Ep. 202: Aaron Ryan: The Story of My Life

Ep. 205 - Nancy Deyo: Mountain High, Valley Low

Episode Summary Nancy Deyo is a former Silicon Valley CEO, Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute Fellow, and author of the forthcoming memoir Perilous Ascent. After a medical crisis on Mount Kilimanjaro, Nancy entered a fifteen-year journey through misdiagnosis, chronic pain, opioid dependence, and identity collapse. In this episode of Stories from Real Life, Nancy shares how the strategies that once defined her success—discipline, endurance, ambition, and pushing through—eventually had to be reexamined. Her story is not about a simple cure or a clean comeback. It is about learning to live differently when life no longer responds to effort in the same way. This conversation explores chronic pain, medical uncertainty, high-performance culture, shame, adaptation, and the deeper meaning of resilience. In This Episode, We Discuss * The medical crisis Nancy experienced on Mount Kilimanjaro * How chronic pain reshaped her identity and daily life * The long road through misdiagnosis and medical uncertainty * Opioid dependence in the context of chronic pain * The emotional cost of high-performance culture * Why “pushing through” can sometimes become harmful * Attending graduate school while unable to sit * Rebuilding a meaningful life without pretending everything is fixed * Her forthcoming memoir, Perilous Ascent * A more honest definition of resilience Memorable Themes One of the most powerful ideas in this conversation is that resilience does not always mean pushing harder. Sometimes resilience means recognizing limits, grieving the life that changed, and adapting with honesty rather than force. Nancy’s story will resonate with anyone living with chronic illness, navigating burnout, facing medical uncertainty, caregiving for someone in pain, or rebuilding after a major life disruption. About Nancy Deyo Nancy Deyo is a former Silicon Valley CEO and Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute Fellow. Her forthcoming memoir, Perilous Ascent, reflects on a fifteen-year journey through chronic pain, misdiagnosis, opioid dependence, and personal transformation after a medical crisis on Mount Kilimanjaro. Through her writing and speaking, Nancy offers a candid look at what it means to live inside pain, question old definitions of strength, and find a new way forward. Connect with Nancy Read Nancy’s Substack: Life Inside Pain with Nancy Deyo [https://nancydeyo.substack.com/] Media Well Done, LLC [http://mediawelldonellc.com] Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe [https://storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Ep. 204 - Dr. Craig Yorke: I Was Raised to be Perfect

Discover the compelling journey of Dr. Craig Yorke, a Black neurosurgeon, author of Steep, as he reflects on his experiences growing up in Boston, navigating racial identity, and the nuances of success in a demanding profession. This episode offers insights into overcoming societal pressures, the importance of memory and history, and the lessons learned from decades in medicine. In this episode, we discuss: * The distinction between resume virtues and obituary virtues, and how Dr. Yorke shifted his focus midlife * The rarity of Black neurosurgeons and his experience moving from Boston to Kansas * The influence of Dr. Yorke’s parents and their long-term impact on his life and career * The weight of surgical outcomes, grief, and the mental resilience required in neurosurgery * How cultural and social history are woven into his personal narrative and medical journey * The meaning behind the cover art of Steep, inspired by Ramon E. Cajal’s neuroanatomical drawings * The importance of understanding historical context for both Black and white readers * Lessons on humility, control, and compassion for physicians and parents alike * A heartfelt reflection on how his family celebrated his achievements, and the significance of his parents witnessing his success * Dr. Yorke's website [https://www.craigyorke.com/] * Media Well Done, LLC [http://mediawelldonellc.com] * Stories from Real Life [http://podcastreallife.com] Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe [https://storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Ep. 203 - Johnzelle Anderson: Rewriting Your Life’s Mixtape

Release Date: May 19, 2026 Episode: Number 203 Guest: Johnzelle Anderson, LPC, Author of Mixtape: A Memoir ## Episode Summary What if your memories weren’t just chapters in a book, but tracks on a mixtape? In this episode of Stories from Real Life, we sit down with Licensed Professional Counselor and author Johnzelle Anderson to discuss his powerful new memoir, Mixtape. Johnzelle opens up about the “soundtrack of survival”—from navigating the complex “in-between” of identity and race to the profound clinical work of helping others retrieve lost pieces of their own stories. Whether you’re interested in the mechanics of narrative therapy or the deeply personal journey of a man reclaiming his voice, this conversation offers a rhythmic look at what it means to heal. ## Key Discussion Points * The Mixtape Metaphor: Why music and “tracks” provide a better framework for trauma and memory than traditional chronological storytelling. * Sankofa & Retrieval: The West African concept of “reaching back to fetch what was lost” and how it applies to modern mental health. * Identity in the “In-Between”: Johnzelle’s experience being raised in whiteness while living in a Black body, and the realization of racism within “safe” spaces. * Clinical Insight: A look at EMDR and narrative therapy—how we can “re-record” the negative loops playing in our minds. * Lawful Atrocities: How systemic injustices manifest as personal psychological wounds. ## Resources Mentioned * Read: Mixtape: A Memoir [https://example.com] by Johnzelle Anderson (Released March 2026) * Connect: Panoramic Counseling [https://example.com] – Johnzelle’s clinical practice. ## About the Guest Johnzelle Anderson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), therapist, and author dedicated to helping individuals navigate trauma through narrative and EMDR therapy. His work bridges the gap between clinical expertise and authentic storytelling, focusing on resilience, identity, and the power of reclaiming one’s narrative. ## Connect with Stories from Real Life * Website: Media Well Done [https://example.com] * Subscribe: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your stories. Listener Challenge: What is one “track” from your past that you’re ready to re-record? Share your thoughts with us on social media using the hashtag #RealLifeMixtape. Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe [https://storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Ep. 202: Aaron Ryan: The Story of My Life

Podcast: Stories from Real Life Host: Melvin E. Edwards Guest: Aaron Ryan Release Date: May 12, 2026 Episode Summary Award-winning and bestselling author Aaron Ryan joins Stories from Real Life to discuss the discipline, persistence, and creativity required to build a life around storytelling. With a career spanning science fiction, dystopian fiction, children’s books, nonfiction, and business writing, Aaron has established himself as a prolific voice in independent publishing. His bestselling Dissonance alien invasion saga has reached readers around the world, with one installment adapted for the screen and currently being pitched to streaming networks. In this episode, Aaron shares lessons from his journey as a writer, entrepreneur, voice actor, and creative professional. He discusses the realities of self-publishing, the habits that sustain productivity, and the mindset required to keep creating across multiple stages of life. This conversation is especially valuable for writers, entrepreneurs, and creators seeking practical insight into building momentum and maintaining creative discipline. In This Episode, You’ll Learn * What separates writers who finish books from those who never do * The biggest misconceptions about self-publishing * How discipline drives creative productivity * Why storytelling skills transfer across careers and industries * The mindset required to sustain a long-term creative career * How reinvention can become a competitive advantage * What it takes to build a career as an independent author Aaron Ryan’s Website [https://authoraaronryan.com/] Stories from Real Life [http://podcastreallife.com] Media Well Done, LLC [http://mediawelldonellc.com] Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe [https://storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Ep. 201 - Jason Prokowiew: Fighting a Two-Front War in My Own Home

Show Notes Release Date: May 5, 2026 Guest: Jason Prokowiew, author of War Boys About the Episode: How do you learn to love a man you were raised to fear? In this episode, we speak with author Jason Prokowiew about his transformative new memoir, War Boys. Jason shares the harrowing history of his father’s survival in Nazi-occupied Belarus and explores how that trauma rippled through their suburban American household. We dive into the “braiding” of two lives: a father fighting for survival and a son fighting for his identity as a queer man. Key Topics Discussed: * The 50-Hour Tapes: How Jason used long-form interviewing to bridge the emotional gap with his father before his passing in 2002. * Inherited Trauma: The reality of growing up with an abusive, alcoholic parent whose “survival mode” never truly turned off. * The “Replacement” Family: Understanding his father’s drive to have 13 children as a response to losing his mother and sister in the bombing of Minsk. * Queer Identity & Resilience: How Jason navigated loneliness and shame while finding his own voice in a house dominated by his father’s presence. * The Power of Storytelling: Why claiming your own narrative is the final step in the healing process. Resources Mentioned: * Book: War Boys: A Father and Son Memoir (Trio House Press - July 1, 2026) * Watch: Jason Prokowiew on Stories from the Stage (WBUR) * Connect: Follow Jason’s work and upcoming book events on social media. Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience to your ears. Get full access to Melvin E. Edwards at storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe [https://storiesfromreallife.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]