Episodes

Contemporary Christian Music legend and Grammy winner Bryan Duncan's career has spanned 6 decades and he has accumulated 16 #1 CCM chart hits. With a singing voice like Simply Red's Mick Hucknell and a comedy edge like a late-night host, Duncan has plenty of stories to share in his own unique style. From his childhood with his evangelist parents to his memorable songs with Ambrosia lead singer David Pack, every story has a punchline and a melody.Listen in, then go discover (or rediscover) his ...

No matter how much you know about Germany, you probably never consider baseball when you think of that European country. In this episode, we have Antonio Lopez, Fraynel Mercado, and Alex Torres, the latter two guests are U.S. military personnel based on the Kaiserslautern Complex. All three are baseball players for the Kaiserslautern Bears and are ambassadors for both countries, as well as the game of baseball.To support the team, go to its website at https://ktown-bears.com/.Beginning with ...

Pastor Stephen Simpson and attorney Rob Ryan return to continue the conversation from early April. "Men of Goodwill, Part 2" follows the men's discussion of race, religion, politics, and manhood. These potentially volatile issues are addressed with boldness and sensitivity. Listen in and comment below to add your voice to the conversation.Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Dixon Monk is only an 11th grader, but he has already committed to play NCAA Division I baseball at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., one of the toughest academic schools in the country. I worked with Dixon's mother for over 15 years, so I've known him his whole life. His parents, Dexter and Maneka Monk, talk about the challenges of raising a true scholar-athlete in a sport with only a 6% Black participation rate.Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com...

Otto Gallaher is a master of reinventing himself. He became an attorney after leaving his previous career as a construction worker. He was a corporate businessman before that. In his daily life, he's a husband, father of three daughters, ordained minister, musician, Eagle Scout, and Texan. After doing genealogy research, he learned he is a direct descendant of two signers of the Mayflower Compact.Step in the zone. Otto zone.We also discuss mental health issues. If you're experiencing mental ...

This episode was inspired by Beyoncé's new Country album, called "Cowboy Carter." With three Black people in the discussion, this edition is part history lesson, part music appreciation, and part self-identification. My guests this week are Lynne Childress from Maryland and Darrin Evans from North Carolina. We talk about Country music, what defines genres and audiences, and the musical gatekeepers who think THEY get to decide what defines those genres and the audiences."Real Life" theme song b...

Master storyteller and baseball historian Bob Kendrick returns to the show to get the 2024 baseball season started the right way. Listen to his stories of Negro Leagues baseball greats in a way that only he can tell them. This also happens to be the 100th anniversary of the Kansas City Monarchs franchise and the first Negro Leagues World Series. What do those events mean for the museum?Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

What does it mean to be a man of goodwill in the age of social media? Real-life friends Stephen Simpson (pastor), Rob Ryan (attorney), and Melvin E. Edwards (host) discuss the hot-button issues of politics, religion, and race, and attempt to make sense of Christian involvement in 21st-century party politics. Despite the 80-minute conversation, you'll be left wanting more.Ryan was suffering from a sinus infection, which affected his voice. Still, he was a great guest."Stories from Real Life" ...

Filmmaker, writer, and director Melissa Jo Peltier ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and "The Dog Whisperer") joins the show to discuss some of her best-known projects, in addition to her recent documentary, "The Game is Up." Find out what she and her husband, director John Gray ("The Ghost Whisperer"), are working on together.The "Real Life" theme song is by Bombay Beach Revival.Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Dallas-area attorney Monica Haft is a first-generation American, born to a mother from Colombia and a father from Cuba. When she started school, she didn't speak English. She learned, grew, and flourished, so when she talks about the American Dream, she has credibility. Does she think that dream is still a reality today?The original theme song is performed by Bombay Beach Revival;Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Musician and writer Sean Dietrich, popularly known as "Sean of the South," talks about his invitation to the Grand Old Opry, his dad, being a BBQ judge, Southern fried chicken, and the new nickname, "Mark Twang," that I gave him. Join this humorous and heartfelt conversation.https://seandietrich.com/This episode also marks the debut of the new "Stories from Real Life" theme song, written and performed by Bombay Beach Revival.Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.subst...

Independent travel agent Rachel Taylor gives tips for booking the best trips for everyone, regardless of their budget. She also tells about her favorite vacations, her strongest advice, and her obsession with Disney theme parks. vacationmagicbyrachel.com.Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Known on social media as The Orchard Keeper, Dr. Lenny Wells is a University of Georgia Professor of Horticulture, a pecan farmer, and an author. He's also The Andy Griffith Show's biggest fan.Thankfully, with all of that knowledge, he clears up the correct pronunciation of "pecan."https://lennywellswords.com/Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Presidential historian Lewis Ben Smith joins the show on this Presidents Day to discuss his favorite- and least-favorite Presidents, among other interesting details about the men who have held the highest office in the United States.Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Two of the leaders of the Tucson-based Wholistic Transformation join the show to talk about their nonprofit organization and how we can all get involved in helping young adults transition from foster care to the adult world. Bryan Benz is the Founder and CEO and Pat Quinn is the President of the Board of Directors of that organization.https://wholistictransformationtucson.com/Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Bob Lutz, the founder and executive director of League 42, an inner-city youth baseball program in Wichita, Kansas, joins the show to discuss the recent vandalism and destruction of the local Jackie Robinson statute. It's purely coincidental that this episode happens to be 42 minutes long.To support League 42: https://league42.org/(316) 530-4542Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Political consultant and strategist Lee Spieckerman has thoughts about a lot of subjects. He's especially passionate about politics, fiscal policy, and racial reconciliation. He was battling a cold, but what he had to say to these public figures came through loud and clear.- Donald Trump- Joe Biden- Nikki Haley- The Squad- Charlie Kirk- Jerome PowellTune in to find out.Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

During his time as a locksmith, John Thorsson has heard a lot of stories. Once, he answered the call for a man whose angry girlfriend had thrown his keys on top of a 3-story building. Another time, the police were called to the address of fighting siblings while he was opening their front door. Locksmithing is more interesting than you might have imagined! Tune in and hear the details of these common tales.Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Houston Astros broadcaster Robert Ford grew up in The Bronx, NY envisioning himself playing for the NY Mets. Instead, he became only the 4th Black play-by-play announcer in MLB history. In this episode, hear about his journey, as well as his family's role in the careers of Kurtis Blow, The Beastie Boys, and LL Cool J, and the development of Hip Hop music, in general.Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

What kind of President would Alexander Hamilton have been if he had not died during that famous duel with VP Aaron Burr? Could he have ended slavery without a Civil War? Would he have replaced James Madison in the historical timeline?In this episode, author Lewis Ben Smith discusses his interesting novel of alternative history that answers many questions and leaves us with many more.https://lewisliterarylair.blogspot.com/https://lewisbensmith.com/https://www.youtube.com/@indianasmith8152...

Too often, our dreams are shattered before we ever give them a chance to develop. In this episode, 26-year-old entrepreneur and author Joe Ignace shares the secrets that made him a Top 1% salesman at his company, and how you can leverage your own talents to make an impact on those with whom you come in contact.https://joeignace.com/Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

What do you get when a descendant of slaves meets a former Klansman? Well, as they say in Texas, we're fixing to find out. This is Part 2 of the two-part eye-opening interview.Listener discretion is advised.https://www.refugemovie.com/https://www.parents4peace.org/Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

What do you get when a descendant of slaves meets a former Klansman? Well, as they say in Texas, we're fixing to find out. This is Part 1 of the two-part eye-opening interview.Listener discretion is advised.https://www.refugemovie.com/https://www.parents4peace.org/Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Jan Canty is a psychologist, writer, photographer, educator, consultant, podcast host, and cancer survivor, whose cancer has just returned for a second bout. She tells us some sobering stories of how her life was tragically disrupted by the tragic death of her husband. https://jancantyphd.com/Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe