Uncorking a Story
In-depth conversations with storytellers including authors, filmmakers, comedians, and podcasters.
The Art and Science of Brand Transformation, with Emmanuel Probst
I’m thrilled to welcome author and executive Emmanuel Probst on Uncorking a Story. Emmanuel’s background combines over 16 years of market research and marketing experience with strong academic achievements. He joined me to discuss his career and latest book,...
Vulnerability In Fiction Writing: Advice From Hannah Halperin
In this podcast episode, Mike interviews author Hanna Halperin about her latest novel, I Could Live Here Forever. Meet Hannah Halperin Hanna is the author of Something Wild, which won the 2021 Edward Lewis Wallant Award and was a finalist for the 2021 National Jewish...
Treating Trauma through Psychedelics, with Shannon Duncan
On today's episode of Uncorking a Story, Author Shannon Duncan discusses the use of psychedelics as a tool for healing trauma, particularly childhood trauma and complex PTSD. The conversation revolves around the idea that psychedelics can be used to unlock the...
Write from your Heart, with Karen White
In this podcast episode, Mike interviews Karen White, a successful author of Southern women's fiction with a paranormal twist. Karen shares her journey as a writer and how she got started in the industry. She emphasizes the importance of reading and writing...
Standing Out, with Kristina Lucia
Have you ever felt like, at times, you are the black sheep of your family? You know, those times when you question why you are so different from everyone else in your life or even your community? Many of us who turn to the arts have a little bit of the outcast in us...
A Call to Action, with Kenneth Nixon Jr.
If there is one thing I’ve noticed that all pastors share in common, it’s the ability to tell a story, and Rev. Kenneth Nixon is no different. Kenneth joined me to talk about his debut memoir Born Into Crisis in which he discusses the necessary steps to healing and...
Woman in the Field, with Brittany Butler
When she was in high school, Brittany Butler didn’t have dreams of working for the Central Intelligence Agency—she was a cheerleader and was in beauty pageants. Nevertheless, she had a successful career at the CIA and is now working hard to promote human rights for...
Give Yourself Permission, with Jane Healey
Jane Healey isn’t just a successful author, she also has great taste in TV. During the course of this entertaining conversation, I uncorked her love for The Greatest American Hero, which took us on a fun tangent. Believe it or not, I was walking on air after that....
The Real Bob Crane, with Carol Ford
Like many people of my generation, I grew up watching Hogan’s Heroes in reruns. Also like many people of my generation, I was shocked that Bob Crane, Colonel Hogan himself, met such a violent end, likely a result of his extracurricular hobby of documenting every...
Let it Be, with Lauren Destefano
Just like the classic Let it Be by The Beatles, author Lauren Destefano shares many words of wisdom for authors in today’s episode of Uncorking a Story. Meet Lauren DeStefano Lauren DeStefano lives in Connecticut, where she was born and raised. When she’s not writing...
Loose Cannons, with Susan Reinhardt
Susan and I have three things in common; we are authors, we have a great sense of humor, and we both root against Duke basketball regardless of who they are playing against (Sorry John Nardone and Brent McGoldrick but that buzzer beater by Laeettner against UConn in...
Nine Times! With Audrey Carlan
I’ve interviewed many authors who were signed to muti-book deals very early in their careers—typically two or three book deals. Today’s guest on Uncorking a Story, Audrey Carlan, must be an overachiever because her book deal was for twenty-seven. You read that...
Wealth Beyond Numbers, with Tom Suvansri
Many of us define wealth by what we can quantify in our bank accounts, but today’s guest on Uncorking a Story, Tom Suvansri, thinks that’s way too limiting. His story is a wakeup call for anyone who thinks wealth can be measured solely in dollars and cents. Meet Tom...
Love Remembers, with Charlotte Maya
Charlotte Maya’s life was turned upside down when she arrived home from a hike with her children to find a police officer and priest waiting at her home. They took her aside to tell her that her husband committed suicide and that’s where this story begins. Meet...
Tutto Bene, with Rose Patruno
Rose Patruno grew up in a very patriarchal society where her brother enjoyed many more freedoms than she did. Over time, this impacted her mental and physical health and she had no choice but to leave her home in Puglia, Italy to find love and work in Paris. After...
Finding the Fun, with Lina Chern
There is one thing that Lina Chern and I can wholeheartedly agree on and that’s the importance of having fun during the writing process. If what you are writing isn’t bringing you joy then, chances are, you aren’t going to want to see it through. It took Lina a long...
Getting Curious, with Jill Santopolo
Sometimes, beauty comes from tragedy, which is the backstory to Jill Santopolo’s debut novel The Light We Lost, which she penned after going through a traumatic breakup. Well, life has come full circle for Jill as her latest book, Stars in an Italian Sky, was inspired...
Give it All You Got! With Lyn Liao Butler
Today’s guest on Uncorking a Story, Lyn Liao Butler, is the type of person who likes to have many irons in the fire. While working as a professional ballet and modern dancer in New York City, she ran her own gym. After retiring from dancing, she started a family,...