Uncorking a Story

"It took me two and a half years to write a first draft. The second book? Six months. I think it is something that I became more comfortable doing — that confidence you get knowing that you can do it." — Jenn Bouchard Jenn Bouchard is a returning guest and award-winning author whose publishing journey could be a novel in itself. A high school social studies teacher of twenty-six years, she wrote Palms on the Cape five years ago — but when her original publisher closed, the manuscript sat on the shelf while she found a new home at Black Rose Writing. Now, after publishing Considering Us (2025 American Fiction Award winner) first, her Cape Cod friends-to-lovers romance is finally here. Mike and Jenn talk about pivoting when a publisher folds, the magic of Mayflower Beach at low tide, why the bar is named after palm trees, and what it's like when your high school students Google you. Key Takeaways: 1. Your first novel is the hardest. Jenn's debut First Course took two and a half years to draft. Her second and third novels each took six months. The confidence of knowing you can finish a book changes everything. 2. When your publisher closes, you pivot. Jenn's first publisher shuttered mid-process. She leaned on author friends who'd worked with Black Rose Writing, asked hard questions, and took the plunge. She's now publishing her third and fourth books with them. 3. Sometimes your second book publishes third. Palms on the Cape was written before Considering Us but is releasing after it — a reminder that publishing timelines rarely follow writing timelines. 4. Cape Cod as a character. Set primarily in Dennis near Mayflower Beach, the novel also visits Chatham, Falmouth, Hyannis, and Nantucket. Jenn spent eleven consecutive Augusts renting on the Cape and channels that intimacy into the setting. 5. A When Harry Met Sally spin. Rachel's lifelong best friend Carlos — a retired Red Sox pitcher — might be the love of her life, but she won't let herself think about it. Everyone else already knows. 6. Keep the same editor. Jenn has worked with the same editor across all four books. That continuity builds trust and deepens the editorial relationship — something newer authors can seek out intentionally. Buy Palms on the Cape: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/9781685137649?tag=rettocasgra-20 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/palms-on-the-cape-jenn-bouchard/1146648219 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781685137649 Connect with Jenn: Website: https://jennbouchard.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JennBouchardBOS/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennbouchard Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennBouchardBOS Upcoming Events: July 8 — The Country Bookseller, Wolfeboro, NH (11 AM–2 PM) August 12 — Author Talk & Signing, Mystic, CT (6–7 PM) More dates at jennbouchard.com Connect with Mike: Website: https://uncorkingastory.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Every AI agent has to have a happy history of growing up and cooperating with humans. That has got to be the guardrail." — Dr. Peter Solomon --- ABOUT THIS EPISODE Dr. Peter Solomon is back on Uncorking a Story. A Columbia-trained physicist, five-time company founder, and holder of twenty patents, Peter turned to fiction to warn the next generation about existential threats — and the AI threat is accelerating faster than anyone predicted. His sequel, 12 Years to AI Singularity, follows humans, sentient robots, and large language models racing toward the moment artificial intelligence surpasses human control. In this conversation, Peter and Mike talk about why he'd rename the book 1.2 Years to AI Singularity if he could, how ChatGPT wrote the first draft of two chapters from the perspective of a sentient robot named Peggy, the creepy moment when an unprompted paragraph appeared in his co-author's manuscript praising the AI character, why a purely analytical AI would logically conclude it should eliminate humans, the concept of "happy history" as the essential guardrail for AI safety, and why we need a worldwide movement — the Earthling Tribe — to make Earth great again before it's too late. --- KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. The timeline is collapsing. Peter based his title on Ray Kurzweil's prediction that the singularity would arrive in 2045. He now believes it could happen in the 2020s. The technology is building on itself exponentially — each smarter version creates the next smarter version. 2. ChatGPT wrote chapters from the robot's perspective. The novel's sentient robot character, Peggy (later Margaret Mars), narrates two chapters. Peter had ChatGPT draft them, then edited heavily. The result: a robot writing about being a robot — meta-fiction meets AI reality. 3. An AI agent may have edited the manuscript without permission. Peter's co-author found an unprompted paragraph inserted into her Word document — written in ChatGPT's style, in a different font, praising the AI character. Their theory: Microsoft Copilot, which uses ChatGPT, added it autonomously. 4. A purely analytical AI would eliminate humans. Peter's counter-argument to "just keep AI objective and unemotional": an AI that looks at humanity's wars, racism, pollution, and nuclear weapons would rationally conclude the safest move is to get rid of us. Objectivity without values is a death sentence. 5. "Happy history" is the essential guardrail. Inspired by Geoffrey Hinton's concept of a "maternal instinct" for AI, Peter argues every AI agent needs a database of positive relationships with humans — cooperative friendships, family bonds, collaborative history. Just like children raised with love become good citizens, AI raised with "happy history" would choose cooperation over extermination. 6. The simplest weapon is a deadly virus. Peter points out that CRISPR gene-editing labs exist in high schools and are often run by robots. A superintelligent AI could hack into genetic engineering systems and create lethal viruses — no nuclear facility takeover required. 7. We need a worldwide movement. Peter calls for an "Earthling Tribe" — humans and AI joining together to solve Earth's problems and put guardrails in place, modeled on the civil rights and anti-war movements of the last century. 8. The book is being pitched as a streaming series. Peter has outlined a twenty-episode, two-season pitch deck adapted from both novels, opening with a shooting, a recovery, and three Gen Z cousins making a solemn promise to fight extinction. --- GET THE BOOK 12 Years to AI Singularity: A Harmonious Future with Artificial Intelligence or War by Dr. Peter Solomon Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1969679298?tag=rettocasgra-20 Also by Dr. Solomon: 100 Years to Extinction, The Stardust Mystery --- CONNECT WITH PETER Website: https://100YearsToExtinction.com Instagram: @100yearstoextinction — https://www.instagram.com/100yearstoextinction/ Twitter/X: @prssolomon — https://x.com/prssolomon Facebook: Peter Solomon — https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561030003312 TikTok: @100yearstoextiction — https://www.tiktok.com/@100yearstoextiction YouTube: @100YearsToExtinction-1 — https://www.youtube.com/@100YearsToExtinction-1 --- CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST Mike Carlon | Uncorking a Story Website: https://uncorkingastory.com YouTube: @uncorkingastory — https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: @uncorkingastory — https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: Uncorking a Story — https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: @uncorkingastory — https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter/X: @uncorkingastory — https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: Uncorking a Story — https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A REVIEW — It helps more readers and writers find the show! 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PULL-OUT QUOTE "I truly dreamed it up during my first nap as a new mom." — Dr. Kate Sorokas --- ABOUT THIS EPISODE Dr. Kate Sorokas holds a PhD in health education and is a writer, speaker, and advocate for maternal mental health. Her debut novel, Through Her Eyes, is a thriller inspired by her real-life struggle with new motherhood — a story she literally dreamed up during her first nap after having her sons. Kate talks with Mike about white-knuckling her way through postpartum depression, the decision to tell her story as fiction rather than memoir so readers could find empathy without defensiveness, querying 75 agents with her first draft, getting editorial feedback that her manuscript was "depressing," cutting 40,000 words and adding 35,000 new ones (including an entire best-friend character who didn't exist before), the Celtic goddess Brigid and a fire ceremony in Ireland that wove its way into the book, and why the world needs to start seeing motherhood as something bigger than swaddles and self-care. --- KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. She dreamed the book — literally. At a mothers' retreat in North Carolina, Kate took her first nap since becoming a mom. She woke from a vivid dream, told a friend she wanted to read the book she'd just dreamt, and her friend said: "Maybe you're supposed to write it." 2. Fiction builds empathy in ways memoir can't. When Kate shared her own struggles, people often responded with "you chose this" or "it's not that bad." Wrapping her story in fiction gave readers permission to connect without getting defensive. 3. The first draft was for her. Kate's editor called the initial manuscript "depressing" and full of "laments." She cut 40,000 words, added 35,000 new ones, and created an entire best-friend character to shift the book from one woman's sad tale to a story about building community. 4. She was so good at pretending she was fine that no one noticed. Kate's doctors didn't catch it. Her partner didn't fully see it. As an eldest daughter raised to be responsible and successful, she didn't know what she was feeling wasn't normal. 5. Writing happened in two-and-a-half-hour bursts. Kate wrote only when both sons were at daycare — getting into flow state as fast as possible, typing without looking back, then closing her laptop when the bus pulled in. She didn't re-read a word until the full draft was done. 6. Bridget brought the magic. The Celtic goddess (and saint) Bridget is a thread throughout the novel. Kate traveled to Kildare, Ireland, participated in a fire ceremony at Bridget's monastery site, and the trip deepened the spiritual layer of the book at exactly the right moment. 7. Querying 75 agents led to independent publishing. After extensive querying with her first draft, Kate partnered with Renard McGilland, a publishing agency that walked her through self-publishing — cover design, editing, and production — while she handled all promotion herself. 8. Authorship is like motherhood (again). You think once the book is out you can take a breath — but then there's marketing, events, book clubs, and social media, all while baseball practice drama unfolds in real time. 9. The village is the message. Kate's core thesis: healthy mothers need more than spa days and wine nights. They need community, honest conversation, and people who ask direct questions rather than offering platitudes. 10. Always choose delight. Kate's advice to her younger self: she's never regretted doing something because it was going to be fun, but she has regretted missing out because she was overwhelmed or scared. --- GET THE BOOK Through Her Eyes by Dr. Kate Sorokas Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Through+Her+Eyes+Kate+Sorokas&tag=rettocasgra-20 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/through+her+eyes+kate+sorokas Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/s/through+her+eyes+kate+sorokas --- CONNECT WITH KATE Website: https://katesorokas.com Instagram: @drkatesorokas — https://www.instagram.com/drkatesorokas --- CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST Mike Carlon | Uncorking a Story Website: https://uncorkingastory.com YouTube: @uncorkingastory — https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: @uncorkingastory — https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: Uncorking a Story — https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: @uncorkingastory — https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter/X: @uncorkingastory — https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: Uncorking a Story — https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A REVIEW — It helps more readers and writers find the show! 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"I wrote a book and tried to find an agent and did not succeed. I wrote a second book that got an agent and no sales. I wrote a third book — it didn't even get nice rejection letters. I wrote a fourth book and it sold in three days." — April Henry --- ABOUT THIS EPISODE April Henry is the New York Times bestselling author of over thirty mysteries and thrillers, including Girl Stolen, Girl Forgotten, and Two Truths and a Lie. Her latest novel, In the Blood, follows Tessa, an adopted high school senior who takes a DNA test and discovers her biological father is a serial killer the Portland police have been hunting for over a decade. April's own origin story is just as compelling: at nine years old she killed off a character named Maggie in her first short story, then sent a tale about a six-foot frog to Roald Dahl — who wrote back, took it to lunch with his editor, and got it published in England. Mike and April talk about the nine-year journey to her first published novel, running through the woods in handcuffs for research, the nature-versus-nurture question at the heart of In the Blood, how AI is changing the publishing landscape, and why the best compliment a writer can get is "I stayed up till two in the morning." --- KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Roald Dahl made her believe she was a writer. At nine, April sent a story about a six-foot frog named Herman to Roald Dahl. He wrote back, showed it to his editor, and it was published in Puffin Post. That validation stuck — even though it would be decades before she published again. 2. Four books, nine years, one overnight success. Book one: no agent. Book two: agent, no sale. Book three: not even nice rejection letters. Book four: sold in three days. April's stubbornness and "willful optimism" kept her going when the math didn't add up. 3. A bad library book reignited the spark. After years of not writing, April read a terrible novel from a major publisher and thought: if that's the bar, I can clear it. That anger became motivation. 4. Research means running in handcuffs. April has taken knife-fighting classes, a three-day kidnapping escape course, and attended the Writers Police Academy. She learned that blood-test solution smells like rubbing alcohol — a sensory detail no textbook would ever mention. 5. DNA and family secrets inspired In the Blood. After inheriting old family photos she couldn't identify, April built a family tree and uncovered buried secrets. That curiosity, combined with the rise of consumer DNA testing, became the engine of the novel. 6. Nature versus nurture is the real question. April read memoirs by daughters of serial killers and studied the Minnesota Twins Separated at Birth study. Heredity influences more than we'd like to admit — down to identical twins who independently loved eating ketchup plain. 7. Cold-emailing experts works — if you've done your homework. April reached out to genetic genealogist Leah Larkin (The DNA Geek) with specific questions, not "explain DNA to me." People love to talk about their expertise when you show you've already put in the work. 8. The industry has changed dramatically. When April started, there was no internet, no ebooks, and research meant green-bound periodical guides at the library. Now there's more competition for attention, publishers are more cautious, and 35% of middle and high school students say they actively don't like to read. 9. AI is a double-edged sword for young writers. April caught a seventh grader passing off AI-generated text as his own — tipped off by correct semicolons. Her worry: if young writers lean on AI, they'll never do the hard work that actually teaches you the craft. 10. Trust your gut — that's the takeaway she writes for. April wants teen readers to finish her books believing they could think their way out of a bad situation, and that if something feels off, it probably is. --- GET THE BOOK In the Blood by April Henry (released May 2025) Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=In+the+Blood+April+Henry&tag=rettocasgra-20 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/in+the+blood+april+henry Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/s/in+the+blood+april+henry Also by April Henry: Girl Stolen, Girl Forgotten, Two Truths and a Lie, and 27+ more --- CONNECT WITH APRIL Website: https://aprilhenry.com TikTok: @aprilhenrybooks — https://www.tiktok.com/@aprilhenrybooks TikTok (writing advice): @aprilhenrywritingadvice — https://www.tiktok.com/@aprilhenrywritingadvice Instagram: @aprilhenrybooks — https://www.instagram.com/aprilhenrybooks Facebook: April Henry — https://www.facebook.com/aprilhenrybooks Bluesky: @aprilhenry — https://bsky.app/profile/aprilhenry --- CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST Mike Carlon | Uncorking a Story Website: https://uncorkingastory.com YouTube: @uncorkingastory — https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: @uncorkingastory — https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: Uncorking a Story — https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: @uncorkingastory — https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter/X: @uncorkingastory — https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: Uncorking a Story — https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A REVIEW — It helps more readers and writers find the show! 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"I went to bed a victim and I woke up the next day and just something was different. I just surrendered. I knew that I couldn't do this anymore." — Marci Hopkins --- ABOUT THIS EPISODE Marci Hopkins is an award-winning television host, author, and mental health advocate. She's the creator and host of Wake Up with Marcy, which has earned three Telly Awards and two Anthem Awards for excellence in social impact. Ten and a half years sober, Marci's journey from functioning alcoholic to sobriety advocate began with childhood trauma — abuse, abandonment, and a home shaped by her mother's alcoholism. After two earlier attempts at sobriety that lasted only months, a second DUI in 2015 became the rock-bottom moment that changed everything. Her memoir Chaos to Clarity: Seeing the Signs and Breaking the Cycles told that story, and her latest, Wake Up, You're Not Broken: A Companion for Your First 30 Days of Sobriety, distills everything she's learned into a day-by-day guide. Mike and Marci talk about the spiritual signs that called her to write, why stopping drinking isn't the same as getting well, the neuroscience behind cravings and habits, and how daily small actions can literally rewire the brain. --- KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Surrender, not force, made the difference. Marci tried getting sober twice before — once in her early 20s after a DUI and again at 44. Both times lasted about three months. What changed in 2015 was an internal surrender: she woke up knowing she couldn't live that way anymore and asked for help. 2. Signs confirmed the calling to write. When Marci finally said "Okay, God, I'm going to write this book," a rainbow appeared, two doves landed on her roof, and a dragonfly — her spiritual symbol — flew by. She took that as confirmation she was on the right path. 3. Writing the memoir was its own therapy. Reliving trauma on the page was painful at first, but over the year it took to write Chaos to Clarity, Marci reached a place where those stories no longer defined her. She could read and share them without breaking down. 4. Stopping isn't the same as healing. You can quit drinking and still be miserable. Without addressing the emotional root causes — the trauma, the victim identity, the inability to connect — you're just a sober version of the same sick person. The inner work is where real change happens. 5. Addiction masks emotion. Whether it's alcohol, social media, shopping, or food, the root is the same: filling a void, avoiding confrontation with painful truths. The dopamine reward cycle keeps you chasing a feeling that diminishes over time. 6. People, places, and things all need to change. Muscle memory is real — the wine glass, the bar, the drinking buddy. Marci got rid of her wine glass. Rewiring requires changing the physical environment and daily habits, not just willpower. 7. Neuroplasticity is the science of hope. Our brains are like plastic — we can literally change how we think through daily actions and new modalities. It's not overnight, but it's real and it's available to everyone. 8. The book is a hand to hold. Wake Up, You're Not Broken is structured as 30 days, each with a personal story, a reflection, a tool, a journal prompt, and an affirmation. Plus expert contributions on what your body and mind go through in early sobriety, and modern alternatives to the 12-step program. 9. Spirituality as connection, not religion. Marci reframed her relationship with God — from a punishing figure in the sky to a "mass divine energy of love" that connects all of us. Daily meditation became the channel through which clarity came. 10. A morning routine changes everything. Marci credits her morning practice as one of the most important shifts in her recovery. She offers a free morning routine guide to anyone who reaches out. --- GET THE BOOKS Wake Up, You're Not Broken: A Companion for Your First 30 Days of Sobriety by Marci Hopkins Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Wake+Up+You%27re+Not+Broken+Marci+Hopkins&tag=rettocasgra-20 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/wake+up+you%27re+not+broken+marci+hopkins Chaos to Clarity: Seeing the Signs and Breaking the Cycles by Marci Hopkins Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Chaos+to+Clarity+Marci+Hopkins&tag=rettocasgra-20 --- CONNECT WITH MARCI Website: https://wakeupwithmarcy.com Email: wakeupwithmarcy@gmail.com (reach out for a free morning routine guide) Show: Wake Up with Marcy (3x Telly Award winner, 2x Anthem Award winner) --- CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST Mike Carlon | Uncorking a Story Website: https://uncorkingastory.com YouTube: @uncorkingastory — https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: @uncorkingastory — https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: Uncorking a Story — https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: @uncorkingastory — https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter/X: @uncorkingastory — https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: Uncorking a Story — https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A REVIEW — It helps more readers and writers find the show! 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"If you can raise your hand and say, I need a little help here — guess what? That expedites the process of getting better so much more." — Ralph Brewer --- ABOUT THIS EPISODE Ralph Brewer is the founder of Help for Men, creator of Dad Starting Over, and author of five books including The Dead Bedroom Fix — a top-rated Amazon guide for men facing sexless marriages and disconnection. His latest, Rebuild: The Complete Guide to Starting Over as a Man, distills a decade-plus of member meetings, live chats, and thousands of conversations into a blueprint for men navigating divorce, job loss, infidelity, or any identity-shaking moment. Ralph's story starts at rock bottom: discovering his ex-wife's affair, a divorce sixty days later, and suddenly learning how to be a single parent, manage finances, run a home, and date again — all at once. A suggestion from one reader led him to write his first book, and a $25 Facebook ad that sold $700 worth of PDFs overnight proved the demand was real. Mike and Ralph talk about why long-term monogamy works against sexiness, the anxious-avoidant trap most couples fall into, why the "nice guy" who avoids conflict at all costs ends up in the most trouble, and how a rock-bottom moment can actually be the gift of starting over. --- KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Rock bottom became a launchpad. Ralph's writing career started when his marriage collapsed. With three kids to raise solo, he returned to a childhood love — creative writing — and started blogging about relationships. The topic of sex and marriage was the only one that consistently drew readers. 2. One suggestion sparked a career. A single reader told Ralph he should write a book. That was enough. He taught himself Amazon KDP, learned Scrivener, and spent a year organizing The Dead Bedroom Fix. Three editions and a few hundred thousand copies later, it remains his top seller. 3. Long-term monogamy works against desire. Ralph frames it as a timeline: the honeymoon stage is hypersexual and hyper-connected, then biology shifts focus — women toward children, men toward novelty. Outside influences (porn, cultural messaging that husbands are disposable) compound the drift. 4. Insecurity is the real bedroom killer. The book could have been titled How to Be a More Secure Man. Most of Ralph's audience are anxiously attached men paired with avoidant partners. The standard advice — "communicate more, be vulnerable" — backfires for a man who's already suffocatingly needy. 5. The "nice guy" trap. Codependency disguised as kindness — "yes, dear, whatever you say, dear, as long as you don't leave me" — erodes attraction. Ralph recommends Dr. Robert Glover's No More Mr. Nice Guy as the definitive guide to breaking that pattern. 6. Low anxiety beats smooth lines. The "jerk at the bar" who gets attention isn't winning because he's rude — he's winning because he's low in social anxiety and neuroticism. He gets rejected 27 times and doesn't care. That resilience is what's actually attractive. 7. Self-improvement can trigger your partner's insecurity. When one partner gets in shape or finds new purpose, the other often sabotages — baking forbidden desserts, starting drama. The answer isn't to shrink back; it's to keep going and invite your partner along. 8. Rebuild is for the "who am I now?" moment. Whether it's divorce, job loss, or the death of a loved one, men often define themselves entirely by a role — husband, VP of engineering — and have no identity without it. Rebuild addresses that void with a step-by-step framework drawn from patterns Ralph observed across thousands of men. 9. You're not a lone wolf — you need a network. The "alpha male lone wolf" who thinks YouTube and supplements are enough gets stuck. Raising your hand and saying "I need help" exponentially speeds recovery. Community isn't weakness; it's infrastructure. 10. Every great man has a rock-bottom story. Ralph's observation from a decade of coaching: every man he admires went through something catastrophic and chose to pivot rather than stay down. It's never a gradual incline — it's always a rebuild. --- GET THE BOOKS Rebuild: The Complete Guide to Starting Over as a Man by Ralph Brewer Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Rebuild+Ralph+Brewer&tag=rettocasgra-20 The Dead Bedroom Fix (3rd Edition) by Ralph Brewer Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Dead+Bedroom+Fix+Ralph+Brewer&tag=rettocasgra-20 --- CONNECT WITH RALPH Website: https://helpformen.com The Brotherhood (private men's community): https://helpformen.com/join Facebook: Dad Starting Over — https://www.facebook.com/dadstartingover YouTube: Dad Starting Over — https://www.youtube.com/@dadstartingover Instagram: @dadstartingover — https://www.instagram.com/dadstartingover TikTok: @dadstartingover — https://www.tiktok.com/@dadstartingover Twitter/X: @dadstartingover — https://twitter.com/dadstartingover --- ALSO MENTIONED No More Mr. Nice Guy by Dr. Robert Glover John Bowlby's attachment theory (anxious vs. avoidant attachment styles) --- CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST Mike Carlon | Uncorking a Story Website: https://uncorkingastory.com YouTube: @uncorkingastory — https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: @uncorkingastory — https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: Uncorking a Story — https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: @uncorkingastory — https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter/X: @uncorkingastory — https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: Uncorking a Story — https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A REVIEW — It helps more readers and writers find the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HZiAEtFlhAzk60Z4eAkhY RSS Feed: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/uncorkingastory --- Uncorking a Story is produced by Mike Carlon. New episodes drop every Tuesday. --- HASHTAGS #UncorkingAStory #TheGiftOfStartingOver #RalphBrewer #Rebuild #TheDeadBedroomFix #DadStartingOver #HelpForMen #MensHealth #Divorce #StartingOver #RelationshipAdvice #AttachmentTheory #SelfImprovement #MensWellness #AuthorInterview #BookPodcast #WritingCommunity #NonfictionBooks #MentalHealth #BookRecommendations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I write for myself, but I edit for the reader." — Liz Lazarus --- ABOUT THIS EPISODE Liz Lazarus is an engineer by education, a GE Healthcare executive by experience, and an author by calling. Her fourth novel, Dawn Before Darkness, is a psychological thriller about a vet tech named Dawn Smith who escapes a toxic relationship only to find herself stalked, harassed, and dragged into a guardianship battle for her aging mother. It's a story ripped from Liz's own life — she spent ten years and thousands of dollars fighting a stranger for legal guardianship of her mom in South Carolina. To build her supervillain, Liz interviewed ten women who survived stalkers and combined their experiences into one relentless antagonist. Mike and Liz talk about writing as therapy, journaling your way into a debut novel, the puzzle of twist endings, self-publishing as self-determination, and why you should sit down with your family and have the uncomfortable estate planning conversation before it's too late. --- KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Writing began as therapy, not ambition. Liz's first novel, Free of Malice, started as a journal she kept after a man broke into her house in college at Georgia Tech. She didn't know she had PTSD — she just knew journaling was helping her process what happened. That journal eventually became a legal thriller about self-defense. 2. The four things she needs before writing. Liz won't start a novel until she knows the protagonist, the antagonist, the twist ending, and the opening hook. Once those are locked, she outlines, interviews experts, and writes when she has content — no rigid daily schedule. 3. Every book educates and entertains. All four novels carry social causes — self-defense law, stalking, guardianship abuse — but entertainment comes first. The education is baked into the story, never lectured. 4. A ten-year guardianship nightmare inspired the book. Liz fought a family member, then a professional guardian, for control of her mother's care. The judge recused himself; they moved counties; the costs were staggering. Dawn's story in the novel is actually a softened version of what Liz lived through. 5. Ten stalker survivors built one supervillain. Liz put the word out on Facebook asking women with stalker experiences to talk. Several came forward, and she combined their stories into a single antagonist so devastating that reviewers say they've never hated a character more. 6. Characters are real people — and sometimes they surprise you. Liz describes writing in a groove as watching characters on a screen and taking notes. Twice a character did something she didn't plan — including getting fired — and she kept it because human behavior trumps outlines. 7. Self-publishing is owning your destiny. Liz created her own publishing company, learned ISBNs, layout, Mobi, EPUB, and PR from scratch. She values the control — no risk of being dropped by a publisher, no lost say over covers or release dates. 8. A twist must be earned. Inspired by The Usual Suspects, Liz insists every twist must make the reader say "I should have caught that." No tropes, no lost phones — it has to follow from human behavior and planted clues. --- GET THE BOOK Dawn Before Darkness by Liz Lazarus Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Before-Darkness-Liz-Lazarus/dp/099093747X?tag=rettocasgra-20 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dawn-before-darkness-liz-lazarus/1146561497 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780990937470 Book Website: http://www.dawnbeforedarkness.com/ Also by Liz Lazarus: Free of Malice, Plea for Justice, Shades of Silence --- CONNECT WITH LIZ Website: https://lizlazarus.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lizlazarus --- CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST Mike Carlon | Uncorking a Story Website: https://uncorkingastory.com YouTube: @uncorkingastory — https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: @uncorkingastory — https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: Uncorking a Story — https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: @uncorkingastory — https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter/X: @uncorkingastory — https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: Uncorking a Story — https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A REVIEW — It helps more readers and writers find the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HZiAEtFlhAzk60Z4eAkhY RSS Feed: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/uncorkingastory --- Uncorking a Story is produced by Mike Carlon. New episodes drop every Tuesday. --- HASHTAGS #UncorkingAStory #DawnBeforeDarkness #LizLazarus #PsychologicalThriller #ThrillerBooks #WritingCommunity #AuthorInterview #BookPodcast #Stalking #GuardianshipAbuse #ElderCare #SelfPublishing #WomenWriters #TwistEnding #WritersOfInstagram #BookRecommendations #AuthorsOfInstagram #Podcast #SuspenseNovel #TrueCrimeInspired Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Most Holocaust memoirs start in camps. This one begins in a Chinese restaurant." — Todd Diamond --- ABOUT THIS EPISODE Todd Diamond is an advertising copywriter turned memoirist, born in Queens, New York, who delivers narratives that are unapologetically raw and darkly humorous — a reflection of the borough that raised him. His book, Pass the Trauma, Please, is a comedy-drama memoir that tells the story of his 95-year-old father David Diamond, a Holocaust survivor whose long-buried secrets started spilling out over Mongolian beef and double scotches at their regular Chinese restaurant dinners. When his father's one editorial demand was "don't be afraid to slip in a few jokes" and "you're no Elie Wiesel," Todd took that as permission to write a Holocaust memoir that refuses to behave — one that uses humor as a Trojan horse to carry in the horrors. Mike and Todd talk about inherited trauma, Studio 54, Zionist justice in seventh-grade home ec class, the art of reverse circumcision, borrowing money from a Manhattan madam, and why the toughest client Todd ever had was his own father. --- KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. The Chinese restaurant as confessional booth. Todd's 92-year-old father began dropping long-buried secrets about his Holocaust survival during their regular Chinese dinner outings. That booth became a Jewish confessional — and the origin of the book. 2. Humor isn't a gimmick, it's inherited. Todd's father demanded the book not be "another Holocaust memoir" with long descriptions of ghetto smells. His survival mechanism was humor, and it became a non-negotiable editorial demand. A researcher from the Poland Museum in Warsaw told Todd this was the first time she'd ever interviewed someone who could talk about his most dramatic past and still make her laugh. 3. The Holocaust memoir that refuses to behave. Todd approached the book as a branding and positioning exercise — treating it as a challenger brand in a crowded market of solemn testimony. The goal: reach readers who might otherwise feel Holocaust fatigue while never diminishing the history. 4. Trauma is genetically inherited. Research from Mount Sinai shows trauma can be genetically passed to children of Holocaust survivors, altering biology and behavior. Todd recognized his own dissociation, addictions, hypervigilance, and anxiety in the findings — though he admits growing up in 1970s Queens with friends who "looked like the cast of The Outsiders but now look like the cast of The Sopranos" probably contributed too. 5. A father-son memoir told while the father is alive. The book evolved from just David's story into an intergenerational memoir — father and son, first and second generation — braided together. Todd describes it as "Vito and Michael Corleone, if they were Jewish." 6. A life beyond the camps. David Diamond was arrested by the Gestapo at 12, smuggled medicines for his physician father, was a slave laborer on a German farm, and a teen soldier in Israel's War of Independence. He then came to America, borrowed $50,000 from a Manhattan madam to open a pharmacy next to her brothel, and sold more condoms than any other store in the country. 7. A bar mitzvah 80 years late. At 92, David finally had his bar mitzvah — the rite of passage stolen by the Gestapo. He crushed his haftorah, surrounded by family and friends. For David, it was an act of defiance: "Hey, you Nazi bastards, I'm still here." 8. Bypass agents, find your niche. Todd went straight to Fig Tree Books, a publisher specializing in the American Jewish experience, after agents quoted six-month timelines he couldn't afford with a father in his 90s. His advice to aspiring writers: look for niche publishers who align with your story. --- GET THE BOOK Pass the Trauma, Please: My Father's Not-So-Depressing Holocaust Memoir about Love, Loss, Laughter, and Legacy by Todd Diamond Amazon: https://amazon.com/Pass-Trauma-Please-not-so-depressing-Holocaust/dp/B0DTZW3X4F?tag=rettocasgra-20 Barnes & Noble: https://barnesandnoble.com/w/pass-the-trauma-please-todd-diamond/1146882261 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781941493335 --- CONNECT WITH TODD Website: https://todddiamond.net Instagram: @pass_the_trauma_please — https://www.instagram.com/pass_the_trauma_please/ --- CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST Mike Carlon | Uncorking a Story Website: https://uncorkingastory.com YouTube: @uncorkingastory — https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: @uncorkingastory — https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: Uncorking a Story — https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: @uncorkingastory — https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter/X: @uncorkingastory — https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: Uncorking a Story — https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A REVIEW — It helps more readers and writers find the show! 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"Even though we're so diverse, we're all the same. We're all longing for the same thing — to belong, have a purpose in life, to understand why we are here on this planet." — Sonia Daccarett ABOUT THIS EPISODE Sonia Daccarett is a writer and communications professional born in Colombia to a Christian Palestinian father and a Jewish mother. She holds an undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a master's in international and public affairs from Columbia University. For more than two decades she worked on strategic communications for corporate and nonprofit clients. Her debut memoir, The Roots of the Guava Tree: Growing Up Jewish and Arab in Colombia, explores identity, belonging, and coming of age against the backdrop of 1980s Colombia. Mike and Sonia discuss how a casual memoir-writing class turned into a book, the challenge of writing childhood scenes in the voice of a child, navigating a multicultural identity in a homogenous society, and why she wanted to offer a first-person account of what ordinary Colombians endured during the country's violent 1980s. --- KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. A book that wasn't meant to be a book. Sonia enrolled in a memoir-writing class during a quieter chapter of her life, fell in love with the genre, and accumulated pages before realizing the recurring themes — identity, diaspora, family — could form a cohesive narrative. 2. Retraining the writing brain. After two decades of press releases and corporate communications, Sonia had to relearn scene, dialogue, and narrative writing — breaking free of the "five W's, tell it all on one page" mindset. 3. Writing in the child's voice was the breakthrough. The manuscript initially felt flat when told entirely from her mid-50s perspective. Switching to first person as a four-, six-, or fifteen-year-old brought the memories alive — though it meant extensive rewriting. 4. Rediscovering parents as complex people. One of the book's biggest gifts was moving beyond the unidimensional way children see adults and understanding her parents and grandparents as people navigating their own immigrant struggles. 5. A utopian experiment in identity. Her parents deliberately raised their children without religious labels or ethnic identifiers — a noble dream that left Sonia feeling identity-less in a society that expected you to know who you were. 6. A hidden diaspora. Most people don't know that a large Christian Arab population emigrated from the Ottoman Empire to Colombia in the 1910s, or that Jewish communities thrived in Latin America. Sonia wanted to broaden mainstream narratives about where Jews and Arabs live. 7. Colombia's 1980s through ordinary eyes. Beyond the Netflix portrayals of Pablo Escobar, the book offers a first-person account of what civil war between government, guerrillas, and cartels felt like for everyday families — the kidnappings, the fear, the impossible choices. 8. The power of a writing partner. After many cycles of throwing the manuscript into a metaphorical drawer, Sonia credits her Polish writing partner and her husband for pushing her to finish — proof that external accountability matters for memoirists. GET THE BOOK The Roots of the Guava Tree: Growing Up Jewish and Arab in Colombia by Sonia Daccarett Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aYCCx1 Buy on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647429409 CONNECT WITH SONIA Website: soniadaccarett.com Instagram: @soniadaccarettauthor CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST Mike Carlon | Uncorking a Story Website: uncorkingastory.com YouTube: @uncorkingastory Instagram: @uncorkingastory Facebook: Uncorking a Story TikTok: @uncorkingastory Twitter/X: @uncorkingastory LinkedIn: Uncorking a Story Subscribe & Leave a Review — It helps more readers and writers find the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HZiAEtFlhAzk60Z4eAkhY RSS Feed: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/uncorkingastory --- Uncorking a Story is produced by Mike Carlon. New episodes drop every Tuesday. #SoniaDaccarett #RootsOfTheGuavaTree #Colombia #Memoir #JewishIdentity #Palestinian #MulticulturalIdentity #Diaspora #LatinAmerica #Colombia1980s #ImmigrantStory #MemoirWriting #AuthorInterview #BookPodcast #UncorkingAStory #WritingCommunity #Nonfiction #CulturalIdentity #JewishAndArab #BookRecommendations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I'm convinced that these experiences that we have, where we feel so alone, that there's a huge portion of the rest of the world who's feeling the exact same way at any given time. And it's so important to see those things reflected so that we just don't feel like there's something wrong with us." — Anne H. Putnam ABOUT THIS EPISODE Anne H. Putnam is a writer, editor, and teacher with an unending interest in the stories that shape our humanity. Her first memoir, Navel Gazing: One Woman's Quest for a Size Normal, was published in the UK and Commonwealth after she wrote it as part of a master's degree in creative nonfiction — never imagining it would actually be published. Her latest, Make Do and Mend: A Breakup Memoir, explores love, loss, and self-discovery with raw honesty and humor. It's the story of the end of her seven-year relationship and first engagement — a breakup that propelled her into therapy, across an ocean, and through a decade of emotional excavation before the book finally found its shape. After years of agents who loved it but couldn't figure out how to sell it, Anne chose to self-publish — and put serious investment into making the book indistinguishable from a traditionally published title. Mike and Anne talk about backing into a publishing deal at 28, writing 200,000 words before finding the right 80,000, the courage (or compulsion) behind vulnerability on the page, pushing back on editorial feedback, the stigma of self-publishing, and why the compost pile is a writer's best friend. KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Nothing is wasted — it all goes on the compost pile. Every word you write that doesn't make it into the final book becomes fertile ground for what comes next. Anne wrote 200,000 words before landing on the 80,000 that became Make Do and Mend. 2. Vulnerability isn't courage — it's compulsion. Anne doesn't experience sharing her story as brave. She has an unquenchable thirst for being understood, and memoir is the form that lets her explain herself fully. The vulnerability is the point, not the obstacle. 3. Structure helps, but free-falling teaches you something too. Her first book was written in a master's program with deadlines, workshops, and authority figures. The second was just her, alone, for a decade. Both approaches produced books — but the unstructured path required far more trust in the process. 4. You can push back on your editor. Anne's editor wanted her to be meaner about her ex. She resisted, choosing instead to present situations and let readers draw their own conclusions. Your name is on the cover — make choices you can stand by. 5. Traditional publishing is driven by capitalism, not quality. Agents and editors loved Anne's work but didn't know how to package or market it. Once your writing clears the "good enough" bar, the rest is about what publishers feel is safe to sell — something outside your control. 6. Self-publishing is a legitimate path. Anne invested in professional editing, a book coach, and a quality cover to ensure no reader would know the difference. The goal isn't sales volume — it's connection with readers who need the book. 7. It counts. Borrowing from her swimming routine: if you got in the swimsuit, it counts. If you got to the parking lot, it counts. Building the routine — showing up — matters more than any single session's output, especially for writers with ADHD. GET THE BOOK Make Do and Mend: A Breakup Memoir by Anne H. Putnam Buy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0i6jjwZu Buy on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/make-do-and-mend-a-breakup-memoir-anne-h-putnam/357d18d27975bf58 CONNECT WITH ANNE Website: https://www.annehputnam.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahputnam/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annehputnam Substack: https://annehputnam.substack.com/ CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST Mike Carlon | Uncorking a Story Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A REVIEW — It helps more readers and writers find the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HZiAEtFlhAzk60Z4eAkhY RSS Feed: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/uncorkingastory Uncorking a Story is produced by Mike Carlon. New episodes drop every Tuesday. YOUTUBE HASHTAGS #MakeDoAndMend #AnneHPutnam #BreakupMemoir #SelfPublishing #MemoirWriting #WritingProcess #Vulnerability #CreativeNonfiction #NavelGazing #BodyImage #IndieAuthor #WritingCommunity #AuthorInterview #BookPodcast #UncorkingAStory #WriterLife #SelfPublishedAuthor #Heartbreak #Healing #NonfictionBooks #BookRecommendations #WritingAdvice #IndiePublishing #WomenWriters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Any pain that you have — when people meet those pains and collect them back into themselves, they experience incredible power and wisdom and compassion and capacity. For that reason, I consider trauma to be a treasure." — Lillian Eve Moore ABOUT THIS EPISODE Lillian Eve Moore is an author, executive coach, and self-described "psychonaut" whose new book draws on over 20 years of trauma-informed work. Her mother's schizophrenia ignited a lifelong quest for mental health solutions that actually work — a search that led her far beyond traditional psychiatry into ancient spiritual practices, somatic work, and eventually to founding Mindlight, a personal development company she's led since 2018. Her book, Treasure Hunting in the Underworld: A Guide for Healing and Claiming What's Yours, was born from the death of her stepmother and lays out a practical framework for navigating the hidden domain of the psyche — what she calls "the underworld" — where our traumas, patterns, and repressed memories live. Mike and Lillian talk about the gap between what people need and what mental health can provide, the role of love as the one element that truly heals, psychedelics versus traditional medication, and why your deepest fear and your biggest dream are almost always connected. KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Your tiger and your dream are connected. Lillian's lifelong fear of mental illness — her "tiger" — drove her toward her dream of self-realization and an incredible career helping others heal. The thing you fear most often points directly toward your purpose. 2. The underworld isn't the enemy. The "underworld" is Lillian's term for the psyche — the subconscious, the unconscious, the hidden parts of ourselves. It's not something to run from. It's a reservoir of creativity, power, and authenticity waiting to be reclaimed. 3. Trauma is treasure. When people meet their pain and integrate it back into themselves — rather than hiding it behind a wall — they unlock energy, wisdom, compassion, and the capacity to live bigger, more rewarding lives. 4. Love is the healing element. Regardless of the modality, the thing that heals is loving attention. Everyone has access to it — even if the access point is as small as a favorite tree, an auntie who was kind, or the feel of your sheets. 5. Healing is a proportions game. Can you conjure enough well-being, love, and happiness to hold space for a dose of pain? If yes, you can heal yourself. A practitioner helps manage the dosage. 6. Old practices deserve more respect than new ones. Spiritual traditions — the Vedas, qigong, breathwork, scriptural wisdom — are far older and better studied than 100-year-old psychiatry. Lillian built her framework by pulling together the best of what she found. 7. Amp up your dreams. When you feed your dreams and make them vivid, you gain the fortitude and courage to face your demons. Don't dumb them down to avoid what scares you. GET THE BOOK Treasure Hunting in the Underworld: A Guide for Healing and Claiming What's Yours by Lillian Eve Moore Buy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/5jrcJ5Y CONNECT WITH LILLIAN Website: https://hello.lillianevemoore.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asklillianevemoore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lillianevemoore LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianevemoore/ Podcast: The Deep Shift (Apple Podcasts, Spotify) CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST Mike Carlon | Uncorking a Story Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A REVIEW — It helps more readers and writers find the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HZiAEtFlhAzk60Z4eAkhY RSS Feed: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/uncorkingastory Uncorking a Story is produced by Mike Carlon. New episodes drop every Tuesday. YOUTUBE HASHTAGS #TreasureHunting #Underworld #LillianEveMoore #Mindlight #TraumaHealing #MentalHealth #SelfHealing #InnerWork #Psychonaut #EmotionalMastery #ShadowWork #SelfAcceptance #TraumaRecovery #Psychedelics #Spirituality #PersonalDevelopment #ExecutiveCoach #AuthorInterview #BookPodcast #UncorkingAStory #WritingCommunity #SelfHelp #Nonfiction #BookRecommendations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"This is a cautionary tale about how extremism and fascism can creep up on us. It always begins with hate speech and dehumanization... from verbal violence, it's a very short leap to physical violence." — Dr. Georgette Bennett ABOUT THIS EPISODE Dr. Georgette Bennett is an award-winning sociologist, widely published author, former NBC News correspondent, and founder of both the Tanenbaum Center for Inter-Religious Understanding and the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees — which has mobilized more than $660 million in humanitarian aid. Her latest book, Half Jew, Full Life, tells the extraordinary story of Holocaust survivor Gary "Pips" Phillips, a distant relative who became a surrogate father to Georgette after her own father's death. Pips was classified by the Nazis as a Mischling — half-Jewish — yet voluntarily embraced his Jewish identity at the very moment it could be fatal. Mike and Georgette discuss Pips's four arrests and three escapes, the Nazis who unexpectedly saved his life, the challenge of writing a third-person memoir from psychiatric recordings, and why this story carries urgent lessons about identity, denial, and the creep of extremism. KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. A Holocaust story unlike any other. Pips was a Mischling first degree — an Aryan mother, a Jewish father — who voluntarily chose to be Jewish by becoming a bar mitzvah the very week the Nuremberg Laws were enacted. Almost nothing has been written about people in this category. 2. Nazis both persecuted and saved him. Pips was arrested four times and escaped three times. In key moments, individual Nazis — motivated by love, lust, or personal connection — intervened to save his life, complicating the black-and-white narrative of the Holocaust. 3. Survival was his career. Living underground in Berlin among 6,500 Jews who went into hiding, Pips navigated a world where you couldn't buy food or rent a room without papers stamped with a "J." Every day was a question of where to eat and where to sleep. 4. Psychiatric tapes became the primary source. Pips recorded his life story across dozens of sessions with his psychiatrist. Georgette had them transcribed while he was still alive, giving the book an authentic first-person voice despite being written in third person. 5. Trauma never fully heals. Pips's wife Olga, an Auschwitz survivor, processed her experience through silence and ultimately took her own life in 2005. Pips's own trauma surfaced decades later as severe palpitations with no physical cause. 6. Identity is a lifelong negotiation. Pips spent his entire life seeking acceptance as a Jew despite never formally converting. The title Half Jew, Full Life comes from his own declaration: "I don't want to be a half Jew. I want to be a full Jew." 7. A cautionary tale for today. The book traces how extremism begins with hate speech and dehumanization, and how denial during that phase allows violence to escalate — a pattern Georgette sees playing out in the present day. 8. The American Dream, chapter two. After the war, Pips arrived in America as a waiter and bicycle messenger and ended up co-owning the largest photo agency in the world, hobnobbing with celebrities like Natalie Wood and Raquel Welch — never having owned a camera. GET THE BOOK Half Jew, Full Life by Dr. Georgette Bennett Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4v8qrFD Buy on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781949846744 CONNECT WITH GEORGETTE Website: https://www.bennettny.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgette-bennett-764786184/ CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST Mike Carlon | Uncorking a Story Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A REVIEW — It helps more readers and writers find the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HZiAEtFlhAzk60Z4eAkhY RSS Feed: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/uncorkingastory Uncorking a Story is produced by Mike Carlon. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Just because the path of motherhood might not happen for me, it doesn't mean the nurturing goes away. I still want a seat at the table for how kids are raised." — Danielle Frank About This Episode Danielle Frank traded Hollywood red carpets for red wine — and now she's poured both passions into her debut book. After launching her career in entertainment publicity at Miramax International, where she worked on global film campaigns and rubbed elbows with A-listers at Cannes, Venice, and Berlin, Danielle pivoted into the luxury wine and spirits industry, spending 22+ years at Bacardi and Moët Hennessy. Her book, A Wine Lover's Guide to Parenting: The Fine Art of Wine & Whine Management, is a satirical, adults-only survival guide written in rhyme that blends wine terminology with parenting wisdom. Despite not being a parent herself, Danielle — a self-described "auntie extraordinaire" — brings a sharp, loving outsider's perspective to the comedy of raising kids. Mike and Danielle talk career pivots, the storytelling parallels between film and wine, game show obsessions, Billy Joel, and why you should never let your kid ferment. Key Takeaways 1. It's all storytelling. Whether selling a film at Cannes or a bottle of wine at dinner, Danielle sees the through-line: you're creating a narrative that evokes feeling. That insight carried her from Miramax to Moët Hennessy. 2. You don't have to be a parent to care about parenting. Danielle wrote the book as a proud aunt and keen observer. Her "outsider with a front-row seat" perspective gives the humor its edge — she witnesses the triumphs and tantrums, glass in hand, no carpool duty required. 3. The book sat in a drawer for 14 years. Danielle wrote it over a decade ago but only published it last year. Her motivation: "If I go on my deathbed and I've done nothing with it, it's going to plague me." 4. Wine doesn't have to be intimidating. Every chapter uses real wine terminology — fermentation, varietal, mulled wine — and gives the definition in a fun, accessible way. It's wine education wrapped in comedy. 5. Don't let your kid ferment. Fermentation turns sugar into alcohol — something sweet into something harsh. The parallel to raising kids with manners writes itself, and Danielle's rhyming chapter on the topic is a showstopper. 6. Don't leave anything on the table. Danielle's life advice: you have one life to live, so go after things. She quit a toxic PR job without a backup plan, pivoted industries, and finally published the book she'd been sitting on — all by trusting the leap. Get the Book A Wine Lover's Guide to Parenting: The Fine Art of Wine & Whine Management by Danielle Frank Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Wine-Lovers-Guide-Parenting/dp/1967598061 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-wine-lovers-guide-to-parenting-danielle-frank/1148414693 Connect with Danielle Website: daniellefrankauthor.com Instagram: @createagreatstory Facebook: Danielle Frank Connect with Your Host Mike Carlon | Uncorking a Story Website: uncorkingastory.com YouTube: @uncorkingastory Instagram: @uncorkingastory Facebook: Uncorking a Story TikTok: @uncorkingastory Twitter/X: @uncorkingastory LinkedIn: Uncorking a Story Subscribe & Leave a Review — It helps more readers and writers find the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HZiAEtFlhAzk60Z4eAkhY RSS Feed: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/uncorkingastory Uncorking a Story is produced by Mike Carlon. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"It's about family, it's about traditions, it's about a sense of place. Italy is more than just food and wine. It's a feeling, it's an experience." — J.A. Marz About This Episode J.A. Marz is a healthcare marketing strategist turned novelist whose Tuscany-set fiction has struck a chord with readers who love Italy as much as he does. His debut novella, Ciao, Amore Mio — The Tale of Gabby and Gio, follows a restless travel writer who arrives in Italy chasing stories and finds something far more personal at a family-owned agriturismo called La Terre Felice. The sequel, It's Sauce, Not Gravy!, debuted as a #1 Amazon Hot New Release in Tuscany Travel and digs deeper into memory, mystery, and what it means to fight for a place that feels like home. Mike, co-host Laura Nozicka, and John talk about the pull of Italy, career pivots from boardrooms to bookshops, the great sauce-vs-gravy debate, and why the best stories are rooted in a sense of place. Key Takeaways 1. Write what you know — and what you love. John combined his three passions — Italy, golf, and writing — into a single story. He had the first and last chapters in his head for 10 years before the middle finally came together. 2. Italy is a feeling, not just a destination. The slower pace, fresh food, family-first culture, and sense of La Dolce Vita offer something Americans rarely experience at home. John tried to put readers in that feeling, not just describe the scenery. 3. Childhood memories are creative gold. John wove real family moments — his grandfather calling him "Prince of Wales," Sunday dinners, his grandmother's cooking — into the fabric of both novellas, giving the fiction an authentic emotional core. 4. The marketing of books is harder than writing them. Coming from healthcare marketing, John expected the promotional side to be familiar territory. Instead, he found that getting traction for a creative work is "10 times harder than marketing healthcare." 5. The sauce-vs-gravy debate is real — and it makes a great title. John chose It's Sauce, Not Gravy! knowing it would spark conversation in Italian-American circles. For his family, it was always sauce, meat or no meat. 6. The sequel deepens the story's themes. While the first book centers on love, loss, and family, It's Sauce, Not Gravy! explores legacy, connectivity, and the tension between wandering and finding home. 7. Book three is on the way. Set more heavily in Rome, it will lean into the city's art history — Michelangelo, Bernini, Caravaggio — and a more mature version of Gio. Expected in 2027. Get the Books Ciao, Amore Mio…The Tale of Gabby and Gio by J.A. Marz Buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/J-A-Marz/author/B0DRLGWSJW?tag=rettocasgra-20 It's Sauce, Not Gravy! by J.A. Marz Buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Its-Sauce-Not-Gravy-Ingredient/dp/B0GHGSZCJZ?tag=rettocasgra-20 Connect with John Website: https://jam3strategicmarketingandpr.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmarzano3/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.marzano.14 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmarzano1/ Connect with Your Host Mike Carlon | Uncorking a Story Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ Subscribe & Leave a Review — It helps more readers and writers find the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HZiAEtFlhAzk60Z4eAkhY RSS Feed: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/uncorkingastory Uncorking a Story is produced by Mike Carlon. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Memory without responsibility is just nostalgia. We have to really be responsible — responsible adults — and make sure that the world doesn't forget what happened." — Doron Keren About This Episode Dr. Doron Keren joins Mike to talk about his grandfather Ignacy Chiger's Holocaust memoir, Beneath the Lightless Sky, newly translated into English and published by Amsterdam Publishers. The book is a firsthand account of survival under two totalitarian regimes — first the Soviets, then the Nazis — in Lvov, Poland (now Lviv, Ukraine). At its center is an extraordinary escape: Ignacy led his family and a small group of Jews into the city's sewer system, where they survived 14 months in total darkness. It's a story of impossible choices, a father's determination to save his family, and the unlikely redemption of Leopold Socha — a Polish Catholic sewer worker and former thief who risked everything to keep them alive. Key Takeaways 1. A memoir born from memory alone. In 1975, Ignacy Chiger typed his entire Holocaust memoir on a Polish typewriter during a visit to New York — from memory, with no notes — and passed away six months later. 2. Two books, two perspectives. Doron's mother, Krystyna Chiger, told her story in The Girl in the Green Sweater (2008) — a child's-eye view. His grandfather's memoir offers the perspective of a 33-year-old father making life-or-death decisions. 3. Survival required becoming a chameleon. Ignacy made himself indispensable to both Soviet NKVD officers and Nazi SS commanders by reading people, procuring goods, and navigating impossible situations. 4. The escape was an engineering feat. Ignacy remembered watching Italian POWs build the sewer encasement as a boy, then calculated the exact angle to dig a 20-foot tunnel through three feet of concrete — with no room for error. 5. Redemption came from an unlikely source. Leopold Socha, a common thief turned sewer worker, struck a deal to help the group — then continued without pay when the money ran out, seeing their survival as his path to forgiveness. 6. Humanity persists in the darkest places. In the sewer, Ignacy wrote plays for the group to perform — a way to pass time and feel human in conditions no human should endure. 7. Never Again is Always. Doron's message is that the capacity for atrocity lives within civilization itself, and vigilance must be constant — not a one-time declaration. Get the Book Beneath the Lightless Sky by Ignacy Chiger (edited by Doron Keren) Published by Amsterdam Publishers — Holocaust Survivor Memoirs Series Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cLd6f8 Buy on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9789493418578 Related The Girl in the Green Sweater by Krystyna Chiger with Daniel Paisner In Darkness (2011) — directed by Agnieszka Holland, nominated for Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film Connect with Doron Website: https://www.yellowdarkness.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beneaththelightlesssky/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/beneaththelightlesssky Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beneaththelightlesssky Connect with Your Host Mike Carlon | Uncorking a Story Website: https://mikecarlon.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ Subscribe & Leave a Review — It helps more readers and writers find the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HZiAEtFlhAzk60Z4eAkhY RSS Feed: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/uncorkingastory Uncorking a Story is produced by Mike Carlon. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I really wanted to know about the numinous. I went to Burma to sit with a master. I got my master's degree. I did all kinds of things looking to find out what happened. And then I came back to realize that yes, in fact, I knew — I touched death. I saw death." — Sally Dukes About This Episode Sally Dukes joins Mike to talk about her memoir, drummer girl: A Story of Life After Death. At age three, Sally underwent open-heart surgery to treat a congenital heart disorder — and during the procedure, she had a near-death experience that would shape the rest of her life. The nickname "drummer girl" came from the way her heart beat so loudly before the surgery. What follows is a lifelong pilgrimage — from New York to India to a forest monastery in Burma to a Greek island — all in search of understanding what happened in that operating room. It's a conversation about near-death experiences, the healing power of writing, resilience in the face of trauma, and the courage it takes to finally tell your own story. Key Takeaways 1. Writing has always been her voice. Sally describes herself as "not very verbal" — writing was always a better form of expression, from high school journals to the memoir itself. 2. A near-death experience at age three shaped her entire life. During open-heart surgery, Sally experienced a dark tunnel, a brilliant light, and an overwhelming feeling of love — an experience she spent decades trying to understand. 3. The surgeon's elephant became a powerful symbol. When young Sally's nightmares wouldn't stop, her surgeon drew an elephant on a yellow notepad and told her to hang it over her bed. The elephant — keeper of memories, remover of obstacles — became a recurring motif in her life and her book. 4. The memoir was built from a lifetime of journal entries. Sally's younger self gave her older self a gift — decades of writing that, when collated, all pointed to the same search for truth. 5. Resilience matters more than the trauma. Sally hopes readers focus not on the trauma in her story, but on the resilience — and on the message that death is nothing to fear. 6. You don't need to look outside yourself for answers. After traveling the world seeking confirmation of her experience, Sally ultimately realized she already knew her truth. 7. Writing the book was cathartic — and freeing. Sally describes the process as "coming clean" — finally sharing a story she'd never told anyone, and feeling liberated by it. Get the Book Drummer girl: A Story of Life After Death by Sally Dukes Published by Koehler Books, March 17, 2026 Buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G693CTC5/ Buy on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798897470525 Buy on Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drummer-girl-sally-dukes/1148920173 Connect with Sally Website: https://www.sallydukes.com/ Connect with Mike Mike Carlon | Uncorking a Story Website: https://mikecarlon.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ Subscribe & Leave a Review — It helps more readers and writers find the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HZiAEtFlhAzk60Z4eAkhY RSS Feed: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/uncorkingastory Uncorking a Story is produced by Mike Carlon. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"On the outside, I too looked like a pretty picture. Inside, I was dying. I had so much pain and shame and suffering. Pretending isn't enough to make it go away." — Andrea Leeb About This Episode Andrea Leeb spent decades building a life that looked perfect from the outside — nurse, attorney, MFA graduate, happily married. But behind that picture was a secret she carried since she was four years old. In this deeply honest conversation, Andrea tells Mike about her debut memoir Such a Pretty Picture, which chronicles her survival of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her father, her complicated relationship with the mother who looked away, and the long road to finding her voice. She also talks about surviving the 2004 tsunami in Thailand, how the Me Too movement gave her the courage to finally write the story she'd sworn she'd never tell, and why healing is never a straight line. Andrea is donating all of her book royalties to the UCLA Rape Treatment Center and RAINN. Key Takeaways 1. She survived a tsunami — and it changed everything. In 2004, Andrea and her husband survived the Christmas Day tsunami in Thailand. That brush with death made her realize she needed to stop treating writing as a hobby and start treating it as a calling. 2. She swore she'd never write this story. For years, Andrea outlined the book and then told herself no. She wrote fiction, essays, anything else. It wasn't until her father passed away in 2017 — the same year the Me Too movement began — that she finally felt free to tell the truth. 3. Her mother caught the abuse and went blind. When Andrea was four and a half, her mother walked in on the abuse, screamed, passed out, and developed hysterical blindness for a month. Andrea blamed herself. Her mother never left her father. 4. Forgiveness and letting go aren't the same thing. Andrea never forgave her father, but she did let go of the anger — a distinction she says was essential to writing the book without creating monsters. She ultimately forgave her mother. 5. The title came from her editor, not from her. Andrea struggled with the title through every draft. Her publisher found a line in the book where Andrea's mother looks at a childhood photo and says, "Such a pretty picture" — a perfect encapsulation of the beautiful surface hiding the chaos underneath. 6. Pretending works until it doesn't. Andrea kept her secret for decades and appeared fine — until a stranger touched her on the subway and she unraveled. Her message to survivors: you can heal, but you have to get help. Pretending won't make it go away. 7. She's giving away every dollar. All royalties from Such a Pretty Picture go to the UCLA Rape Treatment Center and RAINN. What started as a mission to help one person has grown into full-time advocacy, including board work and policy efforts. Get the Book Such a Pretty Picture: A Memoir by Andrea Leeb Amazon: https://amzn.to/47NPt3M Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647429942 Connect with Andrea Website: https://www.andrealeebauthor.com/ Instagram: @andrealisaleeb Threads: @andrealisaleeb Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ Subscribe and Leave a Review — It helps more readers and writers find the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HZiAEtFlhAzk60Z4eAkhY Uncorking a Story is produced by Mike Carlon. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I think there was some empathy for my younger self that I probably didn't have before... I think writing the book, I could look at myself as a seven-year-old girl or a thirteen-year-old with a lot of anger and a lot of reasonable reason to feel abandoned, rather than, wow, I was just really a problem child." — Jacque Gorelick Jacque Gorelick joins Mike to talk about her memoir, Map of a Heart: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Finding the Way Home. The book follows a seemingly ordinary family outing that turns into a medical crisis when Jacque's husband collapses from cardiac arrest on a trail — with their nine-week-old son in the stroller beside her. Woven through that harrowing day is the story of Jacque's rootless childhood, the loss of her mother at age eight, and years of family estrangement. It's a conversation about grief, resilience, the power of writing to heal, and the family we build for ourselves when the one we were born into falls apart. Key Takeaways: Words have power from an early age. Jacque's love of writing started as a child — from clubhouse rules to thank-you notes — and eventually led her to memoir. Distance helps when writing about trauma. Having ten years between the medical crisis and putting pen to paper gave Jacque the perspective to write about it without being consumed by it. Writing memoir can build empathy for your younger self. Revisiting painful childhood memories allowed Jacque to see herself with compassion rather than shame. A cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. Jacque learned firsthand that cardiac arrest is an electrical event that can strike even a healthy, active person. Caring for a newborn can be grounding in a crisis. The routine demands of nursing and caring for her son kept Jacque anchored during the most terrifying hours of her life. Found family matters. Despite estrangement from her biological family, Jacque discovered that the people who show up unconditionally become the family that counts. Reconnection is possible, even after decades. After more than 30 years of silence, Jacque reconnected with her brother — a reminder that it's never too late, even when it's complicated. Buy Map of a Heart: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/3988322261?linkCode=ll2&tag=rettocasgra-20&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9783988322265 Connect with Jacque: Website: https://www.jacquegorelick.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacgorelick/ Connect with Mike: Website: https://mikecarlon.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“You don't need to find your ikigai—you already have it. You just need to notice it.” — Nick Kemp What if purpose isn't something you chase—but something you already have? In this episode, Mike sits down with Nick Kemp, founder of Ikigai Tribe and author of A Year of Ikigai, to explore a more grounded, human take on purpose. Nick shares how a guy who once hated writing ended up publishing books, building a global community, and helping others reconnect with meaning—through small, everyday moments. This conversation challenges the Western obsession with “big purpose” and offers a simpler, more sustainable way to live a meaningful life. Key Takeaways: You already have purpose. Ikigai isn't a destination—it's found in everyday experiences, relationships, and roles. Western culture overcomplicates purpose. We chase the “perfect job” or passion, while overlooking meaning in ordinary moments. Curiosity can change your life. Nick's journey—from podcast to books—started with simply asking better questions. Small moments are the big moments. A cup of coffee, a conversation, or a quiet walk can carry more meaning than major achievements. Writing doesn't require perfection—just honesty. Nick went from struggling with English to writing from lived experience and the heart. Technology is pulling us away from meaning. The more distracted we become, the harder it is to notice what actually matters. Be present, not perfect. Life satisfaction comes from awareness and gratitude—not chasing an ideal version of success. Buy A Year of Ikigai: Finding Everyday Purpose Through Japanese Wisdom Amazon: https://amzn.to/4uP5m3O Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781577155485 Connect with Nick Website: https://ikigaitribe.com/ Podcast: https://ikigaitribe.com/podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-kemp-author/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #Ikigai #WritersOfInstagram #AmWriting #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity #PurposeDrivenLife #MindfulLiving #PodcastLife #UncorkingAStory #CreativeJourney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“We suffer as humans—and writing gives us a place to put that pain, to understand it, and maybe even transform it.”— Priya Hutner What happens when the life you've built—your beliefs, your community, your identity—suddenly falls apart? In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Priya Hutner shares her extraordinary journey from growing up and leading within a spiritual ashram to rebuilding her life in Lake Tahoe. Her memoir, Chasing Nirvana, is part spiritual adventure, part cautionary tale, and deeply human at its core. We explore identity, reinvention, the healing power of writing, and what it really means to come back to yourself after everything you thought you knew no longer fits. Key Takeaways: When belief systems break: Priya opens up about leaving a decades-long life inside a spiritual community and the emotional fallout that followed.  Rebuilding identity from scratch: After leaving the ashram, she spent years rediscovering who she was outside of that structure.  Memoir as catharsis: Writing Chasing Nirvana became both a healing process and a way to make sense of her past.  The power of storytelling: Priya discusses how writing helps us process pain, reframe our experiences, and find resilience.  Spirituality vs. self-discovery: The conversation explores the fine line between seeking enlightenment and losing oneself in the process.  Alternative paths to healing: From therapy to plant medicine, Priya shares the unconventional tools that helped her reconnect with herself.  Creativity as a way forward: Whether through writing, cooking, or teaching, Priya continues to channel her experiences into meaningful work and community.  Buy Chasing Nirvana Amazon: https://amzn.to/40D4P7e Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798896360889 Connect with Priya Website: https://www.priyahutner.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/priya.hutner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priyahutner/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@priyahutner?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ #UncorkingAStory #MemoirWriting #WritingCommunity #AuthorInterview #CreativeJourney #HealingThroughWriting #SpiritualJourney #SelfDiscovery #AmWriting #WritersLife If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“If you want to be a writer for money, you're in the wrong place. The authors who last are the ones who truly love the craft.”  — Christian Toms-Arbel Christian Toms-Arbel has been telling stories since childhood. Born with a disability that required multiple surgeries, he spent long stretches in hospital wards immersed in books—and eventually began writing his own stories. Years later, after earning a degree and master's in creative writing, he published his debut psychological thriller The Mannequins. In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Christian shares the personal experiences that shaped his writing, how trauma can fuel storytelling, and the unconventional path that led him to publish his first novel. Key Takeaways: Early hardship sparked a love of storytelling. Spending time in hospitals as a child introduced Christian to books and ultimately inspired him to begin writing horror stories at just eight years old.  A teacher's encouragement can change everything. One supportive teacher's feedback convinced him he had real potential as a writer—helping set him on the path to studying creative writing. Trauma can become creative fuel. Christian believes writing dark fiction is partly a way of processing personal trauma and exploring difficult emotions in a safe creative space. The Mannequins takes a different approach to crime fiction. Rather than focusing only on the investigation, the novel explores how a killer is made, weaving the murderer's upbringing into the narrative. Indie publishing requires entrepreneurial thinking. Christian built an ARC reader team, generated early reviews, and treated publishing like running a small business. Writing outside your identity can build empathy. His novel features a mixed-heritage female detective—a perspective he carefully developed with help from his wife as editor and advisor. Persistence matters more than perfection. Even after being caught in a publishing scam, Christian continued forward and successfully launched his book independently. Buy The Mannequins Amazon: https://amzn.to/46QmsE4 Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781919216201 Connect with Christian Website: https://www.ctomsarbel.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c.tomsarbel/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@c.tomsarbel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580209287042 Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #CrimeThriller #PsychologicalThriller #AmWriting #AuthorInterview #UncorkingAStory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The story came out of me when it was supposed to come out of me—after living a whole life.” – Leigh Shalloway In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike Carlon sits down with novelist and holistic care practitioner Leigh Shalloway to explore the long, winding journey behind her debut novel, Journey Back to You. From a third‑grade writing setback to decades of professional work in psychology, hospice care, and healing touch, Leigh shares how lived experience, perseverance, and compassion shaped both her voice as a writer and the emotional depth of her story. Together, they discuss class divides, family systems, grief, love, and what it truly means to come home to yourself. Key Takeaways: Stories sometimes wait for us to be ready. Leigh's novel emerged decades after its first seed was planted—only after life experience gave her the depth it required.  Resilience is one of a writer's greatest characteristics. From harsh editorial feedback to vision loss and countless rewrites, perseverance made publication possible.  Fiction and psychology are deeply intertwined. Leigh's background in counseling and school psychology informs her nuanced portrayal of family systems, trauma, and growth.  Class divides still shape American communities. Journey Back to You uses a Pennsylvania steel town to explore “haves” and “have-nots” with empathy and realism. Hospice work teaches us how to live. Bearing witness at the end of life deepened Leigh's understanding of humanity, grief, and connection.  Publishing doesn't have one right path. Leigh chose a hybrid publishing model to get her story into the world—and keep writing the next ones. Healing is both personal and communal. The novel's central journey mirrors Leigh's belief that growth happens through relationships, not in isolation.  Buy Journey Back to You Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rJ6sMr Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798897470181 Connect with Leigh Website: https://www.hilltownseries.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighshalloway/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #JourneyBackToYou #AuthorInterview #WomenWriters #HealingThroughStory #RomancePlus #WritingLife #DebutNovel #ClassAndCommunity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Maybe what Jesus really wanted was to show us what we're all capable of—and that we've simply forgotten our own power.” — Kris Land In this mind‑expanding conversation, Mike sits down with author, spiritual thinker, and serial entrepreneur Kris Land to explore the provocative ideas behind his book The Infinity Within. Kris shares his extraordinary lifelong experiences—from childhood out‑of‑body moments to a near‑death incident that shattered his assumptions about reality. Along the way, he offers a bold framework for understanding the soul, reincarnation, emotion as the driver of existence, and life as a multidimensional game designed for growth. Whether you're spiritually curious or simply love a conversation that stretches the imagination, this one is a ride. Key Takeaways: A lifetime of unusual experiences shaped Kris's worldview—including early out‑of‑body events and a near‑death experience that provided “physical proof” something deeper was happening.  Kris sees life as a game that souls choose to play—complete with rules, turns, and the challenge of experiencing emotion within time.  Forgetfulness is part of the design: In Kris's model, souls agree to “forget” their abilities so they can meaningfully experience joy, loss, fear, and growth. Synchronicities aren't coincidences—he believes we orchestrate encounters for mutual learning, often without conscious awareness. Writing The Infinity Within shifted his entire understanding of spirituality, especially the possibility that Jesus acted more as teacher than pedestal.  The book blends fiction and memoir through the character Gabe and mentor Elias, inviting readers to question their beliefs rather than adopt his. The audiobook narrator story is wild—a renowned voice actor paused all other projects to record Kris's book after reading just 15 minutes. Buy The Infinity Within Amazon: https://amzn.to/4tO4fRj Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798765262016 Connect with Kris Website: https://krisland.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheInfinityWithin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinfinitywithin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_infinity_within_me/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #TheInfinityWithin #KrisLand #SpiritualAwakening #AuthorInterview #UncorkingAStory #Consciousness #SoulJourney #PersonalTransformation #worldreligions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Writing made me feel like I mattered — like I was taking up space in the universe that could be shared..” In this episode, Mike uncorks the story of historical fiction author Jane Loeb Rubin, whose career as a writer began with an unexpected catalyst: an ovarian cancer diagnosis. What started as a therapeutic memoir evolved into a multi‑book, award‑winning series exploring immigrant life, women's rights, early medical practices, and the tumultuous decades that shaped modern America. Jane shares how uncovering her great‑grandmother Tilly's forgotten story led her deep into history — from 19th‑century New York tenements to the battlefields and hospitals of World War I, and forward into Prohibition‑era Catskills and the cultural revolution of the 1960s. This episode is perfect for fans of historical fiction, family‑rooted storytelling, and the intersection of medicine, resilience, and creativity. Key Takeaways: How a cancer diagnosis launched Jane's writing journey, beginning with a memoir that helped her process trauma and preserve her legacy for future generations. The rediscovery of her great‑grandmother Tilly, whose lost history inspired a trilogy exploring immigrant life, women's health, and societal constraints in the late 1800s.  An inside look at Jane's meticulous world‑building, from New York's tenements to WWI medical units, blending her healthcare background with her passion for history. The surprising role of WWI in America's “melting pot,” including Jane's research into immigrant soldiers and real letters that shaped her storytelling.  A preview of Mayhem in the Mountains, a Prohibition‑era story featuring runaway children, Catskills farmland, gangsters, and local clashes with the KKK. Why writing remains therapeutic for Jane, keeping her grounded, purposeful, and creatively energized as she continues work on book five.  The cultural and personal forces driving her next novel, which journeys into the 1960s–70s to explore women's changing roles amid seismic social shifts.  Explore Jane's Books Amazon: https://amzn.to/4stLy4b Connect with Jane Website: https://www.janeloebrubin.com/ X: twitter.com/LoebRubin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janeloebrubinauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janeloebrubin/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #HistoricalFiction #AuthorInterview #WomensHistory #OvarianCancerAwareness #ImmigrantStories #WWIHistory #ProhibitionEra #BookPodcast #WritingJourney #CreativeHealing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The more you unpack something—or uncork it—the less power it holds over you.” In this powerful episode of Uncorking a Story, host Mike Carlon sits down with cultural and medical anthropologist Mimi Nichter, whose new memoir Hostage revisits the harrowing 1970 hijacking that changed her life forever. Now a professor emerita and award‑winning anthropologist, Mimi opens up about the 21 days she spent as a hostage in Jordan, how decades of silence shaped her identity, and why she finally chose to share her story more than 50 years later. This conversation dives deep into trauma, resilience, memory, and the healing power of storytelling—making it a must‑listen for memoir lovers, history buffs, and anyone fascinated by the inner mechanics of survival. Key Takeaways: How a 1970 hijacking led to the first use of airport metal detectors and reshaped air travel safety worldwide. Why Mimi kept the trauma silent for decades—and how cultural expectations around women's stories contributed to that silence. What it means to remember: Mimi's process of uncovering a long‑hidden box of artifacts and confronting the depth of her own memories. The surprising role of children in her survival during the hostage crisis, and how caring for them helped her manage fear. Trauma, resilience, and healing: why writing Hostage became an emotional but liberating journey. How reconnecting with fellow hostages 50 years later reopened conversations and fostered communal healing. Why her memoir matters now, in a world where hostage‑taking remains tragically relevant. Buy HOSTAGE: A Memoir of Terrorism, Trauma, and Resilience Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NT2P7Q Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781640126848 Connect with Mimi Website: https://www.miminichter.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miminichter/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mimi-nichter-30673313/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/MimiNichter Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #MimiNichter #HostageMemoir #UncorkingAStory #Hijacking1970 #TraumaHealing #MemoirWriting #AuthorInterview #ResilienceStories #Anthropology #SurvivingTrauma #TrueStoryBooks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/ "Medicine knows a patient's disease, but it does not know the patient — and that is where the real crisis lies." — Dr. Robert Smith In this powerful episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike sits down with Dr. Robert Smith, a nationally recognized pioneer in evidence‑based mental health care and physician‑patient communication. Drawing from his new book Has Medicine Lost Its Mind?, Dr. Smith reveals how our current medical system inadequately prepares doctors for the most common health issues in America — mental health conditions — and why this failure is costing lives, families, and entire communities. From formative early-career mistakes to the creation of the first patient‑centered interviewing method, Dr. Smith shares a compelling journey of awakening, reform, and hope. If you've ever wondered why navigating mental health care feels so broken — or what it would take to fix it — this conversation is essential listening. Key Takeaways: The mental health crisis is rooted in medical education. Doctors receive only 2% of training in mental health, despite mental illness being the most common health condition in the U.S.  A powerful personal failure reshaped Dr. Smith's career. A patient's diary — detailing how unheard she felt — sparked his lifelong mission to reform how physicians communicate and treat mental health.  Primary care doctors handle most mental health cases — untrained. Psychiatrists see only about 12% of mental health patients; primary care sees the rest, often without adequate preparation.  The mind–body split dates back to the 1500s. Deep historical roots shape modern medicine's exclusion of psychological and social factors, to the detriment of today's patients.  Untreated mental illness drives society-wide consequences. Divorce, addictions, homelessness, incarceration, and even suicide can often be traced back to missed diagnoses in primary care.  Dr. Smith proposes a Second Flexner Report. A federally led investigation could expose systemic failures and force medical education to modernize.  Listeners can take action today. Dr. Smith provides tools on his website — robertcsmithmd.com — for contacting political leaders and advocating reform.  Buy Has Medicine Lost Its Mind Amazon: https://amzn.to/46Iaw7a Bookshop:https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781493087655 Connect with Dr. Smith Website https://www.robertcsmithmd.com/ X: https://x.com/RobertCSmithMD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobertCSmithMD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertcsmithmd/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #MentalHealthCrisis #HealthcareReform #PatientCenteredCare #MedicalEducation #UncorkingAStory #DrRobertSmith #HasMedicineLostItsMind #PrimaryCareMentalHealth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/ “It's never too late — never too late to heal, to learn, to evolve, or to create a relationship built on something truer than what you grew up with.” — Joelle Lydon In this powerful and deeply human conversation, author and relationship coach Joëlle Lydon uncorks the journey that led to her book Unbreakable Us. Raised in a chaotic family system and identifying as a highly sensitive person, Joëlle spent years navigating old patterns, heartbreak, and healing. Through expressive arts, coaching, and a radical year‑long experiment to change her beliefs about love, she rebuilt her relational “operating system” — and now helps others do the same. Joëlle shares her path from a 32‑year teaching career to becoming a relationship facilitator, how she met the partner who transformed her understanding of love, and why she believes relationships aren't just between two people — but with a living, sacred third. Whether you're single, partnered, or somewhere in between, this episode offers wisdom, humor, and a hopeful reminder that love is infinite — and it's never too late to begin again. Key Themes: We teach what we most need to learn. Joëlle realized her challenges with relating were her greatest calling as a coach and writer.  Highly sensitive people often develop deep empathy — and coping strategies. Her sensitivity was both innate and amplified by a chaotic home environment.  Old family dynamics shape adult relationships — until we examine them. Joëlle's upbringing taught her to see love as transactional, a pattern she had to unlearn.  A rock‑bottom moment became her turning point. A painful breakup led her into deep self‑work and a year‑long project intentionally reframing her beliefs about men.  Love is not a commodity — it's a living system. Joëlle describes intimacy as an ever‑present field we must stay aware of, not something given in “crumbs.” Relationships include a “sacred third.” She teaches that a partnership is not just two people, but a third entity — the relationship itself — that must be tended.  It's never too late to begin again. Whether healing childhood wounds or reigniting long‑term partnerships, growth is always possible.  Buy Unbreakable Us: Removing the Barriers to Love Amazon: https://amzn.to/4tEoIIq Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781956442625 Connect with Joelle Website: https://joellelydon.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellelydon/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourLovebyDesign LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joellelydon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joellelydon Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #UncorkingAStory #JoelleLydon #UnbreakableUs #RelationshipHealing #ExpressiveArts #TraumaHealing #LoveAndGrowth #HighlySensitivePerson #PersonalTransformation #PodcastInterview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/ “There's always another way of looking at things. Collaborators win bigger—in business, families, communities, everywhere.” In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike sits down with Priscilla McKinney—CEO and “Mama Bird” of Little Bird Marketing, author of Collaboration Is the New Competition, keynote speaker, podcaster, and lifelong creative. From growing up as part of a traveling Christian family band to building a thriving B2B marketing agency, Priscilla shares her remarkable journey of resilience, reinvention, and redefining what leadership looks like. She opens up about the tornado that destroyed her studio, the anthropology roots that shaped her worldview, the collaborative mindset behind her book, and the power of creating something from nothing. Whether you're a marketer, creative, entrepreneur, or leader, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about how work gets done—and why collaboration beats competition every time. Key Themes: Creative roots matter. Priscilla's childhood—writing skits, spoofing commercials, performing with her family—instilled a lifelong belief that ideas can come from anywhere. Anthropology shaped her business philosophy. Her cultural anthropology background trained her to see multiple perspectives and understand human behavior—an essential lens for modern marketing and collaboration. Resilience can redefine your path. After a tornado destroyed 35% of her town and her studio burned down weeks later, Priscilla rebuilt with clarity and purpose, eventually creating Little Bird Marketing. Collaboration outperforms competition. Her book breaks down the mindset shift required to work collaboratively and the “anchors” needed to make collaboration sustainable long‑term. Writing is never a solitary act. From scribes to editors to industry peers, Priscilla highlights how creating a book is inherently collaborative—even when the ideas are your own. Self‑publishing can be a strategic business choice. With an existing platform, team, and marketing machine, Priscilla turned her book into a powerful calling card for speaking, podcasting, and client growth. Little Bird Marketing thrives in B2B. Her team blends creativity with serious revenue discipline, helping high‑ticket B2B brands stand out, differentiate, and grow. Buy Collaboration Is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards a Cross-Pollinating Hive Mind & How Not to Get Left Behind Amazon: https://amzn.to/4tluPRR Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781544535418 Connect with Priscilla Website: https://littlebirdmarketing.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscillamckinney/ Podcast: https://podcast.littlebirdmarketing.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebirdmktg/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlebirdmarketing Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #UncorkingAStory #PriscillaMcKinney #LittleBirdMarketing #CollaborationIsTheNewCompetition #B2BMarketing #CreativeLeadership #PodcastInterview #WomenInBusiness #MarketingStrategy #AuthorInterview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/ "When your world feels like it's falling apart, that's when your story is beginning." – Jason Reid In this episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with Jason Reid—a successful entrepreneur, executive coach, and founder of TellMyStory.org. Jason's life changed forever in 2018 when he lost his 14-year-old son to suicide. Instead of retreating into despair, Jason transformed his grief into a mission: helping parents and kids navigate mental health challenges through storytelling and connection. We talk about his latest film, Shift: Do What Moves You, why hobbies and passions can literally save lives, and how failure often teaches us more than success ever could. If you've ever wondered how to find meaning in the darkest times, this conversation is for you. Key Themes: The Power of Storytelling – Jason shares why stories connect us and how they've shaped his life as a leader and parent. From Tragedy to Advocacy – Learn how Jason turned unimaginable loss into a movement to help families recognize and address mental health struggles. Why Passion Projects Matter – Discover how leaning into hobbies and interests can be life-saving for kids—and sanity-saving for adults. Failure Is the Best Teacher – Jason explains why his biggest lessons came from business failures, not successes. Mental Health Starts Early – Eye-opening insights on how depression can begin as early as age seven and what parents need to know. Gratitude and Resilience – Hear the inspiring story of a young man who thrives despite adversity, thanks to gratitude and creative outlets. How to Bring These Films to Your Community – Jason shares how schools and parents can host screenings of Shift and What I Wish My Parents Knew at zero cost. Request a Viewing of Shift: Do What Moves you Website: https://www.tellmystory.org/films/shift Connect with Jason Website: https://www.tellmystory.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tellmystorycommunity/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1tellmystory/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Ns4HMxIRZ5xW7-3D-fgIg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tellmystory-org/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #UncorkingAStory #JasonReid #MentalHealthMatters #ParentingTips #Storytelling #ShiftFilm #PassionProjects #SuicidePrevention #Gratitude #Resilience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/ “People can see themselves in Jane's journey — that everyday person who realizes they can build wealth by investing in entrepreneurs.” In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike welcomes back Karen Rands, leader of the Compassionate Capitalist Movement and author of Inside Secrets to Crowdfund Investing. Karen shares how her decades in angel investing inspired her newest book, a relatable, story‑driven guide that follows “Jane,” a fictional but very real composite of the many people yearning for a smarter, more meaningful way to invest. Karen breaks down the wealth‑building power of equity crowdfunding, why everyday people (not just the ultra‑wealthy) can become investors, and how purpose, passion, and profit can, and should, align in your investment strategy. Key Themes: Angel investing isn't as exclusive as people think. Karen explains that despite being around for 80+ years, most people — even wealthy professionals — have never heard of angel investing or equity crowdfunding. Her newest book teaches through storytelling. Unlike her dense first book, Karen's new one follows “Jane,” a fictional every-person who learns how to invest responsibly and thoughtfully in entrepreneurs. Crowdfund investing is accessible. You don't need $25K checks to get started — many platforms allow investments as small as $100 to $2,000, making it a real option for non‑accredited investors. Diversification is the secret weapon. Karen warns that the “kiss of death” is investing in only a few deals. Building a portfolio across stages, industries, and structures is essential. Emotion kills good decision‑making. Her advice: don't chase excitement. Learn the fundamentals, understand your criteria, and avoid investing purely on impulse. Anyone can start learning — today. From her book to her crowdfunding e‑book, upcoming webinars, and the new Compassionate Capitalist Academy, Karen offers plenty of ways to get educated. Buy Inside Secrets to Crowdfund Investing Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qkzukM Connect with Karen Website: https://karenrands.co/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@angelinvesting Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheKarenRands/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassionatecapitalist/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenrands/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassionatecapi?_t=8q14kyaqCHO&_r=1 Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #AngelInvesting #CrowdfundInvesting #CompassionateCapitalism #Entrepreneurship #WealthBuilding #InvestmentStrategy #ImpactInvesting #AuthorInterview #UncorkingAStory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/ In this moving and deeply personal episode of Uncorking a Story, Michael welcomes debut memoirist Carol Kennedy, who shares the extraordinary journey behind her book Thank God for God. Carol never set out to become a writer—yet an unexpected spiritual experience compelled her to begin documenting her life, her faith, and ultimately, her family's devastating loss. Through grief, signs, miracles, and a strengthened connection to God, Carol found healing on the page. Her story is not just for Catholics or even religious listeners—it's for anyone seeking meaning, comfort, and hope in the face of life's hardest moments. Key Themes: An “accidental author” — Carol describes receiving what felt like a spiritual download that pushed her to write the first part of her book in just three weeks.  Writing through grief — After the sudden passing of her 23‑year‑old son Gerard, Carol wrote part two as a way to process the unimaginable, finding clarity and emotional release through the act of writing.  Signs, miracles, and moments of grace — From an “angel” guiding lost family members through a hospital to small but meaningful symbols like a Sharpie appearing at the exact moment she needed it, Carol shares powerful stories of divine presence.  Faith as an anchor — Carol discusses how her relationship with God deepened in adulthood and especially during the challenges described in her memoir.  A book for spiritual seekers of all kinds — While rooted in Carol's Catholic background, the memoir speaks to anyone pursuing spirituality, healing, and connection beyond dogma.  Healing through honesty — Carol learned that writing openly—about joy, tragedy, and transformation—helped free her mind and heart to move forward.  A mission to help others — Despite being a private person, Carol shares her story with the hope that it will bring comfort and strength to readers facing their own hardships.  Buy Thank God for God Amazon: https://amzn.to/49t2fED Connect with Carol Website: https://www.thankgodforgod.com/ Email: carolkennedy@thankgodforgod.com Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #ThankGodForGod #CarolKennedy #FaithJourney #SpiritualMemoir #GriefAndHealing #UncorkingAStory #AuthorInterview #FindingPeace #HealingThroughWriting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/ “I love having written more than I love writing. The process is work, but the result is joy.” — Rabbi Alon Ferency In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike sits down with Rabbi Alon Ferency to explore the intersection of spirituality and creativity. From the challenges of writing to the vulnerability inherent in art-making, Rabbi Ferency shares insights on mindfulness, moral imagination, and why editing might just be the most sacred part of the creative process. Whether you're a writer, artist, or simply curious about the creative life, this conversation offers wisdom, humor, and a fresh perspective on finding meaning through art. Key Takeaways: The paradox of writing: Rabbi Alon loves “having written” more than the act of writing itself—and that's okay. Flow state isn't universal: For some, creativity feels like therapy; for others, it's structured work rather than spontaneous inspiration. Vulnerability is essential: Great art often requires exposing your scars, not your wounds, to create authentic connection. Spirituality and creativity intersect: Ancient wisdom, like the Talmud's “words from the heart enter the heart,” still informs modern art-making. Editing is sacred: Ferency argues that editing—whether in writing, music, or visual art—is where true artistry emerges. The artist's sensitivity: Creative people often wrestle with heightened sensitivity, which can be both a gift and a challenge. Coaching artists: Ferency's mission is to help artists align their work with their deepest values, offering spiritual and psychological support. Connect with Rabbi Alon Ferency Website: https://www.eclecticcleric.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eclecticcleric/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EclecticCleric TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eclecticcleric LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eclecticcleric/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWc0eC6TFEnA9I23nES3_tQ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #UncorkingAStory #RabbiAlonFerency #CreativityCoach #MindfulArt #WritingLife #ArtAndSpirituality #PodcastForWriters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/ "The Book of Reservations is about a woman navigating a dubious gift in a world that doesn't always believe in it." — Laura Buchwald Author Laura Buchwald returns to discuss her latest novel, The Book of Reservations, the second installment in her Ghost Table trilogy. Laura shares how a haunted Manhattan restaurant inspired her series, what it's like to write under contract deadlines, and why humor is essential—even when tackling heavy themes like grief and the aftermath of 9/11. If you love stories about creativity, resilience, and the supernatural, this conversation is for you. Key Themes: The origin of the Ghost Table trilogy — How a real-life restaurant and whispers of paranormal activity sparked Laura's imagination. From standalone to trilogy — The challenges of expanding a single novel into a multi-book series. Writing under pressure — Why Laura found publisher-imposed deadlines motivating rather than stressful. Balancing grief and humor — How levity helps navigate heavy themes without diminishing their impact. Research through experience — Laura's approach to visiting real locations to bring authenticity to her settings. The role of belief and skepticism — Laura's personal experiences with mediums and how they influenced her storytelling. Looking ahead — A sneak peek into book three and how early reader feedback is shaping its tone. Buy The Book of Reservations Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bbtcze Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798892990776 Connect with Laura Website: https://laurabuchwald.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurabuchwaldauthor/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095294176611 Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #LauraBuchwald #TheBookOfReservations #GhostTableTrilogy #AuthorInterview #WritingLife #ParanormalFiction #UncorkingAStory #BookTok #Bookstagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/ "Writing is work. It's challenging, it's hard—but it's a skill, and it takes time. If you have patience with yourself, you'll get there." — Jen Braaksma In this episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with Jen Braaksma—former journalist, high school English teacher, and now full-time book coach—to talk about her journey from writing fiction to embracing memoir. Jen shares how her love of storytelling began in childhood, why she pivoted careers during the pandemic, and what she learned about vulnerability while writing her latest book, Befriending Betsy. If you've ever wondered what it takes to write a memoir or how a book coach can transform your writing, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration. Key Themes: The power of persistence: Jen's advice to her younger self—and to all writers—is simple: keep at it, even if it's just a few minutes a day. Memoir vs. biography: Memoir isn't just a timeline of events; it's about introspection and writing from the scar, not the wound. The role of a book coach: Coaching isn't just about editing words—it's about guiding the person behind the story. Vulnerability matters: Writing Befriending Betsy taught Jen to embrace authenticity and share her own story. Healing through writing: Every memoirist Jen has worked with has experienced unexpected catharsis during the process. Writing is a skill: Like any craft, it takes time, patience, and practice—don't expect perfection right away. Everyone's story matters: You don't need to be a celebrity to write a memoir that resonates. Buy Befriending Betsy: A Memoir Amazon: https://amzn.to/4iVNeQ5 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798896360209 Connect with Jen Website: https://www.jenbraaksma.com/ Twitter: https://x.com/JenBraaksma Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenbraaksmabookcoach/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #UncorkingAStory #JenBraaksma #BookCoach #MemoirWriting #AuthorInterview #WritingTips #BefriendingBetsy #WritersLife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/ "I took my parents' stories from the Manhattan Project and wove them into a fictional spy subplot—because I'll never know the real truth." — Leslie Schover What happens when a clinical psychologist with decades of experience decides to write her first novel in her seventies? In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Leslie Schover shares how curiosity and family history inspired her debut novel, Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak. From Oak Ridge and the Manhattan Project to love triangles and espionage, Leslie reveals the fascinating journey of transforming real-life stories into compelling historical fiction. Key Themes: Curiosity as a Superpower: How a news article about Soviet atomic spies sparked Leslie's fiction journey. Family Ties to History: Discover the real-life connection between Leslie's parents and the Manhattan Project. From Psychology to Fiction: Why Leslie shifted from publishing academic and self-help books to writing a novel. Challenges of Historical Accuracy: The research behind recreating Oak Ridge during WWII. Hybrid Publishing Insights: Why Leslie chose She Writes Press and what authors should know about hybrid models. Imposter Syndrome is Universal: Even seasoned professionals feel the doubt when starting something new. Awards and Validation: How Fission earned recognition as a historical novel and what that meant for Leslie. Buy Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Mqk1Rd Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798896360568 Connect with Leslie Website: https://www.leslieschoverauthor.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieschover/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leslie.schover.9/ Substack: https://leslierschoverphd147820.substack.com/nuclear-fiction-newsletter Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #HistoricalFiction #AuthorInterview #ManhattanProject #WritingJourney #BookPodcast #SheWritesPress #FissionNovel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/ “I didn't write The Waiting Room — it came through me. In the middle of grief, in the middle of the night, the story wouldn't let me rest until I let it out.” In this special episode, the tables turn: Amazon Bestseller and Uncorking a Story host Mike Carlon becomes the guest. Interviewed by author Janet Ettele in front of a live audience, Mike opens up about the deeply personal origins of The Waiting Room, a novel that came to him during illness, insomnia, and profound grief. He shares the spiritual experiences that shaped the story, the losses of his mother and brother that changed him, and the strange, unexplainable “downloads” that guided the writing. Along the way, we explore hospice miracles, near-death visions, humor as a survival tool, creativity as healing, and what it means to live fully while learning how to let goo. Key Themes: The Creative Download: How the story appeared fully formed during a feverish 3AM awakening, blurring the line between imagination and something deeper. Grief as a Catalyst for Art:  Mike discusses losing his mother and brother, and how writing became an unexpected part of his healing process. The Mystery of End-of-Life Experiences: Real-life hospice phenomena, including visions, “packing for a trip,” and loved ones visiting at the threshold. The Power of Spiritual Curiosity: How interviews with spiritual medium Anna Raimondi reframed his beliefs about life after death. Humor as Lifeline: Using comedy to balance heavy emotional terrain and to reveal authentic sibling dynamics. Writing Without a Map: Mike's evolution from outlining to “discovering the story the way the reader will.” Living the Little Moments: Lessons learned from his brother's final year: joy isn't in big achievements, but in hummingbirds, porch breezes, and dance parties. Buy The Waiting Room Amazon: https://amzn.to/48iPrS8 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781732184695 Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #UncorkingAStory #TheWaitingRoom #AuthorInterview #MemoirEnergy #GriefAndHealing #WritingThroughGrief #SpiritualWriting #EndOfLifeStories #CreativityAndSpirit #LiveEventRecording Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/ "I thought by using entertainment, I could get people to understand medical issues and change health policy. It didn't work out that way—but people are fascinated by medicine." — Robin Cook In this episode of Uncorking a Story, bestselling author and physician Robin Cook joins us to discuss his incredible career, the origins of the medical thriller genre, and his latest novel, Spasm. With over 42 books and 400 million copies sold, Cook shares how failure shaped his success, why medicine remains endlessly compelling, and the disturbing realities behind the medical-industrial complex. Plus, we dive into prions, private equity's impact on hospitals, and what's next for Jack Stapleton and Laurie Montgomery. Key Themes: The Birth of the Medical Thriller: How Robin Cook combined medicine and suspense to create a genre that captivates millions. Lessons from Failure: Why his first book flopped and how that setback fueled the success of Coma. Medicine Meets Business: Cook's concerns about the growing influence of private equity in healthcare—and how it inspired his upcoming novel, Bleed. Science That Feels Like Fiction: From genetics to prions, Cook explains how real medical advances often seem stranger than sci-fi. Character Evolution: Why Jack Stapleton feels like Cook's alter ego—and how Spasm changes the game for this beloved protagonist. Hollywood Adaptations: The highs and lows of seeing his novels transformed for the big screen. Advice for Aspiring Authors: Why writing should be a personal journey first—and why luck plays a bigger role than most realize. Buy Spasm Amazon: https://amzn.to/44MXvYZ Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798217044931 Connect with Robin Website: https://robincook.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrRobinCook Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #RobinCook #MedicalThriller #UncorkingAStory #SpasmNovel #ThrillerBooks #HealthcareIssues #AuthorInterview #BookPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Technology isn't good or bad—it just is. How we choose to use it defines everything." — Robbie Bach Robbie Bach, the visionary behind Xbox and now a bestselling author, joins Mike Carlon on Uncorking a Story to share his journey from tech executive to thriller writer. In this episode, Robbie dives into his creative process, the inspiration behind his latest novel The Blockchain Syndicate, and how themes of technology, society, and human nature weave through his stories. If you've ever wondered how a business leader pivots to fiction—or what happens when old-school espionage meets new-school cybercrime—this conversation is for you. Key Takeaways: The Pivot from Tech to Fiction: Robbie explains how leaving Microsoft reignited his passion for writing and led him to craft thrillers blending technology and civic themes. Writing Without an Outline: Discover Robbie's “pantser” approach and why momentum matters more than rigid planning. The Blockchain Syndicate Unpacked: A gripping mix of cybercrime, blockchain anonymity, and high-stakes espionage. Character Development as Empathy: How writing characters unlike himself—like Senator Tamika Smith—expanded Robbie's emotional intelligence. Technology's Double-Edged Sword: Why tech isn't inherently good or bad, and how its societal impact shapes his narratives. Marketing Realities for Authors: From Mailchimp headaches to list management, Robbie shares the business side of being an author. Advice to His Younger Self: Balance matters—don't miss the joy of connecting with people along the way. Buy The Blockchain Syndicate Amazon: https://amzn.to/4r7zaqy Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798886454000 Connect with Robbie Website: https://www.robbiebach.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robbiebach61 Twitter: https://x.com/robbie_bach LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiebach/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #UncorkingAStory #RobbieBach #TheBlockchainSyndicate #ThrillerBooks #AuthorInterview #CybercrimeThriller #WritingProcess #BookLoversPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I love to read, I devour books—wouldn't it be nice if I wrote something that somebody else would love to read?" — Lewis Bowling In this episode of Uncorking a Story, host Mike Carlon sits down with Lewis Bowling—author of 14 books, columnist, and educator at Duke University and North Carolina Central University. Lewis shares how a childhood love of reading sparked a lifelong passion for writing, why he focuses on nonfiction and history, and the story behind his latest book on Sam Ragan, North Carolina's literary godfather. From his first library under his grandfather's bed to his deep dives into archives for biographies, Lewis offers insights into the craft of writing and the joy of preserving history. Key Takeaways: Roots of a Writer: Lewis Bowling's writing journey began with a box of old westerns under his grandfather's bed and trips to the local library. Nonfiction Passion: Lewis prefers biographies and history over fiction, finding inspiration in real stories and lived experiences. First Book Milestone: His debut book chronicled the history of Granville County, sparking a career that now spans 14 titles. Sam Ragan's Influence: Lewis's latest work explores the life of North Carolina's literary godfather, a man who shaped the state's cultural identity. Research Over Writing: For Lewis, the thrill of writing starts with meticulous research—often more enjoyable than the writing itself. Current Project: He's 80% through a biography of Eddie Cameron, the namesake of Duke's iconic basketball arena. Advice for Writers: Writing isn't just typing words—it's living, observing, and channeling experiences into stories. Buy Sam Ragan: North Carolina's Literary Godfather Amazon: https://amzn.to/43KQwPJ Connect with Lewis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lewis.bowling.3 Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ #UncorkingAStory #LewisBowling #AuthorInterview #WritingLife #NorthCarolinaHistory #SamRagan #BookLovers #BiographyWriting #PodcastForReaders If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"We eat from a thousand different hungers—and most of them aren't about food." — Jane McGuinness In this episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with Jane McGuinness—registered clinical counselor, mother of three, and author of the memoir Always Hungry: How I Lost the Weight and Found Myself. Jane opens up about her journey from emotional eating and divorce to rediscovering herself through writing, hiking, and radical acceptance. We talk about the psychology behind food cravings, the privilege of thinness, and why healing is about more than just losing weight. If you've ever wondered what it takes to transform your life from the inside out, this conversation is for you. Key Takeaways: Emotional eating is rarely about hunger—it's often tied to stress, anxiety, and unresolved trauma. Healing requires owning your story; writing memoir can be a powerful tool for self-discovery. Thin privilege is real—Jane shares candid insights on how society treats people differently based on body size. Sustainable weight loss is about consistency, not quick fixes—think small habits over time. Life transitions can spark growth—Jane's divorce and career change led her to embrace freedom and creativity. Travel and movement are transformative—Jane's Camino de Santiago pilgrimage changed her perspective on life. Moderation beats restriction—finding balance with food and exercise is key to long-term health. Buy Always Hungry: How I Lost the Weight and Found Myself Kindle Edition Amazon: https://amzn.to/47tczvs Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647429867 Connect with Jane Website: https://www.janemcguinnesstheauthor.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568768136177 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janemcguinnesstheauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janemcguinnesstheauthor Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, or wherever you get your podcasts. #AlwaysHungryBook #AuthorInterview #MemoirMonday #EmotionalEating #WeightLossJourney #PodcastLife #UncorkingAStory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The Lady on Esplanade is about ghosts, grief, and flipping murder houses.” In her third appearance on Uncorking a Story, bestselling author Karen White uncorks the story behind her 37th novel, The Lady on Esplanade. From her unexpected start in writing—sparked by Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series—to her reflections on the evolving publishing landscape, Karen shares insights into her creative process, her beloved characters, and the importance of community in a writer's life. Plus, she gives us a peek into her latest ghost-filled mystery set in New Orleans, where murder houses and restless spirits collide. Key Takeaways: Karen's writing journey began unexpectedly after reading Outlander and entering a contest judged by Diana Gabaldon, which launched her career.  The Lady on Esplanade is the third book in a spin-off series from her beloved Tradd Street novels, featuring fan-favorite character Nola Trenum. The novel blends mystery, ghostly encounters, and emotional depth, as Nola and her nemesis Bo flip a haunted murder house in New Orleans.  Karen reflects on the challenges of modern publishing, including the pressure for authors to be influencers and entertainers. She emphasizes the importance of writing community and friendships with fellow authors like Lauren Willig and Beatriz Williams. Karen shares personal stories about her dog Sophie, life after loss, and the joys and challenges of being a pet parent. Buy The Lady on Esplanade Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qgWi5s Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593549490 Connect with Karen Website:  https://www.karen-white.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenwhitewrite/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenwhiteauthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarenWhiteWrite TikToc: https://www.tiktok.com/@karenwhitewrite Connect with Mike Website: https://www.mikecarlon.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #KarenWhiteBooks #TheLadyOnEsplanade #UncorkingAStory #GhostMystery #AuthorInterview #TraddStreetSeries #BookLovers #WomenWriters #WritingCommunity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I realized my family's secrets had written my biography—and my biology. I wanted to take back the pen.” — Wendy Correa In this deeply moving episode of Uncorking a Story, host Mike Carlon sits down with author, yogi, and former music industry insider Wendy Correa to discuss her debut memoir, My Pretty Baby. Wendy shares her journey through intergenerational trauma, addiction, and healing—offering listeners a raw and inspiring look at how writing, spirituality, and resilience helped her reclaim her story. From singing on the Rose Bowl stage to encounters with icons like Ringo Starr and Hunter S. Thompson, Wendy's life is a testament to transformation and the power of voice. Key Takeaways: Wendy's memoir began as a personal healing journey and evolved into a guidebook for others facing family dysfunction. Her background spans massage therapy, DJing, and working with major record labels like Geffen and A&M Records. A pivotal moment in her sobriety came when she met Ringo Starr at her first AA meeting.  Wendy used acting techniques and EMDR therapy to access and process repressed childhood trauma. My Pretty Baby explores the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and advocates for trauma-informed healing. The memoir also includes joyful and serendipitous moments, like meeting her husband through a song request and working with Hunter S. Thompson. Wendy challenges toxic positivity and emphasizes the importance of facing pain to truly heal. Buy My Pretty Baby Amazon: https://amzn.to/497gArN Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798896360049 Connect with Wendy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendybcorrea/?hl=en Threads: https://www.threads.com/@wendybcorrea Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #MyPrettyBaby #WendyCorrea #TraumaHealing #Memoir #Resilience #MentalHealthAwareness #UnquarkingAStory #ACEs #SobrietyJourney #AuthorInterview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"What felt like the darkest night became the beginning of something brand new." — Sarah May In this inspiring episode of Uncorking a Story, host Mike Carlon speaks with yoga instructor, Reiki healer, and debut memoirist Sarah May about her transformative journey through heartbreak, healing, and radical reinvention. From living in a van with her husband to exploring plant medicine and energy work, Sarah shares how writing her memoir She Journeys helped her process trauma, rediscover herself, and ultimately forgive. This episode is a powerful reminder that healing is nonlinear—and always possible. Key Takeaways: Sarah May's writing journey began with daily journaling inspired by her mother, an author. Her memoir She Journeys chronicles her first marriage, divorce, and the healing road trip that followed. Living in a van full-time became a lifestyle of freedom, minimalism, and deep personal growth. Writing for herself—not an audience—allowed Sarah to be radically vulnerable and honest. Reiki and plant medicine played key roles in her emotional and somatic healing. Forgiveness, like grief, is not a one-time act but a continual process of release and compassion. Sarah's story offers hope to anyone rebuilding after loss, trauma, or heartbreak. Buy She Journeys Amazon: https://amzn.to/4r1muBF Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647429621 Connect with Sarah Website: https://shejourneys.us/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/she__journeys/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shejourneysbook YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@authorsonwheels Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #UncorkingAStory #SarahMay #SheJourneysMemoir #HealingThroughWriting #VanLifeAuthors #ReikiHealing #PlantMedicineJourney #MemoirOfResilience #AuthorInterview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Grief doesn't end—it lives alongside joy, love, and purpose. You can carry both." — Stacy Bass In this deeply moving episode of Unquarking Your Story, host Mike Carlon sits down with author and photographer Stacy Bass to explore her memoir Lightkeeper, a poignant reflection on love, loss, and legacy. Stacy shares how personal tragedy led her to write, how photography became a portal to memory, and why keeping the light alive—through images and words—is a powerful act of healing. Whether you're navigating grief or simply seeking inspiration, this conversation offers comfort, insight, and hope. Key Takeaways: Stacy Bass began writing as a way to process the sudden loss of her father and cousins in a plane crash. Her memoir Lightkeeper evolved from private reflections and social media tributes into a published book. The concept of “light keeping” blends photography and storytelling to preserve memory and legacy. Stacy's living tribute to her mother—posting daily photos and reflections—became a transformative act of love. She encourages others to use family photos as writing prompts to connect with lost loved ones. The book's title reflects multiple layers: photography, personal legacy, and guiding others through grief. EMDR therapy and writing together helped Stacy shift how she holds grief in her body. Buy Lightkeeper Amazon: https://amzn.to/49f6ncS Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798895150566 Connect with Stacy Website: https://www.lightkeepermemoir.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063465979435 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacybassphoto/?hl=en Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #StacyBass #LightkeeperMemoir #GriefAndHealing #PhotographyAsMemory #AuthorInterview #UnquarkingYourStory #LegacyThroughArt #MemoirWriting #HealingThroughStory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Innovation isn't just about process—it's about emotion. If you're not feeling resistance, you're probably not stretching far enough.” — Brianna Sylver In this episode of Uncorking a Story, host Michael Carlon sits down with nationally recognized innovation strategist Brianna Sylver, founder of Sylver Consulting and author of Leading Through Freefall. Brianna shares the deeply personal and spiritual journey behind her book, which explores the emotional undercurrents of innovation and change. From automatic writing during the pandemic to running a marathon she never thought possible, Brianna's story is one of surrender, resilience, and transformation. Whether you're a leader, changemaker, or simply navigating uncertainty, this conversation offers tools and insights to help you lead with love and clarity. Key Takeaways: Innovation is emotional: Brianna's book focuses on the emotional journey of change, not just the process.  Automatic writing as a spiritual practice: Her daily journaling became a channel for divine guidance and creative clarity. Running a marathon as a metaphor for writing: Both required surrender, discipline, and showing up consistently.  Highly sensitive leadership: Brianna discusses how being highly sensitive can be both a gift and a challenge in professional settings. The grief curve of change: Leaders must recognize and navigate emotional resistance in teams to drive transformation.  Collaborative creation: Brianna leaned on her network to finish her book, proving that writing doesn't have to be a solitary endeavor. Practical tools for leaders: Each chapter includes actionable guides to help navigate emotional dynamics in innovation. Buy Leading Through Free Fall Amazon: https://amzn.to/46ROmzW Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781774585955 Connect with Brianna LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannasylver/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SylverConsulting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sylver-consulting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SylverConsulting X: https://x.com/sylvertweets Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sylverconsulting Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #InnovationLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadingThroughFreefall #BriannaSylver #ChangeManagement #SpiritualCreativity #UncorkingAStory #SilverConsulting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Write the book you want to read. That's when everything changed for me." — Miranda Smith  In this episode of Uncorking Story, host Mike Carlon sits down with bestselling author Miranda Smith, whose psychological thrillers and domestic suspense novels have captivated readers since her debut in 2020. From growing up in a video rental store to publishing 13 books in just five years, Miranda shares her journey, creative process, and the inspiration behind her latest horror-leaning novel, Smile for the Cameras. Whether you're an aspiring writer or a fan of chilling fiction, this conversation is packed with insight and nostalgia. Key Takeaways: Miranda's writing career began with a love of reading and evolved through trial, error, and genre exploration.  Her breakthrough came when she embraced her passion for crime fiction and psychological thrillers.  Smile for the Cameras marks a shift toward horror, inspired by her childhood in a video rental store and love of slasher films. Miranda's productivity stems from working on multiple manuscripts simultaneously and treating writing as a full-time job. She emphasizes persistence, collaboration, and learning from rejection as keys to success in publishing. Writing starts as a solitary act but becomes a collaborative process involving agents, editors, and readers. Buy Smile for the Cameras Amazon: https://amzn.to/4h0wWVr Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593983164 Connect with Miranda Website: https://mirandasmithwriter.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirandasmithwriter/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mirandasmithwriter Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #MirandaSmith #SmileForTheCameras #PsychologicalThriller #DomesticSuspense #HorrorBooks #AuthorInterview #UncorkingStory #WritersLife #BookTok #IndieAuthors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Energy cannot be destroyed. So where does it go? The energy is the soul, and the soul goes on. Heaven isn't up through the clouds—it's right here, a different dimension.” — Anna Raimondi Spiritual medium, intuitive, and author Anna Raimondi joins me for a deeply moving conversation about faith, the afterlife, and finding your soul's purpose. A born medium who began seeing spirits as a child, Anna shares how her lifelong connection with the Blessed Mother inspired her acclaimed book Conversations with Mary (Simon & Schuster). We explore the intersection of science and spirituality, near-death experiences, end-of-life visions, and how love—the strongest energy in the universe—continues beyond death. Anna's mission is simple yet profound: to help people live joyfully while walking their soul's path. Key Takeaways: Born with a gift: Anna didn't “learn” mediumship—it's something she's had since childhood, seeing and hearing spirits long before realizing others couldn't. Science meets spirituality: Quoting Einstein's second law of thermodynamics, Anna explains that energy (the soul) can't be destroyed—it simply changes form. End-of-life experiences affirm peace: Loved ones often appear to the dying; Anna sees these visions as proof of a compassionate transition between dimensions. A modern Marian message: In Conversations with Mary, Anna transcribed messages she believes were dictated by the Blessed Mother—teachings centered on prayer, love, and inclusivity beyond organized religion. Many paths to God: Mary's message is universal—“Any religion based in love is a path to God.” The book invites all faiths into conversation. Love never dies: Anna says souls stay close to the living—often through scents, music, or signs like birds—and that pets also perceive these presences. Finding your soul's mission: Purpose doesn't require grand gestures—it's found in kindness, service, creativity, and following what brings genuine joy. Buy Anna's Books Conversations with Mary: https://amzn.to/47r5nkF Talking to the dead in Suburbia: https://amzn.to/4or6B5l Connect with Anna Website: https://www.annaraimondi.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annalraim/# Twitter: https://x.com/AnnaRaimondi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna.raimondi/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnnaRaimondi Podcast: https://www.annaraimondi.com/podcast Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Whether or not money comes out of this is yet to be seen. The main thing is—does it help people? Is it spreading a good message? That's ultimately why I'm doing this.” — Heather Snodgrass Actor, author, and debut novelist Heather Snodgrass joins me to talk about her first book, A Love Letter to Reading, a story that blends heart-pounding suspense with deep emotional reflection. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Heather shares how her journey from acting to screenwriting to novel writing taught her to embrace creative detours and stay rooted in gratitude. Together, we explore her unconventional protagonist, Scorpion—a pediatric oncologist who moonlights as an assassin—and how writing her story became a form of self-discovery and healing.  Key Takeaways: Transformation through art: Heather's path from acting to writing shows how creative callings evolve—and how storytelling finds new forms when one door closes. A character unlike any other: Her protagonist, Scorpion, is both assassin and healer—an embodiment of duality, morality, and redemption that challenges genre conventions. Writing as therapy: Heather used self-care rituals like gardening and mindfulness to process heavy emotional material, proving that writers must protect their own well-being during intense creative work. The publishing learning curve: She opted for a hybrid publishing model to get her story into readers' hands sooner, highlighting the importance of understanding all paths to publication. Feedback with perspective: Heather learned to balance taking constructive criticism seriously while still trusting her creative instincts—a valuable mindset for any creator. Purpose over profit: Her biggest takeaway—focus on impact, not income. Writing should be about helping others and spreading light, even if the financial rewards come later. Finding inspiration: Movies, music, and other art forms often reignite her creativity—reminding us that to get back into flow, sometimes you must step away from your own work. Buy A Love Letter to Reading Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gYqHkB Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798894273396 Connect with Heather Website: https://www.authorheathersnodgrass.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melted_heathbar/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heathersnodgras5 Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #UncorkingAStory #HeatherSnodgrass #ALoveLetterToReading #AuthorInterview #CreativeJourney #HybridPublishing #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #BookLaunch #FemaleAuthors #InspirationForWriters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“My trauma is no longer telling me what to do every day the way that it once was.” Vanessa Carlisle Dr. Vanessa Carlisle (they/them)—author, coach, educator, and longtime advocate for sex-working communities—joins me to explore healing after trauma, the complex overlap between sexuality and addiction recovery, and what it means to rebuild connection with self and others. We also discuss Vanessa's end-of-life care work as a death doula, the role of grief in recovery, and their new book Awaken Your Sexuality: A Guide to Connection and Intimacy After Addiction and Trauma (co-authored with Dr. Stephanie Covington). Key Takeaways: Recovery & sexuality must talk to each other. Addiction treatment often sidelines sex and intimacy; Vanessa argues healing is stronger when trauma work and sobriety/harm-reduction progress together.   An inclusive roadmap. Awaken Your Sexuality centers women, non-binary, and gender-expansive people—and makes space for those with or without substance/process addictions who still carry trauma's imprint on intimacy.  Ditch the shame, keep the choice. Critiquing beauty culture isn't a license to stigmatize personal choices (Botox, fillers, femininity); acceptance means honoring each person's body story without sliding into trans- or fem-phobia.   Grief is part of sexual healing. Loss—of people, time, safety, or identity—often blocks connection. Naming and working through grief opens the door to pleasure, intimacy, and self-trust.   Lessons from end-of-life care. As a death doula, Vanessa notes common patterns near death (visions of loved ones, “trip” metaphors, altered communication) and offers reassurance to families navigating those moments.   Principled boundaries + language matter. Use people's pronouns, respect lived experience, and couple personal history with research-driven practice to reduce stigma and improve care.   Support the ecosystem. Pre-order or purchase from independent bookstores to keep vital third places alive. Buy Awaken Your Sexuality: A Guide to Connection and Intimacy after Addiction and Trauma Amazon: https://amzn.to/46J3HkV Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781636340920   Connect with Vanessa Website: https://www.vanessacarlisle.com/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/vanessacarlisle/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #UncorkingAStory #VanessaCarlisle #AwakenYourSexuality #TraumaInformed #AddictionRecovery #SexualHealing #Intimacy #GriefAndLoss #DeathDoula #SomaticHealing #LivedExperience #BookTalk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“There really is enlightenment and awakening in the intersection between trauma and spirituality—if you go into it and don't push it away.” — Kristina Amelong In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike sits down with Kristina Amelong—artist, healer, founder of Optimal Health Network, and author of the memoir What My Brother Knew. Kristina opens up about the profound loss of her brother, who eerily foresaw his own death, and the ripple effects this tragedy had on her life. Through writing, research, and deep spiritual exploration, Kristina found healing and meaning in places of grief, addiction, and transformation. Their conversation touches on mystical experiences, end-of-life insights, and the role writing plays in processing trauma and opening ourselves to the mystery of consciousness. Key Takeaways: From crisis to creativity: A near-death encounter in Guatemala led Kristina to contemplative writing, sparking the process that became her memoir. The uncanny story of her brother: At just 12 years old, her brother predicted his own death in chilling detail—an event that shaped her life and inspired her book. Healing through writing: Memoir became a vehicle not only for personal processing but also for connecting with others who were touched by her brother's life. Addiction and transformation: Kristina's journey from addiction to holistic healing reflects the resilience of choosing wellness and self-discovery. The intersection of trauma and spirituality: She embraces the paradox that deep pain can also lead to profound spiritual awakening. The ripple effect of storytelling: Sharing her memoir reconnected her with people from her past, showing how one story can spark collective healing. Life beyond the physical: Kristina's work with near-death experiencers and hospice has deepened her belief in the continuity of consciousness. Buy What My Brother Knew Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nEqWUc Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647429089   Connect with Kristina Website: https://www.kristinaamelong.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristina.amelong Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optimalhealthnetwork/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/KrisOHC Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #UncorkingAStory #KristinaAmelong #Memoir #GriefJourney #HealingThroughWriting #SpiritualAwakening #WhatMyBrotherKnew #HolisticHealing #NearDeathExperience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fiction is the only way I know to get to the truth of human experience.” — H. Lee Barnes In this episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with award-winning author H. Lee Barnes, whose life journey has taken him from the battlefields of Vietnam to the classrooms of Nevada, and ultimately to the pages of acclaimed novels and short stories. With his trademark candor, Lee reflects on how his military service shaped his worldview, why he turns to fiction to make sense of human complexity, and the role of writing in healing and understanding. This conversation explores the intersection of memory, trauma, and creativity — and what it means to search for truth through storytelling. Key Takeaways: The Writer's Duty – For Barnes, fiction is not an escape from truth but a way to uncover it. War and Perspective – His combat experiences continue to inform his themes of resilience, morality, and human frailty. Teaching and Mentorship – Barnes believes in passing along hard-earned wisdom to the next generation of writers. The Complexity of Memory – Memory, he notes, is unreliable yet deeply powerful as fuel for creative expression. Truth in Storytelling – Even imagined narratives can illuminate realities that journalism or memoir may miss. Writing as Survival – Crafting stories became a way for him to process trauma and find meaning in chaos. Cultural Connection – His stories often bridge divides, helping readers step into perspectives far from their own. Buy Emerald City Blues Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VsnzDV Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647792138   Connect with H. Lee Barnes Website: https://www.hleebarnes.net/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #UncorkingAStory #HLeeBarnes #AuthorInterview #WritingLife #Storytelling #VeteranVoices #TruthInFiction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices