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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Helping Writers Find Their Voice: Jen Braaksma on Memoir and Meaning

December 30, 2025 MPN Uncorking a Story 0 Comments
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Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/

“Writing is work. It’s challenging, it’s hard—but it’s a skill, and it takes time. If you have patience with yourself, you’ll get there.” — Jen Braaksma

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with Jen Braaksma—former journalist, high school English teacher, and now full-time book coach—to talk about her journey from writing fiction to embracing memoir. Jen shares how her love of storytelling began in childhood, why she pivoted careers during the pandemic, and what she learned about vulnerability while writing her latest book, Befriending Betsy. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to write a memoir or how a book coach can transform your writing, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.

Key Themes:

  1. The power of persistence: Jen’s advice to her younger self—and to all writers—is simple: keep at it, even if it’s just a few minutes a day.
  2. Memoir vs. biography: Memoir isn’t just a timeline of events; it’s about introspection and writing from the scar, not the wound.
  3. The role of a book coach: Coaching isn’t just about editing words—it’s about guiding the person behind the story.
  4. Vulnerability matters: Writing Befriending Betsy taught Jen to embrace authenticity and share her own story.
  5. Healing through writing: Every memoirist Jen has worked with has experienced unexpected catharsis during the process.
  6. Writing is a skill: Like any craft, it takes time, patience, and practice—don’t expect perfection right away.
  7. Everyone’s story matters: You don’t need to be a celebrity to write a memoir that resonates.

Buy Befriending Betsy: A Memoir

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4iVNeQ5

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798896360209

Connect with Jen

Website: https://www.jenbraaksma.com/

Twitter: https://x.com/JenBraaksma

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

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/

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#UncorkingAStory #JenBraaksma #BookCoach #MemoirWriting #AuthorInterview #WritingTips #BefriendingBetsy #WritersLife

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