Stories from Real Life

Melvin E. Edwards
  • 5.0 (32)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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. Ep. 185 - Kristan Swan: Learning to Listen to Your Own Life

    4D AGO

    Ep. 185 - Kristan Swan: Learning to Listen to Your Own Life

    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. The conversation also explores the fear of success, the relationship between spirituality and professional growth, and the significance of support systems in building confidence. 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. Kristan Swan’s website Stories from Real Life website Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    44 min
  2. Ep. 184 - Dr. Nelva Lee: From the Classroom to the Campaign

    JAN 13

    Ep. 184 - Dr. Nelva Lee: From the Classroom to the Campaign

    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. In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Dr. Nelva Lee, a candidate for Georgia Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Lee shares her journey from being a homeschool mom to a healthcare leader and educator, emphasizing the importance of school choice, vocational training, and empowering parents. She discusses her leadership experiences, insights from government health policy, and the need for schools to support families. Dr. Lee also reflects on her faith’s role in public service and offers encouragement to students about discovering their purpose Dr. Nelva Lee Stories from Real Life .Keywords education, school choice, vocational training, leadership, empowerment, family support, public service, faith, Georgia, Dr. Nelva Lee Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    40 min
  3. Ep. 183 - Helton Pereira: Fire, Faith, Family, and the Fight for Purpose

    JAN 6

    Ep. 183 - Helton Pereira: Fire, Faith, Family, and the Fight for Purpose

    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 love for the job, and why putting life in the right order — Faith, Family, Fitness, Firefighting — is the only way to survive the weight of the fire service and still love it. What We Cover– Immigration and identity– Becoming an EMT and entering fire service by accident– Trauma, loss, and nearly burning out– Protecting marriage and kids while serving a demanding career– Creating a movement and writing a book– Why mentorship matters more than gear or tactics Links– The First Things First – Book & Resources: www.TheFirstThingsFirst.com Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    49 min

  4. 12/30/2025

    Ep. 182 - Mark Burnett: The Healing That No Doctor Prescribed

    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. In this episode, we speak with Mark Burnett, founder of My Brain Restore™, about his personal battle with Parkinson’s and early Alzheimer’s — and the controversial path that followed. My Brain Restore Burnett discusses: * His diagnoses and the moment he realized standard treatment offered no path to recovery * Why he turned to Japanese neurological research overlooked in Western medicine * The development of his proprietary processing method and why he believes it matters * What he can measure, what he cannot yet prove, and where critics are right to be skeptical * The ethical risks of self-experimentation when the alternative is slow decline * Why FDA limitations complicate public conversations about neurological recovery This is not a promotional interview. It is a rigorous, good-faith examination of claims, evidence, and uncertainty, designed to let listeners decide for themselves where they land. Topics Covered: * Parkinson’s disease * Alzheimer’s disease * Neurodegeneration and brain plasticity * Supplements vs. pharmaceuticals * Evidence standards and clinical trials * FDA regulation and medical claims * Patient-driven innovation Important Disclaimer:This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult licensed medical professionals before making health decisions. Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    55 min
  5. Ep. 181 - Matthew Pridgen: Confronting America’s Hardest Truths

    12/26/2025

    Ep. 181 - Matthew Pridgen: Confronting America’s Hardest Truths

    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 SummaryIn this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with filmmaker and author Matthew Pridgen, creator of the documentary The Sins of Our Fathers: Race, Religion, and the Rise of Trump. This powerful conversation explores how Christian nationalism, generational racism, and white evangelical culture helped shape the political rise of Donald Trump—and what that means for America today. Drawing from his own dramatic life transformation—from addiction and atheism to faith and social awareness — Matthew brings a rare combination of vulnerability, insight, and lived experience to this discussion. Together, we unpack the cultural, historical, and theological forces that continue to influence American politics. Key Topics Covered• The inspiration behind The Sins of Our Fathers• How race, religion, and politics intersected during the rise of Donald Trump• The role of Christian nationalism and white evangelical culture• Generational belief systems and inherited racial bias• The fear narratives driving modern political movements• Why so many Christians supported Donald Trump• What Matthew hopes viewers will confront about race and faith Why This Episode MattersThis conversation is essential for anyone interested in:• race relations in America• evangelical Christianity• Christian nationalism• political polarization• the rise of Trump and its cultural roots• documentary filmmaking focused on social justice• reconciling faith with historical truth About the Guest: Matthew PridgenMatthew Pridgen is a documentarian, author, speaker, and advocate who explores the intersections of race, religion, and justice through film and storytelling. His documentary The Sins of Our Fathers has sparked national conversations around racism, faith, and political identity. Resources and LinksWebsite: matthewpridgen.comDocumentary: The Sins of Our Fathers Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 1m

  6. 12/23/2025

    Ep. 180 - Scott Miller: Love, Loss, and a Sci-Fi Legacy

    Sponsored by: 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. Episode Summary:In this episode, we sit down with Scott Miller—broadcaster, storyteller, and creator of The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, a show heard in more than 190 countries and ranked #1 in 33 of them. Scott opens up about his extraordinary life story: getting his start in radio at 16, becoming Iowa’s youngest weekday TV sports anchor, surviving a devastating divorce, enduring the loss of his beloved wife just 113 days after their wedding, and nearly giving up on life entirely. Instead of surrendering to tragedy, Scott rebuilt his world. He found new love, moved to Costa Rica, and launched a science-fiction podcast that has now surpassed three million listens and revived dozens of classic vintage sci-fi stories for a global audience. This conversation explores resilience, reinvention, the healing power of storytelling, and the unexpected ways life gives us second—and third—chances. Links & Resources: * The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast: lostscifi.com * Explore the full archive of classic sci-fi stories Recommended For:Listeners interested in personal transformation, storytelling, grief and healing, podcasting, creative reinvention, and the enduring power of vintage science fiction. Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    59 min
  7. Ep. 179 - Danny Johnson: Clean Comedy, Real Stories, and the Road

    12/19/2025

    Ep. 179 - Danny Johnson: Clean Comedy, Real Stories, and the Road

    Guest: Danny Johnson — Comedian, Storyteller, “The Everyday Comic” 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 In this episode of Stories From Real Life, Melvin E. Edwards sits down with comedian Danny Johnson, a performer known for turning the ordinary into something hilariously unforgettable. Danny breaks down the art of clean comedy, shares backstage stories from the road, and talks about the power of finding humor in the chaos of daily life. Whether you’re a comedy fan, a creator, or someone who just needs a good laugh, this conversation delivers insight, authenticity, and plenty of punchlines. What We Cover in This Episode * How Danny discovered his comedic voice * Why clean comedy can be sharper, harder, and more rewarding than people think * His writing process and how real life fuels his material * The challenges and joys of performing in clubs, churches, and corporate events * Behind-the-scenes touring moments — including the funniest on-stage surprises * Balancing comedy, family life, and identity * Insights on storytelling, timing, and making normal moments hysterically funny * Why humor remains essential in a tense, polarized world * Danny Johnson’s website * Danny’s new comedy YouTube special: Everything Bothers Me * Follow Danny on social media (IG, TikTok, etc.) @DannyJohnsonComedy About the Guest Danny Johnson is a stand-up comedian known for his clean, relatable, and story-driven humor. His ability to turn everyday frustrations into laugh-out-loud material has made him a standout performer across clubs, corporate events, churches, and comedy festivals. Often described as “The Everyday Comic,” Danny brings wit, warmth, and genuine perspective to every stage he touches. Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    48 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    Ep. 178 - Russell Van Brocklen: The Truth About Dyslexia That Schools Don’t Teach

    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: In this episode, New York State Senate–funded dyslexia researcher Russell Van Brocklen reveals how his groundbreaking “word-analysis-first” approach helped high school juniors and seniors leap 7–8 grade levels in writing in a single school year. Every one of them entered college. Every one graduated. None needed accommodations. Russell shares the science behind his program, shocking misconceptions about dyslexia, and real stories of students whose passions — baseball, Marvel, welding — became the key to unlocking mastery. Parents and educators will walk away with practical tools they can use tonight. Key Topics: * How word analysis can change everything * Why “lazy” readers aren’t lazy * The real reason homework battles escalate * How to break learning into tiny, winnable steps * What schools miss about dyslexia * How one class achieved GRE-level writing readiness Links: * DyslexiaClasses.com * The Craft of Research Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

    46 min
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5
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

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
    185
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stories from Real Life Podcast
  • Show Website
    Stories from Real Life

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