Welcome to our podcast, where Carole's stories run the gamut from New York's beautiful Poets' House to the "yuck" factor in a little kid's backpack, courtesy of humourist Joanne Carnegie. And there's more. Think the Middle East is full of humourless folks who never have fun? Chuck that stereotype and rock on with Alaa Al Aswany's classic Egyptian novel, The Yacoubian Building. We love reading and promoting your published work, so send us your stories, poems and essays. Check for guidelines at carolegiangrande.com and follow WORDS TO TO PODCAST on Facebook.