New Episodes of Stories from Real Life Every Tuesday and Friday.

Society & Culture Episodes

Sept. 12, 2025

Ep. 151 - From Muscle Shoals to Margaritaville

🎙️ What does it take to play bass for Elvis Presley, shape the Muscle Shoals sound, and produce hits for Jimmy Buffett? In this episode, legendary bassist and producer Norbert Putnam takes us behind the scenes of six decades ...

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Sept. 9, 2025

Ep. 150 - How a Family Tree Sparked a Historical Novel

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards converses with author D.H. Morris about her debut novel, 'The Girl of Many Crowns,' the story of her real-life ancestor, Princess Judith. The discussion delves...

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Sept. 5, 2025

Ep. 149 - The Musician Who Became a Hypnotist

My guest today is Doug O’Brien — an internationally recognized expert in Ericksonian Hypnosis, NLP, and Sleight of Mouth patterns. A former concert pianist and Broadway musician turned master trainer, Doug has spent decades t...

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Aug. 29, 2025

Ep. 147 - From Classroom to Casting Call: Secrets of a Talent Insider

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards interviews talent agent Albert Bramante, who shares his unique journey from psychology to the entertainment industry. Albert discusses the challenges actors fa...

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Aug. 26, 2025

Ep. 146 - The Ancient Code for a Modern Life

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards engages with Reginald Martin, founder of Kametaphysics, to explore the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern psychology. They discuss the origins of Kameta...

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Aug. 22, 2025

Ep. 145 - Couples Therapy in Seven Words

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Dr. Bruce Chalmer, a couples therapist and co-host of the podcast Couples Therapy in Seven Words. They discuss the origins of their podcast, the si...

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Aug. 19, 2025

Ep. 144 - Building Dood Woof: The Power of Community

Today on Stories from Real Life , we’re diving into the world of fluffy coats, tangled curls, and one woman’s unexpected journey from doodle owner to product innovator. My guest is Elina Panteleyeva—the founder of Dood Woof ,...

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Aug. 15, 2025

Ep. 143: The College Game Plan: Smart Strategies for Students and Fam…

Daniel K. Berman, PhD is the founder of CollegeSolutionsUSA, a college admissions coaching firm dedicated to guiding students through the complexities of higher education applications. A Harvard graduate with more than 30 yea...

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Aug. 12, 2025

Ep. 142 - Free Black Virginians in a Slave Society

In this episode of "Stories from Real Life," host Melvin E. Edwards sits down with Elizabeth Klaczynski, curator at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. They delve into the fascinating history of free Black Virginians ...

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Aug. 1, 2025

Ep. 139 - Andrew-Ryan Walked Away from a Cult (Part 2/2)

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 rea...

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Aug. 1, 2025

Ep. 138 - He Walked Away from a Cult. Then He Told Me Everything. (Pa…

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...

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July 25, 2025

Ep. 136 - School's Out Forever

📝 Episode Summary: In this episode of Stories from Real Life , Moira Mills shares her journey as an unschooling advocate and parent, challenging traditional views of education and child-rearing. She explains why she believes ...

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July 18, 2025

Video Podcast: A New Voice for Alabama: Kyle Sweetser’s Vision for th…

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards interviews Alabama Senate candidate Kyle Sweetser. They discuss Sweetser's motivations for running, the challenges facing Alabama, and his vision for a more in...

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July 18, 2025

Ep. 134 - A New Voice for Alabama: Kyle Sweetser’s Vision for the Sen…

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards interviews Alabama Senate candidate Kyle Sweetser. They discuss Sweetser's motivations for running, the challenges facing Alabama, and his vision for a more in...

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July 15, 2025

Ep. 133 - Autographing History: Preserving Personal Stories Through T…

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards interviews Cristian Cibils Bernardes, a digital historian and founder of Autograph. Cristian shares his unique journey from Paraguay to Stanford University, hi...

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July 8, 2025

Ep. 131 - From Sailor to Healer: A Transformative Path

In this enlightening episode, Dr. Alain Salas shares his journey from living on a sail boat in France to becoming a chiropractor and healer in the United States. He discusses the importance of understanding the subconscious m...

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July 1, 2025

Ep. 129 - 'I Was There on J6:' Pam Hemphill Explains Why She Rejected…

Pam Hemphill shares her transformative journey from being a supporter of Trump to recognizing the dangers of misinformation and the importance of accountability. She recounts her experiences during the January 6 Capitol riot,...

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June 27, 2025

Ep. 128 - Where the Roots Speak: Joseph Bolton and the Living Stories…

Joseph Bolton is a gifted storyteller and an intrepid explorer of the human experience. With a passion for uncovering the untold narratives that shape our world, Joseph brings a unique blend of insight, empathy, and wit to ev...

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June 17, 2025

Ep. 125 - Giorgio Natili on Vision, Vulnerability & the Human Side of…

Giorgio Natili, an Italian native and former professional windsurfer, shares his journey through various life experiences, including his transition into engineering management. Giorgio shares insights on the importance of emb...

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June 13, 2025

Ep. 124 - Walter Dusseldorp Is the Dutch Mentor You Didn’t Know You N…

Walter Dusseldorp, the founder and CEO of Dusseldorp and Associates, also known as the Dutch Mentor, shares his insights on the importance of mentoring versus coaching, the philosophy behind his Pure Leadership Power methodol...

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May 30, 2025

Ep. 120 - Still a Teen, Already a Tycoon: How an Aussie Entrepreneur …

Drew Carmichael, a teen entrepreneur from Australia, shares his journey from growing up in Townsville to starting his first business at a young age, transitioning into e-commerce, and eventually founding his own business, The...

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May 27, 2025

Ep. 119 - In the Shadows of Conflict: Special Forces and Foreign Poli…

Former Special Forces Officer Christopher Brewer talks about his experiences in the military, particularly focusing on the unique role of Special Forces, the challenges they face in missions, and the implications of U.S. fore...

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May 23, 2025

Ep. 118 - Understanding Online Scams for Older Adults in the Digital …

Fred Simpson, a retired construction worker and author of 'Cyber Time' under the name of Jameson Lyon, shares his journey of grief after losing his wife and how it led him to explore social media, where he encountered various...

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May 20, 2025

Ep. 117 - It's Okay to Not Be Okay

Crisis counselor Lisa Sugarman talks about her personal journey through grief and loss, particularly following the suicides of loved ones. They discuss the importance of mental health advocacy, the role of the Trevor Project ...

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