In this episode, Becky sits down with Patrick McLaughlin, award-winning author of Cheerful Obedience: A Novel, U.S. Army veteran, Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame inductee, and retired fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Patrick shares how his early life, military service, and career in law shaped his perspective as a storyteller. He reveals the inspirations behind his debut novel, how he chose the striking title Cheerful Obedience, and why he believes readers have connected so deeply with the book—earning it multiple national awards.
The conversation explores the themes at the heart of his work: moral duty, personal sacrifice, and the complexities of living with integrity. Patrick discusses the real-world issues his book addresses, the impact he hopes to create for readers, and what it means to bring authenticity and emotional truth into fiction.
Whether you’re a fan of character-driven fiction, military-inspired stories, or the craft of writing itself, this episode offers a rich and thoughtful conversation with an author whose life experience deeply informs his art.
Visit AMPlify Audiobooks to explore Cheerful Obedience and learn more about Patrick McLaughlin’s work.
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Dive behind the scenes of the multi-award-winning audiobook, The Legend of Valentine, as Becky sits down with author Sheldon Collins and sound designer Daryl Bolicek. Discover the intricate creative process, from weaving historical fact with mythic storytelling to crafting an immersive soundscape with a cast of 20 narrators. Explore the challenges of sound design, the art of collaboration, and the meticulous work that led to winning Best Audiobook Production and Best Sound Design by the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS). Plus, get a sneak peek with a sample from the audiobook!
Access The Legend of Valentine audiobook through AMPlify Audiobooks:
https://proaudiovoices.com/product/the-legend-of-valentine/
In this episode of Audiobook Connection, host Becky Parker Geist sits down with author and retired educator Lenore Hirsch to discuss her book Schooled: Confessions of a Rookie Vice Principal. Becky guides a candid conversation that explores both the story behind the book and the real-world experiences that inspired it.
Lenore shares her journey from the classroom to authorship, reflecting on her background, early interest in writing, and what led her to tell this powerful story. The discussion dives into the book’s central themes, including leadership, gender dynamics in school administration, and the challenges women face when navigating authority in male-dominated environments. Listeners will also learn more about the protagonist, the origins of key characters, and the deeper message Lenore hopes readers take away.
Whether you’re an educator, author, audiobook enthusiast, or simply curious about the creative process, this episode offers thoughtful insights, honest reflections, and inspiration.
Access Lenore’s audiobook through AMPlify Audiobooks. https://proaudiovoices.com/audiobooks/
Host Becky Parker Geist interviews author Allynn Riggs, the creative mind behind the Stone´s Blade series, an epic science fiction-fantasy saga. She delves into her creative process, the experience of selecting narrators for the audiobook, and the challenges of preserving character voices across the series. Allynn also shares how her love of music influenced her storytelling and why this project is so personally meaningful. Whether you're a fan of space operas, writing, or audiobook production, this episode provides a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the creation of an ambitious and imaginative series.




