New Episodes of Stories from Real Life Every Tuesday and Friday.

Season 3

Nov. 4, 2025

Ep. 166 - Patton Dodd: 'Becoming the Father I Needed'

Everyone carries a story about their father — the one we got, the one we needed, and maybe even the one we’ve become. In this episode of Stories from Real Life , I talk with Patton Dodd , writer, editor, and author of The Fat...

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Oct. 31, 2025

Ep. 165 - Justin Woods: Five Crowns and One Calling

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Dr. Justin Woods about his book, Crowns of Valor, and the concept of Five Crowns Outreach. They discuss the importance of leadership development in...

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Oct. 28, 2025

Ep. 164 - How False Stories Keep Us Comfortable — and Trapped

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, psychologist Dr. Alan Godwin discusses his new book, ‘Ties that Blind,’ which explores the deceptive narratives that shape our understanding of reality. He contrasts the reality-base...

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Oct. 17, 2025

Ep. 161 - From Studio Bassist to Music Legend

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards welcomes back music legend Norbert Putnam for a deep dive into his storied career. Norbert shares captivating anecdotes about his experiences with iconic artis...

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Oct. 3, 2025

Ep. 157 - Empowering Students Through Proactive Support

My guest today is Iuri Melo — a licensed therapist, author, and co-founder of SchoolPulse, a program that brings daily encouragement, emotional support, and real-time communication to students across the country. Iuri has spe...

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Sept. 30, 2025

Ep. 156 - Navigating the Sounds of Silence

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Maria Gallucci, a real estate agent and author who grew up in a deaf family. They discuss the unique challenges and experiences of navigating both ...

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Sept. 26, 2025

Ep. 155 - Unlocking Your Side Hustle Potential

I apologize for the distorted audio on my end. It’s still a good episode with plenty of helpful hints. In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Bart Merrill, known as the Side Hustle Samur...

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Sept. 23, 2025

Ep. 154 - How One Device Can Make Camps Safer Everywhere

Summer camp should be all about fun, freedom, and the great outdoors. But when severe weather strikes, those carefree moments can turn dangerous in an instant. That’s why Julie Kay Roberts launched Signal & Shield , a nationa...

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Sept. 16, 2025

Ep. 152 - Lt. Colonel to Crime Writer

Kenneth Webb has lived a life of constant reinvention—retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel, former American Airlines employee, defense contractor, and now debut crime-thriller author. In this episode, we dive into his journey from T...

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Sept. 9, 2025

Ep. 150 - How a Family Tree Sparked a Historical Novel

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards converses with author D.H. Morris about her debut novel, 'The Girl of Many Crowns,' the story of her real-life ancestor, Princess Judith. The discussion delves...

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Sept. 5, 2025

Ep. 149 - The Musician Who Became a Hypnotist

My guest today is Doug O’Brien — an internationally recognized expert in Ericksonian Hypnosis, NLP, and Sleight of Mouth patterns. A former concert pianist and Broadway musician turned master trainer, Doug has spent decades t...

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Sept. 2, 2025

Ep. 148 - Living Room Startup to '20 Under 40'

Our guest today is Paden Squires, an entrepreneur, CPA, tax strategist, and host of the podcast Behind Their Success . From leaving corporate finance to building his own firm from his living room, Paden has made it his missio...

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Aug. 29, 2025

Ep. 147 - From Classroom to Casting Call: Secrets of a Talent Insider

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards interviews talent agent Albert Bramante, who shares his unique journey from psychology to the entertainment industry. Albert discusses the challenges actors fa...

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Aug. 26, 2025

Ep. 146 - The Ancient Code for a Modern Life

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards engages with Reginald Martin, founder of Kametaphysics, to explore the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern psychology. They discuss the origins of Kameta...

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Aug. 22, 2025

Ep. 145 - Couples Therapy in Seven Words

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Dr. Bruce Chalmer, a couples therapist and co-host of the podcast Couples Therapy in Seven Words. They discuss the origins of their podcast, the si...

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Aug. 19, 2025

Ep. 144 - Building Dood Woof: The Power of Community

Today on Stories from Real Life , we’re diving into the world of fluffy coats, tangled curls, and one woman’s unexpected journey from doodle owner to product innovator. My guest is Elina Panteleyeva—the founder of Dood Woof ,...

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Aug. 15, 2025

Ep. 143: The College Game Plan: Smart Strategies for Students and Fam…

Daniel K. Berman, PhD is the founder of CollegeSolutionsUSA, a college admissions coaching firm dedicated to guiding students through the complexities of higher education applications. A Harvard graduate with more than 30 yea...

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Aug. 12, 2025

Ep. 142 - Free Black Virginians in a Slave Society

In this episode of "Stories from Real Life," host Melvin E. Edwards sits down with Elizabeth Klaczynski, curator at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. They delve into the fascinating history of free Black Virginians ...

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Aug. 8, 2025

Ep. 141 - The Art of Science & The Science of Peace

Today’s guest is a world-renown scientist and an educator — and a fearless peacebuilder. Dr. Zafra Lerman has spent her life using science not just to understand the world, but to change it. From creating groundbreaking scien...

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Aug. 5, 2025

Ep. 140 - Misha Jones: Raw

In this episode of 'Stories from Real Life', host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Misha Jones about her book 'About Damn Time'. Misha shares her journey of overcoming 15 years of silence and pain, motivated by the desire to giv...

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Aug. 1, 2025

Ep. 139 - Andrew-Ryan Walked Away from a Cult (Part 2/2)

Part 2 of 2: He was once “Father God” — the chosen partner of cult leader Amy Carlson. In this raw, powerful conversation, Andrew-Ryan Profaci shares how he got pulled into Love Has Won , what life inside the movement was rea...

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Aug. 1, 2025

Ep. 138 - He Walked Away from a Cult. Then He Told Me Everything. (Pa…

He was once “Father God” — the chosen partner of cult leader Amy Carlson. In this raw, powerful conversation, Andrew-Ryan Profaci shares how he got pulled into Love Has Won , what life inside the movement was really like, and...

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July 29, 2025

Ep. 137 - Smoke, Salt, and Southern Grit: The Story of Bill-E’s

In this episode of "Stories from Real Life," host Melvin E. Edwards sits down with Bill Stitt, the mastermind behind Bill-E's Small Batch Bacon and restaurant. Dive into Bill's journey from a backyard bacon enthusiast to a na...

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July 29, 2025

Video - Smoke, Salt, and Southern Grit: The Story of Bill-E’s

In this episode of "Stories from Real Life," host Melvin E. Edwards sits down with Bill Stitt, the mastermind behind Bill-E's Small Batch Bacon and the beloved Bill-E's restaurant. Dive into Bill's journey from a childhood fa...

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