Uncorking a Story

Michael Carlon
  • 4.9 (66)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Listen in to Uncorking a Story, where we pop the cork on hidden narratives and delve deep into the brilliant minds of your favorite authors. Get ready to unlock the magic behind your favorite books, one unforgettable story at a time. Hit that subscribe button and never miss a sip of inspiration!

  1. 4D AGO

    Map of a Heart, with Jacque Gorelick

    "I think there was some empathy for my younger self that I probably didn't have before... I think writing the book, I could look at myself as a seven-year-old girl or a thirteen-year-old with a lot of anger and a lot of reasonable reason to feel abandoned, rather than, wow, I was just really a problem child." — Jacque Gorelick Jacque Gorelick joins Mike to talk about her memoir, Map of a Heart: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Finding the Way Home. The book follows a seemingly ordinary family outing that turns into a medical crisis when Jacque's husband collapses from cardiac arrest on a trail — with their nine-week-old son in the stroller beside her. Woven through that harrowing day is the story of Jacque's rootless childhood, the loss of her mother at age eight, and years of family estrangement. It's a conversation about grief, resilience, the power of writing to heal, and the family we build for ourselves when the one we were born into falls apart. Key Takeaways: Words have power from an early age. Jacque's love of writing started as a child — from clubhouse rules to thank-you notes — and eventually led her to memoir. Distance helps when writing about trauma. Having ten years between the medical crisis and putting pen to paper gave Jacque the perspective to write about it without being consumed by it. Writing memoir can build empathy for your younger self. Revisiting painful childhood memories allowed Jacque to see herself with compassion rather than shame. A cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. Jacque learned firsthand that cardiac arrest is an electrical event that can strike even a healthy, active person. Caring for a newborn can be grounding in a crisis. The routine demands of nursing and caring for her son kept Jacque anchored during the most terrifying hours of her life. Found family matters. Despite estrangement from her biological family, Jacque discovered that the people who show up unconditionally become the family that counts. Reconnection is possible, even after decades. After more than 30 years of silence, Jacque reconnected with her brother — a reminder that it's never too late, even when it's complicated. Buy Map of a Heart: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/3988322261?linkCode=ll2&tag=rettocasgra-20&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9783988322265 Connect with Jacque: Website: https://www.jacquegorelick.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacgorelick/ Connect with Mike: Website: https://mikecarlon.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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min

  2. APR 14

    Revealing Purpose, with Nick Kemp

    “You don’t need to find your ikigai—you already have it. You just need to notice it.” — Nick Kemp What if purpose isn’t something you chase—but something you already have? In this episode, Mike sits down with Nick Kemp, founder of Ikigai Tribe and author of A Year of Ikigai, to explore a more grounded, human take on purpose. Nick shares how a guy who once hated writing ended up publishing books, building a global community, and helping others reconnect with meaning—through small, everyday moments. This conversation challenges the Western obsession with “big purpose” and offers a simpler, more sustainable way to live a meaningful life. Key Takeaways: You already have purpose. Ikigai isn’t a destination—it’s found in everyday experiences, relationships, and roles. Western culture overcomplicates purpose. We chase the “perfect job” or passion, while overlooking meaning in ordinary moments. Curiosity can change your life. Nick’s journey—from podcast to books—started with simply asking better questions. Small moments are the big moments. A cup of coffee, a conversation, or a quiet walk can carry more meaning than major achievements. Writing doesn’t require perfection—just honesty. Nick went from struggling with English to writing from lived experience and the heart. Technology is pulling us away from meaning. The more distracted we become, the harder it is to notice what actually matters. Be present, not perfect. Life satisfaction comes from awareness and gratitude—not chasing an ideal version of success. Buy A Year of Ikigai: Finding Everyday Purpose Through Japanese Wisdom Amazon: https://amzn.to/4uP5m3O Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781577155485 Connect with Nick Website: https://ikigaitribe.com/ Podcast: https://ikigaitribe.com/podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-kemp-author/ 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. #Ikigai #WritersOfInstagram #AmWriting #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity #PurposeDrivenLife #MindfulLiving #PodcastLife #UncorkingAStory #CreativeJourney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min

  3. APR 7

    Writing Through the Fire, with Priya Hutner

    “We suffer as humans—and writing gives us a place to put that pain, to understand it, and maybe even transform it.”— Priya Hutner What happens when the life you’ve built—your beliefs, your community, your identity—suddenly falls apart? In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Priya Hutner shares her extraordinary journey from growing up and leading within a spiritual ashram to rebuilding her life in Lake Tahoe. Her memoir, Chasing Nirvana, is part spiritual adventure, part cautionary tale, and deeply human at its core. We explore identity, reinvention, the healing power of writing, and what it really means to come back to yourself after everything you thought you knew no longer fits. Key Takeaways: When belief systems break: Priya opens up about leaving a decades-long life inside a spiritual community and the emotional fallout that followed.  Rebuilding identity from scratch: After leaving the ashram, she spent years rediscovering who she was outside of that structure.  Memoir as catharsis: Writing Chasing Nirvana became both a healing process and a way to make sense of her past.  The power of storytelling: Priya discusses how writing helps us process pain, reframe our experiences, and find resilience.  Spirituality vs. self-discovery: The conversation explores the fine line between seeking enlightenment and losing oneself in the process.  Alternative paths to healing: From therapy to plant medicine, Priya shares the unconventional tools that helped her reconnect with herself.  Creativity as a way forward: Whether through writing, cooking, or teaching, Priya continues to channel her experiences into meaningful work and community.  Buy Chasing Nirvana Amazon: https://amzn.to/40D4P7e Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798896360889 Connect with Priya Website: https://www.priyahutner.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/priya.hutner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priyahutner/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@priyahutner?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D 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/ #UncorkingAStory #MemoirWriting #WritingCommunity #AuthorInterview #CreativeJourney #HealingThroughWriting #SpiritualJourney #SelfDiscovery #AmWriting #WritersLife 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

    36 min

  4. MAR 31

    Writing Without Limits, with Christian Toms-Arbel

    “If you want to be a writer for money, you’re in the wrong place. The authors who last are the ones who truly love the craft.”  — Christian Toms-Arbel Christian Toms-Arbel has been telling stories since childhood. Born with a disability that required multiple surgeries, he spent long stretches in hospital wards immersed in books—and eventually began writing his own stories. Years later, after earning a degree and master’s in creative writing, he published his debut psychological thriller The Mannequins. In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Christian shares the personal experiences that shaped his writing, how trauma can fuel storytelling, and the unconventional path that led him to publish his first novel. Key Takeaways: Early hardship sparked a love of storytelling. Spending time in hospitals as a child introduced Christian to books and ultimately inspired him to begin writing horror stories at just eight years old.  A teacher’s encouragement can change everything. One supportive teacher’s feedback convinced him he had real potential as a writer—helping set him on the path to studying creative writing. Trauma can become creative fuel. Christian believes writing dark fiction is partly a way of processing personal trauma and exploring difficult emotions in a safe creative space. The Mannequins takes a different approach to crime fiction. Rather than focusing only on the investigation, the novel explores how a killer is made, weaving the murderer’s upbringing into the narrative. Indie publishing requires entrepreneurial thinking. Christian built an ARC reader team, generated early reviews, and treated publishing like running a small business. Writing outside your identity can build empathy. His novel features a mixed-heritage female detective—a perspective he carefully developed with help from his wife as editor and advisor. Persistence matters more than perfection. Even after being caught in a publishing scam, Christian continued forward and successfully launched his book independently. Buy The Mannequins Amazon: https://amzn.to/46QmsE4 Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781919216201 Connect with Christian Website: https://www.ctomsarbel.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c.tomsarbel/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@c.tomsarbel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580209287042 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/ #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #CrimeThriller #PsychologicalThriller #AmWriting #AuthorInterview #UncorkingAStory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min

  5. MAR 24

    Healing, Class, and Coming Home with Leigh Shalloway

    “The story came out of me when it was supposed to come out of me—after living a whole life.” – Leigh Shalloway In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike Carlon sits down with novelist and holistic care practitioner Leigh Shalloway to explore the long, winding journey behind her debut novel, Journey Back to You. From a third‑grade writing setback to decades of professional work in psychology, hospice care, and healing touch, Leigh shares how lived experience, perseverance, and compassion shaped both her voice as a writer and the emotional depth of her story. Together, they discuss class divides, family systems, grief, love, and what it truly means to come home to yourself. Key Takeaways: Stories sometimes wait for us to be ready. Leigh’s novel emerged decades after its first seed was planted—only after life experience gave her the depth it required.  Resilience is one of a writer’s greatest characteristics. From harsh editorial feedback to vision loss and countless rewrites, perseverance made publication possible.  Fiction and psychology are deeply intertwined. Leigh’s background in counseling and school psychology informs her nuanced portrayal of family systems, trauma, and growth.  Class divides still shape American communities. Journey Back to You uses a Pennsylvania steel town to explore “haves” and “have-nots” with empathy and realism. Hospice work teaches us how to live. Bearing witness at the end of life deepened Leigh’s understanding of humanity, grief, and connection.  Publishing doesn’t have one right path. Leigh chose a hybrid publishing model to get her story into the world—and keep writing the next ones. Healing is both personal and communal. The novel’s central journey mirrors Leigh’s belief that growth happens through relationships, not in isolation.  Buy Journey Back to You Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rJ6sMr Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798897470181 Connect with Leigh Website: https://www.hilltownseries.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighshalloway/ 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. #JourneyBackToYou #AuthorInterview #WomenWriters #HealingThroughStory #RomancePlus #WritingLife #DebutNovel #ClassAndCommunity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min

  6. MAR 22

    The Infinity Within: Kris Land on Souls, Cheat Codes, and the Game of Life

    “Maybe what Jesus really wanted was to show us what we’re all capable of—and that we’ve simply forgotten our own power.” — Kris Land In this mind‑expanding conversation, Mike sits down with author, spiritual thinker, and serial entrepreneur Kris Land to explore the provocative ideas behind his book The Infinity Within. Kris shares his extraordinary lifelong experiences—from childhood out‑of‑body moments to a near‑death incident that shattered his assumptions about reality. Along the way, he offers a bold framework for understanding the soul, reincarnation, emotion as the driver of existence, and life as a multidimensional game designed for growth. Whether you're spiritually curious or simply love a conversation that stretches the imagination, this one is a ride. Key Takeaways: A lifetime of unusual experiences shaped Kris’s worldview—including early out‑of‑body events and a near‑death experience that provided “physical proof” something deeper was happening.  Kris sees life as a game that souls choose to play—complete with rules, turns, and the challenge of experiencing emotion within time.  Forgetfulness is part of the design: In Kris’s model, souls agree to “forget” their abilities so they can meaningfully experience joy, loss, fear, and growth. Synchronicities aren’t coincidences—he believes we orchestrate encounters for mutual learning, often without conscious awareness. Writing The Infinity Within shifted his entire understanding of spirituality, especially the possibility that Jesus acted more as teacher than pedestal.  The book blends fiction and memoir through the character Gabe and mentor Elias, inviting readers to question their beliefs rather than adopt his. The audiobook narrator story is wild—a renowned voice actor paused all other projects to record Kris’s book after reading just 15 minutes. Buy The Infinity Within Amazon: https://amzn.to/4tO4fRj Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798765262016 Connect with Kris Website: https://krisland.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheInfinityWithin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinfinitywithin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_infinity_within_me/ 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. #TheInfinityWithin #KrisLand #SpiritualAwakening #AuthorInterview #UncorkingAStory #Consciousness #SoulJourney #PersonalTransformation #worldreligions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 7m

  7. MAR 10

    Healing, History, and the Power of Story with Jane Loeb Rubin

    "Writing made me feel like I mattered — like I was taking up space in the universe that could be shared..” In this episode, Mike uncorks the story of historical fiction author Jane Loeb Rubin, whose career as a writer began with an unexpected catalyst: an ovarian cancer diagnosis. What started as a therapeutic memoir evolved into a multi‑book, award‑winning series exploring immigrant life, women’s rights, early medical practices, and the tumultuous decades that shaped modern America. Jane shares how uncovering her great‑grandmother Tilly’s forgotten story led her deep into history — from 19th‑century New York tenements to the battlefields and hospitals of World War I, and forward into Prohibition‑era Catskills and the cultural revolution of the 1960s. This episode is perfect for fans of historical fiction, family‑rooted storytelling, and the intersection of medicine, resilience, and creativity. Key Takeaways: How a cancer diagnosis launched Jane’s writing journey, beginning with a memoir that helped her process trauma and preserve her legacy for future generations. The rediscovery of her great‑grandmother Tilly, whose lost history inspired a trilogy exploring immigrant life, women’s health, and societal constraints in the late 1800s.  An inside look at Jane’s meticulous world‑building, from New York’s tenements to WWI medical units, blending her healthcare background with her passion for history. The surprising role of WWI in America’s “melting pot,” including Jane’s research into immigrant soldiers and real letters that shaped her storytelling.  A preview of Mayhem in the Mountains, a Prohibition‑era story featuring runaway children, Catskills farmland, gangsters, and local clashes with the KKK. Why writing remains therapeutic for Jane, keeping her grounded, purposeful, and creatively energized as she continues work on book five.  The cultural and personal forces driving her next novel, which journeys into the 1960s–70s to explore women’s changing roles amid seismic social shifts.  Explore Jane’s Books Amazon: https://amzn.to/4stLy4b Connect with Jane Website: https://www.janeloebrubin.com/ X: twitter.com/LoebRubin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janeloebrubinauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janeloebrubin/ 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. #HistoricalFiction #AuthorInterview #WomensHistory #OvarianCancerAwareness #ImmigrantStories #WWIHistory #ProhibitionEra #BookPodcast #WritingJourney #CreativeHealing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    41 min

  8. MAR 3

    Surviving Hijacking: Mimi Nichter on Trauma, Silence, and “Hostage”

    “The more you unpack something—or uncork it—the less power it holds over you.” In this powerful episode of Uncorking a Story, host Mike Carlon sits down with cultural and medical anthropologist Mimi Nichter, whose new memoir Hostage revisits the harrowing 1970 hijacking that changed her life forever. Now a professor emerita and award‑winning anthropologist, Mimi opens up about the 21 days she spent as a hostage in Jordan, how decades of silence shaped her identity, and why she finally chose to share her story more than 50 years later. This conversation dives deep into trauma, resilience, memory, and the healing power of storytelling—making it a must‑listen for memoir lovers, history buffs, and anyone fascinated by the inner mechanics of survival. Key Takeaways: How a 1970 hijacking led to the first use of airport metal detectors and reshaped air travel safety worldwide. Why Mimi kept the trauma silent for decades—and how cultural expectations around women’s stories contributed to that silence. What it means to remember: Mimi’s process of uncovering a long‑hidden box of artifacts and confronting the depth of her own memories. The surprising role of children in her survival during the hostage crisis, and how caring for them helped her manage fear. Trauma, resilience, and healing: why writing Hostage became an emotional but liberating journey. How reconnecting with fellow hostages 50 years later reopened conversations and fostered communal healing. Why her memoir matters now, in a world where hostage‑taking remains tragically relevant. Buy HOSTAGE: A Memoir of Terrorism, Trauma, and Resilience Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NT2P7Q Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781640126848 Connect with Mimi Website: https://www.miminichter.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miminichter/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mimi-nichter-30673313/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/MimiNichter 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. #MimiNichter #HostageMemoir #UncorkingAStory #Hijacking1970 #TraumaHealing #MemoirWriting #AuthorInterview #ResilienceStories #Anthropology #SurvivingTrauma #TrueStoryBooks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    42 min
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4.9
out of 5
66 Ratings

About

Listen in to Uncorking a Story, where we pop the cork on hidden narratives and delve deep into the brilliant minds of your favorite authors. Get ready to unlock the magic behind your favorite books, one unforgettable story at a time. Hit that subscribe button and never miss a sip of inspiration!

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Carlon
  • Years Active
    2012 - 2026
  • Episodes
    465
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Uncorking a Story, 2026
  • Show Website
    Uncorking a Story