Best Don McKinnon Podcasts (2024)

1
Writing Beyond Boundaries: Embracing Criticism, Late Blooms, and Creative Courage with Linda Moore2024 45:47

1d ago45:47

45:47

"Perseverance is probably the most important skill or quality to have. Stick with it, and eventually you'll cross some kind of finish line." – Linda Moore In this episode, Linda Moore, a late-blooming fiction writer and art historian, shares her unique journey from political science and journalism to owning an art gallery and finally embracing a ca…

1
From Myths to Medicine: Dr. Benjamin Caplan on Cannabis 41:18

1h ago41:18

41:18

“There's so much literature in cannabis... I'm kind of acting a little bit like a translator for the general public and for the medical community." — Dr. Benjamin Caplan In this episode of "Uncorking a Story," host Mike Carlon sits down with Dr. Benjamin Caplan, a renowned family physician and expert in medical cannabis. Over the past 17 years, Dr.…

1
Finding Freedom Through Love, Connection, and Writing 53:22

10d ago53:22

53:22

"I felt really alienated before, but when I started walking on the streets and all these people started sharing their stories, I slowly started to heal." — Varuni Sinha In this compelling episode of "Uncorking a Story," host Mike Carlon interviews Varuni Sinha, a New York-based writer and multimedia producer, about her transformative journey from a…

1
Writing Through Adversity with Ann Bancroft 39:46

9d ago39:46

39:46

"I wasn't interested in writing about my own cancer journey, but I was interested in the idea of what if my situation had been flipped." — Ann Bancroft In this heartfelt episode of "Uncorking a Story," host Michael Carlon sits down with Ann Bancroft, a remarkable two-time breast cancer survivor who has made her literary debut at the age of 71. Banc…

1
Healing through Story, with Holly LaBarbera 32:21

15d ago32:21

32:21

"Writing is like therapy; it reveals the soul and heals the heart." — Holly LaBarbera In this episode of "Uncorking a Story," Holly LaBarbera, an accomplished author and psychotherapist, takes us through her fascinating journey from childhood letter writing with her grandmother to becoming a published novelist. She shares how her career as a therap…

1
Underdogs w/ Jason Hehir 1:10:08

13d ago1:10:08

1:10:08

Jason Hehir who is a documentary filmmaker whose subjects have included cultural icons Andre the Giant, Michael Jordan and Elvis Presley among others. We talked about those films and his recent HBO series, Murder in Boston. It was a far ranging conversation touching on topics ranging from race, reckoning with our past and what makes for a successfu…

1
Unlocking the Subconscious, with Philip Cioffari 48:24

1M ago48:24

48:24

"Writing is like staying in shape; even when things aren't going well, sitting at the desk and writing keeps you ready for the day when the right ideas and words come." - Philip Cioffari Today we dive deep into the world of storytelling with special guest Philip Cioffari. Philip is a novelist, short story writer, playwright, and filmmaker whose jou…

1
Music and Murder with Hannah Mary McKinnon 31:51

1M ago31:51

31:51

"I like the idea of thinking of it as a gift, although it certainly doesn't feel like it at the time." — Hannah Mary McKinnon In this episode of "Uncorking a Story," host Michael Carlon welcomes back internationally bestselling author Hannah Mary McKinnon. Known for her gripping suspense novels and heartwarming holiday romantic comedies, Hannah sha…

1
Going into the Closet, with Mark Ukra and Tara Mesalik MacMahon 35:21

2M ago35:21

35:21

“When your fears disappear, your dreams appear.” —Gamma, from ”Closet of Dreams.” In this episode, we dive into the enchanting world of childhood imagination and creative collaboration with brother-sister duo, Mark Ukra and Tara Masalaik McMahon. Join us as we explore their journey from a shared childhood closet of dreams to the creation of their h…

1
Don’t Hold Back, with Jasmine Gonzalez 17:13

2M ago17:13

17:13

"It's okay to not be okay. Writing has been my way to let things out, to release the constriction of emotions, and to heal. I don't hold back in my poetry, and I encourage others to find their own way to express and release their feelings." – Jasmine Gonzalez In this episode of "Uncorking a Story," we welcome Jasmine Gonzalez, a New York City-based…

1
From Marketing Maven to Magical Storyteller, with Christina Bacilieri 32:26

2M ago32:26

32:26

"Magic finds us in our darkest times." — Christina Bacilieri Christina Bacilieri’s life and career were profoundly shaped by her Italian grandmother and a dream that inspired her to write her first novel, "The Last Refuge." In this episode, Christina shares her journey from a career in marketing to becoming a full-time writer, discussing the challe…

1
Love, Loss, and Legacy, with Anna Monardo 55:18

2M ago55:18

55:18

"Marriage can hold more difficulty than you believe and still move forward and evolve into something positive." – Anna Monardo How does an arranged marriage spanning continents and generations reveal the hidden strengths and vulnerabilities of a family, and what can it teach us about our own relationships and identities? Meet Anna Monardo Anna Mona…

1
Navigating Identity and Belonging, with Adoptee Lisa Ann 37:45

3M ago37:45

37:45

"Being chosen doesn't mean being whole; it means navigating a journey to find yourself.” — Adoptee Lisa Ann In this heartfelt episode of "Uncorking a Story," host Mike Carlon welcomes Lisa Ann, the host of the "Wandering Tree Podcast." Lisa Ann shares her deeply personal story as an adoptee, discussing the complexities of identity, family, and the …

1
Talents Not Tendencies, with Mary Carol Moore 28:14

3M ago28:14

28:14

"The idea of found family and the hope that you have a pod of people out there who will accept you for who you are is central to my story." — Mary Carol Moore In today’s episode, Author Mary Carol Moore discusses her journey from being a food journalist to an accomplished novelist, inspired by her mother's legacy as a World War II era pilot. She sh…

1
Divine Gifts, with Lauren Martin 52:59

3M ago52:59

52:59

"Poetry is a gift from the Divine, a voice from ancestors, expressing profound truths and deep emotions." - Lauren Martin In today’s episode of Uncorking a Story we sit down with Lauren Martin, a psychotherapist, poet, and a devoted Ìyânífá. She shares her journey from discovering her poetic voice in sixth grade to compiling her latest collection, …

1
Ep. 3 - Great Gala Ideas 39:50

3M ago39:50

39:50

Looking to host a successful gala? The Raise & Shine Podcast shares the best gala ideas to help propel your event to new heights. Hear directly from seasoned gala guest and volunteer organizer, Coryn Hemsley, who has attended more than 40 galas across Canada. Get ready to put the fun into fundraising with advice on everything from celebrity guests …

1
Hidden Healers, with Dr. Stephanie Covington 45:09

3M ago45:09

45:09

"We have a lot to learn from them. It's really about the survival of the human spirit." - Dr. Stephanie Covington In this informative episode of Uncorking a Story, we dive into the life and expertise of Stephanie Covington, Ph.D. who shares wisdom gained through her work with incarcerated women and reveals how they support each other in the most ch…

1
Embracing Life's Unexpected Twists, with Link Forester 33:14

4M ago33:14

33:14

“Be quick to forgive yourself. It's hard to do, but be quick to forgive people around you. We're going to disappoint ourselves, and people are going to disappoint us. Just forgive, get over it. Don’t let a mistake ruin a relationship—it's not worth it. The relationship is so much more.” — Link Forester Join us in this powerful episode of Uncorking …

1
Be Your Own Fool, with Joe Di Prisco 1:24:42

4M ago1:24:42

1:24:42

“Be your own fool. You’ve got to be a little bit crazy to believe your writing matters, and it does!” Today, I chat with author Joe Di Prisco who shares the mosaic of his life, from a Brooklyn childhood shadowed by mob connections to his spirited pursuits in poetry and education. This episode delves into Joe's complex relationship with religion, hi…

1
Wine, Women, and Dementia with Kitty Norton 38:07

4M ago38:07

38:07

"It's like a honey badger; dementia doesn't give a shit. It doesn't care about what you want to do." — Kitty Norton Tune into this episode of Uncorking a Story for an honest and inspiring exploration of the highs and lows of caregiving, the power of storytelling, and the unexpected paths life can take. Meet Kitty Norton In 2016 Kitty left her job a…

1
From Lost To Found, with Tracy Mayo 38:10

4M ago38:10

38:10

"Right, you'll forget it ever happened. That's what my social worker told me and other girls at the Florence Crittenton home for unwed mothers. But yeah, you don't forget that you are a mother. And also, how does one keep the secret from oneself? That's an absolute impossibility." — Tracy Mayo In the lead up to Mother’s Day, I wanted to share the p…

1
A Writing Journey of Love, Loss, and Legacy, with Glenn Hileman 34:39

4M ago34:39

34:39

“I found writing almost an unbelievably incredible way to deal with the grief. It was a way to channel my energy in a really productive way that ultimately led to this book that I've written. And it was therapeutic. It was really helpful for me in many ways." — Glenn Hilemann In this deeply moving episode of "Uncorking a Story," we explore the poig…

1
Pathways of Light, with Gary Smith 37:14

4M ago37:14

37:14

"It's interesting to compare the process of creating an image with writing. In photography, I find myself editing the scene to highlight what draws my interest, focusing on the essence and minimizing distractions. This approach is similar to writing, where the goal is to strip away the superfluous to communicate the core message clearly. Both proce…

1
Random w/ Mark Rank 59:41

4M ago59:41

59:41

Mark R. Rank is recognized as a foremost expert on issues of poverty, inequality and social justice. To date he has written 10 books on a range of subjects, including an exploration of the American Dream and a new understanding of poverty and inequality. In this episode, I talk to Mark about his latest book, The Random Factor which looks at the rol…

1
Triumph over Tragedy, with Reggie Reed 38:43

5M ago38:43

38:43

"I have my wife as my ultimate support system. But as a man, it feels like you shouldn’t show weakness or talk about things that might make you vulnerable because you worry about what others will think. That’s why I decided to just go for it, to muster the courage to openly share my story. I committed to laying everything out there, telling my stor…

1
The Power of Strength, with Lori Brand 42:15

5M ago42:15

42:15

"The day my dance instructor had her jaw wired shut to lose weight was the day I realized how deep the rabbit hole of body image issues really went. It wasn't just about being thin; it was about battling your body at war with societal expectations." - Lori Brand Welcome to a compelling episode that dives deep into the heart of how societal pressure…

1
Family w/ Brittany Means 57:43

5M ago57:43

57:43

Brittany Means is author of the critically acclaimed memoir, “Hell if We Don’t Change Our Ways”. Reviews have called it “gut-wrenching and triumphant.” “Readable and rigorous.” “Brutal and beautiful.’ At its heart, it is a book about family. as Means recounts her complex relationships with her mother, father, brother, and grandparents and eventual …

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