Alligator Preserves Podcast

Author Howard Levine talks with Laurel about “Last Gasp,” his new political thriller, and about his writing process and where he finds inspiration. Laurel still can’t believe Howard hasn’t read Dan Brown . . . !

Award-winning author Kathleen Kaska visits with Laurel and discusses “A Two Horse Town,” the second book in her Kate Caraway murder mystery series. An animal rights activist herself, Kathleen focuses on those she relates to best: the underdogs. She writes in multiple genres, including historical fiction, and also talks about her Sydney Lockhart mystery series and mystery writer “triviography”!

Short Story 10 is about the divorced wife of a West Point brain surgeon who--after defecting to the rival team--finds a way to reconsider where her loyalties lie. This Army-Navy rivalry is filled with surprises.

Laurel shares a humorous essay about her experiences with medically induced menopause, and discusses the (oftentimes ridiculous) realities of aging! Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qrylsgsq3fM

Laurel believes we do birthdays wrong! To celebrate the start of her 6th decade, she honors those who raised and tolerated her, and those who've helped to make her the person she is now.

In this last episode of 2018, Laurel does what everyone says people should do every day: She considers the things she's grateful for. Okay, fine--She considers the things for which she is grateful! Like prepositions.

Laurel describes her unusual experience with fruitcakes over the years.

Laurel shares her 9th short story with everyone--a Christmas story about work/life decisions and a man presented with a dilemma. As a bonus, Laurel reads her personalized version of the beloved poem "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." Find it on her website at leadvillelaurel.com.

Laurel shares her poem "Body Batik" and a prose piece called "Enigmachine" on the topic "The Body." She talks about her mother and the aging process, and laughs about "saggy parts."

Jerry Fabyanic--author, columnist, radio show host, and denizen of Mother Earth--talks with Laurel McHargue about his novel "Sisyphus Wins" and about growing up as a gay man in a time when coming out was not acceptable. He discusses his philosophy of life, strides in the LGBTQ community, and the Georgetown Christmas Fair where he and dozens of other authors will have their works available (December 1-2 and 8-9, 2018). Go to www.leadvillelaurel.com for upcoming show notes with links and photos.

Short story #8 includes a surprise phone call, a young boy, and a genie in a bottle. What could go wrong?

This fun fantasy was inspired by a flash fiction challenge to write a fantasy story set in a dog boarding kennel and including a flashlight! Enjoy!

Paul Thaler, author of "Bronxland," discusses his new coming of age story and the tumultuous decade of the '60s in America. His story will bring you back to your middle school years, regardless of where you grew up.

June Trop, Associate Professor emerita at the State University of New York at New Paltz, talks about the inspiration for her Miriam bat Isaac Mystery Series, her years of teaching middle school science, her twin sister, and lots more!

Laurel recounts the craziest race her husband, Mike, ever participated in: A pack burro race up Mosquito Pass and back during a Leadville Boom Days weekend. He raced with a rent-an-ass from Curtis Imrie (RIP) and met the legendary Ken Chlouber for the first time as well. This is a crazy-ass story with some poignant moments.

Alison Sandoval is a Silver Queen after completing the Leadville Race Series two-day race: a 50-mile mountain bike race on a Saturday followed by a 50-mile foot race the very next day, starting at over 10,000' elevation and climbing through mountainous terrain from there! And she is the one who inspired her husband (who is the current record holder for the Leadman race) to start competing!

Short Story 6 is a fictional story inspired by nonfiction bees coming back to life!

Chuck Bost is an 85-year-old Leadville native and he has stories to tell! He's also about the nicest man you'll ever meet. A miner like his ancestors, Chuck talks about what Leadville was like "back in the day" and what he has done for work and for fun all these years.

Laurel interviews her husband, Mike McHargue, a four-time Leadman and two-time titanium man, about racing and sacrifice and suffering and some fun things too. As the Emergency Manager for his county and as a volunteer for Search and Rescue, he has experienced more unusual physical challenges than the average bear. Listen to his philosophy on pushing past self-imposed limits and on the different "types" of fun in the world.

Brent Goldstein's bucket (list) is empty after completing the 2018 Tour Divide, but he's back in Leadville to compete in his 12th Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race! Brent races for the First Descents (FD) Organization--he's the Chairman of the FD Board--and is working on a book about his experience riding the Tour Divide and working with the FD organization.