The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis Podcast

Laura Davis

A safe, creative sanctuary where people connect deeply with themselves, their stories, and each other, writing in sacred community. laurasaridavis.substack.com

  1. 6d ago

    Pause for Peace: Kindness

    Episode Title: Kindness: A Midweek Pause for Peace with Naomi Shihab Nye Episode Description: In this week's Midweek Pause for Peace, Laura Davis shares "Kindness" by acclaimed poet Naomi Shihab Nye. Laura pairs the poem with peaceful imagery in her signature style, exploring the deep connection between loss and the capacity for tenderness. This episode offers a moment of grounding for anyone who has found compassion on the other side of grief. What Laura Covers in This Episode: ·       Laura introduces Naomi Shihab Nye and reflects on why this poem resonates so deeply ·       Laura explores the poem's central idea that kindness is learned through loss and sorrow ·       Laura reflects on how grief can deepen rather than diminish a person's capacity for connection ·       Laura offers listeners a grounded, imagery-paired pause for the heart and nervous system About Host Laura Davis Laura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience helping writers craft powerful, authentic stories. She is the author of seven books, including the award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars," which won the BookLife Prize in 2021. Laura is also co-author of the groundbreaking book "The Courage to Heal." Through her Midweek Pause for Peace podcast series, Laura pairs carefully selected poetry with peaceful imagery to support listeners' emotional wellness and nervous system regulation. 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. 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. About the Featured Poet Naomi Shihab Nye is a Palestinian American poet, essayist, and novelist, born to a Palestinian father and an American mother; she spent part of her adolescence in Jerusalem before settling in San Antonio, where she calls herself a "wandering poet." Author of more than thirty-five books, including "Different Ways to Pray" and "19 Varieties of Gazelle" (a National Book Award finalist), her work explores cultural connection and shared humanity through everyday life. Her honors include Guggenheim and Lannan Fellowships and the Wallace Stevens Award. "Kindness" appears in "Words Under the Words: Selected Poems." Learn more about Naomi Shihab Nye and her work at: https://poets.org/poet/naomi-shihab-nye CONNECT WITH LAURA DAVIS 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 crafted reflections, prompts, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more. 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

  2. Sep 2

    Pause for Peace: Brokenness

    Episode Title: Brokenness: A Midweek Pause for Peace with L.R. Knost Episode Description: In this week's Midweek Pause for Peace, Laura Davis shares a quote from author and children's advocate L.R. Knost. Laura pairs the reflection with peaceful imagery in her signature style, offering listeners a moment to consider how brokenness, both personal and global, can hold its own kind of beauty. This episode invites listeners to meet fragility with intention rather than despair. What Laura Covers in This Episode: ·       Laura introduces author L.R. Knost and the quote at the center of this week's reflection ·       Laura reflects on finding beauty in what feels fragile, both in the world and within ourselves ·       Laura explores the idea that brokenness can be mended not by time alone, but through deliberate acts of love ·       Laura offers listeners a grounded, imagery-paired pause for the heart and nervous system About Host Laura Davis Laura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience helping writers craft powerful, authentic stories. She is the author of seven books, including the award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars," which won the BookLife Prize in 2021. Laura is also co-author of the groundbreaking book "The Courage to Heal." Through her Midweek Pause for Peace podcast series, Laura pairs carefully selected poetry with peaceful imagery to support listeners' emotional wellness and nervous system regulation. 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. 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. About the Featured Author L.R. Knost is an award-winning American author, children's rights advocate, and founder and director of Little Hearts/Gentle Parenting Resources, where she also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Holistic Parenting Magazine. Best known for her books on gentle parenting, including "Two Thousand Kisses a Day" and "The Gentle Parent," her writing and quotes have been cited internationally, including in an address to the South African Parliament on children's rights. She lives in Florida. Learn more about L.R. Knost and her work at: http://www.littleheartsbooks.com CONNECT WITH LAURA DAVIS 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 crafted reflections, prompts, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more. 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

  3. Aug 26

    Pause for Peace: Remembering Our Descendants

    Episode Title: Remembering Our Descendants: A Midweek Pause for Peace with Laura Weaver Episode Description: In this week's Midweek Pause for Peace, Laura Davis shares "Remembering Our Descendants" by poet Laura Weaver. Laura pairs the poem with calming imagery in her signature style, inviting listeners into a moment of reflection on aging, transformation, and legacy. This episode offers a tender pause for anyone contemplating what it means to enter a new stage of life. What Laura Covers in This Episode: ·       Laura introduces poet Laura Weaver and shares the origins of "Remembering Our Descendants" ·       Laura reflects on the shift in identity and self-perception that comes with entering a new stage of life ·       Laura explores themes of legacy, mortality, and what we offer to those who come after us ·       Laura offers listeners a grounded, imagery-paired pause for the heart and nervous system About Host Laura Davis Laura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience helping writers craft powerful, authentic stories. She is the author of seven books, including the award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars," which won the BookLife Prize in 2021. Laura is also co-author of the groundbreaking book "The Courage to Heal." Through her Midweek Pause for Peace podcast series, Laura pairs carefully selected poetry with peaceful imagery to support listeners' emotional wellness and nervous system regulation. 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. 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. About the Featured Poet Laura Weaver is a poet, writer, and facilitator with over three decades of experience in leadership, education, and rites-of-passage work. She is the author of two poetry collections, "Luminous" (2018) and "River of Awe," as well as a book for educators, "The Five Dimensions of Engaged Teaching" (2013). Weaver previously directed the PassageWorks Institute and served as lead facilitator for the American Leadership Forum. She holds degrees from Trinity College and the University of Colorado at Boulder. "Remembering Our Descendants" first appeared on Weaver's SoulPassages blog in October 2014. Learn more about Laura Weaver and her work at: https://lauraweaver.org CONNECT WITH LAURA DAVIS 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 crafted reflections, prompts, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more. 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

  4. Aug 22

    Join Me On a Free Virtual Vacation on the Camino de Santiago

    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 July The Feral Stack by Summer Koester: Cultural commentary for curious misfits @summerisferal, The Feral Stack Forager Field Notes by Michelle Dowd: Healing through creativity for cult survivors@mdowd, Forager Field Notes Everyday Ambassador by Annelise Riles: Global change through local action @Anneliseriles, Everyday Ambassador For the Love of Nature by Sue Kusch: Essays on place and natural connection @SueKusch. For the Love of Nature The American Pamphleteer: Truth-telling for rebels and resistersExclusive Writing Workshop Opportunities @ladylibertie1, The American Pamphleteer Upcoming Memoir Workshops with Laura In-Person Intensive Workshop: Title: "The Art of Memoir: Crafting Compelling, Vivid, True Life Stories" Location: Villa Maria del Mar, Santa Cruz, California Dates: November 3-7, 2025 (5-day retreat) What You'll Learn: Inner voice connection, healing through language, "story beneath the story" techniques Registration Link: https://lauradavis.net/memoir-retreat-santa-cruz-november-2025 More Info: https://lauradavis.net/workshops Online Masterclass: Title: "How to Write About What You Can't Remember" Format: 5-week interactive Zoom course with private Substack classroom Schedule: Tuesdays, September 30 - October 28, 2025 Time: 12:00-2:30 PM ET / 9:00-11:30 AM PT Unique Feature: Community feedback system via private Substack Registration Link: https://lauradavis.net/online-memoir-course-fall-2025 Course Details: https://lauradavis.net/memory-memoir-workshop 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

  5. Aug 19

    Pause for Peace: A Meditation

    Episode Title: A Meditation: A Midweek Pause for Peace with Ursula K. Le Guin Episode Description:In this week's Midweek Pause for Peace, Laura Davis shares "A Meditation," a poem by legendary author Ursula K. Le Guin. Laura pairs the poem with soothing imagery in her signature style, offering listeners a brief but powerful pause for reflection. Originally written during a turbulent political moment, this piece speaks to the quiet, persistent forces that shape lasting change. What Laura Covers in This Episode: ·       Laura introduces Ursula K. Le Guin's "A Meditation" and the context in which it was originally written and shared ·       Laura reflects on how natural imagery can hold space for difficult emotions during uncertain times ·       Laura explores the poem's meditation on patience and the slow, steady forces that create transformation ·       Laura offers listeners a moment of grounded reflection paired with peaceful imagery for the nervous system About Host Laura Davis Laura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience helping writers craft powerful, authentic stories. She is the author of seven books, including the award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars," which won the BookLife Prize in 2021. Laura is also co-author of the groundbreaking book "The Courage to Heal." Through her Midweek Pause for Peace podcast series, Laura pairs carefully selected poetry with peaceful imagery to support listeners' emotional wellness and nervous system regulation. 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. 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. About the Featured Poet Ursula K. Le Guin (1929–2018) was a celebrated American author whose body of work spans twenty-three novels, twelve volumes of short stories, eleven volumes of poetry, thirteen children's books, five essay collections, and four works of translation. Born in Berkeley, California, she was the daughter of anthropologist Alfred Kroeber and writer Theodora Kroeber, and went on to marry historian Charles A. Le Guin, with whom she raised three children in Portland, Oregon. She is best known for reshaping science fiction and fantasy into literary works of lasting depth, particularly through her Earthsea series and "The Left Hand of Darkness," which broke new ground in its exploration of gender. Her influence extended widely across the literary world, shaping writers such as Neil Gaiman, Salman Rushdie, and David Mitchell. Among her many honors were a National Book Award, seven Hugo Awards, six Nebula Awards, and the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. Le Guin passed away in 2018, leaving behind a body of work celebrated for its imagination, moral clarity, and enduring relevance. Learn more about Ursula K. Le Guin and her work at: https://www.ursulakleguin.com/ CONNECT WITH LAURA DAVIS 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 crafted reflections, prompts, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more. 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

  6. Aug 12

    Pause for Peace: Thanks

    Episode Title: Thanks: A Midweek Pause for Peace with W.S. Merwin Episode Description:In this week's Midweek Pause for Peace, Laura Davis shares "Thanks" by acclaimed poet and former U.S. Poet Laureate W.S. Merwin. Laura pairs the poem with soothing imagery in her signature style, offering listeners a moment of reflection on gratitude as a steady practice, even amid loss and uncertainty. This episode invites listeners to pause and consider thankfulness as a form of resilience. What Laura Covers in This Episode: ·       Laura introduces W.S. Merwin and the poem "Thanks," including its origins and publication history ·       Laura reflects on gratitude as a survival skill that persists through hardship and grief ·       Laura explores how the poem's rhythm and repetition mirror the instinct to give thanks even in dark moments ·       Laura offers listeners a grounded, imagery-paired pause for the heart and nervous system About Host Laura Davis Laura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience helping writers craft powerful, authentic stories. She is the author of seven books, including the award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars," which won the BookLife Prize in 2021. Laura is also co-author of the groundbreaking book "The Courage to Heal." Through her Midweek Pause for Peace podcast series, Laura pairs carefully selected poetry with peaceful imagery to support listeners' emotional wellness and nervous system regulation. 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. 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. About the Featured Poet W.S. Merwin (1927–2019) was a major American poet whose body of work spans more than fifty books of poetry, prose, and translation across five decades. He won two Pulitzer Prizes, for "The Carrier of Ladders" (1971) and "The Shadow of Sirius" (2009), and served as U.S. Poet Laureate from 2010 to 2011. His work evolved from early formal verse to spare, unpunctuated free verse shaped by his anti-war convictions, later turning toward themes of ecology and Buddhism after he settled on Maui, where he restored a former pineapple plantation into a palm forest. "Thanks" appears in "Migration: New & Selected Poems" (Copper Canyon Press, 2005). CONNECT WITH LAURA DAVIS 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 crafted reflections, prompts, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more. 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

  7. Aug 8

    Confessions of the Queen of Abundance

    Podcast Show Notes Episode Title So Much for Traveling Light: A Love Letter to the Suitcase I Swore I'd Leave Behind Episode Description In this episode, Laura Davis takes listeners inside her lifelong—and losing—battle with packing light. As she prepares for another Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, Laura shares the packing philosophy she's built over decades of travel, the unexpected lesson she learned from a fellow traveler in Peru, and why, at 70, her relationship with "stuff" has become more complicated than ever. What Laura Covers in This Episode The nickname a friend gave her decades ago that still fits perfectly A memorable lesson in minimalist travel learned from a poet on a trip to Machu Picchu The daily routine she adopted from that encounter and still uses today Her evolving gear obsessions, including a beloved travel tool she can't stop recommending The contrast between her packing style and her wife Karyn's minimalist approach How her packing list has shifted across three Caminos The new category of items that has changed her packing calculus in her seventies Her honest reckoning with whether "packing light" will ever be more than an aspiration Episode Highlights Laura describes the moment she earned the nickname "the queen of abundance" The story of a fellow traveler in Peru whose tiny suitcase changed how Laura thinks about packing A behind-the-scenes look at the handwashing method Laura adopted and still practices Laura's love affair with a compact travel gadget she insists isn't a paid endorsement A candid comparison between Laura's packing instincts and her wife's minimalism The evolution of Laura's Camino footwear choices across multiple pilgrimages Laura's honest reflection on a new category of travel necessities that's emerged with age Laura's ultimate surrender to—and acceptance of—the traveler she really is About Host Laura Davis Laura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with more than 35 years of experience helping people tell their true stories. She is the author of the award-winning memoir The Burning Light of Two Stars, winner of the BookLife Prize, and co-author of the bestselling The Courage to Heal. Laura is the founder of The Writer's Journey LLC, offering online writing classes, workshops, and international retreats for writers of all genres—not just memoir. She is the host of The Writer's Journey podcast and Substack, where she blends personal storytelling with practical writing instruction for a global community of readers and writers. Resources Laura Mentions The Writer's Journey Substack — Laura's newsletter and podcast home Laura Davis's website — classes, books, workshops, and retreats The Art of Memoir: Crafting Compelling, Vivid, True Life Stories – Baja, Mexico Retreat (May 14–22, 2027) — Laura's upcoming international memoir retreat in La Ventana, Baja The Burning Light of Two Stars — Laura's award-winning memoir The Courage to Heal — Laura's co-authored bestseller What’s on my Bedside Table Key Takeaways from This Episode The packing habits we develop often say as much about our values as our itineraries. Learning from a fellow traveler's system can transform a habit you thought was fixed. Simple daily rituals—like a handwashing routine—can become meditative rather than tedious. Growing older on the road means renegotiating what "essential" really means. Self-acceptance, even about something as small as a suitcase, is its own kind of freedom. Episode Call-to-Action Listeners preparing for their own travels—or simply curious about Laura's approach to life on the road—are invited to subscribe to The Writer's Journey for more personal essays and reflections, and to consider joining Laura on an upcoming retreat, including her memoir retreat in Baja, Mexico this coming May. Connect with Laura Davis Subscribe to The Writer's Journey Substack: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/ Explore classes, books, and retreats: https://lauradavis.net/ Leave a comment or share this episode to help new readers discover The Writer's Journey 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

  8. Aug 5

    Pause for Peace: Made Anew

    Episode Title: Made Anew: A Midweek Pause for Peace with Danna Faulds Episode Description:In this week's Midweek Pause for Peace, Laura Davis shares "Made Anew" by poet Danna Faulds. Laura pairs the poem with peaceful imagery in her signature style, inviting listeners to sit with the discomfort of a changing world while staying open to grace within it. This episode offers a moment of grounding for anyone feeling unsettled by uncertainty and loss. What Laura Covers in This Episode: ·       Laura introduces poet Danna Faulds and reflects on why her poetry resonates so deeply ·       Laura explores the poem's call to meet chaos and upheaval with openness rather than despair ·       Laura reflects on grief and suffering as sacred parts of a larger, unfolding whole ·       Laura offers listeners a grounded, imagery-paired pause for the heart and nervous system About Host Laura Davis Laura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience helping writers craft powerful, authentic stories. She is the author of seven books, including the award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars," which won the BookLife Prize in 2021. Laura is also co-author of the groundbreaking book "The Courage to Heal." Through her Midweek Pause for Peace podcast series, Laura pairs carefully selected poetry with peaceful imagery to support listeners' emotional wellness and nervous system regulation. 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. 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. About the Featured Poet 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." Learn more about Danna Faulds and her work at: https://dannafaulds.com CONNECT WITH LAURA DAVIS 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 crafted reflections, prompts, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more. 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

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5
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3 Ratings

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A safe, creative sanctuary where people connect deeply with themselves, their stories, and each other, writing in sacred community. laurasaridavis.substack.com