Uncorking a Story Michael Carlon

“Be your own fool. You’ve got to be a little bit crazy to believe your writing matters, and it does!”
Today, I chat with author Joe Di Prisco who shares the mosaic of his life, from a Brooklyn childhood shadowed by mob connections to his spirited pursuits in poetry and education. This episode delves into Joe's complex relationship with religion, his vibrant storytelling in both novels and poetry, and his undying passion for empowering young writers. You don’t want to miss it!
Meet Joe Di Prisco
Joseph Di Prisco is an acclaimed author of prize-winning poetry, bestselling memoirs, nonfiction books, and novels. He taught for many years and has served as chair of not-for-profits dedicated to the arts, theater, children’s mental health, and schools. He joined me on Uncorking a Story to discuss his life and latest collection of poetry entitled My Last Resume.
Key Topics


Origins of a Storyteller: Joe reflects on his upbringing in Brooklyn's Greenpoint, the influence of the Catholic church, and his early exposure to the arts which shaped his narrative skills.


“Family” Influences: Joe opens up about his father's mob connections leading to a sudden move to California to escape law enforcement which the stage for a life filled with stories worth telling.


Battles with Adversity: Joe candidly shares his struggles with substance abuse and personal challenges, highlighting a 20-year gap in his poetry writing. His journey through these hardships culminates in a resurgence in his literary pursuits and personal life.


Literary Journey: From teaching to writing, Joe discusses his wide-ranging career, including his triumphant return to the literary world.


Philosophy on Writing and Poetry: Joe criticizes the 'churchification' of writing and expresses his desire for poetry to remain impactful, raw, and genuine.


Contributions to Education and Literature: Joe talks about his ongoing work with at-risk youth, using literature as a tool for empowerment and social change, highlighted by his involvement with the Joyce Carol Oates Prize and various literary projects.


Buy My Last Resume
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Tk7z5w
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781644284186


Connect with Joe
Website: https://www.diprisco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joseph.diprisco.9
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JosephDiPrisco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdiprisco/


Connect with Mike
Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irisyamashita/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory
Twitter: https://twitter.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.
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"It's like a honey badger; dementia doesn't give a shit. It doesn't care about what you want to do." — Kitty Norton
Tune into this episode of Uncorking a Story for an honest and inspiring exploration of the highs and lows of caregiving, the power of storytelling, and the unexpected paths life can take.
Meet Kitty Norton
In 2016 Kitty left her job as an NBC assistant editor in Los Angeles, CA, for her hometown of Portland, Oregon, to walk, stumble, crawl with her mother, Gloria, living with vascular dementia, to death's door. While doing so, she authored the caregiver blog Stumped Town Dementia, writing tales of dementia life, not dementia death, which resonated deeply with readers around the world.
After her mother's death in 2021, Kitty created and directed Wine, Women, & Dementia to honor this journey with her mother, to spread awareness of the caregiver side of the equation in the swinging dementia lifestyle, and to celebrate family caregivers - to let them know they are not alone, and that they are worthy of being seen and respected alongside their dementia person on this difficult road to the end of life.

Key Themes:


Journey from Editing to Caregiving: Kitty discusses her transition from a career in network television to caregiving, detailing the emotional and logistical challenges she faced upon her father's death and her mother's dementia diagnosis.


Empowering Through Writing: Kitty talks about starting her caregiving blog as a creative outlet to process her experiences and connect with other caregivers, emphasizing the blog's growth into a supportive community.


Exploring the Caregiver's Perspective: The conversation delves into the creation of her documentary, which aims to highlight the often-overlooked struggles and resilience of family caregivers dealing with dementia.


Therapeutic Power of Creativity: Kitty reflects on the therapeutic benefits of writing and filmmaking, not just for personal catharsis but also for helping others navigate similar experiences.


Humor and Coping: Throughout the interview, Kitty underscores the role of humor in coping with the daily challenges of dementia caregiving, bringing a light-hearted perspective to difficult situations.


Influence of Community and Culture: She shares insights into how cultural shifts, including the proactive voices of millennials and baby boomers, are changing the narrative and support structures for dementia.


Vision for the Future: Kitty discusses her hopes for the documentary's impact and its upcoming public release, intending to increase awareness and support for dementia caregivers globally.



See the Film: https://www.winewomenanddementia.com/copy-of-host-a-screening

Connect with Kitty
Website: https://www.winewomenanddementia.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WWDdocumentary
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWDdocumentary
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winewomenanddementia/

Connect with Mike
Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irisyamashita/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory
Twitter: https://twitter.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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Right, you'll forget it ever happened. That's what my social worker told me and other girls at the Florence Crittenton home for unwed mothers. But yeah, you don't forget that you are a mother. And also, how does one keep the secret from oneself? That's an absolute impossibility." — Tracy Mayo
In the lead up to Mother’s Day, I wanted to share the powerful story of a mother who worked tirelessly to track down the son she gave up at birth when she was just fifteen years old. 
Meet Tracy Mayo
Despite having a very successful career, one choice continued to haunt debut author Tracy Mayo’s life— forcibly giving up her baby at the age of fifteen. Now she’s sharing the inspiring story of her impossible journey to find him during the pre-Internet era in her memoir, Childless Mother: A Search for Son and Self. 

Key Themes:


The Unintended Journey of Writing: Tracy shares her transition from corporate to creative writing, highlighting the challenges and learnings of crafting her deeply personal memoir over seven years.


Forced Separation: Explore the emotional and societal pressures Tracy faced in the late 1960s as a young unwed mother, including her time spent in a home for unwed mothers where her identity was erased.


Therapeutic Discoveries: Tracy discusses the role of LSD and Transcendental Meditation in her healing process, emphasizing how these experiences helped her confront and manage the lingering guilt and trauma from her past.


The Search for Reunion: Delve into the logistical and emotional complexities Tracy encountered while searching for her son in the pre-internet age, relying on scant clues and sheer determination.


Impact of Reunion: The moment of reunion and the evolving relationship with her son are recounted, illustrating the profound impacts of reconnection on both their lives.


Reflections on Personal Growth: Tracy reflects on how her traumatic experiences have enriched her understanding of life, compassion, and societal dynamics, making her a stronger and more empathetic person.


Legacy and Healing Through Storytelling: Finally, Tracy discusses the cathartic effect of sharing her story, hoping to inspire and support others who might be dealing with similar experiences.


Buy Childless Mother: A Search for Son and Self
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3W9120s
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781837940240


Connect with Tracy
Website: https://tracymayo.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracymayoauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracymayoauthor/

Connect with Mike
Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irisyamashita/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory
Twitter: https://twitter.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.


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I found writing almost an unbelievably incredible way to deal with the grief. It was a way to channel my energy in a really productive way that ultimately led to this book that I've written. And it was therapeutic. It was really helpful for me in many ways." — Glenn Hilemann
In this deeply moving episode of "Uncorking a Story," we explore the poignant journey of Glenn Hilemann, who turned a heart-wrenching tragedy into a legacy of love and storytelling. Following the devastating loss of his parents in the East Troublesome fire of 2020, Glenn embarked on a path he never anticipated—writing a memoir that captures the essence of his parents' lives, their love, and the indelible mark they left on him. Through our conversation, Glenn shares how writing became an unexpected sanctuary of grief processing, a medium for preserving cherished memories, and a bridge to understanding his parents' lives more profoundly than ever before. This episode is not just a story about loss; it's a testament to the power of storytelling to heal, connect, and immortalize our most treasured connections.
Meet Glenn Hileman
Glenn Hileman is the CEO of Highmark School Development and has spent over fifteen years living in Bountiful, Utah. His love of Grand Lake, Colorado led to him purchasing his parent's home in 2020. His family is actively working to restore the property from the devastation of the East Troublesome Fire and, in doing so, they hope to honor the legacy of his parents. He joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about his memoir, "A Yellow House in the Mountains.”

Key Themes:


The Catalyst of Writing: Glenn Hilemann's journey as an author began in the wake of a devastating fire that claimed his parents' home and lives. The tragedy opened a path for him to write, capturing memories and stories of his parents to honor their legacy.


Writing as Therapy: Glenn discovered writing as a powerful medium for processing grief. The act of capturing his parents' stories not only preserved their memory but also provided him a therapeutic outlet.


The Power of Shared Stories: Throughout the process, Glenn learned more about his parents' lives through stories shared by relatives. This not only deepened his understanding of his parents but also the bonds within his family.


Creative Inspiration: Glenn's creative journey was sparked unexpectedly through music, leading him to write a song that encapsulated his parents' lives, demonstrating the unforeseen ways creativity can emerge.


The Challenge of Publication: Transitioning from manuscript to published book involved learning the intricacies of editing, design, and publication, highlighting the dedication required to bring a story to readers.


The Importance of Legacy: Beyond personal healing, Glenn's work stands as a testament to his parents' lives, offering insights and inspiration to others through the universal themes of love, loss, and resilience.


Future Endeavors: Glenn is contemplating a follow-up book focused on the recovery and restoration process post-fire, aiming to share lessons learned and the continued impact of his parents' legacy.


Buy A Yellow House in the Mountains
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Vz05OE
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798988822806


Connect with Glenn
Website: https://yellowhouseinthemountains.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/A-Yellow-House-in-the-Mountains/61555369857709/

Connect with Mike
Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irisyamashita/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory
Twitter: https://twitter.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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"It's interesting to compare the process of creating an image with writing. In photography, I find myself editing the scene to highlight what draws my interest, focusing on the essence and minimizing distractions. This approach is similar to writing, where the goal is to strip away the superfluous to communicate the core message clearly. Both processes involve a pathway to clarity, whether it's through the lens or on the page." — G.B. Smith

Tune into this episode of "Uncorking a Story" for a deep dive into the soul-stirring world of Gary Smith's photography, where every image is a pathway to a story waiting to be told.
Meet G.B. Smith
G.B. Smith is an international award winning fine art photographer. He joined me on Uncorking a Story to discuss his career and book Pathways, which was awarded First Prize at the prestigious International Photography Awards in the Book Category. The book features select photos from many of Smith’s current collections, including several of his recent multi-award winning images. 
Key Topics:


Early Beginnings: Gary's love for photography ignited in the industrial heartland of England, sparked by his first camera as a teenager and his fascination with the technical aspects of photography.


The Art and Science of Photography: Exploring the magic of darkroom photography, Gary discusses the meticulous process of film development and how it instills a deep appreciation for each image captured.


Transition from Career to Passion: Gary shares his journey from seeing photography as a potential career to embracing it as a passionate hobby, highlighting the challenges of commercial photography and the liberation found in creating art for oneself.


The Making of "Pathways": The creation of his book "Pathways" emerged from a collaboration with talented individuals and became a tribute to his journey as a photographer, as well as a charitable endeavor supporting breast cancer research.


A Vision in Black and White: Delving into his preference for black and white imagery, Gary reveals how color blindness influences his focus on form and texture, leading to a unique and captivating aesthetic.


The Beauty in Decluttering: Gary emphasizes the importance of removing clutter from scenes to focus on the essence of the image, drawing parallels to the necessity of clarity and focus in life and art.


Discoveries and Reflections: Reflecting on his experiences and the places photography has taken him, Gary shares insights into how photography has been a force of discovery, meditation, and connection with the world.




Buy Pathways: A Journey Through the Innovative Images of Acclaimed Photographer G.B. Smith
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4auQjkZ
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798989711116

Connect with G.B. Smith
Website: https://www.gbsmith.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/g.b.smith.photography/

Connect with Mike
Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irisyamashita/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory
Twitter: https://twitter.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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I have my wife as my ultimate support system. But as a man, it feels like you shouldn’t show weakness or talk about things that might make you vulnerable because you worry about what others will think. That’s why I decided to just go for it, to muster the courage to openly share my story. I committed to laying everything out there, telling my story in all its truth." — Reggie Reed
Tune in to this emotionally charged episode to explore author Reggie Reed's incredible journey of resilience, the role of storytelling in healing, and the indomitable spirit of facing life's darkest moments with courage.
Meet Reggie Reed
Reginald L. Reed Jr. is an author and an accomplished professional in the Pharmaceutical industry. He joined me on Uncorking a Story to discuss his memoir, The Day My Mother Never Came Home, in which he recalls the events surrounding the unsolved murder of his mother and the subsequent indictment and trial of his father 32 years later. 

Key Topics:


The Beginning of a Story: Reggie's journey as an author began with the cold case of his mother's murder and his father's unexpected indictment years later, pushing him to combat his trauma through writing.


Childhood Amidst Chaos: Growing up, Reggie experienced confusion and a sense of loss after his mother's unsolved murder, grappling with the absence of a parental figure and the rumors surrounding his father's involvement.


Shocking News as an Adult: The revival of his mother's murder case and his father's indictment turned Reggie's world upside down, challenging him to face old traumas and engage with a complex legal battle.


The Trial's Emotional Toll: Reggie describes the trial and his father's sentencing as one of the worst experiences of his life, highlighting the emotional turmoil of seeing a loved one being taken away.


Finding Healing Through Writing: Reggie embarked on writing his memoir as a means to process his trauma, share his story, and encourage others facing their struggles, emphasizing the therapeutic power of storytelling.


The Impact of Family and Upbringing: Despite the adversity, Reggie speaks to the importance of breaking the cycle of trauma, striving for success, and the support system that helped him navigate his life's challenges.


A Message of Resilience and Hope: Reggie's story is a compelling reminder of the strength found in vulnerability, the importance of telling one's truth, and the unyielding power of love and forgiveness.



Buy The Day My Mother Never Came Home
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4a5M67h
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798989711116


Connect with Reggie
Website: https://www.rlreed.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RLREEDII/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rlreed0


Connect with Mike
Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irisyamashita/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory
Twitter: https://twitter.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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices