps restore perspective in stressful times.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Laura explores a powerful meditation on balancing awareness of painful truths with seeking beauty in times of global crisis, ending with a reflective writing prompt for readers.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Laura confronts unexpected fears while renewing her passport in a changed America, concluding with reflective writing prompts for readers.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Author Laura Davis shares a powerful poetry-based writing prompt to help you discover joy despite challenging times. Features poem by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer.Dedicated to helping others explore creative practice, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer is an American poet, associated with Colorado. She was Poet Laureate of San Miguel County, Colorado from 2006–2010, and was named Poet Laureate of Colorado's Western Slope by the Telluride Institute from 2015–2017. You can subscribe to Rosemerry’s daily poems here.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Laura provides this guided writing prompt to help you transform anxiety into resilience. Explore your unique sources of strength—from ancestral wisdom to personal experiences—during politically turbulent times.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Laura's powerful story shows how the grit we develop overcoming personal challenges equips us with the resilience needed to face today's uncertain world.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Laura shares an intimate exploration of living on life's precipice: facing personal challenges, political upheaval, & a transformative writing prompt to explore your own edges.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Laura shares her unexpected revelation as a cancer survivor. After 18 years cancer-free, my mammogram showed something concerning. Surprisingly, facing mortality isn't what terrifies me now—it's our divided world. You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Laura explores powerful techniques to reclaim joy amid chaos with this inspirational writing exercise. Learn how to celebrate life's small pleasures despite uncertainty.You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems, essays, and photographs to build courage, resilience and creativity.You can subscribe here: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe