Episodes

You won’t want to miss this inspiring episode with Gretchen Hertler, a woman whose life so beautifully exemplifies resilience, compassion, and unwavering dedication to helping others. From her journey through personal trauma to her lifelong mission of caring for newborns and her powerful stories on spiritual encounters, Gretchen’s voice is a beacon of hope and humanity. In this episode: * Gretchen shares her commitment to helping vulnerable babies through her charity, Keep a Baby Warm, and the h...

Explore the insights of Kyle Sweetser, a recent U.S. Senate candidate from Alabama, as he shares lessons learned from talking to diverse communities, challenging stereotypes, and navigating political divides. Discover how genuine listening and honest conversations can impact community trust and political engagement. Main Topics Covered: * The importance of representing overlooked voices in politics, especially those who work with their hands * Surprising voter engagement levels and misconception...

Dive into the compelling story of Colin Owensby as he shares how a severe car accident, personal tragedies, and remarkable sports achievements shaped his outlook on life, resilience, and purpose. This episode explores athletic discipline, overcoming loss, and finding strength through adversity. Main Topics: * The impact of sports on mental resilience and discipline * Personal tragedy: surviving a life-changing car accident * Building a toolkit of resilience and embracing gratitude * The journey ...

Show Notes: Amy Hawk — Author, Bible Teacher, and Truth-Teller What happens when faithfulness to Jesus begins to put you at odds with the religious community that shaped you? In this episode of Stories from Real Life , I sit down with Amy Hawk , an author, Bible teacher, and writer whose work explores the uncomfortable intersection of Christianity, politics, conscience, and spiritual courage. Amy spent roughly two decades serving in evangelical church life—teaching Bible classes, leading Bible s...

Irish singer, composer, storyteller, poet, teacher, and leadership guide Owen Ó Súilleabháin brings a rare blend of music, memory, spirituality, and cultural wisdom to the conversation. Raised in one of Ireland’s most respected artistic families, Owen inherited a deep relationship with song, story, poetry, and the ancient traditions of Ireland. His mother, Rev. Nóirín Ní Riain, Ph.D., is a renowned sacred singer, theologian, and spiritual director; his late father, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, was a ...

Episode Summary Nancy Deyo is a former Silicon Valley CEO, Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute Fellow, and author of the forthcoming memoir Perilous Ascent . After a medical crisis on Mount Kilimanjaro, Nancy entered a fifteen-year journey through misdiagnosis, chronic pain, opioid dependence, and identity collapse. In this episode of Stories from Real Life , Nancy shares how the strategies that once defined her success—discipline, endurance, ambition, and pushing through—eventually had to ...

Discover the compelling journey of Dr. Craig Yorke, a Black neurosurgeon, author of Steep , as he reflects on his experiences growing up in Boston, navigating racial identity, and the nuances of success in a demanding profession. This episode offers insights into overcoming societal pressures, the importance of memory and history, and the lessons learned from decades in medicine. In this episode, we discuss: * The distinction between resume virtues and obituary virtues, and how Dr. Yorke shifted...

Release Date: May 19, 2026 Episode: Number 203 Guest: Johnzelle Anderson, LPC, Author of Mixtape: A Memoir ## Episode Summary What if your memories weren’t just chapters in a book, but tracks on a mixtape? In this episode of Stories from Real Life , we sit down with Licensed Professional Counselor and author Johnzelle Anderson to discuss his powerful new memoir, Mixtape . Johnzelle opens up about the “soundtrack of survival”—from navigating the complex “in-between” of identity and race to the pr...

Podcast: Stories from Real Life Host: Melvin E. Edwards Guest: Aaron Ryan Release Date: May 12, 2026 Episode Summary Award-winning and bestselling author Aaron Ryan joins Stories from Real Life to discuss the discipline, persistence, and creativity required to build a life around storytelling. With a career spanning science fiction, dystopian fiction, children’s books, nonfiction, and business writing, Aaron has established himself as a prolific voice in independent publishing. His bestselling D...

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 insti...

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 Speciali...

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 cl...

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 collabo...

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 foun...

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 exam...

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 some...

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 shaped...

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 for lis...

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...

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. 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...