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.

In today's episode, Becky discusses the topic of control - as it relates to audiobooks, and beyond. She reveals some ways (you may or may not know) that companies, such as Amazon, have their hands in EVERYTHING - from audiobook publishing to data storage - and why this is an issue. She breaks down how this can affect you personally, and in the bigger picture, the community. She also highlights some ways that authors and listeners can affordably protect the things that they create and are passionate about!

On this day when everyone is thinking about being thankful, host Becky Parker Geist takes a moment to express her gratitude for everyone who has offered kind words and support over the past year.