Everybody's got a Story

Writer, editor, Arts columnist for Stu News, and in-coming Third Street Writers President Theresa Keegan joins this episode of Everybody's Got A Story - and she has some opinions on the art & craft of writing! Along the way, we talk about growing up in an Irish Catholic family, the importance of local news, her views on the next chapter for Laguna Beach's preeminent writing group, Third Street Writers, and Holiday Digest, now appearing in the Indy.

Michael Ray and Monica Martin delve beneath the covers with Trump's Hot Bot, a unique and humorous work of creative non-fiction. This visual feast, described as "a cross between an adult comic book, Mad Magazine, and vintage Playboy" presents a biographical take on the 45th and 47th President of the United States in graphic detail. Explore the story of how "Donny's" grandfather escaped the Kaiser's Germany to seek his fortune in the Yukon, establishing a legacy that would span the next three generations and extend to the five burroughs of NYC, into New Jersey and ultimately the White House.

If after listening to this podcast you would like to obtain a copy for yourself, or learn more about the Spanish illustrator who crafted the eye-popping illustrations, send an email to [email protected]. He knows a guy, who know a guy, who knows a bot...

Author Randy Kraft is a former journalist/communications strategist who has three novels (Colors of the Wheel, Signs of Life, and Off Season) and one story collection (Rational Women) in print. Randy is also a book reviewer and occasional lecturer. She holds an MAW, Masters in Writing; MBA; and BA, Literature. Raised in NYC, Randy migrated to Laguna Beach in 2006 where she is now happily writing and reading and enjoying the sea breezes in Southern California.

On this episode of Everbody's Got A Story Randy discusses her "orphan book", philosophy behind the non-use of quotation marks or chapter numbers (if you don't have a good reason to do something, don't do it), and the benefits of short-story writing for longer fictional works. We even get into some silliness with consonants, thus the title!

More information about Randy and her works can be found at Randy Kraft Writer - Novels, Short Stories, Book Reviews | Randy Kraft Writer

Dr. Henri Colt joins Everybody's Got A Story to discuss his book, Becoming Modigliani, "a myth-busting biography of Italian-Jewish artist Amedeo Modigliani." Along the way Henri answers such existential questions as “do we need another book on Modigliani? and Why write about Modigliani at all? We also receive a significant insight on the critcalness to writers of proper research, especially the planning phase.


Dr. Colt, who was raised in the US and France, is a medical doctor, writer, philosopher, award-winning medical educator and an Eagle Scout. His other activities include mountaineering, rock climbing, and adventure travel.

In addition to Becoming Modigliani, Henri has also produced An Anthology of Flash Fiction: 30 Short Stories about Life & Death, The Picture of Health: Medical Ethics and the Movies (Oxford University Press), Bronchoscopy and Central Airways Disorders: A Patient-Centered Approach (Elsevier Press), Flex-Rigid Pleuroscopy Step by Step (PMG Press), A Manual of Pleural Diseases (Raven Press), and the popular Essential Bronchoscopist Series (translated into seventeen languages).

Henri has worked, lectured, or traveled around the world, visiting more than 130 countries and all continents. His current writing projects include short stories and a textbook on ethics for Interventional Pulmonologists.

Author Kaira Rouda and her husband, former Congress Person Harley Rouda, take over Everybody's Got a Story as part of KXFM's annual fundraising drive. This dynamic couple shares love, laughs, and their mutual passion for the art of writing, dedication to serving others, and the importance of local community radio! 

On today's episode, Kaira announces the release of her twenty-second book, "What the Nanny Saw" (Amazon.com: What the Nanny Saw: A totally gripping psychological thriller with a killer twist (Family Secrets) eBook : Rouda , Kaira: Books) and alerts listeners to the reveal of the cover art for her next release, "Jill Is Not Happy" See the Cover of Kaira Rouda's Thriller 'Jill Is Not Happy' (Exclusive). In between, the Roudas share their playlist of songs with meaning and discuss everything from politics, service, charitable works, and the nature of SEC and Big Ten rivalry. Oh, and some really important tips for writers about perseverance and creating compelling characters.

Colorado transplant Diane Armitage came to "...this little vortex town in 2000...and decided to get out and explore...and...the “Best of Laguna Beach™” blog (Best of Laguna Beach | Diane Armitage | Substack) and books were inadvertently born." Over 17 years, Diana has shared her “best of” findings for everything from breakfast burritos to live music and Laguna Beach's rockin’ chefs. Diane also owns a marketing agency that has specialized in marketing strategy for restaurants and resorts all over the world. Restaurateurs hire Diane and her team to talk through the physical design and development as well as the concept’s brand development.

On today's episode, Diane shares her views on writing, thoughts on creatively promoting ourselves as artists, and the importance of bringing our creativity and intentions into reality.

Laguna Beach poet, world traveler and climate change activist Ellen Girardeau Kempler takes us on a poetic jouney that includes how she emerged from the chrysalis of a significant life setback to become a poet, her love for Laguna and her views on climate change through the lens of her poetry. Ellen also reads from her forthcoming publication, expected in April 2025, a collection of 32 poems exploring the effects of climate change.

Third Street Writers President Amy Dechary and LCAD Gallery Manager Bryan Heggie team up to talk about writing workshops, visual arts, and the symbiotic relationship between the two art forms in action here in Laguna Beach. Amy and Bryan also discuss the history of Secrets & Sins, an open mic reading event focused on the scary, macabe, and sublime scheduled to take place at the LCAD Gallery on the night of Thursday October 24 at 7:00PM. Consider yourself summoned!

Linda Shelton Marshal spent twenty-five years writing scripts for Fortune 500 Companies including Dow and Dow-Corning as well as multinational organizations like the Boy Scouts. Embued with a keen sense of how human beings are wired for story, Linda admonished her client to avoid being a Talking Head and seek instead to communincate on a more listener oriented plane.

Linda takes listeners through a journey of how the human mind processes story, discuss the triad of the mind, body, and spirit and provides essential tips and advice for all writers to consider as they craft any form of written communication.

Phil Daigle, Laguna Beach resident and author of three independently published novels, provides listeners with a step-by-step guide on how to successfully navigate the world of independent publishing to bring your writing project to life. From e-readers to Amazon sales to published hard copies, Phil shares his experience along with tips and tricks for writers seeking alternatives to the Big 5 Publishing houses.

Phil Daigle is a mystery and historical fiction author with three published novels - The Acadian, Tides of Acadia, and his most recent release, Canvas of Secrets, a murder mystery set in 1969 Laguna Beach.