Listen to Stories from Real Life, Every Tuesday and Friday.

Episodes

April 29, 2025

Ep. 111 - Death and Dying, Life and Living

Filmmaker and software developer Tony Stewart shares his journey through grief after the loss of his wife, Lynn, who battled cancer. Tony discusses the writing of his memoir, 'Carrying the Tiger', which chronicles their exper...

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April 25, 2025

Ep. 110 - Productivity Insights from Canadian Businessman Mark Ellwood

Mark Elwood discusses his journey from a young paperboy to a productivity professional, the importance of effective time management, the evolution of tools like the TimeCorder, and the concept of deep listening. Mark shares i...

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April 22, 2025

Ep. 109 - Philly Native Makes Name for Himself in Costa Rica

Richard Blank shares his journey from growing up in Philadelphia to establishing a thriving call center in Costa Rica. He discusses the importance of following one's passion, the challenges of family expectations, and the sig...

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April 18, 2025

Ep. 108 - The Resilience of Montana Firefighter Dan Steffensen

Author A.J. Otjen talks about her book 'Burned Over,' which chronicles the harrowing experiences of Montana firefighter Dan Steffensen. The conversation delves into the unique challenges of firefighting in Montana, the intens...

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April 15, 2025

Ep. 107 - War Bonds: Military Families and The Generational Impact of…

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Naughton talks about his new book, 'Born from War,' the intergenerational impact of military service, the legacy of Vietnam, and the psychological effects of war on soldiers, and their families. Nau...

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April 11, 2025

Ep. 106 - Former Trump Official Remembers Her Role in Sharpie Gate

Communications executive Julie Roberts discusses her experiences during the Trump administration, particularly focusing on the infamous 'Sharpie Gate' incident. She shares insights into crisis communication, leadership challe...

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April 8, 2025

Ep. 105 - The Church's Betrayal: A Survivor's Story

Jennifer Michelle Greenberg, an author and advocate for childhood sexual abuse victims, discusses her journey from experiencing abuse in her childhood to becoming an advocate, the betrayal she felt from her church, and her in...

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April 4, 2025

Ep. 104 - The Dark Side of Family: A True Crime Story

Donna Hall, host of The Hall Closet podcast, shares her tumultuous upbringing with her mother's neglect and her stepfather's criminal activities as Philadelphia's most famous jailhouse snitch. Hang on because there’s no way y...

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April 1, 2025

Show Up, But Don’t JUST Show Up

Marcy Axelrod, an international speaker and artist, speaks about her journey from struggling with stuttering to becoming a two-time TEDx speaker. She discusses the importance of 'showing up' authentically in various aspects o...

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March 28, 2025

Quadriplegic Lawyer Never Gave Up on His Dreams

Attorney Ken Kunken shares his inspiring journey from a tragic accident that left him quadriplegic to becoming a successful lawyer and author. Ken discusses the writing process of his memoir, his family life, the challenges h...

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March 25, 2025

Behind the Scenes of 'Tales from the Crypt'

Hollywood writer and producer Alan Katz joins the show today to discuss his journey in the entertainment industry, including his experiences with HBO's groundbreaking series 'Tales from the Crypt,' the cultural adjustments he...

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March 21, 2025

Alex Sanfilippo Celebrates 100th Episode of My Podcast

Host Melvin E. Edwards celebrates his 100th episode with guest Alex Sanfilippo, founder of PodMatch. They discuss the significance of storytelling in podcasting and the importance of a mission-driven approach. In this convers...

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March 18, 2025

The Challenge of Launching Young Adults Today

Dr. Jack Stoltzfus discusses the evolving dynamics between parents and their adult children, particularly focusing on the increasing trend of young adults living at home. He explores the reasons behind this phenomenon, includ...

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March 11, 2025

Matthew Lesko Still Helping People Find Free Money

If you're of a certain age, you will certainly remember Matthew Lesko, the 'question mark guy ' on those famous infomercials. Lesko discusses his journey from a naval officer to a prominent figure in the world of government g...

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March 7, 2025

A Final Act of Love

Estate planner Oscar Vasquez emphasizes the critical importance of estate planning, particularly through living trusts. Oscar shares insights on the rising costs of traditional estate planning, the risks of probate, and the n...

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March 4, 2025

Woman Kidnapped as a Kid, Rescued Her Own Kidnapped Kids

Author Lizbeth Meredith shares her journey of resilience and healing after experiencing childhood abduction and navigating complex family dynamics. Lizbeth discusses the challenges of writing her memoir, the impact of her sto...

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Feb. 28, 2025

Former AG Alberto Gonzales: Bush’s Diverse Cabinet Easily Tops Trump’…

Former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales discusses his journey from humble beginnings to high-ranking government positions, his experiences working with George W. Bush, and his reflections on significant legal and ethica...

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Feb. 25, 2025

Principles First with a Side of Mayo

My guest today is Heath Mayo, founder of Principles First. He discusses personal updates, including his role as a new father, educational background, and political future. The conversation shifts to the current political land...

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Feb. 21, 2025

Owen Ó Súilleabháin on Preserving Irish Traditions

In this conversation, Owen Ó Súilleabháin discusses the rich tapestry of Irish and Celtic culture, exploring themes such as the influence of family and cultural heritage, the significance of names and identity, the challenges...

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Feb. 18, 2025

Worms, Laughter, and Life Lessons

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Cathy Nesbitt, a worm wrangler and laughter yoga leader from Ontario, Canada. They discuss the current political climate in Canada, Cathy's journey...

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Feb. 14, 2025

Why Are We Living in a Constant State of Outrage?

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards engages in a thought-provoking conversation with David Beckemeyer, the host of the Outrage Overload podcast. They explore the origins of outrage culture, polit...

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Feb. 11, 2025

Aging and Mentorship

In this episode of 'Stories from Real Life', host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Dr. Deborah Heiser, an applied developmental psychologist, about the importance of storytelling and mentorship in our lives. They discuss how sto...

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Feb. 7, 2025

Navigating the Journey of Perimenopause

In this enlightening episode, Melvin E. Edwards engages with Amita Sharma, a Women's Holistic Wellness Advocate, to explore the often-overlooked topic of perimenopause and menopause. They discuss the journey of women through ...

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Feb. 4, 2025

Fatherhood & The Apex Fallacy

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards engages with former Baltimore social worker Jack Kammer to discuss critical male issues, gender dynamics, and the societal expectations placed on men. The conv...

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