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Artwork for Stories from Real Life

Stories from Real Life

Melvin E. Edwards
Mental Health
Storytelling
Resilience
Grief
Donald Trump
Education
Religion
Personal Growth
Baseball
Family
Entrepreneurship
Purpose
Politics
Psychology
Social Media
Parenting
Fatherhood
Racism
Personal Development
Christianity

**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 ab... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes200Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Social SciencesPersonal JournalsSociety & CultureScience

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Artwork for Stories from Real Life

Latest Episodes

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

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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... more

YouTube

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... more

YouTube

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 l... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Nancy Jasin Ensley
Nurse with a 54-year career, author of The Tire Swing and other works
Author and nurse
Episode: Ep. 199 - Nancy Jasin Ensley: The Tire Swing
Dr. Stuart D. Jones
Author of For the Love of Stephen
Episode: Ep. 198 - Dr. Stuart Jones: For the Love of Stephen
Eric Robinson
Former Baptist pastor turned FBI special agent
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Episode: Ep. 197 - Eric Robinson: How a Pastor Became an FBI Agent
Matt O'Neill
Entrepreneur, author of Good Mood Revolution, podcast host
Good Mood Revolution, Real Estate Entrepreneur
Episode: Ep. 196 - Matt O'Neill: Why Your Mood is Your Greatest Asset
Antonio Michael Downing
Author and storyteller exploring identity and belonging
Episode: Ep. 195 - Antonio Michael Downing: Becoming Yourself in a World That Misunderstands You
Lisa Parda
Real estate broker, radio host, and cookbook author
Realty Scape Brokerage; Stars at Night Publishing
Episode: Ep. 194 - Lisa Parda: When Your Plans Change
Al Isaacs
Comedian and writer who uncovered his birth mother during a decades-long search
Self/Author of Finding Mary Smith
Episode: Ep. 193 - Al Isaacs: Searching for My Mother after 53 Years
Mark Firehammer
Author, musician, founder of the Creative Humanity Alliance
Creative Humanity Alliance
Episode: Ep. 192 - Mark Firehammer: The Lost Art of Being Human
Craig Randall
Former school counselor, teacher, coach, and principal; author of Trust-Based Observations, Maximizing Teaching and Learning Growth
Episode: Ep: 191 - Craig Randall: Stop Scoring Teachers. Start Growing Them.

Host

Melvin E. Edwards
Host of Stories from Real Life

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 64 ratings
  • Awesome Host!

    I want to thank Stories from Real Life for a great experience. The questions delved deep into the heart of my sailing journey. Melvin promoted my books and my websites and was an excellent podcast host. I highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    positivethoughts2020
    United States3 months ago
  • Thank you for having me Mel!

    Mel was great and very engaging. He asked thoughtful questions and directed me towards the message I was on the show to talk about. Plus he is a very cool guy

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J CARLUCCI
    United States6 months ago
  • “A Spiritual Passage”

    Melvin was a great host, asking very thoughtful, provocative questions; inspiring me to tell our story. He was very inquisitive about our adventure and encouraged me to talk about my book "A Spiritual Passage", with 500 beautiful, color pictures about our life-changing journey. It is a great podcast to be a guest on and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Randbo Writings
    United States6 months ago
  • Ken Webb on book Trapped in Deception

    Excellent fellow Texan. I look forward to the show being published!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WebbISTJ
    United States8 months ago
  • As Real as it gets!

    Melvin does an incredible job to bring out the best of a guest’s experiences. He asks profound and insightful questions that create a fun, engaging, and entertaining show. He creates so much value with his content. I couldn’t be happier with our interview!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Andrew-Ryan Profaci
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests feel heard, and stories stay impactful after listening.
Thoughtful host with deep questions leads to meaningful guest stories.
Engaging questions and respectful interviewing style are frequently noted.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 199 - Nancy Jasin Ensley: The Tire Swing
Q: How has the healthcare landscape changed the most since you began your career?
She highlights shifts in observation and communication, the rise of computers and information systems, changes in patient-to-nurse ratios, and the increased complexity of nursing with more equipment and regulatory demands, while stressing the value of foundational bedside skills.
Ep. 196 - Matt O'Neill: Why Your Mood is Your Greatest Asset
Q: How do you approach parenting happiness in practical terms?
By modeling calm, respectful communication, avoiding anger, and creating a home where kindness and responsibility are demonstrated, not just preached.
Ep. 196 - Matt O'Neill: Why Your Mood is Your Greatest Asset
Q: What was the turning point that helped you see emotions as a pathway to happiness?
Discovering Dr. Sarno's approach that most physical pain has an emotional component, which led him to study and eventually teach and write about releasing the eight primary negative emotions.
Ep. 196 - Matt O'Neill: Why Your Mood is Your Greatest Asset
Q: What does a Good Mood morning routine look like?
The routine starts with expressions of gratitude, time with a happy dog, journaling about three things that went well, and then listing three new things to be grateful for the next day, followed by prayer and a mindful start to the day.
Ep. 194 - Lisa Parda: When Your Plans Change
Q: What pivot strategies or boundaries can people use during a midlife shift?
She explains resegmenting her business to focus on higher-value, more enjoyable work (like radio and cookbook writing), preserving room for curiosity and passion, and allowing time for new ventures to develop while managing expectations and boundaries.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Stories from Real Life

What is Stories from Real Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show features intimate conversations where a steady host asks thoughtful questions that bring out transformative personal stories. Episodes range from professional growth and education reform to travel, health, creativity, and resilience, with guests often sharing practical insights, life lessons, and behind-the-scenes experiences. A standout trait is the focus on human moments—whether navigating career changes, caregiving, or pursuing passions—framed by a calm, curious interviewing style that encourages vulnerability. The format tends to blend storytelling with actionable takeaways, making it appealing to listeners seeking inspiration, real-world advice, and relatable journeys.

Notable strengths include a diverse slate of guests span... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Stories from Real Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Stories from Real Life:

1. The Bulwark Podcast

How many episodes of Stories from Real Life are there?

Stories from Real Life launched 3 years ago and published 200 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Stories from Real Life?

Recent guests on Stories from Real Life include:

1. Nancy Jasin Ensley
2. Dr. Stuart D. Jones
3. Eric Robinson
4. Matt O'Neill
5. Antonio Michael Downing
6. Lisa Parda
7. Al Isaacs
8. Mark Firehammer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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