Uncorking a Story

By: Michael Carlon
  • Summary

  • Listen in to Uncorking a Story, where we pop the cork on hidden narratives and delve deep into the brilliant minds of your favorite authors. Get ready to unlock the magic behind your favorite books, one unforgettable story at a time. Hit that subscribe button and never miss a sip of inspiration!
    Copyright Uncorking a Story, 2024
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Episodes
  • Uncorking Courage, with Kristina Kuzmic
    Sep 24 2024
    “My desire is to be for others what I needed when I was at my lowest.” – Kristina Kuzmic In this powerful episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike Carlon sits down with renowned author, comedian, and mental health advocate Kristina Kuzmic. Kristina shares her journey from a struggling single mother on food stamps to becoming a viral sensation and best-selling author. They dive into the vulnerability it takes to share personal struggles, how humor became her coping mechanism, and the challenges of parenting a child with mental health issues. Kristina’s raw honesty and infectious optimism will leave listeners inspired to live authentically and help others feel less alone. Key Themes Finding Humor in Hardship: Kristina shares how humor has been a lifeline in her darkest moments and how she “accidentally” became a comedian through her viral cooking videos. The Power of Vulnerability: Discussing her first book, Kristina opens up about the challenges of writing about her personal struggles and how being vulnerable helped her connect with her audience. Parenting Through Mental Health Struggles: Kristina speaks candidly about her son’s mental health journey and how it taught her to face her own unhealed trauma. The Importance of Community Support: From editors to close friends, Kristina emphasizes how important it is to have a support system in both writing and life. Overcoming Fear of Judgment: Kristina reflects on the abuse we inflict upon ourselves by worrying about what others think, encouraging listeners to embrace their authentic selves. The Role of Courage in Personal Growth: She shares how courage has been a vital component in her growth as a parent, writer, and individual. Buy I Can Fix This: And Other Lies I Told Myself While Parenting My Struggling Child Amazon: https://amzn.to/47yzPbe Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593653333 Connect with Kristina Website: https://kristinakuzmic.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinakuzmic/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamkristinakuzmic?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
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    42 mins
  • Redemption, Reinvention, and Writing, with Richard Podkowski
    Sep 17 2024
    "As a Secret Service agent, I was a secret writer... I kept my writing hidden for about five years." – Richard Podkowski In this episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with Richard Podkowski, a former U.S. Secret Service agent turned author. Richard takes us on a journey through his career, his novel The Walk On, and his passion for storytelling. We dive into the themes of redemption, how professional athletes' lives parallel this idea, and what it takes to transition from law enforcement to the world of fiction writing. Key Themes Transitioning to Writing: Richard shares his personal journey from writing investigative reports for the Secret Service to crafting compelling fiction. The Writing Process: How Richard secretly wrote his novel while balancing family and a career, and the challenges of getting published. Motivation and Persistence: Insights into staying motivated as a writer despite setbacks, including a multi-year break from writing. The Walk On and Redemption: Richard discusses how his debut novel explores the theme of redemption through the lens of a fallen NFL player. Exploring Different Genres: Richard's passion for writing beyond thrillers, including romantic comedies, and his screenplay aspirations. Consulting in Film and TV: His emerging role as a technical advisor for crime and law enforcement accuracy in the entertainment industry. Buy The Walk On Amazon: https://amzn.to/4fYwd66 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798885280334 Connect with Richard Website: https://richardpodkowski.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richard_podkowski Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.podkowski Twitter:https://x.com/RPodkowski 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
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    34 mins
  • Creating New Purpose, with Jonathan Bogner
    Sep 10 2024
    "Resilience isn't just bouncing back—it's finding new purpose after everything changes." — Jonathan Bogner In this inspiring episode of Uncorking a Story, host Mike Carlon sits down with Jonathan Bogner, a seasoned film and reality TV producer who has faced unimaginable challenges. From experiencing heart failure, two strokes, and aphasia, to receiving a life-saving heart transplant, Jonathan’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless optimism. Join us as we dive deep into his incredible journey, the lessons he’s learned, and the importance of finding purpose in the face of adversity. Key Themes A Life-Altering Health Journey: Jonathan recounts the series of major health crises that changed his life forever, including heart failure and a heart transplant. His experience with aphasia and the emotional impact of losing his ability to speak for a time is a central part of his story. The Power of Resilience: Jonathan shares his three key principles—rigorous optimism, rugged flexibility, and resilience—which guided him through his recovery and inspired his new purpose. Reinvention Through Purpose: After his transplant, Jonathan found a new calling in storytelling, focusing on unsung heroes—caregivers. His passion for sharing personal stories highlights the critical role caregivers play in the healthcare journey. From Behind the Camera to the Spotlight: As a longtime producer, Jonathan's transition from supporting other people's stories to becoming the subject of his own remarkable narrative was unexpected but powerful. Heart Memories and a Woman's Heart: Jonathan reflects on receiving a woman’s heart and the emotional and even physical changes he noticed, including newfound cravings for certain foods, touching on the mystical idea of heart memories. Celebrating Caregivers: Jonathan emphasizes the often-overlooked struggles of caregivers, sharing his plans for a TV show that highlights their stories with moments of both sincerity and levity. Connect with Jonathan Website: https://bognerentertainmentinc.com/home Website: https://personalstories.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanbogner1/ 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. #Resilience #HeartTransplant #Caregivers #PersonalStories #RigorousOptimism #AphasiaRecovery #Storytelling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 mins

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