Uncorking a Story

"Being chosen doesn't mean being whole; it means navigating a journey to find yourself.” — Adoptee Lisa Ann In this heartfelt episode of "Uncorking a Story," host Mike Carlon welcomes Lisa Ann, the host of the "Wandering Tree Podcast." Lisa Ann shares her deeply personal story as an adoptee, discussing the complexities of identity, family, and the search for her biological roots. From the revelati...

"The idea of found family and the hope that you have a pod of people out there who will accept you for who you are is central to my story." — Mary Carol Moore In today’s episode, Author Mary Carol Moore discusses her journey from being a food journalist to an accomplished novelist, inspired by her mother's legacy as a World War II era pilot. She shares insights into her latest novel, "A Woman's Gu...

"Poetry is a gift from the Divine, a voice from ancestors, expressing profound truths and deep emotions." - Lauren Martin In today’s episode of Uncorking a Story we sit down with Lauren Martin, a psychotherapist, poet, and a devoted Ìyânífá. She shares her journey from discovering her poetic voice in sixth grade to compiling her latest collection, Night of the Hawk. Through a conversation that spa...

"We have a lot to learn from them. It's really about the survival of the human spirit." - Dr. Stephanie Covington In this informative episode of Uncorking a Story, we dive into the life and expertise of Stephanie Covington, Ph. D. who shares wisdom gained through her work with incarcerated women and reveals how they support each other in the most challenging of environments. Meet Stephanie Covingt...

“Be quick to forgive yourself. It's hard to do, but be quick to forgive people around you. We're going to disappoint ourselves, and people are going to disappoint us. Just forgive, get over it. Don’t let a mistake ruin a relationship—it's not worth it. The relationship is so much more.” — Link Forester Join us in this powerful episode of Uncorking a Story with  Link Forester, an author whose life...

“Be your own fool. You’ve got to be a little bit crazy to believe your writing matters, and it does!” Today, I chat with author Joe Di Prisco who shares the mosaic of his life, from a Brooklyn childhood shadowed by mob connections to his spirited pursuits in poetry and education. This episode delves into Joe's complex relationship with religion, his vibrant storytelling in both novels and poetry,...

"It's like a honey badger; dementia doesn't give a shit. It doesn't care about what you want to do." — Kitty Norton Tune into this episode of Uncorking a Story for an honest and inspiring exploration of the highs and lows of caregiving, the power of storytelling, and the unexpected paths life can take. Meet Kitty Norton In 2016 Kitty left her job as an NBC assistant editor in Los Angeles, CA, for...

"Right, you'll forget it ever happened. That's what my social worker told me and other girls at the Florence Crittenton home for unwed mothers. But yeah, you don't forget that you are a mother. And also, how does one keep the secret from oneself? That's an absolute impossibility." — Tracy Mayo In the lead up to Mother’s Day, I wanted to share the powerful story of a mother who worked tirelessly to...

“I found writing almost an unbelievably incredible way to deal with the grief. It was a way to channel my energy in a really productive way that ultimately led to this book that I've written. And it was therapeutic. It was really helpful for me in many ways." — Glenn Hilemann In this deeply moving episode of "Uncorking a Story," we explore the poignant journey of Glenn Hilemann, who turned a heart...

"It's interesting to compare the process of creating an image with writing. In photography, I find myself editing the scene to highlight what draws my interest, focusing on the essence and minimizing distractions. This approach is similar to writing, where the goal is to strip away the superfluous to communicate the core message clearly. Both processes involve a pathway to clarity, whether it's th...

"I have my wife as my ultimate support system. But as a man, it feels like you shouldn’t show weakness or talk about things that might make you vulnerable because you worry about what others will think. That’s why I decided to just go for it, to muster the courage to openly share my story. I committed to laying everything out there, telling my story in all its truth." — Reggie Reed Tune in to this...

"The day my dance instructor had her jaw wired shut to lose weight was the day I realized how deep the rabbit hole of body image issues really went. It wasn't just about being thin; it was about battling your body at war with societal expectations." - Lori Brand Welcome to a compelling episode that dives deep into the heart of how societal pressures shape our self-perception and the lengths to whi...

"I kind of almost became an author by accident. It was a case of rediscovering a love of fiction, and then, on idle weekends, working on things purely to entertain myself. It grew from there." — Richard Roper In this episode, author Richard Roper shares insights into his unique path to becoming an author, starting from a childhood filled with a love for books but no clear ambition to write. His jo...

Join us in this intriguing episode as we dive into the creative world of Peter Malone Elliott, an award-nominated screenwriter and author of the captivating novel "Blue Ridge." From the mysterious allure of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the complex dynamics of identical twins, Peter shares the inspiration behind his debut novel and his seamless transition from screenwriting to novel writing. About P...

In this episode, we delve into the captivating world of Julee Balko, an author renowned for her intricate portrayal of complex female characters and her bold exploration of themes like grief, personal growth, and the transformative power of storytelling. Julee shares the journey behind her latest novel, "The Me List," a story rich with snark, heart, and an unlikely friendship that challenges socie...

"Embracing the reckless part of me, saying 'yes' to what resonates deeply despite insecurities, has been a pivotal part of my journey. It's about integrating every piece of life into a narrative that compels not just me, but also my characters to move forward." - Gail Marlene Schwartz About Gail Marlene Schwartz Gail Marlene Schwartz is a writer living in Montpelier, Vermont. She is the author of...

Suzette Mullen is a memoir and nonfiction book coach and retreat leader. Her essays have appeared in the New York Times and Today.com, among other outlets. As a book coach, Suzette focuses on amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ writers as she guides them to find their deeper stories and define their big ideas. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her writing career as well as her memoir, T...

Boo Trundle is a writer, artist, and performer whose work has appeared across various platforms and publications, including The Brooklyn Rail, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, and NPR’s The Moth. She has released three albums of original music with Big Deal Records and joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her first published novel, The Daughter Ship. Key Themes Write in a way that is natural...

Jared N. Michaud is a devoted fiction writer driven by a passion for writing that began before he reached age seven. Influenced by literary giants like C.S. Lewis and Orson Scott Card, he discovered the transformative power of storytelling, and at twelve he began crafting his first novel. Today, Jared writes from a little house in a little town near Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he lives with his wife...

"In writing, what’s really crucial is persistence. Every 'no' brings you closer to a 'yes'. And when you infuse your personal experiences into your stories, you're not just writing; you're breathing life into your characters. That's when your stories truly begin to resonate with your readers." — E.A. Aymar About E.A. Aymar Multiple Anthony Award-nominated E.A. Aymar’s essays have appeared in the W...

Dr. Vilma Luz Cabán is a dedicated educator with over 30 years experience in Westchester County, New York. She serves as an Executive Board member for the One Circle Foundation and her personal passion lies in addressing social and economic inequities. She joins me today on Uncorking a Story to discuss her career and memoir, The Heart of an Advocate. Key Themes Dr. Vilma Luz Caban delves into her...

Iris Yamashita is an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter for the movie Letters from Iwo Jima. She has been working in Hollywood for fifteen years developing material for both film and streaming, has taught screenwriting at UCLA, and is an advocate of women and diversity in the entertainment industry. Iris joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her career and latest novel, Village in the Dar...

Carrie Rickert’ life-threatening accident and related complications started her down a  path of examining what was, what is, and what could be. Her’s  is a story of hope, of possibility, and of embracing the fight to become something new. She joins me today on uncorking a story to talk about her life and latest book, Trauma is a Catalyst. Welcome to Uncorking a Story Carrie! Key Themes Traumatic e...

Kendra Petty is a woman who has succeeded in an all-male industry, becoming an executive vice president at two firms. She is a dynamic public speaker, powerful negotiator and dealmaker. She loves bouldering and scrambling in the mountains of California, Nevada and Arizona. A boater for many years, Kendra also loves fast cars and traveling. She joins me today on Uncorking a Story to talk about her...

Diane Gilman found her greatest success at age sixty, when she sparked a denim revolution by designing blue jeans for real women with real bodies. She’s sold nearly nineteen million pairs of her DG2 jeans on HSN and created a sisterhood of seven hundred thousand women who feel too young to be old. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her memoir, Too Young to Be Old: How to Stay Vibrant...