Stories from Real Life

Known on social media as The Orchard Keeper, Dr. Lenny Wells is a University of Georgia Professor of Horticulture, a pecan farmer, and an author. He's also The Andy Griffith Show's biggest fan. Thankfully, with all of that knowledge, he clears up the correct pronunciation of "pecan." https://lennywellswords.com/ Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Presidential historian Lewis Ben Smith joins the show on this Presidents Day to discuss his favorite- and least-favorite Presidents, among other interesting details about the men who have held the highest office in the United States. Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Two of the leaders of the Tucson-based Wholistic Transformation join the show to talk about their nonprofit organization and how we can all get involved in helping young adults transition from foster care to the adult world. Bryan Benz is the Founder and CEO and Pat Quinn is the President of the Board of Directors of that organization. https://wholistictransformationtucson.com/ Get full access to...

Bob Lutz, the founder and executive director of League 42, an inner-city youth baseball program in Wichita, Kansas, joins the show to discuss the recent vandalism and destruction of the local Jackie Robinson statute. It's purely coincidental that this episode happens to be 42 minutes long. To support League 42: https://league42.org/ (316) 530-4542 Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfro...

Political consultant and strategist Lee Spieckerman has thoughts about a lot of subjects. He's especially passionate about politics, fiscal policy, and racial reconciliation. He was battling a cold, but what he had to say to these public figures came through loud and clear. - Donald Trump - Joe Biden - Nikki Haley - The Squad - Charlie Kirk - Jerome Powell Tune in to find out. Get full access to M...

During his time as a locksmith, John Thorsson has heard a lot of stories. Once, he answered the call for a man whose angry girlfriend had thrown his keys on top of a 3-story building. Another time, the police were called to the address of fighting siblings while he was opening their front door. Locksmithing is more interesting than you might have imagined! Tune in and hear the details of these com...

Houston Astros broadcaster Robert Ford grew up in The Bronx, NY envisioning himself playing for the NY Mets. Instead, he became only the 4th Black play-by-play announcer in MLB history. In this episode, hear about his journey, as well as his family's role in the careers of Kurtis Blow, The Beastie Boys, and LL Cool J, and the development of Hip Hop music, in general. Get full access to Melvin E. E...

What kind of President would Alexander Hamilton have been if he had not died during that famous duel with VP Aaron Burr? Could he have ended slavery without a Civil War? Would he have replaced James Madison in the historical timeline? In this episode, author Lewis Ben Smith discusses his interesting novel of alternative history that answers many questions and leaves us with many more. https://lewi...

Too often, our dreams are shattered before we ever give them a chance to develop. In this episode, 26-year-old entrepreneur and author Joe Ignace shares the secrets that made him a Top 1% salesman at his company, and how you can leverage your own talents to make an impact on those with whom you come in contact. https://joeignace.com/ Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.subs...

What do you get when a descendant of slaves meets a former Klansman? Well, as they say in Texas, we're fixing to find out. This is Part 2 of the two-part eye-opening interview. Listener discretion is advised. https://www.refugemovie.com/ https://www.parents4peace.org/ Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

What do you get when a descendant of slaves meets a former Klansman? Well, as they say in Texas, we're fixing to find out. This is Part 1 of the two-part eye-opening interview. Listener discretion is advised. https://www.refugemovie.com/ https://www.parents4peace.org/ Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Jan Canty is a psychologist, writer, photographer, educator, consultant, podcast host, and cancer survivor, whose cancer has just returned for a second bout. She tells us some sobering stories of how her life was tragically disrupted by the tragic death of her husband. https://jancantyphd.com/ Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe

Talented musician Daniel DeBlanke, known professionally as Bombay Beach Revival, once ended up on tour with the legendary Prince. Yes, THAT Prince! He joins the show to talk about all things music related, including his unexpected choice for favorite Christmas movie. His Christmas songs are interjected throughout this episode, so listen in, and add yourself as a new fan to the "country-fried soul"...

Melissa Quinn Amour's family has been in Pennsylvania since the time of William Penn, so she's deeply invested in the culture of the Keystone State and The City of Brotherly Love. She's also passionate about a few other things, including her hometown Phillies, the Beatles, and the Christmas season. Find out what happens when you ask her about Philly fans throwing snowballs at Santa Claus. Listen i...

Journalist Bob Cox's parents and grandparents left Texas and Arkansas to seek their fortunes in California. So, how did he end up leaving California to seek his fortune in Texas? In this episode, Cox examines his life as a long-time journalist and explains how a college course in philosophy unexpectedly set him on his career course. Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.subst...

Documentarian Mary Beth Minnis isn't the person you might expect to produce a film about Juneteenth, but when she was approached by Rasool Berry and Our Daily Bread Ministries, the executive producers of Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom, she jumped in head-first. Faith and freedom are ideas that we can celebrate all year around, so we're choosing to consider those topics during this holiday season. Doc...

GUEST: MARTY DUREN Writer and former podcaster Marty Duren joins the show to provide a unique perspective on thankfulness and hope. He and host, Melvin E. Edwards, discuss their favorite music, memories, and bucket list travel destinations. We hope you will join the conversation and feel inspired to have a similar conversation with your own friends and family on Thanksgiving Day. Episode sponsors:...

Anna R. Holloway, PhD, is a retired Professor of English, and is a writer and editor. During her 46 years at Fort Valley State University, she taught writing, literature, and journalism. When she left her White Midwestern roots and went to segregated Georgia in the 1960s, she didn't know she would be teaching at an all-Black college. She certainly didn't know she would stay there for nearly 50 yea...

GUEST: BILL CLABBY Bill Clabby is a multi-lingual educator and administrator, who has taught and lived in several different countries over the course of his life. He also happens to be the father-in-law of Melvin E. Edwards' daughter. Clabby and Edwards have two grandchildren in common, including the one in the photo. Bill discusses living in France, Senegal, and Japan, and how he spends his time...

Host Melvin E. Edwards was the Master of Ceremonies during the Traditional Storytellers portion of the Wimberley (Texas) StoryFest over the weekend of October 12-14, 2023. He also interviewed various participants as they represented the theme of the weekend, which was "Story in all its forms." This episode is a brief summary of the singer-songwriters, filmmakers, and traditional storytellers. http...

Guest: James Pence James Pence had a heart attack in 2021 and was without a heartbeat for 45 minutes. He spent the next two years rehabbing his body and singing voice, which led him to the fulfillment of a lifelong dream -- getting a part in the production of "The Music Man." James is a former pastor, author, motivational speaker, and chalk artist who used his talent as a part of a prison ministry...

GUEST: ROB MATWICK In this special edition of the podcast, Texas Rangers Executive Vice President of Business Operations Rob Matwick stops by to discuss this October weekend's American League Championship Series (ALCS). This episode is special because Matwick has been an executive for both teams. It's also special because he hired Melvin E. Edwards for his first job out of college in 1988. Take a...

Guest: Linda Hall In this episode that was recorded on-site in the office of FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, host Melvin E. Edwards was able to interview Linda Hall, the widow of FAME producer and owner Rick Hall. A benefit concert the day before was the reason he was in town, but after having lunch with Mrs. Hall, he decided that he wanted my audience to hear her story, too. At...

Dr. Hans Boas is the Director of Germanic Studies at the University of Texas-Austin, but until he arrived in Texas in 2001, he had no idea that the distinctive Texas German dialect even existed. Once he learned this fascinating fact, it became his life's work to record as many of the surviving speakers of Texas German as possible before it was too late. Hear how the German immigrants' personal vie...

Guest: Deb Powell Deb Powell, the owner and operator of Port O'Connor (POC) Rod and Gun, has been fishing in this Texas town since childhood. She shares her favorite memories of fishing with her dad and siblings, and recalls all of the fish that got away. She also describes how you can bring your family or group to POC to fish during the winter and what you will need to know to make the most of yo...