New Episodes of Stories from Real Life Every Tuesday

Episodes

Ep. 201 - Jason Prokowiew: Fighting a Two-Front War in My Own Home
May 5, 2026

Ep. 201 - Jason Prokowiew: Fighting a Two-Front War in My Own Home

Show Notes Release Date: May 5, 2026 Guest: Jason Prokowiew, author of War Boys About the Episode: How do you learn to love a man you were raised to fear? In this episode, we speak with author Jason Prokowiew about his transf...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 200 - Melvin E. Edwards: Announcing the Release of 'Nuremberg, Mississippi'
May 1, 2026

Ep. 200 - Melvin E. Edwards: Announcing the Release of 'Nuremberg, Mi…

Episode 200: A Milestone and a Premiere To celebrate this double-milestone, this episode reflects on the journey to 200 episodes of Stories from Real Life and announces the global launch of the debut novel, Nuremberg, Mississ...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 199 - Nancy Jasin Ensley: The Tire Swing
April 28, 2026

Ep. 199 - Nancy Jasin Ensley: The Tire Swing

Guest: Nancy Jasin Ensley Host: Melvin E. Edwards Release Date: April 28, 2026 Episode Summary Nancy Jasin Ensley is a multifaceted creator whose work is deeply rooted in her 54-year career in healthcare and her personal jour...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 198 - Dr. Stuart Jones: For the Love of Stephen
April 21, 2026

Ep. 198 - Dr. Stuart Jones: For the Love of Stephen

Guest: Dr. Stuart D. Jones, Author of For the Love of Stephen Release Date: April 21, 2026 Episode Overview In a society that often measures value by productivity and “normalcy,” what does it mean to be whole? In this episode...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 197 - Eric Robinson: How a Pastor Became an FBI Agent
April 14, 2026

Ep. 197 - Eric Robinson: How a Pastor Became an FBI Agent

Join us as Eric Robinson shares his extraordinary transition from being a Baptist pastor to a seasoned FBI agent, blending faith, intuition, and law enforcement expertise to navigate some of the most challenging situations. I...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 196 - Matt O'Neill: Why Your Mood is Your Greatest Asset
April 7, 2026

Ep. 196 - Matt O'Neill: Why Your Mood is Your Greatest Asset

Episode Show Notes Guest: Matt O’Neill Host: Melvin E. Edwards Category: Mindset / Business / Personal Development Episode Summary We’ve all been told the same story: work hard, hit the milestones, and happiness will find you...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 195 - Antonio Michael Downing: Becoming Yourself in a World That Misunderstands You
March 31, 2026

Ep. 195 - Antonio Michael Downing: Becoming Yourself in a World That …

Author and broadcaster Antonio Michael Downing joins Melvin E. Edwards for a powerful conversation about identity, reinvention, and belonging. Born in Trinidad and raised in rural Canada, Downing’s life has taken him through ...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 194 - Lisa Parda: When Your Plans Change
March 24, 2026

Ep. 194 - Lisa Parda: When Your Plans Change

Stories from Real Life: Lisa Parda on Pivoting, Leadership, and Impact In this episode, Lisa Parda shares her journey from aspiring air traffic controller to successful real estate broker, media personality, and author. She d...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 193 - Al Isaacs: Searching for My Mother after 53 Years
March 17, 2026

Ep. 193 - Al Isaacs: Searching for My Mother after 53 Years

Guest: Al Isaacs Episode Summary What would you do if you discovered—after decades—that the story of your own life wasn’t true? Would you want to know the truth? Comedian, writer, and performer Al Isaacs spent most of his lif...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 192 - Mark Firehammer: The Lost Art of Being Human
March 10, 2026

Ep. 192 - Mark Firehammer: The Lost Art of Being Human

📝 Show Notes Guest: Mark Firehammer Author, musician, creative advocate, founder of Creative Humanity Alliance Discussion Highlights: * Creativity as a pathway to human connection * Cultural pressures toward conformity vs aut...

Listen to the Episode
Ep: 191 - Craig Randall: Stop Scoring Teachers. Start Growing Them.
March 3, 2026

Ep: 191 - Craig Randall: Stop Scoring Teachers. Start Growing Them.

Episode summary: Teacher observation is supposed to improve teaching and learning—but Craig Randall argues that in many schools it produces fear, limits risk-taking, and reduces growth. Craig shares the core principles of Tru...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 190 - Miles Spencer: What Happens When Curiosity Becomes a Career
Feb. 24, 2026

Ep. 190 - Miles Spencer: What Happens When Curiosity Becomes a Career

In this episode, Miles Spencer shares his incredible journey of curiosity-driven ventures, fearless risk-taking, and the power of storytelling to lead, inspire, and preserve legacy across generations. Discover how adventure a...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 189 - Alison Gieschen: Sail On
Feb. 17, 2026

Ep. 189 - Alison Gieschen: Sail On

Show Notes (Bullet Points) 🔸 Key Topics Covered * Alison’s journey from running a horse farm and teaching to sailing around the world. * How her early passion for adventure propelled her toward blue-water sailing. * The creat...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 188 - Lisa Rites: Death, Divorce, and the Grief Between Them
Feb. 10, 2026

Ep. 188 - Lisa Rites: Death, Divorce, and the Grief Between Them

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, grief educator Lisa Rites discusses the multifaceted nature of grief, emphasizing that it extends beyond death to include experiences like divorce and life transitions. She shares he...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 187 - Kerry Damiano: Around the World in One Lifetime
Feb. 3, 2026

Ep. 187 - Kerry Damiano: Around the World in One Lifetime

In this episode of “Stories from Real Life,” host Melvin E. Edwards welcomes Kerry Damiano, known as Ms. World Traveler, who shares her incredible journey of exploration across more than 145 countries. Kerry discusses how her...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 186 - Dr. Ben Long: The Quiet Cost of Exhaustion
Jan. 27, 2026

Ep. 186 - Dr. Ben Long: The Quiet Cost of Exhaustion

Sleep is often treated as negotiable — something we squeeze in after work, family, ambition, and obligation. But what if that assumption is costing us more than we realize? (Please excuse the audio problems on my end.) In thi...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 185 - Kristan Swan: Learning to Listen to Your Own Life
Jan. 20, 2026

Ep. 185 - Kristan Swan: Learning to Listen to Your Own Life

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards engages with Kristen Swan, who shares her insights on personal growth, curiosity, and the importance of reflection during life transitions. They discuss the im...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 184 - Dr. Nelva Lee: From the Classroom to the Campaign
Jan. 13, 2026

Ep. 184 - Dr. Nelva Lee: From the Classroom to the Campaign

FOREVER Digital Storage - Their mission is to be the complete, permanent, and safe place where millions of families save and enjoy their memories for generations. Please support this sponsor of the podcast. In this episode of...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 183 - Helton Pereira: Fire, Faith, Family, and the Fight for Purpose
Jan. 6, 2026

Ep. 183 - Helton Pereira: Fire, Faith, Family, and the Fight for Purp…

FOREVER Digital Storage - Their mission is to be the complete, permanent, and safe place where millions of families save and enjoy their memories for generations. Please support this sponsor of the podcast. Episode Summary: T...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 182 - Mark Burnett: The Healing That No Doctor Prescribed
Dec. 30, 2025

Ep. 182 - Mark Burnett: The Healing That No Doctor Prescribed

FOREVER Digital Storage - Their mission is to be the complete, permanent, and safe place where millions of families save and enjoy their memories for generations. Please support this sponsor of the podcast. In this episode, w...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 181 - Matthew Pridgen: Confronting America’s Hardest Truths
Dec. 26, 2025

Ep. 181 - Matthew Pridgen: Confronting America’s Hardest Truths

FOREVER Digital Storage - Their mission is to be the complete, permanent, and safe place where millions of families save and enjoy their memories for generations. Please support this sponsor of the podcast. Episode Summary In...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 180 - Scott Miller: Love, Loss, and a Sci-Fi Legacy
Dec. 23, 2025

Ep. 180 - Scott Miller: Love, Loss, and a Sci-Fi Legacy

Sponsored by: FOREVER Digital Storage - Their mission is to be the complete, permanent, and safe place where millions of families save and enjoy their memories for generations. Episode Summary: In this episode, we sit down wi...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 179 - Danny Johnson: Clean Comedy, Real Stories, and the Road
Dec. 19, 2025

Ep. 179 - Danny Johnson: Clean Comedy, Real Stories, and the Road

Guest: Danny Johnson — Comedian, Storyteller, “The Everyday Comic” FOREVER Digital Storage - Their mission is to be the complete, permanent, and safe place where millions of families save and enjoy their memories for generati...

Listen to the Episode
Ep. 178 - Russell Van Brocklen: The Truth About Dyslexia That Schools Don’t Teach
Dec. 15, 2025

Ep. 178 - Russell Van Brocklen: The Truth About Dyslexia That Schools…

FOREVER Digital Storage - Their mission is to be the complete, permanent, and safe place where millions of families save and enjoy their memories for generations. Please support this sponsor of the podcast. Episode Summary: I...

Listen to the Episode