Dementia is something that has touched my family in a terrible way. My mother, whose memory was always sharp as a tack, has been battling dementia for years. While her long term memory is still very much intact, she struggles to remember anything in the recent past. When given the opportunity to interview Dr. Gary Simonds, a neurosurgeon who is an expert on Alzheimer's Disease and dementia, I jumped at the chance.  Meet Dr. Gary Simonds Dr. Simonds is a neurosurgeon who has treated tens of thousands of patients with devastating illnesses. He is a professor at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and the Virginia Tech School of Neuroscience. He has published three nonfiction books on burnout and psychological distress in healthcare providers and routinely writes about, and gives talks on, neuroscience, neurosurgery, medical socioeconomics, medical humanism, medical ethics, and burnout. He joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about his debut novel, Death’s Pale Flag.  Key Topics 00:00:00 Introducing Neurosurgeon Dr. Gary Simonds. 00:02:23 Retiring from Neurosurgery: Unleashing Untold Stories and Exploring Burnout  00:04:50 The Hidden Truth About Burnout: Why We're All on a Spectrum 00:08:19 Finding Inspiration  00:10:48 Drills and Chills: Exploring the Terrifying Intersection of Supernatural and Reality in Death's Pale Flag 00:12:45 From a 260,000-word Epic to a Streamlined Masterpiece: How Editors Shaped the Novel 00:15:24 A Journey of Positivity and Curiosity: Unveiling the Intriguing Origins of 'Death's Pale Flag' 00:18:16 The Clash of Science and Spirituality: Can They Coexist or Are They Natural Adversaries? 00:26:46 The Mysterious Process of Brain Shutdown: Unveiling the Chilling Reality 00:32:16 Musical Time Travel: Exploring the Timeless Songs That Defined a Generation Buy Death’s Pale Flag Amazon: https://amzn.to/3P7EjhT Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798886330045 Connect With Dr. Gary Simonds Website: https://garyrsimonds.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garyrsimonds/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garyrsimonds Twitter: https://twitter.com/garyrsimonds TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@garyrsimonds 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who would play Lion-O in a live action adaptation of Thundercats? Today’s guest, Sara Staggs, needed the eye of Thundera to help answer that question, but you didn’t come here for 80’s cartoons, did you?  Meet Sara Staggs Sara is an epileptic who had to leave her job as a civil litigator in Portland, Oregon as the lifestyle associated with that career triggered her seizures. As such, she had to close her law practice and bid farewell to that chapter of her life for good but, for Sara, writing was the next frontier. She has contributed to several publications including: Huffington Post, Flash Fiction Magazine, In Parentheses Literary Journal, Five Minute Lit, and Tiny Seed Literary Journal literary journals. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her debut novel, UNCONTROLLABLE, an inspirational story of a woman whose life is derailed by something out of her control, and how she chooses to face life on its terms, abandoning what she once dreamed she could be. Key Topics 00:00:00 About Sarah Staggs 00:05:20 From Legal Briefs to Fiction: A Journey of Relearning the Art of Writing 00:08:50 Unlocking the Power of Collaboration: How a Group of Writers Achieved Publishing Success 00:14:59 Blurring the Lines: Exploring the Authenticity of Auto Fiction and the Journey of a Writer 00:16:29 Nostalgic TV Delights: Exploring Sarah's Favorite Childhood Shows, from Care Bears to Thundercats 00:20:16 Discovering Hidden Potential: A Journey of Self-Discovery Through Writing 00:21:35 Empowering Writers: The Impact of Encouragement and Validation in the Epilepsy Community Buy Uncontrollable Amazon:https://amzn.to/3P2fNhT Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781685132019 Connect With Sara Website: https://www.sarastaggswrites.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaraStaggs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarastaggswrites/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-staggs-28b82925a/   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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenell Jones and her family opened up their home to foster, and later adopt Mercy, an eight year old girl in need of a home. Mercy came with a secret, though—her traumatic past. The traumas experienced by this young child started to manifest itself in behavioral problems that caused her adoptive family to shatter, that that is where our story begins. Meet Jenell Jones Jenell is an author and early education entrepreneur currently operating multiple early learning centers which specialize in providing high quality learning experiences to children who experience trauma in low-income areas. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to discuss her memoir Shattered. Key Topics 00:00:00 Introducing Jenell Jones 00:05:45 The Urgent Need for Reform in the US Foster and Adoptive Systems: A Story of Two Children with Different Paths 00:07:36 Unraveling the Unknown: Navigating the Journey of Adoption and Uncovering the Backstory 00:09:54 Missed Opportunities: The Devastating Impact of Withholding Information in Adoption and Foster Care 00:14:05 The Barbaric Reality of Juvenile Detention for Homeless Foster Children: A Call for Change 00:15:46 Why I Wrote My First Book: Shedding Light on the Dark Realities of the US Foster Care System 00:18:00 Behind Every Successful First-Time Author: The Importance of Building a Writing Team 00:21:39 From Trauma to Triumph: How Writing Shattered Helped Jenell Jones Overcome Self-Doubt and Shed Light on the Broken System 00:22:49 Discovering My Strength: How My Troubled Past Helped Me Show Myself Grace 00:25:48 Get Your Copy of Shattered Today: A Memoir of Adoption and Foster Care, Plus Exclusive Resources on Janelle Jones' Website 00:27:00 From MTV to Video Jukebox: How Music Videos Shaped My High School Years Buy Shattered Amazon:https://amzn.to/3oCQ58U Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798823000314 Connect With Jenell Website: https://www.jenelljones.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090561567415  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenellmjones   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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I love hearing how authors come up with the ideas for their books and today’s guest, bestselling author Lindsay Cameron, doesn’t disappoint. Listen in to hear about how the Ashley Madison data breach and Lindsay’s own experience on a neighborhood parenting forum influenced the story behind her latest book, No One Needs to Know. Meet Lindsay Cameron Lindsay Cameron worked as a corporate lawyer for many years in Vancouver and New York City before leaving the law behind to write books. Her first novel, Biglaw, was published in 2015. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to chat about her latest book, No One Needs to Know.  Key Topics 00:00:00 Introducing Lindsay Cameron 00:04:07 From Corporate Law to Fiction Writing: How Lindsay Cameron Had to Unlearn Legal Writing to Tell a Compelling Story 00:06:54 The Secret Life of a Lawyer Turned Novelist: Why I Kept My Writing Dreams Hidden from Everyone 00:08:48 From Diapers to Deadline: How Three Kids Inspired Lindsay Cameron's Writing Journey 00:11:00 Lindsay Cameron on her latest book, 'No One Needs to Know' 00:12:38 New Mom Discovers Shocking Truths on Anonymous Parenting Forum 00:15:32 Behind the Scenes of Big Law: Lindsay Cameron's Authentic Take on Law Firm Culture 00:19:04 Why 'Cheers' and 'Family Ties' Still Hold Up 00:23:06 From Lawyer to Writer: Navigating Identity Shifts and Self-Motivation Buy No One Needs to Know Amazon:https://amzn.to/3MkLXDt Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593159101 Connect With Lindsay Website: https://www.lindsayjcameron.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lindsayjcameron Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycameronauthor/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063130395560 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m thrilled to welcome Andrea Bartz back on Uncorking a Story. This time we discuss her latest novel, The Spare Room, and a big revelation! Meet Andrea Bartz Andrea is a Brooklyn-based journalist and the New York Times bestselling author of the Reese's Book Club pick WE WERE NEVER HERE. Her second thriller, THE HERD, was named a best book of 2020 by Real Simple, Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping, CrimeReads, and other outlets. Her LA-Times bestselling debut, THE LOST NIGHT, was optioned for TV development by Mila Kunis. She joins me today to talk about her latest novel, THE SPARE ROOM. Key Topics 00:00:00 Introducing Andrea Bartz 00:02:46 The Rise and Fall of Magazines: An Insider's Perspective 00:05:30 Author Andrea Bartz on the Importance of Sensitivity Readers  00:08:57 Andrea's Journey of Self-Discovery Through Fiction 00:10:29 Unpacking Complex Emotions Through Writing 00:13:04 Why Writing is the Ultimate Tool for Processing Emotions and Thoughts 00:23:45 From Wrestling with Plot to Bestseller: How Andrea Bartz Found Her Writing Process 00:26:27 The True Definition of a Writer: A Conversation on Control and Collaboration in the Writing Process 00:28:44 Choosing the Right Agent: How Andrea Bartz Found the Perfect Match for Her Thriller Writing Career Buy The Spare Room Amazon:https://amzn.to/413yLHf Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781984820495 Connect With Andrea Website: https://www.andreabartz.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/andibartz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andibartz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andreabartzauthor/ TicTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andibartz?lang=en&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1   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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When I was a kid, my brother Jimmy and I would watch wrestling all the time. The colorful characters, soap opera like drama, and high flying action had us hooked on the WWF like most of its superstars were hooked on Colombian marching powder. When offered the opportunity to interview author Charlie Jenkins about his book American Wrestling 1989, I leapt at the chance like Jimmy Snooka off the top rope. Meet Charlie Jenkins Charlie has worked as the Creative Director of a film and television industry and as an assistant to the writer’s room of the Amazon Original Series Lost in Oz. He has led or worked on digital campaigns for The CW, NBC, Hulu and Blizzard Entertainment properties. He joined me on Uncorking a Story to discuss his debut novel American Wrestling: 1989, a heartfelt and funny novel set behind the scenes of the pro wrestling industry’s golden era, for which he drew on his experiences working for an independent promotion.  Key Topics 00:00:00 Introducing Charlie Jenkins  00:04:09 How The Undertaker Captivated a Young Wrestling Fan 00:06:50 Behind the Scenes of Wrestling: A Firsthand Account of the Minor Leagues 00:08:42 Why I Chose Fandom Over Corporate: A Creative's Journey in the Entertainment Industry 00:11:40 Behind the Scenes of a $20 Million Fantasy Franchise: The Rise and Fall of a Creative Director's Dream 00:13:06 From Screenplay to Novel: The Genesis of American Wrestling in 1989 00:16:04 From Passion to Page: A Journey of Wrestling and Writing 00:20:19 Lessons Learned: How My First Book Taught Me to Be a Better Writer and Entrepreneur 00:22:40 From Novel to Netflix: The Potential for a Wrestling Series Adaptation 00:26:32 The Bully Hero: Why Hulk Hogan Wasn't Always a Fan Favorite 00:28:34 The Dark Side of Wrestling: Drug Abuse, Death, and Unpleasant Fantasies 00:30:38 From Metal to Wrestling: Exploring the Best Wrestling Songs of All Time Buy American Wrestling: 1989 Amazon:https://amzn.to/3p3NDbB Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647424367 Connect With Charlie Website: https://www.charlie-jenkins.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charliefromatlanta/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hgjenkins Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharlieGJenkins   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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when "in sickness and in health" becomes "in sickness"? Today’s guest, author Suzanne Marriott addresses that question, and many others, in her memoir Watching for Dragonflies: A Caregiver’s Transformative Journey. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about that, and so much more! Meet Suzanne Marriott Suzanne Marriott is a memoirist and deep-travel writer who shares her transformative experiences with her readers. Her writings on compassionate caregiving have been published by The Union newspaper and Writer Advice awarded her the “Scintillating Start Prize” for the first chapter of her memoir, Watching for Dragonflies. Suzanne’s stories of deep travel have appeared in the award-winning online magazine Your Life is a Trip. Key Topics How her relationship with her husband changed after his MS diagnosis The story behind the title of her book, Watching for Dragonflies: A Caregiver’s Transformative Journey The benefits and drawbacks of traveling with a disability, and what changes need to be made in order for travel to be truly accessible What she learned in her 10 years of caregiving, and her advice for other caregivers How her caregiving experience helped her cope with her own cancer diagnosis Her spiritual journey, and how spiritual inquiry helped her heal Buy Watching for Dragonflies: A Caregiver’s Transformative Journey Amazon:https://amzn.to/3AIGrnJ Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647424367 Connect With Suzanne Website: https://suzannemarriottauthor.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzannemarriottauthor/   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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m thrilled to welcome author and executive Emmanuel Probst on Uncorking a Story. Emmanuel’s background combines over 16 years of market research and marketing experience with strong academic achievements. He joined me to discuss his career and latest book, Assemblage: The Art and Science of Brand Transformation. Key Topics 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:29 The Fulfilling And Compelling World Of Market Research 00:05:21 Traditional Market Research Vs. Technology 00:09:07 The Evolving Role Of Brands And Branding. 00:15:07 The Increasing Risk Of Brand Backlash 00:18:24 Testing The Concept Of A Transgender Spokesperson In Marketing Campaigns 00:21:21 Transforming Brand And Market Research In The Digital Age  00:26:20 Recall And Transforming Consumer Attitudes Towards Products 00:32:57 Tacky Advertisements Don't Build Brand Equity 00:39:03 How To Purchase Assemblage: The Art And Science Of Brain Transformation Book Buy Assemblage: The Art and Science of Brand Transformation. Amazon:https://amzn.to/3HhTlfV Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781646871254 Connect With Emmanuel Website: https://www.emmanuelprobst.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuelprobst/   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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Mike interviews author Hanna Halperin about her latest novel, I Could Live Here Forever.  Meet Hannah Halperin Hanna is the author of Something Wild, which won the 2021 Edward Lewis Wallant Award and was a finalist for the 2021 National Jewish Book Award for Debut Fiction. She joins me today to talk about her latest book, I Could Live Here Forever. Welcome to Uncorking a Story Hannah! Key Topics: 00:00:00 Introduction  00:03:59 Hanna's latest book 00:05:13 Hanna's motivation for writing about addictive relationships 00:14:37 How to get in touch with Hanna Buy I Could Live Here Forever Amazon: https://amzn.to/3H00H7V Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593492079 Connect With Hanna Website: https://www.hannahalperin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanna.halperin/?hl=en   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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of Uncorking a Story, Author Shannon Duncan discusses the use of psychedelics as a tool for healing trauma, particularly childhood trauma and complex PTSD. The conversation revolves around the idea that psychedelics can be used to unlock the subconscious and help individuals process their trauma in a way that traditional talk therapy may not be able to achieve. The speakers caution that finding a qualified therapist who is experienced in dealing with trauma and has done their own deep work on psychedelics is crucial, as there are many unqualified individuals operating in the gray market who can be dangerous. The conversation also touches on the recreational use of psychedelics and how it differs from their therapeutic use. Meet Shannon Duncan Shannon Duncan is an entrepreneur and the author of “Present Moment Awareness.” He lives in California finding his way to an authentic expression of himself, including and especially his sense of humor, has been the most rewarding aspect of healing from trauma. He joins me today on Uncorking a Story to discuss his latest book, Coming Full Circle: Healing Trauma Using Psychedelics. Welcome to Uncorking a Story Shannon. Key Topics 00:00:00 Introducing Shannon Duncan 00:05:21 Healing Trauma With Psychedelics - An Author's Personal Journey 00:06:29 Personal Psychedelic Experimentation And Guided Sessions Lead To Growth And Healing for Shannon 00:10:08 The Concept Of Complex PTSD 00:11:23 Exploring Psychedelics as A Healing Option: A Discussion On Trauma And Therapy 00:16:41 Psychedelics as a Tool For Unlocking The Subconscious 00:19:51 Healing Through Psychedelics and Self-release 00:21:37 Healing Trauma And Using Psychedelics To Treat Addiction 00:25:40 Identifying Qualified Psychedelic Therapists In The Gray Market 00:27:04 Getting To Know Shannon Through Pop Culture: Tv Show Favorites With Shannon Buy Coming Full Circle: Healing Trauma Using Psychedelics Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LstRiy Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781959254041 Connect With Shannon Website: https://shannonduncan.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-duncan-author/   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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pattiann Rogers has published fifteen collections of poetry and two book-length essay collections, The Dream of the Marsh Wren and The Grand Array: Writings on Nature, Science, and Spirit. She is the recipient of two NEA grants, a Guggenheim Fellowship, a 2005 Literary Award in Poetry from the Lannan Foundation, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Missouri, College of Arts and Sciences. In 2018 she was awarded the John Burroughs Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Nature Poetry. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her latest collection, Flickering.  Buy Flickering Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AptTkN Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780143137665 Connect With Pattiann Website: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/pattiann-rogers   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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Mike interviews Karen White, a successful author of Southern women's fiction with a paranormal twist. Karen shares her journey as a writer and how she got started in the industry. She emphasizes the importance of reading and writing consistently to improve one's craft. Karen also talks about the influence of her fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Anderson, who encouraged her to pursue writing. She discusses how she incorporates humor and history into her books and how her latest series, the Royal Street series, is different from her previous works.  Karen also opens up about the challenges she faced last year with the passing of her father and her daughter's wedding. She shares how she copes with difficult times and relies on her supportive friends in the writing community. The conversation ends on a lighthearted note as Karen talks about her love for ghost stories and how it inspired some elements in her books.  Meet Karen White Karen is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty-two novels, including the Tradd Street series, The Shop on Royal Street, The Last Night in London, Dreams of Falling, The Night the Lights Went Out, Flight Patterns, The Sound of Glass, A Long Time Gone, and The Time Between. She joins me today to discuss her latest book in the Royal Street Series, The House on Prytania. Welcome to uncorking a Story Karen. Key Topics: 00:00:00 Introduction To Karen White  00:04:04 The Importance Of Reading And Thanking Teachers as A Writer. 00:06:26 The Importance Of Perseverance And Support as a Writer 00:09:54 Overview Of The Royal Street Series  00:13:31 Importance Of Stepping Outside Of Your Writing Comfort Zone And Indulging In Exciting Ideas 00:17:54 Fond Memories Of Watching Dallas With Friends In London Before Streaming Era 00:20:26 Nostalgia For Old Forms Of Entertainment, Fond Memories Of 80s Music. 00:23:07 How to get in touch with Karen White Buy The House on Prytania Amazon: https://amzn.to/3H56Bol Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593334621 Connect With Karen Website: https://www.karen-white.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenwhitewrite/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenwhiteauthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarenWhiteWrite TikToc: https://www.tiktok.com/@karenwhitewrite   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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever felt like, at times, you are the black sheep of your family? You know, those times when you question why you are so different from everyone else in your life or even your community? Many of us who turn to the arts have a little bit of the outcast in us for a variety of reasons, but I think the most common are that we just see the world differently than others and that we experience our feelings in more intense ways. I know that today’s guest, Kristina Lucia, feels the same way because we talked about it at length in our engaging conversation. Meet Kristina Lucia Kristina is an artist, creator, and author who ignites the imaginations of children and their parents through her limited edition animals and touching storybooks. Her humble beginnings in a small farm town where there was only one traffic light sparked her creativity at a young age and her adopted home of New York City keeps her inspired daily. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her life as well as her books which include the Bella Lucia Book Series.  Key Topics: How Kristina’s talent for art at a very young age paved the way for her becoming a children’s book author and illustrator. Why Kristina felt as if she didn’t belong while she was growing up in a small farm town. How and when Kristina realized she was a Writer (with a capital W). Making the transition from corporate life on Wall Street to making a living as an entrepreneur and artist. How Kristina feels the presence of both her mother and her grandmother in her life, long after they’ve passed. A special offer for Uncorking a Story listeners. Buy Kristina’s Books: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zVZHxJ Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781959959007 Connect With Kristina Website: https://cccokl.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccc_of_kristina_lucia/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristina.andrews.77 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinalandrews/   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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If there is one thing I’ve noticed that all pastors share in common, it’s the ability to tell a story, and Rev. Kenneth Nixon is no different. Kenneth joined me to talk about his debut memoir Born Into Crisis in which he discusses the necessary steps to healing and breaking free from the cycles of family traumas. Drawing from his own experience with dysfunctional family dynamics, Kenneth uses his story to call attention to the need for systemic change in our mental health system.  Meet Kenneth Nixon Kenneth Nixon is a pastor, community organizer, and mental health advocate. He knows firsthand what it means to navigate personal mental health challenges while also navigating a broken system on behalf of a loved one. Kenneth speaks out about the need for reform in the mental health system, and works to improve the lives of those affected by mental illness. He also is the founder of the non-profit justice organization called Justice Now. Key Topics: How his personal experiences as a child of a mentally ill parent speaks to larger issues in the mental health care system. The importance of building intentional relationships – creating foundations of trust and respect – to help inform and support systemic change. The critical role that Kenneth’s father played in his life. How meeting others with similar family backgrounds have brought him closer to his faith and inspired him to persevere in his mission to advocate for those living with mental illness and their families. Support systems and resources for people who have family members with mental health issues. Understanding generational and inherited trauma. Decriminalization of mental illness. His calls to action and advocacy. Writing about past traumas as a path to healing. Buy Born Into Crisis: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3nRuM2C Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781950476558 Connect With Kenneth Website: https://authorkennethnixon.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenneth_nixonjr/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkennethnixonjr   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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When she was in high school, Brittany Butler didn’t have dreams of working for the Central Intelligence Agency—she was a cheerleader and was in beauty pageants. Nevertheless, she had a successful career at the CIA and is now working hard to promote human rights for Afghan women and girls while also setting the record straight of what it's really like to be a female spy. Meet Brittany Butler Brittany spent nine years as a targeting officer within the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, Counterterrorism Center. Both at Langley and on temporary assignments in the Middle East, Brittany spearheaded operational efforts to achieve some of the most sensitive foreign intelligence objectives abroad. She has both first-hand knowledge of targeting methodologies used in the recruitment of spies and extensive field experience in working with foreign liaisons to discover and apprehend terrorists abroad. She is a staunch advocate for women’s rights in the Middle East and has worked for human rights campaigns in Afghanistan to protect and promote the rights of disenfranchised Afghan women and girls. Today, she assists Afghan refugees by helping them thrive within her local community. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her career and debut novel, The Syndicate Spy, which weaves a story of fact and fiction, telling the true story of female intelligence officers who stand on their laurels of intellect and skill to see beyond religious and cultural barriers to find what unites, rather than what divides.  Key Topics: The backstory for how Brittany came to work for the CIA. Why she feels so passionate about protecting the rights of Afghan women and girls. The inspiration behind her debut novel, The Syndicate Spy. What it’s really like being a female spy. Surprising facts about the life of spies in general. Buy The Syndicate Spy: Amazon:https://amzn.to/40CzhfL Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798886450248 Connect With Brittany Website: https://brittanycbutler.com/     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/formerspy1/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Formerspy1            TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@formerspy1?lang=en   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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jane Healey isn’t just a successful author, she also has great taste in TV. During the course of this entertaining conversation, I uncorked her love for The Greatest American Hero, which took us on a fun tangent. Believe it or not, I was walking on air after that. Meet Jane Healey Jane is the author of The Secret Stealers and The Beantown Girls, a Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, running, cooking, and going to the beach. She joins me today to talk about her career and latest book Good Night from Paris. Key Topics: Giving herself permission to take the time to practice writing. Advice that you have to be bad at writing before you can become good. The importance of receiving quality feedback and knowing how to take it. How to find resources for becoming a better writer without spending lots of money.  Getting inspired for her 4th novel while writing her third. Luck and timing when it comes to publishing. Her advice to not don’t stop knocking on doors. Knowing that writing is a craft and publishing is a business. Buy Good Night from Paris Amazon:https://amzn.to/40flvQf Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781662505294 Connect With Jane Website: https://janehealey.com/ Amazon: https://amzn.to/3z4pvHr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healeyjane/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRNs8TkPdvXXCG-ZZzcvxMA Podcast: https://www.historicalhappyhour.com/ 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like many people of my generation, I grew up watching Hogan’s Heroes in reruns. Also like many people of my generation, I was shocked that Bob Crane, Colonel Hogan himself, met such a violent end, likely a result of his extracurricular hobby of documenting every aspect of his life on camera—any by every aspect, I mean EVERY aspect. This guy was ahead of his time when it came to documenting (consensually) the most intimate moments in his life. When his official biographer, Carol Ford, contacted me about appearing on Uncorking a Story, I jumped at the chance. Meet Carol Ford Carol has worked in the publishing industry since 1997 and is the primary author of Bob Crane: The Definitive Biography. A portion of the profits from Bob Crane’s biography is donated to various charities in Bob’s memory, while the balance of author proceeds go toward furthering efforts on Bob Crane’s behalf.  Key Topics: Carol’s love of writing from an early age. The role encouragement played in paving the way for a career in publishing. How she became fascinated with Bob Crane’s life. Why she and her co-authors wanted to tell Bob’s story. What most people don’t know about Bob Crane. Buy Bob Crane: The Definitive Biography Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JUUdJr Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781943201044 Connect With Carol Website: https://www.vote4bobcrane.org/ Website: https://www.carolmford.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmford714/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carol.ford.378 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-ford-7414399/   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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just like the classic Let it Be by The Beatles, author Lauren Destefano shares many words of wisdom for authors in today’s episode of Uncorking a Story. Meet Lauren DeStefano Lauren DeStefano lives in Connecticut, where she was born and raised. When she’s not writing thrillers, she’s listening to true crime podcasts and crocheting way too many blankets. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her career and latest thriller, How I’ll Kill You.  Key Topics: 100 rejections until she found her agent. Why having one published novel under your belt doesn’t guarantee future success. The importance of authenticity when writing. How to navigate genre switching. The importance of having a support circle. Why offering support is so critical for authors. Why it is important to consider critical feedback, even if it is not what you want to hear. Why it is so important to trust your agent and consider that they may know your voice better than you do. Buy How I’ll Kill You Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YHWU52 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593438305 Connect With Lauren Website: https://laurendestefano.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurendestefanoauthor/  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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Susan and I have three things in common; we are authors, we have a great sense of humor, and we both root against Duke basketball regardless of who they are playing against (Sorry John Nardone and Brent McGoldrick but that buzzer beater by Laeettner against UConn in 1990 cemented my dislike of your alma mater).  Meet Susan Reinhardt Susan’s book Chimes from a Cracked Southern Belle won the Independent Publisher Book Award for “Best Regional Fiction,” and Tantor Media recently bought the audio rights. She joined me today to talk about her latest book, The Beautiful Misfits.  Key Topics: Disobeying her father and pursuing journalism over nursing. How to bounce between fiction, nonfiction, and back to fiction. How beauty can come from tragedy. What to do when your agent can’t sell your manuscript. The story behind her latest novel, The Beautiful Misfits. Buy The Beautiful Misfits Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EJCFwU Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781646033041 Connect With Susan Website: https://susanreinhardt.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanReinhardtAuthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/SusanGReinhardt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susangambrellreinhardt/ e-Mail: [email protected] 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’ve interviewed many authors who were signed to muti-book deals very early in their careers—typically two or three book deals. Today’s guest on Uncorking a Story, Audrey Carlan, must be an overachiever because her book deal was for twenty-seven. You read that right—nine times the size of a “good” book deal. Nine Times! Take that Mrs. Bueller.   Meet Audrey Carlan Audrey Carlan is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She writes wicked hot love stories that are designed to give the reader a romantic experience that's sexy, sweet, and so hot your e-reader might melt. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her career and latest book, The Marriage Auction: Season One, Volumes One—Four. Key Topics: Finding success as a writer later in life. Building a following using Kindle Vella. What to do when signing a 27 book deal. The key to writing erotic romance novels. Why it is so important to read the genre you want to write in. Buy The Marriage Auction: Season One, Volume Four. Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IIIaNd Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781957568546 Connect With Audrey Website: https://audreycarlan.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AudreyCarlan/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AudreyCarlan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audreycarlan/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@audreycarlan 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of us define wealth by what we can quantify in our bank accounts, but today’s guest on Uncorking a Story, Tom Suvansri, thinks that’s way too limiting. His story is a wakeup call for anyone who thinks wealth can be measured solely in dollars and cents. Meet Tom Suvansri Tom graduated from Penn State University with an MBA in Finance after earning his BA in Biology from the College of New Jersey. Prior to starting his firm Perennial pride, Tom spent 15 years in the Pharmaceuticals industry. He joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about his book Wealth Beyond the Numbers: A Simple by Powerful Financial and Life Plan for Living Your Best Life. Key Topics: How a check of his credit report led to Tom realizing his mother had been borrowing large sums of money in his name without his knowledge. Why Tom has made it his mission to help other people avoid the traps of debt and build financial security. Why Tom believes real wealth isn’t just monetary, but having a purpose in life. Why Tom talks to his clients about meaning prior to helping them with their finances. Key principles to leading a wealth filled life. Buy Wealth Beyond the Numbers: A Simple by Powerful Financial and Life Plan for Living Your Best Life on Tom’s Website Connect With Tom Website: https://perennialpride.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suthee.suvansri Twitter: https://twitter.com/perennialpride Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialpride/ 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charlotte Maya’s life was turned upside down when she arrived home from a hike with her children to find a police officer and priest waiting at her home. They took her aside to tell her that her husband committed suicide and that’s where this story begins. Meet Charlotte Maya Charlotte writes about suicide loss, resilience, and hope on her blog, SushiTuesdays.com. Widowed at thirty-nine, when her children were six and eight, Charlotte’s writing explores the intersections of grief, parenting, and self-care—particularly within the context of suicide. Her work has been highlighted in Hippocampus Magazine and on The Mighty, and she has been featured on the A2A Alliance and the Your Next Chapter podcast with Angela Raspass. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to discuss her memoir Sushi Tuesdays: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Resilience Key Topics: How Charlotte handled the news of her husband’s death by suicide. Why she decided to tell her children the truth and the impact that has had on their relationship. Why it is so important to talk about suicide. The story behind the name Sushi Tuesdays How writing was part of Charlotte’s healing. Buy Sushi Tuesdays: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Resilience Amazon: https://amzn.to/3xXlEvg Bookshop.org: ​​https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781637587270 Connect With Charlotte Website: https://www.charlotte-maya.com/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sushituesdays/photos/?ref=page_internal Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlottemaya1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlottemayawriter/ 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rose Patruno grew up in a very patriarchal society where her brother enjoyed many more freedoms than she did. Over time, this impacted her mental and physical health and she had no choice but to leave her home in Puglia, Italy to find love and work in Paris. After finding both, her health turned around and she is Tutto Bene, or “All Good.” Meet Rose Patruno When still a teen, Rose decided to become a writer and at the age of twenty, she defied the path laid out by her patriarchal family and left her home in Puglia, Italy, leaving her family behind, to follow her own passions of art and literature to discover Paris. She recently me on Uncorking a Story to talk about the first book in her thrilling New Adult fantasy series, “The Hidden Heir” Key Topics: How growing up in southern Italy has influenced her personality & how her experience impacted her view of the world What it is like growing up in a patriarchal society, and how she drew on that for her writing process Why it is important to acknowledge that not all teenagers come from a family that wants the best for them, and how this story can show them how to strengthen their personality How she goes against the stereotypical alpha male tropes in her storytelling and offers alternate ideals of what a couple should be How writing fanfiction helped to find the strength to write her debut series Buy The Hidden Heir Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Y6LasG Connect With Rose Website: https://rosedpatruno.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RPatrunoAuthor/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RosannaPatruno Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patruno_rose/ 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is one thing that Lina Chern and I can wholeheartedly agree on and that’s the importance of having fun during the writing process. If what you are writing isn’t bringing you joy then, chances are, you aren’t going to want to see it through. It took Lina a long time to find the joy in writing her debut novel, but when she did things changed for the better! Meet Lina Chern Lina Chern is an author who has had her crime fiction published in Mystery Weekly, The Marlboro Review, The Bellingham Review, Rhino, The Collagist, Black Fox Literary Magazine, and The Coil. She is a Pitch Wars alum and joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her debut novel, Play the Fool.  Key Topics: Why writing a novel isn’t always a linear process. The importance of getting some “wind in your sails” to keep your encouragement up. Why the support of a partner is critical for parents looking to write a novel. The role of fun in the writing process. Why new authors should not expect to be good right off the bat. How Lina manages writer’s block. Buy Play the Fool Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jNQ7sj Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593500668 Connect With Lina Website: https://www.linachern.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChernLina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linachernwrites/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lina-chern-162a4b8/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16168786.Lina_Chern?from_search=true&from_srp=true 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes, beauty comes from tragedy, which is the backstory to Jill Santopolo’s debut novel The Light We Lost, which she penned after going through a traumatic breakup. Well, life has come full circle for Jill as her latest book, Stars in an Italian Sky, was inspired by something that happened while honeymooning with her husband in Italy. I love it when things work out the way they are meant to! Meet Jill Santopolo Jill Santopolo is the internationally best-selling author of Everything After, More Than Words and The Light We Lost, which was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick and has been optioned for film. Her books have been translated into more than 35 languages and have been named to the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Apple, and Indie Bound bestseller lists. Jill joined me recently to talk about her career and latest novel Stars in an Italian Sky.  Key Topics: How Jill was drawn to writing from a very young age. Moving from working as an editorial assistant to children’s writer to an author of adult fiction. The role curiosity plays in her work.  How writing has been therapeutic for Jill. Our mutual appreciation for Star Trek: The Next Generation Buy Stars in an Italian Sky Amazon: https://amzn.to/3J1kFR5 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593419175 Connect With Jill Website: https://jillsantopolo.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillSantopoloAuthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/JillSantopolo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillsantopolo/ 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest on Uncorking a Story, Lyn Liao Butler, is the type of person who likes to have many irons in the fire. While working as a professional ballet and modern dancer in New York City, she ran her own gym. After retiring from dancing, she started a family, built an online business, and began writing novels. I got exhausted just thinking about all she does! One thing that stayed with me was Lyn’s advice to aspiring authors—to give it all you got. Your talent will get an agent’s interest, but your passion will sell your story. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  Meet Lyn Liao Butler Lyn was born in Taiwan and moved to the States when she was seven. Before becoming an author, she was a professional ballet and modern dancer, and is still a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and yoga instructor. She joins me today on Uncorking a Story to talk about her novel Someone Else’s Life. Key Topics: Her journey to getting published Bringing Taiwanese American characters into her books Food playing an important part of all her books How she accidentally wrote a thriller How Lyn took inspiration from her real life when writing Someone Else’s Life Lyn’s cure for writer’s block Why you should never read reviews even when tempted. Buy Someone Else’s life Amazon: https://amzn.to/418tE9Z Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781662501081 Connect With Lyn  Website: https://lynliaobutler.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynliaobutlerauthor/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lynliaobutler Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynliaobutler/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20805694.Lyn_Liao_Butler TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lynliaobutler 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the expressions my father is very fond of saying is, “Everything happens for a reason.” He’s also fond of saying, “If a problem can be solved with money, it’s not really a problem,” which is easy to say when one has money, but I digress. Over time, I have come to realize that yes, everything does happen for a reason, and today’s guest, the prolific Christopher Rice, agrees with me (and dad). While he had dreams of becoming an actor, those plans changed when he went from being the star of his high school drama club to finding that Brown University’s drama department weren’t salivating at his acting talents. So, he turned to writing and the rest is history. Meet Christopher Rice Christopher is the recipient of the Lambda Literary Award and is the Amazon Charts and New York Times bestselling author of A Density of Souls; Bone Music, Blood Echo, and Blood Victory and Bram Stoker Award finalists The Heavens Rise and The Vines. He is an executive producer of The Vampire Chronicles and The Lives of the Mayfair Witches, the AMC television adaptations of the bestselling novels by his mother, Anne Rice. He joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about his career and latest novel Sapphire Storm, the third book in the Sapphire Cove series. Key Topics: How “failing” as an actor fueled his desire to become a writer. How he found that his desire to write about gay characters was both after and before his time. Writing his first published novel while at his mother’s bedside after she slipped into a diabetic coma. How Christopher tackled switching genres from fiction to romance. The importance of having a supportive network and a “go-to” person to help stay motivated as a writer. Buy Sapphire Storm: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3J5ORL0 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781957568256 Connect With C. Travis Rice Website: http://www.christopherricebooks.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christopher.rice.writer Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrisricewriter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christopher.rice.writer/ 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The sparks that ignite story ideas are almost always rooted in experience, emotion, and curiosity. Today’s guest on Uncorking a Story, award winning author Cheryl A. Head, discusses how the murder of George Floyd served as the flashpoint for her latest novel, Time’s Undoing. Along the way she discusses how the murder of her own grandfather had her following her own curiosity back in time and inspired her to write a dual timeline story. Meet Cheryl A Head Cheryl A. Head is a writer, television producer, and broadcast executive. She is an Anthony Award nominee, a two-time Lambda Literary Award finalist, a three-time Next Generation Indie Book Award finalist, and winner of the Golden Crown Literary Society’s Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award. Her books are included in the Detroit Public Library’s African American Booklist and in the Special Collections of the Library of Michigan.   Key Topics: Why the murder of George Floyd was the flashpoint to starting Time’s Undoing. How Cheryl tapped into her own family’s tragic mystery when writing this novel. The challenges of writing dual timelines. The importance of knowing your history. Why write what you know isn’t always the best advice. Buy Time’s Undoing: A Novel  Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jOvrjJ Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593471821 Connect With Cheryl Personal Website: https://www.cherylhead.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.head.104 Twitter: https://twitter.com/cheaddc?s=11&t=hoTffK7Tu163IR_DvTNzRg Book Website: https://megstafford.com/who-will-accompany-you/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheadwrites/?hl=en 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you are like me, when you hear the term lunch lady you immediately think of Adam Sandler and Chris Farley, but today’s guest on Uncorking a Story, Vanessa David, smashes that stereotype. But this episode really isn’t about lunch ladies—it’s the story of a woman who overcame struggles and heartache to find the love within. Meet Vanessa David Vanessa David graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a BA in Theatre in 1995 and spent over 20 years working in the theater as an actor, playwright and stage manager. Her acting credits include Ron Destro and Yoko Ono’s Hiroshima at Theatre for the New City in New York, A Cup of Coffee at Yale Repertory Theatre directed by Joe Grifasi, and As You Like It with Shakespeare on the Sound directed by Ezra Barnes.  Vanessa’s plays have been performed across the country and several are published by Smith and Kraus. Having a theater career means having survival jobs, and Vanessa worked as a frozen yogurt slinger, sandwich artist, cake decorator, and eventually typecast herself as a server. Later in life she went back to school at Norwalk Community College and earned a Culinary Arts Certificate. When she got a job with the Darien School Lunch Program her culinary and theater skills came together for seven joy-filled years, and then it all came apart. The only thing she could do after that was write a book. Vanessa lives in Connecticut with her husband, Dave, and their dog, Apollo.  Key Topics: How her mother’s insistence that she become famous impacted Vanessa from a young age. Vanessa’s history in the theater, including all the ups and downs. Why Vanessa turned to writing plays. How an interaction with a lunch lady in middle school impacted her decision to earn a Culinary Arts Certificate. How she reinvented what a lunch lady is and the important role she played in the lives of students. Why she wrote a memoir about her time as a lunch teacher and how it helped her heal some childhood wounds. Connect With Vanessa David Website: https://www.thelunchteacher.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelunchteacher/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanessadavidplaywright 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We can add today’s guest, William Landay, to the growing list of former lawyers turned authors who have come on Uncorking a Story to promote their work. While digging into this dynamic with William, it became clear to me why so many lawyers, especially trial attorneys, have a knack for writing—as he put it, you are trying to tell the story of the case and hope that you move your readers (i.e. jurors) one way or the other.   Meet William Landay William is the author of Defending Jacob, which won the Strand Critics Award for best novel; The Strangler, listed as a best crime novel of the year by the Los Angeles Times, The Daily Telegraph, and others; and Mission Flats, winner of the Dagger Award for best first crime novel. A former assistant district attorney, he lives in Boston and joined me to talk about his latest novel, All that is Mine I Carry With Me. Key Topics: How William transitioned from being an Assistant DA to writing full time. How telling a story to jurors is not dissimilar to telling a story to readers. Lessons he learned from his readers that impacted his storytelling. His approach to writing his latest book, All that is Mine I Carry with Me. Why he would tell his younger self to view his sensitivity as a strength, rather than a weakness. Buy All That is Mine I Carry With Me Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Isozkg Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780345531841 Connect With William Website: https://www.williamlanday.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/williamlanday Twitter: https://twitter.com/williamlanday Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/williamlanday/ 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Long-time listeners know that I’m the proud father of triplets and anyone who has seen me perform stand-up knows that I lean on my experiences raising them heavily when I perform. Well, today’s guest on Uncorking a Story, Cort Casady is also a father of triplets and joined me to talk about his latest book Not Your Father's America: An Adventure Raising Triplets in a Country Being Changed by Greed. Meet Cort Casady Cort is a TV writer-producer, songwriter, playwright, and author. He has won two Emmy Awards and three NAACP Image Awards for his work as a writer-producer in television. He began his TV writing career by creating the story and characters for a five-installment movie mini-series called Kenny Rogers as The Gambler. He went on to help format and launch the long-running talent competition, Star Search with Ed McMahon, the forerunner of American Idol. His credits include numerous other series, awards shows, and specials. For the past 19 years, he has been supervising producer of the American Film Institute tributes to America's leading actors and filmmakers, including AFI's tributes to George Clooney in 2018, Denzel Washington in 2019, and Julie Andrews this year (after being delayed by COVID for two years). His songs have been recorded by Crystal Gayle, Jessie Colter, and Marshall Chapman and commissioned for the films Electric Horseman and Honeysuckle Rose. His musical play, King of the Road: The Roger Miller Story, co-written with Mary Miller, had its world premiere at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach in 2017. His memoir, Not Your Father's America: An Adventure Raising Triplets in a Country Being Changed by Greed, was just published.  Key Topics: Emotions experienced while having difficulty trying to start a family How a sense of humor helps your sanity (and marital relationship) when raising triplets. Sanity-saving advice given to him by a nurse before leaving the hospital. The importance of rasing multiples as individuals and not part of “a set.” Cort’s take on the changes taking place in the America his triplets are inheriting. Buy Not Your Father's America: An Adventure Raising Triplets in a Country Being Changed by Greed Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JlNqIQ Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798985728804 Connect With Cort Casady Website: https://cortcasady.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cortcasady/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cortcasadyentertainment LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortcasady/ 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some may believe that an author’s superpower is in the ability to string the right words together, in the right order, and use correct punctuation. While all of that is important, I believe that their real superpower is in their ability to experience an everyday event and feel compelled to reflect, write about it, and share it with others. Today’s guest on Uncorking a Story, Meg Stafford, has been doing that for a quarter of a century and joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her career and latest book Who Will Accompany You? My Mother-Daughter Journeys Far From Home and Close to the Heart. Meet Meg Stafford Meg Stafford is a writer who loves exploration of all kinds, and this time she takes us along for the ride. For 25 years she has been observing how small, remarkable moments enrich our lives in her monthly newspaper column, "A Moment's Notice." As a social worker in private practice, she's been helping others negotiate the terrain of relationships and connections for over 35 years. Her 2011 memoir, Topic of Cancer: Riding the Waves of the Big C, won six literary awards for its engrossing and hilarious portrayal of surviving and thriving after a life-altering diagnosis of breast cancer.  Key Topics: How she got bit by the writing bug at the age of three. How her compulsion to write led to writing Op-Eds for her local newspaper, which blossomed into a monthly column. How writing about her cancer journey was therapeutic and led to a multiple award winning book. Why Meg chose to write about the experiences she had with her daughters joining them on trips to Nepal and Columbia. Buy Who Will Accompany You? My Mother-Daughter Journeys Far From Home and Close to the Heart Amazon: https://amzn.to/3E4inh5 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781632994905 Connect With Meg Personal Website: https://megstafford.com/ Book Website: https://megstafford.com/who-will-accompany-you/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megstafford2183/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-stafford-5568b714/ eMail: [email protected] 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a small business owner, I’m always interested in how I can get better at sales, which is why I was so excited to speak with today’s guest, Anthony Iannarino. We had a fun conversation about how a daily blog turned into a book, his writing journey, and our mutual love of 80’s hard rock and heavy metal. Meet Anthony Iannarino Anthony spent twenty years selling and leading a sales force in the highly-commoditized industry of staffing before becoming a writer and publishing daily at thesalesblog.com. During his time in sales, he recognized the strongest differentiation for a salesperson is their ability to create value for their prospective client within the sales conversation. Anthony spends much of his time drinking coffee, writing, speaking, facilitating workshops, and helping sales organizations transform their outdated, legacy approach with a modern, value-creating approach that buyers appreciate, and one that leads to revenue growth. He joined me on Uncorking a Story to discuss his career and latest book Leading Growth: The Proven Formula for Consistently Increasing Revenue. Key Topics: How Anthony’s childhood impacted his career path. How waiting in line for KISS tickets is related to sales.  Why this sales leadership book is unique and will complement existing or completely change sales thought processes.  Anthony’s four-part method for leading sales teams.  Buy Leading Growth: The Proven Formula for Consistently Increasing Revenue Amazon: https://amzn.to/3H98kIl Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781119890331 Connect With Anthony Website: https://www.thesalesblog.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iannarino/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesalesblog Twitter: https://twitter.com/iannarino LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannarino/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/iannarino 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode will leave you questioning whether or not the events that my guest Vincent (Vinnie) Tolman discusses actually happened. I’m okay with that (and so is he). When his publicist reached out with the opportunity to interview someone who was clinically dead for over 45 minutes and in a coma for three days after his heart re-started, I jumped at the chance as I thought it would be a fascinating story to uncork. Whether believe in an afterlife or not I ask you to consider the insights that Vinnie brought had after rejoining the land of the living over twenty years ago and ponder whether or not what he has to say may make your life more complete and whole. Meet Vincent Tolman Vincent Todd Tolman was born in Arlington, Texas, and died over 20 years ago, on January 18th, 2003. Since coming back, he has traveled around the world, living in both Cambodia and Thailand. He has worked as a home builder, computer technician and producer for the television and film industry. He loves animals, meditating, and spending time in nature. His greatest priorities are his relationship to his Creator, his family, and the people he meets. He currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife, Andrea, and their two children. Vinnie joined me on Uncorking a Story to discuss his book The Light After Death: My Journey To Heaven and Back: Vincent Tolman's Near Death Experience and Journey to Heaven and Back. ​ Key Topics: What his life was like before dying on the floor of a fast-food restaurant in 2003. The key lessons he learned after crossing over to the other side, including the importance of living an authentic life. What a spiritual antenna is and the role it plays in living a better life. The 10 principles Vinnie learned traveling to Heaven What Vinnie saw in Heaven regarding the souls of children who died way too young.  Vinnie’s proof that what he experienced was real. Buy The Light After Death: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3j2Yu2N Connect Vincent Tolman Website: https://thelightafterdeath.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinggodslight/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivingGodsLight Twitter: https://twitter.com/LivingGodsLigh1 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest on Uncorking a Story, Donna Loughlin, and I were both involved in the early days of the 90s dot.com bubble, in similar roles. I was working to understand what consumers wanted in digital technologies and she was tasked with uncorking stories from the tech leaders of the day. We take a walk down memory lane, and so much more, in this episode of Uncorking a Story. Meet Donna Loughlin Donna Loughlin is known for her work with futurists and innovators as the founder of LMGPR. She has launched more than 500 companies, taking them from stealth to market leaders since forming her agency in 2002. Donna is also the host of BeforeItHappened, a leading narrative podcast featuring visionaries and the moments, events, and realizations that inspired them to change our lives for the better. She excels in the realm of storytelling, and uses those skills to propel new companies into the mainstream.  Key Topics: How Donna's curiosity for peoples’ stories was cultivated from a young age The different story angles Donna uses to craft compelling narratives for tech founders The evolution of the Silicon Valley tech scene Bringing innovative products to life in emerging tech markets How a professor once told her she’d never make it as a journalist, only to have his resume wind up in her pile years later Connect with Donna Website: https://www.beforeithappened.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beforeithappenedshow/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/theBIHpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnal2/ 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For anyone out there who feels crippling stage fright before having to perform in front of an audience, this episode is for you! Today’s guest, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and author Elma Linz Kanefield, not only opens up about her own history with stage fright but tells us what we can do about it! She recently joined me on Uncorking a Story to discuss her life and latest book, Hamlet's Mirror: Reaching Your Performance Potential Onstage and Off.  Meet Elma Linz Kanefield Elma succumbed to debilitating stage fright as a young performer which left her voice… silent. However, rather than remain devastated and at the effect of her fear, she transformed her fright into her life’s calling and became a specialist in the psychology of the performing artist. She joins me today to talk about her life and new book  Welcome to Uncorking a Story Elma. Key Topics: How experiencing crippling stage fright at the age of 19 put her life on a path that she never anticipated. Her decision to help other performers with anxiety around performing. The differences between feeling nervous and crippling stage fright. Advice for budding and experienced performers alike. Why Elma feels as if she found her calling in life. Buy Hamlet's Mirror: Reaching Your Performance Potential Onstage and Off Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HpTcaU Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798986260501 Connect with Elma Linz Kanefield Website: https://www.elmalinzkanefield.com/ e-Mail: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elma.kanefield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linzkanefield/ 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if it was easy to stop living for money? To have the health, wealth, and life you dream of? And the solution had nothing to do with politics or outside forces? Well, these are some of the questions today’s guest on Uncorking a Story,, Kristen Ragusin, poses in her new book, The End of Scarcity: The Dawn of the New Abundant World. Here today to talk about that book is author Kristen Ragusin.  Meet Kristen Ragusin Kristen is a professional wealth management consultant with thirty years of experience. Investing over $150 million, she helps clients navigate markets and achieve financial goals. She is a certified digital currency professional and earned her Masters Degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Kristen holds certificates in FinTech from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in Money and Society from the University of Cumbria, London. She loves the adventure of Life and everything it brings from the many kinds of people to the wonders of Nature. She has traveled throughout the world. Her many journeys include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, hiking through the Sahara desert and studying at a spiritual school located in the foothills of Southern India. ​ Key Topics: How earning an allowance inspired Kristin to get involved in the financial services business. Why Kristen believes the way we think about money is wrong. How we need to reinvent money to end scarcity. What getting to know your neighbors can do to help end scarcity. Why passion should fuel the work we do. Buy The End of Scarcity: The Dawn of the New Abundant World: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IUNVJt Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798986285801 Connect with Kristen Ragusin Website: https://www.kristenragusin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenragusin/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristenragusin Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristenRagusin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-ragusin-1115825/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kristenragusin 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever experienced a little voice inside your head trying to tell you something? Did you ever wonder where that voice was coming from? Have you ever listened to it? Well, today’s guest on Uncorking a Story, Suzanne Roske, ignored that voice for a long time until it shouted at her. When she finally did listen, her world changed radically for the better. Meet Suzanne Roske Suzanne Roske is a leadership coach, taco and mezcal enthusiast, public speaker, and now an author. For 25 years, she was the picture of objective success, a partner at a global management consulting firm guiding Fortune 500 companies through business and team transformations. And then she embarked on her biggest transformation yet—her own. Roske stepped away from her corporate life and into an adult gap year in Mexico which she chronicled in her memoir, I'm Supposed to Be Doing This: An Adult Gap Year.  Key Topics: Key insight into her life from her grandfather at the tender age of eight. What she learned by working in her family’s hardware store. Advice her colleagues told her on how to make partner in a global management consulting firm. Why Suzanne decided to move her family to Mexico and take an adult gap year. Why she felt compelled to chronicle her experiences in a book and the path she took to getting it published. Why it’s so important to listen to that little voice inside your head. “You have to be brave with your life so others can be brave with theirs.” — Suzanne Roske Buy I'm Supposed to Be Doing This: An Adult Gap Year Amazon: https://amzn.to/3kTA8Jq Connect With Suzanne Website: https://vamonoscoaching.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzanneroske/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.roske LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-roske-5616485/ 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I share a few things in common with today’s esteemed guest on Uncorking a Story. Glenn Kaplan and I both worked at Foote, Cone, and Belding and we both live in Connecticut, but only one of us has made the New York Times Bestseller List (hint, it’s not me). He recently joined me to discuss his latest book Angel of Ambition. Meet Glenn Kaplan Glenn is the NY Times bestselling author of Evil Inc. and Poison Pill. He’s worked in the international art world and as creative director in global advertising agencies and a Fortune 500 company.  Key Topics: How a lunch at a prestigious club in the early 1980s led to a deal for his first book, The Big Time: How Success Really Works in 14 Top Business Careers. Glenn’s experience being orphaned at a large publishing house. Why his ability to write believable female characters is a key ingredient to the recipe of his success. The story behind Angel of Ambition, Glenn’s most recent release. Why he’d tell his younger self to not strive for perfection during the writing process. Buy Angel of Ambition: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IYKuSg Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781954907348 Connect with Glenn Kaplan Website: https://www.glennkaplan.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkaplan/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glenn.kaplan.75 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@angelofambition9351/featured 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I love stories that involve cemeteries and libraries and today’s guest on Uncorking a Story has a one that involves both. Meet Ed Di Gangi Ed was adopted at birth in New York City. An only child, he made no effort to explore his heredity until, at age 69, a visit to a cemetery where members of his adoptive mother's family were buried stirred his interest. Over the past three years, through extensive archival research and DNA testing, Ed has peeled back the layers of his once unknown family. Ed joined me on Uncorking a Story today to talk about his book,The Gift Best Given, which recounts the search for his family and tells the story of a young woman's courage as she overcame obstacles to achieve her dreams.  Key Topics: How paying respects at his adoptive parent’s gravesite led to a desire to learn more about his birth mother. Ed’s motivation behind writing such a personal story. How Ed was wrong about why his mother gave him up for adoption. The touching story behind the title of his book. Ed’s advice to anyone seeking to write a memoir. Buy The Gift Best Given: A Memoir: Website (for a signed copy): https://www.digangiauthor.com/copy-of-purchase-my-book Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GQc4ym Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781734757200 Connect with Ed Di Gangi Website: https://www.digangiauthor.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digangiauthor/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052046681375 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I love a good story about people who break conventions and today’s guest on Uncorking a Story, Jessica Weaver, does just that. Shortly after getting started in the financial planning business, Jessica felt a calling to focus her efforts on women, and wow has that paid off! Along the way she has written three books (with another in the works), built a profitable business, and has changed the financial lives of her clients by taking a holistic approach to planning. Her energy and passion are infectious and it was a real pleasure having her on the show. Meet Jessica Weaver Jessica Weaver, CFP, CDFA, CFS is a wealth advisor, best-selling author, and founder of the Women's Wealth Boutique, the fastest growing woman-owned financial firm in the US. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her career path, writing, and how she has challenged the conventions of the financial planning industry. Key Topics: Why she decided to focus her business on women.  The importance of being vulnerable when meeting with clients. Challenging conventions by getting groups of people together and talking about money.  Why Jessica started writing books. How Jessica wrote a book in a week. The spiritual side of money (yes, there is one!). How to stop self sabotaging your own wealth. Buy Jessica’s Books: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vOGj3x Connect with Jessica Weaver Website: https://jessicaweaver.com/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-weaver-cfp%C2%AE-cdfa%C2%AE-cfs%C2%AE-76538733/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinkfixmymoney/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaCWeaver YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmvauHYM2uKeOywG7RvKi5Q 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we have a real treat for fans of US History. Today’s guest, Sewall Menzel, Ph.D., drops a bombshell about how President Roosevelt, playing the role of the Fox, provoked the Japanese to attack the United States at Pearl Harbor. More importantly, he also explains why.  Meet Sewall Menzel, Ph.D. Dr. Menzel is a career Army officer and university professor whose latest book, The Pearl Harbor Secret: Why Roosevelt Undermined the U.S. Navy, relies on recently declassified documents to reshape our thinking as to what Pearl Harbor really was all about. His findings challenge the history books and is the only comprehensive book on the Pearl Harbor attack that digs into declassified documents, as well as the diaries and notes of key players, that answers the question, “Why did Pearl Harbor happen?” Key Topics: Why the only son of two Chicago based artists decided to attend college at The Citadel in 1964. Dr. Menzel’s extensive military career including his time as an Army Ranger in Vietnam and the time he spent in Latin America. How Dr. Menzel observed that much of the early history of certain wars is inaccurate, and how that fueled his desire to uncover the truth about Pearl Harbor. How an encounter at the Roosevelt Archives gave Dr. Menzel the insight into how and why Pearl Harbor really happened. How the US was able to track the Imperial Japanese Navy on their way to Pearl Harbor and why Admiral Kimmel was setup to be the fall guy. Buy the Pearl Harbor Secret: Amazon: https://amzn.to/4012Gk1 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781440875854 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are often told to always look on the bright side of life—at least those of us who grew up watching Monty Python movies were told that. But how can we look on the bright side when the world around us appears to be so incredibly dark? Throughout her life, my guest today has faced constant adversity; a single mom at 18, abusive marriage for 20 years, cancer twice, but through it all, Trish Michael has worked not only to see the bright side but to be the bright side when it couldn’t be seen.   Meet Trish Michael: Trish is an author, artist, photographer and two time cancer survivor living in Maui, Hawaii and working to make the world a better place with all that she does. Her books, which have all been written for her own children at difficult stages in their lives, are her way of reminding them (and the world) that anything is possible. Steeped in hard won wisdom and written to empower, her books use fun rhymes and comforting cadence to make hard to swallow truths easy to digest.  Key Topics: How, after living with so many struggles and challenges, Trish found her happy. The motivation behind her books. How Trish channels heartache and struggle into beauty. The meaning behind the phrase ‘No mud, no lotus.” The importance of connecting with your inner child. Support Trish’s Kickstarter Campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/findyourhappybook/light-a-guide-to-making-good-decisions-even-when-its-hard Buy Trish’s Books Find Your Happy:: https://amzn.to/3X4mSA2 Light: https://amzn.to/3EeLptT Connect with Trish: Website: https://www.trishmichael.com/ Email: mailto:[email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamtrishmichael/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetrishmichael YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwnA9pOiqFlyEk9LfHJvPcA Connect with Mike: Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Payne is the bestselling, award-winning author of The Secrets of Lost Stones, Memories in the Drift and The Night of Many Endings. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to discuss her career and latest book, A Light in the Forest. Set in the hills of southeastern Ohio, it is a story about resilience and courage in the face of generational trauma. It's also  about finding hope, even in the darkest of times. Key Topics: Why Melissa loved writing in blue books while in college. Why writing a book was always a dream, but initially something she initially dismissed. How meeting another parent at her child’s school who had an agent and a manuscript out for submission impacted her decision to write a novel. The surprising role of rejections on the path to publishing. How confidence comes with age and experience. Buy A Light in the Forrest Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PrGPNQ Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781957568287 Connect with Melissa: Website: https://www.melissapayneauthor.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissapayne_writes/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mtnpayne Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York Times, USAToday, and Wall St. Journal bestseller, M.J. Rose grew up in New York City mostly in the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum, the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park, and reading her mother's favorite books before she was allowed. She believes mystery and magic are all around us but we are too often too busy to notice. Rose's work has appeared in many magazines including Oprah Magazine and The Adventurine and she has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, WSJ, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio. She joined me on uncorking a story to talk about her career and latest book, The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams. Key Topics: Why she decided to become an artist when everyone in her family felt she should become a writer. Why she feels a strong connection to Magic  How a premonition her grandmother had saved her life. Who Suzanne Belperon was and why M.J. felt compelled to write about her. The challenges of writing historical fiction, including the pressure to get the facts right when there is little source material to go on. Buy The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PrGPNQ Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781957568287 Connect with M.J. Rose: EMail: mailto:[email protected] Website: https://www.mjrose.com/content/ Facebook: https://www.mjrose.com/content/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MJRose Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjroseauthor/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/69003.M_J_Rose 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S. E. Boyd is the creation of veteran journalists Kevin Alexander and Joe Keohane, and editor Alessandra Lusardi. All lightly damaged Catholics prone to extensive over-analysis, Alexander, Keohane, and Lusardi have, between them, authored four books, edited dozens more, and written for Esquire, The Atlantic, and The New Yorker, among others. Alexander also won a James Beard Award for food writing, a fact Keohane and Lusardi are both tired of hearing about. They joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about their first novel, The Lemon. Key Topics: How our celebrity-obsessed culture influenced the book’s premise, and their particular fascination with what they call “the Celebrity-Death-Industrial Complex.” Their unique writing process, and why it has more in common with a TV writers’ room than typical novel-writing. Why the character at the center of the book is called John Doe: “In dying famous, he became the property of others; he is a cipher for whatever you want him to mean to you.” Their backgrounds in the food industry, print and digital media, and publishing, and how that insider knowledge informs THE LEMON Why they were drawn to writing about the food world – and why food celebrities are “often the most entertaining.” Their research for the book, and how various plot threads – about music, Belfast and Northern Ireland, upscale design firms, and more – came to be. Buy The Lemon Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UZB4s2 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593490440 Connect with S.E. Boyd Allesandra Lusardi: https://www.instagram.com/alelusardi/ Kevin Alexander: https://www.instagram.com/kevinalexanderwrites/ Joe Koehane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-keohane-7969769/ 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When I was a kid, I had dreams of joining the PGA tour; the only problem was, I really didn’t show a tremendous aptitude for the game of golf, which is kind of a precursor for playing professionally. In this way, I couldn’t be any more different than today’s guest, Matt McWilliams, who played the game collegiately and even made solid money in his early twenties as a teaching professional. He decided, though, that his true passions lay elsewhere and walked away from a lucrative career to teach others how to make a killing through digital marketing—and hasn’t looked back since. Meet Matt McWilliams: Matt is living proof that one can pursue one’s passion in life, and do so while making a profit. He started his first online business in 2001 at the age of 22 and today is one of the leading online business teachers. He’s worked with more than 300,000 online business owners while running affiliate programs, product launches, and book launches for entrepreneurs such as Shark Tank’s Kevin Harrington, Michael Hyatt, Brian Tracy, and Lewis Howes. Today, he coaches other small business owners, solopreneurs, and wantrepreneurs on how to start the right online business, scale it, and eventually go full-time with it. He joined me on Uncorking a Story to discuss his career and new book, Turn Your Passions into Profits: The Proven Path for Building a Rewarding Online Business. Key Topics: Why Matt walked away from what might consider a dream job to pursue a different passion. Why Matt decided to share his knowledge in the form of a book. How Matt wrote this book by writing just twenty minutes per day. Common misconceptions that prospective authors should know about writing a book. The surprising challenges Matt faced during the editing and publication process. Click here to buy Matt’s Book Turn Your Passions into Profits: The Proven Path for Building a Rewarding Online Business Connect with Matt McWilliams Website: https://www.mattmcwilliams.com/ Podcast: https://www.mattmcwilliams.com/affiliate-guy-daily-podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MATTMCWILLIAMSCONSULTING Twitter: https://twitter.com/MattMcWilliams2 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/matthewrmcwilliams 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Susan Combs is President of Combs & Company, a full-service insurance brokerage firm based in New York City. She started the company at twenty-six years old with a drive to “Do more, better.” This internal mantra has resulted in numerous successes and firsts, like being named the youngest National President in the over eighty-five-year history of Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS) and the first female Broker of the Year winner for BenefitsPro. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her book, Pancakes for Roger: A mentorship guide for slaying dragons, which includes the lessons she learned during her midwestern upbringing and 2 plus decades in New York City. Key Topics: Susan’s belief that nobody gets anywhere alone. The role her father played in her life. Why Susan likens her business self to a dragon slayer. The impact grief can have on your life, and how to overcome it. The importance of mentorship. Buy Pancakes for Roger Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AiWbhe Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781544528397 Connect with Susan: Website: https://www.pancakesforroger.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combsandcompany/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063797403039 Twitter: https://twitter.com/InsuranceVixen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-l-combs/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCei3_AQqJGaIsAlwlsSmYTw 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/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices