Personal Journals Episodes

Known on social media as The Orchard Keeper, Dr. Lenny Wells is a University of Georgia Professor of Horticulture, a pecan farmer, and an author. He's also The Andy Griffith Show's biggest fan. Thankfully, with all of that kn...

Houston Astros broadcaster Robert Ford grew up in The Bronx, NY envisioning himself playing for the NY Mets. Instead, he became only the 4th Black play-by-play announcer in MLB history. In this episode, hear about his journey...

What do you get when a descendant of slaves meets a former Klansman? Well, as they say in Texas, we're fixing to find out. This is Part 2 of the two-part eye-opening interview. Listener discretion is advised. https://www.refu...

What do you get when a descendant of slaves meets a former Klansman? Well, as they say in Texas, we're fixing to find out. This is Part 1 of the two-part eye-opening interview. Listener discretion is advised. https://www.refu...

Melissa Quinn Amour's family has been in Pennsylvania since the time of William Penn, so she's deeply invested in the culture of the Keystone State and The City of Brotherly Love. She's also passionate about a few other thing...

Journalist Bob Cox's parents and grandparents left Texas and Arkansas to seek their fortunes in California. So, how did he end up leaving California to seek his fortune in Texas? In this episode, Cox examines his life as a lo...

GUEST: MARTY DUREN Writer and former podcaster Marty Duren joins the show to provide a unique perspective on thankfulness and hope. He and host, Melvin E. Edwards, discuss their favorite music, memories, and bucket list trave...

Anna R. Holloway, PhD, is a retired Professor of English, and is a writer and editor. During her 46 years at Fort Valley State University, she taught writing, literature, and journalism. When she left her White Midwestern roo...

GUEST: BILL CLABBY Bill Clabby is a multi-lingual educator and administrator, who has taught and lived in several different countries over the course of his life. He also happens to be the father-in-law of Melvin E. Edwards' ...

Guest: James Pence James Pence had a heart attack in 2021 and was without a heartbeat for 45 minutes. He spent the next two years rehabbing his body and singing voice, which led him to the fulfillment of a lifelong dream -- g...

Guest: Linda Hall In this episode that was recorded on-site in the office of FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, host Melvin E. Edwards was able to interview Linda Hall, the widow of FAME producer and owner Rick...

Guest: Rachel Ridge Rachel is an author of six books and a Life Coach, though she didn’t begin those journeys until after her 50th birthday. She began painting in her 30s to make extra money to get her hair done. In the midst...

Patrick Chovanec's family's idea of a vacation was to pile into the car and drive to a national landmark. That all changed when his father decided to take the family to China in 1986. Since then, he has become one of the U.S....

Guest: Dinn Mann This week's episode features a man whose grandfather owned the Houston Astros baseball team and designed the Astrodome stadium to outsmart the Texas summer heat. He was also the Houston mayor who desegregated...

Guest: Michael Freeman The best gift that Michael Freeman ever received was a chance to throw out a ceremonial First Pitch for his beloved Minnesota Twins. It was a gift given to him by his wife of 40 years. Ironically, the F...

Guest: Doc Hubbard (Episode 1) The debut episode of this podcast features a fun and freewheeling interview with Dr. Jeff "Doc" Hubbard, a retired educator and administrator from Southern California. To celebrate his 65th birt...

This mini pre-episode explores my passion for writing and how it began -- all the way back to kindergarten! Take a listen and you will discover the motivation to create this podcast for other storytellers. Get full access to ...

This short audio announces the development of the podcast and the theme of future episodes. Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe