Uncorking A Story

About Ashleigh Renard: As a figure skating coach and choreographer, Ashleigh Renard spent two decades building trust and fostering teamwork, growing her synchronized skating organization to one of the biggest in the world. Now she offers support and encouragement to millions of couples every week through her lifestyle blog and coaching practice. She also co-hosts a podcast for content creators looking to grow their platform. She's here with us today to discuss her newest book, Keeping it Hot: The Workbook. In this episode, Mike and Ashleigh discuss:  The motivation behind writing Keeping it Hot, the Workbook The role uncovering your own needs plays in building intimacy How intimacy outside the bedroom can lead to intimacy inside the bedroom How to speak openly and honestly about your needs Key Takeaways:  Bringing the spark back to the relationship should be fun, not a fight. Self-awareness, or knowing what you want from yourself and a partner, is crucial in every relationship. The first step to fi

Every now and then I uncork a story that simply inspires the hell out of me—and this is one of those stories. As Founder and CEO of Encourage LLC, Johnny Sirpilla specializes in leadership development. Every year he addresses organizations with his message of the importance of managing and reframing thoughts, modeling healthy thinking, and searching for positive meaning. Developing meaningful professional and personal relationships that genuinely reflect the personal brand of the individual and organization create synergies that drive growth for all stakeholders. I didn’t know it going into my interview with Johnny, but he and I have a lot in common. We are both Italian (well, I’m only half, but that’s the half I identify with), we both have written books, and we both have fathered triplets. He and his wife, however, lost Nicholas, Mary, and Peter not long after they were born. More tragedies would follow Johnny and his wife as they attempted to start their family and you might assume that so much loss woul

About Sandra Butler: Sandra is the author of several books, each designed to identify something unspoken and move those issues into the public conversation. Over the past three decades, Sandra has written dozens of articles, reviews, and essays that have appeared in a range of periodicals and anthologies. She has facilitated workshops for community activist social workers and psychologists on violence against women and has lectured on women's issues nationally and internationally. She joins us today to talk about her latest book, The Kitchen Is Closed: And Other Benefits of Being Old.  In this episode, Mike and Sandra discuss:  The motivation behind Sandra’s latest book Why it is important to listen to your inner voices Defining love in its truest sense The truth about keeping secrets Key Takeaways:  Your story may have the potential to spark conversations about important issues, so go ahead and let the world hear your story. Be the change you want to see in the world. Listen to the voices in your

About Anastasia Zadeik is an author, editor, and narrative nonfiction storyteller. When she’s not reading or writing, you’ll find her practicing yoga, hiking, biking, swimming, or hanging out with her husband and her empty-nest rescue dog, Charlie. She’s here today to talk about Blurred Fates, her first novel.  Connect with Anastasia Amazon: https://amzn.to/39SQkpb Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647423797 Website :https://anastasiazadeik.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anastasiazadeik/?utm_medium=copy_link Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/anastasiazadeik/ Twitter :https://twitter.com/anastasiazadeik 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visi

Eleanor Brown is the New York Times bestselling author of The Weird Sisters and The Light of Paris, and the editor of the anthology, A Paris All Your Own.  She holds an M.A. in Literature and teaches writing workshops at writing conferences and centers nationwide Her latest book is entitled Any Other Family and is available wherever books are sold. Why is it important to write with the door closed? What is her special connection to Paris? Why is this story so near and dear to her heart? Listen in to find out the answers to these questions and discover her take on how writers can show how good they are. Buy Any Other Family Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ImWj2n Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593328545   Connect with Eleanor Website: https://www.eleanor-brown.com/   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 Fac

Dr. Carl Marci is a leader in the fields of social and consumer neuroscience and serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Cava Capital. Formerly the Chief Neuroscientist at the Nielsen Company, he’s also on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and is a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital. He and I recently sat down to talk about his new book, Rewired: Protecting Your Brain in the Digital Age. What got Carl interested in psychology and neuroscience? What’s the overlap between getting likes on social media and psychoactive drugs like cocaine? How do Carl’s former marketing and tech clients feel about this book? Listen in to hear the answers to these questions and learn what Carl thinks we can do to rewire our brains (and protect our children).  Buy Rewired: Protecting Your Brain in the Digital Age. Amazon: https://amzn.to/3P1Yhra Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780674983663 Connect with Dr. Marci Website: https://rewiredthebook.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-d-marci

About David Winkler: David comes from Hollywood royalty and is a very successful film producer. His work includes the films Creed, Rocky Balboa, and The Mechanic. He joins us today to talk about his memoir, The Arrangement, a Love story, in which he depicts the time he spent being a sugar daddy. If that’s not a term that’s familiar to you, that will change in the next few minutes. In this episode, Mike and David discuss:  Why did David decided to share his story  The lessons he learned about himself while writing his memoir The differences between writing a memoir and writing a screenplay How David came full circle in his beliefs about monogamy Key Takeaways:  Writing about your personal life is a complicated process as you must put yourself in a vulnerable position and expose very personal details. But if writing something truly personal is your goal, then go for it — just be prepared for some fallout. There is nothing wrong with using a dating website. It is sometimes the place where you can unin

Robert Harris (JR) has been exploring and backpacking long distance for more than 60 years in some of the most remote and inhospitable wilderness areas in the world, unsupported and mostly alone, and he has written numerous articles about his experiences, as well as a book entitled, “Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker.”  How did a kid from the concrete jungle of New York City fall in love with the great outdoors? What role did going to Boy Scout camp play in his love of adventure? How does he encourage younger generations of city dwellers to explore the wilderness? Listen in to hear the answers to these questions and learn why it is so important to stay curious in life. Buy Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ypg7gM Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781680511208 Connect with JR Website: https://www.jrinthewilderness.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jrinthewilderness/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrobharris/ Facebook: ht

As the president of Paperback Expert, Michael DeLon helps business owners publish a book that positions them as the expert in their field. He recently joined me to talk about how and why he became an expert in credibility marketing. What role did his father’s death play in his career path? Why did he return to the Church after being away for a while? What role does his faith play in his approach to business building? Listen in to find the answers to these questions as well as hear the inspiration behind his book, On Marketing: The Definitive Guide for Small Business Owners. Buy On Marketing Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IquPZB Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781511412056  Connect with Michael DeLon Website: https://paperbackexpert.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldelon/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaperbackExpert YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa05hG7SObdPO-M03mlgcKA Connect with Mike Carlon Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtu

May Cobb earned her MA in literature from San Francisco State University, and her essays and interviews have appeared in the Washington Post, the Rumpus, Edible Austin, and Austin Monthly. She recently joined me to talk about her latest novel, My Summer Darlings, which has been called a  potent cocktail of desire and deceit. Listen in to hear all about her career, new book, and our mutual admiration for the original Legend of Zelda Video Game. Buy My Summer Darlings Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ysID0V Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593101162 Connect with May Website: https://www.maycobb.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/may_cobb/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maykcobb/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17151210.May_Cobb 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:/

Fabian is a comic book writer and editor who is best known as the co-creator of Marvel's Deadpool and for his work on titles such as X-Men, X-Force, New Warriors, Cable, and Thunderbolts. He is the author of Suburban Dicks, a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by an American Author. He recently joined me to talk about his latest novel, The Self Made Widow, which has been called a diabolically funny murder mystery featuring two unlikely sleuths investigating a murder that reveals the dark underbelly of suburban marriage. How did he learn English after immigrating to the United States? What role did comic books play in his early life? What was it like going from the business side of the comic book business to the creative side? Listen in to hear the answers to these questions and learn why Fabian has a beef with the band Styx. Buy The Self Made Widow Amazon: https://amzn.to/3yP2NDM Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593191293  Connect with Fabian Website: https://www.fabiannici

About Eileen Brill: Eileen is a painter, writer, and Sign Language Interpreter who grew up outside of Philadelphia and graduated from Carnegie Mellon with a B.S. in Economics. She has written professionally for the restaurant, hotel, and commercial real estate industries. A Letter in the Wall is her first novel, Eileen’s short story “Christmas Angel” appeared in the international literary magazine Beyond Words in 2021. In this episode, Mike and Eileen discuss:  Where Eileen's story as a writer began The inspiration for A Letter in the Wall The lost art for writing letters Publishing your own book Key Takeaways:  A child's passion for writing may stem from their parents' writing abilities, but it is up to the child to turn that inspiration into a career in the future. Writing at a young age gives children more opportunities to learn, grow, and develop their creativity. Inspiration for writing can sometimes be found unexpectedly in unusual things found in your surroundings. You have complete control

Elissa Grossel Dickey is a former journalist who now works in higher education communications. She has shared her journey of living with multiple sclerosis through blog posts for the National MS Society and is the author of The Speed of Light. Her latest release is Iris in the Dark, which she recently joined me to talk about. Buy Iris in the Dark Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AINkGL Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781542037822   Connect with Elissa Website: https://elissadickey.com/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/elissaadickey/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elissa.dickey   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 do

Rochelle Weinstein is the USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of emotionally driven women’s fiction, including This Is Not How It Ends, Somebody’s Daughter, Where We Fall, The Mourning After, and What We Leave Behind. Her latest book is entitled When We Let Go, and is chock-full of warmth, heartache, and hope. She joined me to talk about her latest release as well as her path to becoming an author.   Buy When We Let Go Amazon: https://amzn.to/3umydyD Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593436813  Connect with Rochelle Website: https://www.rochelleweinstein.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rochelle.b.weinstein Twitter: https://twitter.com/rochwein Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rochellebweinstein/ 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 Li

Jade Beer is an award-winning editor, journalist, and novelist who has worked across the UK national press for more than twenty years. Most recently, she was the editor-in-chief of Condé Nast's Brides. She also writes for other leading titles including The Sunday Times Style, The Mail on Sunday's YOU magazine, The Telegraph, the Tatler Weddings Guide, Glamour, Stella magazine, and is one of The Mail on Sunday’s regular fiction and nonfiction book reviewers.She joins me today to talk about her latest book, The Last Dress from Paris. Buy The Last Dress from Paris Amazon: https://amzn.to/3umydyD Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593436813 Connect with Jade Website: https://jadebeer.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadebeerbrides/ Email: mailto:jadebeereditor@gmail.com 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/uncorkin

Sandra Feder is a graduate of Stanford University and is an MFA candidate in the Writing for Children and Young Adults program at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is a black belt in Taekwondo, likes to paint, and has a sweet tooth — particularly for dark chocolate. She is the author of two picture books and three early chapter books. She joins me today to talk about Angry Me, her sixth book.  Why did she start writing children’s books? Why is important to recognize anger as an emotion? What advice would she give her younger self? Listen in to uncover the answers to these questions and learn how being a children’s author can be a rewarding experience. Buy Angry Me Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IdUsNa Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781773063386 Connect with Sandra Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/sandravfeder Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandravfeder/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-feder-598633123/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube:

About Allison Raskin: Allison is a New York Times best-selling author. She is also the co-host of the popular podcast, Just Between Us and co-creator of a YouTube channel of the same name. Allison has written and developed multiple TV shows and created the original scripted podcast, Gossip. A vocal mental health advocate, Allison also runs the mental health-focused Instagram account Emotional Support Lady. Her latest book is called Overthinking About You: Navigating Romantic Relationships When You Have Anxiety, OCD And/Or Depression.   In this episode, Mike and Allison discuss:  The benefits that Allison receives from writing Why laughter is medicine Allison’s motivation for writing her book How to figure out what you need (and how to ask for it)   Key Takeaways:  Writing not only helps us express ourselves better, but it also helps us process a lot of things and is an excellent way to get your point and purpose across, whatever that may be. Laughter is the best medicine, and we need it now more

Kelly Leonard is the Executive Director of Insights and Applied Improvisation at The Second City. He began his Second City career in 1988, eventually becoming producer of Second City in 1992 and Executive Vice President through 2015. He has produced hundreds of original revues with talent such as Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Keegan Michael Key, Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler. His book, "Yes, And," received rave reviews in Vanity Fair and the Washington Post. What role did his father play in pursuing a career in arts/entertainment? How did he go from being a dishwasher to becoming producer of Second City? How can improvisational techniques be used to improve romantic relationships? Listen in to hear the answers to these questions as well as learn who shot JR. Buy Yes, And, Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NKhwUI Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780062248541 Connect with Kelly Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/klsecondcity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klsecondcity/ Website: https://www.secondcit

E Lockhart is the author of We Were Liars, Genuine Fraud, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks and a number of other novels. She joins me today to talk about her latest book, Family of Liars. What is the importance of community when it comes to writing a book? Why do authors seek institutional validation of talent? What advice would she give her younger self? Listen in to uncover the answers to these questions as well as learn why The Haunted Mansion is her favorite Disney attraction. Buy Family of Liars Amazon: https://amzn.to/3nop19d Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593485859 Connect with E. Lockhart Twitter: https://twitter.com/elockhart Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elockhartbooks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/10154068084943083 Website: http://www.emilylockhart.com/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ Twitter: http

Polly was in the second wave of women ordained priest in the Episcopal Church. Her book, American Blues, is available wherever books are sold.  Why did she become a priest? What obstacles did she have to climb on her path to ordination? What moved her to write American Blues? Tune into the deep episode of Uncorking a Story to learn the answers to these questions and uncover how American Blues is, in part, her personal story. Buy American Blues Amazon:https://amzn.to/3u8v8lR Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647420772 Connect with Polly Website: https://www.pollyhamiltonhilsabeck.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pollyhamiltonhilsabeck/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pollyhamiltonhilsabeck 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: htt