Episodes

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 discusses the importance of authentic leadership, embracing change during midlife, and leaving a meaningful legacy in her community. Key topics: * Lisa’s early entrepreneurial spirit and transition into real estate at age 30 * The hard truths about leadership: leading by ...

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 life believing he knew exactly where he came from. But in his fifties, a stunning revelation surfaced: he had been adopted. That discovery set off a search for answers that would uncover hidden family connections, decades-old secrets, and the extraordinary realization that ...

📝 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 authenticity * Writing allegorical fiction for modern readers * Perception shifts and personal alignment * Purpose-driven creative leadership Listener Takeaways: * Creative expression is relational, not just individual * Alignment often begins with perception shifts * ...

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 Trust-Based Observations (TBO), including strengths-based walkthroughs, reflective follow-up conversations, and the routines leaders can use to build a culture of trust and continuous improvement. In this episode, we cover: * Why many traditional observation systems backfire (...

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 and entrepreneurial spirit intersect in his life and learn practical insights on navigating failures, timing, and the future of digital storytelling. Key Topics: * Miles’s journey from childhood curiosity in Pittsburgh to global adventures * How taking calculated risks shap...

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 creative process of writing while essentially living on the ocean. * The role of resilience, fear, and personal transformation in challenging environments. * Storytelling techniques that draw inspiration from real world experiences and mythic imagination. * Practical tips fo...

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 her personal journey through grief and how it led her to become a certified grief educator. The conversation explores cultural perceptions of grief, the importance of individualized support, and practical strategies for coping with loss. Lisa highlights the significance of jou...

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 passion for travel was ignited by her mother’s adventurous spirit and how she evolved into a solo traveler, embracing the freedom and confidence that comes with exploring the world on her own terms. She emphasizes the importance of overcoming fears and how travel can serve ...

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 this episode of Stories from Real Life, Melvin E. Edwards sits down with Dr. Ben Long (The Wholehearted MD), a physician and sleep specialist who approaches rest through both clinical science and spiritual reflection. Together, they explore how sleep deprivation shapes decision...

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 impact of early life experiences on curiosity, the journey from landscape design to coaching, and the concept of spiritual autobiography. Kristen introduces her unique journaling method, ‘Spaghetti on the Wall,’ which encourages self-awareness and non-judgmental observation. T...

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 Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Dr. Nelva Lee, a candidate for Georgia Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Lee shares her journey from being a homeschool mom to a healthcare leader and educator, emphasizing the importance of school choice, vocational t...

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: Today’s guest is Lt. Helton Pereira — born in Rio de Janeiro, immigrant at 15, pre-med student turned EMT, firefighter, paramedic, and now Lieutenant in the U.S. Fire Service. He joins us to share how one fire extinguisher instructor changed his life, why firefighters lose lo...

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, we speak with Mark Burnett, founder of My Brain Restore™, about his personal battle with Parkinson’s and early Alzheimer’s — and the controversial path that followed. My Brain Restore Burnett discusses: * His diagnoses and the moment he realized standard treatment offered n...

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 SummaryIn this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with filmmaker and author Matthew Pridgen, creator of the documentary The Sins of Our Fathers: Race, Religion, and the Rise of Trump. This powerful conversation explores how Christian nationalism, generati...

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 with Scott Miller—broadcaster, storyteller, and creator of The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, a show heard in more than 190 countries and ranked #1 in 33 of them. Scott opens up about his extraordinary life story: getting his start in radio at 16, becoming Iowa’s youngest weekday TV spo...

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 generations. Please support this sponsor of the podcast. Episode Summary In this episode of Stories From Real Life, Melvin E. Edwards sits down with comedian Danny Johnson, a performer known for turning the ordinary into something hilariously unforgettable. Danny breaks down the art...

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 this episode, New York State Senate–funded dyslexia researcher Russell Van Brocklen reveals how his groundbreaking “word-analysis-first” approach helped high school juniors and seniors leap 7–8 grade levels in writing in a single school year. Every one of them entered col...

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 today’s episode, we sit down with Tom Russo — a man whose journey spans countries, careers, and generations. Born in Ankara while his father served in the USAF, Tom grew up in the orbit of NASA’s missions and the discipline of professional bowling. After attending Texas Tech, he married his lifelong partner and spent...

Episode Summary: In this powerful conversation, “The Judas Effect” author Amy Hawk shares her deeply personal journey of faith, identity, and finding her voice in the conversation around Christian Nationalism. Amy opens up about the emotional and relational cost of confronting harmful ideologies within the church. Together, we explore how patriotism, politics, and faith became entangled — and we name names, like Charlie Kirk, Doug Wilson, Joel Webbon, and Megan Basham. Topics Covered: * Amy’s e...

Episode Show Notes In this heartfelt episode of Stories from Real Life, we sit down with “Miss Karen” Bates, a Utah school bus driver who has spent 14 years shaping young lives from the driver’s seat. Miss Karen opens up about her childhood, her 34-year marriage, raising five children, and the meaningful path that led her to become a school bus driver. She shares stories filled with laughter, love, and the moments that still bring tears to her eyes — from unforgettable encounters with students...

Guest: Scott Martin — Author, Coach, Advocate Episode Description In this deeply moving episode of Stories from Real Life, we sit down with Scott Martin — former elite soccer coach, author of Play From Your Heart, and living example of resilience in its rawest form. Scott shares the moment his life changed forever after being diagnosed with Group A Strep and Necrotizing Fasciitis — an illness that left him without his hands and feet and forced him into the most difficult season of his life. H...

What does it truly mean to coach — not just athletes, but young men navigating life? In this powerful and reflective episode, we sit down with Boyd-Buchanan high school baseball coaches Matt Roberson and Gene Bowles for a conversation that goes far beyond wins and losses. Together, they share the defining moments that shaped their careers, the challenges that tested their resolve, and the unseen sacrifices that come with leading from the dugout. From their earliest connections to the game to t...

Today on Stories from Real Life, we’re joined by Tami Gaines, author of Preemie Parents: 26 Ways to Grow With Your Premature Baby, resilience strategist, and speaker who has inspired audiences of hundreds of thousands. Tami knows firsthand the challenges of raising premature twins while balancing life, work, and personal growth. In this episode, she shares her story of courage, the lessons she learned in the NICU, and practical insights for transforming life’s toughest moments into growth opport...

🎙️ Episode Intro In today’s episode of Stories from Real Life, we’re stepping inside the clubhouse with hospitality leader Joe Carlucci — a man who’s spent his career turning golf clubs and restaurants into communities. From the kitchen to the course, Joe understands that great hospitality isn’t just about food or service — it’s about creating moments that make people feel seen, valued, and at home. In this conversation, we talk about leadership, creativity, and the small details that turn a g...