Inspiring conversations with engaging storytellers.

“We spend so much of our life trying to put the pieces back in the dollhouse… the furniture changes, the people change.” — Beverly Jeanne Armento

In this emotional episode of Uncorking a Story, Michael Carlon sits down with author and educator Beverly Jeanne Armento to discuss her powerful memoir, Seeing Eye Girl. Beverly reflects on a childhood marked by violence, secrecy, and trauma—and how the love of teachers, a resilient spirit, and the act of writing helped her reclaim her story. Now in her 80s and still writing, Beverly proves it’s never too late to transform pain into purpose.

Key Themes:
1, The Broken Dollhouse as a Metaphor for Trauma: Beverly recounts a pivotal childhood moment—the night her family imploded—through the lens of a shattered dollhouse. That image would become a central metaphor for the chaos and damage wrought by familial dysfunction.
2. The Silent Strength of “Strong Beverly”: For decades, Beverly coped with her trauma by compartmentalizing—presenting as competent and successful on the outside while suppressing her pain. It wasn’t until much later that “Strong Beverly” made room for healing.
3. Teachers as Lifelines: Beverly credits a string of devoted educators—her “angel teachers”—with being her saving grace. Each one provided a safe space, encouragement, and belief in her when her home life did not.
4. The Power and Pain of Memoir Writing: It wasn’t until retirement that Beverly began to write her story. Through guided prompts and emotional breakthroughs, she discovered that telling the truth—however painful—was both a burden and a liberation.
5. The Essential Role of Forgiveness: Beverly’s decision to forgive her mother came during a profound therapy exercise involving her mother’s ashes and a conversation between “little Beverly” and her imagined mother. That moment lifted a lifelong weight.
6. Legacy, Perspective, and the Late Blooming Artist: Beverly published Seeing Eye Girl at 81 and is already working on a follow-up. With age came perspective, and with perspective came compassion—for herself, her parents, and her past.
7.Trauma is Timeless—So is Hope: While her story takes place decades ago, the issues of abuse, resilience, and the search for meaning remain relevant. Her memoir speaks not only for herself but for anyone who has grown up in chaos and fought their way to clarity.

Buy Seeing Eye Girl
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Yexgrg
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647423919

Connect with Beverly
Website: www.beverlyarmentoauthor.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beverlyarmento8430


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.
#UncorkingAStory #MemoirMonday #TraumaRecovery #AuthorInterview #ChildhoodResilience #BeverlyArmento #SeeingEyeGirl #ForgivenessJourney #WritersOfInstagram #BookPodcast

“We spend so much of our life trying to put the pieces back in the dollhouse… the furniture changes, the people change.” — Beverly Jeanne Armento

In this emotional episode of Uncorking a Story, Michael Carlon sits down with author and educator Beverly Jeanne Armento to discuss her powerful memoir, Seeing Eye Girl. Beverly reflects on a childhood marked by violence, secrecy, and trauma—and how the love of teachers, a resilient spirit, and the act of writing helped her reclaim her story. Now in her 80s and still writing, Beverly proves it’s never too late to transform pain into purpose.

Key Themes:
1, The Broken Dollhouse as a Metaphor for Trauma: Beverly recounts a pivotal childhood moment—the night her family imploded—through the lens of a shattered dollhouse. That image would become a central metaphor for the chaos and damage wrought by familial dysfunction.
2. The Silent Strength of “Strong Beverly”: For decades, Beverly coped with her trauma by compartmentalizing—presenting as competent and successful on the outside while suppressing her pain. It wasn’t until much later that “Strong Beverly” made room for healing.
3. Teachers as Lifelines: Beverly credits a string of devoted educators—her “angel teachers”—with being her saving grace. Each one provided a safe space, encouragement, and belief in her when her home life did not.
4. The Power and Pain of Memoir Writing: It wasn’t until retirement that Beverly began to write her story. Through guided prompts and emotional breakthroughs, she discovered that telling the truth—however painful—was both a burden and a liberation.
5. The Essential Role of Forgiveness: Beverly’s decision to forgive her mother came during a profound therapy exercise involving her mother’s ashes and a conversation between “little Beverly” and her imagined mother. That moment lifted a lifelong weight.
6. Legacy, Perspective, and the Late Blooming Artist: Beverly published Seeing Eye Girl at 81 and is already working on a follow-up. With age came perspective, and with perspective came compassion—for herself, her parents, and her past.
7.Trauma is Timeless—So is Hope: While her story takes place decades ago, the issues of abuse, resilience, and the search for meaning remain relevant. Her memoir speaks not only for herself but for anyone who has grown up in chaos and fought their way to clarity.

Buy Seeing Eye Girl
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Yexgrg
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647423919

Connect with Beverly
Website: www.beverlyarmentoauthor.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beverlyarmento8430


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.
#UncorkingAStory #MemoirMonday #TraumaRecovery #AuthorInterview #ChildhoodResilience #BeverlyArmento #SeeingEyeGirl #ForgivenessJourney #WritersOfInstagram #BookPodcast

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YouTube Video UExNamVTdmRxWkg4eWFSX0pYSFhRaUY0amxOUGhaaWJUQy41MTA4RkYwMjM4QzhBNTE3

Putting the Dollhouse Back Together: Beverly Armento on Trauma, Forgiveness, and Finding Voice

The Uncorking a Story Podcast May 20, 2025 5:01 am

“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 public policy expert who turned to fiction writing after retirement. Iris shares how her real-life experiences and family history shaped her second novel, Gittel’s Freedom, a moving portrayal of three generations of immigrant women navigating identity, hardship, and hope. She opens up about the steep learning curve of fiction, the importance of editing, and the confidence it takes to pursue creativity at any age.

Key Themes:
1. Reinventing yourself in retirement
2. Transitioning from policy writing to fiction
3. The immigrant experience across generations
4. The role of women in shaping family legacy
5. The emotional and technical journey of writing a novel
6. Working with hybrid publishers and editors
7. Encouragement for aspiring writers later in life


Buy Gitel’s Freedom
Amazon: https://amzn.to/42x5TLu
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647428587

Connect with Iris
Website: https://irismitlinlav.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067865341751#

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.

#IrisMitlinLav #GittelsFreedom #HistoricalFiction #WomenWriters #ImmigrantNarratives #UncorkingAStory #AuthorLife #SecondActWriters

“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 public policy expert who turned to fiction writing after retirement. Iris shares how her real-life experiences and family history shaped her second novel, Gittel’s Freedom, a moving portrayal of three generations of immigrant women navigating identity, hardship, and hope. She opens up about the steep learning curve of fiction, the importance of editing, and the confidence it takes to pursue creativity at any age.

Key Themes:
1. Reinventing yourself in retirement
2. Transitioning from policy writing to fiction
3. The immigrant experience across generations
4. The role of women in shaping family legacy
5. The emotional and technical journey of writing a novel
6. Working with hybrid publishers and editors
7. Encouragement for aspiring writers later in life


Buy Gitel’s Freedom
Amazon: https://amzn.to/42x5TLu
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647428587

Connect with Iris
Website: https://irismitlinlav.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067865341751#

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.

#IrisMitlinLav #GittelsFreedom #HistoricalFiction #WomenWriters #ImmigrantNarratives #UncorkingAStory #AuthorLife #SecondActWriters

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YouTube Video UExNamVTdmRxWkg4eWFSX0pYSFhRaUY0amxOUGhaaWJUQy5BOUNEMEI0OUY1OEEwQzdC

From Policy to Prose: Iris Mitlin Lav’s Journey Into Fiction

The Uncorking a Story Podcast May 13, 2025 5:01 am

“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 with Jennifer Griffith—host of About Your Mother and author of Both Sides of Then—to talk about motherhood, grief, generational trauma, and the stories that define us. Inspired by a powerful moment with her father just before he passed, Jennifer shares how her memoir became a way to heal, understand, and ultimately honor her family’s complicated legacy. Whether you’re a mom, missing a mom, or just reflecting on your own family story today, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:
1. Legacy begins with truth. Jennifer didn’t commit to writing her memoir until after her father’s deathbed revelation reminded her that life is short—and stories left untold weigh heavy.
2. You don’t just inherit genetics—you inherit silence. Her family’s secrets around adoption and emotional distance shaped Jennifer’s childhood, and writing helped her unpack what was passed down.
3. Grief offers unexpected clarity. Being present at the end of her father’s life allowed her to see that, ultimately, all we take with us is love. That perspective now anchors her work and parenting.
4. Writing in her mother’s voice was an act of empathy. Jennifer wrote parts of the book in her mom’s first-person perspective, discovering parallels between their lives—and healing some old wounds along the way.
5. Everyone has a story, even if it doesn’t feel big. It wasn’t until an editor pushed her that Jennifer realized her life story—outside of her mom’s—also deserved space on the page.
6. Understanding your parents helps you understand yourself. Writing helped her reframe childhood pain through a compassionate lens, realizing her parents were doing the best they could with what they had.
7. The why is everything. Jennifer’s driving force was releasing her mom from the shame of relinquishment—and giving voice to millions of women who were told to forget their pain.
8. Art finds its way home. After naming her book Both Sides of Then—a nod to Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now—Jennifer wrote a heartfelt letter to Joni explaining how the song inspired her. Months later, she learned it moved Joni to tears, proving that when you create with heart, your work has a way of reaching the people who helped shape it.


Buy Both Sides of Then
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4m1nF1j
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798888455142

Connect with Jennifer
Website: https://byjennifergriffith.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byjennifergriffith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byjennifergriffith/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byjennifergriffith/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ByJenniferGriffith


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.

#MothersDay #UncorkingAStory #JenniferGriffiths #BothSidesOfThen #MemoirWriting #FamilySecrets #MotherhoodMatters #GriefToGrowth #AdoptionStories #WriteYourTruth #AboutYourMother

“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 with Jennifer Griffith—host of About Your Mother and author of Both Sides of Then—to talk about motherhood, grief, generational trauma, and the stories that define us. Inspired by a powerful moment with her father just before he passed, Jennifer shares how her memoir became a way to heal, understand, and ultimately honor her family’s complicated legacy. Whether you’re a mom, missing a mom, or just reflecting on your own family story today, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:
1. Legacy begins with truth. Jennifer didn’t commit to writing her memoir until after her father’s deathbed revelation reminded her that life is short—and stories left untold weigh heavy.
2. You don’t just inherit genetics—you inherit silence. Her family’s secrets around adoption and emotional distance shaped Jennifer’s childhood, and writing helped her unpack what was passed down.
3. Grief offers unexpected clarity. Being present at the end of her father’s life allowed her to see that, ultimately, all we take with us is love. That perspective now anchors her work and parenting.
4. Writing in her mother’s voice was an act of empathy. Jennifer wrote parts of the book in her mom’s first-person perspective, discovering parallels between their lives—and healing some old wounds along the way.
5. Everyone has a story, even if it doesn’t feel big. It wasn’t until an editor pushed her that Jennifer realized her life story—outside of her mom’s—also deserved space on the page.
6. Understanding your parents helps you understand yourself. Writing helped her reframe childhood pain through a compassionate lens, realizing her parents were doing the best they could with what they had.
7. The why is everything. Jennifer’s driving force was releasing her mom from the shame of relinquishment—and giving voice to millions of women who were told to forget their pain.
8. Art finds its way home. After naming her book Both Sides of Then—a nod to Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now—Jennifer wrote a heartfelt letter to Joni explaining how the song inspired her. Months later, she learned it moved Joni to tears, proving that when you create with heart, your work has a way of reaching the people who helped shape it.


Buy Both Sides of Then
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4m1nF1j
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798888455142

Connect with Jennifer
Website: https://byjennifergriffith.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byjennifergriffith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byjennifergriffith/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byjennifergriffith/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ByJenniferGriffith


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.

#MothersDay #UncorkingAStory #JenniferGriffiths #BothSidesOfThen #MemoirWriting #FamilySecrets #MotherhoodMatters #GriefToGrowth #AdoptionStories #WriteYourTruth #AboutYourMother

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YouTube Video UExNamVTdmRxWkg4eWFSX0pYSFhRaUY0amxOUGhaaWJUQy5EMjg2Q0U4RjAyNjZDOTI2

Life’s Too Short: Jennifer Griffith on Legacy, Loss, and the Mothers Who Shape Us

The Uncorking a Story Podcast May 9, 2025 5:00 am

“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 behind his memoir The Maps They Gave Us. We dive into his decades-long marriage, navigating a mixed-orientation relationship, and redefining monogamy. With vulnerability, humor, and insight, Wayne shares how creative adaptation—not rigid roles—can help relationships thrive. Plus, we talk writing, rejection, and why the maps we’re handed may be out of date.

Key Themes:
1. Memoir as healing and artistic integration
2. Navigating a mixed-orientation, non-monogamous marriage
3. The importance of honest communication and chosen community
4. Parenting through transformation and staying present
5. Questioning the “script” of heteronormative marriage
6. Advice for aspiring memoirists (and why publishing isn’t everything
7. Finding joy and identity in both psychotherapy and storytelling

Buy: The Maps they Gave Us
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bMkcis
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781625571540

Connect with Wayne
Website: https://www.waynescottwrites.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waynejosephscott/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayne.scott.359

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.

#WayneScott #TheMapsTheyGaveUs #MemoirWriting #NonMonogamy #LGBTQStories #MixedOrientationMarriage #TherapistAuthor #UncorkingAStory #RelationshipRealTalk

“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 behind his memoir The Maps They Gave Us. We dive into his decades-long marriage, navigating a mixed-orientation relationship, and redefining monogamy. With vulnerability, humor, and insight, Wayne shares how creative adaptation—not rigid roles—can help relationships thrive. Plus, we talk writing, rejection, and why the maps we’re handed may be out of date.

Key Themes:
1. Memoir as healing and artistic integration
2. Navigating a mixed-orientation, non-monogamous marriage
3. The importance of honest communication and chosen community
4. Parenting through transformation and staying present
5. Questioning the “script” of heteronormative marriage
6. Advice for aspiring memoirists (and why publishing isn’t everything
7. Finding joy and identity in both psychotherapy and storytelling

Buy: The Maps they Gave Us
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bMkcis
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781625571540

Connect with Wayne
Website: https://www.waynescottwrites.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waynejosephscott/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayne.scott.359

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.

#WayneScott #TheMapsTheyGaveUs #MemoirWriting #NonMonogamy #LGBTQStories #MixedOrientationMarriage #TherapistAuthor #UncorkingAStory #RelationshipRealTalk

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YouTube Video UExNamVTdmRxWkg4eWFSX0pYSFhRaUY0amxOUGhaaWJUQy42QzUzNDk3NEJCNjU2ODcx

Going Off Script: Wayne Scott on Marriage, Memoir, and Making Your Own Map

The Uncorking a Story Podcast May 6, 2025 5:15 am

“I learned that I’m dogged… I didn’t abandon it, and that became very important—not giving up.” — Janet Constantino

In this soulful and insightful episode of Uncorking a Story, psychotherapist-turned-novelist Janet Constantino shares the winding journey that led to her debut novel Becoming Mariella. A former competitive Latin ballroom dancer with Sicilian roots and a love of jazz, Janet brings decades of life experience to her writing. She opens up about the long road to publication, her deep connection to family history, and how writing helps us make sense of where we come from—and where we’re going.

Key Themes:
1. Balancing a career in psychotherapy with a lifelong passion for writing
2. The story behind Becoming Mariella and its Sicilian inspiration
3. Lessons in rejection, resilience, and rewriting
4. Why some novels live in the drawer—and why that’s okay
5. Writing authentic, emotionally rich characters from family roots
6. Choosing 2000 as a setting to avoid the social media minefield
7. How personal curiosity fuels both therapy and storytelling

Buy: Becoming Mariella
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hsYHV1
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647427689

Connect with Janet
Website: https://www.janetconstantino.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janetconstantino2/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561036835050

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.

#JanetConstantino #BecomingMariella #DebutNovel #WritersJourney #ResilientWriters #ItalianAmericanStories #PsychotherapistAuthor #HistoricalRoots #UncorkingAStory

“I learned that I’m dogged… I didn’t abandon it, and that became very important—not giving up.” — Janet Constantino

In this soulful and insightful episode of Uncorking a Story, psychotherapist-turned-novelist Janet Constantino shares the winding journey that led to her debut novel Becoming Mariella. A former competitive Latin ballroom dancer with Sicilian roots and a love of jazz, Janet brings decades of life experience to her writing. She opens up about the long road to publication, her deep connection to family history, and how writing helps us make sense of where we come from—and where we’re going.

Key Themes:
1. Balancing a career in psychotherapy with a lifelong passion for writing
2. The story behind Becoming Mariella and its Sicilian inspiration
3. Lessons in rejection, resilience, and rewriting
4. Why some novels live in the drawer—and why that’s okay
5. Writing authentic, emotionally rich characters from family roots
6. Choosing 2000 as a setting to avoid the social media minefield
7. How personal curiosity fuels both therapy and storytelling

Buy: Becoming Mariella
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hsYHV1
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647427689

Connect with Janet
Website: https://www.janetconstantino.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janetconstantino2/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561036835050

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.

#JanetConstantino #BecomingMariella #DebutNovel #WritersJourney #ResilientWriters #ItalianAmericanStories #PsychotherapistAuthor #HistoricalRoots #UncorkingAStory

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YouTube Video UExNamVTdmRxWkg4eWFSX0pYSFhRaUY0amxOUGhaaWJUQy4wRUM0NDVEMzZDODkxRUQ3

Identity, Rejection, and Writing What You Love, with Janet Constantino

The Uncorking a Story Podcast April 29, 2025 5:01 am

“The whole idea of historical fiction is to fill in the gaps in the emotional feeling of the participants in the crisis.” — Barbara Southard

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, historian and debut novelist Barbara Southard shares the emotional and intellectual journey behind her novel Unruly Human Hearts. Drawing from her academic roots and a deep fascination with 19th-century America, Barbara reimagines the infamous Beecher-Tilton adultery trial through the eyes of Elizabeth Tilton, the woman at the heart of the scandal. We explore gender dynamics, moral codes, and the role of historical fiction in giving voice to those left out of traditional narratives.

Key Themes:
1. The emotional power of historical fiction to tell untold stories
2. The complexity of Victorian gender roles and societal expectations
3. The double standard in “free love” and public morality
4. How historical fiction bridges the gaps left by historical record
5. Challenges of transitioning from academic writing to novel-writing
6. The enduring relevance of women’s voices in historical scandals
7. How empathy shapes character-driven storytelling

Buy: Unruly Human Hearts:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bK1Ajb
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647428303

Connect with Barbara
Website: https://www.barbarasouthard.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbara.southard45/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraSouthardAuthor

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.
#BarbaraSouthard #UnrulyHumanHearts #HistoricalFiction #VictorianScandal #WomenInHistory #DebutAuthor #BeecherTilton #FictionWithFeeling #UncorkingAStory

“The whole idea of historical fiction is to fill in the gaps in the emotional feeling of the participants in the crisis.” — Barbara Southard

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, historian and debut novelist Barbara Southard shares the emotional and intellectual journey behind her novel Unruly Human Hearts. Drawing from her academic roots and a deep fascination with 19th-century America, Barbara reimagines the infamous Beecher-Tilton adultery trial through the eyes of Elizabeth Tilton, the woman at the heart of the scandal. We explore gender dynamics, moral codes, and the role of historical fiction in giving voice to those left out of traditional narratives.

Key Themes:
1. The emotional power of historical fiction to tell untold stories
2. The complexity of Victorian gender roles and societal expectations
3. The double standard in “free love” and public morality
4. How historical fiction bridges the gaps left by historical record
5. Challenges of transitioning from academic writing to novel-writing
6. The enduring relevance of women’s voices in historical scandals
7. How empathy shapes character-driven storytelling

Buy: Unruly Human Hearts:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bK1Ajb
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647428303

Connect with Barbara
Website: https://www.barbarasouthard.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbara.southard45/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraSouthardAuthor

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.
#BarbaraSouthard #UnrulyHumanHearts #HistoricalFiction #VictorianScandal #WomenInHistory #DebutAuthor #BeecherTilton #FictionWithFeeling #UncorkingAStory

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YouTube Video UExNamVTdmRxWkg4eWFSX0pYSFhRaUY0amxOUGhaaWJUQy4zOTExNTAwOERBMTNFRUM4

Writing Between the Lines of History, with Barbara Southard

The Uncorking a Story Podcast April 22, 2025 5:30 am

“We’ve got to start thinking of ourselves as the Earthling tribe.” — Dr. Peter Solomon

In this eye-opening episode of Uncorking a Story, scientist and author Dr. Peter Solomon shares how his passion for physics, sparked in a college classroom, led to a lifelong mission to communicate science through storytelling. We explore his Stardust Mystery project and dive into his upcoming novel 100 Years to Extinction, inspired by Stephen Hawking’s chilling prediction about humanity’s future. From DNA and AI to interstellar travel and misinformation, Dr. Solomon challenges us to think big, act fast, and imagine a world where science and society evolve together.

Key Themes:
1. Using fiction to teach science and spark curiosity in kids
2. The real science behind stardust and the Big Bang
3. Stephen Hawking’s 100-year extinction warning
4. How technology has outpaced society’s ability to manage it
5. Threats of AI, climate change, nuclear weapons, and misinformation
6. A call for a “fallacy vaccine” to fight the spread of lies online
7. Empowering Gen Z to reshape the future through activism and imagination


Connect with Peter
Website: https://www.100yearstoextinction.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/100yearstoextinction/

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.
#PeterSolomon #100YearsToExtinction #StardustMystery #SciComm #ClimateFiction #ScienceAndSociety #AIethics #GenZActivism #UncorkingAStory #savetheearth  #savetheplanet

“We’ve got to start thinking of ourselves as the Earthling tribe.” — Dr. Peter Solomon

In this eye-opening episode of Uncorking a Story, scientist and author Dr. Peter Solomon shares how his passion for physics, sparked in a college classroom, led to a lifelong mission to communicate science through storytelling. We explore his Stardust Mystery project and dive into his upcoming novel 100 Years to Extinction, inspired by Stephen Hawking’s chilling prediction about humanity’s future. From DNA and AI to interstellar travel and misinformation, Dr. Solomon challenges us to think big, act fast, and imagine a world where science and society evolve together.

Key Themes:
1. Using fiction to teach science and spark curiosity in kids
2. The real science behind stardust and the Big Bang
3. Stephen Hawking’s 100-year extinction warning
4. How technology has outpaced society’s ability to manage it
5. Threats of AI, climate change, nuclear weapons, and misinformation
6. A call for a “fallacy vaccine” to fight the spread of lies online
7. Empowering Gen Z to reshape the future through activism and imagination


Connect with Peter
Website: https://www.100yearstoextinction.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/100yearstoextinction/

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.
#PeterSolomon #100YearsToExtinction #StardustMystery #SciComm #ClimateFiction #ScienceAndSociety #AIethics #GenZActivism #UncorkingAStory

2 1

YouTube Video UExNamVTdmRxWkg4eWFSX0pYSFhRaUY0amxOUGhaaWJUQy44NEE4MTNBOUY2MDRFRUU4

The Stardust Within Us: Dr. Peter Solomon on Science, Storytelling, and Saving the Planet

The Uncorking a Story Podcast April 15, 2025 5:15 am

“Don’t be your own no—if the answer is no, let someone else say it. Don’t take yourself out of the race because of your own insecurities.” – Joanne Howard

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, we sit down with debut novelist Joanne Howard, author of Sleeping in the Sun, a historical fiction novel inspired by her grandfather’s childhood in India at the end of British rule. Joanne shares her journey from copywriter to published author, the emotional and creative process of writing her first novel, and how a pandemic pup named Kash became part of her storytelling. With humility, humor, and insight, Joanne offers writers at every stage the kind of inspiration that sticks.

Key Themes:
1. Writing historical fiction from family stories and primary sources
2. Navigating the MFA experience and learning to “kill your darlings”
3. The reality of pitching agents and choosing hybrid publishing
4. Bringing personal passion (like pets!) into storytelling
5. The evolving role of copywriters in the digital age
6. Why local bookstores matter more than ever
7. Trusting your path and asking for what you want

Buy Sleeping in the Sun
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DvSOZt
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647427986

Connect with Joanne
Website: https://www.joannehowardwrites.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093201296124
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannesbooks

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.

#JoanneHoward #SleepingInTheSun #HistoricalFiction #DebutAuthor #WritersLife #MFAWriting #HybridPublishing #AuthorInterview #UncorkingAStory

“Don’t be your own no—if the answer is no, let someone else say it. Don’t take yourself out of the race because of your own insecurities.” – Joanne Howard

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, we sit down with debut novelist Joanne Howard, author of Sleeping in the Sun, a historical fiction novel inspired by her grandfather’s childhood in India at the end of British rule. Joanne shares her journey from copywriter to published author, the emotional and creative process of writing her first novel, and how a pandemic pup named Kash became part of her storytelling. With humility, humor, and insight, Joanne offers writers at every stage the kind of inspiration that sticks.

Key Themes:
1. Writing historical fiction from family stories and primary sources
2. Navigating the MFA experience and learning to “kill your darlings”
3. The reality of pitching agents and choosing hybrid publishing
4. Bringing personal passion (like pets!) into storytelling
5. The evolving role of copywriters in the digital age
6. Why local bookstores matter more than ever
7. Trusting your path and asking for what you want

Buy Sleeping in the Sun
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DvSOZt
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647427986

Connect with Joanne
Website: https://www.joannehowardwrites.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093201296124
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannesbooks

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.

#JoanneHoward #SleepingInTheSun #HistoricalFiction #DebutAuthor #WritersLife #MFAWriting #HybridPublishing #AuthorInterview #UncorkingAStory

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YouTube Video UExNamVTdmRxWkg4eWFSX0pYSFhRaUY0amxOUGhaaWJUQy5CNzc5NTU4RTg3Q0EyRUZE

Writing from the Margins, with Joanne Howard

The Uncorking a Story Podcast April 8, 2025 5:00 am

“The writing is the easiest part. It’s everything after that—the marketing, the visibility, the noise—that makes this business so tough. But you’ve got to keep going.” — Rochelle Weinstein

Bestselling author Rochelle Weinstein joins Uncorking a Story to reflect on the career crossroads that changed her life. After walking away from a successful role in the music industry, Rochelle sat down and wrote her first novel—without any formal training—and took a leap into self-publishing. That leap paid off, launching a career that would eventually include multiple traditionally published books and a spot on the USA Today Bestseller list. In this episode, she shares her honest take on the business of being an author, the realities of breaking through in a crowded market, and the inspiration behind her latest novel, We Are Made of Stars.

Key Takeaways:
1. One bold decision can change everything. Rochelle turned down a big-city career to follow a creative spark—and ended up writing a bestseller.
2. You don’t need permission to be an author. She self-published her first two novels and used grit (and marketing smarts) to break through.
3. Success doesn’t always show up on time. Rochelle didn’t even know she hit the USA Today list—until five years later.
4. Writing the book is only step one. Rochelle shares why treating your writing like a business is key to longevity in publishing.
5. Even a single sentence can spark a novel. Rochelle’s next book was born from a note on a prayer tree: “I wish I never met her.”
6. Her advice to aspiring authors? Keep going. Tune out the noise. And never underestimate the power of your own voice.

Buy We are Made of Stars
Amazon: https://amzn.to/429ozj0
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781662520884

Connect with Rochelle
Website: https://www.rochelleweinstein.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rochelle.b.weinstein
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rochwein
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rochellebweinstein/

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.

#RochelleWeinstein #WeAreMadeOfStars #AuthorLife #WritersOfInstagram #BookTok #BookLaunch #WomensFiction #IndieAuthor #WritersJourney #PublishingTips #PodcastLife

“The writing is the easiest part. It’s everything after that—the marketing, the visibility, the noise—that makes this business so tough. But you’ve got to keep going.” — Rochelle Weinstein

Bestselling author Rochelle Weinstein joins Uncorking a Story to reflect on the career crossroads that changed her life. After walking away from a successful role in the music industry, Rochelle sat down and wrote her first novel—without any formal training—and took a leap into self-publishing. That leap paid off, launching a career that would eventually include multiple traditionally published books and a spot on the USA Today Bestseller list. In this episode, she shares her honest take on the business of being an author, the realities of breaking through in a crowded market, and the inspiration behind her latest novel, We Are Made of Stars.

Key Takeaways:
1. One bold decision can change everything. Rochelle turned down a big-city career to follow a creative spark—and ended up writing a bestseller.
2. You don’t need permission to be an author. She self-published her first two novels and used grit (and marketing smarts) to break through.
3. Success doesn’t always show up on time. Rochelle didn’t even know she hit the USA Today list—until five years later.
4. Writing the book is only step one. Rochelle shares why treating your writing like a business is key to longevity in publishing.
5. Even a single sentence can spark a novel. Rochelle’s next book was born from a note on a prayer tree: “I wish I never met her.”
6. Her advice to aspiring authors? Keep going. Tune out the noise. And never underestimate the power of your own voice.

Buy We are Made of Stars
Amazon: https://amzn.to/429ozj0
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781662520884

Connect with Rochelle
Website: https://www.rochelleweinstein.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rochelle.b.weinstein
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rochwein
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rochellebweinstein/

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.

#RochelleWeinstein #WeAreMadeOfStars #AuthorLife #WritersOfInstagram #BookTok #BookLaunch #WomensFiction #IndieAuthor #WritersJourney #PublishingTips #PodcastLife

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YouTube Video UExNamVTdmRxWkg4eWFSX0pYSFhRaUY0amxOUGhaaWJUQy5GMzZFODZFNzVCN0JFNzhE

Stories That Find Us: Rochelle Weinstein on Pivots and the Power of Persistence

The Uncorking a Story Podcast April 1, 2025 5:30 am

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