The Uncorking a Story Podcast

Listen in as host Mike Carlon pops the cork on conversations with your favorite authors. Uncorking a Story takes you on a journey into the brilliant minds behind your favorite books. Discover the secrets, inspirations, and hidden narratives that bring these stories to life. Join us every week for new episodes filled with laughter, insights, and captivating conversations. Subscribe now and never miss a sip of inspiration!

Recently Uncorked Stories

“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:
1. Innovation is emotional: Brianna’s book focuses on the emotional journey of change, not just the process. 
2. Automatic writing as a spiritual practice: Her daily journaling became a channel for divine guidance and creative clarity.
3. Running a marathon as a metaphor for writing: Both required surrender, discipline, and showing up consistently. 
4. Highly sensitive leadership: Brianna discusses how being highly sensitive can be both a gift and a challenge in professional settings.
5. The grief curve of change: Leaders must recognize and navigate emotional resistance in teams to drive transformation. 
6. Collaborative creation: Brianna leaned on her network to finish her book, proving that writing doesn’t have to be a solitary endeavor.
7. 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

“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:
1. Innovation is emotional: Brianna’s book focuses on the emotional journey of change, not just the process.
2. Automatic writing as a spiritual practice: Her daily journaling became a channel for divine guidance and creative clarity.
3. Running a marathon as a metaphor for writing: Both required surrender, discipline, and showing up consistently.
4. Highly sensitive leadership: Brianna discusses how being highly sensitive can be both a gift and a challenge in professional settings.
5. The grief curve of change: Leaders must recognize and navigate emotional resistance in teams to drive transformation.
6. Collaborative creation: Brianna leaned on her network to finish her book, proving that writing doesn’t have to be a solitary endeavor.
7. 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

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YouTube Video UExNamVTdmRxWkg4eWFSX0pYSFhRaUY0amxOUGhaaWJUQy5DREQyNTBBODE4MzEyMjg4

Leading Through Freefall: Brianna Sylver on Innovation, Emotion, and Surrender

The Uncorking a Story Podcast November 6, 2025 6:00 am

"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:
1. Miranda’s writing career began with a love of reading and evolved through trial, error, and genre exploration. 
2. Her breakthrough came when she embraced her passion for crime fiction and psychological thrillers. 
3. Smile for the Cameras marks a shift toward horror, inspired by her childhood in a video rental store and love of slasher films. 
4. Miranda’s productivity stems from working on multiple manuscripts simultaneously and treating writing as a full-time job.
5. She emphasizes persistence, collaboration, and learning from rejection as keys to success in publishing. 
6. 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/

#MirandaSmith #SmileForTheCameras #PsychologicalThriller #DomesticSuspense #HorrorBooks #AuthorInterview #UncorkingStory #WritersLife #BookTok #indieauthors 
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.

"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:
1. Miranda’s writing career began with a love of reading and evolved through trial, error, and genre exploration.
2. Her breakthrough came when she embraced her passion for crime fiction and psychological thrillers.
3. Smile for the Cameras marks a shift toward horror, inspired by her childhood in a video rental store and love of slasher films.
4. Miranda’s productivity stems from working on multiple manuscripts simultaneously and treating writing as a full-time job.
5. She emphasizes persistence, collaboration, and learning from rejection as keys to success in publishing.
6. 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/

#MirandaSmith #SmileForTheCameras #PsychologicalThriller #DomesticSuspense #HorrorBooks #AuthorInterview #UncorkingStory #WritersLife #BookTok #indieauthors
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.

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YouTube Video UExNamVTdmRxWkg4eWFSX0pYSFhRaUY0amxOUGhaaWJUQy5CNTk5RDhGNzdCMkRBRDUz

From Video Store to Bestseller: Miranda Smith on Writing Dark Fiction and Finding Her Voice

The Uncorking a Story Podcast November 4, 2025 6:00 am

“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:
1. 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.

2. Science meets spirituality: Quoting Einstein’s second law of thermodynamics, Anna explains that energy (the soul) can’t be destroyed—it simply changes form.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

“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:
1. 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.

2. Science meets spirituality: Quoting Einstein’s second law of thermodynamics, Anna explains that energy (the soul) can’t be destroyed—it simply changes form.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

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YouTube Video UExNamVTdmRxWkg4eWFSX0pYSFhRaUY0amxOUGhaaWJUQy5GQ0FFREZGNjRBNUVFQUVB

Heaven is a Place on Earth: A Conversation with Spiritual Medium Anna Raimondi

The Uncorking a Story Podcast November 2, 2025 6:00 am

Recent Uncorked Insights

Meet The Host

With an impressive 25-year career in the market research industry, Mike Carlon has mastered the art of moderating focus groups and in-depth interviews for renowned companies like Unilever, Pepsi, American Express, and JP Morgan Chase. In 2013, he launched the Uncorking a Story podcast, creating a vibrant platform for writers and authors to showcase their work. Mike's quick wit, genuine curiosity, and deep empathy infuse each conversation with insight and joy, making them a delight to listen to. As a talented writer himself, his eight captivating novels are available wherever books are sold. Beyond his moderating expertise, Mike also offers tailored storytelling workshops designed to inspire and engage his clients.

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