Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/



“There’s always another way of looking at things. Collaborators win bigger—in business, families, communities, everywhere.”



In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike sits down with Priscilla McKinney—CEO and “Mama Bird” of Little Bird Marketing, author of Collaboration Is the New Competition, keynote speaker, podcaster, and lifelong creative. From growing up as part of a traveling Christian family band to building a thriving B2B marketing agency, Priscilla shares her remarkable journey of resilience, reinvention, and redefining what leadership looks like. She opens up about the tornado that destroyed her studio, the anthropology roots that shaped her worldview, the collaborative mindset behind her book, and the power of creating something from nothing.

Whether you’re a marketer, creative, entrepreneur, or leader, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about how work gets done—and why collaboration beats competition every time.



Key Themes:

 1. Creative roots matter. Priscilla’s childhood—writing skits, spoofing commercials, performing with her family—instilled a lifelong belief that ideas can come from anywhere.
 2. Anthropology shaped her business philosophy. Her cultural anthropology background trained her to see multiple perspectives and understand human behavior—an essential lens for modern marketing and collaboration.
 3. Resilience can redefine your path. After a tornado destroyed 35% of her town and her studio burned down weeks later, Priscilla rebuilt with clarity and purpose, eventually creating Little Bird Marketing.
 4. Collaboration outperforms competition. Her book breaks down the mindset shift required to work collaboratively and the “anchors” needed to make collaboration sustainable long‑term.
 5. Writing is never a solitary act. From scribes to editors to industry peers, Priscilla highlights how creating a book is inherently collaborative—even when the ideas are your own.
 6. Self‑publishing can be a strategic business choice. With an existing platform, team, and marketing machine, Priscilla turned her book into a powerful calling card for speaking, podcasting, and client growth.
 7. Little Bird Marketing thrives in B2B. Her team blends creativity with serious revenue discipline, helping high‑ticket B2B brands stand out, differentiate, and grow.

Buy Collaboration Is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards a Cross-Pollinating Hive Mind & How Not to Get Left Behind

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

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781544535418



Connect with Priscilla

Website: https://littlebirdmarketing.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscillamckinney/

Podcast: https://podcast.littlebirdmarketing.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlebirdmarketing



Connect with Mike

Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/﻿ [https://uncorkingastory.com/%EF%BB%BF]

Collaboration Is the New Competition: Priscilla McKinney on Creativity, Resilience, & Reinventing Work

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/



"When your world feels like it’s falling apart, that’s when your story is beginning." – Jason Reid



In this episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with Jason Reid—a successful entrepreneur, executive coach, and founder of TellMyStory.org. Jason’s life changed forever in 2018 when he lost his 14-year-old son to suicide. Instead of retreating into despair, Jason transformed his grief into a mission: helping parents and kids navigate mental health challenges through storytelling and connection. We talk about his latest film, Shift: Do What Moves You, why hobbies and passions can literally save lives, and how failure often teaches us more than success ever could. If you’ve ever wondered how to find meaning in the darkest times, this conversation is for you.



Key Themes:

 1. The Power of Storytelling – Jason shares why stories connect us and how they’ve shaped his life as a leader and parent.
 2. From Tragedy to Advocacy – Learn how Jason turned unimaginable loss into a movement to help families recognize and address mental health struggles.
 3. Why Passion Projects Matter – Discover how leaning into hobbies and interests can be life-saving for kids—and sanity-saving for adults.
 4. Failure Is the Best Teacher – Jason explains why his biggest lessons came from business failures, not successes.
 5. Mental Health Starts Early – Eye-opening insights on how depression can begin as early as age seven and what parents need to know.
 6. Gratitude and Resilience – Hear the inspiring story of a young man who thrives despite adversity, thanks to gratitude and creative outlets.
 7. How to Bring These Films to Your Community – Jason shares how schools and parents can host screenings of Shift and What I Wish My Parents Knew at zero cost.



Request a Viewing of Shift: Do What Moves you

Website: https://www.tellmystory.org/films/shift



Connect with Jason

Website: https://www.tellmystory.org/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1tellmystory/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Ns4HMxIRZ5xW7-3D-fgIg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tellmystory-org/



Connect with Mike

Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/﻿ [https://uncorkingastory.com/%EF%BB%BF]

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory

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

Facebook: ﻿https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory

﻿Twitter: ﻿https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory

﻿LinkedIn: ﻿h [https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/%EF%BB%BF]

Why Passion Projects Save Lives, with Jason Reid

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/



“People can see themselves in Jane’s journey — that everyday person who realizes they can build wealth by investing in entrepreneurs.”



In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike welcomes back Karen Rands, leader of the Compassionate Capitalist Movement and author of Inside Secrets to Crowdfund Investing. Karen shares how her decades in angel investing inspired her newest book, a relatable, story‑driven guide that follows “Jane,” a fictional but very real composite of the many people yearning for a smarter, more meaningful way to invest. Karen breaks down the wealth‑building power of equity crowdfunding, why everyday people (not just the ultra‑wealthy) can become investors, and how purpose, passion, and profit can, and should, align in your investment strategy.



Key Themes:

 1. Angel investing isn’t as exclusive as people think. Karen explains that despite being around for 80+ years, most people — even wealthy professionals — have never heard of angel investing or equity crowdfunding.
 2. Her newest book teaches through storytelling. Unlike her dense first book, Karen’s new one follows “Jane,” a fictional every-person who learns how to invest responsibly and thoughtfully in entrepreneurs.
 3. Crowdfund investing is accessible. You don’t need $25K checks to get started — many platforms allow investments as small as $100 to $2,000, making it a real option for non‑accredited investors.
 4. Diversification is the secret weapon. Karen warns that the “kiss of death” is investing in only a few deals. Building a portfolio across stages, industries, and structures is essential.
 5. Emotion kills good decision‑making. Her advice: don’t chase excitement. Learn the fundamentals, understand your criteria, and avoid investing purely on impulse.
 6. Anyone can start learning — today. From her book to her crowdfunding e‑book, upcoming webinars, and the new Compassionate Capitalist Academy, Karen offers plenty of ways to get educated.

Buy Inside Secrets to Crowdfund Investing

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



Connect with Karen

Website: https://karenrands.co/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@angelinvesting

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheKarenRands/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenrands/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassionatecapi?_t=8q14kyaqCHO&_r=1



Connect with Mike

Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/﻿ [https://uncorkingastory.com/%EF%BB%BF]

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory

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

Facebook: ﻿https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory

﻿Twitter: ﻿https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory

Building Wealth with Purpose & Passion, with Karen Rands

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/

In this moving and deeply personal episode of Uncorking a Story, Michael welcomes debut memoirist Carol Kennedy, who shares the extraordinary journey behind her book Thank God for God. Carol never set out to become a writer—yet an unexpected spiritual experience compelled her to begin documenting her life, her faith, and ultimately, her family’s devastating loss.

Through grief, signs, miracles, and a strengthened connection to God, Carol found healing on the page. Her story is not just for Catholics or even religious listeners—it's for anyone seeking meaning, comfort, and hope in the face of life’s hardest moments.



Key Themes:

 1. An “accidental author” — Carol describes receiving what felt like a spiritual download that pushed her to write the first part of her book in just three weeks. 
 2. Writing through grief — After the sudden passing of her 23‑year‑old son Gerard, Carol wrote part two as a way to process the unimaginable, finding clarity and emotional release through the act of writing. 
 3. Signs, miracles, and moments of grace — From an “angel” guiding lost family members through a hospital to small but meaningful symbols like a Sharpie appearing at the exact moment she needed it, Carol shares powerful stories of divine presence. 
 4. Faith as an anchor — Carol discusses how her relationship with God deepened in adulthood and especially during the challenges described in her memoir. 
 5. A book for spiritual seekers of all kinds — While rooted in Carol’s Catholic background, the memoir speaks to anyone pursuing spirituality, healing, and connection beyond dogma. 
 6. Healing through honesty — Carol learned that writing openly—about joy, tragedy, and transformation—helped free her mind and heart to move forward. 
 7. A mission to help others — Despite being a private person, Carol shares her story with the hope that it will bring comfort and strength to readers facing their own hardships. 



Buy Thank God for God

Amazon: https://amzn.to/49t2fED



Connect with Carol

Website: https://www.thankgodforgod.com/

Email: carolkennedy@thankgodforgod.com



Connect with Mike

Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/﻿ [https://uncorkingastory.com/%EF%BB%BF]

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory

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

Facebook: ﻿https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory

﻿Twitter: ﻿https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory

﻿LinkedIn: ﻿https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/﻿ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/%EF%BB%BF]



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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205], or wherever you get your podcasts.



#ThankGodForGod #CarolKennedy #FaithJourney #SpiritualMemoir #GriefAndHealing #UncorkingAStory #AuthorInterview #FindingPeace #Healing

Turning Pain Into Peace: Carol Kennedy on Faith, Loss, and Her Calling to Write Thank God for God

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/



“I love having written more than I love writing. The process is work, but the result is joy.” — Rabbi Alon Ferency



In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike sits down with Rabbi Alon Ferency to explore the intersection of spirituality and creativity. From the challenges of writing to the vulnerability inherent in art-making, Rabbi Ferency shares insights on mindfulness, moral imagination, and why editing might just be the most sacred part of the creative process. Whether you’re a writer, artist, or simply curious about the creative life, this conversation offers wisdom, humor, and a fresh perspective on finding meaning through art.



Key Takeaways:

 1. The paradox of writing: Rabbi Alon loves “having written” more than the act of writing itself—and that’s okay.
 2. Flow state isn’t universal: For some, creativity feels like therapy; for others, it’s structured work rather than spontaneous inspiration.
 3. Vulnerability is essential: Great art often requires exposing your scars, not your wounds, to create authentic connection.
 4. Spirituality and creativity intersect: Ancient wisdom, like the Talmud’s “words from the heart enter the heart,” still informs modern art-making.
 5. Editing is sacred: Ferency argues that editing—whether in writing, music, or visual art—is where true artistry emerges.
 6. The artist’s sensitivity: Creative people often wrestle with heightened sensitivity, which can be both a gift and a challenge.
 7. Coaching artists: Ferency’s mission is to help artists align their work with their deepest values, offering spiritual and psychological support.

Connect with Rabbi Alon Ferency

Website: https://www.eclecticcleric.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EclecticCleric

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eclecticcleric

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eclecticcleric/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWc0eC6TFEnA9I23nES3_tQ



Connect with Mike

Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/﻿ [https://uncorkingastory.com/%EF%BB%BF]

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory

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

Facebook: ﻿https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory

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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205], or wherever you get your podcasts.



#UncorkingAStory #RabbiAlonFerency #CreativityCoach #MindfulArt #WritingLife #ArtAndSpirituality #PodcastForWriters





Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Creativity, Vulnerability, and Flow: A Conversation with Rabbi Alon Ferency

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/



"The Book of Reservations is about a woman navigating a dubious gift in a world that doesn’t always believe in it." — Laura Buchwald



Author Laura Buchwald returns to discuss her latest novel, The Book of Reservations, the second installment in her Ghost Table trilogy. Laura shares how a haunted Manhattan restaurant inspired her series, what it’s like to write under contract deadlines, and why humor is essential—even when tackling heavy themes like grief and the aftermath of 9/11. If you love stories about creativity, resilience, and the supernatural, this conversation is for you.



Key Themes:

 1. The origin of the Ghost Table trilogy — How a real-life restaurant and whispers of paranormal activity sparked Laura’s imagination.
 2. From standalone to trilogy — The challenges of expanding a single novel into a multi-book series.
 3. Writing under pressure — Why Laura found publisher-imposed deadlines motivating rather than stressful.
 4. Balancing grief and humor — How levity helps navigate heavy themes without diminishing their impact.
 5. Research through experience — Laura’s approach to visiting real locations to bring authenticity to her settings.
 6. The role of belief and skepticism — Laura’s personal experiences with mediums and how they influenced her storytelling.
 7. Looking ahead — A sneak peek into book three and how early reader feedback is shaping its tone.



Buy The Book of Reservations

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

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798892990776



Connect with Laura

Website: https://laurabuchwald.com/ [https://laurabuchwald.com/about/]

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095294176611



Connect with Mike

Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/﻿ [https://uncorkingastory.com/%EF%BB%BF]

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory

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

Facebook: ﻿https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory



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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205], or wherever you get your podcasts.



#LauraBuchwald #TheBookOfReservations #GhostTableTrilogy #AuthorInterview #WritingLife #ParanormalFiction #UncorkingAStory #BookTok #Bookstagram





Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Turning Inspiration into a Trilogy, with Laura Buchwald

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/

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

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



Key Themes:

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



Buy Befriending Betsy: A Memoir

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

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



Connect with Jen

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

Twitter: https://x.com/JenBraaksma

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



Connect with Mike

Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/﻿ [https://uncorkingastory.com/%EF%BB%BF]

Youtube: ﻿https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g﻿ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g%EF%BB%BF]

﻿Instagram: ﻿https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/﻿ [https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/%EF%BB%BF]

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory

﻿Twitter: ﻿https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory

Facebook: ﻿https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory﻿ [https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory%EF%BB%BF]

﻿LinkedIn: ﻿https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/﻿ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/%EF%BB%BF]



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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205], or wherever you get your podcasts.



#UncorkingASt

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

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/

"I took my parents’ stories from the Manhattan Project and wove them into a fictional spy subplot—because I’ll never know the real truth." — Leslie Schover

What happens when a clinical psychologist with decades of experience decides to write her first novel in her seventies? In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Leslie Schover shares how curiosity and family history inspired her debut novel, Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak. From Oak Ridge and the Manhattan Project to love triangles and espionage, Leslie reveals the fascinating journey of transforming real-life stories into compelling historical fiction.



Key Themes:

 1. Curiosity as a Superpower: How a news article about Soviet atomic spies sparked Leslie’s fiction journey.
 2. Family Ties to History: Discover the real-life connection between Leslie’s parents and the Manhattan Project.
 3. From Psychology to Fiction: Why Leslie shifted from publishing academic and self-help books to writing a novel.
 4. Challenges of Historical Accuracy: The research behind recreating Oak Ridge during WWII.
 5. Hybrid Publishing Insights: Why Leslie chose She Writes Press and what authors should know about hybrid models.
 6. Imposter Syndrome is Universal: Even seasoned professionals feel the doubt when starting something new.
 7. Awards and Validation: How Fission earned recognition as a historical novel and what that meant for Leslie.



Buy Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Mqk1Rd

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798896360568



Connect with Leslie

Website: https://www.leslieschoverauthor.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leslie.schover.9/

Substack: https://leslierschoverphd147820.substack.com/nuclear-fiction-newsletter



Connect with Mike

Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/﻿ [https://uncorkingastory.com/%EF%BB%BF]

Youtube: ﻿https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g﻿ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g%EF%BB%BF]

﻿Instagram: ﻿https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/﻿ [https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/%EF%BB%BF]

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory

﻿Twitter: ﻿https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory

Facebook: ﻿https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory﻿ [https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory%EF%BB%BF]

﻿LinkedIn: ﻿https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/﻿ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/%EF%BB%BF]



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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205], or wherever yo

Atomic Secrets and Fictional Spies: Leslie Schover on Turning Family History into a Novel

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/



“I didn’t write The Waiting Room — it came through me. In the middle of grief, in the middle of the night, the story wouldn’t let me rest until I let it out.”



In this special episode, the tables turn: Amazon Bestseller and Uncorking a Story host Mike Carlon becomes the guest. Interviewed by author Janet Ettele in front of a live audience, Mike opens up about the deeply personal origins of The Waiting Room, a novel that came to him during illness, insomnia, and profound grief. He shares the spiritual experiences that shaped the story, the losses of his mother and brother that changed him, and the strange, unexplainable “downloads” that guided the writing. Along the way, we explore hospice miracles, near-death visions, humor as a survival tool, creativity as healing, and what it means to live fully while learning how to let goo.



Key Themes:

 1. The Creative Download: How the story appeared fully formed during a feverish 3AM awakening, blurring the line between imagination and something deeper.
 2. Grief as a Catalyst for Art:  Mike discusses losing his mother and brother, and how writing became an unexpected part of his healing process.
 3. The Mystery of End-of-Life Experiences: Real-life hospice phenomena, including visions, “packing for a trip,” and loved ones visiting at the threshold.
 4. The Power of Spiritual Curiosity: How interviews with spiritual medium Anna Raimondi reframed his beliefs about life after death.
 5. Humor as Lifeline: Using comedy to balance heavy emotional terrain and to reveal authentic sibling dynamics.
 6. Writing Without a Map: Mike’s evolution from outlining to “discovering the story the way the reader will.”
 7. Living the Little Moments: Lessons learned from his brother’s final year: joy isn’t in big achievements, but in hummingbirds, porch breezes, and dance parties.



Buy The Waiting Room

Amazon: https://amzn.to/48iPrS8

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781732184695



Connect with Mike

Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/﻿ [https://uncorkingastory.com/%EF%BB%BF]

Youtube: ﻿https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g﻿ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g%EF%BB%BF]

﻿Instagram: ﻿https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/﻿ [https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/%EF%BB%BF]

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory

﻿Twitter: ﻿https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory

Facebook: ﻿https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory﻿ [https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory%EF%BB%BF]

﻿LinkedIn: ﻿https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/﻿ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/%EF%BB%BF]



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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205], or wherever you get your podcasts.



#UncorkingAStory #TheWaitingRoom #AuthorInterview #MemoirEnergy #GriefAndHealing #WritingThroughGrief #SpiritualWriting #EndOfLifeStories #Creati

When the Story Chooses You: Mike Carlon Uncorks His Own Journey

Let help uncork your memoir through a 12 week memoir mentorship program: https://mikecarlon.com/memoir-cohorts/



"I thought by using entertainment, I could get people to understand medical issues and change health policy. It didn’t work out that way—but people are fascinated by medicine." — Robin Cook



In this episode of Uncorking a Story, bestselling author and physician Robin Cook joins us to discuss his incredible career, the origins of the medical thriller genre, and his latest novel, Spasm. With over 42 books and 400 million copies sold, Cook shares how failure shaped his success, why medicine remains endlessly compelling, and the disturbing realities behind the medical-industrial complex. Plus, we dive into prions, private equity’s impact on hospitals, and what’s next for Jack Stapleton and Laurie Montgomery.



Key Themes:

 1. The Birth of the Medical Thriller: How Robin Cook combined medicine and suspense to create a genre that captivates millions.
 2. Lessons from Failure: Why his first book flopped and how that setback fueled the success of Coma.
 3. Medicine Meets Business: Cook’s concerns about the growing influence of private equity in healthcare—and how it inspired his upcoming novel, Bleed.
 4. Science That Feels Like Fiction: From genetics to prions, Cook explains how real medical advances often seem stranger than sci-fi.
 5. Character Evolution: Why Jack Stapleton feels like Cook’s alter ego—and how Spasm changes the game for this beloved protagonist.
 6. Hollywood Adaptations: The highs and lows of seeing his novels transformed for the big screen.
 7. Advice for Aspiring Authors: Why writing should be a personal journey first—and why luck plays a bigger role than most realize.

Buy Spasm

Amazon: https://amzn.to/44MXvYZ

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798217044931



Connect with Robin

Website: https://robincook.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrRobinCook



Connect with Mike

Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/﻿ [https://uncorkingastory.com/%EF%BB%BF]

Youtube: ﻿https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g﻿ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g%EF%BB%BF]

﻿Instagram: ﻿https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/﻿ [https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/%EF%BB%BF]

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory

﻿Twitter: ﻿https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory

Facebook: ﻿https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory﻿ [https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory%EF%BB%BF]

﻿LinkedIn: ﻿https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/﻿ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/%EF%BB%BF]



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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncorking-a-story/id563636205], or wherever you get your podcasts.



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Stories influence, teach and inspire us, but what about the storytellers who create them? Uncorking a Story profiles storytellers to uncover how their background and life experiences influence the stories they create. We learn what motivates them, their path to success, and what fuels them to keep creating. It all starts by asking one simple question, where does your story begin? Welcome to uncorking a story. All of the books promoted on Uncorking a Story can be viewed and purchased here: https://bookshop.org/shop/UncorkingaStory

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