Mike Carlon is a qualitative researcher, focusing more on user-experience these days than general market research. His podcast, “Uncorking a Story,” launched in 2011. With 450 episodes and counting, new episodes are released Tuesdays … and sometimes Thursdays.

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?”

What inspired your podcast? 

When I launched my own qualitative research business, clients wanted examples of me interviewing, but I could not share tapes, since the research I was conducting was proprietary. So, I decided to start a podcast where I could showcase my interviewing skills. It worked, and clients saw me as a pioneer due to the podcast format (and it being 2011 and all). 

In those early days, there was no focus – I just found interesting people to interview. In 2013 I published my first novel and hired a publicist who recommended I use the podcast to interview some of their other authors, so we could cross promote our books. 

Once I started interviewing authors, publicists came out of the woodwork to have their clients on my show. I now get pitched authors every week and have no shortage of guests to choose from. Some highlights include Robin Cook and Tess Gerritsen, who are both well-known NYT Bestselling authors of medical thrillers. I consider the show in its current iteration as a masterclass in writing.

If you have more than one podcast, tell us about the others…

I do a bad movie review podcast with my brother called “Celluloid Zeroes,” but we are not very consistent with it.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started your first podcast?

I wish I had understood three things from day one:

First, time management is everything. Producing a podcast isn’t just recording a conversation—it’s scheduling guests, researching, editing, writing show notes, promoting episodes, and staying consistent. I underestimated the workload early on.

Second, I wish I knew how powerful a podcast can be for building a business. A podcast isn’t just content; it’s a relationship engine. It can open doors, establish credibility, and create a community around your work. Had I realized that sooner, I would have been more intentional about connecting the podcast to my broader goals—my writing, coaching, and consulting.

And finally, I wish I had invested earlier in better technical skills and equipment. Clear audio and tight editing make a big difference in how professional a show feels. Learning the craft of editing and upgrading my gear sooner would have accelerated the show’s growth.

But that’s the beauty of a long-running creative project—you grow with it, it grows with you, and everything you learn becomes part of the story.

What are your long-term podcast goals?

To build my platform as an author, to learn more about writing from bestselling authors, and to continue to build my interviewing business.

What is your podcast signoff?

Thank you so much for joining me on Uncorking a Story, and letting me uncork yours.

Share a fun fact about yourself or unique hobby.

I’m a twin and am the father of triplets. I’m also the author of 9 novels including my latest (and #1 New Release on Amazon) The Waiting Room.

Anything to Add?

Thanks for reading. All of the books promoted on Uncorking a Story can be viewed and purchased here: https://bookshop.org/shop/UncorkingaStory

To learn more, go to UncorkingAStory.com and Uncorking A Story on MPN. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikecarlon.