An Interview with Podcaster & Author
Mike Carlon

When I learned podcaster Mike Carlon had a new book coming out, I dove at the chance to interview him. Mike and I first met in 2021 when he invited me to guest on his podcast Uncorking a Story to discuss my debut memoir Twice a Daughter. Before the release of my new book, Twice the Family, I was honored to make a return appearance on Uncorking a Story (listen here). One of the things authors love to do is support each other’s work, and I’m elated to introduce Mike’s books to my readership. 

Before we begin, congratulations are in order for  The Waiting Room becoming the #1 New Release on Amazon in Family & Personal Growth this past week!!!

Tell us a little about yourself

I’m Mike Carlon — a seasoned qualitative researcher, author, and podcast host. I’ve spent nearly 30 years helping brands better understand their customers, with deep expertise in UX and marketing research. I also write novels — my latest, The Waiting Room, explores themes of faith, family, and end-of-life experiences. And I host the Uncorking a Story podcast, where I interview authors to uncover the stories behind their stories.

Describe the story you tell in your new release

The Waiting Room is a deeply personal story. It grew out of my own experiences losing my brother and mother within thirteen months of each other. On the surface, it takes place in a hospital’s hospice wing during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve — but really, it’s about what happens when a family gathers at the threshold between life and death. It explores unresolved relationships, forgiveness, faith, and the mysterious ways the veil between this world and the next can start to thin. There’s a major twist in the story that reveals everything is not what it seems — ultimately, it’s about healing and the universal human experience of grief.

Talk about your publishing path for The Waiting Room

The book was launched on May 20th, 2025, from Uncorking a Story Publishing. I started Uncorking a Story Publishing years ago to publish my work as well as the work of select authors. While I have attempted traditional publishing (and currently have an agent trying to sell a full-length novel), I thought this book was best served going the independent route.  It is currently available in paperback and e-book formats.

What prompted you to write this book? 

I wrote The Waiting Room really as a way to process my own grief. In the span of thirteen months, I lost both my brother and my mother — and those experiences, particularly being with them in their final days, stirred up so many emotions and questions. The waiting room in the hospice center became this powerful symbol for me — not just a physical place, but a kind of liminal space where you’re stuck between hope and loss, between past and future. Writing the book helped me explore those feelings — and I hoped that in doing so, the story might resonate with others going through similar experiences of loss and transition.

How did you choose the book’s title?

The title The Waiting Room emerged early in the writing process because it reflects both the literal setting — a hospice waiting room — and the story’s deeper themes of transition, reflection, and unresolved relationships. I considered other titles, like Crossing Over or Liminal Spaces, but kept returning to The Waiting Room because of its emotional resonance. We’ve all experienced ‘waiting rooms’ in life — moments where time seems suspended, and we’re forced to confront what matters most. 

What are the main themes of the book?

There are a few big themes running through The Waiting Room. Grief, for sure — and how different people handle it. But also, forgiveness — especially within families, where old wounds can linger. Another major theme is faith — and the mystery of what happens when we’re nearing the end of life. I was fascinated by stories of end-of-life dreams and visions, and how they give people a sense of peace or connection to something greater. Ultimately, the book is about love, and how even when things feel broken, there’s a chance for healing and reconciliation.

Were there any characters, scenes, or chapters that were difficult to write about?

There’s a scene early on where Joseph, the lead protagonist, makes a series of phone calls from the waiting room. This was based on the calls I had to make to my wife, siblings, and father after I received the news that my brother’s medical team had decided it was time to just keep him comfortable. He died the next day. Writing this scene brought me back to that time and, as such, it was a challenging one to write.

What do you hope readers will take away from your story? 

I hope readers come away with a sense that even in the hardest moments — when we’re facing loss or sitting with grief — there can be healing, connection, and even beauty. I also hope it prompts people to reflect on their own relationships: What’s been left unsaid? Where might forgiveness be possible? And finally, I want readers to feel less alone in their experiences of loss — to know that grief is universal, and that love really does endure beyond this life.

When did you begin writing this book? 

I started it in late December 2025 and made my last round of edits with my editor in April. Of my nine publications, this was by far the fastest, with most of the others taking at least two months to draft and another six or so to polish with my editor. 

Where did you do most of your writing for this book?  

Most of this was written in the middle of the night. I’d been sick over the holidays with a mystery virus and wrote this in what felt like a fever dream. The story would not stop coming out of me in the middle of the night, so I just went with it. 

Which authors inspire you?

Rochelle Weinstein, Carl Hiaasen, Jonathan Tropper, and Robin Cook. 

What 3 tips of advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Just start. Devote time to it every single day and get the full story out before going back to edit. Be open to letting the words come through you, not from you.

What are you working on next?

Next up is a return to comedy, but I’m not ready to divulge too much about that now.

More About Mike Carlon:

He is an author and the host of the Uncorking a Story podcast which features in depth interviews with fellow storytellers. His novels include The Waiting Room, Return to Casa Grande, Uncorking a Murder, Winning Streak, The Last Homily, All the F*cks I Cannot Give, Motel California, Slippery People, and The Ruin of Souls.

When he is not writing a novel, a magazine article, or a piece for his local newspaper, Mike earns his living as a marketing consultant traveling around the world interviewing people about their experiences with and attitudes towards his clients’ products and services. 

Mike lives in Stamford, CT with his wife Nicole and their triplets Grace, Patrick, and Maggie. He holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Connecticut and an MBA with a concentration in marketing from Fairfield University.

Contact Mike Carlon Here:

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/

Follow Me Here

June 18: Julie has been invited back to the Pottawatomie CC Book Club in Michigan City, IN at 6 PM CT to discuss the recent release of Twice the Family.

July 24-27: Julie will attend the Understory Writer’s Conference in Park City, Utah. This intimate conference organized by writers for writers will celebrate the art of storytelling with a focus on the natural environment.

July 29 and Aug. 20: Julie will be presenting an online webinar, “How to Use Journals in Crafting Memoir” for the Author Learning Center at 1:30 ET. Go here to register. 

Aug. 3-5 Julie was selected to present her book, Twice the Family, at the SIBA/NAIBA’s joint fall conference, “New Voices New Rooms,” in Atlanta on Aug. 4 from 5-6:30 ET. 

Aug. 13: Julie will join the Adoption Knowledge Affiliates Book Club at 7 PM CT to discuss Twice the Family.

Aug. 24-28: Julie will attend the HerSpirit Women’s Writing Retreat at the Chaminade Resort & Spa in Santa Cruz, CA organized by Story Summit.

Follow Julie by visiting her website, subscribe to her bimonthly newsletters, and listen to previous podcast recordings where she discusses topics like adoption, identity, family relationships, sisterhood and belonging.

In Other News

Julie’s essay, “Bond Unbroken: Growing Up Adopted with My Twin” will appear in the July issue of Multiples Connection put out by Multiples of America Organization.

Julie’s appearance in celebration of National Family Month on the Big Blend Radio show, “Uncovering Family Roots: A Journey Through Ancestry,” is featured on: 

– Big Blend Radio – www.BigBlendRadio.com  
– Big Daily Blend Channel – https://big-daily-blend.podbean.com/
– Quality of Life Channel – https://quality-of-life.podbean.com/
– Way Back When Channel – https://way-back-when-history.podbean.com/
– YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@bigblendradio/

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