Words in Motion: Recent Episodes
Chuck Waldron
Are you a fan of short stories? Are you willing to take a chance on hearing great short stories from new and soon to be famous - we hope - writers? If so, you've found the write podcast. Each episode will feature a variety, stories that cross genre lines. You might even hear flash fiction, stories a hundred words or less. Expect to be surprised. For the record, there are a couple of genre lines we will not cross; hateful and erotic. Relax, tune in and enjoy..
The wanderer and the spy, two seemingly disparate characters, yet bound by the unyielding struggle of self-discovery and survival. From personal experience as a storyteller and former professional mountain climber, I find that whether you're scaling a mountain or crafting a tale, the journey holds as much worth as the destination. Reflecting on the stories of Stu and Stephen, we realize the universal appeal of their struggles, their victories, and their failures. Tune in for an episode that promises a unique blend of adventure, mystery, and introspection.
I hope you come back for more. Each story will bring a unique style and character.
Picture a grim, dystopian future; humanity on the brink of annihilation, a murderous virus on the loose, and a society on its knees. This is the chilling reality for PEOPLE grappling with existential dread and a fatal diagnosis. We're immersing you in the first two chapters of the novella, Countdown to Doomsday, as we navigate the harrowing journey of these individuals confronting their final days.
But beyond mere survival, we venture into the power of storytelling. We unravel stories as potent metaphors for life's struggles, drawing parallels between a professional mountain climber’s arduous ascent and our own personal battles. Not forgetting the elephant in the room, we tackle the ever-growing menace of fascism. Gripping and evocative, our episode weaves narratives of despair, resilience, and courage in the face of impending doom. We invite you to join us on this journey, as we blur the boundaries between reality and fiction, holding a mirror up to our society today.
I hope you come back for more. Each story will bring a unique style and character.
Prepare to be riveted as we follow the peculiar journey of Alex, a man wrestling with loneliness and insecurities about his height. Imagine suddenly discovering a mysterious file labeled Elinor on your computer, in your own handwriting, yet having no recollection of it. What secrets does it hold? Alex's enigmatic story is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat, as we traverse through his struggle against deadlines and his overflowing emotions.
I hope you come back for more. Each story will bring a unique style and character.
Join me as we walk the harrowing grounds of Auschwitz, guided by the memoirs of my dear friend, Rabbi Bruce Benson. His experience touring the killing camps in Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Poland paints a vivid and chilling picture of the Holocaust. From the infamous shoe collection at Auschwitz, to the collection of hair, too painful to capture in a photograph, we're left pondering the incomprehensible atrocities committed. As we navigate this haunting past, we are reminded of the immense value in acknowledging the whispers of survivors and honoring their memory, even while grappling with the depths of evil that led to the loss of six million souls.
Standing on the soil soaked with history, we discuss the overwhelming emotions that come with being in such a place, and the challenge of articulating those feelings. But amidst the darkness, there is a beacon of light - the resilience of the human spirit, embodied by Rabbi Benson. With this journey into our past, we aim to bear witness to history, ensuring we never forget and that such horrors are never repeated. Let's embark on this journey of reflection, resilience and remembrance together.
I hope you come back for more. Each story will bring a unique style and character.
Have you ever found yourself catching your breath, heart pounding, as legal testimonies unfold? Venture with us into the raw reality of courtroom drama as we follow the tragic child abuse case of young Amber Salmos. Brace yourself for a gut-wrenching journey through horrific evidence, medical testimonies, and the emotional rollercoaster tied to this young girl's safety.
But, we don't stop at the courtroom. Join us in a candid conversation with my supervisor, where we grapple with the troubling uncertainty of Amber's future and the potential requirements for foster care or adoption. Additionally, we unpack the shocking revelation of Amber's infant brother's condition, adding an even more distressing dimension to the case. Transitioning from such heavy realities, we will also reflect on the power and importance of telling stories, drawing from my personal experiences as a writer and a former professional mountain climber. Whatever the subject, the power of storytelling is a theme that threads through this episode, reminding us of its crucial role in our lives.
I hope you come back for more. Each story will bring a unique style and character.
Ready for a journey that interlaces the threads of family, dreams, courage, and uncertainty? Then tune in for an episode that's vibrant with life's hues! Meet Ashley, a woman entranced by an old diary bought from a thrift store, and Robert, a soul yearning for city lights while rooted in the soil of his ancestral farm. Together, we navigate their unique challenges, examining the complexities of farm life, and the courage it takes to dream beyond the fences of familiarity.
Swapping my mountaineering boots for the pen, I share the second chapter of this episode, "Future Plans" - a personal voyage of transition and transformation. As we traverse the paths of fear and courage, we realise the power of stepping out of our comfort zones to chase our dreams. Be it vanquishing the intimidating peaks of storytelling or confronting the spectre of fascism, this episode promises a thought-provoking journey. So, get ready to challenge genre boundaries as we bring you a diverse palette of intriguing short stories and poems, certain to whisk you away on an adventure of the mind and spirit.
I hope you come back for more. Each story will bring a unique style and character.
Get ready to plunge into the eerily captivating world of Gillian Knight’s ‘Red Eyes.’ Picture this: you’re alone, washing dishes, when you spot a figure outside. It’s your deceased brother, Evan. The shock grips you, but not as much as the chilling red hue that replaces his once warm, brown eyes. Join us as we navigate this spine-tingling tale of suspense and horror. We'll journey through the protagonist's encounter with the unexpected and their desperate quest for understanding and safety.
How does one cope when faced with the incomprehensible? In a surprising twist, our protagonist finds solace in a white padded room, a safe haven from a haunting past. Endure the chilling recall of a horrifying fire, and grasp how trauma has the power to transform reality. Together, we'll also decode the symbolism of a professional mount climber, and correlate it with the author's journey of sharing her spine-tingling narratives. Buckle up for a roller coaster of emotions, as we traverse the realms of mystery and horror, all while shedding light on the human experience. Ready to shatter genre boundaries? You don’t want to miss this episode.
I hope you come back for more. Each story will bring a unique style and character.
Have you ever anxiously awaited the return of a loved one, only to have your joy shattered by an unforeseen tragedy? Feel Amy's joy, anticipation, love and her unimaginable loss that will leave you riveted.
I hope you come back for more. Each story will bring a unique style and character.
Are you ready to step into the dark, dystopian world of 2034? Immerse yourself in the gripping narrative of "The Executioner's Mandate", the latest novella we're exploring on Words in Motion. I, your host Chuck Waldron, will guide you through the turbulent life of our protagonist, Trevor, a realist who views death as part of life's bargain. Buckle up for a thrilling ride as we traverse through a post-pandemic, fractured America, witnessing Trevor's close shave with trackers and his struggle to make life-altering decisions. Remember, this is a work of fiction and any resemblance to reality is purely coincidental.
As we journey further, we follow Trevor on a high-stakes mission to infiltrate a military complex. Armed with nothing more than a tablet and a backpack filled with valuable intel, Trevor must dodge capture and reach Snake River before dawn. We watch as Trevor's trust is tested, yet his resolve remains unbroken - he must deliver the intel to Simpson. Join us as we accompany Trevor on this roller-coaster ride and don't forget to tune into our sister podcast, the Naked Word Cafe, for more exciting chapters of "The Executioner's Mandate".
Click here to follow on The Naked Word Cafe
I hope you come back for more. Each story will bring a unique style and character.
Unmask the power of poetry with Florida poet and prosthetist/orthotist, Paula Pivko. In our fascinating conversation, Paula unravels the inspiration behind her first poem, drawing upon a painting of masks and exploring the authenticity of people - or lack thereof. Her father, a teacher, was instrumental in nurturing her writing journey, a fact she candidly shares. Paula also recalls a kayaking adventure that birthed a captivating poem. She then captivates us with a reading of her powerful poem, The Monster, prompted by the tragic Pulse shooting and the attempted insurrection in January 2021.
Delving into the second half of our conversation, Paula shares her latest endeavor; a collection of poems that reverses the order of time, retracing her life story from the present to the past. She discloses her bias for poetry over short stories and reveals plans for future publications. To add to the allure of our chat, she gives another reading, this time of a poem called Secret. The brilliance of this episode lies in how Paula's personal inspiration and experiences morph into riveting pieces of poetry. So, buckle up for our next twofer episode, it's sure to be a poetic ride!
I hope you come back for more. Each story will bring a unique style and character.
What happens when greed overtakes a charismatic religious leader? Don't miss out on our latest episode as we explore the twisted world of Reverend Thorson, who has built an empire on his captivating oratory and the financial schemes that propel it. With the help of his cunning accountant, Kenny, and enigmatic architect Armand Porotella, Reverend Thorson constructs a colossal cathedral that will leave you questioning the true meaning of power.
From his humble beginnings as a storefront preacher in Seattle to the meteoric rise as the Very Right Reverend Dr. Thorson, we follow the Reverend's journey through ambition, deception, and the inevitable consequences of his insatiable greed. With an unexpected interruption in his seemingly unstoppable path, will the truth behind his empire finally be revealed? Tune in, and get ready for a gripping tale that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
I hope you come back for more. Each story will bring a unique style and character.
What happens when you immerse yourself in the captivating world of poetry and storytelling? Prepare to be transported to different worlds and to experience intense emotions as I share two intriguing poems and my own short story, "Tear in the Dust," in Episode 8. We'll begin by exploring "Long May Your Big Jib Draw" by Frank Charles and an unnamed poem by a mysterious poet before diving into the adventures of a man named Neely, who embarks on a journey to Galveston to join a fight against fascists.
As Neely's adventure takes us from the dusty landscapes of Oklahoma to the shores of Galveston, we can't help but reflect on the emotions of longing and grief that accompany a man's return to the past. Through the poignant lens of a dust storm, "Tear in the Dust" reveals the intricacies of aging and memory, ultimately leaving us with a tear tracing an irregular path down Neely's cheek and into the West Oklahoma dust. Don't miss next week's Episode 9, where I'll engage in a fascinating conversation with Paula, a talented poet who will share her captivating work and discuss the art of crafting metaphors.
I hope you come back for more. Each story will bring a unique style and character.
What would you do if you stumbled upon your partner with someone else? How does one cope with a life-altering surprise and make sense of the unknown? Tonight, we invite you to immerse yourself in two enthralling short stories: Martha Beachler Clip's "Ouch" and Chuck Waldron's "Dinner for Two." Join us as we explore the anticipation, curiosity, and disquiet of life's unexpected moments, and ponder whether we can ever truly understand the surprises that life throws our way.
Discover the power of validation, as we delve into courage and beauty through shared traits of our protagonists, Winston, Eva, and Dietrich. Listen as they bond over their afflictions with shyness and find solace in one another's company during a unique dinner party filled with music, laughter, and heartfelt conversation. This episode serves as a tribute to lesser-known writers and their incredible stories. Prepare for an unforgettable literary experience that will leave your heart full and your mind racing with contemplation.
I hope you come back for more. Each story will bring a unique style and character.
What would you do if you discovered a secret government plan to enforce mass deportations? Join us as we unravel the chilling tale of Executive Order 17,342 by Jacob M Eason. Listen to the courageous words of journalist Stephen Lane, who risked everything to expose the dark side of power and the government's hidden agenda.
Step into the shoes of Thad, a young man caught in a terrifying situation, reflecting on the racism that surrounds him. We'll explore the stories of everyday people ensnared in this web of fear and intrigue. Don't miss this intense journey into the world of secret executive orders and the brave individuals who fight against them.
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In a moment of rage, he flung the board and pieces to the floor and cut all ties with his sister. Whoever said chess was just a game?
Women's professional basketball in 1936? Hear Fran's story, submitted by Francine Andrews.
It was a painful lesson for the writer of this letter, the truth, the answer to his question was in a mirror.
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What happens when a couple can't confront their true feelings. Is their marriage circling the drain? Maybe we all have more in common with the story than we want to admit.
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