Episodes

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 teaching and coaching people around the world in how to transform beliefs, unlock potential, and create lasting change. He’s also one of the leading voices bringing Havening Techniques into the coaching and therapy space. From performing at Carnegie Hall to guiding entreprene...

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 mission to help business owners and high earners become healthy, wealthy, and wise. He’s also a “20 Under 40” honoree and a passionate voice for turning scarcity into abundance. Want to be a guest on Stories from Real Life? Send Melvin Edwards a message on PodMatch, here: https://...

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 face, including imposter syndrome and self-doubt, and how his background in psychology informs his approach to talent representation. He highlights the importance of resilience, the evolving trends in the entertainment industry, and the significance of connection in his work. ...

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 Kametaphysics, the role of spiritual archetypes, and how inherited limitations affect personal growth. Reginald shares transformative stories of individuals who have embraced these teachings, emphasizing the importance of joy as a guiding principle in life. The conversation also a...

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 significance of the seven words that guide couples therapy, and the challenges couples face in therapy. Dr. Chalmer shares insights on how these principles apply beyond romantic relationships, memorable moments from their podcast, and the importance of communication and respec...

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, a grooming brand built especially for the unique needs of doodles and curly-coated dogs. What started as a personal struggle to care for her own pup turned into a business with a loyal following of pet parents across the country. We’ll talk about the spark behind her brand, ...

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 years of experience in college admissions coaching, he has authored several books and earned hundreds of five‑star client reviews. Formerly a college instructor, Dr. Berman leverages an engaging and encouraging coaching style to empower applicants and their families with the in...

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 from 1619 to 1865, exploring themes of freedom, identity, and resilience. Elizabeth shares insights from her exhibition "Un/Bound," highlighting the untold stories of individuals who navigated systemic oppression with creativity and determination. Tune in for a thought-prov...

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 science education programs that use art to captivate students, to founding the Malta Conferences, where scientists from enemy nations come together in the name of peace, her work proves that science has no borders when it comes to hope. Her work has been recognized globally, incl...

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 give a voice to those who feel unheard. The conversation delves into the emotional struggles she faced, the impact of betrayal, and the importance of kindness and understanding in a judgmental society. Misha emphasizes that everyone has their battles and that a little love can ...

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 really like, and how he found freedom on the other side, despite a devastating cancer diagnosis. This is a story about belief, control, and what it really means to heal. Links: The War on Love book Amy Carlson Stuck in a cult? Watch the Stories from Real Life video on YouTu...

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 how he found freedom on the other side, despite a devastating cancer diagnosis. This is a story about belief, control, and what it really means to heal. The War on Love book Amy Carlson Stuck in a cult? Watch the Stories from Real Life video on YouTube Want to be a guest ...

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 nationally recognized brand owner. Discover the secrets behind his unique curing and smoking process, the importance of small batch production, and how live music serenades his bacon to perfection. Bill also shares insights on balancing tradition with innovation and the challe...

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 fascination with food manufacturing to creating a nationally recognized bacon brand. Discover the passion and dedication that fuels his small-batch approach, the unique story of serenading bacon with live music, and the challenges of scaling a specialty food business. Whether ...

📝 Episode Summary:In this episode of Stories from Real Life, Moira Mills shares her journey as an unschooling advocate and parent, challenging traditional views of education and child-rearing. She explains why she believes real learning happens outside the classroom and how unschooling fosters curiosity, confidence, and deeper family connection. Moira opens up about the fears she had early on, what surprised her most, and how trusting her children can transform your lives. If you've ever questio...

Episode Description: Join host Melvin E. Edwards as he sits down with Dr. Oluwole Babatunde, a physician, psychiatrist, researcher, and author, to explore his remarkable journey from personal loss to professional success. Discover how Dr. Babatunde's philosophy of "Adapt and Advance" has shaped his life and can inspire yours. Key Topics: Overcoming the loss of both parents at a young age The role of faith in navigating life's challenges Balancing multiple roles: doctor, author, and church leade...

Episode Description: Join host Melvin E. Edwards as he sits down with Dr. Oluwole Babatunde, a physician, psychiatrist, and author, to explore his remarkable journey from personal loss to professional success. Discover how Dr. Babatunde's philosophy of "Adapt and Advance" has shaped his life and can inspire yours. Key Topics: Overcoming the loss of both parents at a young age The role of faith in navigating life's challenges Balancing multiple roles: doctor, author, and church leader Insights f...

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards interviews Alabama Senate candidate Kyle Sweetser. They discuss Sweetser's motivations for running, the challenges facing Alabama, and his vision for a more inclusive political landscape. Sweetser emphasizes the importance of addressing healthcare, education, immigration, and economic development, while also advocating for voting rights and environmental sustainability. The conversation highlights the need for a strong Democratic ...

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards interviews Alabama Senate candidate Kyle Sweetser. They discuss Sweetser's motivations for running, the challenges facing Alabama, and his vision for a more inclusive political landscape. Sweetser emphasizes the importance of addressing healthcare, education, immigration, and economic development, while also advocating for voting rights and environmental sustainability. The conversation highlights the need for a strong Democratic ...

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards interviews Cristian Cibils Bernardes, a digital historian and founder of Autograph. Cristian shares his unique journey from Paraguay to Stanford University, highlighting the cultural contrasts he experienced. He discusses the entrepreneurial spirit instilled in him by his parents and the lessons learned from their business endeavors. Cristian reflects on his teaching experience at Stanford and how it shaped his perspective on educ...

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with voice actor Lea Sakran about her journey in storytelling, voice acting, and the life lessons learned from her characters. Lea shares insights from her multicultural upbringing, the importance of perspective in storytelling, and her experiences in the audiobook industry. She discusses her current projects, including her book about Gusto and Gusta, and offers advice on creativity and self-trust. Takeaways I've learned ...

In this enlightening episode, Dr. Alain Salas shares his journey from living on a sail boat in France to becoming a chiropractor and healer in the United States. He discusses the importance of understanding the subconscious mind, the impact of limiting beliefs, and how mind clearing can empower individuals to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Dr. Salas emphasizes the need for a deeper connection between the mind and body, and how true healing comes from within. He also provides insigh...

Today’s guest, Lyubim Kogan, is a five-time first-generation immigrant, Winter Olympian, NYU Stern grad, and 9/11 survivor. From Wall Street to war zones, Lyubim’s life has been anything but ordinary. He’s the founder of Wings4Heroes.org, where he helps amputee veterans rediscover joy and purpose through paragliding adventures. A bestselling co-author with Steve Forbes and speaker at the UN alongside Brian Tracy, Lyubim shares powerful lessons on resilience, service, and what it truly means to ...

📝 Episode Summary:In this episode of Stories from Real Life, Moira Mills shares her journey as an unschooling advocate and parent, challenging traditional views of education and child-rearing. She explains why she believes real learning happens outside the classroom and how unschooling fosters curiosity, confidence, and deeper family connection. Moira opens up about the fears she had early on, what surprised her most, and how trusting her children can transform your lives. If you've ever questio...