Stories from Real Life

Melvin E. Edwards
  • 5.0 (35)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Semiweekly

**Honored as the American Writing Awards Male Hosted Podcast of the Year for 2026.** Why should you listen to this podcast? Because "Stories from Real Life" reminds us we’re not alone. In every episode, expert interviewer Melvin E. Edwards dives deep into the moments that shape who we are—messy, moving, sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking. Whether you're stuck, healing, or just curious about the human experience, these stories help you feel seen, understood, and connected. Want to be a guest on Stories from Real Life? Send Melvin Edwards a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/storiesfromreallife. www.podcastreallife.com storiesfromreallife.substack.com

  1. 15h ago

    Ep. 221 - Sass Schaeffer: Who Are You Now?

    What happens when the life you’ve spent years building suddenly no longer fits the person you’ve become? For identity coach Sass Schaeffer, that question isn’t theoretical. Her own journey through major professional and personal upheaval forced her to confront something deeper than how to rebuild her circumstances: she had to reconsider who she was. In this episode of Stories from Real Life, Sass joins Melvin E. Edwards for an intimate conversation about identity, loss, reinvention, and the strange territory between the person you once were and the person you’re becoming. They explore why major transitions—career changes, divorce, empty nesting, retirement, loss, and unexpected disruption—can shake our sense of identity even when everything looks fine from the outside. Sass also challenges one of the most common ideas surrounding difficult transitions: that the goal should always be to “get back to yourself.” What if the person you’re trying to recover isn’t the person you’re meant to be anymore? Melvin and Sass discuss the difference between losing yourself and outgrowing yourself, the role fear can play in our desire for control, the grief that can accompany leaving an old identity behind, and how we begin discovering what we actually want after years of living according to roles, responsibilities, and expectations. In this conversation: • How Sass’s own life disruptions changed her understanding of identity• Why rebuilding your circumstances isn’t necessarily the same as rebuilding yourself• The hidden identity crisis that can accompany major life transitions• Why “getting back to who I used to be” may be the wrong goal• How to recognize when you’ve outgrown an earlier version of yourself• The relationship between fear, control, and uncertainty• Separating what you genuinely want from what others expect of you• Why successful, accomplished people can still lose their sense of self• How small choices can help create a new identity• Finding possibility when life doesn’t unfold according to plan At the heart of the conversation is a deceptively simple question: Who are you when you remove your job title, your relationships, your possessions, and everything else you’ve used to explain yourself? Perhaps starting over isn’t always about finding your way back. Maybe you’re not lost. Maybe you’re becoming. About Sass Schaeffer Sass Schaeffer is a life identity coach who helps women navigate significant transitions and reconnect with who they are and what they want from the next chapter of their lives. Drawing from her own experiences with unexpected change and reinvention, her work focuses on identity, self-discovery, positivity, and creating a life that reflects who a person is becoming rather than simply who they have been. @sass_schaeffer on Instagram YouTube channel About Stories from Real Life Stories from Real Life is an interview podcast hosted by award-winning journalist, author, and publisher Melvin E. Edwards. Through thoughtful conversations with people whose lives have taken extraordinary, unexpected, or meaningful turns, the podcast explores the experiences that shape who we become. Everybody has a story, and every story deserves to be told. Media Well Done, LLC Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    Ep. 221 - Sass Schaeffer: Who Are You Now?

  2. Sep 8

    Ep. 220 - Patrick W. Naughton, Jr.: Saving Baker Battery

    What would you do if you opened an old binder at an estate sale and realized you were holding a piece of World War II history? Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and military historian Patrick W. Naughton Jr. knew almost immediately that he had found something extraordinary. Inside the worn binder was a history created by the soldiers of Baker Battery, 881st Field Artillery Battalion, 69th Infantry Division—typed recollections, original sketches, poems, rosters, jokes and firsthand observations from the men who had fought their way across Europe during the final months of World War II. They hadn’t written it for historians. They had written it for each other. In this episode of Stories from Real Life, Patrick tells the remarkable story of discovering that binder and the research that followed. He also discusses his own 30-year Army career, his work as a military historian, and the deeply personal circumstances under which he completed the project while undergoing cancer treatment. The result is Baker Battery Goes to War: The Wartime Writings and Sketches of a World War II Artillery Unit in the Fighting 69th, coming from Media Well Done on Veterans Day, November 11, 2026. This isn’t simply another history of World War II. It’s an opportunity to hear the war through the voices of the ordinary soldiers who actually lived it. Pre-order the book here: Media Well Done, LLC Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    Ep. 220 - Patrick W. Naughton, Jr.: Saving Baker Battery

  3. Sep 1

    Ep. 219 - Andre Robertson: Before the Pinstripes: How Andre Robertson Changed Texas Baseball

    Andre Robertson on Texas, the Yankees, and the accident that changed everything Former Major League shortstop Andre Robertson joins Melvin E. Edwards to trace a career that moves from Orange, Texas to the University of Texas, the New York Yankees, and the 1981 World Series. He also reflects on the racial barriers he faced, the coaches and teammates who shaped him, and the car accident that reshaped his playing career and life. We discuss: How Andre fell in love with baseball as a kid in Orange, why Texas was the right choice over going pro right out of high school, and what it meant to become the first African American baseball scholarship player at UT. He also shares stories about Yogi Berra, Rickey Henderson, Reggie Jackson, Tommy John, and George Steinbrenner. Key topics * Andre recalls growing up in Orange, Texas, where he started organized baseball at age 8 and played with some of the first Black Little League players in his area. * He tells two clubhouse stories, including Yogi Berra’s strange instruction to “pair up in threes” and Rickey Henderson’s third-person humor. * His father coached him early on and helped shape his approach to competition, discipline, and team-first thinking. * Andre talks about seeing Willie Mays as a kid and realizing he wanted to play at the highest level. * He explains how a state track meet in Austin led to Texas coach Cliff Gustafson recruiting him after seeing his athleticism. * At Texas, he had to switch from shortstop to second base, where assistant coach Bill Bethea helped refine his footwork and turn him into a better pro prospect. * He reflects on the 1979 College World Series, Texas’ dominant run, and the disappointment of being knocked out by Arkansas and a California team. * Andre describes the social reality of being the only Black player on the Texas team for three years and how he responded to racism by focusing on the game. * He talks about leaving after his junior year, later returning to finish his degree in 1992 through correspondence courses. * Andre explains the culture shock of going from Orange, Texas to New York City and how he mentally narrowed his focus to handle Yankee Stadium pressure. * He shares his major league debut in 1981, Reggie Jackson’s advice to “do what you did to get here,” and the confidence boost from getting hits in his first game. * He reflects on the 1981 World Series, his limited role as a pinch runner, and the humility of being part of a championship-caliber roster. * Andre remembers Tommy John as a friendly teammate and as a pitcher whose elbow surgery and long career made an impact on the game. * He discusses George Steinbrenner’s demanding standards and says the owner’s expectations matched the Yankee tradition of winning. * Andre recounts the 1983 car accident that fractured his C2 vertebrae, his long recovery, and the blessing of being able to return to baseball at all. * After playing, he moved into substitute teaching briefly and then spent decades working at DuPont, now Dow. * He closes with a look at his family, including three successful children, and his plans for retirement, golf tournaments, and more time with his wife. * The episode ends with his playful Texas and Texas A&M rivalry story, including the card-signing event where Aggies were reluctant to take UT pictures. Notable quotes “My father always told me, you don’t need to talk about yourself, but let other people tell your stories.” “Do what you did to get here.” “It wasn’t lucky, I was blessed.” Media Well Done, LLC Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    Ep. 219 - Andre Robertson: Before the Pinstripes: How Andre Robertson Changed Texas Baseball

  4. Aug 25

    Ep. 218 - Margaret Eastman Smith: Faith, Family and Freedom

    Margaret Eastman Smith grew up inside Moral Re-Armament (MRA), the international movement that emerged from the Oxford Group and sought to transform society through personal moral and spiritual change. For Margaret, however, MRA wasn’t simply a movement. It was family. In this episode of Stories from Real Life, Margaret joins host Melvin E. Edwards to discuss her memoir, A Spectacular Inheritance: A Memoir of Letting Go, and the extraordinary journey of discovering an identity outside the tightly connected world that shaped her childhood. Their conversation explores growing up in an international communal environment; the history and ideals of Moral Re-Armament; the difficult question of whether MRA constituted a cult; leaving a powerful ideological community; developmental trauma and attachment; history and memory; forgiveness; peacebuilding; and the complicated process of deciding what we keep from the people and institutions that formed us. Margaret Eastman Smith is a writer, historian and peacebuilding scholar whose academic work focuses on history and memory in divided societies and grassroots approaches to peacebuilding. She is also the author of Reckoning with the Past: Teaching History in Northern Ireland. A Spectacular Inheritance is ultimately about more than leaving a movement. It asks a question that belongs to all of us: How much of who we are is inherited—and how much do we get to choose? Learn more about Margaret Eastman Smith:www.margareteastmansmith.com Additional articles:www.weareonehumanity.org Up With People ABOUT STORIES FROM REAL LIFE Stories from Real Life explores the experiences, decisions and defining moments that shape people’s lives. Hosted by Melvin E. Edwards. MEDIA WELL DONE, LLCTurning meaningful stories into lasting legacies. Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    Ep. 218 - Margaret Eastman Smith: Faith, Family and Freedom

  5. Aug 18

    Ep. 217 - Dr. Michael Brandt: The Future of Facial Plastic Surgery

    How do medicine, artistry, and psychology come together to transform lives? In this episode, award-winning journalist Melvin E. Edwards sits down with internationally recognized facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Michael Brandt for a thoughtful conversation about confidence, identity, aging, innovation, and the responsibility that comes with changing someone’s appearance. Dr. Brandt discusses his journey into facial plastic surgery, the ethics behind cosmetic procedures, advances in non-surgical treatments, the influence of social media, and why the most successful procedures often preserve—not replace—a person’s natural identity. As an educator, researcher, and surgeon, he also shares his perspective on the future of facial aesthetics and the importance of mentoring the next generation of physicians. Whether you’re considering cosmetic treatment, work in healthcare, or simply enjoy conversations about leadership and human potential, this episode offers valuable insight into one of medicine’s most fascinating specialties. In This Episode * Dr. Brandt’s path to facial plastic surgery * Why confidence is often more important than perfection * The psychology behind cosmetic procedures * Ethical decision-making in aesthetic medicine * The rise of non-surgical facial rejuvenation * How social media has changed patient expectations * Innovation in facial plastic surgery * Leadership, education, and building a world-class practice * The future of facial aesthetics About Dr. Michael Brandt Dr. Michael Brandt is a Royal College–certified Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgeon who practices exclusively in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. He completed an internationally recognized fellowship at the University of Michigan and is among the few Canadian surgeons certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. In addition to treating patients, he serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and is an internationally recognized educator and researcher in facial plastic surgery. Connect with Dr. Michael Brandt FORM Face + Body 🌐 Official Website 👨‍⚕️ Dr. Michael Brandt Bio 💼 LinkedIn 📸 Instagram – Dr. Michael Brandt 📸 Instagram – FORM Face + Body 📸 Instagram – FORM Hair Toronto About the Host Award-winning journalist, author, publisher, and podcast host Melvin E. Edwards is the founder of Media Well Done, LLC and the creator of Stories from Real Life, where he explores the remarkable journeys of leaders, innovators, historians, athletes, entrepreneurs, and everyday people whose experiences inspire others. About Media Well Done, LLC Media Well Done, LLC is an independent publishing and media company dedicated to preserving important stories through books, podcasts, and historical research. Its mission is to illuminate stories that official histories often leave in the shadows. Learn more: 🌐 Media Well Done, LLC Listen & Subscribe Never miss an episode of Stories from Real Life. 🎙️ Stories from Real Life Podcast Books by Melvin E. Edwards * Nuremberg, Mississippi * The Eyes of Texans * The Strength of a Thousand Sons * The Names They Kept (forthcoming) Available through Media Well Done, LLC and major online booksellers. Share This Episode If you enjoyed this conversation, please: * Follow Stories from Real Life * Leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform * Share this episode with friends, colleagues, or anyone interested in medicine, leadership, or personal transformation * Follow Media Well Done and Dr. Michael Brandt on social media for future updates Thank you for listening to Stories from Real Life, where every life has a story worth telling Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    Ep. 217 - Dr. Michael Brandt: The Future of Facial Plastic Surgery

  6. Aug 14 ·  Bonus

    Ep. 216 - Clint Hurdle: Take The Long Way Home

    Long before Clint Hurdle became one of baseball’s most recognizable managers, he was the kid everyone expected to become a star. A first-round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals in 1975, Hurdle reached the major leagues at 20 and soon found himself on the cover of Sports Illustrated under enormous expectations. His playing career ultimately followed a different path — but the lessons that came with it would shape everything that followed. Hurdle went on to build a remarkable second act as a coach, teacher, and manager. He led the Colorado Rockies to the 2007 World Series and later helped transform the Pittsburgh Pirates, taking them back to the postseason in 2013 after a 20-year absence. But his most important story may be the one beyond wins and losses. In this episode of Stories from Real Life, Melvin E. Edwards talks with Clint Hurdle about being labeled a future star before adulthood, confronting disappointment, learning from failure, sobriety, family, leadership and discovering that sometimes the life you were supposed to have isn’t nearly as meaningful as the life you eventually build. Hurdle-isms book Media Well Done, LLC Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    Ep. 216 - Clint Hurdle: Take The Long Way Home

  7. Aug 11

    Ep. 215 - Diane Les Becquets: Between Heaven and the Rest of My Life

    National bestselling novelist Diane Les Becquets joins Stories from Real Life for an unforgettable conversation about survival, faith, creativity, and the remarkable healing power of nature. Known for literary novels that immerse readers in America’s wild landscapes, Diane has earned acclaim for Breaking Wild, The Last Woman in the Forest, and her newest novel, Where the Water Meets the Sky. Her latest work is a moving coming-of-age story set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that explores grief, memory, forgiveness, and the restorative power of community and the natural world. But during the writing of this novel, Diane faced a life-changing challenge of her own. Diagnosed with five brain aneurysms, she underwent complex surgery and emerged with a transformed perspective on writing, faith, family, and purpose. Following her recovery, she returned to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—traveling to the very locations that inspired her novel—as both a celebration of life and a pilgrimage of gratitude. In this deeply personal episode, Diane shares how beauty, wonder, and wilderness continue to shape both her stories and her life. In This Episode * The inspiration behind Where the Water Meets the Sky * Why Michigan’s Upper Peninsula became the heart of the novel * Surviving five brain aneurysms * Finding peace after trauma * Faith, surrender, and creativity * Nature as a source of healing * Why place can become a character * Living with gratitude after facing mortality * What she hopes readers carry with them long after finishing her books About Diane Les Becquets Diane Les Becquets is the award-winning, national bestselling author of Breaking Wild, The Last Woman in the Forest, and Where the Water Meets the Sky. Her novels have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus Reviews, been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, and earned numerous literary honors, including the Colorado Book Award and the New Hampshire Outstanding Work of Fiction. Drawing from years spent exploring wilderness alongside archaeologists, wildlife biologists, conservationists, and foresters, Diane creates stories where landscape becomes as important as the people who inhabit it. She now lives in New Hampshire and continues to write from her backyard writing studio, “Wild Spaces.” Books Mentioned * Where the Water Meets the Sky * Breaking Wild * The Last Woman in the Forest * Nuremberg, Mississippi Connect with Diane Les Becquets 🌐 Official WebsiteDiane Les Becquets 📚 Where the Water Meets the SkySimon & Schuster Book Page 📖 Author Page at Simon & SchusterSimon & Schuster Author Page 📸 Instagram@dianelesbecquets 📚 GoodreadsGoodreads Author Page Learn More If you’re drawn to stories about resilience, healing, wilderness, and the search for meaning, Diane’s novels offer richly imagined worlds where nature becomes both setting and teacher. Her latest novel, Where the Water Meets the Sky, has been praised as “a love letter to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula” and a deeply affecting meditation on memory, forgiveness, and belonging. Follow Stories from Real Life 🎙️ Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. 🌐 Visit Media Well Done for more episodes, books, and conversations with extraordinary people living extraordinary lives. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with someone who appreciates inspiring stories about courage, creativity, and the enduring power of hope. Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    Ep. 215 - Diane Les Becquets: Between Heaven and the Rest of My Life

  8. Aug 4

    Ep. 214 - Connie Kwan: Building Better Habits Through Better Stories

    Key Points Keywords storytelling, habits, identity, product management, entrepreneurship, AI, personal development, childhood influences, curiosity, leadership AI, storytelling, human connection, personal habits, failure, hope, kindness, technology, creativity, identity Summary In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Connie Kwan, CEO of Product Maestro and storytelling coach, about her book ‘Story Habits’ and the importance of identity in habit formation. Connie shares her experiences growing up in Hong Kong and Canada, her early interest in technology, and how storytelling plays a crucial role in product management. They discuss the qualities that make great product leaders, common mistakes founders make, and the impact of AI on entrepreneurship. Connie emphasizes the significance of understanding habits, the misconceptions surrounding them, and how organizations and families can develop effective story habits. In this conversation, Connie Kwan discusses the evolving role of AI in storytelling and human connection, emphasizing that while AI can assist in research and content creation, it cannot replace the essential human skills of empathy and connection. She explores how AI has made storytelling more accessible, allowing individuals to create meaningful narratives, including personal family stories. Connie also shares her personal journey with habits, including her approach to reducing dessert intake and managing her TV watching habits. The discussion touches on the importance of learning from failure and the inherent goodness in humanity, providing a hopeful perspective on the future. Takeaways The identity piece is crucial for habit change.Childhood experiences shape our current identities.Adjusting to new environments can be challenging yet rewarding.Early exposure to technology fosters interest and skills.Storytelling is essential in product management to bridge gaps.Curiosity is a key trait for successful product leaders.Founders often fall into the trap of the ‘if I build it’ mentality.AI has transformed the landscape of entrepreneurship.Understanding the story behind habits is vital for change.Organizations and families can cultivate beneficial story habits. AI helps you make connections with the right folks.AI is not going to replace human skills.AI made storytelling more accessible for every person.You can build a movie about your family.I’m a fancy dessert eater now.TV is my addictive substance.Failure is data that helps you move forward.Keep going. Keep going. Keep going. Don’t give up.Audit your life once in a while.The most important story you’ll ever tell is why you’re here. Connie’s contact links- Website - Substack - LinkedIn Melvin E. Edwards’ contact links: Media Well Done, LLC Stories from Real Life website Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    Ep. 214 - Connie Kwan: Building Better Habits Through Better Stories
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5
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

**Honored as the American Writing Awards Male Hosted Podcast of the Year for 2026.** Why should you listen to this podcast? Because "Stories from Real Life" reminds us we’re not alone. In every episode, expert interviewer Melvin E. Edwards dives deep into the moments that shape who we are—messy, moving, sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking. Whether you're stuck, healing, or just curious about the human experience, these stories help you feel seen, understood, and connected. Want to be a guest on Stories from Real Life? Send Melvin Edwards a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/storiesfromreallife. www.podcastreallife.com storiesfromreallife.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Melvin E. Edwards
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    221
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stories from Real Life Podcast
  • Show Website
    Stories from Real Life

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