Inspiring conversations with engaging storytellers.
Ethnic Schizophrenia: Helen Charov on Navigating Identity and Uncovering Her Family’s WWII Story
"I think one of the reasons that I wrote the book was I wanted her to be proud of me." — Helen Charov In this compelling episode of Uncorking a Story, we sit down with Helen Charov, author of Tatiana's War: Escape and Survival on the Eastern Front in World War II....
Writing Through the Fire: Barbara Nickless on Resilience and Craft
“Life’s tragedies can light the way to our greatest stories.” — Barbara Nickless On this episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike Carlon welcomes Barbara Nickless, a #1 Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose journey into writing was shaped by a...
Breaking Boundaries and Barriers: Ashleigh Renard’s Rebellious Reinvention
"Choosing my own freedom felt like a radical act—like breaking every rule I’d ever known." – Ashleigh Renard In this episode of Uncorking a Story, host Mike Carlon reconnects with Ashleigh Renard, bestselling author and social media sensation, for an inspiring and raw...
Behind the Scarlet Letter: History, Scandal, and the American Tragedy with Pat Suprenant
"The crime wasn’t the abortion—it was the sex outside of marriage. Let that sit with you for a while." – Pat Suprenant On this episode of Uncorking a Story, host Mike Carlon welcomes Pat Suprenant, author of Behind the Scarlet Letter. Pat’s debut novel blends...
From Atheist to Apostle: Ganesh Venkataramanan’s Quest for a Greater Purpose
"I realized that science alone couldn't answer my deepest questions—there had to be something more." – Ganesh Venkataramanan In this episode of Uncorking a Story, host Mike Carlon uncorks the extraordinary journey of Ganesh Venkataramanan (AKA Geeves), a scientist and...
From the Draft to Bestsellers: Robin Cook on Writing and Medicine
“I think that being a writer, in a certain sense, made me a better doctor, because being a writer, you have to constantly be thinking about characters and characterizations, et cetera. So I became even more kind of interested in my patients.” — Dr. Robin Cook In this...
Whispering from the Grave, with K.K. Weakley
"The darker it gets, the more I enjoy it." – K.K. Weakley K.K. Weakley returns to Uncorking a Story to discuss her latest novel, Whispers from the Grave, the fourth book in the Sekhet Saga. Born in Wexford, Ireland, K.K. shares her fascination with castles, demons,...
From Brooklyn to Bestsellers: Randy Susan Meyers on Writing, Life, and Lessons Learned
"Books have always meant more to me than breath—writing them is my way of making sense of the world and connecting to others." — Randy Susan Meyers In this episode of Uncorking a Story, host Mike sits down with international bestselling author Randy Susan Meyers....
Breaking the Silence: Bridey Thelen-Heidel on Trauma, Resilience, and Writing the Truth
"I couldn’t let the secrets that controlled my past control my future." — Bridey Telen-Heidel In this compelling episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike Carlon interviews author and TEDx speaker Bridey Thelen-Heidel about her powerful memoir, Bright Eyes: Surviving Our...
Haunted by Stories: Laura Buchwald on Writing, Ghosts, and Grief
“Writing is a solitary endeavor, but creating community can transform the experience—it reminds us we're not alone in our stories.” — Laura Buchwald In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike pops the cork on Laura Buchwald, a New York City-based author, editor, and...
From Trauma to Transformation: Dr. Lisa Cooney on Healing, Writing, and the Soul’s Journey
"I thought I was saving others, but it was my own soul that needed saving." — Dr. Lisa Cooney In this episode of Uncorking a Story, host Mike Carlon sits down with Dr. Lisa Cooney, a therapist, healer, and author who has dedicated her life to helping people overcome...
Epic Comebacks, with Cindy Finch
"Grief is actually a guru that guides us, taking us through the dark night of the soul and transforming us—even when it feels like it’s breaking us down." Listen in as Cindy Finch, a seasoned therapist, cancer survivor, and author of the powerful new workbook Epic...