Inspiring conversations with engaging storytellers.

“The essence of art is taking life’s randomness and shaping it into something meaningful.” — Lina Chern

Lina Chern’s debut mystery Play the Fool earned major acclaim, winning the 2024 Mary Higgins Clark Award. Now she’s back with Tricks of Fortune, a darker, more nuanced follow-up inspired by a real-life incident in her community. In this candid conversation, Lina and Mike talk about the writer’s true superpower (curiosity), the difference between myth and reality, and how life experience shapes better storytelling. If you’re a fan of crime fiction, writing craft, or simply love hearing about the creative process, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:
1. Writing is a skill, not a lightning strike: Lina shares how persistence and practice mattered far more than innate talent in becoming a successful author.
2. The author’s true superpower: It’s not stringing pretty sentences together — it’s following deep curiosity wherever it leads.
3. Turning fact into fiction: Tricks of Fortune draws emotional truth from a real crime, but is highly fictionalized to respect the complexity of the story.
4. Myth vs. Reality: The story explores how public figures (especially law enforcement) often cultivate myths that later unravel — rich territory for fiction.
5. Writing with life experience: Lina feels her later-in-life writing career has benefited from deeper insight into people and the world.
6. The pressure of book two: Success brings new expectations — from balancing new and returning readers to writing on deadline.
7. The joy of writing community: Conventions, author events, and connecting with fellow writers has become a huge source of inspiration and camaraderie.

Buy Tricks of Fortune
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4meh2Zx
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593500682

Connect with Lina
Website: https://www.linachern.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/ChernLina
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linachernwrites/

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.

#crimefiction #MysteryNovels #TricksOfFortune #WritingProcess #TurningFactIntoFiction #CreativityAndCuriosity #AuthorsLife #UncorkingAStory #PodcastInterview #LinaChern

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“You have to believe before you see—if you believe your body can rebuild itself, it will surprise you.” — Dr. Grazyna Pajunen


Dr. Grazyna Pajunen never set out to be an author—but after 14 years of helping clients in the anti-aging space, she realized there was a need to put the basics in writing. In this inspiring episode of Uncorking a Story, we explore the world of biohacking through the lens of her latest book, Biohacking: A Way to a Better You—Look and Feel Better Than You Did 10 Years Ago.

From optimizing biological function to reversing the misconceptions around aging, Dr. Pajunen shares practical wisdom on how to take control of your health, reduce stress, and live with greater joy and vitality. If you’ve ever wondered how to truly age backward—or simply live your best life—this conversation is for you.


Key Takeaways:
1. Biohacking Defined: It’s the art and science of optimizing your body and mind through simple, systematic self-experimentation—often by removing obstacles rather than adding complexity.
2. Aging Is Optional: Aging, as we traditionally define it, is a disease that can be slowed or reversed with the right mindset, habits, and understanding of how the body truly works.
3. Your Body is a Masterpiece: Given the right materials and care, the body is capable of remarkable self-repair—starting with collagen, hydration, stress reduction, and intentional movement.
4. Mindset Matters: You must believe change is possible before you see results. Intention, emotional state, and gratitude are critical to biohacking success.
5. Small Steps Win: Don’t overhaul everything overnight. Start with simple changes—improving diet, adding movement, or adopting intermittent fasting—and build momentum gradually.
6. Watch What You Put In: Be cautious of supplements—quality, bioavailability, and sourcing matter. Not all “health products” on the market are safe or effective.
7. Perspective is Power: What you focus on grows—choosing gratitude and joy over stress and comparison leads to better health outcomes and a happier life.

Buy Biohacking a Way to a Better You: Look and Feel Better than you did 10 years ago
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jQZgd7
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798888246931

Connect with Dr. Grazyna Pajunen
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GrazynaPajunen
Website: www.agereversingsecret.com


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.
#Biohacking #HealthyAging #ReverseAging #WellnessJourney #MindBodyHealth #GratitudeMatters #UncorkingAStory #PodcastInterview #OptimizeYourLife #Longevity

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This episode is brought to you by Mike Carlon's latest novel, the Waiting Room. ⁠Check out that #1 New Release in Inspirational Spiritual Fiction wherever books are sold or at this link: https://amzn.to/4kppjIL

We all have resources inside ourselves. We can get through just about anything. — Kristin Mickelwait

In this moving and insightful episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike welcomes Kristin Mickelwait—copywriter by day, author by night—whose memoir The Ghost Marriage explores her journey through profound loss, forgiveness, and unexpected spiritual awakenings. Kristin opens up about how writing became a healing force in her life, why resilience matters, and the soulful inspiration behind her debut novel The Ashtrays Are Full and the Glasses Are Empty. From exploring the parallels between the roaring 1920s and today, to discussing empathy’s role in both fiction and marketing, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.


Key Takeaways:
1. Writing as Healing — How Kristin used memoir writing to process grief, anger, and forgiveness after a painful divorce and the death of her ex-husband.
2. Unexpected Spiritual Journeys — The role of mediums and spiritual life coaching in shifting her perspective and healing old wounds.
3. Resilience in Action — How persistence and inner strength helped her navigate financial hardship and life as a single mom.
4. Parallels Across Time — Insights on the surprising similarities between the post-pandemic world and the 1920s Lost Generation.
5. Empathy in Fiction — Why walking in your characters’ shoes is everything when writing compelling, emotionally honest stories.
6. Marketing with Heart — The subtle but vital role of empathy when writing for audiences in marketing and PR.
7. Pandemic Silver Linings — How a writers’ group during COVID reignited her creativity and led to the completion of her novel.

Buy The Ashtrays Are Full and the Glasses Are Empty
Amazon: https://amzn.to/42UYDJJ
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798888246931

Connect with Kristen
Website: https://www.kirstenmickelwait.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirsten.mickelwait
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmickelwait54/

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 #KristinMickelwait #MemoirWriting #AuthorInterview #WritingAsHealing #GhostMarriage #HistoricalFiction #LostGeneration #EmpathyInWriting #Resilience #SpiritualAwakening #WomenWriters

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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 Jeffrey Konvitz—known for The Sentinel and now Circus of Satan. Jeffrey takes us deep into the violent, forgotten history of the Irish mob, the collapse of their political grip, and the rise of organized crime in America. He also reveals the decades-long journey behind writing Circus of Satan, why lawyers make great writers, and what he’s planning next. Fans of Boardwalk Empire, Gangs of New York, or The Godfather—don’t miss this one!

Key Takeaways:
1. How a Shakespeare essay at Cornell started Jeffrey’s writing journey—despite earning a “D”!
2. The origin story behind his bestselling novel The Sentinel and its surprising success.
3. Why Circus of Satan took 25 years to write and how it bridges a forgotten era of organized crime history.
4. The untold story of how Irish gangs controlled U.S. cities—and how that power ultimately collapsed.
5. The challenges (and rewards) of weaving fictional characters into rigorously researched historical events.
6. The surprising similarities between writing novels and trying complex legal cases.
7. Jeffrey’s advice for anyone pursuing a creative passion—even if it takes decades to complete.

Buy Circus of Satan: Murder, Revenge, and the Rise of Organized Crime
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jUQJ9m
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781662950353

Connect with Jeffrey
Website: www.circusofsatan.com
X: https://x.com/JeffreyKonvitz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffreykonvitzauthor/

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 #JeffreyKonvitz #CircusOfSatan #HistoricalFiction #IrishMob #OrganizedCrimeHistory #MobStories #TheSentinel #WritersLife #PassionProjects

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“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 trailblazing journalist, bestselling author, and entrepreneur Jackie Lapin. From being one of the first female sportswriters in America to building a top PR firm and now creating a global community for history lovers through Historic Traveler International, Jackie shares her remarkable journey through storytelling, spiritual awakening, and a life lived with curiosity and passion. If you’re a writer, entrepreneur, traveler, or seeker of purpose, you’ll love this conversation.

Key Takeaways:
1. How Jackie became one of the first women in sports journalism—and the lessons she learned along the way.
2. The origin of her groundbreaking PR agency and how she landed major clients like Toyota and the NHL.
3. What led Jackie into the world of conscious creation, energy, and manifestation—and why it transformed her life.
4. How she pioneered podcast and radio outreach for authors and changemakers through Conscious Media Relations.
5. The story behind her latest venture, Historic Traveler International—a joyful community for history and travel lovers.
6. Why travel fosters living in the present and personal growth.
7. Jackie’s advice to her younger self—and how following joy is key at any stage of life.

Explore Jackie’s Books
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4j9JNE3
Bookshop.org: hhttps://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781941595022

Connect with Jackie
Website: https://thehistorictraveler.com/
YouTube: ​​https://www.youtube.com/@jackielapin4533
X: https://x.com/jackielapin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackieflapin/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackielapin/

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 #JackieLapin #HistoricTraveler #ConsciousCreation #Storytelling #WomenInSportsMedia #Entrepreneurship #TravelCommunity #Manifestation #LifePurpose

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“I want women to feel seen, supported, and connected—this chapter of life isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of something new.” — Lauren Tetenbaum

Lauren Tetenbaum is an author, therapist, and advocate who helps millennial and younger women navigate the big transitions of life—from perinatal shifts to perimenopause and beyond. In this warm and insightful conversation, Lauren joins Uncorking a Story to talk about her new book, Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause, and Life’s Next Period. We explore why menopause is misunderstood, how storytelling and community can be powerful tools for healing, and why empathy should guide not just writing, but life. Whether you’re approaching midlife yourself or supporting someone who is, this is a must-listen.


Key Takeaways:
1. Menopause Misconceptions: Most people think of menopause as “the end,” when in reality it’s a transition and an opportunity for growth and empowerment.
2. Perimenopause Education Gap: Many women (and providers) lack awareness of perimenopause symptoms and the mental health impacts that come with hormonal changes.
3. Empathy in Writing & Therapy: Empathy is key to telling stories that resonate and supporting clients through life’s emotional roller coasters.
4. Community Matters: Sharing experiences—whether through group chats, friend circles, or therapy—creates connection and reduces loneliness during transitional periods.
5. COVID Reflections: The pandemic catalyzed career pivots, deepened community bonds, and gave Lauren space to pursue writing her first book.
6. Reframing the Narrative: Rather than resisting or fearing menopause, women can embrace it as a new chapter filled with empowerment and self-discovery.
7. Storytelling as Healing: Whether through journaling or creative writing, storytelling can be a powerful way to process grief, anxiety, and life transitions.

Buy Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause, and Life's Next Period
Amazon: https://amzn.to/45x0m9C
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781646048106

Connect with Lauren
Website: https://thecounselaur.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecounselaur/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenatetenbaum/


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.

#MillennialMenopause #WomensHealth #Perimenopause #EmpathyInAction #StorytellingHealing #WomensMentalHealth #LifeTransitions #MidlifeEmpowerment #UncorkingAStory #PodcastInterview

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“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 award-winning novel Tangles. We dig into her writing process, the staggering truth behind the Hanford nuclear site, and the twists in her own personal history—including finding her birth family and saving a sibling’s life. This is historical fiction reimagined—and a life story that reads like a novel.

Key Themes:
1. From Fashion to Fiction: Kay’s journey from Neiman Marcus exec to award-winning novelist proves it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
2. Uncovering Hanford’s Dirty Secrets: Tangles is based on chilling real events—radioactive whales, poisoned salmon, and decades of government cover-ups.
3. The Dream That Sparked a Novel: A single, surreal image—red hair floating in water—launched the story that would become Tangles.
4. A Family Found, and Saved: Kay’s discovery of her birth family led to a stunning twist—she was the perfect stem cell match for the brother her birth parents kept.
5. Redefining Historical Fiction: With a dual timeline and environmental thriller elements, Tangles challenges what the genre can be.
6. Persistence Pays Off: It wasn’t her first manuscript—or her second—that broke through. But when she found the right story, publishers noticed.
7. Writers Need a Village: Kay credits writing groups, critique partners, and deep craft study as the backbone of her success.

Buy Tangles
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jCejau
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781685135065

Connect with Kay
Website: https://www.kaysmith-blum.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kay.smithblum
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discerningksb/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kay-smith-blum-3877273/
X: https://x.com/kaysmithblum

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.

#HistoricalFiction #KaySmithBlum #ColdWarSecrets #HanfordWhistleblower #RadioactiveWhale #WomenWriters #UncorkingAStory #DebutAuthor #EnvironmentalThriller #TanglesNovel

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“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. From surviving childhood trauma and an abusive marriage to reclaiming her voice through writing and faith, Brandi opens up about how journaling unlocked long-buried truths and gave her a powerful new identity: survivor, storyteller, encourager. This episode is a must-listen for anyone writing from a place of pain—and hoping to transform it into purpose.


Key Themes:
1. Writing as Revelation: Brandi didn’t set out to write a book—journaling led her to uncover deep-seated trauma and ultimately shape a memoir.
2. Reclaiming Identity: Girl Uncoded is not just a title—it’s Brandi’s process of decoding the lies she was told (and told herself) to rediscover her worth.
3. Faith Over Performance: Her journey to faith in 2015 reframed God not as transactional, but as deeply relational—and ultimately healing.
4. Voice as Justice: Her writing and speaking have given voice not just to her own trauma but to other survivors who now feel seen.
5. Publishing with Purpose: After eight years and seven drafts, Brandi partnered with She Writes Press to bring her story to light—with transparency, courage, and craft.
6. Healing the Inner Teen: Through powerful exercises like writing a letter to her younger self, Brandi found peace and love for the girl she once was.
7. Impact Beyond the Page: From speaking at National Crime Victim Rights Week to advocating against child marriage, Brandi is using her voice to change lives.


Buy Girl Uncoded
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jiR5Gm
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647428082

Connect with Brandi
Website: https://www.brandidredge.com/
Facebook: author page


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.


#GirlUncoded #MemoirWriting #WritingThroughTrauma #SurvivorStories #FaithJourney #WomenWriters #UncorkingAStory #BrandiDredge #SheWritesPress #WriteToHeal

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“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 Sarah Rise, the story of raising her daughter Sarah, who faced developmental challenges from birth. With honesty, warmth, and resilience, Jennifer shares how she turned overwhelming fear into focused action—building a Sunrise program at home and documenting every step in a series of letters that became the foundation for her book. Tune in to hear how one mom rewrote the rules of parenting, self-compassion, and advocacy.

Key Themes:
1. Turning Guilt into Empowerment: How Jennifer shifted from feeling responsible for her daughter’s struggles to becoming her most joyful advocate.
2. The Sunrise Program Unpacked: A deep dive into the holistic autism therapy that transformed Jennifer’s approach to parenting.
3. The Emotional Labor of Writing: From tearful edits to loving pushback from her husband, Jennifer recounts how collaboration shaped her memoir.
4. Every Milestone Counts: Celebrating Sarah’s smallest steps—like scooting forward—as monumental victories.
5. Pandemic Silver Linings: How lockdown offered the time and clarity Jennifer needed to pull her story together.
6. Sisterhood and Resilience: The unexpected bond that grew between Sarah and her younger sister during lockdown.
7. From First Grade to First Drafts: The story of Jennifer’s early love for storytelling—and how it all started with a stick figure in a skirt.

Buy Watching Sarah Rise
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cXhes4
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647428242

Connect with Jennifer
Website: https://www.watchingsarahrise.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbriggsauthor/

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.
#WatchingSarahRise #ParentingSpecialNeeds #SunriseProgram #MemoirWriting #AutismAwareness #MomLife #UncorkingAStory #JenniferCelesteBriggs #Neurodiversity #EmpathyInParenting

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