“The essence of art is taking life’s randomness and shaping it into something meaningful.” — Lina Chern

Lina Chern’s debut mystery Play the Fool earned major acclaim, winning the 2024 Mary Higgins Clark Award. Now she’s back with Tricks of Fortune, a darker, more nuanced follow-up inspired by a real-life incident in her community. In this candid conversation, Lina and Mike talk about the writer’s true superpower (curiosity), the difference between myth and reality, and how life experience shapes better storytelling. If you’re a fan of crime fiction, writing craft, or simply love hearing about the creative process, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:
1. Writing is a skill, not a lightning strike: Lina shares how persistence and practice mattered far more than innate talent in becoming a successful author.
2. The author’s true superpower: It’s not stringing pretty sentences together — it’s following deep curiosity wherever it leads.
3. Turning fact into fiction: Tricks of Fortune draws emotional truth from a real crime, but is highly fictionalized to respect the complexity of the story.
4. Myth vs. Reality: The story explores how public figures (especially law enforcement) often cultivate myths that later unravel — rich territory for fiction.
5. Writing with life experience: Lina feels her later-in-life writing career has benefited from deeper insight into people and the world.
6. The pressure of book two: Success brings new expectations — from balancing new and returning readers to writing on deadline.
7. The joy of writing community: Conventions, author events, and connecting with fellow writers has become a huge source of inspiration and camaraderie.

Buy Tricks of Fortune
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4meh2Zx
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593500682

Connect with Lina
Website: https://www.linachern.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/ChernLina
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linachernwrites/

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.

#crimefiction #MysteryNovels #TricksOfFortune #WritingProcess #TurningFactIntoFiction #CreativityAndCuriosity #AuthorsLife #UncorkingAStory #PodcastInterview #LinaChern

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“You have to believe before you see—if you believe your body can rebuild itself, it will surprise you.” — Dr. Grazyna Pajunen


Dr. Grazyna Pajunen never set out to be an author—but after 14 years of helping clients in the anti-aging space, she realized there was a need to put the basics in writing. In this inspiring episode of Uncorking a Story, we explore the world of biohacking through the lens of her latest book, Biohacking: A Way to a Better You—Look and Feel Better Than You Did 10 Years Ago.

From optimizing biological function to reversing the misconceptions around aging, Dr. Pajunen shares practical wisdom on how to take control of your health, reduce stress, and live with greater joy and vitality. If you’ve ever wondered how to truly age backward—or simply live your best life—this conversation is for you.


Key Takeaways:
1. Biohacking Defined: It’s the art and science of optimizing your body and mind through simple, systematic self-experimentation—often by removing obstacles rather than adding complexity.
2. Aging Is Optional: Aging, as we traditionally define it, is a disease that can be slowed or reversed with the right mindset, habits, and understanding of how the body truly works.
3. Your Body is a Masterpiece: Given the right materials and care, the body is capable of remarkable self-repair—starting with collagen, hydration, stress reduction, and intentional movement.
4. Mindset Matters: You must believe change is possible before you see results. Intention, emotional state, and gratitude are critical to biohacking success.
5. Small Steps Win: Don’t overhaul everything overnight. Start with simple changes—improving diet, adding movement, or adopting intermittent fasting—and build momentum gradually.
6. Watch What You Put In: Be cautious of supplements—quality, bioavailability, and sourcing matter. Not all “health products” on the market are safe or effective.
7. Perspective is Power: What you focus on grows—choosing gratitude and joy over stress and comparison leads to better health outcomes and a happier life.

Buy Biohacking a Way to a Better You: Look and Feel Better than you did 10 years ago
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jQZgd7
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798888246931

Connect with Dr. Grazyna Pajunen
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GrazynaPajunen
Website: www.agereversingsecret.com


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.
#Biohacking #HealthyAging #ReverseAging #WellnessJourney #MindBodyHealth #GratitudeMatters #UncorkingAStory #PodcastInterview #OptimizeYourLife #Longevity

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This episode is brought to you by Mike Carlon's latest novel, the Waiting Room. ⁠Check out that #1 New Release in Inspirational Spiritual Fiction wherever books are sold or at this link: https://amzn.to/4kppjIL

We all have resources inside ourselves. We can get through just about anything. — Kristin Mickelwait

In this moving and insightful episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike welcomes Kristin Mickelwait—copywriter by day, author by night—whose memoir The Ghost Marriage explores her journey through profound loss, forgiveness, and unexpected spiritual awakenings. Kristin opens up about how writing became a healing force in her life, why resilience matters, and the soulful inspiration behind her debut novel The Ashtrays Are Full and the Glasses Are Empty. From exploring the parallels between the roaring 1920s and today, to discussing empathy’s role in both fiction and marketing, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.


Key Takeaways:
1. Writing as Healing — How Kristin used memoir writing to process grief, anger, and forgiveness after a painful divorce and the death of her ex-husband.
2. Unexpected Spiritual Journeys — The role of mediums and spiritual life coaching in shifting her perspective and healing old wounds.
3. Resilience in Action — How persistence and inner strength helped her navigate financial hardship and life as a single mom.
4. Parallels Across Time — Insights on the surprising similarities between the post-pandemic world and the 1920s Lost Generation.
5. Empathy in Fiction — Why walking in your characters’ shoes is everything when writing compelling, emotionally honest stories.
6. Marketing with Heart — The subtle but vital role of empathy when writing for audiences in marketing and PR.
7. Pandemic Silver Linings — How a writers’ group during COVID reignited her creativity and led to the completion of her novel.

Buy The Ashtrays Are Full and the Glasses Are Empty
Amazon: https://amzn.to/42UYDJJ
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798888246931

Connect with Kristen
Website: https://www.kirstenmickelwait.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirsten.mickelwait
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmickelwait54/

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 #KristinMickelwait #MemoirWriting #AuthorInterview #WritingAsHealing #GhostMarriage #HistoricalFiction #LostGeneration #EmpathyInWriting #Resilience #SpiritualAwakening #WomenWriters

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