Author: Dan Clouser

Lois Letchford – How We Learn

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother’s Son podcast, I talk with Lois Letchford.

Lois is the author of the book, “Reversed: A Memoir,” which chronicles an extraordinary journey of overcoming daunting odds, offering inspiration and hope to parents and educators navigating desperate situations. At the age of 39, while teaching her second son how to read, she stumbled upon her own “learning difference,” an unexpected revelation that ignited an unwavering pursuit for answers.

With sheer determination and unyielding resilience, she confronted challenges and battled self-doubt head-on, proving that no obstacle is insurmountable. Through relentless effort, she witnessed the transformative power of perseverance, achieving significant milestones and experiencing profound personal growth.

She discovered the immense value of trusting her instincts. This experience led to her appreciating literacy learning as being more than a “set of skills to acquire.”  Embracing foundational knowledge of “how children and adults learn,” and adopting a growth mindset, she unlocked true potential, shattering self-limiting beliefs.

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Dan and Sandy – Oh, Canada

In this episode of “The Journey of My Mother’s Son” podcast, Sandy and I talk about our trip up the Oregon Coast, into Washington, and eventually across the border into Canada.

After almost two years in the making, we were excited to meet our friends and grandson, Alex in Great Falls, Montana to start our 3-1/2-month journey throughout Canada and Alaska.  Even though we had only been in Canada for a little over two weeks when we recorded this episode, we have already seen so many amazing things and made incredible memories.

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Greg Peterson – Let’s talk permaculture!

“What if there was a garden and fruit tree in every yard?” This is a question that Greg ponders every day.  For over 32 years he created on of one of Phoenix’s first environmental showcase homes for urban farming.  The 1/4-acre yard featured a primarily edible landscape with over 80 fruit trees, rainwater and greywater harvesting, solar applications, and extensive use of reclaimed and recycled building materials.

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Morgan McCarver – The Potter and the Clay

Morgan was born and raised in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Her work is inspired by her female mentors of past and present, as well as her connection to Victorian corsetry through her scoliosis journey. She received an art degree with a ceramic’s concentration and a double minor in art history and business in 2019 from Anderson University in Anderson, SC.

McCarver had the honor of receiving the 2019 Outstanding Art Major Ceramics Award her senior year. As a 2020 701 Center for Contemporary Art prize finalist, she had the honor of being the youngest artist to ever make it that far. She is a multi-award-winning artist who recently received an Artist Support Grant to attend a national ceramics conference. She has had the honor of displaying her work in 2 solo exhibitions, “FemininiTEA” 2020 and “The Strength of a Wildflower” 2022. She recently completed a residency at Edgewood Cottage in Blowing Rock Summer 2023 and participated 2022 as well. McCarver has studios in Asheville, NC and Spartanburg, SC. Her art can be found in various galleries around the Carolinas and Tennessee.

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Catherine Gairard – The Heart of an Artist

Born in Peru into a low-middle-class family, Catherine faced financial barriers that hindered formal music education. Undeterred, she dedicated herself to self-study, cultivating a passion for music that eventually became a driving force in her life. Early on, she showcased her artistic flair by participating in school events, be it through dance, reciting poems, acting, or singing.

Guided by her father, an artist himself, she delved into the world of drawing. This early exposure laid the foundation for her artistic journey. The pursuit of theater studies followed, shaping her understanding of the performing arts.

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