“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 Extinction, inspired by Stephen Hawking’s chilling prediction about humanity’s future. From DNA and AI to interstellar travel and misinformation, Dr. Solomon challenges us to think big, act fast, and imagine a world where science and society evolve together.

Key Themes:
1. Using fiction to teach science and spark curiosity in kids
2. The real science behind stardust and the Big Bang
3. Stephen Hawking’s 100-year extinction warning
4. How technology has outpaced society’s ability to manage it
5. Threats of AI, climate change, nuclear weapons, and misinformation
6. A call for a “fallacy vaccine” to fight the spread of lies online
7. Empowering Gen Z to reshape the future through activism and imagination


Connect with Peter
Website: https://www.100yearstoextinction.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/100yearstoextinction/

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.
#PeterSolomon #100YearsToExtinction #StardustMystery #SciComm #ClimateFiction #ScienceAndSociety #AIethics #GenZActivism #UncorkingAStory

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“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 from copywriter to published author, the emotional and creative process of writing her first novel, and how a pandemic pup named Kash became part of her storytelling. With humility, humor, and insight, Joanne offers writers at every stage the kind of inspiration that sticks.

Key Themes:
1. Writing historical fiction from family stories and primary sources
2. Navigating the MFA experience and learning to “kill your darlings”
3. The reality of pitching agents and choosing hybrid publishing
4. Bringing personal passion (like pets!) into storytelling
5. The evolving role of copywriters in the digital age
6. Why local bookstores matter more than ever
7. Trusting your path and asking for what you want

Buy Sleeping in the Sun
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DvSOZt
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647427986

Connect with Joanne
Website: https://www.joannehowardwrites.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093201296124
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannesbooks

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.

#JoanneHoward #SleepingInTheSun #HistoricalFiction #DebutAuthor #WritersLife #MFAWriting #HybridPublishing #AuthorInterview #UncorkingAStory

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“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 wrote her first novel—without any formal training—and took a leap into self-publishing. That leap paid off, launching a career that would eventually include multiple traditionally published books and a spot on the USA Today Bestseller list. In this episode, she shares her honest take on the business of being an author, the realities of breaking through in a crowded market, and the inspiration behind her latest novel, We Are Made of Stars.

Key Takeaways:
1. One bold decision can change everything. Rochelle turned down a big-city career to follow a creative spark—and ended up writing a bestseller.
2. You don’t need permission to be an author. She self-published her first two novels and used grit (and marketing smarts) to break through.
3. Success doesn’t always show up on time. Rochelle didn’t even know she hit the USA Today list—until five years later.
4. Writing the book is only step one. Rochelle shares why treating your writing like a business is key to longevity in publishing.
5. Even a single sentence can spark a novel. Rochelle’s next book was born from a note on a prayer tree: “I wish I never met her.”
6. Her advice to aspiring authors? Keep going. Tune out the noise. And never underestimate the power of your own voice.

Buy We are Made of Stars
Amazon: https://amzn.to/429ozj0
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781662520884

Connect with Rochelle
Website: https://www.rochelleweinstein.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rochelle.b.weinstein
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rochwein
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rochellebweinstein/

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.

#RochelleWeinstein #WeAreMadeOfStars #AuthorLife #WritersOfInstagram #BookTok #BookLaunch #WomensFiction #IndieAuthor #WritersJourney #PublishingTips #PodcastLife

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