On this episode, Laura Chandler talks with writer, mountain climber, and entrepreneur, Michael Schauch, about his new book, A Story of Karma: Finding Love and Truth in the Lost Valley of the Himalaya. Part travel memoir, part spiritual quest, it begins with his love of mountain climbing and his pull to climb a mysterious mountain in the Himalayan region of Nepal. On that quest he encounters many adventures until one day he finds himself in a remote Nepali village where he meets a young Tibetan girl named Karma and his life is changed forever. The story of Karma is his own karma and that of his relationship to this young girl. The book reveals the hardships of so many Nepali mountain people, lack of access to education, running water, roads, healthcare, and also the joys and indomitable spirit of these remarkable people.

In this interview, Mike and Laura talk about Mike’s experiences in Nepal, his ongoing relationship with Karma and her family, the difficulties faced by the Nepali people, and his work with Thrangu Rinpoche’s School for Himalayan Children. To learn more about Mike, you can visit his website at michaelschauch.com. To learn more about the Himalayan Children’s School, visit their website at himalayanchildren.org. Mike was joined on his journey by his wife, Chantal, and several artists, including musician Michael Averil, who is our featured artist on today’s program. To hear more of Michael’s music, visit michaelaverillproductions.com.