Uncorking a Story

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

From Myths to Medicine: Dr. Benjamin Caplan on Cannabis

“There’s so much literature in cannabis… I’m kind of acting a little bit like a translator for the general public and for the medical community.” — Dr. Benjamin Caplan In this episode of “Uncorking a Story,” host Mike Carlon sits down with Dr. Benjamin Caplan, a renowned family physician and expert in medical cannabis. Over…

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Finding Freedom Through Love, Connection, and Writing

“I felt really alienated before, but when I started walking on the streets and all these people started sharing their stories, I slowly started to heal.” — Varuni Sinha In this compelling episode of “Uncorking a Story,” host Mike Carlon interviews Varuni Sinha, a New York-based writer and multimedia producer, about her transformative journey from…

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Writing Through Adversity with Ann Bancroft

“I wasn’t interested in writing about my own cancer journey, but I was interested in the idea of what if my situation had been flipped.” — Ann Bancroft In this heartfelt episode of “Uncorking a Story,” host Michael Carlon sits down with Ann Bancroft, a remarkable two-time breast cancer survivor who has made her literary…

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Healing through Story, with Holly LaBarbera

“Writing is like therapy; it reveals the soul and heals the heart.” — Holly LaBarbera In this episode of “Uncorking a Story,” Holly LaBarbera, an accomplished author and psychotherapist, takes us through her fascinating journey from childhood letter writing with her grandmother to becoming a published novelist. She shares how her career as a therapist…

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Unlocking the Subconscious, with Philip Cioffari

“Writing is like staying in shape; even when things aren’t going well, sitting at the desk and writing keeps you ready for the day when the right ideas and words come.” – Philip Cioffari Today we dive deep into the world of storytelling with special guest Philip Cioffari. Philip is a novelist, short story writer,…

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Music and Murder with Hannah Mary McKinnon

“I like the idea of thinking of it as a gift, although it certainly doesn’t feel like it at the time.” — Hannah Mary McKinnon In this episode of “Uncorking a Story,” host Michael Carlon welcomes back internationally bestselling author Hannah Mary McKinnon. Known for her gripping suspense novels and heartwarming holiday romantic comedies, Hannah…

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Going into the Closet, with Mark Ukra and Tara Mesalik MacMahon

“When your fears disappear, your dreams appear.” —Gamma, from ”Closet of Dreams.” In this episode, we dive into the enchanting world of childhood imagination and creative collaboration with brother-sister duo, Mark Ukra and Tara Masalaik McMahon. Join us as we explore their journey from a shared childhood closet of dreams to the creation of their…

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Don’t Hold Back, with Jasmine Gonzalez

“It’s okay to not be okay. Writing has been my way to let things out, to release the constriction of emotions, and to heal. I don’t hold back in my poetry, and I encourage others to find their own way to express and release their feelings.” – Jasmine Gonzalez In this episode of “Uncorking a…

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From Marketing Maven to Magical Storyteller, with Christina Bacilieri

“Magic finds us in our darkest times.” — Christina Bacilieri Christina Bacilieri’s life and career were profoundly shaped by her Italian grandmother and a dream that inspired her to write her first novel, “The Last Refuge.” In this episode, Christina shares her journey from a career in marketing to becoming a full-time writer, discussing the…

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Love, Loss, and Legacy, with Anna Monardo

“Marriage can hold more difficulty than you believe and still move forward and evolve into something positive.” – Anna Monardo How does an arranged marriage spanning continents and generations reveal the hidden strengths and vulnerabilities of a family, and what can it teach us about our own relationships and identities? Meet Anna Monardo Anna Monardo…

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