Send My Love to Anyone

Episode Title:"Laura Davis: From Premature Birth to Author - A Journey of Survival, Creativity, and Finding Awe"Episode Description:In this deeply moving interview from Kathryn Mockler's "I've Been Meaning to Ask You" series, bestselling author Laura Davis shares her profound journey that began with a dramatic premature birth weighing just 2 pounds, 12 ounces, separated from her identical twin sister.This conversation reveals how early trauma shaped a life dedicated to creativity, spiritual growth, and helping others find their voices through writing retreats in Bali and beyond.Key Topics Covered:Surviving Against Odds: Laura's dramatic start - born decades before 2-pound premature babies regularly survivedCreative Upbringing: Growing up in a home filled with music, theater, and artistic expressionSpiritual Transformation: How early separation led to a lifelong search for connection and aweWriting as Healing: The therapeutic power of storytelling and creative expressionGlobal Writing Retreats: Leading transformative cultural adventures for writersFinding Purpose: How childhood trauma became the foundation for helping othersGuest Background:Laura Davis, author of "The Burning Light of Two Stars" memoir, international writing retreat leader, and advocate for creative expression as healing. Currently leading her 10th writing retreat to Bali, focusing on sacred creativity and spiritual transformation. Laura is sharing this interview in her newsletter as a guest post from Kathryn Mockler's series.Episode Themes:Resilience and survivalThe healing power of creativitySpiritual awakening through natureFamily bonds and chosen familySocial justice and compassionTravel as transformationThe Healing Heart of Bali: A Writer's Journey of Renewal for Body, Mind, and Spirit"I take writers around the world on cultural adventures that spark awe, creativity and deep relaxation. In August, I’m bringing a group to Bali to study Balinese spirituality and meet with Balinese healers. We’ll be exploring three diverse “back roads” areas of Bali, meeting with artisans, hiking through coffee and clove plantations, experiencing the transformation that occurs when immersing in a culture that celebrates sacred creativity. And of course, we’ll be writing every day—writing together creates an intimate traveling community and gives people the opportunity to digest and integrate their experiences. This is my tenth time taking writers to Bali—obviously I feel a deep affinity for the stunning beauty and spiritual power of that island and its people."There is one final spot left on this trip.You can learn more here: https://lauradavis.net/bali/About the interviewer, Kathryn Mockler:Kathryn Mockler is a writer, screenwriter, experimental filmmaker, editor, and publisher and the author of the story collection Anecdotes (Book*hug Press, 2023), which won the 2024 Victoria Butler Book Prize and was a finalist for the 2024 Trillium Book Award, 2023 Danuta Gleed Literary Award, 2024 Fred Kerner Award, and 2024 VMI Besty Warland Between Genres Award. She co-edited the print anthology Watch Your Head: Writers and Artists Respond to the Climate Crisis (Coach House Books, 2020). Her films have screened at TIFF, EMFA, the Palm Springs Film Festival and most recently at the Arizona Underground Film Festival and REELPoetry/HoustonTX. She runs the literary newsletter Send My Love to Anyone and teaches screenwriting and fiction in the Writing Department at the University of Victoria.LAURA DAVIS’ WRITING CLASSES AND RETREATS: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