Stories from Real Life

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

Media Well Done, LLC

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

* Media Well Done, LLC

* Stories from Real Life

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 by Johnzelle Anderson (Released March 2026)

* Connect: Panoramic Counseling – 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

* 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.

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

Stories from Real Life

Media Well Done, LLC

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.

Episode 200: A Milestone and a Premiere

To celebrate this double-milestone, this episode reflects on the journey to 200 episodes of Stories from Real Life and announces the global launch of the debut novel, Nuremberg, Mississippi.

Episode Summary

In this special edition, we mark the 200th episode of the podcast by diving deep into the intersection of historical justice and narrative storytelling. We explore the process of bringing Nuremberg, Mississippi to life — a story that interrogates institutional design and moral responsibility through a lens of literary fiction.

Key Highlights

* The Genesis of Nuremberg, Mississippi: How narrative journalism and a fascination with legal procedure shaped the world of Henry Logan and his wife, Helen.

* From Research to Reality: Bridging the gap between historical institutional structures and the fictional landscape of the novel.

Release Information

Nuremberg, Mississippi officially launches on May 1, 2026. You can order on the website MediaWellDoneLLC.com or on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

The novel is available through all major retailers and is the flagship release from Media Well Done, LLC. For those in the Texas area, keep an eye out for details regarding the upcoming local bookstore signings.

The first two events will be in the San Antonio area:

May 3: The Twig Bookshop, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (San Antonio’s Pearl District)

May 9: Book Haus, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. (New Braunfels)

Guest: Nancy Jasin Ensley

Host: Melvin E. Edwards

Release Date: April 28, 2026

Episode Summary

Nancy Jasin Ensley is a multifaceted creator whose work is deeply rooted in her 54-year career in healthcare and her personal journey of transformation.

Here are the key details about her life, career, and literary contributions:

Professional Background

* Healthcare Career: Nancy has spent over five decades in the medical field. Her roles have been diverse, including Registered Nurse, Hospice Specialist, Legal Nurse Consultant, Coding Specialist, and Clinical Supervisor.

* The “Nurse’s Promise”: A defining moment in her career (and a centerpiece of her memoir) is her commitment to the “I won’t leave you alone” philosophy, stemming from a traumatic experience caring for a severely burned patient.

* Education & Teaching: Beyond clinical practice, she has served as an educator, sharing her medical and legal expertise with others in the field.

Literary Work & Genres

Nancy is a highly prolific author who writes across a vast spectrum of genres. Her passion for writing began at age five with a poem dedicated to her mother.

* Memoir: * The Tire Swing: A Memoir About Survival: Her most personal work, chronicling her “metamorphosis” from a frightened, abused child to a successful professional and matriarch. The tire swing in her grandmother’s yard serves as the central metaphor for her refuge and resilience.

* Fiction & Thrillers:

* Orphans: A Young Adult novel involving two boys caught in a high-stakes terrorist plot.

* Mitered Corners: A gripping fiction title that often explores intense emotional and medical themes.

* Indigo-35: A venture into science fiction/thriller territory.

* Children’s Literature:

* Bernard Bartholomew Bostlebean (3-B) Series: Stories about a boy with a unique planetary heritage (his father is from outer space) that teach lessons on diversity, respect, and self-worth.

* Isla and the Imaginary Iguana: A whimsical exploration of imagination for younger readers.

* Poetry: Her work has been recognized by the National Library of Poetry, reflecting a rhythmic and reflective quality that carries over into her prose.

Personal Life

* Location: She lives in rural Michigan, which provides a quiet backdrop for her creative process.

* Family: She is married to her husband, John, and is the matriarch of a large family including five children and fourteen grandchildren.

* Interests: She is known for her love of her King Charles Cavalier dog and has a deep interest in historical eras like Vaudeville, which inspired her short story A Penny for Your Thoughts.

Important Dates & Announcements

* May 1, 2026: The official launch of Nuremberg, Mississippi. Mark your calendars for the release! Also, it will be the 200th episode of this podcast. Don’t miss it!

* July 1, 2026: Submissions open for the PEN/Faulkner Award. Stay tuned for updates on our manuscript entry.

Connect with the Show

* Website: Media Well Done

* Follow Melvin: Keep up with the latest journalism and author updates on social media.

* Support the Podcast: If these stories move you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Next Episode: The Big 200! You won’t want to miss it.

Guest: Dr. Stuart D. Jones, Author of For the Love of Stephen

Release Date: April 21, 2026

Episode Overview

In a society that often measures value by productivity and “normalcy,” what does it mean to be whole? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Stuart D. Jones to discuss his deeply moving memoir, For the Love of Stephen.

Stuart shares the journey of his brother, Stephen, who lived with intellectual and developmental disabilities during an era of institutionalization and stigma. Beyond the clinical labels, Stuart recounts a story of a family that chose love over “logic” and a boy who proved that dignity is an inherent right, not an earned privilege. Whether you are a caregiver, an advocate, or someone seeking a deeper understanding of human resilience, this conversation will challenge how you see the world.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

* The Power of Perspective: Why Stuart’s parents focused on what Stephen could do rather than the limitations cited by experts.

* Navigating Stigma: The realities of growing up in the mid-20th century American South with a sibling who was “different.”

* The Concept of Wholeness: Deconstructing the idea that disability equals being “broken.”

* Authentic Advocacy: How narrative storytelling creates more empathy and change than statistics alone.

* The Legacy of Stephen: How one life, lived with dignity, continues to impact the global conversation on inclusion.

Featured Quotes

“The experts saw a list of deficits. My parents saw a son. That distinction changed everything.” — Dr. Stuart D. Jones

“Inclusion isn’t a checklist or a policy; it’s the radical act of seeing another human being as fully as you see yourself.”

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

* Book: For the Love of Stephen: The Story of a Boy Who Was Never Broken

* Website: Dr. Stuart D. Jones Official Site

* Advocacy: Works and insights by Dr. Temple Grandin.

Connect with Media Well Done

* Subscribe to the Podcast on your favorite platform.

Episode Credits

* Host: Melvin E. Edwards

* Producer: Media Well Done, LLC

Next Week on Stories from Real Life: Stay tuned for Episode 199 as we continue our countdown to our 200th-episode milestone!

Note: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps us share these important stories with more listeners like you.

Join us as Eric Robinson shares his extraordinary transition from being a Baptist pastor to a seasoned FBI agent, blending faith, intuition, and law enforcement expertise to navigate some of the most challenging situations.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

* How Eric’s faith and pastoral experience influenced his approach to law enforcement and interrogation techniques

* The process of joining the FBI and key lessons learned along the way

* Differences between the FBI and CIA, and how they collaborate internationally

* What prepares agents mentally for high-risk operations and hostage situations

* The darkly humorous and surprising stories from investigations, including undercover work and crisis moments

* How pastoring helped Eric read human behavior and micro-expressions better

* The importance of support, camaraderie, and trust within elite law enforcement teams

* Insights into handling informants and the misconceptions surrounding them

* The purpose behind Eric’s memoir and what readers can take away from his stories

* https://www.instagram.com/_eric_robinson/

Follow Eric on Instagram to stay up to date with his latest content.

* Eric’s LinkedIn

Stories from Real Life

Media Well Done, LLC.

Episode Show Notes

Guest: Matt O’Neill

Host: Melvin E. Edwards

Category: Mindset / Business / Personal Development

Episode Summary

We’ve all been told the same story: work hard, hit the milestones, and happiness will find you. But what happens when you reach the summit—the $8M business, the #1 rankings, the dream family—and you still feel empty?

In this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards sits down with Matt O’Neill, author of the best-seller Good Mood Revolution and founder of the #1 "Best Place to Work" in South Carolina. Matt shares his raw, honest journey from professional burnout to a "Good Mood Revolution." He reveals why happiness is not a byproduct of success, but a skill that must be practiced, and how he used the teachings of masters like Eckhart Tolle and Tony Robbins to transform his life and leadership.

Key Takeaways

The Success Trap: Why high-achievers often feel miserable despite reaching their financial goals.

The 8 Bad Moods: Identifying the specific mental patterns that steal our joy and how to interrupt them.

Conscious Happiness: Moving beyond "positive thinking" into a disciplined practice of choosing your state of mind.

Leadership from the Inside Out: How Matt built an $8 million real estate empire by prioritizing the well-being of his 80+ employees first.

The Skill of Joy: Practical, daily habits to reset your mood in under five minutes.

Memorable Quotes

"Happiness isn't a destination you arrive at once you're successful; it’s the fuel that makes the journey worth taking." — Matt O’Neill

"We are often the architects of our own bad moods. The good news? That means we hold the blueprints to change them."

Resources Mentioned

Book: Good Mood Revolution by Matt O’Neill

Website: MattONeill.com

About the Guest

Matt O’Neill is a powerhouse entrepreneur and a leading voice in the "Good Mood" movement. As a business leader, he led his team to become the #1 Best Place to Work in South Carolina and has been featured globally for his insights on corporate culture and personal fulfillment. He is a father of four and a dedicated student of mindfulness and peak performance.