Uncorking a Story

“If I accept that I’m his victim… can I even say I’m a wife? If my child’s DNA is evidence of a crime… can I say I’m a mother?” – Brandi Dredge In this emotional conversation, author Brandi Dredge shares the raw and redemptive journey behind her memoir Girl Uncoded. From surviving childhood trauma and an abusive marriage to reclaiming her voice through writing and faith, Brandi opens up about how...

“I really wanted to reach the parents who might be crying in their kitchen and feeling alone—to let them know they’re not alone in those feelings.” – Jennifer Celeste Briggs In this moving episode, Jennifer Celeste Briggs opens up about her powerful memoir Watching Sarah Rise, the story of raising her daughter Sarah, who faced developmental challenges from birth. With honesty, warmth, and resilien...

“All love is risky. People die, they leave, they don’t listen to you—but you love them anyway.” — Virginia DeLuca When Virginia DeLuca’s husband unexpectedly walked out on their marriage in his 60s—claiming he wanted children—her gut reaction wasn’t just heartbreak. It was: If you must go, I wish you triplets. That quip became the title of her deeply honest and darkly humorous memoir. In this epis...

“We spend so much of our life trying to put the pieces back in the dollhouse… the furniture changes, the people change.” — Beverly Jean Armento In this emotional episode of Uncorking a Story, Michael Carlon sits down with author and educator Beverly Jean Armento to discuss her powerful memoir, Seeing Eye Girl. Beverly reflects on a childhood marked by violence, secrecy, and trauma—and how the love...

“I’ve always believed that within the realm of what’s possible, I can do it—and fiction was just another challenge to embrace.” — Iris Mitlin Lav In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Michael Carlon uncorks the remarkable second act of Iris Mitlin Lav, a seasoned public policy expert who turned to fiction writing after retirement. Iris shares how her real-life experiences and family history shaped...

“My dad looked at me [from his deathbed] and said, ‘It just went so fast.’ I asked what did, and he said, ‘Life.’ That moment changed everything—I knew I had to write the book.” — Jennifer Griffith On this special Mother’s Day episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with Jennifer Griffith—host of About Your Mother and author of Both Sides of Then—to talk about motherhood, grief, generational trau...

“Your marriage can be anything you want it to be—you don’t have to just follow a supplied script.” — Wayne Scott In this deeply honest and thought-provoking episode of Uncorking a Story, writer and psychotherapist Wayne Scott opens up about the emotional terrain behind his memoir The Maps They Gave Us. We dive into his decades-long marriage, navigating a mixed-orientation relationship, and redefin...

“I learned that I’m dogged… I didn’t abandon it, and that became very important—not giving up.” — Janet Constantino In this soulful and insightful episode of Uncorking a Story, psychotherapist-turned-novelist Janet Constantino shares the winding journey that led to her debut novel Becoming Mariella. A former competitive Latin ballroom dancer with Sicilian roots and a love of jazz, Janet brings dec...

“The whole idea of historical fiction is to fill in the gaps in the emotional feeling of the participants in the crisis.” — Barbara Southard In this episode of Uncorking a Story, historian and debut novelist Barbara Southard shares the emotional and intellectual journey behind her novel Unruly Human Hearts. Drawing from her academic roots and a deep fascination with 19th-century America, Barbara r...

“We’ve got to start thinking of ourselves as the Earthling tribe.” — Dr. Peter Solomon In this eye-opening episode of Uncorking a Story, scientist and author Dr. Peter Solomon shares how his passion for physics, sparked in a college classroom, led to a lifelong mission to communicate science through storytelling. We explore his Stardust Mystery project and dive into his upcoming novel 100 Years to...

“Don’t be your own no—if the answer is no, let someone else say it. Don’t take yourself out of the race because of your own insecurities.” – Joanne Howard In this episode of Uncorking a Story, we sit down with debut novelist Joanne Howard, author of Sleeping in the Sun, a historical fiction novel inspired by her grandfather’s childhood in India at the end of British rule. Joanne shares her journey...

“The writing is the easiest part. It’s everything after that—the marketing, the visibility, the noise—that makes this business so tough. But you’ve got to keep going.” — Rochelle Weinstein Bestselling author Rochelle Weinstein joins Uncorking a Story to reflect on the career crossroads that changed her life. After walking away from a successful role in the music industry, Rochelle sat down and wro...

“We all have a light to shine, and today more than ever, the world needs us to shine those lights in all the different areas that are there.” – Julie Wignall In this illuminating episode of Uncorking a Story, Julie Wignall shares her unconventional journey from marine biology to corporate leadership to writing The Extraordinary Power of Fireflies. She reveals how each of us has an inner light and...

Each book has its own trajectory and process… The things that are meant for you come to you.” – Kristen Arnett Bestselling author Kristen Arnett joins Uncorking a Story to talk about her latest novel, Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One, a book about a queer birthday clown navigating art, grief, and life in Central Florida. We dive into her writing journey, the importance of place in storytelling, an...

“The number one thing a leader can do is have a vision for their team's careers—yet only 12% of employees say their boss ever talks to them about it.” — Kevin McGarry, Ph. D. In this episode of Uncorking a Story, we sit down with Dr. Kevin McGarry—leadership expert, CEO of Leading 360, and author of Lead with Purpose. Kevin shares his journey from corporate leadership to academia and back, reveali...

"Believe in that inner voice. Trust it, no matter what anyone else says. Just keep pursuing what’s important to you." – Robert Steven Goldstein Robert Steven Goldstein spent decades in the corporate world before making good on a lifelong dream—becoming a novelist. After retiring at 56, he dedicated himself to writing full-time, crafting compelling and unconventional stories. In this episode, Rober...

"Only you can tell your story, and only you can tell it in the way you tell it. And that's critical." – Barbara Boyle For years, Barbara Boyle crafted stories for some of the biggest brands in advertising. But after decades in the corporate world, she found herself on an unexpected journey—one that led her to a 300-year-old farmhouse in Italy, a memoir, and a new way of seeing the world. In this e...

“I realized that storytelling was something I had to do—not just something I wanted to do.” – Jenn Bouchard Award-winning author Jenn Bouchard joins the show to talk about her journey from being a dedicated high school teacher to a published, award winning novelist. She shares insights into the challenges of transitioning careers, the perseverance required in publishing, and the joy of crafting co...

"Don't be afraid to fail and just do what you want to do. The fear of failure holds so many people back." – Jonathan Small Award-winning author, journalist, and podcast host Jonathan Small joins the show to share his fascinating journey through the ever-evolving world of writing. From a serendipitous first interview with George Carlin to navigating the golden era of magazines, Jonathan has seen it...

"When we seek to benefit others, we’re at our best and happiest."— Janet Ettele Meet Janet Ettele, author of How Joyous Effort Works. In this episode, Janet shares how her deep appreciation for music evolved into a passion for Buddhist philosophy, leading her to create a series of books that blend timeless teachings with modern practicality. With a focus on compassion, mindfulness, and balance, Ja...

Life gives us a lot of lessons that we don’t know how we’re going to use, and then all of a sudden, we’re called to the challenge and we pick it up. – Julie McGue​ In this heartfelt episode, author Julie McGue returns to discuss her latest memoir, Twice the Family, a prequel to her award-winning Twice a Daughter. Julie reflects on the complexities of growing up as an identical twin, a domestic ado...

"Good fiction exposes us to people we don’t understand—and makes us care about them.” — Mary Camarillo In this episode of Uncorking a Story, we delve into the writing journey of award-winning author Mary Camarillo. From her early days as a voracious reader and rebellious high school journalist to an unexpected career at the U.S. Postal Service, Mary shares how her life experiences shaped her uniqu...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, host Mike Carlon sits down with Patti Clark, award-winning author of This Way Up and Recovery Road Trip. Patti shares her journey from addiction and recovery to embracing creativity and connection as vital tools for healing. Together, they explore how tapping into our creative selves and inner child can lead us to a life filled with joy, authenticity, and p...

“She was the light in our chaotic home, the anchor in our storms. And yet, Lee’s story was a mystery even to her.” — Sandra Schnackenberg In this episode of Uncorking a Story, host Mike Carlon welcomes Sandra Schnackenberg, author of the compelling memoir The Housekeeper’s Secret. Sandra takes listeners on a journey from her tumultuous childhood to the uncovering of her housekeeper Lee’s astonishi...

“Life is stranger than fiction. I use the things I’ve experienced—the pain, the joy, and even the ghosts—in my writing.” — Kevin Moore In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike Carlon sits down with Kevin Moore, the author behind the captivating Jack Kelly series, including The Book of Souls and The Book of Demons. Kevin shares his journey from a chaotic childhood in New York to becoming a storyt...