Open Mike
Personal essays
On family, faith, loss, and the stories that shape us.
What 500 Conversations Taught Me
At the end of almost every episode of Uncorking a Story, I ask guests what they'd whisper to their younger selves. 500 episodes in, here's what I've learned.
Roundabouts, Road Rage, and Don's Driving School
Day one on the Cape included a 5:30 am wakeup, a 5K run, a roundabout standoff, and memories of learning to drive with my father Donnie.
Listening for the Story
They say you can learn a lot by asking questions. You can also learn a lot by listening. Last month, I made plans to spend a long weekend in Florida with m
The Letters that Brought my Brother Back
While cleaning out my father’s apartment to get it ready for sale, my sister came across a stack of handwritten letters we had sent my grandparents in the
Lessons From a Stranger
Some of you may be tempted to think that what you’re about to read is a bit of heartwarming fiction. It’s not. This happened to me this morning, and I feel
The Waiting Room
Alone again with his thoughts, Joseph felt as if the waiting room he was in was more than just a space where people go for a quick break or to have a priva
Raising a Glass (and a Tootsie Pop)
This is my first Mother’s Day without my mom. And I’ll be honest—I wasn’t sure how it would feel. I knew it would be quiet. No phone call. No reminder to g
23 and Me
Dear Grace, Patrick, and Maggie, Today marks your 23rd birthday—which means I’ve now spent 24 years as a father. How that’s possible, I’m not quite sure, b
Beyond the Bridge
Murphy let out a big yawn and closed his eyes. He hadn’t felt like himself these past few weeks and thought a morning nap might do him some good. Daylight
The Light We Give
I don’t think there’s anyone who has ever regretted waking up early to watch the sunrise. I’ve spent the past week in Florida taking care of my father, and
A Mother's Timeless Love
Yesterday, I reached a significant milestone in my life—I turned fifty. While I enjoyed spending time with family and friends, there was one person noticea
To the Moon and Back, Remembering Arlene Carlon
Arlene Carlon was born on August 30, 1933, in Brooklyn, NY, to Nicolas and Maria Fuccillo. She attended Notre Dame Academy on Staten Island and earned a de
Bubbles Up
We just passed the three month anniversary of my brother’s passing and, to quote the late Jerry Garcia (one of my brother Gregory’s favorites), “I want to
Greg Carlon: Simply the Best
On Sunday, I was getting ready to go for a run through Waveny park here in New Canaan when my mother asked me, “Michael, are your shoes tied?” I thought, t
You Can't Rush the Sunrise
I’m a morning person. Dracula is more of a morning person compared to most of the people I know, which I suppose is fortunate for me as I can devote the ti
Living Life at Slack Tide
The first sign that my emotions weren’t regulating well today was when I started to cry while listening to a Jimmy Buffett song. Seriously, who does that?
Farewell, Roo Roo
I’ve known this day was coming for a very long time—it’s quite rare that golden retrievers live to almost sixteen years of age, though our Reilly has. We a
Living in the Moment
Met fans will recount the 1986 season the way some people might recount the day they got married. We had waited so long for a World Series title (maybe not