New Episodes of Stories from Real Life Every Tuesday
Stories from Real Life
Stories from Real Life
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. This podcast is produced by MediaWellDoneLLC.com.
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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

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Ep. 219 - Andre Robertson: Before the Pinstripes: How Andre Robertson Changed Texas Baseball
219
Sept. 1, 2026

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
Listen to the Episode
Ep. 218 - Margaret Eastman Smith: Faith, Family and Freedom
218
Aug. 25, 2026

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 tigh
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Ep. 217 - Dr. Michael Brandt: The Future of Facial Plastic Surgery
217
Aug. 18, 2026

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
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Ep. 216 - Clint Hurdle: Take The Long Way Home
217
Aug. 14, 2026

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
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Ep. 215 - Diane Les Becquets: Between Heaven and the Rest of My Life
215
Aug. 11, 2026

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, m
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Ep. 214 - Connie Kwan: Building Better Habits Through Better Stories
214
Aug. 4, 2026

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. C
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Reviews

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 wi…"

Andrew-Ryan Profaci | Aug. 2, 2025

Real, raw and powerful conversations

"A must-listen for anyone craving honest connection and deeply human conversations."

Lisa Sugarman | May 10, 2025

Exceptional Podcast

"Melvin has a top-notch podcast and is a great host. His questions were straightforward and thought provoking, which led to better answers. He is also a very nice guy and makes you feel welcomed."

Bow148 | May 10, 2025

Real stories about real people

"Melvin brings unique guests to his show. It’s part interview but part conversation that you feel like you’re sitting in on. They are historical and uplifting and just fun to listen to. I highly recom…"

BLHokneuttx | Aug. 16, 2023

So enjoyable and relatable

"I love listening to Melvin and his guests. I learn something new and get new perspectives from each episode I listen to. I feel transported to my childhood when my dad would take me to the old countr…"

Vivjo66 | Aug. 22, 2023

WIde Variety

"A great assortment of guests and stories. Melvin is an engaging host."

tlcholder | Aug. 30, 2024

Time well spent

"I've been a guest on something like forty-five podcasts and Melvin is now among my very favorite hosts. He was thoughtful and well-prepared with interesting questions based on my background that he t…"

Jack Kammer | Jan. 11, 2025

Excellent experience!

"Such a pleasure to talk to Mel. His journalistic background became apparent when he started asking his well thought questions."

KKunken | March 29, 2025

Thank you for this podcast!!!

"Melvin is an incredible storyteller and podcast host! This show is a blessing to listen to. You'll hear incredible stories that provide motivation and even direction for those who hear them."

Alex J Sanfilippo | March 20, 2025

Kind and Thoughtful

"Melvin is a lovely host with thoughtful and interesting guests. The show is done with respect and integrity, allowing for different thoughts and ideas."

LeanneKCM | April 7, 2024
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Media Well Done, LLC

Media Well Done, LLC is a multimedia production company dedicated to the craft of high-impact storytelling. Founded with a mission to bridge the gap between historical truth and contemporary narrative, the firm specializes in publishing literary fiction, producing award-winning podcasts, and developing historically grounded nonfiction.

At its core, Media Well Done prioritizes institutional excellence and professional rigor, ensuring every project—from the written word to the spoken airwaves—meets the highest standards of the creative industry. By focusing on themes of bureaucratic systems, legal history, and the human experience, the company serves as a vital platform for stories that demand to be told with precision, depth, and narrative integrity.