Inspiring conversations with engaging storytellers.

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/

“I love having written more than I love writing. The process is work, but the result is joy.” — Rabbi Alon Ferency

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike sits down with Rabbi Alon Ferency to explore the intersection of spirituality and creativity. From the challenges of writing to the vulnerability inherent in art-making, Rabbi Ferency shares insights on mindfulness, moral imagination, and why editing might just be the most sacred part of the creative process. Whether you’re a writer, artist, or simply curious about the creative life, this conversation offers wisdom, humor, and a fresh perspective on finding meaning through art.

Key Takeaways:
1. The paradox of writing: Rabbi Alon loves “having written” more than the act of writing itself—and that’s okay.
2. Flow state isn’t universal: For some, creativity feels like therapy; for others, it’s structured work rather than spontaneous inspiration.
3. Vulnerability is essential: Great art often requires exposing your scars, not your wounds, to create authentic connection.
4. Spirituality and creativity intersect: Ancient wisdom, like the Talmud’s “words from the heart enter the heart,” still informs modern art-making.
5. Editing is sacred: Ferency argues that editing—whether in writing, music, or visual art—is where true artistry emerges.
6. The artist’s sensitivity: Creative people often wrestle with heightened sensitivity, which can be both a gift and a challenge.
7.Coaching artists: Ferency’s mission is to help artists align their work with their deepest values, offering spiritual and psychological support.

Connect with Rabbi Alon Ferency
Website: https://www.eclecticcleric.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eclecticcleric/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EclecticCleric
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eclecticcleric
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eclecticcleric/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWc0eC6TFEnA9I23nES3_tQ

Connect with Mike
Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Uncorkingastory
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory
Twitter: https://twitter.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 #RabbiAlonFerency #CreativityCoach #MindfulArt #WritingLife #ArtAndSpirituality #PodcastForWriters

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Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/

"The Book of Reservations is about a woman navigating a dubious gift in a world that doesn’t always believe in it." — Laura Buchwald

Author Laura Buchwald returns to discuss her latest novel, The Book of Reservations, the second installment in her Ghost Table trilogy. Laura shares how a haunted Manhattan restaurant inspired her series, what it’s like to write under contract deadlines, and why humor is essential—even when tackling heavy themes like grief and the aftermath of 9/11. If you love stories about creativity, resilience, and the supernatural, this conversation is for you.

Key Themes:
1. The origin of the Ghost Table trilogy — How a real-life restaurant and whispers of paranormal activity sparked Laura’s imagination.
2. From standalone to trilogy — The challenges of expanding a single novel into a multi-book series.
3. Writing under pressure — Why Laura found publisher-imposed deadlines motivating rather than stressful.
4. Balancing grief and humor — How levity helps navigate heavy themes without diminishing their impact.
5. Research through experience — Laura’s approach to visiting real locations to bring authenticity to her settings.
6. The role of belief and skepticism — Laura’s personal experiences with mediums and how they influenced her storytelling.
7. Looking ahead — A sneak peek into book three and how early reader feedback is shaping its tone.


Buy The Book of Reservations
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bbtcze
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798892990776

Connect with Laura
Website: https://laurabuchwald.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurabuchwaldauthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095294176611

Connect with Mike
Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Uncorkingastory
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory

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.

#LauraBuchwald #TheBookOfReservations #GhostTableTrilogy #AuthorInterview #WritingLife #ParanormalFiction #UncorkingAStory #BookTok #Bookstagram

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Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/

"Writing is work. It’s challenging, it’s hard—but it’s a skill, and it takes time. If you have patience with yourself, you’ll get there." — Jen Braaksma

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with Jen Braaksma—former journalist, high school English teacher, and now full-time book coach—to talk about her journey from writing fiction to embracing memoir. Jen shares how her love of storytelling began in childhood, why she pivoted careers during the pandemic, and what she learned about vulnerability while writing her latest book, Befriending Betsy. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to write a memoir or how a book coach can transform your writing, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.


Key Themes:
1. The power of persistence: Jen’s advice to her younger self—and to all writers—is simple: keep at it, even if it’s just a few minutes a day.
2. Memoir vs. biography: Memoir isn’t just a timeline of events; it’s about introspection and writing from the scar, not the wound.
3. The role of a book coach: Coaching isn’t just about editing words—it’s about guiding the person behind the story.
4. Vulnerability matters: Writing Befriending Betsy taught Jen to embrace authenticity and share her own story.
5. Healing through writing: Every memoirist Jen has worked with has experienced unexpected catharsis during the process.
6. Writing is a skill: Like any craft, it takes time, patience, and practice—don’t expect perfection right away.
7. Everyone’s story matters: You don’t need to be a celebrity to write a memoir that resonates.

Buy Befriending Betsy: A Memoir
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4iVNeQ5
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798896360209

Connect with Jen
Website: https://www.jenbraaksma.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/JenBraaksma
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenbraaksmabookcoach/


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 #JenBraaksma #BookCoach #MemoirWriting #AuthorInterview #WritingTips #BefriendingBetsy #WritersLife

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Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/

"I took my parents’ stories from the Manhattan Project and wove them into a fictional spy subplot—because I’ll never know the real truth." — Leslie Schover

What happens when a clinical psychologist with decades of experience decides to write her first novel in her seventies? In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Leslie Schover shares how curiosity and family history inspired her debut novel, Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak. From Oak Ridge and the Manhattan Project to love triangles and espionage, Leslie reveals the fascinating journey of transforming real-life stories into compelling historical fiction.

Key Themes:
1. Curiosity as a Superpower: How a news article about Soviet atomic spies sparked Leslie’s fiction journey.
2. Family Ties to History: Discover the real-life connection between Leslie’s parents and the Manhattan Project.
3. From Psychology to Fiction: Why Leslie shifted from publishing academic and self-help books to writing a novel.
4. Challenges of Historical Accuracy: The research behind recreating Oak Ridge during WWII.
5. Hybrid Publishing Insights: Why Leslie chose She Writes Press and what authors should know about hybrid models.
6. Imposter Syndrome is Universal: Even seasoned professionals feel the doubt when starting something new.
7. Awards and Validation: How Fission earned recognition as a historical novel and what that meant for Leslie.


Buy Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Mqk1Rd
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798896360568

Connect with Leslie
Website: https://www.leslieschoverauthor.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieschover/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leslie.schover.9/
Substack: https://leslierschoverphd147820.substack.com/nuclear-fiction-newsletter

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 #AuthorInterview #ManhattanProject #WritingJourney #BookPodcast #SheWritesPress #FissionNovel

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Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/

"I thought by using entertainment, I could get people to understand medical issues and change health policy. It didn’t work out that way—but people are fascinated by medicine." — Robin Cook

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, bestselling author and physician Robin Cook joins us to discuss his incredible career, the origins of the medical thriller genre, and his latest novel, Spasm. With over 42 books and 400 million copies sold, Cook shares how failure shaped his success, why medicine remains endlessly compelling, and the disturbing realities behind the medical-industrial complex. Plus, we dive into prions, private equity’s impact on hospitals, and what’s next for Jack Stapleton and Laurie Montgomery.

Key Themes:
1. The Birth of the Medical Thriller: How Robin Cook combined medicine and suspense to create a genre that captivates millions.
2. Lessons from Failure: Why his first book flopped and how that setback fueled the success of Coma.
3. Medicine Meets Business: Cook’s concerns about the growing influence of private equity in healthcare—and how it inspired his upcoming novel, Bleed.
4. Science That Feels Like Fiction: From genetics to prions, Cook explains how real medical advances often seem stranger than sci-fi.
5. Character Evolution: Why Jack Stapleton feels like Cook’s alter ego—and how Spasm changes the game for this beloved protagonist.
6. Hollywood Adaptations: The highs and lows of seeing his novels transformed for the big screen.
7. Advice for Aspiring Authors: Why writing should be a personal journey first—and why luck plays a bigger role than most realize.

Buy Spasm
Amazon: https://amzn.to/44MXvYZ
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798217044931

Connect with Robin
Website: https://robincook.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrRobinCook

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.

#RobinCook #MedicalThriller #UncorkingAStory #SpasmNovel #ThrillerBooks #HealthcareIssues #AuthorInterview #BookPodcast

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Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/

“I didn’t write The Waiting Room — it came through me. In the middle of grief, in the middle of the night, the story wouldn’t let me rest until I let it out.”
In this special episode, the tables turn: Amazon Bestseller and Uncorking a Story host Mike Carlon becomes the guest. Interviewed by author Janet Ettele in front of a live audience, Mike opens up about the deeply personal origins of The Waiting Room, a novel that came to him during illness, insomnia, and profound grief. He shares the spiritual experiences that shaped the story, the losses of his mother and brother that changed him, and the strange, unexplainable “downloads” that guided the writing. Along the way, we explore hospice miracles, near-death visions, humor as a survival tool, creativity as healing, and what it means to live fully while learning how to let goo.

Key Themes:
1. The Creative Download: How the story appeared fully formed during a feverish 3AM awakening, blurring the line between imagination and something deeper.
2. Grief as a Catalyst for Art: Mike discusses losing his mother and brother, and how writing became an unexpected part of his healing process.
3. The Mystery of End-of-Life Experiences: Real-life hospice phenomena, including visions, “packing for a trip,” and loved ones visiting at the threshold.
4. The Power of Spiritual Curiosity: How interviews with spiritual medium Anna Raimondi reframed his beliefs about life after death.
5. Humor as Lifeline: Using comedy to balance heavy emotional terrain and to reveal authentic sibling dynamics.
6. Writing Without a Map: Mike’s evolution from outlining to “discovering the story the way the reader will.”
7. Living the Little Moments: Lessons learned from his brother’s final year: joy isn’t in big achievements, but in hummingbirds, porch breezes, and dance parties.

Buy The Waiting Room
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48iPrS8
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781732184695

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 #TheWaitingRoom #AuthorInterview #MemoirEnergy #GriefAndHealing #WritingThroughGrief #SpiritualWriting #EndOfLifeStories #CreativityAndSpirit #LiveEventRecording

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"Technology isn’t good or bad—it just is. How we choose to use it defines everything." — Robbie Bach

Robbie Bach, the visionary behind Xbox and now a bestselling author, joins Mike Carlon on Uncorking a Story to share his journey from tech executive to thriller writer. In this episode, Robbie dives into his creative process, the inspiration behind his latest novel The Blockchain Syndicate, and how themes of technology, society, and human nature weave through his stories. If you’ve ever wondered how a business leader pivots to fiction—or what happens when old-school espionage meets new-school cybercrime—this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways:
1. The Pivot from Tech to Fiction: Robbie explains how leaving Microsoft reignited his passion for writing and led him to craft thrillers blending technology and civic themes.
2. Writing Without an Outline: Discover Robbie’s “pantser” approach and why momentum matters more than rigid planning.
3. The Blockchain Syndicate Unpacked: A gripping mix of cybercrime, blockchain anonymity, and high-stakes espionage.
4. Character Development as Empathy: How writing characters unlike himself—like Senator Tamika Smith—expanded Robbie’s emotional intelligence.
5. Technology’s Double-Edged Sword: Why tech isn’t inherently good or bad, and how its societal impact shapes his narratives.
6. Marketing Realities for Authors: From Mailchimp headaches to list management, Robbie shares the business side of being an author.
7. Advice to His Younger Self: Balance matters—don’t miss the joy of connecting with people along the way.

Buy The Blockchain Syndicate
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4r7zaqy
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798886454000

Connect with Robbie
Website: https://www.robbiebach.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robbiebach61
Twitter: https://x.com/robbie_bach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiebach/

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 #RobbieBach #TheBlockchainSyndicate #ThrillerBooks #AuthorInterview #CybercrimeThriller #WritingProcess #BookLoversPodcast

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"I love to read, I devour books—wouldn't it be nice if I wrote something that somebody else would love to read?" — Lewis Bowling

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, host Mike Carlon sits down with Lewis Bowling—author of 14 books, columnist, and educator at Duke University and North Carolina Central University. Lewis shares how a childhood love of reading sparked a lifelong passion for writing, why he focuses on nonfiction and history, and the story behind his latest book on Sam Ragan, North Carolina’s literary godfather. From his first library under his grandfather’s bed to his deep dives into archives for biographies, Lewis offers insights into the craft of writing and the joy of preserving history.

Key Takeaways:
1. Roots of a Writer: Lewis Bowling’s writing journey began with a box of old westerns under his grandfather’s bed and trips to the local library.
2. Nonfiction Passion: Lewis prefers biographies and history over fiction, finding inspiration in real stories and lived experiences.
3. First Book Milestone: His debut book chronicled the history of Granville County, sparking a career that now spans 14 titles.
4. Sam Ragan’s Influence: Lewis’s latest work explores the life of North Carolina’s literary godfather, a man who shaped the state’s cultural identity.
5. Research Over Writing: For Lewis, the thrill of writing starts with meticulous research—often more enjoyable than the writing itself.
6. Current Project: He’s 80% through a biography of Eddie Cameron, the namesake of Duke’s iconic basketball arena.
7. Advice for Writers: Writing isn’t just typing words—it’s living, observing, and channeling experiences into stories.

Buy Sam Ragan: North Carolina's Literary Godfather
Amazon: https://amzn.to/43KQwPJ

Connect with Lewis
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lewis.bowling.3

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 #LewisBowling #AuthorInterview #WritingLife #NorthCarolinaHistory #SamRagan #BookLovers #BiographyWriting #PodcastForReaders

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"We eat from a thousand different hungers—and most of them aren’t about food." — Jane McGuinness

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with Jane McGuinness—registered clinical counselor, mother of three, and author of the memoir Always Hungry: How I Lost the Weight and Found Myself. Jane opens up about her journey from emotional eating and divorce to rediscovering herself through writing, hiking, and radical acceptance. We talk about the psychology behind food cravings, the privilege of thinness, and why healing is about more than just losing weight. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to transform your life from the inside out, this conversation is for you.


Key Takeaways:
1. Emotional eating is rarely about hunger—it’s often tied to stress, anxiety, and unresolved trauma.
2. Healing requires owning your story; writing memoir can be a powerful tool for self-discovery.
3. Thin privilege is real—Jane shares candid insights on how society treats people differently based on body size.
4. Sustainable weight loss is about consistency, not quick fixes—think small habits over time.
5. Life transitions can spark growth—Jane’s divorce and career change led her to embrace freedom and creativity.
6. Travel and movement are transformative—Jane’s Camino de Santiago pilgrimage changed her perspective on life.
7. Moderation beats restriction—finding balance with food and exercise is key to long-term health.

Buy Always Hungry: How I Lost the Weight and Found Myself Kindle Edition
Amazon: https://amzn.to/47tczvs
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647429867

Connect with Jane
Website: https://www.janemcguinnesstheauthor.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568768136177
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janemcguinnesstheauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janemcguinnesstheauthor

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.

#AlwaysHungryBook #AuthorInterview #MemoirMonday #EmotionalEating #WeightLossJourney #PodcastLife #UncorkingAStory

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