Episode Title
The Crawl Space Under the Stairs: A Multi-Generational Search for Answers
Episode Description
In this engaging episode, Laura Davis shares a story that begins with a simple need—tracking down old medical records—and transforms into a multi-generational detective story. Laura takes listeners on an adventure into the cramped crawl space beneath her home office stairs, where decades of correspondence, books, and professional materials are stored.
What starts as a practical search becomes a reflection on the universal human impulse to investigate, discover, and make sense of our own histories—an impulse Laura now shares with her grandchildren, who are endlessly curious about how things work and where things come from.
What Laura Covers in This Episode
Laura shares the story of needing to track down old medical records from her breast cancer treatment years ago—doctors at Stanford are asking questions she can't remember the answers to. Her former oncologist's practice has closed and Laura finds herself out of luck. Unless she can find the records from that time buried somewhere in her house.
Enter the crawl space: a dark, dusty repository beneath the stairs in Laura's home office where she's stored decades of professional materials, PR from her first book "The Courage to Heal," old photographs, and boxes of correspondence—including letters exchanged with her mother during their years of estrangement.
Through vivid, sensory storytelling, Laura recounts the physical comedy and determination of crawling into this space, searching through boxes she hasn't opened in years, all in pursuit of information she needs now.
Episode Highlights
The multi-generational search for answers: connecting Laura's detective work with her grandchildren's endless curiosity
The physical comedy of entering the crawl space: shimming on your back in the dark
The practical challenge of tracking down medical records when practices close
Vivid sensory storytelling: making cramped, dusty spaces come alive on the page
The universal human impulse to investigate and piece together our stories
Finding humor and adventure in everyday challenges
About Host Laura Davis
Laura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience guiding writers through the challenges and revelations of crafting memoir. She is the author of seven books, including her award-winning memoir "The Burning Light of Two Stars," which won the BookLife Prize in 2021. Laura is also the co-author of the groundbreaking book "The Courage to Heal."
As a master teacher, Laura specializes in helping writers transform their most difficult life experiences into compelling narrative. She leads "The Art of Memoir" writing retreats in Santa Cruz, California, and hosts two podcast series: her main show focused on memoir writing craft and "Midweek Pause for Peace," a series designed to support emotional wellness through poetry and peaceful imagery. Laura publishes The Writer's Journey newsletter on Substack, where she shares writing wisdom, prompts, and encouragement with her community of writers.
Key Takeaways from This Episode
The detective in all of us: From grandchildren asking "why?" to adults searching through crawl spaces, we're all driven by curiosity about our own stories and histories.
Sensory detail brings any story alive: Whether you're writing about a dusty crawl space or any other setting, vivid sensory details transport readers directly into the experience.
Everyday adventures make great memoir: You don't need dramatic events—the challenge of retrieving old documents can become a compelling narrative with the right approach.
Find the humor: Even in frustrating situations (lost medical records, cramped spaces), there's often physical comedy and lightness to be found.
Connect with Laura Davis:
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/
