Uncorking a Story
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, one unforgettable story at a time. Hit that subscribe button and never miss a sip of inspiration!
Episodes
July 23, 2024 • 31 mins
"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 shares insights into her creative journey, her latest thriller "Only One Survives," and...
Mark as Played
July 16, 2024 • 35 mins
“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 heartwarming children's book series starting with Closet of Dreams.
Key Themes:
The...
Mark as Played
July 9, 2024 • 18 mins
"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 Story," we welcome Jasmine Gonzalez, a New York City-based poet whose work delves into the depths of mental health and trauma. Jasmine shares h...
Mark as Played
July 2, 2024 • 32 mins
"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 challenges of balancing creativity with practicality, and the magical influences that guide...
Mark as Played
June 25, 2024 • 55 mins
"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 was born in Pittsburgh, spent many years in New York City, and now lives in Omaha...
Mark as Played
June 18, 2024 • 38 mins
"Being chosen doesn't mean being whole; it means navigating a journey to find yourself.” — Adoptee Lisa Ann
In this heartfelt episode of "Uncorking a Story," host Mike Carlon welcomes Lisa Ann, the host of the "Wandering Tree Podcast." Lisa Ann shares her deeply personal story as an adoptee, discussing the complexities of identity, family, and the search for her biological roots. From the revelation of her adoption before kindergar...
Mark as Played
June 11, 2024 • 28 mins
"The idea of found family and the hope that you have a pod of people out there who will accept you for who you are is central to my story." — Mary Carol Moore
In today’s episode, Author Mary Carol Moore discusses her journey from being a food journalist to an accomplished novelist, inspired by her mother's legacy as a World War II era pilot. She shares insights into her latest novel, "A Woman's Guide to Search and Rescue," and the ...
Mark as Played
June 4, 2024 • 53 mins
"Poetry is a gift from the Divine, a voice from ancestors, expressing profound truths and deep emotions." - Lauren Martin
In today’s episode of Uncorking a Story we sit down with Lauren Martin, a psychotherapist, poet, and a devoted Ìyânífá. She shares her journey from discovering her poetic voice in sixth grade to compiling her latest collection, Night of the Hawk. Through a conversation that spans her experiences with shamanism, ...
Mark as Played
May 28, 2024 • 45 mins
"We have a lot to learn from them. It's really about the survival of the human spirit." - Dr. Stephanie Covington
In this informative episode of Uncorking a Story, we dive into the life and expertise of Stephanie Covington, Ph.D. who shares wisdom gained through her work with incarcerated women and reveals how they support each other in the most challenging of environments.
Meet Stephanie Covington
Dr. Stephanie S. Covington is an ...
Mark as Played
May 21, 2024 • 33 mins
“Be quick to forgive yourself. It's hard to do, but be quick to forgive people around you. We're going to disappoint ourselves, and people are going to disappoint us. Just forgive, get over it. Don’t let a mistake ruin a relationship—it's not worth it. The relationship is so much more.” — Link Forester
Join us in this powerful episode of Uncorking a Story with Link Forester, an author whose life is a testament to finding joy and p...
Mark as Played
May 14, 2024 • 85 mins
“Be your own fool. You’ve got to be a little bit crazy to believe your writing matters, and it does!”
Today, I chat with author Joe Di Prisco who shares the mosaic of his life, from a Brooklyn childhood shadowed by mob connections to his spirited pursuits in poetry and education. This episode delves into Joe's complex relationship with religion, his vibrant storytelling in both novels and poetry, and his undying passion for empower...
Mark as Played
May 12, 2024 • 39 mins
"It's like a honey badger; dementia doesn't give a shit. It doesn't care about what you want to do." — Kitty Norton
Tune into this episode of Uncorking a Story for an honest and inspiring exploration of the highs and lows of caregiving, the power of storytelling, and the unexpected paths life can take.
Meet Kitty Norton
In 2016 Kitty left her job as an NBC assistant editor in Los Angeles, CA, for her hometown of Portland, Oregon, t...
Mark as Played
May 9, 2024 • 39 mins
"Right, you'll forget it ever happened. That's what my social worker told me and other girls at the Florence Crittenton home for unwed mothers. But yeah, you don't forget that you are a mother. And also, how does one keep the secret from oneself? That's an absolute impossibility." — Tracy Mayo
In the lead up to Mother’s Day, I wanted to share the powerful story of a mother who worked tirelessly to track down the son she gave up at ...
Mark as Played
May 7, 2024 • 35 mins
“I found writing almost an unbelievably incredible way to deal with the grief. It was a way to channel my energy in a really productive way that ultimately led to this book that I've written. And it was therapeutic. It was really helpful for me in many ways." — Glenn Hilemann
In this deeply moving episode of "Uncorking a Story," we explore the poignant journey of Glenn Hilemann, who turned a heart-wrenching tragedy into a legacy of...
Mark as Played
April 30, 2024 • 38 mins
"It's interesting to compare the process of creating an image with writing. In photography, I find myself editing the scene to highlight what draws my interest, focusing on the essence and minimizing distractions. This approach is similar to writing, where the goal is to strip away the superfluous to communicate the core message clearly. Both processes involve a pathway to clarity, whether it's through the lens or on the page." — G...
Mark as Played
April 23, 2024 • 39 mins
"I have my wife as my ultimate support system. But as a man, it feels like you shouldn’t show weakness or talk about things that might make you vulnerable because you worry about what others will think. That’s why I decided to just go for it, to muster the courage to openly share my story. I committed to laying everything out there, telling my story in all its truth." — Reggie Reed
Tune in to this emotionally charged episode to exp...
Mark as Played
April 16, 2024 • 43 mins
"The day my dance instructor had her jaw wired shut to lose weight was the day I realized how deep the rabbit hole of body image issues really went. It wasn't just about being thin; it was about battling your body at war with societal expectations." - Lori Brand
Welcome to a compelling episode that dives deep into the heart of how societal pressures shape our self-perception and the lengths to which people go to meet those expectat...
Mark as Played
April 9, 2024 • 44 mins
"I kind of almost became an author by accident. It was a case of rediscovering a love of fiction, and then, on idle weekends, working on things purely to entertain myself. It grew from there." — Richard Roper
In this episode, author Richard Roper shares insights into his unique path to becoming an author, starting from a childhood filled with a love for books but no clear ambition to write. His journey took a turn when he began wo...
Mark as Played
April 2, 2024 • 30 mins
Join us in this intriguing episode as we dive into the creative world of Peter Malone Elliott, an award-nominated screenwriter and author of the captivating novel "Blue Ridge." From the mysterious allure of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the complex dynamics of identical twins, Peter shares the inspiration behind his debut novel and his seamless transition from screenwriting to novel writing.
About Peter Malone Elliott
Peter Malone El...
Mark as Played
March 26, 2024 • 25 mins
In this episode, we delve into the captivating world of Julee Balko, an author renowned for her intricate portrayal of complex female characters and her bold exploration of themes like grief, personal growth, and the transformative power of storytelling. Julee shares the journey behind her latest novel, "The Me List," a story rich with snark, heart, and an unlikely friendship that challenges societal judgments and celebrates the po...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
The Podium: An NBC Olympic and Paralympic podcast. Join us for insider coverage during the intense competition at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the run-up to the Opening Ceremony, we’ll bring you deep into the stories and events that have you know and those you'll be hard-pressed to forget.
In The Village will take you into the most exclusive areas of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games to explore the daily life of athletes, complete with all the funny, mundane and unexpected things you learn off the field of play. Join Elizabeth Beisel as she sits down with Olympians each day in Paris.
Listen to the latest news from the 2024 Olympics.
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the 33rd Olympic Games and you can follow Paris Summer Games to stay up to date on all things Olympics. We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Paris Summer Games so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2024 Olympic Games, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.