Real stories. Remarkable Voices.
Murder, Mobsters, and the Dark Side of Power, with Jeffrey Konvitz
If you remove the rule of law, the dark side of human nature is very powerful—and in this period, there was no law. — Jeffrey Konvitz In this riveting episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike chats with entertainment attorney, screenwriter, producer, and bestselling author...
Storytelling, Conscious Creation, and Joyful Living, with Jackie Lapin
Storytelling, Conscious Creation, and Joyful Living, with Jackie Lapin “Visibility is the gateway to opportunity—you can’t grow your influence if people don’t know you exist.” — Jackie Lapin In this inspiring episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike sits down with...
Secrets, Fallout, and Fiction: Kay Smith-Blum on Writing Truth into Historical Lies
“Nobody writes alone—and if they do, I don’t think they write well.” In this riveting episode of Uncorking a Story, debut novelist and former fashion exec Kay Smith-Blum shares how a haunting dream, buried Cold War secrets, and a real-life radioactive whale led to her...
Uncoding the Pain: Brandi Dredge on Writing Through Trauma and Finding Purpose
“If I accept that I’m his victim… can I even say I’m a wife? If my child’s DNA is evidence of a crime… can I say I’m a mother?” – Brandi Dredge In this emotional conversation, author Brandi Dredge shares the raw and redemptive journey behind her memoir Girl Uncoded....
A Mother’s Journey of Hope, Grit, and Grace, with Jennifer Celeste Briggs
“I really wanted to reach the parents who might be crying in their kitchen and feeling alone—to let them know they’re not alone in those feelings.” – Jennifer Celeste Briggs In this moving episode, Jennifer Celeste Briggs opens up about her powerful memoir Watching...
Turning Heartbreak into Humor with Virginia DeLuca
“All love is risky. People die, they leave, they don’t listen to you—but you love them anyway.” — Virginia DeLuca When Virginia DeLuca’s husband unexpectedly walked out on their marriage in his 60s—claiming he wanted children—her gut reaction wasn’t just heartbreak....
Putting the Dollhouse Back Together: Beverly Armento on Trauma, Forgiveness, and Finding Voice
“We spend so much of our life trying to put the pieces back in the dollhouse… the furniture changes, the people change.” — Beverly Jean Armento In this emotional episode of Uncorking a Story, Michael Carlon sits down with author and educator Beverly J. Armento to...
From Policy to Prose: Iris Mitlin Lav’s Journey Into Fiction
“I’ve always believed that within the realm of what’s possible, I can do it—and fiction was just another challenge to embrace.” — Iris Mitlin Lav In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Michael Carlon uncorks the remarkable second act of Iris Mitlin Lav, a seasoned...
Life’s Too Short: Jennifer Griffith on Legacy, Loss, and the Mothers Who Shape Us
My dad looked at me [from his deathbed] and said, ‘It just went so fast.’ I asked what did, and he said, ‘Life.’ That moment changed everything—I knew I had to write the book.” — Jennifer Griffith On this special Mother’s Day episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down...
Going Off Script: Wayne Scott on Marriage, Memoir, and Making Your Own Map
“Your marriage can be anything you want it to be—you don’t have to just follow a supplied script.” — Wayne Scott In this deeply honest and thought-provoking episode of Uncorking a Story, writer and psychotherapist Wayne Scott opens up about the emotional terrain...