Episodes

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 transformative new memoir, War Boys. Jason shares the harrowing history of his father’s survival in Nazi-occupied Belarus and explores how that trauma rippled through their suburban American household. We dive into the “braiding” of two lives: a father fighting for survival and a...

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, Mississippi. Episode Summary In this special edition, we mark the 200th episode of the podcast by diving deep into the intersection of historical justice and narrative storytelling. We explore the process of bringing Nuremberg, Mississippi to life — a story that interrogates ins...

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 journey of transformation. Here are the key details about her life, career, and literary contributions: Professional Background * Healthcare Career: Nancy has spent over five decades in the medical field. Her roles have been diverse, including Registered Nurse, Hospice Speci...

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, we sit down with Dr. Stuart D. Jones to discuss his deeply moving memoir, For the Love of Stephen. Stuart shares the journey of his brother, Stephen, who lived with intellectual and developmental disabilities during an era of institutionalization and stigma. Beyond the c...

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. In this episode, you’ll learn: * How Eric’s faith and pastoral experience influenced his approach to law enforcement and interrogation techniques * The process of joining the FBI and key lessons learned along the way * Differences between the FBI and CIA, and how they coll...

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. But what happens when you reach the summit—the $8M business, the #1 rankings, the dream family—and you still feel empty? In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards sits down with Matt O’Neill, author of the best-seller Good Mood Revolution and fo...

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 multiple identities — musician, performer, writer, and now host of CBC’s The Next Chapter. His acclaimed memoir Saga Boy: My Life of Blackness and Becoming explores the complicated intersections of race, masculinity, immigration, and family. In this episode, we discuss: ...

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...