In this episode of “Stories from Real Life,” host Melvin E. Edwards welcomes Kerry Damiano, known as Ms. World Traveler, who shares her incredible journey of exploration across more than 145 countries. Kerry discusses how her passion for travel was ignited by her mother’s adventurous spirit and how she evolved into a solo traveler, embracing the freedom and confidence that comes with exploring the world on her own terms. She emphasizes the importance of overcoming fears and how travel can serve as a powerful vehicle for personal growth and self-discovery.

Ms. World Traveler’s YouTube channel

Ms. World Traveler website

Stories from Real Life website

Sleep is often treated as negotiable — something we squeeze in after work, family, ambition, and obligation. But what if that assumption is costing us more than we realize? (Please excuse the audio problems on my end.)

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, Melvin E. Edwards sits down with Dr. Ben Long (The Wholehearted MD), a physician and sleep specialist who approaches rest through both clinical science and spiritual reflection. Together, they explore how sleep deprivation shapes decision-making, moral clarity, professional identity, and overall well-being—especially in high-pressure fields like medicine.

Ben shares insights from his work with patients and medical trainees, discusses the hidden cultural messages that discourage rest, and explains why sleep should be understood not as a luxury, but as a foundational practice for a meaningful life.

In this episode, we discuss:

* Why chronic exhaustion is often a systems problem, not a personal one

* How sleep deprivation affects judgment, empathy, and moral decision-making

* The intersection of faith, medicine, and rest

* Why productivity culture undermines human flourishing

* Practical ways to rethink sleep without increasing anxiety around it

This conversation is thoughtful, grounded, and quietly challenging—an invitation to reconsider what it means to live, work, and rest well.

Guest: Dr. Ben Long (The Wholehearted MD)

Host: Melvin E. Edwards

Podcast: Stories from Real Life

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards engages with Kristen Swan, who shares her insights on personal growth, curiosity, and the importance of reflection during life transitions. They discuss the impact of early life experiences on curiosity, the journey from landscape design to coaching, and the concept of spiritual autobiography. Kristen introduces her unique journaling method, ‘Spaghetti on the Wall,’ which encourages self-awareness and non-judgmental observation. The conversation also explores the fear of success, the relationship between spirituality and professional growth, and the significance of support systems in building confidence.

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.

Kristan Swan’s website

Stories from Real Life website

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.

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with Dr. Nelva Lee, a candidate for Georgia Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Lee shares her journey from being a homeschool mom to a healthcare leader and educator, emphasizing the importance of school choice, vocational training, and empowering parents. She discusses her leadership experiences, insights from government health policy, and the need for schools to support families. Dr. Lee also reflects on her faith’s role in public service and offers encouragement to students about discovering their purpose

Dr. Nelva Lee

Stories from Real Life

.Keywords

education, school choice, vocational training, leadership, empowerment, family support, public service, faith, Georgia, Dr. Nelva Lee

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:

Today’s guest is Lt. Helton Pereira — born in Rio de Janeiro, immigrant at 15, pre-med student turned EMT, firefighter, paramedic, and now Lieutenant in the U.S. Fire Service. He joins us to share how one fire extinguisher instructor changed his life, why firefighters lose love for the job, and why putting life in the right order — Faith, Family, Fitness, Firefighting — is the only way to survive the weight of the fire service and still love it.

What We Cover– Immigration and identity– Becoming an EMT and entering fire service by accident– Trauma, loss, and nearly burning out– Protecting marriage and kids while serving a demanding career– Creating a movement and writing a book– Why mentorship matters more than gear or tactics

Links– The First Things First – Book & Resources: www.TheFirstThingsFirst.com

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.

In this episode, we speak with Mark Burnett, founder of My Brain Restore™, about his personal battle with Parkinson’s and early Alzheimer’s — and the controversial path that followed.

My Brain Restore

Burnett discusses:

* His diagnoses and the moment he realized standard treatment offered no path to recovery

* Why he turned to Japanese neurological research overlooked in Western medicine

* The development of his proprietary processing method and why he believes it matters

* What he can measure, what he cannot yet prove, and where critics are right to be skeptical

* The ethical risks of self-experimentation when the alternative is slow decline

* Why FDA limitations complicate public conversations about neurological recovery

This is not a promotional interview. It is a rigorous, good-faith examination of claims, evidence, and uncertainty, designed to let listeners decide for themselves where they land.

Topics Covered:

* Parkinson’s disease

* Alzheimer’s disease

* Neurodegeneration and brain plasticity

* Supplements vs. pharmaceuticals

* Evidence standards and clinical trials

* FDA regulation and medical claims

* Patient-driven innovation

Important Disclaimer:This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult licensed medical professionals before making health decisions.

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 SummaryIn this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with filmmaker and author Matthew Pridgen, creator of the documentary The Sins of Our Fathers: Race, Religion, and the Rise of Trump. This powerful conversation explores how Christian nationalism, generational racism, and white evangelical culture helped shape the political rise of Donald Trump—and what that means for America today.

Drawing from his own dramatic life transformation—from addiction and atheism to faith and social awareness — Matthew brings a rare combination of vulnerability, insight, and lived experience to this discussion. Together, we unpack the cultural, historical, and theological forces that continue to influence American politics.

Key Topics Covered• The inspiration behind The Sins of Our Fathers• How race, religion, and politics intersected during the rise of Donald Trump• The role of Christian nationalism and white evangelical culture• Generational belief systems and inherited racial bias• The fear narratives driving modern political movements• Why so many Christians supported Donald Trump• What Matthew hopes viewers will confront about race and faith

Why This Episode MattersThis conversation is essential for anyone interested in:• race relations in America• evangelical Christianity• Christian nationalism• political polarization• the rise of Trump and its cultural roots• documentary filmmaking focused on social justice• reconciling faith with historical truth

About the Guest: Matthew PridgenMatthew Pridgen is a documentarian, author, speaker, and advocate who explores the intersections of race, religion, and justice through film and storytelling. His documentary The Sins of Our Fathers has sparked national conversations around racism, faith, and political identity.

Resources and LinksWebsite: matthewpridgen.comDocumentary: The Sins of Our Fathers

Sponsored by:

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 this episode, we sit down with Scott Miller—broadcaster, storyteller, and creator of The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, a show heard in more than 190 countries and ranked #1 in 33 of them. Scott opens up about his extraordinary life story: getting his start in radio at 16, becoming Iowa’s youngest weekday TV sports anchor, surviving a devastating divorce, enduring the loss of his beloved wife just 113 days after their wedding, and nearly giving up on life entirely.

Instead of surrendering to tragedy, Scott rebuilt his world. He found new love, moved to Costa Rica, and launched a science-fiction podcast that has now surpassed three million listens and revived dozens of classic vintage sci-fi stories for a global audience.

This conversation explores resilience, reinvention, the healing power of storytelling, and the unexpected ways life gives us second—and third—chances.

Links & Resources:

* The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast: lostscifi.com

* Explore the full archive of classic sci-fi stories

Recommended For:Listeners interested in personal transformation, storytelling, grief and healing, podcasting, creative reinvention, and the enduring power of vintage science fiction.