Inspiring conversations with engaging storytellers.

“Innovation isn’t just about process—it’s about emotion. If you’re not feeling resistance, you’re probably not stretching far enough.” — Brianna Sylver
In this episode of Uncorking a Story, host Michael Carlon sits down with nationally recognized innovation strategist Brianna Sylver, founder of Sylver Consulting and author of Leading Through Freefall. Brianna shares the deeply personal and spiritual journey behind her book, which explores the emotional undercurrents of innovation and change. From automatic writing during the pandemic to running a marathon she never thought possible, Brianna’s story is one of surrender, resilience, and transformation. Whether you're a leader, changemaker, or simply navigating uncertainty, this conversation offers tools and insights to help you lead with love and clarity.


Key Takeaways:
1. Innovation is emotional: Brianna’s book focuses on the emotional journey of change, not just the process.
2. Automatic writing as a spiritual practice: Her daily journaling became a channel for divine guidance and creative clarity.
3. Running a marathon as a metaphor for writing: Both required surrender, discipline, and showing up consistently.
4. Highly sensitive leadership: Brianna discusses how being highly sensitive can be both a gift and a challenge in professional settings.
5. The grief curve of change: Leaders must recognize and navigate emotional resistance in teams to drive transformation.
6. Collaborative creation: Brianna leaned on her network to finish her book, proving that writing doesn’t have to be a solitary endeavor.
7. Practical tools for leaders: Each chapter includes actionable guides to help navigate emotional dynamics in innovation.

Buy Leading Through Free Fall
Amazon: https://amzn.to/46ROmzW
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781774585955

Connect with Brianna
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannasylver/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SylverConsulting
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sylver-consulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SylverConsulting
X: https://x.com/sylvertweets
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sylverconsulting

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.

#InnovationLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadingThroughFreefall #BriannaSylver #ChangeManagement #SpiritualCreativity #UncorkingAStory #SilverConsulting

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"Write the book you want to read. That’s when everything changed for me." — Miranda Smith

In this episode of Uncorking Story, host Mike Carlon sits down with bestselling author Miranda Smith, whose psychological thrillers and domestic suspense novels have captivated readers since her debut in 2020. From growing up in a video rental store to publishing 13 books in just five years, Miranda shares her journey, creative process, and the inspiration behind her latest horror-leaning novel, Smile for the Cameras. Whether you're an aspiring writer or a fan of chilling fiction, this conversation is packed with insight and nostalgia.

Key Takeaways:
1. Miranda’s writing career began with a love of reading and evolved through trial, error, and genre exploration.
2. Her breakthrough came when she embraced her passion for crime fiction and psychological thrillers.
3. Smile for the Cameras marks a shift toward horror, inspired by her childhood in a video rental store and love of slasher films.
4. Miranda’s productivity stems from working on multiple manuscripts simultaneously and treating writing as a full-time job.
5. She emphasizes persistence, collaboration, and learning from rejection as keys to success in publishing.
6. Writing starts as a solitary act but becomes a collaborative process involving agents, editors, and readers.

Buy Smile for the Cameras
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4h0wWVr
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593983164

Connect with Miranda
Website: https://mirandasmithwriter.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirandasmithwriter/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mirandasmithwriter

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/

#MirandaSmith #SmileForTheCameras #PsychologicalThriller #DomesticSuspense #HorrorBooks #AuthorInterview #UncorkingStory #WritersLife #BookTok #indieauthors
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.

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“Energy cannot be destroyed. So where does it go? The energy is the soul, and the soul goes on. Heaven isn’t up through the clouds—it’s right here, a different dimension.” — Anna Raimondi

Spiritual medium, intuitive, and author Anna Raimondi joins me for a deeply moving conversation about faith, the afterlife, and finding your soul’s purpose. A born medium who began seeing spirits as a child, Anna shares how her lifelong connection with the Blessed Mother inspired her acclaimed book Conversations with Mary (Simon & Schuster). We explore the intersection of science and spirituality, near-death experiences, end-of-life visions, and how love—the strongest energy in the universe—continues beyond death. Anna’s mission is simple yet profound: to help people live joyfully while walking their soul’s path.

Key Takeaways:
1. Born with a gift: Anna didn’t “learn” mediumship—it’s something she’s had since childhood, seeing and hearing spirits long before realizing others couldn’t.

2. Science meets spirituality: Quoting Einstein’s second law of thermodynamics, Anna explains that energy (the soul) can’t be destroyed—it simply changes form.

3. End-of-life experiences affirm peace: Loved ones often appear to the dying; Anna sees these visions as proof of a compassionate transition between dimensions.

4. A modern Marian message: In Conversations with Mary, Anna transcribed messages she believes were dictated by the Blessed Mother—teachings centered on prayer, love, and inclusivity beyond organized religion.

5. Many paths to God: Mary’s message is universal—“Any religion based in love is a path to God.” The book invites all faiths into conversation.

6. Love never dies: Anna says souls stay close to the living—often through scents, music, or signs like birds—and that pets also perceive these presences.

7. Finding your soul’s mission: Purpose doesn’t require grand gestures—it’s found in kindness, service, creativity, and following what brings genuine joy.


Buy Anna’s Books
Conversations with Mary: https://amzn.to/47r5nkF
Talking to the dead in Suburbia: https://amzn.to/4or6B5l

Connect with Anna
Website: https://www.annaraimondi.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annalraim/#
Twitter: https://x.com/AnnaRaimondi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna.raimondi/?hl=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnnaRaimondi
Podcast: https://www.annaraimondi.com/podcast

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.

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“Whether or not money comes out of this is yet to be seen. The main thing is—does it help people? Is it spreading a good message? That’s ultimately why I’m doing this.” — Heather Snodgrass

Actor, author, and debut novelist Heather Snodgrass joins me to talk about her first book, A Love Letter to Reading, a story that blends heart-pounding suspense with deep emotional reflection. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Heather shares how her journey from acting to screenwriting to novel writing taught her to embrace creative detours and stay rooted in gratitude. Together, we explore her unconventional protagonist, Scorpion—a pediatric oncologist who moonlights as an assassin—and how writing her story became a form of self-discovery and healing.

Key Takeaways:
1. Transformation through art: Heather’s path from acting to writing shows how creative callings evolve—and how storytelling finds new forms when one door closes.

2. A character unlike any other: Her protagonist, Scorpion, is both assassin and healer—an embodiment of duality, morality, and redemption that challenges genre conventions.

3. Writing as therapy: Heather used self-care rituals like gardening and mindfulness to process heavy emotional material, proving that writers must protect their own well-being during intense creative work.

4. The publishing learning curve: She opted for a hybrid publishing model to get her story into readers’ hands sooner, highlighting the importance of understanding all paths to publication.

5. Feedback with perspective: Heather learned to balance taking constructive criticism seriously while still trusting her creative instincts—a valuable mindset for any creator.

6. Purpose over profit: Her biggest takeaway—focus on impact, not income. Writing should be about helping others and spreading light, even if the financial rewards come later.

7. Finding inspiration: Movies, music, and other art forms often reignite her creativity—reminding us that to get back into flow, sometimes you must step away from your own work.


Buy A Love Letter to Reading
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gYqHkB
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798894273396

Connect with Heather
Website: https://www.authorheathersnodgrass.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melted_heathbar/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heathersnodgras5


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 #HeatherSnodgrass #ALoveLetterToReading #AuthorInterview #CreativeJourney #HybridPublishing #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #BookLaunch #FemaleAuthors #InspirationForWriters

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“My trauma is no longer telling me what to do every day the way that it once was.” Vanessa Carlisle

Dr. Vanessa Carlisle (they/them)—author, coach, educator, and longtime advocate for sex-working communities—joins me to explore healing after trauma, the complex overlap between sexuality and addiction recovery, and what it means to rebuild connection with self and others. We also discuss Vanessa’s end-of-life care work as a death doula, the role of grief in recovery, and their new book Awaken Your Sexuality: A Guide to Connection and Intimacy After Addiction and Trauma (co-authored with Dr. Stephanie Covington).

Key Takeaways:
1. Recovery & sexuality must talk to each other. Addiction treatment often sidelines sex and intimacy; Vanessa argues healing is stronger when trauma work and sobriety/harm-reduction progress together. 

2. An inclusive roadmap. Awaken Your Sexuality centers women, non-binary, and gender-expansive people—and makes space for those with or without substance/process addictions who still carry trauma’s imprint on intimacy.

3. Ditch the shame, keep the choice. Critiquing beauty culture isn’t a license to stigmatize personal choices (Botox, fillers, femininity); acceptance means honoring each person’s body story without sliding into trans- or fem-phobia.

4. Grief is part of sexual healing. Loss—of people, time, safety, or identity—often blocks connection. Naming and working through grief opens the door to pleasure, intimacy, and self-trust. 

5. Lessons from end-of-life care. As a death doula, Vanessa notes common patterns near death (visions of loved ones, “trip” metaphors, altered communication) and offers reassurance to families navigating those moments. 

6. Principled boundaries + language matter. Use people’s pronouns, respect lived experience, and couple personal history with research-driven practice to reduce stigma and improve care. 

7. Support the ecosystem. Pre-order or purchase from independent bookstores to keep vital third places alive.


Buy Awaken Your Sexuality: A Guide to Connection and Intimacy after Addiction and Trauma
Amazon: https://amzn.to/46J3HkV
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781636340920

Connect with Vanessa
Website: https://www.vanessacarlisle.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/vanessacarlisle/

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 #VanessaCarlisle #AwakenYourSexuality #TraumaInformed #AddictionRecovery #SexualHealing #Intimacy #GriefAndLoss #DeathDoula #SomaticHealing #LivedExperience #BookTalk

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From Trauma to Transcendence, with Kristina Amelong

“There really is enlightenment and awakening in the intersection between trauma and spirituality—if you go into it and don’t push it away.” — Kristina Amelong

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike sits down with Kristina Amelong—artist, healer, founder of Optimal Health Network, and author of the memoir What My Brother Knew. Kristina opens up about the profound loss of her brother, who eerily foresaw his own death, and the ripple effects this tragedy had on her life. Through writing, research, and deep spiritual exploration, Kristina found healing and meaning in places of grief, addiction, and transformation. Their conversation touches on mystical experiences, end-of-life insights, and the role writing plays in processing trauma and opening ourselves to the mystery of consciousness.

Key Takeaways:
1. From crisis to creativity: A near-death encounter in Guatemala led Kristina to contemplative writing, sparking the process that became her memoir.
2. The uncanny story of her brother: At just 12 years old, her brother predicted his own death in chilling detail—an event that shaped her life and inspired her book.
3. Healing through writing: Memoir became a vehicle not only for personal processing but also for connecting with others who were touched by her brother’s life.
4. Addiction and transformation: Kristina’s journey from addiction to holistic healing reflects the resilience of choosing wellness and self-discovery.
5. The intersection of trauma and spirituality: She embraces the paradox that deep pain can also lead to profound spiritual awakening.
6. The ripple effect of storytelling: Sharing her memoir reconnected her with people from her past, showing how one story can spark collective healing.
7. Life beyond the physical: Kristina’s work with near-death experiencers and hospice has deepened her belief in the continuity of consciousness.

Buy What My Brother Knew
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nEqWUc
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647429089


Connect with Kristina
Website: https://www.kristinaamelong.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristina.amelong
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optimalhealthnetwork/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/KrisOHC

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 #KristinaAmelong #Memoir #GriefJourney #HealingThroughWriting #SpiritualAwakening #WhatMyBrotherKnew #HolisticHealing #NearDeathExperience

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Fiction is the only way I know to get to the truth of human experience.” — H. Lee Barnes

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with award-winning author H. Lee Barnes, whose life journey has taken him from the battlefields of Vietnam to the classrooms of Nevada, and ultimately to the pages of acclaimed novels and short stories. With his trademark candor, Lee reflects on how his military service shaped his worldview, why he turns to fiction to make sense of human complexity, and the role of writing in healing and understanding. This conversation explores the intersection of memory, trauma, and creativity — and what it means to search for truth through storytelling.

Key Takeaways:
1. The Writer’s Duty – For Barnes, fiction is not an escape from truth but a way to uncover it.
2. War and Perspective – His combat experiences continue to inform his themes of resilience, morality, and human frailty.
3. Teaching and Mentorship – Barnes believes in passing along hard-earned wisdom to the next generation of writers.
4. The Complexity of Memory – Memory, he notes, is unreliable yet deeply powerful as fuel for creative expression.
5. Truth in Storytelling – Even imagined narratives can illuminate realities that journalism or memoir may miss.
6. Writing as Survival – Crafting stories became a way for him to process trauma and find meaning in chaos.
7. Cultural Connection – His stories often bridge divides, helping readers step into perspectives far from their own.

Buy Emerald City Blues
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VsnzDV
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647792138

Connect with H. Lee Barnes
Website: https://www.hleebarnes.net/

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 #HLeeBarnes #AuthorInterview #WritingLife #Storytelling #VeteranVoices #TruthInFiction

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“Sometimes you need someone outside of your family and friends to tell you, ‘This part doesn’t make sense,’ or ‘Try it this way.’ That honest feedback is what makes your writing stronger.” – Christine Devane

Christine Devane spent 13 years as a second-grade teacher, where she fell in love with story time and noticed something missing on the shelves—books that spoke directly to shy children. Drawing from her own childhood experiences as a quiet kid, Christine set out to write Elephant Beach, a debut picture book that blends her love of reading, teaching, family, and her collection of lucky elephants.

In this episode, Christine shares how her journey from the classroom to becoming a children’s author unfolded—starting over a decade ago, taking her through critique groups and writing conferences, and eventually leading to publication in a wonderfully unexpected way. We talk about the importance of writing communities, the challenge of finding objective feedback, and the personal touch of including a red-haired main character, inspired by Christine’s own childhood (and later reflected in her daughter).

Key Takeaways:
1. Filling a gap for shy kids: Christine saw that children’s literature rarely centered shy personalities, inspiring her to write Elephant Beach.

2. The long road to publication: She began the manuscript ten years ago, honing it through critique groups, conferences, and classes before it was finally picked up.

3. The power of writing communities: Honest, constructive feedback from fellow writers gave her perspectives friends and family couldn’t.

4. Personal touches matter: Giving her main character red hair made the story authentic—and later mirrored in her own daughter.

5. Persistence pays off: Even after stepping away from teaching and focusing on her family, the story found its way into the world.

Buy Elephant Beach
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4guu6HH
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781662523946

Connect with Christine
Website: https://www.christine-devane.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/stined13/


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.

#ChildrensBooks #ShyKids #AuthorJourney #ElephantBeach #WritingCommunity #Persistence #UncorkingAStory

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Two attributes of being an author are humility and perseverance. You have to push through a whole lot of no’s and believe you have something there—and have the humility to step back, receive critiques, and let your story grow.” — Camille Di Maio

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with bestselling historical fiction author Camille Di Maio to talk about her path from a 12-year-old bookworm seeking refuge in the library to publishing eight novels, including her latest, Come Fly With Me. Camille shares how bullying shaped her love of stories, the lessons she learned from 43 rejections, and how perseverance and humility became cornerstones of her career. We also dive into her research process, including interviews with former Pan Am stewardesses, and the unforgettable story of handing a manuscript to Paul McCartney himself.

Key Takeaways:
1. The Gift of Struggle – How early challenges like bullying can become fuel for creativity and resilience.
2. Perseverance Pays Off – 43 rejections, 17 drafts, and years of revision eventually led to her first book deal .
3. Humility in the Craft – Embracing feedback and remembering that publishing requires both art and business thinking.
4. Research with Respect – Gaining the trust of former Pan Am stewardesses to authentically capture an era in Come Fly With Me.
5. Following Curiosity – Asking “what if?” as the writer’s most powerful question.
6. Moments of Magic – The role of creative “downloads” and inspiration that seem to arrive fully formed.
7. Dream Encounters – The story of giving Paul McCartney her Eleanor Rigby–inspired manuscript and how passion creates serendipity.

Buy Come Fly with Me
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nDlUY1
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781662523946

Connect with Camille
Website: https://www.camilledimaioauthor.com/
Instagram: ​​https://www.instagram.com/camilledimaio__author
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu9Gmzq8NP6Jf77TzpWlkvg?view_as=subscriber
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camilledimaio.author/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@camille.dimaio.author

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 #CamilleDiMaio #ComeFlyWithMe #AuthorInterview #HistoricalFiction #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #Perseverance #BookTok #thebeatles #paulmccartney #eleanorrigby

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