Episodes

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards engages with Jim Marshall, the author of 'Septemics', a revolutionary work that combines social science and psychological philosophy. Marshall explains the concept of Septemics, which is based on the idea that human phenomena can be analyzed through a series of 35 scales, each representing a hierarchy of seven levels. The conversation delves into the practical applications of Septemics in understanding human behavior, improving pe...

In this Stories from Real Life episode, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with sports agent Adam Spencer about his journey from military service to sports management. They discuss the evolving landscape of college sports in the NIL era, the future of the NCAA, and the importance of mental health for athletes. Spencer shares insights on client acquisition, the role of HBCUs in sports, and the impact of media on women's basketball. The conversation highlights the need for athlete rights and the potent...

Summary In this conversation, Japanese resident Tom Logan presents a fictional letter from Kim Jong-un to Donald Trump, celebrating Trump's return to the presidency and proposing a new era of cooperation between the United States and North Korea. The letter emphasizes the importance of diplomacy, the potential for peace, and the invitation for Trump to visit Pyongyang to discuss ending the conflict. Logan highlights the historical significance of their previous summit and expresses hope for a fu...

Summary In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, an eye surgeon, comedian, and advocate for self-awareness. They explore Dr. Batliwala's immigrant journey from India to the United States, the challenges he faced as an undocumented immigrant, and the impact of political policies on his family. The discussion also delves into the importance of humor in life, the cosmic perspective, and the lessons l...

Summary In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Dianne Ennis Stewart, a South African immigrant and expert on U.S. immigration policy. Dianne shares her personal journey of immigration, her interactions with Nelson Mandela, and the challenges she faced navigating the complex U.S. immigration system. The conversation explores cultural reflections between South Africa and the American South, the allure of the American Dream, and the myths surrounding legal im...

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Tom Logan, an American living in Japan, about his experiences and insights on international relations, trade dynamics, and cultural differences. They discuss the challenges American firms face in penetrating the Japanese market, the impact of US elections on Asia, and the enigmatic nature of North Korea. Tom shares his reflections on living in Japan, the importance of community and empathy, and offers advice for Americ...

In this clip from the December 10, 2024, episode of Stories from Real Life, former U.S. diplomat Tom Logan shares his grave concerns about Tulsi Gabbard and Trump's other nominees from the perspective of a consultant in Asia. Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

This week, Leigh-Anne (Edwards) Clabby takes the helm as our guest host, diving deep with none other than her dad, Melvin E. Edwards, host of "Stories from Real Life!" She’s on a mission to uncover juicy tales from his childhood, his superhero inspirations, and what legacy he thinks he’s leaving behind. Tune in for this heartwarming family chat and spill the beans on what else you’re dying to ask Melvin! Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Tune into Stories from Real Life every Tuesday morning. It'll be here whatever time you wake up! Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Houston attorney and former TV sportscaster Drew Shirley admits he voted for Donald Trump in this year's election, despite feeling embarrassed by his belief that Trump is a "clown." He's ready to share why he chose the eventual 2024 winner, having not supported Trump in 2016 or 2020, and he requests an open mind before passing judgment. Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Kristen Adele Calhoun is a writer, actress, and college professor, who also happens to be a cousin of this podcast's host. They are here to discuss the daunting challenge of uncovering their family's history as the descendants of enslaved Americans, and the enduring legacy of Isaac and Elvira Bladen - enslaved residents of the Republic of Texas. http://www.kristenadelecalhoun.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Eyes-Texans-Slavery-Personal-Generations/dp/B08NS65Q2N#customerReviews Get full access to M...

Exit polls show that 81% of White Evangelicals voted for Donald Trump in this year, compared to 14% of Black Evangelicals. Guest “Bonhoeffer’s Child” tries to make sense of this moment in American and church history in this week's extended episode that will leave you speechless. @bonhoefferchild Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Casey Jakubowski Ph.D. founded DragonTamer.us to help people and teams move from okay to outstanding! After 20 years in education, team building, and improvement processes, Casey is an advocate for the underdog, the bullied, and the discouraged. He has written six books on citizen engagement, overcoming bullying, and improving American schools. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctjakubowski/ https://www.dragontamer.us/ https://ctjakubowski.weebly.com/ Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfr...

Nate Belcik, a Texas high school history teacher, embodies a calm demeanor during the weekdays and transforms into a U2 superfan on weekends. Despite being in his 20s, Nate has attended their concerts 18 times, which includes witnessing six performances during U2's recent Las Vegas residency. What is it like camping in line for 2-3 days before each show or driving from Phoenix to San Diego for shows on back-to-back nights? Nate knows! Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife...

Michael Alcazar's journey to becoming a New York City detective is a testament to the unexpected paths life can take. Despite never intending to join the police force, he dedicated 30 years of his life to the NYPD, where he encountered moments of profound courage and resilience. One such moment was on September 11, 2001, a day that forever changed the world. Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Our guest this week is Trevor P. Wardlaw, a descendant of Elder John Parker, a victim of the 1836 Fort Parker massacre in Limestone County, Texas, and a cousin to Quanah Parker, the "Last Comanche Chief." Born in Waco, Texas, Wardlaw spent much of his childhood in South Bend, Indiana, and New York City. He is an 8th generation Texan and a lifetime member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. Let's find out about Trevor's historic roots and other things that make up the Parker and Wardlaw story....

Boston-area bartender-turned-salesman Neil Rogers has been owner and Vice President of Marketing & Sales at Rogers Marketing for nearly 26 years. He built his career and business leveraging both old-school and new-school marketing & sales techniques. In his book, "Bar Tips: Everything I Needed to Know in Sales I Learned Behind the Bar," Neil shares the skills and tools learned during his early working years as a bartender that led to his success as an entrepreneur and industry leader. https://...

In this episode, I asked several people from all over the country to pronounce the following words. Their results are captured here in this fun and brief experiment. 1. Oil 2. Iron 3. Naked 4. Vehicle 5. Wash 6. Dawn 7. Right 8. Water 9. Pecan 10. Buggy 11. Cement 12. Can’t 13. Light 14. Night 15. On 16. Fixing 17. Aunt 18. Hair www.podcastreallife.com Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Ben Marsh is a pastor at First Alliance Church in Winston-Salem, NC. He lives there with his wife and two teenaged daughters. He has a dog, Hank, and a cat, who apparently changed its identity. The story of how that happened is almost unbelievable. Ben has a heart for immigrants and is disturbed by what he is witnessing in today's political discourse. Before you listen, you should know that he puts olives in chili. Find out why. Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.subs...

Nate Bell is an outspoken Never Trump conservative and has been politically homeless since 2016. A lifelong Republican until 2015, Nate served in the Arkansas State House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017 where he chaired the State Agencies and Government Affairs Committee, served as House Chair of the Legislative Audit Subcommittee on State Agencies, and as House co-chair of the Joint Committee on Constitutional Amendments. After 3 terms in office, Nate chose not to seek re-election, but he...

In today's episode of "Stories from Real Life," hosted by Melvin E. Edwards, we feature Dr. Karen Swallow Prior. She is a renowned international speaker, professor, and author with a diverse portfolio of books on topics from theology to literature, with a particular focus on 18th-century British Literature. Despite recent notable disagreements with the Southern Baptist Convention, her faith remains unwavering. Her passion for words and profound reverence for The Word are central to her life. D...

Our guest, Dr. Daniel Silliman, is the news editor for Christianity Today magazine. Three weeks ago, he released his newest book "One Lost Soul - Richard Nixon's Search for Salvation" to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Nixon's resignation from the presidency. Nixon is a complicated historical figure who wrestled with God for most of his life. Today's episode will help us discover if he was eventually able to find what he was looking for. Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromr...

Meredith Wills has a Ph.D. in solar astrophysics and is a sports data scientist. She's a physicist and a baseball analyst, who happens to also be a world-class knitter. Rumor has it, Lynda Carter wears a Meredith Wills costume for Halloween. Wills' grandfather may or may not have worked at Area 51. Let's see how she weaves these interests into another fascinating episode of "Stories from Real Life." Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Eriksen Dickens is a storytelling wizard, crafting "legacy documentaries" that spotlight businesses, foundations, or individuals with fascinating tales to tell. These cinematic gems capture life through a lens of positivity, preserving legacies for generational to enjoy. https://platinumpeek.com/ Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe