Uncorking a Story Podcast

Uncorking a Story

Hosted ByMike Carlon

Stories influence, teach and inspire us, but what about the storytellers who create them? Uncorking a Story profiles storytellers to uncover how their background and life experiences influence the stories they create. We learn what motivates them, their path to success, and what fuels them to keep creating. It all starts by asking one simple question, where does your story begin? Welcome to uncorking a story. All of the books promoted on Uncorking a Story can be viewed and purchased here: https://bookshop.org/shop/UncorkingaStory

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Writing Between the Lines of History, with Barbara Southard

April 22, 2025 MPN Uncorking a Story 0 Comments
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“The whole idea of historical fiction is to fill in the gaps in the emotional feeling of the participants in the crisis.” — Barbara Southard

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, historian and debut novelist Barbara Southard shares the emotional and intellectual journey behind her novel Unruly Human Hearts. Drawing from her academic roots and a deep fascination with 19th-century America, Barbara reimagines the infamous Beecher-Tilton adultery trial through the eyes of Elizabeth Tilton, the woman at the heart of the scandal. We explore gender dynamics, moral codes, and the role of historical fiction in giving voice to those left out of traditional narratives.

Key Themes:

  1. The emotional power of historical fiction to tell untold stories
  2. The complexity of Victorian gender roles and societal expectations
  3. The double standard in “free love” and public morality
  4. How historical fiction bridges the gaps left by historical record
  5. Challenges of transitioning from academic writing to novel-writing
  6. The enduring relevance of women’s voices in historical scandals
  7. How empathy shapes character-driven storytelling



Buy: Unruly Human Hearts:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bK1Ajb

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647428303

Connect with Barbara

Website: https://www.barbarasouthard.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbara.southard45/

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

Connect with Mike

Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/

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#BarbaraSouthard #UnrulyHumanHearts #HistoricalFiction #VictorianScandal #WomenInHistory #DebutAuthor #BeecherTilton #FictionWithFeeling #UncorkingAStory

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