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

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 today’s episode, we sit down with Tom Russo — a man whose journey spans countries, careers, and generations. Born in Ankara while his father served in the USAF, Tom grew up in the orbit of NASA’s missions and the discipline of professional bowling. After attending Texas Tech, he married his lifelong partner and spent 32 years rising through the banking world. Along the way, he ran a sports memorabilia store, owned a candy shop, hosted sports and business radio shows, and wrote a motivational book.

But retirement didn’t slow him down. Tom became a middle school history teacher and coach, discovered a new calling, and touched countless lives — until a medical issue forced him to retire again. Now, he’s building a brand new bank and still selling baseball cards.

This is a story about resilience, reinvention, service, and the power of staying curious.

Topics Covered:

* Growing up in a NASA household

* Lessons from an 82-year-old PBA professional bowler

* What 32 years in banking taught him

* Running a sports memorabilia shop & candy store

* Officiating high school football

* Teaching and coaching middle school

* The medical challenge that changed everything

* Forming a new bank in retirement

* Legacy, gratitude & identity

Perfect For:Listeners who love entrepreneurship, education, sports, leadership, and human stories about reinvention.

A Blink of an Eye podcast

Lemongello bowling story

Tom Russo’s book

Episode Summary: In this powerful conversation, “The Judas Effect” author Amy Hawk shares her deeply personal journey of faith, identity, and finding her voice in the conversation around Christian Nationalism. Amy opens up about the emotional and relational cost of confronting harmful ideologies within the church. Together, we explore how patriotism, politics, and faith became entangled — and we name names, like Charlie Kirk, Doug Wilson, Joel Webbon, and Megan Basham.

Topics Covered:

* Amy’s early faith formation

* The turning point that sparked her awareness

* What Christian Nationalism actually is

* Why it resonates so strongly in churches today

* The personal cost of speaking out

* Who are Doug Wilson and Joel Webbon

* How the gospel gets distorted

* The path toward hope and healing

Who This Episode Is For:People navigating questions of faith, politics, identity, and courage.Anyone raised in the church who feels the tension of this moment.

Resources Mentioned:Amy’s website

Podcast Sponsor FOREVER

Episode Show Notes

In this heartfelt episode of Stories from Real Life, we sit down with “Miss Karen” Bates, a Utah school bus driver who has spent 14 years shaping young lives from the driver’s seat.

Miss Karen opens up about her childhood, her 34-year marriage, raising five children, and the meaningful path that led her to become a school bus driver. She shares stories filled with laughter, love, and the moments that still bring tears to her eyes — from unforgettable encounters with students to the silent struggles she’s witnessed along the way.

This conversation reveals the unseen emotional labor of a job often overlooked — and the profound ripple effect one person can have simply by showing up every day.

🎧 Topics include:

* Life before the bus route

* Marriage, motherhood, and legacy

* The unseen challenges of school transportation

* Moments of joy and heartbreak on the road

* The power of consistency in a child’s life

A reminder that sometimes the most powerful stories don’t come from stages — they come from the driver’s seat.

Guest: Scott Martin — Author, Coach, Advocate

Episode Description

In this deeply moving episode of Stories from Real Life, we sit down with Scott Martin — former elite soccer coach, author of Play From Your Heart, and living example of resilience in its rawest form.

Scott shares the moment his life changed forever after being diagnosed with Group A Strep and Necrotizing Fasciitis — an illness that left him without his hands and feet and forced him into the most difficult season of his life. He opens up about depression, identity loss, and what it meant to transition from the privilege of athletic achievement to life labeled as “disabled.”

But this story doesn’t end in tragedy.

From adopting five children from Romania and Ethiopia to returning to coach his beloved “Soccer Rats,” Scott reveals what rebuilding really looks like — not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. He explains the meaning behind his life philosophy, the role of music in healing, and why the final chapter of his book remains intentionally redacted.

This conversation is raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful — a reminder that even when life strips everything away, the heart still knows how to lead.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

* Scott’s battle with Necrotizing Fasciitis and the trauma that followed

* The emotional impact of suddenly becoming “disabled”

* His journey through depression and back to purpose

* The story behind Play From Your Heart

* Why he chose adoption, coaching, and rebuilding over retreat

* What real resilience looks like when no one is watching

Connect with Scott Martin:

* Book: Play From Your Heart

* Scott Martin

What does it truly mean to coach — not just athletes, but young men navigating life?

In this powerful and reflective episode, we sit down with Boyd-Buchanan high school baseball coaches Matt Roberson and Gene Bowles for a conversation that goes far beyond wins and losses. Together, they share the defining moments that shaped their careers, the challenges that tested their resolve, and the unseen sacrifices that come with leading from the dugout.

From their earliest connections to the game to the players who changed them forever, these two respected leaders offer an honest look at the heart of coaching — the responsibility, the pressure, the purpose, and the legacy built one season at a time.

This episode explores:

* The personal journeys that led them into coaching

* The moments that tested their commitment

* How failure shaped their leadership

* Stories of players who left a lasting impact

* The legacy they hope to leave behind

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, parent, or simply someone who values leadership and mentorship, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the greatest victories aren’t always reflected on the scoreboard — they’re seen in the lives transformed along the way.

Today on Stories from Real Life, we’re joined by Tami Gaines, author of Preemie Parents: 26 Ways to Grow With Your Premature Baby, resilience strategist, and speaker who has inspired audiences of hundreds of thousands. Tami knows firsthand the challenges of raising premature twins while balancing life, work, and personal growth. In this episode, she shares her story of courage, the lessons she learned in the NICU, and practical insights for transforming life’s toughest moments into growth opportunities.

Show Notes

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Tami Gaines as she shares her personal journey of raising premature twins and transforming life’s challenges into lessons of resilience.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

* How Tami navigated the intense early days in the NICU and the lessons that shaped her parenting.

* Practical advice from her book, Preemie Parents: 26 Ways to Grow With Your Premature Baby.

* How to reframe crises into opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally.

* Tips for building resilience and maintaining hope when life feels out of control.

Resources & Links:

* Tami Gaines’ website: https://preemieparentsbook.com

* Follow Tami Gaines: https://www.tamigaines.com

* Stories from Real Life

🎙️ Episode Intro

In today’s episode of Stories from Real Life, we’re stepping inside the clubhouse with hospitality leader Joe Carlucci — a man who’s spent his career turning golf clubs and restaurants into communities.

From the kitchen to the course, Joe understands that great hospitality isn’t just about food or service — it’s about creating moments that make people feel seen, valued, and at home.

In this conversation, we talk about leadership, creativity, and the small details that turn a good experience into an unforgettable one. Whether you’re a golfer, a restaurant owner, or just someone who loves people — this episode is for you.

📝 Show Notes

Episode Title:

Beyond the 18th Hole: The Heart of Hospitality

Episode Summary:In this episode, host Melvin E. Edwards sits down with Joe Carlucci, a seasoned clubhouse and restaurant leader who has spent decades redefining what hospitality means in the golf industry. Joe shares stories from the greens and the dining room — about leadership under pressure, building community, and creating spaces where people belong.

Topics Covered:

* How Joe found his calling in golf club hospitality

* What makes a dining experience memorable

* Lessons in leadership and team motivation

* Funny and heartwarming stories from years on the fairway

Key Quote:

“Hospitality is about more than service — it’s about belonging. If you make people feel seen, they’ll never forget how you made them feel.” — Joe Carlucci

Connect with Joe Carlucci:🔗 LinkedIn🎙️ Podmatch Profile