New Episodes of Stories from Real Life Every Tuesday

Society & Culture Episodes

Ep. 144 - Building Dood Woof: The Power of Community
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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Ep. 143: The College Game Plan: Smart Strategies for Students and Families
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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Ep. 142 - Free Black Virginians in a Slave Society
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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Ep. 139 - Andrew-Ryan Walked Away from a Cult (Part 2/2)
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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Ep. 138 - He Walked Away from a Cult. Then He Told Me Everything. (Part 1/2)
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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Ep. 136 - School's Out Forever
July 25, 2025

Ep. 136 - School's Out Forever

📝 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 ...

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Video Podcast: A New Voice for Alabama: Kyle Sweetser’s Vision for the Senate
July 18, 2025

Video Podcast: A New Voice for Alabama: Kyle Sweetser’s Vision for th…

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 in...

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Ep. 134 - A New Voice for Alabama: Kyle Sweetser’s Vision for the Senate
July 18, 2025

Ep. 134 - A New Voice for Alabama: Kyle Sweetser’s Vision for the Sen…

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 in...

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Ep. 133 - Autographing History: Preserving Personal Stories Through Technology
July 15, 2025

Ep. 133 - Autographing History: Preserving Personal Stories Through T…

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, hi...

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Ep. 131 - From Sailor to Healer: A Transformative Path
July 8, 2025

Ep. 131 - From Sailor to Healer: A Transformative Path

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 m...

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Ep. 129 - 'I Was There on J6:' Pam Hemphill Explains Why She Rejected Trump's Pardon
July 1, 2025

Ep. 129 - 'I Was There on J6:' Pam Hemphill Explains Why She Rejected…

Pam Hemphill shares her transformative journey from being a supporter of Trump to recognizing the dangers of misinformation and the importance of accountability. She recounts her experiences during the January 6 Capitol riot,...

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Ep. 128 - Where the Roots Speak: Joseph Bolton and the Living Stories of Old Grandmother’s Tree
June 27, 2025

Ep. 128 - Where the Roots Speak: Joseph Bolton and the Living Stories…

Joseph Bolton is a gifted storyteller and an intrepid explorer of the human experience. With a passion for uncovering the untold narratives that shape our world, Joseph brings a unique blend of insight, empathy, and wit to ev...

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Ep. 125 - Giorgio Natili on Vision, Vulnerability & the Human Side of Leadership
June 17, 2025

Ep. 125 - Giorgio Natili on Vision, Vulnerability & the Human Side of…

Giorgio Natili, an Italian native and former professional windsurfer, shares his journey through various life experiences, including his transition into engineering management. Giorgio shares insights on the importance of emb...

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Ep. 124 - Walter Dusseldorp Is the Dutch Mentor You Didn’t Know You Needed
June 13, 2025

Ep. 124 - Walter Dusseldorp Is the Dutch Mentor You Didn’t Know You N…

Walter Dusseldorp, the founder and CEO of Dusseldorp and Associates, also known as the Dutch Mentor, shares his insights on the importance of mentoring versus coaching, the philosophy behind his Pure Leadership Power methodol...

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Ep. 120 - Still a Teen, Already a Tycoon: How an Aussie Entrepreneur is Changing the Game
May 30, 2025

Ep. 120 - Still a Teen, Already a Tycoon: How an Aussie Entrepreneur …

Drew Carmichael, a teen entrepreneur from Australia, shares his journey from growing up in Townsville to starting his first business at a young age, transitioning into e-commerce, and eventually founding his own business, The...

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Ep. 119 - In the Shadows of Conflict: Special Forces and Foreign Policy
May 27, 2025

Ep. 119 - In the Shadows of Conflict: Special Forces and Foreign Poli…

Former Special Forces Officer Christopher Brewer talks about his experiences in the military, particularly focusing on the unique role of Special Forces, the challenges they face in missions, and the implications of U.S. fore...

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Ep. 118 - Understanding Online Scams for Older Adults in the Digital Age
May 23, 2025

Ep. 118 - Understanding Online Scams for Older Adults in the Digital …

Fred Simpson, a retired construction worker and author of 'Cyber Time' under the name of Jameson Lyon, shares his journey of grief after losing his wife and how it led him to explore social media, where he encountered various...

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Ep. 117 - It's Okay to Not Be Okay
May 20, 2025

Ep. 117 - It's Okay to Not Be Okay

Crisis counselor Lisa Sugarman talks about her personal journey through grief and loss, particularly following the suicides of loved ones. They discuss the importance of mental health advocacy, the role of the Trevor Project ...

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Ep. 116 - Dark Tourism: A Path to Spiritual Growth
May 16, 2025

Ep. 116 - Dark Tourism: A Path to Spiritual Growth

Melvin E. Edwards interviews Dr. Chad Scott, a therapist and author, who explores the concept of dark tourism and its personal significance. Dr. Scott shares his journey through dark tourism, reflecting on how visiting sites ...

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Ep. 114 - Inventor of Pepper Spray Discusses Warrior Traditions and Family Roots
May 9, 2025

Ep. 114 - Inventor of Pepper Spray Discusses Warrior Traditions and F…

Professor Kamran Loghman talks about his diverse background, including his Persian heritage, his invention of pepper spray, and his insights into warrior traditions and personal growth. Loghman discusses the importance of und...

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Ep. 113 - Storytelling and the Power of Advocacy
May 6, 2025

Ep. 113 - Storytelling and the Power of Advocacy

Piper Hendricks, founder and CEO of Stories Change Power, is today's guest. She discusses the transformative power of storytelling in advocacy, the importance of listening to diverse narratives, and the challenges of achievin...

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Ep. 110 - Productivity Insights from Canadian Businessman Mark Ellwood
April 25, 2025

Ep. 110 - Productivity Insights from Canadian Businessman Mark Ellwood

Mark Ellwood discusses his journey from a young paperboy to a productivity professional, the importance of effective time management, the evolution of tools like the TimeCorder, and the concept of deep listening. Mark shares ...

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Ep. 108 - The Resilience of Montana Firefighter Dan Steffensen
April 18, 2025

Ep. 108 - The Resilience of Montana Firefighter Dan Steffensen

Author A.J. Otjen talks about her book 'Burned Over,' which chronicles the harrowing experiences of Montana firefighter Dan Steffensen. The conversation delves into the unique challenges of firefighting in Montana, the intens...

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Ep. 107 - War Bonds: Military Families and The Generational Impact of Conflicts
April 15, 2025

Ep. 107 - War Bonds: Military Families and The Generational Impact of…

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Naughton talks about his new book, 'Born from War,' the intergenerational impact of military service, the legacy of Vietnam, and the psychological effects of war on soldiers, and their families. Nau...

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