Shows
Stories Come to LifeThe Story Girl, by L. M. Montgomery, chapters 10, 11, and 12Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Poor Sara Ray wants so badly to go to the magic lantern show, but her mother, of course, has forbidden it. But because her mother will be out of town, she succumbs to the temptation the Story Girl proposes to sneak out and go anyway! But that leads to the Story Girl imposing a strict penance on herself. Was the price of urging someone to disobedience worth it? You’ll have to decide. Now sit back, rela...2025-07-1651 minStories Come to LifeThe Story Girl, by L. M. Montgomery, chapters 4, 5, and 6Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. The summer I turned twelve years old, I was so sad when I finished all of the Anne of Green Gables books that were readily available at that time. This was in the 1970s, well before the resurgence of Anne’s popularity. But I LOVED L. M. Montgomery’s writing, and I longed to read other things she had written. So, I looked in the tall card catalog of the Salt Lake City Public Library and found one more...2025-06-0955 minStories Come to LifeThe Hardy Boys in The Secret of the Old Mill, chapters 16,17, 18, 19, and 20Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. The passing of counterfeit money is continuing to affect people all around Bayport. Fenton Hardy believes the crooks’ headquarters must be somewhere nearby. When the counterfeiters’ actions affect the Hardy boys’ own mother, they decide to go sleuthing to see if they can find out something that will help bring the criminals to light. Now sit back, relax, and listen to this story come to life.Listening to audiobooks really does count as reading...2025-04-1656 minStories Come to LifeAn Old-Fashioned Girl, by Louisa May Alcott, chapters 18 and 19Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. How much Polly has experienced with the Shaw family! From her early visit to the big city where she came to realize that her simple ways could calm and entertain and bring peace to her friends, to the chance she has had to live on her own, teaching music and earning her living, Polly has been an influence of good in people’s lives. But will things ever work out for her and bring her the happiness she so...2025-03-0350 minStories Come to LifeAn Old-Fashioned Girl, by Louisa May Alcott, chapters 10 and 11Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Will Milton, who is Polly’s younger brother, visits his sister every Sunday. They sing, eat, and have serious discussions together. They also include little Maud, who is rather lonely and appreciates the chance to visit with Polly and Will. Then there is little Jane, who just wants a way to make an honest living. Polly helps Maud feel less lonely, and Jane to have a chance at a new life. And of course she does it in her...2025-01-141h 18Stories Come to LifeAn Old-Fashioned Girl, by Louisa May Alcott, chapters 6 and 7Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Soon it will be time for Polly to go back home to her loving family. But before then, she introduces the Shaw family to the joy that comes from listening to Grandma’s stories. There is so much that everyone can learn from that wise old woman! And then there is one last party to attend before Polly leaves: dancing and feasting and just enjoying one another’s company!Now sit back, relax, and listen to this...2024-11-191h 20Stories Come to LifeThe Hardy Boys in The House on the Cliff, chapters 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Brave Frank and Joe Hardy start exploring the hidden cove under the cliff at Barmet Bay. Not only do they find a secret channel where boats can come in and out of the area unseen, but they find the smugglers’ lair, and a weak and frail prisoner who has been held captive until he will sign a certain document. Can the boys rescue this prisoner from the clutches of the smugglers?Now sit back, relax, and lis...2024-09-1353 minStories Come to LifeHeidi, by Johanna Spyri, chapters 22 and 23Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Poor Peter has been so lonely and disgruntled and, most of all, jealous this whole summer. Instead of having Heidi to himself up on the mountain pasture, she has been spending all her time with Clara. And even when she decides to come up to the high meadows with him, she will be bringing her friend! When Peter sees an opportunity to force Clara to go home immediately, he takes it. But the action brings unexpected consequences for e...2024-07-091h 32Stories Come to LifeHeidi, by Johanna Spyri, chapters 16 and 17Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Who is Heidi waiting for? Goat Peter wants Heidi to come with him to the high pastures, but she is waiting for some special, long-awaited visitors. She is so happy when the doctor arrives to stay for a while. He is sad and despondent, but just being around Heidi helps him regain some joy in living. Heidi seems to have that effect on everyone! All too soon, the doctor’s visit must come to an end, but...2024-06-0147 minStories Come to LifeHeidi, by Johanna Spyri, chapters 14 and 15Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Finally back in her mountain home so dear, Heidi has to visit Grandmother, and go out to the pasture with the goats, and listen to the music of the wind in the fir trees. But most of all, she enjoys spending time with Grandfather, who has also been deeply affected by all that Heidi has learned in Frankfort. The lessons Heidi teaches him will change their lives for the better.Meanwhile, back in Frankfort, the Sesemann h...2024-05-2148 min
The M.I.L.F. WayDr. Amir Marashi aka The Michelangelo of the Vagina ON: Vaginal rejuvenation, Women’s pleasure, and how it’s all about the angle I’m chatting with the Michelangelo of the vagina today guys, so get ready for a very interesting conversation with Dr. Amir Marashi. Dr. Amir is a board certified gynecologist who specializes in labiaplasty, vaginoplasty, pelvic pain, and endometriosis. He’s also the creator and founder of Cerē, the first pleasure product brand designed by physicians. I learned so much in my conversation with Dr. Amir, and got to ask many questions that I think a lot of women want to ask, but are afraid to. Dr. Amir is an open book when it comes to discussing women’s vaginas...2024-05-061h 07Stories Come to LifeHeidi, by Johanna Spyri, chapters 7 and 8Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Poor Miss Rottenmeier! She thought her idea of bringing a companion for Clara Sesemann would give her some relief from the hard work of caring for the girl. But now that Heidi has arrived, life is more surprising and disorganized that she ever would have believed. Heidi, on the other hand, is trying to find something in this new life that will bring her some happiness. She has already made a great friend and ally in Sebastian, and a...2024-04-0859 minStories Come to LifeHeidi, by Johanna Spyri, chapters 5 and 6Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. When the village schoolmaster sends word that he expects Meadow Nuncle to send Heidi down to school, Nuncle has other ideas. Even the pastor comes to reason with him, but Nuncle is obstinate. Heidi will stay as free and happy as the little birds and the goats. But then Aunt Dete comes back to the high meadow and takes Heidi away with her to live as the companion to Clara Sesemann in Frankfurt. Heidi doesn’t want to lea...2024-04-0242 minStories Come to LifeHeidi, by Johanna Spyri, chapters 1 and 2Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Here are the first two chapters of the enchanting story of Heidi, the little Swiss girl who is taken to live with her grandfather in a tiny cottage in the Alps. In these chapters you will hear how Heidi is taken up to Meadow Nuncle’s house by her Auntie Dete—and left there with him! She meets Goat Peter, makes a bed of sweet-smelling hay, and becomes acquainted with the two goats that will soon become such a big...2024-03-0847 minStories Come to LifeKing Arthur and His Knights: The Maid of Astolat, and The Passing of King ArthurSend us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Now we are reaching the end of the tales of King Arthur and his Knights. But even though today’s selections end with the passing of King Arthur, you can find many more tales of chivalry and bravery and even other legends of King Arthur in the public library. Today we will hear about the beautiful and loving maiden of Astolat, and what she does for Sir Lancelot. Then, in the final tale, King Arthur is getting very old...2024-02-2736 minStories Come to LifeKing Arthur and His Knights: The Vision of Sir Bors; King Arthur in the Castle Perilous; Sir Perceval and the Silent Maid; and GalahadSend us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Finally, the time has arrived for the Seat Perilous to be filled! Sir Bors, who is a very valiant and virtuous knight, is granted a special vision in which he sees the knight who will fill the seat, although when Sir Bors sees him, he is still a tiny baby. King Arthur also has some wonderful adventures when he is taken to a hidden and dangerous castle. And do you remember King Pellinore? His youngest son, Perceval, has o...2024-02-0845 min
The M.I.L.F. WayEmily Donahue Wood ON: Saying yes, not sweating the small stuff, and how to maintain a healthy relationship with your partner Hello everyone welcome back to a new episode of The M.I.L.F. Way! My conversation today is with Emily Donahue Wood. Emily is a mother to 3 kids ages 3 and under, so there was a lot to unpack in this chat. I started following Emily a few months ago on Instagram, and fell in love with her and her adorable family, and admired her ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and balance it all while having 3 tiny children. I wanted to know how she was able to achieve this, and also what the secret is to staying sane...2024-01-291h 09
The M.I.L.F. WayNadia Moham ON: The beauty of vulnerability, makeup tips, and the importance of balance Hey everyone welcome back to a brand new episode! We’re continuing the new year, with another really strong episode. I’m sitting down today with Nadia Moham. Nadia is an amazing makeup artist, fellow podcaster, and mother. Considering Nadia has lots of experience on the mic, she is an absolute pro when it comes to podcasting, and really understands that the true beauty of sharing your story is about being vulnerable, and that was my favorite thing about this episode. Nadia keeps it real from the jump, and I love that about her. On top of being smart, witt...2024-01-151h 11Stories Come to LifeKing Arthur and His Knights: The Hidden Fountain; Sir Tristram's Tragedy; and The Foundling PrinceSend us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Here are the adventures of two noble knights and one of King Arthur’s young cousins: a foundling prince. Sir Gawain and Sir Tristram both find the lady of their dreams, and oh, the amazing, magical, and astounding adventures that King Arthur and his knights undertake in order to help the Foundling Prince find and win the hand of the lovely Princess Olwen! King Arthur really will do whatever he needs to do to keep his word to the...2024-01-0349 min
The M.I.L.F. WayJosh Ryan ON: Hard work, perseverance, dedication, and believing in yourselfStarting 2024 off with a bang! Introducing the first male guest, father of my child, and fiancé, Josh Ryan everybody!! This episode is a little bit of everything. It’s heartfelt, it’s funny, it’s raunchy, and it’s so so inspiring. I think you guys will see a different side to me in this episode, and I’m so excited for you to get to know my other half, and partner in this crazy life. Josh and I talk about his career, and how he became a self made photographer. From working in strip clubs, to moving up the ranks a...2024-01-011h 36Stories Come to LifeKing Arthur and His Knights: The Table Round; The Sword Excalibur; and GuinevereSend us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. In these selections of King Arthur and His Knights, you will learn about how Merlin built the Round Table, where King Arthur received the amazing sword, Excalibur, and how he met and fell in love with the beautiful and charming Guinevere. Now sit back, relax, and listen to this story come to life.Listening to audiobooks really does count as reading, and there's no better way to relax than to hear St...2023-12-1443 minStories Come to LifeKing Arthur and His Knights: The Two Dragons; The Holy Grail; The Dragon in the Sky; and The Sword of the KingSend us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. There are many, many versions of the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Some of these legends were written down more than 500 years ago in about the year 1470 by Sir Thomas Malory, who put them into a book he called Le Morte D’Arthur, or The Death of Arthur. His words were not the actual legends, though, but his retelling of even more ancient stories. Many of the words he used aren’t in our norm...2023-12-0156 minStories Come to LifePollyanna, by Eleanor H. Porter, chapters 17, 18, 19, and 20Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Do you remember that old Tom the gardener once mentioned to Nancy that long years ago Aunt Polly had quarreled with a lover? From watching the way Mr. Pendleton has softened under Pollyanna’s sweet friendship, Nancy has decided that the old lover was Mr. Pendleton! She tells Pollyanna, and of course the tenderhearted girl wants to do whatever she can to reconcile the lovers so they will both be less lonely and more able to find gladness in the wo...2023-11-1041 min
The M.I.L.F. WayCare Messer ON: Generational trauma, experiencing 6 miscarriages, how your body keeps the score, life’s syncranicities, and plant medicine Welcome back to a brand new episode of The M.I.L.F. Bod Podcast! Today’s guest is doula coach, and hypnobirthing expert, Care Messer. I thought I’d be going into this conversation talking strictly about birth work, but Care’s life story was just so captivating, that I couldn’t help but want to know more. We start out our conversation talking about generational trauma, which I find very interesting, we talk about Care’s experience, having 6 miscarriages, how your body keeps the score, life’s synchronicities, plant medicine, giving birth to a handicapped daughter, somatic therapy, autonomy, co...2023-09-251h 30Stories Come to LifeThe Hardy Boys in The Tower Treasure, Chapters 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. It seems the Tower Mansion theft will soon be wrapped up! The boys’ clever strategy to foil the incompetent Chief Collig and Inspector Smuff’s plan to question Jackley gave Mr. Hardy the chance he needed to hear Jackley’s dying confession. The criminal’s last whispered words directed Mr. Hardy to look in the old tower for the loot. Now the only thing the Hardy boys need to do is to go to the Tower Mansion and retrieve the goods. S...2023-09-1356 minStories Come to LifeThe Hardy Boys in The Tower Treasure, Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Having found the red wig hidden in the bushes, Frank and Joe are sure the identity of the car thief will soon be discovered. They have a hunch that perhaps that criminal is the same one who perpetrated the Tower Mansion robbery, and if it is, then Slim Robinson will be able to come back to school instead of leaving to help support his family by working as a grocery deliveryman. But even with Mr. Hardy’s help, it is ha...2023-09-071h 06
The M.I.L.F. WayJanet Vink ON: Taking risks, perceptions of social media, mom guilt, making your reality your priority, and reminding us that less is moreIm joined today by the beautiful Janet Vink. Janet is the definition of a M.I.L.F. She’s a mom to 3 beautiful children. One boy, and twin girls, she’s gorgeous, sweet, kind, and all of the things that being an amazing mother stands for. As a full time mother, and social media influencer, Janet speaks on lots of relevant topics including perceptions of social media, taking risks, the importance of simplicity, relationships, balancing time for yourself, and time with your children, staying grateful, and present, beauty, and fitness tips, and so so much more. Janet’s journe...2023-08-281h 13
The M.I.L.F. WayBrittany Jason ON: What traveling has taught her, the struggles of being bullied in school, the power of manifestation, how traumatic events can lead to blessings, and being kind to yourselfToday’s episode may just be one of the most inspiring yet. I’m here today with the lovely Brittany Jason. Brittany was publishing a health book at age 17, meanwhile I was smoking weed and skipping class with my friends. This just puts into perspective how hard working and dedicated Brittany has always been her entire life. We dive into a lot of really important topics on today’s episode, such as Brittany’s battle in dealing with being bullied growing up, taking charge of her life, mental health, nutrition, her journey to becoming a very successful model/content creator...2023-07-311h 29
The M.I.L.F. WayJohanna Storey aka “The Vagina Whisperer” ON: Ancestral wisdom and healing, placenta health and consumption benefits, spirituality, having cancer as a child, and opening up about her pregnancy loss and successI’m so honored to be joined by one of my midwives today, Johanna Storey. I was lucky enough to have her present during the birth of Hunter, and she was a major component that I attribute my successful home birth to. Johanna has such a magical, and healing spirit, and gives a lot of credit to her ancestors for that. We go all over the place in this episode, discussing Johanna’s passion for birth work, placenta health, and the benefits of consuming placenta postpartum, Johanna’s battle with a rare form of Cancer as a child, and how sh...2023-06-051h 10
The M.I.L.F. WayJesse Golden ON: Holistic health practices, tools to feel your most optimal, her experience being a young single mother, the benefits of breastfeeding, and motivation to find alternatives when things don’t go as expectedJesse Golden is here on the show with me today, and this is a very pinch me moment to have her here as guest, because I’ve been a huge fan of hers for years now. So who is Jesse Golden? Who isn’t she, is really the question? Jesse is a mother, wife, yoga teacher, holistic health practitioner, author, former model and ballerina, and skincare guru. She is a walking advertisement for her amazing skincare line, The Golden Secrets, because she embodies exactly what it’s all about. She enters the room, and just radiates this vibrant light from w...2023-05-291h 12Stories Come to LifeThe Winning Basket, by Duane Yarnell, chapters 18, 19, and 20Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Ben Mason has faced so many obstacles as he has tried to make his place at Clearview Academy. He was assigned extra work so he would appear to be out of condition, he was able to save the life of a teammate and fainted from the loss of blood as a result, and now he is enduring a punishment after being falsely suspected of stealing money. How can he ever rise above this cloud of suspicion and unfair treatment to...2023-05-0859 min
The M.I.L.F. WayBrittany Davis ON: Finding your identity, starting a niche business, not being afraid to ask questions, giving yourself grace, and how comparison will steal your joy Hello everyone! Welcome back to another episode! I’m joined today by the lovely Brittany Davis, founder of Willow + Co. Willow + Co is a children’s clothing line with a luxury feel to it, made exclusively from Bamboo fabric. Brittany’s attitude towards life is so refreshing and positive, and I had the best time chatting with her. She gets into her story about how she was let go from her job while pregnant with her first, not knowing where to go from there, and then followed her passion of starting a children’s clothing line. Her approach to business...2023-05-0840 minStories Come to LifeThe Enchanted Barn, by Grace Livingston Hill, Chapters 26, 27, and 28Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Here is the thrilling conclusion of The Enchanted Barn, by Grace Livingston Hill. Somehow that old stone barn must actually have some magical enchantment to it because none of the Hollisters or the Grahams will ever be the same again after falling under its influence. But is it actually the barn that caused the life-changing circumstances or the benevolent effect of trusting in something beyond themselves and being willing to step out bravely into the unknown, trusting in that benevolence...2023-03-1549 minStories Come to LifeThe Enchanted Barn, by Grace Livingston Hill, Chapters 19, 20, and 21Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. It’s time for Shirley Hollister’s two-week vacation, and what an amazing opportunity is coming to their family! Mr. and Mrs. Graham have invited the Hollisters to take their daughter, Elizabeth, to their shore-house for the month of September while Mr. and Mrs. Graham visit out West. It will be the first time Shirley and the rest have seen the ocean, and wouldn’t it be lovely for Doris to play in the sand? Now if only Mr. Barnard could...2023-02-271h 12Stories Come to LifeThe Enchanted Barn, by Grace Livingston Hill, Chapters 10, 11, and 12Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. The furniture is in place, an old denim cloth that used to be a floor covering has been patched and cleaned and hung up as a curtain, the piano is in the corner of the new living room in the barn, and everything is ready for the Hollisters to move in. Kind Elizabeth Graham has one more welcoming surprise for the family and she works behind the scenes to prepare the barn to be as beautiful and comfortable as she...2023-01-311h 14
The M.I.L.F. WayAlana Mesica ON: Building an insanely successful pilates community and brand from the ground up, Career paths, Following your Passion, Living in gratitude, and being authenticI’ve got a very special treat for you all. My guest today is the incredible Alana Mesica of Pilanies Pilates. She is THE Pilates queen, and the woman I give to credit to for even being able to call this a M.I.L.F. body. Alana is the founder of the amazing Pilates studio here in LA, Pilanies. She specializes in pre and post natal work, and helping men and women become the strongest most optimal versions of themselves. In this episode we discuss everything from career paths, starting from scratch, the importance of following your passion, an...2023-01-3044 min
The M.I.L.F. WayMelissa Molinaro ON: Her road to success, 3 biggest tips for feeling your best during and after pregnancy, how motherhood has motivated her to work harder, and bloom into so much more than she ever could’ve imagined, and embracing your ageI can’t believe it’s already the 3rd Monday of 2023. I hope you all are having an amazing start to the new year, and I’m certain that this episode will inspire, and motivate you if you’ve started off a little slow like me. My guest today is Melissa Molinaro, and she is such a shining star, and a true gift to this world. Melissa Molinaro is a dancer, singer, actress, model, fitness instructor, business woman, and mother to two beautiful children. I’m sure you all would recognize Melissa from the iconic show, Making the Band, and her ro...2023-01-161h 24Stories Come to LifeThe Enchanted Barn, by Grace Livingston Hill, Chapters 1, 2, and 3Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. In 1918, as World War I was raging in Europe and the tragedy of the Spanish Flu epidemic was beginning to sweep across the world, the writer Grace Livingston Hill published her thirty-third book. The Enchanted Barn is a story about a charming, courageous, and forthright girl named Shirley Hollister. Brave and resourceful Shirley reminds me a little bit of Nancy Drew, even though Nancy wouldn’t appear on the literary scene for another twelve years. When we meet Shirley, she is...2023-01-111h 12Stories Come to LifeUnderstood Betsy, Chapter 11Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. When Betsy’s kitten, Eleanor, starts avoiding the house and spending most all of her time in the barn, Betsy follows her one day and finds Eleanor’s wonderful surprise, nestled into the hay up in the loft! At this same time a letter arrives from Aunt Frances that seems it will change, once again, the course of Betsy’s life. October in Vermont has never seemed so beautiful and precious before, and Betsy finds that her heart is inextricably woven...2022-12-2148 min
MindGlueFirefighter Fights FireWho will be the winner? Find out NOW!!!
Sponsored by Bobert Rendell's All Day Hand Cream 2022-11-2104 min
The M.I.L.F. WaySolo Episode ON: My story/fitness and wellness journey, my advocacy for tapping into your intuition, my pregnancy, birth story, and my 3 biggest tips for new moms It’s finally here! Welcome to the first episode of The M.I.L.F. Bod Podcast. I thought it’d only be appropriate to launch the show by introducing myself to the audience, and giving you all a little backstory on my wellness journey, my modeling career, my fitness training experience, my pregnancy, my birth story, and motherhood so far. This is a very condensed version of my story, and there will be many more solo episodes to come where I’ll go more in depth on specific topics, but here’s just a little bit about me, and why...2022-11-2143 minStories Come to LifeThe Boxcar Children, Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. All summer long the four children have been living at the edge of the woods in their boxcar. Everything is going well. They have plenty to eat, Henry works hard every day for the kind doctor, and Benny is even learning a bit of math. But then Violet becomes gravely ill and they need to turn to others for help. They are very frightened that their grandfather, who was opposed to their parents’ marriage, will find them and treat them ro...2022-06-1445 minStories Come to LifeThe Boxcar Children, by Gertrude Chandler Warner, Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Back in 1924, Gertrude Chandler Warner’s book The Boxcar Children was published. Eighteen years later, in 1942, the book was condensed and revised to make it simpler for young readers. But I find the original version to have a lot more detail and charm. So, this is the version I’ll be recording. Plus, because this earlier version is now in the public domain, it will stay available on Stories Come to Life forever, so you can listen to it often.2022-05-2442 minStories Come to LifeThe Light Princess, by George MacDonaldSend us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Today’s story is one of my childhood favorites, The Light Princess, written by George MacDonald and published in 1864. Everyone knows that sometimes a wicked witch may come uninvited to a royal christening, and the results can be quite frightening. A princess may sleep for a hundred years, or might turn into an apple, or some other such curse. But what would it be like if the bewitched princess simply didn’t weigh anything? Here is the delightful story...2022-05-161h 38
Open Agenda11: Nazanin is freeNazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is free after years of detention in Iran. Among awful images in Ukraine, it has been a delightful week to see heart-warming pictures of a family reunited. Credit where it is due to the government, Richard Ratcliffe and Labour MP for Nazanin's Hampstead and Kilburn constituency Tulip Siddiq for getting Nazanin back to the UK safe and well.But there is a big talking point here. Boris Johnson. A failure to master his brief when Foreign Secretary by saying she was "simply teaching people journalism" did not help Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's cause. Careless and sloppy...2022-03-1940 minStories Come to LifeThe Ransom of Red Chief, by O. HenrySend us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Today we will listen to “The Ransom of Red Chief,” a short story written by William Sydney Porter, who used the pseudonym O. Henry. Even though this story was published more than 100 years ago (in 1910), mischievous and imaginative children are still the same! Sam and Bill think they have figured out the perfect plan to come up with an easy two thousand dollars: they will kidnap a little boy and force his parents to pay a lot of money to get...2022-03-0328 min
Open Agenda10: Uni, Tone Radio and Reviews with Troy HarrisonFor episode ten, we are delighted to welcome Troy Harrison, journalism student at the University of Gloucestershire where we both studied journalism too! University, the course, newsdays and writing, we have much to talk to Troy about including his current role as assistant manager of Tone Radio, the university's student radio station.Our thanks to Troy for being our guest! You can follow Will, Nat and Troy on Twitter: @CallmeWill97 @natjsch_ @Troy_harrison1Do check out Open Apenda on Twitter: @OpenAgendaPodAlso check out Troy's own podcast called Safe Space2022-03-0330 minStories Come to LifeTreasure Island, Chapters 31, 32, 33, and 34Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Today we will hear the exciting last four chapters of Treasure Island. After Jim gives his word to Long John Silver that he won’t run away and go back to the doctor, the squire, and the captain, he and the mutineers set off to find the treasure, as indicated on the chart that Jim first acquired from the old sea chest of Billy Bones. As they trek across the island, they see a fearsome skeleton and hear the last wo...2022-02-2857 min
Open Agenda9: Putin attacks UkraineVladimir Putin has invaded Ukraine. President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people are fighting back.We don't claim to be experts in foreign affairs and warfare but for this episode we tried our best to make sense of what is happening in Ukraine. Democracy - that's what is under threat by the propaganda machine in Moscow. This isn't a "special military operation", it's an invasion. Kyiv is resisting, men are prepared to fight, journalists are reporting the facts as best they can and sadly the consequence of war means a refugee crisis. The West has responded w...2022-02-2747 min
MindGlueClown In Crisis (18+)Wiley Whacko's Playhouse and Pizza Emporium will rue the day they fired John Gane Wacey/Deffrey Jahmer, so says Bob the Clown.2022-02-2303 minStories Come to LifeTreasure Island, Chapters 22, 23, and 24Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Here are chapters 22, 23, and 24 of Treasure Island. After the doctor patches up the injured captain, and does what he can for the other wounded men, he leaves the stockade to go and meet with Ben Gunn. Jim, left behind in the sweltering heat, decides to leave the safety of the stockade also and search for Ben Gunn’s boat. Soon he is floating in the little hard-to-steer coracle and thinks he will probably die on the breakers pounded by the su...2022-02-0740 min
Open Agenda8: Lib Dem by-elections, local elections and policy with David ChadwickAfter winning North Shropshire as well as Chesham and Amersham from the Conversatives in by-elections last year, what did it mean for the Liberal Democrats? To discuss, we are joined by David Chadwick, who was Lib Dem candidate for North Dorset at the 2019 election. David has also canvassed for the party in North Shropshire, so what was said on the doorstep, why was the by-election significant and could there be a progressive pact at the next general election?We also have time to talk Liberal Democrat policies, upcoming local elections and does David plan to stand for...2022-02-0234 min
Open Agenda7: Capturing nature on camera with Steve WaldronFor the Open Agenda podcast we really do care about giving a platform to people who have personal hobbies. We want our guests to talk about everyday life and discuss what matters to them. We'd like to introduce you to Steve Waldron from London, who has a hobby in nature photography. We talk to Steve about capturing nature in the garden especially with the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch coming up soon on the 28th and 30th January. We also discuss why everyone should have a passion to help beat plastic pollution in our rivers, seas and oceans. O...2022-01-2243 min
Open Agenda6: Reflections on Universal NewsHappy New Year to you! Welcome to our first episode of 2022. To get us going we're delighted to be joined by Beathriz Souza, who has studied journalism at the same university as us. We talk about her role as president for Universal News, the University of Gloucestershire's student news website, aspirations for the future plus the best bits from the BA Journalism course.We also have plenty of time to discuss more 'work meetings' at Downing Street, Novak Djokovic and Molly Mae's recent comments on the Diary of a CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett.You...2022-01-1352 minStories Come to LifeTreasure Island, Chapters 4, 5, and 6Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Here are chapters 4, 5, and 6 of Treasure Island. The old sea dog, Billy Bones, died of shock, surprise, and an excess of rum in the Admiral Benbow Inn. He left a debt behind that Jim Hawkins and his mother could certainly use. He also left behind a lot of enemies. When no one will help protect Jim and his mother as they look through Billy Bones’s sea chest, they decide to do it by themselves and take only what is du...2022-01-0442 minOpen Agenda5: The North Shropshire by-electionA stunning victory for the Liberal Democrats in North Shropshire, a constituency that has been Conservative since 1832. The Owen Paterson scandal triggered the vote, Downing Street parties have diminished the Prime Minister's authority and now he's facing serious pressure from his own backbenchers.We talk about what this by-election result means for Boris Johnson, what is means for the Lib Dems under leader Ed Davey and there's time to say a Merry Christmas to our listeners and a Happy New Year! We have big ambitions for 2022, so we hope you enjoy what we both produce for this...2021-12-1940 minOpen Agenda4: Now that's what we call Downing Street!After the Daily Mirror's political editor Pippa Crerar broke the story two weeks ago, we had a full week of denial about whether Boris Johnson broke COVID lockdown rules during Christmas 2020, a time when we were all facing lockdown with devastating consequences for families across the country. Now with 'that' video reported by Paul Brand at ITV News showing Downing Street staff joking about holding a party and the Prime Minister's former COP26 spokesperson Allegra Stratton laughing at the lectern, we have seen consequences but not for the PM. Allegra Stratton has resigned and we now know t...2021-12-1238 minOpen Agenda3: Wearing masks and Labour reshufflesWe're building back this podcast better! Sorry for nicking a Conversative Party slogan there! One topic we care about and love to discuss is politics so we're delighted to be joined by Callum Greenhough. If you managed to hear our episodes before the relaunch, then you'll have heard Callum's voice before. Based in Yorkshire, while Will and Nat are down south, Callum has canvassed for Batley and Spen's current MP Kim Leadbeater and we really value his contributions when talking about politics and current affairs.The Labour Party has reshuffled its shadow cabinet. Sir Keir Starmer has...2021-12-0246 minOpen Agenda2: Impact magazine with Lauren McGaunFor episode two of our new relaunch, we're joined by Lauren McGaun, head of news at Impact, the University of Nottingham's student magazine. A recent investigation by the magazine and a subsequent report on BBC Politics East Midlands has highlighted the worrying increase in spiking at nightclubs. We speak to Lauren about Impact's work on this important issue, plus her experiences as the former Editor in Chief of Empoword Journalism, a publication led by women that aims to unite and empower journalists across the globe.There is also time to talk freelancing, why journalism and who inspires...2021-11-2530 minOpen Agenda1: Friendly Neighbourhood CyclingWelcome to our first episode as Open Agenda relaunches, we are back on the agenda! To begin we're delighted to be joined by Bex Mountford, Cheltenham's first bicycle mayor. We talk cycling around the town, what is a cargo bike and how we encourage more people to take up two wheels. Post-COP26 we also touch on collaboration between people and organisations to help deliver the vital action we need to combat climate change. As the publicity co-coordinator for Clean Air Cheltenham, Will was also really keen to know how we work together to get people on board....2021-11-2128 minOpen AgendaINTRODUCTIONS: Welcome to Open AgendaHello and welcome to the Open Agenda podcast with Will Luker and Nat Schaefer. To introduce ourselves we began to think about this podcast as an idea and now it's live and ready to go. Because we are journalism graduates from the University of Gloucestershire, Open Agenda is a podcast that discusses current affairs, politics, the media and conversations about everyday life. We hope you enjoy the episodes we release.You can follow Will and Nat on Twitter @WLuker97 @natjsch_2021-11-1900 minStories Come to LifeA Little Princess, Chapters 18 and 19Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Miss Minchin is surprised to hear that Sara has crept over to the Indian Gentleman’s house with something wrapped up in her coat. That will never do! She storms over to confront Sara and demand that she return to the school at once! Sara, however, is now under the protection of the Indian Gentleman, who has been searching and searching for her for two years. She never has to return to the school again.What a warm an...2021-11-1742 min
Open Agenda18: Open Agenda - the relaunch!Hello everyone and welcome to what can be described as a relaunch! We are getting back into the swing of things and to start we'd like to share our thoughts on COP26 in Glasgow. A success or failure? Plenty of announcements were made but "phasing down" instead of "phasing out" coal went down like a lead balloon. We ask what next? How much influence did activists have? Did it matter if some world leaders from countries such as China, Russia and Brazil didn't turn up?
Don't forget to check out Open Agenda on Twitter @OpenAgendaPod
2021-11-1731 minStories Come to LifeA Little Princess, Chapters 5 and 6Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. In today’s chapters of A Little Princess, Sara is finally able to meet Becky, the little scullery maid who makes her fire and loves to quietly listen to the amazing stories that Sara spins. When Sara finds Becky fast asleep in her easy chair, she realizes she has an opportunity to scatter a form of largess, just as a princess would do, by being kind and loving to those who need those good things in their lives. This gives Sa...2021-10-2049 minStories Come to LifeA Little Princess, Chapters 1 and 2Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. Today I will be reading the first two chapters of A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This book was published in 1912, and has become a beloved favorite all over the world. In these chapters we will meet little Sara Crewe, who is seven years old. She and her father have come all the way from India, where Sara has lived most of her life, to England, where she will be going to school at Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary fo...2021-10-0837 min
Open Agenda18: Let us entertain you!We've taken a considerable amount of time to get things going again, but we're back and feeling fresh with new ideas! For episode 18, we are really happy to be joined by Tonicha Luffman, freelance entertainment journalist and one of our journo buddies from uni! Entertainment, reviews and thinking back to life at uni, we hope you enjoy this brilliant conversational episode!
You can find Tonicha on Twitter @JustTonicha and you can read Tonicha's blog at the following address: https://justtonicha.wordpress.com/
You can also find Will and Nat on Twitter @WLuker97 and @natjsch_2021-09-1227 min
MindGlueThe Barrel In the Sea Part 1Captain Farley and his crew sail the ship known as the Shiner to a remote island in the middle of the sea and discover a strange inn.
Hungry and dying, the crew of the Shiner seek a treasure but dock on a curious island instead. What will become of the Shiner's crew? Find out more in Part 2.2021-08-1209 min
MindGlue33, Mickey Miller Artist ExtraordinaireI had Mickey over to talk about what he's working on right now! We both go a little ways back when we worked at a local pizza place. We've helped each other out here and there with various odd jobs and what-have-u's and now I randomly have him on my podcast. Good times gettin' gooder.
Check out his pieces on Instagram @mickeymiller32 or on Facebook @Mickey Miller.
As Mickey said during the episode the 25th person to like/follow to his pages will receive a free commissioned painting! I would love for him to...2021-07-2953 min
Open Agenda17: A welcome returnA month since our conversation with Richard Parker, we've taken another break to sit down and discuss what's next for our podcast. We are back to talk everything post-'Freedom Day', the Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles and the recent extreme heat across the UK.
You can find Will and Nat on social media below.
Will Luker: https://twitter.com/WLuker97
Call Me Will: https://callmewill97.com/
Nat Schaefer: https://twitter.com/natjsch_
Nat's Journo Portfolio: https://natsch97.journoportfolio.com/ 2021-07-2932 minOpen Agenda16: Cycling and history with a velo historianThis is our first genuine episode focusing on conversations about every day life. We want guests to discuss the topics that matter to them, allowing personal hobbies to shine bright. We're proud to introduce you to Richard Parker. Richard is a long distance cyclist and volunteer local historian living in Lincolnshire. He blogs about an at risk Iron Age and Roman archaeology site in Norton Disney. We discuss the discoveries he's made, a controversy that put the site under threat, active travel zones and his experiences of riding London to Edinburgh. It is quite something when a simple connection...2021-06-2549 minOpen Agenda15: Read all about it!15 episodes in and we are so thrilled with the guests we've had on so far. Nothing changes as we have another brilliant guest for this week's episode. A warm welcome to Bea, current president of the University of Gloucestershire's student news publication UniVersal. Both Will and Nat have been the president before so of course we had to talk about what it is like to run a uni society!
This episode was recorded on a Sunday evening but old news is still news! We talk about Dominic Cummings giving evidence to last week's select committee on...2021-06-0238 minOpen Agenda14: Talking journalism with Paul WiltshireWe are delighted to welcome our former lecturer Paul Wiltshire onto the podcast this week. Discussing journalism, diversity in the media and what it has been like to teach journalism during the pandemic, we also ask Paul for some words of encouragement and tips for future journalism students coming through the University of Gloucestershire door.
Thank you Paul for joining us!
You can follow Paul on social media below.
Paul Wiltshire: https://twitter.com/Paulwiltshire
paulwiltshireblog: https://paulwiltshireblog.wordpress.com/
You can also find Will and Nat on social...2021-05-1935 minOpen Agenda13: The Green WaveAfter the Green Party in England and Wales gained 99 seats at the recent local elections, they now have representation on 141 councils and in Nat's part of the world, the Greens won 24 seats on Bristol City Council, now the joint largest party with Labour. It's sister party in Scotland also recorded a record eight seats at Holyrood. So what is driving this 'Green wave'? Should the country be taking the party more seriously? It is true that the media don't pay them enough attention.
In this episode we are joined by Tabi Joy, who stood as a...2021-05-1445 minOpen Agenda12: POST LOCAL ELECTION SPECIALThe votes are all in and counted, we have the results! But what do the local elections in 2021 tell us? Hartlepool, English Councils, the devolved nations and PCC's - we discuss the whole lot with our returning guest Callum Greenhough.
You can find Callum on social media below.
Callum Greenhough: https://twitter.com/crg121
You can also find Will and Nat on social media below.
Will Luker: https://twitter.com/WLuker97
Call Me Will: https://callmewill97.wordpress.com/
Nat Schaefer: https://twitter.com/natjsch_
Nat's...2021-05-1248 minOpen Agenda11: PRE LOCAL ELECTION SPECIALPolling day for the 2021 local elections is tomorrow! Predictions, analysis and what we both think will happen! From Scotland to Wales, the City Mayor's, councils in England and even Police and Crime Commissioners, don't forget to vote!
You can find Will and Nat on social media below.
Will Luker: https://twitter.com/WLuker97
Call Me Will: https://callmewill97.wordpress.com/
Nat Schaefer: https://twitter.com/natjsch_
Nat's Journo Portfolio: https://natsch97.journoportfolio.com/2021-05-0543 minOpen AgendaWe're Back!A nice three week break to compose our thoughts and plan ahead for future episodes. For Episode 10, three news headlines for the week and three open discussions on the trial of the police officer who murdered George Floyd, Derek Chauvin, a European Super League and by this time last week the funeral of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
You can find Will and Nat on social media below.
Will Luker: https://twitter.com/WLuker97
Call Me Will: https://callmewill97.wordpress.com/
Nat Schaefer: https://twitter.com/natjsch_
Nat's...2021-04-2441 minOpen AgendaPolicing Bill, Salmond and social mediaWe have made to our ninth episode! If you've made it this far then hats off to you! Delighted to be joined by Callum Greenhough to talk politics, making connections and social media.
You can find Callum on social media below.
Callum Greenhough: https://twitter.com/crg121
You can also find Will and Nat on social media below.
Will Luker: https://twitter.com/WLuker97
Call Me Will: https://callmewill97.wordpress.com/
Nat Schaefer: https://twitter.com/natjsch_
Nat's Journo Portfolio: https://natsch97.journoportfolio.com/2021-03-2834 minOpen AgendaNews of the WeekWeekend listening for you as we discuss the headlines from this past week. Vaccines, Nicola Sturgeon, a by-election and the BBC moving out of London - we hope to have a new guest for the next episode.
You can find Will and Nat on social media below.
Will Luker: https://twitter.com/WLuker97
Call Me Will: https://callmewill97.wordpress.com/
Nat Schaefer: https://twitter.com/natjsch_
Nat's Journo Portfolio: https://natsch97.journoportfolio.com/2021-03-2033 minOpen AgendaOne Oprah interview, 11.3 million viewersIt is no surprise that the Meghan Markle and Prince Harry interview with Oprah Winfrey was the subject of our latest podcast episode.
Lots to discuss including what was said, the reaction and what next for the Royal Family?
You can find Will and Nat on social media below.
Will Luker: https://twitter.com/WLuker97
Call Me Will: https://callmewill97.wordpress.com/
Nat Schaefer: https://twitter.com/natjsch_
Nat's Journo Portfolio: https://natsch97.journoportfolio.com/2021-03-1335 minOpen AgendaIn conversation with Izzie!This week we have our third guest on the pod! Delighted to be joined by Izzie Jani-Friend, freelance journalist and campaigner. Izzie lives with cystic fibrosis and we were interested to understand how she lives with a disability especially during Covid-19, what campaigning means to her and what changes could we see post-pandemic. We also discuss journalism, TV and pitching an article to a very well known magazine!
You can follow Izzie via Twitter: https://twitter.com/ijanifriend
And you can follow Izzie's health and lifestyle blog: https://isabelledipti.com/portfoliowork/
Will...2021-02-2636 minOpen AgendaExperiences and aspirationsWhat was it like to be editor of a student news website? What skills do we need to be journalists?
This week we decided to talk about student media, experiences on student radio and what it takes to be a good writer.
You can find Will and Nat on social media:
Will Luker: https://twitter.com/WLuker97
Nat Schaefer: https://twitter.com/natjsch_2021-02-2028 minOpen AgendaAfter the breakA well needed break but we're back with episode four!
On the pod this week we have another journalism friend from uni. We're joined by Louise de Freitas! From the pandemic, life at uni, journalism, excellent photographs and a certain parish council meeting, this is 36 minutes of fantastic discussion!
You can find Will, Nat and Lou on social media:
Will Luker: https://twitter.com/WLuker97
Nat Schaefer: https://twitter.com/natjsch_
Louise de Freitas: https://twitter.com/missdf71
You can also find Lou's photography on her Instagram...2021-02-1436 minOpen AgendaOur first guest!Three episodes in and we're delighted to be joined by our first guest. Paul Sutton is a fellow journalism graduate currently studying a masters in International Political Communications.
We discuss our time as journalism students, current student life during a pandemic and delve into the current political climate in the UK, including the prospect of a second Scottish independence referendum.
You can find Will, Nat and Paul on social media:
Will Luker: https://twitter.com/WLuker97
Nat Schaefer: https://twitter.com/natjsch_
Paul Sutton: https://twitter.com/PaulSutton292021-01-3035 minOpen AgendaUS Politics Special: The Inauguration of President BidenThe Trump presidency is over. In comes the 46th President of the United States Joe Biden.
How will we look back on President Trump's four years in office and what happens next under the Biden-Harris administration?
We gave this episode a good attempt and we confess we couldn't include everything we wanted to say.
NOTE: This episode was recorded before the Inauguration.
You can find Will and Nat on social media:
Will Luker: https://twitter.com/WLuker97
Nat Schaefer: https://twitter.com/natjsch_
We also...2021-01-2026 minOpen AgendaLife in LockdownOur first episode! Obviously in lockdown!
In this opening conversation we talk about lockdown life, how weird it has been and what we want to see once lockdown's become a thing of the past. As journalism graduates we also discuss jobs and taking driving tests.
With Covid-19 gripping the world, Open Agenda is recorded remotely.
You can find Will and Nat on social media.
Will Luker: https://twitter.com/WLuker97
Nat Schaefer: https://twitter.com/natjsch_
We also have our own blogs:
Call Me Will...2021-01-1328 minOpen AgendaTrailerWelcome to Open Agenda, a podcast that started off as an idea and is now a real thing! As journalism graduates we've decided to set this podcast up to give our thoughts on the topics we take an interest in. 2021-01-1000 minStories Come to LifeHoliday Stories: KwanzaaSend us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. This is Episode 34, and I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker.The four stories you will hear today are from the book Ashley Bryan’s African Tales, Uh-Huh. You will hear about adventures of Ananse the Spider, Elephant and Frog, Elephant and Bush Cow, and one of my favorites, How Animals Got Their Tails. These stories all illustrate one or more of the principles of Kwanzaa, often in funny ways. For example, Ananse the Spider may not realize it, but he is providing Crow with a...2020-12-2948 minStories Come to LifeHoliday Stories: HanukkahSend us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. This is Episode 31, and I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker.Here are some holiday stories for you to enjoy. Today’s tales were written by Isaac Bashevis Singer and the publisher graciously gave permission to have them on this podcast. In the first story, a young boy with vivid dreams becomes lost in a snowstorm on Hanukkah Eve. Then from Warsaw we will travel to the city of Chelm, which has the greatest population of fools in the whole world! Now, sit back...2020-12-211h 06Stories Come to LifePoetic Interlude IIISend us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker, and this is episode 30. As we have just finished a book, this episode will be a refreshing poetic interlude before we begin the next story. Whether it rhymes or doesn’t rhyme, whether it is about nature or life or a historical event, or anything else, a poem can give you insights and help you see things in a different way. So, sit back, relax, and listen to these poems come to life...2020-12-1821 minStories Come to LifeThe Land of Oz, Chapters 22, 23, and 24Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. This is Episode 29, book 3, and I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. After Old Mombi is captured by Glinda the Good, she reveals an astounding piece of information about something the Wonderful Wizard of Oz entrusted her to perform years ago. Everything will be different from now on, once Mombi reverses her nefarious magic! Now, sit back, relax, and listen to this story come to life!Listening to audiobooks really does count as reading, and there's no...2020-12-1630 min
MindGluePressing the pause button!This is not the end my friends, merely a break in the pages for the inevitable future to come. If this update doesn’t sum it up I don’t know what will.2020-12-0200 minStories Come to LifeThe Land of Oz, Chapters 1, 2, and 3Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. This is Episode 22, book 3, and I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker.Almost everyone has heard the story of the Wizard of Oz, or has read the book, or has seen the movie. But did you know that there are many more books about adventures in Oz? The book I will be reading now is The Land of Oz, and it is the second in the series. It was written by L. Frank Baum and published in 1904. Here you will hear about Tip, a young...2020-12-0128 minStories Come to LifePoetic Interlude IISend us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker, and this is episode 21. As we have just finished a book, this episode will be a refreshing poetic interlude before we begin the next story. Whatever the season, whatever the weather, whether your mood is happy or sad, there are poems to help you find solace and beauty and companionship as you walk through life. So, sit back, relax, and listen to these poems come to life!Listening to au...2020-11-2728 minStories Come to LifePoetic Interlude ISend us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker, and this is episode Thirteen. As we have just finished a book, this episode will be a refreshing poetic interlude before we begin the next story. So many times, the words of poetry come back to us during difficult or happy or emotional times in our lives. Here is a selection of some poems you may remember from childhood or from discoveries later in life. So, sit back, relax, and listen to these poems come to li...2020-11-0436 minStories Come to LifeThe Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Chapters 33, 34, 35, and 36Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. This is episode 12, book one, and I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker.There are still some important questions to answer in this book: Will Tom and Becky ever be found in the cave? Whatever happened to the treasure, and Injun Joe? And will Huckleberry Finn ever have a warm and comfortable place to sleep? To find out, sit back, relax, and listen to this story come to life.Listening to audiobooks really does count as reading, and there's no bette...2020-10-3141 min
Stories Come to LifeThe Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Chapters 1, 2, and 3Send us a textWelcome to Stories Come to Life. This is episode one, book one, and I am your host, Kathryn Lopez Luker. I’m the children’s librarian at Marshall Public Library in Pocatello, Idaho. I love reading books aloud and helping others to find interesting and exciting things to read. Today I will be reading the first chapters of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain. In this episode we will meet Tom, a young boy who can’t seem to help getting into mischief or staying out of trouble. So sit...2020-10-0644 min
Gina Luker LiveAre You Overcomplicating Blogging?When you overcomplicate blogging, you create a level of stress that doesn't need to exist. Successful blogging does take work, but it shouldn't leave your head spinning.
So instead of dreading, whining, and procrastinating about what you should be doing, use simple and effective strategies that will help you to get it all done!
Yes, I know there are a lot of moving parts to a blog. But, overcomplicating blogging isn't going to do you, or your Google ranking, any favors.
So, have you been overcomplicating blogging? Tell me how.2018-06-2013 minGina Luker LiveAre You Writing Blog Post Titles Correctly?Ever wonder why you're not getting Google traffic? You need better Blog Post Titles! Learn the trick to getting more clicks to your blog!
Wanna get more of that beloved search engine traffic? You need better blog post titles! Whether that traffic comes from Google, Bing, Yahoo or even Pinterest (because it's a search engine - NOT a social media), then you've got to write better post titles.
Why? Because no matter how great your information or idea is, unless you can catch someone's eye in a fraction of a second while they're scrolling quickly to find what they're looking f...2018-03-2831 minGina Luker LiveBest Affiliate Programs: Tips & Tricks on How to Find ThemLooking for the best affiliate programs? These tips and tricks will help you to discover the very best affiliate programs that's right for your business.
Affiliate marketing is one of the smartest ways for almost any blogger to make extra money - and it doesn't rely on traffic, but on the ability for a blogger to match the needs of his or her reader. But finding the best takes a bit of time and effort.
Need a little help? In this episode of my podcast, I'm sharing some of the best affiliate programs out there for bloggers to partner with...2018-03-2416 minGina Luker LiveThe Dos & Don’ts Of Affiliate MarketingWant to learn how to start affiliate marketing easily? Get started the right way with these dos and don'ts from an affiliate marketing veteran!
I believe that all bloggers would learn how to start affiliate marketing as soon as they set up their blog. Like immediately. Why? Affiliate marketing is the fastest way to create a blogging income without killing yourself chasing page views.
And it's absolutely not dependent on your traffic - even small bloggers can make money blogging if they align themselves with the right affiliate programs. See, it's not about quantity - it's all about quality. If y...2018-03-2231 min