Uncorking a Story

Uncorking a Story

By Michael CarlonComedySociety & CultureArtsBooks
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Uncorking a Story episodes

  • Sci-Fi, Superheroes, and the Unknown, with Caitlyn Grabenstein

    “I wanted to write a character who was a relatable superhero—someone a woman today might connect with, not a god or an alien, but a real person with real struggles.” — Caitlyn Grabenstein


    In this episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with author and artist Caitlin Grabenstein, the creative force behind the surreal collage brand Cult Class whose work has been commissioned by Netflix, Adobe, Glamour, and Porsche. Caitlin joins me to talk about her debut novel One Red Arrow, Part One—a sci-fi thriller that blends creature-feature suspense, relatable superheroes, and a deeply human exploration of anxiety, transformation, and resilience. We dive into her artistic journey from folk music to visual art to fiction, her fascination with aliens, and what it takes to self-publish a story that pushes beyond the tired tropes of modern superhero films.

    Key Takeaways:

    1. Creative Evolution – From writing folk songs to creating surreal visual art to publishing a sci-fi novel, Caitlin shares how creativity takes many forms.
    2. A Relatable Superhero – Why she wanted to write a multidimensional female protagonist who reflects the real struggles of modern women.
    3. The Fascination with Aliens & the Unknown – How childhood nights watching obscure TV shows with her dad fueled her art and writing.
    4. The Challenges of Writing a Novel – Three years of work taught Caitlin just how difficult—and cathartic—it is to build a compelling plot.
    5. Indie Publishing & Vulnerability – Why she turned to Kickstarter, the role of reviews, and the vulnerability of putting a book into the world.
    6. The Role of Art in Storytelling – From maps of fictional towns to chapter illustrations, Caitlin integrates art into her narrative universe.
    7. Depth Over Tropes – Her frustration with formulaic superhero stories and her mission to bring more psychological and emotional complexity into the genre.


      Buy One Read Arrow Part 1:

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

      Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798999128713

       

      Connect with Caitlyn

      Website: https://www.clgdesignco.com/

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

      Facebook: 


      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 #CaitlinGrabenstein #OneRedArrow #IndieAuthor #WomenInSciFi #SuperheroFiction #CreativeJourney #AuthorInterview #WritingCommunity #SciFiThriller



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      36 min
    8. Vanishing Act: Jerry Jamison on True Crime, Fake Deaths, and the Art of Reinvention

      “From the very outset, people thought, ‘This can’t possibly be true.’ But it was—and the deeper we dug, the stranger it became.” — Jerry Jamison 


      In this episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with award-winning advertising copywriter turned novelist Jerry Jamison, whose latest book Vanishing Act unearths one of history’s most shocking forgotten stories: a career con man, a faked death, and a doomed airliner. With decades of experience shaping national ad campaigns and over 30 published novels, Jerry brings both craft and tenacity to his storytelling. Together we explore the bizarre true life of Dr. Robert Spears—a fraudster who lived under 26 aliases, posed as a doctor, ran an abortion empire in 1950s Texas, and ultimately attempted to vanish in the most chilling way imaginable.


      Key Takeaways:

      1. From Copywriting to Crime Writing – How Jerry’s advertising career sharpened his discipline and storytelling drive.
      2. Unearthing Forgotten History – The shocking Life Magazine headline that sparked Vanishing Act.
      3. The Master Con Man – Dr. Robert Spears’ web of scams, aliases, and manipulations across decades.
      4. The Abortion Underground – A candid look at how hidden medical practices shaped mid-20th century America.
      5. Murder in the Skies – How a plot to fake a death led to the destruction of an entire airliner.
      6. The Business of Being an Author – Why perseverance, rejection, and belief in your work matter more than luck.
      7. Cultural Memory and Forgetting – What Spears’ story teaches us about today’s news cycles.


        8. Buy Vanishing Act: A Crashed Airliner, Faked Death, and Backroom Abortions

        Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kUsR5i

        Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781734757255


        Connect with Jerry

        Website: https://jerryjamison.com/

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


        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 #JerryJamison #VanishingAct #TrueCrimeBooks #AuthorInterview #HistoricalTrueCrime #WritingCommunity #BookPodcast



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        42 min
      8. The Gift of Goodbye: Edward Di Gangi on Love, Loss, and Adoption’s Untold Stories

        “This is not about rejection—it’s about sacrifice.” – Edward Di Gangi


        Adopted at birth and raised as an only child, Edward Di Gangi never sought the details of his adoption—until a quiet moment in a New Jersey cemetery at age 69 set him on a journey of discovery. That path led to his acclaimed memoir The Gift Best Given, and now to his latest work, Gliding Through Goodbye. In this deeply empathetic conversation, Ed shares how he stepped into his birth mother’s shoes to imagine her emotional world, drawing on interviews with women who placed children for adoption during the pre-Roe “baby scoop” era. The result is a moving tribute to courage, sacrifice, and the healing power of telling the truth.


        Key Takeaways:

        1. A moment that changed everything: How a quiet reflection at his adoptive family’s gravesite inspired Ed to finally uncover the truth about his origins.
        2. The remarkable life behind the secret: Discovering that his birth mother was a celebrated ice skater touring the world in the 1940s and 1950s, and how that shaped the story.
        3. The emotional weight of silence: First-hand accounts from women of the “baby scoop” era reveal the lasting shame, secrecy, and grief of placing a child for adoption.
        4. Empathy as a writing tool: How Ed immersed himself in interviews and his mother’s sparse notes to authentically recreate her diary and inner world.
        5. The craft challenge of authenticity: Why writing in his birth mother’s imagined voice demanded restraint, historical accuracy, and deep emotional honesty.
        6. Reframing the adoption narrative: Moving away from a perception of rejection toward understanding adoption as an act of profound sacrifice.
        7. The healing power of storytelling: How sharing personal histories—no matter how painful—can lift the burden of secrecy and build compassion between adoptees, birth parents, and the public.

          Buy Gliding Through Goodbye

          Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UsozY2

          Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781734757255


          Connect with Edward

          Website: https://www.digangiauthor.com/

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

          Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052046681375


          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.


          #adoptionstories #memoir #authorinterview #babyscooperas #writingcommunity #familysecrets #podcastinterview #GlidingThroughGoodbye #EdwardDiGangi #UncorkingaStory





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          37 min
        8. The Mother of All Decisions: Betsy Armstrong on Grief, Growth, and Midlife Motherhood

          “It took me 12 years to write it and get it to a publisher… writing a book was a lot harder than an Ironman.”


          In this heartfelt episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with Betsy Armstrong—writer, mom, athlete, and philanthropist—to explore the winding path that led her to authorship. From losing her mother at 23, to navigating midlife, infertility, and ultimately adopting two children from Russia, Betsy’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and radical love. Her memoir, The Mother of All Decisions, dives into the legacy of mother loss and the power of choosing motherhood in her late 40s. Whether you’re grieving, writing your way through pain, or redefining your life at midlife, this conversation will move and motivate you.


          Key Takeaways:

          1. Grief can be a catalyst for personal transformation—if we’re brave enough to face it.
          2. Writing is not just creative expression; it’s a powerful tool for healing.
          3. Adopting at midlife brought unexpected challenges—and immeasurable joy.
          4. It’s never too late to become the person you’re meant to be.
          5. Even careers that don’t seem “creative” (like nonprofit work or sales) can build skills for storytelling.
          6. Memoir writing takes time, support, and revision—it really does take a village.
          7. You don’t need to have all the answers to begin writing—just a willingness to be honest.

            8. Buy The Mother of All Decisions: A Memoir of Mother Loss, Legacy, and Adopting Kids in Midlife.

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

            Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647428938


            Connect with Betsy

            Website: https://www.betsyarmstrong.com/

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

            Facebook: 


            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 #BetsyArmstrong #MotherLoss #MemoirWriting #MidlifeMotherhood #GriefToGrowth #WritersOfInstagram #AdoptionStory #CreativeHealing



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            51 min
          8. The Wake-Up Call: How a Near-Death Experience Repurposed Lisa Labozzo’s Life

            “I flipped twice… my seatbelt wrapped around my neck, so my airway was cut off and I was blue… Doctors called my family in for my last rites that evening.” — Lisa Labozzo


            In this moving episode of Uncorking a Story, Reiki Master and intuitive healer Lisa Labozzo shares how a life-altering car accident became the catalyst for a spiritual awakening. Once a high-powered fashion executive, Lisa now devotes her life to healing others through energy work and divine intuition. We talk about trauma, loss, transformation, and the invisible hands that guide us when we’re ready to listen.


            Key Takeaways:

            1. The Wake-Up Call: A devastating car crash halted Lisa’s fast-paced corporate life and opened the door to her spiritual path.
            2. Healing Through Energy: Her introduction to Reiki during recovery ignited her intuition and transformed how she helps others heal—emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
            3. Messages from Beyond: Lisa shares profound stories of clients who’ve found comfort and closure through intuitive messages from loved ones on the other side.
            4. Loss and Grace: After losing her brother, father, and mother in close succession, Lisa turned grief into purpose, guided by a deeper knowing.
            5. Listening to the Signs: Lisa reflects on how she once ignored signs from the universe—and what happens when you finally tune in.
            6. Writing as a Path to Healing: We discuss the therapeutic power of writing your story and the resistance many feel when trauma remains unresolved.
            7. Living in Alignment: Lisa now follows a path of spiritual service, helping others discover their own gifts, release what no longer serves them, and embrace healing.

              Connect with Lisa

              Website: https://www.healinghandandheart.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 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.


              #ReikiHealing #SpiritualAwakening #IntuitiveHealer #EnergyHealing #UncorkingAStory #TraumaToTransformation #NearDeathExperience #HealingJourney #LisaLaBozzo #GriefAndHealing #MemoirInTheMaking



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              57 min
            8. From Real Estate to Real Suspense: How Kaira Rouda Found Her Voice

              “I realized I couldn’t write sex scenes, so I went darker. Turns out, murder is more my thing.” — Kaira Rouda

              Bestselling author Kaira Rouda returns to Uncorking a Story to talk about her latest psychological thriller Jill Is Not Happy—a twisted, funny, and disturbing journey through a seemingly normal marriage gone off the rails. Kaira shares her journey from marketing executive to novelist, her struggles with writing romance (spoiler: no sex scenes), and how she found her true voice writing deeply flawed characters with secrets they’d kill to protect.

              Key Takeaways:

              1. From Biz to Books: Kaira’s writing journey began in childhood but was reignited after years in marketing, real estate, and publishing a business book for women entrepreneurs.
              2. Finding Her Genre: After an awkward foray into romance, she found her true voice writing domestic thrillers—starting with Best Day Ever.
              3. Jill’s Not Happy… and It Shows: Her latest book, Jill Is Not Happy, follows a couple on a National Parks road trip where shared secrets—and suppressed rage—drive the tension.
              4. Why We Love Marriage Thrillers: Rouda believes dark fiction lets us laugh at the dysfunction and say, “At least we’re not that bad.”
              5. Behind the Scenes in D.C.: She offers insight into congressional life from her time as a lawmaker’s spouse—and how that inspired The Widow.
              6. Cheddar Cheese Cravings and Cracker Barrel Confusion: Yes, there’s a cheese tangent. Yes, it’s delightful.
              7. Family of Creatives: Her son is a music producer and her daughter a screenwriter—both of whom keep her on her toes when adapting her own work for screen.


                8. Buy Jill is Not Happy

                Amazon: https://amzn.to/447n1s8

                Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798885281249


                Connect with KAira

                Website: https://kairarouda.com/

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

                X: https://x.com/KairaRouda

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

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


                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 #KairaRouda #JillIsNotHappy #DomesticThriller #MarriageThrillers #AuthorLife #WritersOfInstagram #SuspenseFiction #WomenWriters #PsychologicalThriller



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                36 min
              8. Behind the Music: A Survivor’s Story of Healing and Hope, with Rob Tonkin

                “The pain of carrying the weight of this secret for so long was more damaging than the reveal.” – Rob Tonkin

                At age 14, Rob Tonkin entered the world of radio and climbed his way to the top of the entertainment marketing industry, producing iconic events like the Honda Civic Tour. But behind the success was a lifetime of buried trauma, self-sabotage, and a quest for healing. In this revealing conversation, Rob discusses his bold new memoir Asshole: A Memoir, and how writing helped him unearth his truth, make peace with his past, and live more authentically.

                Key Takeaways:

                1. Early Start, Big Stage: Rob began in radio at 14 and eventually led the marketing powerhouse behind the Honda Civic Tour.
                2. Power of the Pen: What began as therapeutic journaling evolved into a deeply cathartic and revealing memoir.
                3. A Memoir of Many Meanings: The title Asshole is more than attention-grabbing—it’s a metaphor for generational trauma, industry toxicity, and self-reflection.
                4. Breaking the Silence: Rob bravely discusses being a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse and the long-term impact of secrecy.
                5. Healing Through Honesty: Taking accountability, sharing his truth, and letting go of anger proved to be the most liberating acts of his life.
                6. Behind the Velvet Curtain: Rob debunks the glamour of backstage life, revealing a world of burnout, trauma, and false personas.
                7. Why He Wrote the Book: If it helps even one person put down their metaphorical “trash bag” of trauma, it’s worth it.


                  8. Buy Asshole: A Memoir - Wild Stories of Trauma, Truths, and Transformation

                  Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TBIVh2


                  Connect with Rob

                  Website: https://www.robtonkin.com/

                  X: https://x.com/robtonkin_

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

                  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fb.rob.tonkin

                  Threads: https://www.threads.com/@robtonkin_

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


                  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 #RobTonkin #AssholeMemoir #HealingJourney #TraumaRecovery #EntertainmentIndustry #MaleSurvivors #Memoir #Authenticity #PodcastInterview





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                  57 min
                8. Secrets in the Shadows, with A.C. Adams

                  “Once you start understanding someone as a person, not a role, it’s impossible to make them a villain anymore.” — Christina Adams

                  Today’s episode of Uncorking a Story shines the light on co-authors Anthony and Christina Adams—writing as A.C. Adams—who unpack the personal odyssey that inspired their debut novel, Chasing Shadows. Fueled by Christina’s search for her vanished father and the shocking truth behind his secret double life, the couple shares how trauma, love, and forgiveness shaped both their storytelling and their souls. From Emmy-winning productions to Broadway dreams, this episode is a testament to creative healing.

                  Key Takeaways:

                  Art Imitates Life, Then Heals It: Chasing Shadows began as a real-life investigation into a father’s disappearance but evolved into a fictional exploration of abandonment, identity, and reconciliation.

                  Behind the Curtain of a Secret Life: Christina discovered her father had been a secret Catholic priest involved with an obscure Vatican-linked order—raising questions about faith, duty, and deception.

                  The Emotional Truth Matters More Than the Facts: Though inspired by real events, the novel focuses on emotional authenticity, exploring how trauma reshapes relationships and self-perception.

                  Creativity as Catharsis: Writing the novel served as a form of therapy for Christina, allowing her to transform betrayal into understanding and anger into empathy.

                  Screenwriters Set Free: For two industry veterans, novel writing offered a liberating shift from screenplay constraints—letting them dig deeper into character psychology and emotional nuance.

                  A Cinematic Blueprint in Book Form: With its visual storytelling and taut structure, Chasing Shadows was crafted to resonate as both literature and a future limited series.

                  Breaking the Publishing Mold: Their choice of a hybrid publisher allowed for creative control and a streamlined path to publication, reflecting a changing landscape in storytelling.


                  Buy Chasing Shadows

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

                  Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798885281249

                  YouTube Channel: @adams-entertainment-inc


                  Connect with AC Adams

                  Website: https://adams-entertainment.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 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.


                  #ChasingShadows #PodcastInterview #FamilySecrets #CreativeHealing #ACAdams #HybridPublishing #uncorkingastory #NovelToScreen #catholic



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                  45 min
                9. Rewriting Life’s Story, with Sam Woodruff

                  “You have to start walking the path before the path is revealed to you.” – Samantha Greene Woodruff

                  In this lively episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike sits down with bestselling author Samantha Greene Woodruff to unpack her unexpected journey from Nickelodeon executive to acclaimed historical fiction writer. Sam shares how yoga teacher training led to her first novel, how a fascination with lobotomy inspired The Lobotomist’s Wife, and why flexibility and courage are crucial for any writer. Along the way, they chat about music, karaoke, parenting, and what it takes to thrive in publishing today.

                  Key Takeaways:

                  1. Paths Aren’t Always Straight – Sam never dreamed of being a novelist; she found writing through yoga and staying open to new experiences.
                  2. History + Storytelling = Magic – Historical fiction lets Sam meld her love of research with creative freedom, breathing life into overlooked eras.
                  3. Research Smart, Not Just Hard – Sam learned to avoid research rabbit holes by looking up details as needed instead of overwhelming herself upfront.
                  4. Deadlines Build Discipline – Tight timelines taught Sam efficiency, even if they felt punishing at times.
                  5. The Author’s Business – Success today means seeing writing as a small business, from branding to marketing, especially since most authors get little publisher support.
                  6. The Power of Community – Sam finds the writing world uniquely supportive, with authors encouraging each other despite fierce competition.
                  7. Music Fuels Creativity – From Grateful Dead shows to karaoke renditions of “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” Sam’s love of music has always inspired her creative life.


                    Sam’s Novels

                    Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kZtM5p

                    Connect with Sam

                    Website: https://www.samanthawoodruff.com/

                    Instagram: ​​https://www.instagram.com/samgwoodruffauthor/

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

                    X: https://x.com/SWoodruffAuthor

                    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.

                    #SamWoodruff #HistoricalFiction #WritingCommunity #UncorkingAStory #AuthorsLife #TheLobotomistsWife #TheTradeOff #Publishing



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                    51 min
                  8. Casey Stengel, the Mets, and the Fight for NYC: A Conversation with Mark Galley

                    “There’s never been a movie or TV series about Casey Stengel—and he’s the most animated, fun-loving, Robin Williams-type of character ever. And I intend to change that.” — Mark Galley


                    In this very special episode of Uncorking a Story, I’m joined by Emmy-winning PA announcer for the NY Mets Colin Cosell—yes, that Cosell—as we welcome author, creative force, and lifelong storyteller Mark Galley. Mark takes us behind the scenes of his new book How the Worst Was Won, a comedic, heartfelt, and historically rich look at the birth of the New York Mets. From Casey Stengel’s quirks to the bizarre and beautiful chaos of the 1962 season, Mark makes the case for why this story belongs on the screen. And trust me—you’ll never think of “traded for yourself” the same way again.


                    Key Takeaways:

                    1. How the Worst Was Won started as a 900+ page screenplay before becoming a book.
                    2. Casey Stengel was more than a manager—he was the quirky, reluctant savior of the Mets franchise.
                    3. The 1962 Mets weren’t just bad—they were legendarily bad, in the most entertaining way possible.
                    4. The economic ripple effect of losing the Giants and Dodgers devastated NYC—until the Mets brought civic pride (and fans) back.
                    5. Mark built fictional characters based on real fans to represent the five archetypes of Mets fandom.
                    6. Colin Cosell draws powerful connections between the early Mets, the Savannah Bananas, and modern sports entertainment.


                      7. Buy How the Worst Was Won

                      Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jGdU67


                      Connect with Mark

                      Website: https://www.markgalley.com/amazin

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


                      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.


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                      41 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,…