Uncorking a Story

Uncorking a Story

By Michael CarlonComedySociety & CultureArtsBooks
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Uncorking a Story episodes

  • Write from your Heart, with Karen White

    In this podcast episode, Mike interviews Karen White, a successful author of Southern women's fiction with a paranormal twist. Karen shares her journey as a writer and how she got started in the industry. She emphasizes the importance of reading and writing consistently to improve one's craft. Karen also talks about the influence of her fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Anderson, who encouraged her to pursue writing. She discusses how she incorporates humor and history into her books and how her latest series, the Royal Street series, is different from her previous works. 


    Karen also opens up about the challenges she faced last year with the passing of her father and her daughter's wedding. She shares how she copes with difficult times and relies on her supportive friends in the writing community. The conversation ends on a lighthearted note as Karen talks about her love for ghost stories and how it inspired some elements in her books. 


    Meet Karen White

    Karen is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty-two novels, including the Tradd Street series, The Shop on Royal Street, The Last Night in London, Dreams of Falling, The Night the Lights Went Out, Flight Patterns, The Sound of Glass, A Long Time Gone, and The Time Between. She joins me today to discuss her latest book in the Royal Street Series, The House on Prytania. Welcome to uncorking a Story Karen.


    Key Topics:

    00:00:00 Introduction To Karen White 

    00:04:04 The Importance Of Reading And Thanking Teachers as A Writer.

    00:06:26 The Importance Of Perseverance And Support as a Writer

    00:09:54 Overview Of The Royal Street Series 

    00:13:31 Importance Of Stepping Outside Of Your Writing Comfort Zone And Indulging In Exciting Ideas

    00:17:54 Fond Memories Of Watching Dallas With Friends In London Before Streaming Era

    00:20:26 Nostalgia For Old Forms Of Entertainment, Fond Memories Of 80s Music.

    00:23:07 How to get in touch with Karen White


    Buy The House on Prytania

    Amazon: https://amzn.to/3H56Bol

    Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593334621


    Connect With Karen

    Website: https://www.karen-white.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenwhitewrite/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenwhiteauthor

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarenWhiteWrite

    TikToc: https://www.tiktok.com/@karenwhitewrite

     

    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.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    28 min
  • Standing Out, with Kristina Lucia

    Have you ever felt like, at times, you are the black sheep of your family? You know, those times when you question why you are so different from everyone else in your life or even your community? Many of us who turn to the arts have a little bit of the outcast in us for a variety of reasons, but I think the most common are that we just see the world differently than others and that we experience our feelings in more intense ways. I know that today’s guest, Kristina Lucia, feels the same way because we talked about it at length in our engaging conversation.

    Meet Kristina Lucia

    Kristina is an artist, creator, and author who ignites the imaginations of children and their parents through her limited edition animals and touching storybooks. Her humble beginnings in a small farm town where there was only one traffic light sparked her creativity at a young age and her adopted home of New York City keeps her inspired daily. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her life as well as her books which include the Bella Lucia Book Series. 


    Key Topics:

    1. How Kristina’s talent for art at a very young age paved the way for her becoming a children’s book author and illustrator.
    2. Why Kristina felt as if she didn’t belong while she was growing up in a small farm town.
    3. How and when Kristina realized she was a Writer (with a capital W).
    4. Making the transition from corporate life on Wall Street to making a living as an entrepreneur and artist.
    5. How Kristina feels the presence of both her mother and her grandmother in her life, long after they’ve passed.
    6. A special offer for Uncorking a Story listeners.



      7. Buy Kristina’s Books:

      Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zVZHxJ

      Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781959959007


      Connect With Kristina

      Website: https://cccokl.com/

      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccc_of_kristina_lucia/

      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristina.andrews.77

      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinalandrews/

       

      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.


      Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

      52 min
    7. A Call to Action, with Kenneth Nixon Jr.

      If there is one thing I’ve noticed that all pastors share in common, it’s the ability to tell a story, and Rev. Kenneth Nixon is no different. Kenneth joined me to talk about his debut memoir Born Into Crisis in which he discusses the necessary steps to healing and breaking free from the cycles of family traumas. Drawing from his own experience with dysfunctional family dynamics, Kenneth uses his story to call attention to the need for systemic change in our mental health system. 

      Meet Kenneth Nixon

      Kenneth Nixon is a pastor, community organizer, and mental health advocate. He knows firsthand what it means to navigate personal mental health challenges while also navigating a broken system on behalf of a loved one. Kenneth speaks out about the need for reform in the mental health system, and works to improve the lives of those affected by mental illness. He also is the founder of the non-profit justice organization called Justice Now.


      Key Topics:


      1. How his personal experiences as a child of a mentally ill parent speaks to larger issues in the mental health care system.
      2. The importance of building intentional relationships – creating foundations of trust and respect – to help inform and support systemic change.
      3. The critical role that Kenneth’s father played in his life.
      4. How meeting others with similar family backgrounds have brought him closer to his faith and inspired him to persevere in his mission to advocate for those living with mental illness and their families.
      5. Support systems and resources for people who have family members with mental health issues.
      6. Understanding generational and inherited trauma.
      7. Decriminalization of mental illness.
      8. His calls to action and advocacy.
      9. Writing about past traumas as a path to healing.



        10. Buy Born Into Crisis:

        Amazon: https://amzn.to/3nRuM2C

        Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781950476558


        Connect With Kenneth

        Website: https://authorkennethnixon.com/

        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenneth_nixonjr/

        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkennethnixonjr

         

        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.


        Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

        36 min
      10. Woman in the Field, with Brittany Butler

        When she was in high school, Brittany Butler didn’t have dreams of working for the Central Intelligence Agency—she was a cheerleader and was in beauty pageants. Nevertheless, she had a successful career at the CIA and is now working hard to promote human rights for Afghan women and girls while also setting the record straight of what it's really like to be a female spy.

        Meet Brittany Butler

        Brittany spent nine years as a targeting officer within the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, Counterterrorism Center. Both at Langley and on temporary assignments in the Middle East, Brittany spearheaded operational efforts to achieve some of the most sensitive foreign intelligence objectives abroad. She has both first-hand knowledge of targeting methodologies used in the recruitment of spies and extensive field experience in working with foreign liaisons to discover and apprehend terrorists abroad. She is a staunch advocate for women’s rights in the Middle East and has worked for human rights campaigns in Afghanistan to protect and promote the rights of disenfranchised Afghan women and girls. Today, she assists Afghan refugees by helping them thrive within her local community.

        She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her career and debut novel, The Syndicate Spy, which weaves a story of fact and fiction, telling the true story of female intelligence officers who stand on their laurels of intellect and skill to see beyond religious and cultural barriers to find what unites, rather than what divides. 


        Key Topics:


        1. The backstory for how Brittany came to work for the CIA.
        2. Why she feels so passionate about protecting the rights of Afghan women and girls.
        3. The inspiration behind her debut novel, The Syndicate Spy.
        4. What it’s really like being a female spy.
        5. Surprising facts about the life of spies in general.


          6. Buy The Syndicate Spy:

          Amazon:https://amzn.to/40CzhfL

          Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798886450248


          Connect With Brittany

          Website: https://brittanycbutler.com/    

          Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/formerspy1/

          Twitter: https://twitter.com/Formerspy1           

          TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@formerspy1?lang=en

           

          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.


          Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

          26 min
        6. Give Yourself Permission, with Jane Healey

          Jane Healey isn’t just a successful author, she also has great taste in TV. During the course of this entertaining conversation, I uncorked her love for The Greatest American Hero, which took us on a fun tangent. Believe it or not, I was walking on air after that.

          Meet Jane Healey

          Jane is the author of The Secret Stealers and The Beantown Girls, a Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, running, cooking, and going to the beach. She joins me today to talk about her career and latest book Good Night from Paris.

          Key Topics:


          1. Giving herself permission to take the time to practice writing.
          2. Advice that you have to be bad at writing before you can become good.
          3. The importance of receiving quality feedback and knowing how to take it.
          4. How to find resources for becoming a better writer without spending lots of money. 
          5. Getting inspired for her 4th novel while writing her third.
          6. Luck and timing when it comes to publishing.
          7. Her advice to not don’t stop knocking on doors.
          8. Knowing that writing is a craft and publishing is a business.



            9. Buy Good Night from Paris

            Amazon:https://amzn.to/40flvQf

            Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781662505294


            Connect With Jane

            Website: https://janehealey.com/

            Amazon: https://amzn.to/3z4pvHr

            Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healeyjane/

            YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRNs8TkPdvXXCG-ZZzcvxMA

            Podcast: https://www.historicalhappyhour.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 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.


            Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

            30 min
          9. The Real Bob Crane, with Carol Ford

            Like many people of my generation, I grew up watching Hogan’s Heroes in reruns. Also like many people of my generation, I was shocked that Bob Crane, Colonel Hogan himself, met such a violent end, likely a result of his extracurricular hobby of documenting every aspect of his life on camera—any by every aspect, I mean EVERY aspect. This guy was ahead of his time when it came to documenting (consensually) the most intimate moments in his life. When his official biographer, Carol Ford, contacted me about appearing on Uncorking a Story, I jumped at the chance.


            Meet Carol Ford

            Carol has worked in the publishing industry since 1997 and is the primary author of Bob Crane: The Definitive Biography. A portion of the profits from Bob Crane’s biography is donated to various charities in Bob’s memory, while the balance of author proceeds go toward furthering efforts on Bob Crane’s behalf. 


            Key Topics:


            1. Carol’s love of writing from an early age.
            2. The role encouragement played in paving the way for a career in publishing.
            3. How she became fascinated with Bob Crane’s life.
            4. Why she and her co-authors wanted to tell Bob’s story.
            5. What most people don’t know about Bob Crane.


              6. Buy Bob Crane: The Definitive Biography

              Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JUUdJr

              Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781943201044


              Connect With Carol

              Website: https://www.vote4bobcrane.org/

              Website: https://www.carolmford.com/

              Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmford714/

              Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carol.ford.378

              LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-ford-7414399/

               

              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.


              Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

              1 hr 7 min
            6. Let it Be, with Lauren DeStefano

              Just like the classic Let it Be by The Beatles, author Lauren Destefano shares many words of wisdom for authors in today’s episode of Uncorking a Story.


              Meet Lauren DeStefano

              Lauren DeStefano lives in Connecticut, where she was born and raised. When she’s not writing thrillers, she’s listening to true crime podcasts and crocheting way too many blankets. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her career and latest thriller, How I’ll Kill You. 


              Key Topics:


              1. 100 rejections until she found her agent.
              2. Why having one published novel under your belt doesn’t guarantee future success.
              3. The importance of authenticity when writing.
              4. How to navigate genre switching.
              5. The importance of having a support circle.
              6. Why offering support is so critical for authors.
              7. Why it is important to consider critical feedback, even if it is not what you want to hear.
              8. Why it is so important to trust your agent and consider that they may know your voice better than you do.


                9. Buy How I’ll Kill You

                Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YHWU52

                Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593438305


                Connect With Lauren

                Website: https://laurendestefano.com/

                Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurendestefanoauthor/ 


                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.


                Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

                31 min
              9. Loose Cannons, with Susan Reinhardt

                Susan and I have three things in common; we are authors, we have a great sense of humor, and we both root against Duke basketball regardless of who they are playing against (Sorry John Nardone and Brent McGoldrick but that buzzer beater by Laeettner against UConn in 1990 cemented my dislike of your alma mater). 


                Meet Susan Reinhardt

                Susan’s book Chimes from a Cracked Southern Belle won the Independent Publisher Book Award for “Best Regional Fiction,” and Tantor Media recently bought the audio rights. She joined me today to talk about her latest book, The Beautiful Misfits. 


                Key Topics:


                1. Disobeying her father and pursuing journalism over nursing.
                2. How to bounce between fiction, nonfiction, and back to fiction.
                3. How beauty can come from tragedy.
                4. What to do when your agent can’t sell your manuscript.
                5. The story behind her latest novel, The Beautiful Misfits.


                  6. Buy The Beautiful Misfits

                  Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EJCFwU

                  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781646033041


                  Connect With Susan

                  Website: https://susanreinhardt.com/

                  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanReinhardtAuthor

                  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SusanGReinhardt

                  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susangambrellreinhardt/

                  e-Mail: [email protected]


                  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.


                  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

                  51 min
                6. Nine Times! With Audrey Carlan

                  I’ve interviewed many authors who were signed to muti-book deals very early in their careers—typically two or three book deals. Today’s guest on Uncorking a Story, Audrey Carlan, must be an overachiever because her book deal was for twenty-seven. You read that right—nine times the size of a “good” book deal. Nine Times! Take that Mrs. Bueller.

                   

                  Meet Audrey Carlan

                  Audrey Carlan is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She writes wicked hot love stories that are designed to give the reader a romantic experience that's sexy, sweet, and so hot your e-reader might melt. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her career and latest book, The Marriage Auction: Season One, Volumes One—Four.


                  Key Topics:


                  1. Finding success as a writer later in life.
                  2. Building a following using Kindle Vella.
                  3. What to do when signing a 27 book deal.
                  4. The key to writing erotic romance novels.
                  5. Why it is so important to read the genre you want to write in.


                    6. Buy The Marriage Auction: Season One, Volume Four.

                    Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IIIaNd

                    Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781957568546


                    Connect With Audrey

                    Website: https://audreycarlan.com/

                    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AudreyCarlan/

                    Twitter: https://twitter.com/AudreyCarlan

                    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audreycarlan/?hl=en

                    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@audreycarlan


                    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.


                    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

                    55 min
                  6. Building Wealth, with Tom Suvansri

                    Many of us define wealth by what we can quantify in our bank accounts, but today’s guest on Uncorking a Story, Tom Suvansri, thinks that’s way too limiting. His story is a wakeup call for anyone who thinks wealth can be measured solely in dollars and cents.

                    Meet Tom Suvansri

                    Tom graduated from Penn State University with an MBA in Finance after earning his BA in Biology from the College of New Jersey. Prior to starting his firm Perennial pride, Tom spent 15 years in the Pharmaceuticals industry. He joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about his book Wealth Beyond the Numbers: A Simple by Powerful Financial and Life Plan for Living Your Best Life.


                    Key Topics:

                    1. How a check of his credit report led to Tom realizing his mother had been borrowing large sums of money in his name without his knowledge.
                    2. Why Tom has made it his mission to help other people avoid the traps of debt and build financial security.
                    3. Why Tom believes real wealth isn’t just monetary, but having a purpose in life.
                    4. Why Tom talks to his clients about meaning prior to helping them with their finances.
                    5. Key principles to leading a wealth filled life.



                      6. Buy Wealth Beyond the Numbers: A Simple by Powerful Financial and Life Plan for Living Your Best Life on Tom’s Website


                      Connect With Tom

                      Website: https://perennialpride.com/

                      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suthee.suvansri

                      Twitter: https://twitter.com/perennialpride

                      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialpride/


                      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.


                      Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

                      47 min

                    About Uncorking a Story

                    From the publisher's feed

                    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,…