Best Michael Carlon Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 13: The Journey, the Pressure & the Power of Mentorship with Michael Parkhurst 27:01

23h ago27:01

27:01

In this can’t-miss episode of The Soccer Ladder, we sit down with Michael Parkhurst @mikeparkhurst3—former USMNT captain, MLS Cup champion, European pro, and co-founder of @beyondgoalsmentoring—to go deep on the sacrifices, mindset, and structure required to go pro and stay pro. Whether you’re an academy parent, a player chasing the dream, or a coa…

1
A Mother’s Journey of Hope, Grit, and Grace, with Jennifer Celeste Briggs 32:15

1d ago32:15

32:15

“I really wanted to reach the parents who might be crying in their kitchen and feeling alone—to let them know they’re not alone in those feelings.” – Jennifer Celeste Briggs In this moving episode, Jennifer Celeste Briggs opens up about her powerful memoir Watching Sarah Rise, the story of raising her daughter Sarah, who faced developmental challen…

1
Turning Heartbreak into Humor with Virginia DeLuca 32:23

3d ago32:23

32:23

“All love is risky. People die, they leave, they don’t listen to you—but you love them anyway.” — Virginia DeLuca When Virginia DeLuca’s husband unexpectedly walked out on their marriage in his 60s—claiming he wanted children—her gut reaction wasn’t just heartbreak. It was: If you must go, I wish you triplets. That quip became the title of her deep…

1
🎙 Episode 12 – From Player to Pro Developer: Inside Belgium’s Elite Training with Alessio Carlone 50:54

8d ago50:54

50:54

In this episode, we sit down with Alessio Carlone, a former professional footballer and co-founder of FPD Academy in Genk, Belgium. Alessio shares his inspiring journey from signing his first pro contract at 16, navigating international club moves, and ultimately being forced to retire early due to a genetic heart condition. But Alessio didn’t stop…

1
Putting the Dollhouse Back Together: Beverly Armento on Trauma, Forgiveness, and Finding Voice 33:35

10d ago33:35

33:35

“We spend so much of our life trying to put the pieces back in the dollhouse… the furniture changes, the people change.” — Beverly Jean Armento In this emotional episode of Uncorking a Story, Michael Carlon sits down with author and educator Beverly Jean Armento to discuss her powerful memoir, Seeing Eye Girl. Beverly reflects on a childhood marked…

1
Episode 11: Soccer Dreams to Reality ft. Larrys Mabiala 39:07

15d ago39:07

39:07

This week on The Soccer Ladder, we’re joined by the incredible Larrys Mabiala (⁠@mynameislarrys)⁠—former PSG Academy player and Portland Timbers pro, now author of Soccer Dreams to Reality. We dive into his journey from juggling a ball in a tiny Paris apartment to signing a professional contract at just 17. Larrys' path is one of grit, resilience, …

1
From Policy to Prose: Iris Mitlin Lav’s Journey Into Fiction 32:48

18d ago32:48

32:48

“I’ve always believed that within the realm of what’s possible, I can do it—and fiction was just another challenge to embrace.” — Iris Mitlin Lav In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Michael Carlon uncorks the remarkable second act of Iris Mitlin Lav, a seasoned public policy expert who turned to fiction writing after retirement. Iris shares how h…

1
Life’s Too Short: Jennifer Griffith on Legacy, Loss, and the Mothers Who Shape Us 55:42

22d ago55:42

55:42

“My dad looked at me [from his deathbed] and said, ‘It just went so fast.’ I asked what did, and he said, ‘Life.’ That moment changed everything—I knew I had to write the book.” — Jennifer Griffith On this special Mother’s Day episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with Jennifer Griffith—host of About Your Mother and author of Both Sides of Then—…

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EP 10: From Pro Players to World-Class Coaches: A Global Approach to Player Development 30:36

22d ago30:36

30:36

In this special milestone episode, we're joined by former pro players and now elite-level coaches, Libor Volf and Alex Jakubov, the founders of Volf Soccer Academy. With academies across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and even Uganda, these two bring a wealth of international experience to the table. They dive deep into: ⚽ Their personal journeys from s…

1
Going Off Script: Wayne Scott on Marriage, Memoir, and Making Your Own Map 36:00

25d ago36:00

36:00

“Your marriage can be anything you want it to be—you don’t have to just follow a supplied script.” — Wayne Scott In this deeply honest and thought-provoking episode of Uncorking a Story, writer and psychotherapist Wayne Scott opens up about the emotional terrain behind his memoir The Maps They Gave Us. We dive into his decades-long marriage, naviga…

1
Identity, Rejection, and Writing What You Love, with Janet Constantino 32:26

1M ago32:26

32:26

“I learned that I’m dogged… I didn’t abandon it, and that became very important—not giving up.” — Janet Constantino In this soulful and insightful episode of Uncorking a Story, psychotherapist-turned-novelist Janet Constantino shares the winding journey that led to her debut novel Becoming Mariella. A former competitive Latin ballroom dancer with S…

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Episode 9: Building the Dog Mentality with Coach Juan Ocampo 54:58

1M ago54:58

54:58

In this jam-packed episode of The Soccer Ladder, we sit down with Coach Juan Ocampo—founder of Pro Soccer Academy and mentor to some of the top youth players in the state. Known for cultivating what he calls the “dog mentality,” Coach Juan shares the real behind-the-scenes of what it takes to rise through the youth soccer system and develop not jus…

1
Writing Between the Lines of History, with Barbara Southard 29:16

1M ago29:16

29:16

“The whole idea of historical fiction is to fill in the gaps in the emotional feeling of the participants in the crisis.” — Barbara Southard In this episode of Uncorking a Story, historian and debut novelist Barbara Southard shares the emotional and intellectual journey behind her novel Unruly Human Hearts. Drawing from her academic roots and a dee…

1
Episode 8 — Legendary Stories & Real Talk with Shep Messing 39:43

1M ago39:43

39:43

In this episode of The Soccer Ladder, we're honored to be joined by the iconic Shep Messing — former U.S. Olympic goalkeeper, New York Cosmos star, broadcaster, and lifelong ambassador of the game. Known for his time alongside legends like Pelé and Beckenbauer, Shep brings not only decades of soccer experience but also unfiltered wisdom, powerful s…

1
The Stardust Within Us: Dr. Peter Solomon on Science, Storytelling, and Saving the Planet 47:25

2M ago47:25

47:25

“We’ve got to start thinking of ourselves as the Earthling tribe.” — Dr. Peter Solomon In this eye-opening episode of Uncorking a Story, scientist and author Dr. Peter Solomon shares how his passion for physics, sparked in a college classroom, led to a lifelong mission to communicate science through storytelling. We explore his Stardust Mystery pro…

1
Episode 7: Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones with Heath Pearce 29:25

2M ago29:25

29:25

In this week’s episode of The Soccer Ladder, we sit down with Heath Pearce—a seasoned pro who’s played in the MLS, Germany’s Bundesliga, and earned 35 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team. Heath unpacks his journey from breaking his leg at age 16 to turning pro, what he’s learned from being cut, benched, and doubted—and how those moments shaped h…

1
Writing from the Margins, with Joanne Howard 20:12

2M ago20:12

20:12

“Don’t be your own no—if the answer is no, let someone else say it. Don’t take yourself out of the race because of your own insecurities.” – Joanne Howard In this episode of Uncorking a Story, we sit down with debut novelist Joanne Howard, author of Sleeping in the Sun, a historical fiction novel inspired by her grandfather’s childhood in India at …

1
Episode 6: Beyond the Game with Charlie Rugg – From MLS Cup to Life After Soccer 26:43

2M ago26:43

26:43

This week on The Soccer Ladder, we’re joined by former LA Galaxy striker Charlie Rugg—a standout athlete turned artist who shares his incredible soccer journey from small-town sports to winning an MLS Cup and beyond. ⚽🎨 Charlie opens up about: Growing up playing multiple sports and why that made him a better soccer player His early success as an Al…

1
Stories That Find Us: Rochelle Weinstein on Pivots and the Power of Persistence 37:25

2M ago37:25

37:25

“The writing is the easiest part. It’s everything after that—the marketing, the visibility, the noise—that makes this business so tough. But you’ve got to keep going.” — Rochelle Weinstein Bestselling author Rochelle Weinstein joins Uncorking a Story to reflect on the career crossroads that changed her life. After walking away from a successful rol…

1
Ep 5: Navigating College Soccer & Beyond with Coach John Velasco 49:04

2M ago49:04

49:04

In this episode of The Soccer Ladder, we sit down with John Velasco, Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach at Temple University, to explore the journey from youth soccer to college — and even the pro level. From growing up in Plainfield to coaching at every level of the game, John's insight is invaluable for players and parents alike navigating the modern s…

1
Lighting Up the World: The Extraordinary Power of Fireflies with Julie Wignall 47:42

2M ago47:42

47:42

“We all have a light to shine, and today more than ever, the world needs us to shine those lights in all the different areas that are there.” – Julie Wignall In this illuminating episode of Uncorking a Story, Julie Wignall shares her unconventional journey from marine biology to corporate leadership to writing The Extraordinary Power of Fireflies. …

1
EP 4: From 12-Year-Old Prodigy to Champion: Greg Garza on Resilience, Pressure & The Path to Success 47:11

2M ago47:11

47:11

Guest: Greg Garza – Former MLS & Liga MX Champion, U.S. National Team Player, Co-Founder of Beyond Goals Mentoring In this episode, we sit down with Greg Garza, a player whose career has taken him across Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, and the U.S., winning championships in both MLS and Liga MX. Greg shares his incredible journey from moving to Brazil at…

1
Kristen Arnett Unpacks Florida, Fiction, and Finding Your Voice 31:01

2M ago31:01

31:01

Each book has its own trajectory and process… The things that are meant for you come to you.” – Kristen Arnett Bestselling author Kristen Arnett joins Uncorking a Story to talk about her latest novel, Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One, a book about a queer birthday clown navigating art, grief, and life in Central Florida. We dive into her writing jo…

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Revolutionizing Qualitative Research with AI: A Conversation with Jack Bowen 24:38

2M ago24:38

24:38

In the latest episode of Conversations in Depth, host Mike Carlon interviews Jack Bowen, the visionary founder of CoLoop, an AI-powered tool transforming the way qualitative marketing research is analyzed. With a career rooted in problem-solving and innovation, Bowen’s journey is a testament to the impact of technology on modern research approaches…

1
Leading with Purpose: Dr. Kevin McGarry on Leadership, Life, and Lessons 38:37

2M ago38:37

38:37

“The number one thing a leader can do is have a vision for their team's careers—yet only 12% of employees say their boss ever talks to them about it.” — Kevin McGarry, Ph.D. In this episode of Uncorking a Story, we sit down with Dr. Kevin McGarry—leadership expert, CEO of Leading 360, and author of Lead with Purpose. Kevin shares his journey from c…

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Ep. 3: A Conversation with Julian Valerio of Fundamental Ball Academy 29:45

3M ago29:45

29:45

In this episode of The Soccer Ladder, we sit down with Julian Valerio, founder of Fundamental Ball Academy, to talk about youth player development, soccer IQ, strength training, and the importance of a well-rounded approach to the game. With a rich soccer background, including playing at a high level in the U.S. and abroad, Julian shares his insigh…

1
Unmasking Secrets: Robert Steven Goldstein on Fiction, Power, and Identity 41:09

3M ago41:09

41:09

"Believe in that inner voice. Trust it, no matter what anyone else says. Just keep pursuing what’s important to you." – Robert Steven Goldstein Robert Steven Goldstein spent decades in the corporate world before making good on a lifelong dream—becoming a novelist. After retiring at 56, he dedicated himself to writing full-time, crafting compelling …

1
Ep. 2: From the NFL to New Adventures – A Conversation with Vernon Davis 15:25

3M ago15:25

15:25

In this episode of The Soccer Ladder, we welcome NFL legend Vernon Davis! As a Super Bowl champion, two-time Pro Bowler, and one of the greatest tight ends in the game, Vernon shares his incredible journey from high school football to the NFL and beyond. He talks about the mindset, work ethic, and dedication required to succeed in professional spor…

1
Rewriting Her Story: Barbara Boyle’s Reinvention from Ad Exec to Memoirist 35:12

3M ago35:12

35:12

"Only you can tell your story, and only you can tell it in the way you tell it. And that's critical." – Barbara Boyle For years, Barbara Boyle crafted stories for some of the biggest brands in advertising. But after decades in the corporate world, she found herself on an unexpected journey—one that led her to a 300-year-old farmhouse in Italy, a me…

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From Academy to Pro – A Journey with Serge Ngoma of the New York Red Bulls 28:29

3M ago28:29

28:29

In this episode of The Soccer Ladder with Li & Me, we sit down with Serge Ngoma, a homegrown player for the New York Red Bulls, to talk about his journey from youth soccer to signing his first professional contract at just 16 years old! Serge shares his experience of moving through the Red Bulls Academy system, the challenges of balancing school an…

1
Teaching, Writing, and Breaking Through: Jenn Bouchard’s Delicious Path to Publishing 30:31

3M ago30:31

30:31

“I realized that storytelling was something I had to do—not just something I wanted to do.” – Jenn Bouchard Award-winning author Jenn Bouchard joins the show to talk about her journey from being a dedicated high school teacher to a published, award winning novelist. She shares insights into the challenges of transitioning careers, the perseverance …

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From Magazines to Manuscripts: Jonathan Small’s Writing Journey 46:28

3M ago46:28

46:28

"Don't be afraid to fail and just do what you want to do. The fear of failure holds so many people back." – Jonathan Small Award-winning author, journalist, and podcast host Jonathan Small joins the show to share his fascinating journey through the ever-evolving world of writing. From a serendipitous first interview with George Carlin to navigating…

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Michael Carlon Podcasts

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