Stories from Real Life: A Storytelling Podcast

About Stories from Real Life: A Storytelling Podcast

**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 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. www.podcastreallife.com storiesfromreallife.substack.com (https://storiesfromreallife.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Melvin E. Edwards

Category

science · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Jul 2023

Latest episode

10 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

47 of 235 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   10 Nov 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Ep. 229 - David Deane Haskell: From Childhood Trauma to the Freedom of Recovery

   What happens when a childhood tragedy shapes the way you see yourself for nearly half a century? And what does it take to finally believe you’re worthy of love, friendship, and happiness? David Deane Haskell traveled halfway around the world to perform as a professional drummer at Tokyo Disneyland. It was an extraordinary opportunity, but behind the music and excitement was a man struggling with the lasting effects of childhood trauma, addiction, and profound feelings of shame. David lost his mother when he was just four years old. Five years later, learning the circumstances of her death changed how he understood himself and his place in the world. For decades, he sought acceptance through music, writing, and relationships while battling the belief that he was fundamentally unworthy. In this deeply personal conversation, David joins Melvin from Japan to discuss his memoir, Wounded Angels, and the difficult journey toward sobriety, forgiveness, and self-acceptance. Together, they explore the difference between guilt and shame, how childhood experiences influence adult relationships, the challenges of repairing the damage caused by addiction, and the healing power of writing. David also reflects on rebuilding his relationship with his daughter, rediscovering his love of drumming, and embracing the possibility that his most meaningful years may still lie ahead. When asked to complete the sentence, “The greatest freedom I’ve ever experienced is...” David offers a single-word answer that captures the meaning of his remarkable journey. In this episode: * How a childhood loss affected David’s identity and relationships. * Why professional success couldn’t overcome his feelings of inadequacy. * The difference between feeling guilty about something you’ve done and feeling ashamed of who you are. * His journey through addiction, isolation, and recovery. * How he rebuilt his relationship with his daughter. * Why writing became an important part of his survival and healing. * What living in Japan has taught him about himself. * Why he believes his creative life is only beginning. About the Guest David Deane Haskell is an American author and professional drummer living in Japan. A former Tokyo Disneyland performer and member of the Blue Devils drum corps, he writes both memoir and science fiction. His memoir, Wounded Angels, explores childhood trauma, addiction, shame, and the process of emotional recovery. Connect with David Deane Haskell Website: https://daviddeanehaskell.com/ (https://daviddeanehaskell.com/) Wounded Angels: https://books2read.com/woundedangels (https://books2read.com/woundedangels) About Stories from Real Life Hosted by award-winning journalist and author Melvin E. Edwards, Stories from Real Life explores the extraordinary experiences, unexpected journeys, and defining moments that shape ordinary people. Produced by Media Well Done (http://mediawelldonellc.com). Real People. Real Stories. Personal Stories. Global Impact. Pull Up a Chair. It’s Story Time. #StoriesFromRealLife #DavidDeaneHaskell #WoundedAngels #AddictionRecovery #ChildhoodTrauma #Healing #Memoir #MentalHealth #PersonalGrowth Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe (https://storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

2. 

   3 Nov 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Ep. 228 - Jermaine Ee: The Questions We Wish We’d Asked

   Host Melvin E. Edwards interviews Jermaine Ee about uncovering his mother's lifelong dreams and creating the HeirLight app to foster open family conversations.

3. 

   27 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Ep 227 -- Robbi Hall Kumalo: Finding Your Voice When Life Changes

   Host Melvin E. Edwards interviews vocalist and storyteller Robbi Hall Kumalo about finding her creative voice after a life-changing diagnosis.

Inside a recent episode

Ep. 229 - David Deane Haskell: From Childhood Trauma to the Freedom of Recovery

Published 10 Nov 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] My stepfather, who my mother had married, he gave me a kiss and said goodbye and said, see you soon and disappeared. And a couple of cousin playmates I didn't reconnect with until adulthood. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I hadn't even really given that a lot of thought. It was just, oh, David's mother died, you know? […]

Who has been a guest on Stories from Real Life: A Storytelling Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Jermaine Ee
• Robbi Hall Kumalo
• Graig Kreindler
• Reid Ryan
• Pesa Shayo

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

6,280

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

35 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

21 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 69 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

76

Social presence

0

YouTube

74

Engagement

82

Contact Stories from Real Life: A Storytelling Podcast

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Stories from Real Life: A Storytelling Podcast