Personal Journals Episodes

🎧 Stories from Real Life 🎙️ Episode Title: “Engineering a Meaningful Life” Episode Summary: Dr. Tomás Estrada doesn’t just teach engineering — he teaches perspective. In this conversation, the Elizabethtown College professor opens up about the stories that shaped him, the moments that challenged him, and the students who changed the way he sees his work. He talks about what it means to build something lasting — not only in the lab, but in life. From childhood curiosity to quiet moments of doubt...

🎧 Stories from Real Life Episode: “The Other Side of the Gun – Susan Snow’s Journey Through Trauma, Grief, and Forgiveness” Summary:When Susan Snow was 17, her father — Los Angeles Police Detective Thomas C. Williams — was murdered in the line of duty. That single, devastating moment changed the course of her life forever. For decades, Susan lived with the unseen weight of trauma and unhealed grief. It took years before she found the language, the tools, and the courage to face what she had bur...

Beware: This conversation includes a discussion of alcoholism and suicide. At 72, most people are slowing down. But for Rand Timmerman, life’s greatest challenge — and greatest healing — came on a 2,000-mile trek through the Appalachian Mountains. A Marine, lawyer, and recovering alcoholic, Rand set out with his 71-year-old brother to walk, reflect, and rediscover what really matters. This is a story about endurance, faith, and the long road home. Want to be a guest on Stories from Real Life? S...

TRIGGER WARNING: Child trauma discussed in this episode. In this episode of Stories from Real Life, we sit down with Adriene Caldwell — author of Unbroken: Life Outside the Lines — to explore what it really means to survive, heal, and rise. Adriene’s story is one of resilience forged through unimaginable hardship, from childhood trauma to the long road of rebuilding identity and trust. She shares how she found her voice, her faith, and ultimately, her freedom. This conversation isn’t just abou...

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards interviews Azgari Lipshy, an entrepreneur who shares her journey from starting her first business at 16 to navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship. Azgari discusses the influence of her family, the lessons learned from early failures, and her passion for helping others launch their own businesses. The conversation explores themes of freedom, success, mentorship, and the importance of taking risks in life. Today, she’s bui...

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards welcomes back music legend Norbert Putnam for a deep dive into his storied career. Norbert shares captivating anecdotes about his experiences with iconic artists such as Kris Kristofferson, Donna Summer, and Elvis Presley. He reflects on the collaborative nature of music production, the challenges faced by artists, and the profound impact of storytelling through sound. With insights into the music industry and personal reflections...

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Maria Gallucci, a real estate agent and author who grew up in a deaf family. They discuss the unique challenges and experiences of navigating both the hearing and deaf worlds, the importance of communication, and the role of empathy and love in bridging cultural gaps. Maria shares insights from her book, 'Raised in Silence,' highlighting the significance of family dinners, the lessons learned from being a child of deaf...

Dr. Gregg Korbon’s life was rooted in science, discipline, and achievement—through medicine, military service, martial arts, and teaching. But when his son, Brian, a deeply intuitive and gifted child, died just before his tenth birthday - just as he had predicted to his parents - everything changed. Out of unimaginable loss came dreams, synchronicities, and spiritual encounters that challenged the limits of reason. In this episode, we explore the themes of his book Beyond Reason: the transformat...

Kenneth Webb has lived a life of constant reinvention—retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel, former American Airlines employee, defense contractor, and now debut crime-thriller author. In this episode, we dive into his journey from Texas to Lima, Peru, and explore the real-life experiences that shaped his novel Trapped in Deception. Ken opens up about leadership, resilience, and creativity, while also sharing what it’s like to start over in a new country and a new career. https://kenwebb69.com/ Want to...

Our guest today is Paden Squires, an entrepreneur, CPA, tax strategist, and host of the podcast Behind Their Success. From leaving corporate finance to building his own firm from his living room, Paden has made it his mission to help business owners and high earners become healthy, wealthy, and wise. He’s also a “20 Under 40” honoree and a passionate voice for turning scarcity into abundance. Want to be a guest on Stories from Real Life? Send Melvin Edwards a message on PodMatch, here: https://...

Today’s guest is a world-renown scientist and an educator — and a fearless peacebuilder. Dr. Zafra Lerman has spent her life using science not just to understand the world, but to change it. From creating groundbreaking science education programs that use art to captivate students, to founding the Malta Conferences, where scientists from enemy nations come together in the name of peace, her work proves that science has no borders when it comes to hope. Her work has been recognized globally, incl...

In this episode of 'Stories from Real Life', host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Misha Jones about her book 'About Damn Time'. Misha shares her journey of overcoming 15 years of silence and pain, motivated by the desire to give a voice to those who feel unheard. The conversation delves into the emotional struggles she faced, the impact of betrayal, and the importance of kindness and understanding in a judgmental society. Misha emphasizes that everyone has their battles and that a little love can ...

Part 2 of 2: He was once “Father God” — the chosen partner of cult leader Amy Carlson. In this raw, powerful conversation, Andrew-Ryan Profaci shares how he got pulled into Love Has Won, what life inside the movement was really like, and how he found freedom on the other side, despite a devastating cancer diagnosis. This is a story about belief, control, and what it really means to heal. Links: The War on Love book Amy Carlson Stuck in a cult? Watch the Stories from Real Life video on YouTu...

He was once “Father God” — the chosen partner of cult leader Amy Carlson. In this raw, powerful conversation, Andrew-Ryan Profaci shares how he got pulled into Love Has Won, what life inside the movement was really like, and how he found freedom on the other side, despite a devastating cancer diagnosis. This is a story about belief, control, and what it really means to heal. The War on Love book Amy Carlson Stuck in a cult? Watch the Stories from Real Life video on YouTube Want to be a guest ...

In this episode of "Stories from Real Life," host Melvin E. Edwards sits down with Bill Stitt, the mastermind behind Bill-E's Small Batch Bacon and restaurant. Dive into Bill's journey from a backyard bacon enthusiast to a nationally recognized brand owner. Discover the secrets behind his unique curing and smoking process, the importance of small batch production, and how live music serenades his bacon to perfection. Bill also shares insights on balancing tradition with innovation and the challe...

Episode Description: Join host Melvin E. Edwards as he sits down with Dr. Oluwole Babatunde, a physician, psychiatrist, researcher, and author, to explore his remarkable journey from personal loss to professional success. Discover how Dr. Babatunde's philosophy of "Adapt and Advance" has shaped his life and can inspire yours. Key Topics: Overcoming the loss of both parents at a young age The role of faith in navigating life's challenges Balancing multiple roles: doctor, author, and church leade...

Episode Description: Join host Melvin E. Edwards as he sits down with Dr. Oluwole Babatunde, a physician, psychiatrist, and author, to explore his remarkable journey from personal loss to professional success. Discover how Dr. Babatunde's philosophy of "Adapt and Advance" has shaped his life and can inspire yours. Key Topics: Overcoming the loss of both parents at a young age The role of faith in navigating life's challenges Balancing multiple roles: doctor, author, and church leader Insights f...

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with voice actor Lea Sakran about her journey in storytelling, voice acting, and the life lessons learned from her characters. Lea shares insights from her multicultural upbringing, the importance of perspective in storytelling, and her experiences in the audiobook industry. She discusses her current projects, including her book about Gusto and Gusta, and offers advice on creativity and self-trust. Takeaways I've learned ...

Today’s guest, Lyubim Kogan, is a five-time first-generation immigrant, Winter Olympian, NYU Stern grad, and 9/11 survivor. From Wall Street to war zones, Lyubim’s life has been anything but ordinary. He’s the founder of Wings4Heroes.org, where he helps amputee veterans rediscover joy and purpose through paragliding adventures. A bestselling co-author with Steve Forbes and speaker at the UN alongside Brian Tracy, Lyubim shares powerful lessons on resilience, service, and what it truly means to ...

Bob Furniss is a father who turned his grief into advocacy after losing his daughter Keesha to breast cancer. Bob discusses the mission of his organization, Warrior Princess, which focuses on early detection of breast cancer in young women. He shares the emotional journey of writing his memoir, 'On to Blue,' and the challenges of navigating grief as a family. Bob also reflects on his own health struggles with Parkinson's disease and offers advice for healthcare professionals on supporting famili...

Dante Wright’s story reads like a movie script, but every twist is real. Removed from his home at a young age and raised by various relatives until the age of 15, Dante faced instability, heartbreak, and the kind of challenges that derail even the strongest spirits. But against all odds, a chance encounter with a local judge rescued him from a group home and led him to courtrooms and justice. Now a practicing attorney, Dante shares his remarkable journey - what kept him going, the mentors who s...

Annie Korzen shares her unique journey in the entertainment industry, reflecting on her late start in acting, the challenges of ageism, and the impact of her looks on casting. She discusses her newfound fame on TikTok and the joy of storytelling, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and connection across generations. She also shares her experiences navigating modern slang, the importance of authenticity in content creation, and the unexpected friendships that have shaped her life. https:/...

In this engaging conversation, Andy Dietrich shares humorous and insightful stories from his life, including a wedding-crashing mishap, a cultural misunderstanding during fraternity rush, and the inspiration behind his book. He reflects on the lessons learned from these experiences and emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities in life. The discussion also touches on memorable moments witnessed in everyday settings, like Chipotle, and the antics of nightlife in Las Vegas, culminating in ...

In this episode, author Nick Peck discusses his debut novel, Only Way Out, which draws on his own experiences growing up in a traumatic environment. Peck discusses the importance of sports in overcoming adversity, the role of mentorship, and the transition from being an athlete to a journalist and author. He emphasizes the significance of support systems and the need for society to address issues like poverty and mental health. Throughout the conversation, Peck shares insights on resilience, gra...