The Edlow Podcast

Reverend Peyton & Washboard Breezy - Love, Music and Washboards - Welcome to the Big Damn Band

"Reverend" Josh Peyton is an American Blues guitar player from a small town in Indiana. He is married to "Washboard Breezy" Peyton. A percussionist who's specialty is the Washboard. Together, with Drummer Max Senteney they are The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, a three piece American Country Blues Band centered in Brown County Indiana. 
The band plays up to 250 dates a year and have amassed a strong underground following throughout the world. 
The Peytons met in the year 2000 through mutual friends. Rev was going through significant difficulties at the time due to a genetic condition that effected his ability to play guitar. They instantly connected due to their mutual eclectic taste in music. They instantly connected and the rest is history.
Rev and Breezy come on the podcast to share their story. From humble beginnings as college students working odd jobs, to touring the world sharing their talents. They discuss how they met, their friendship, a serious health scare during COVID lockdowns, Rev's obsession with the guitar, recommendations for young musicians, life on the road and so much more. 
Welcome to the Big Damn Band friends! You can find them on www.bigdamnband.com 

Ramina Wilkerson - Persecution, Torture, Faith, Deliverance - An Assyrian Christian in War Torn Iraq

Ramina Wilkerson is an Assyrian Christian from Iraq who works as a motivational speaker, life coach and author who currently lives in Idaho with her husband and two children. 
Her Memoir "Walking in the Shadow" details her harrowing experience as an Assyrian Christian child in war told Iraq. 
Growing up during the Iraq-Iran War and Operation Desert Storm, her family was constantly marginalized. As a 4 year old child, she recalls often being woken up to take cover during missile strikes. 
As she grew older, Saddam Hussein's dictatorship grew more brutal. She witnessed several atrocities, including murder, torture of those accused of speaking ill of the regime and children as young as 13 being "drafted" into the war. 
Her family was ultimately rescued by American soldiers in 1992 one week after Saddam Hussein ordered her family's death sentence.
Ramina comes on the podcast to share her story, the atrocities she witnessed, her rescue, recovering from PTSD, the rich culture of the Assyrian Christians and how her faith in God carried her through. 
Ramona's book can be found on Amazon at the link below

Ricky Morton - Wrestling, Rock N Roll, Faith & Family - The Heart of the Rock N Roll Express

Ricky Morton is a WWE Hall of Famer. He is best known for being one half of the famous tag team "The Rock N Roll Express" and his singles run against Ric Flair.
Ricky Morton was born into a wrestling family. Growing up in Nashville Tennessee, his father and cousin worked in the wrestling business. He was trained by his father and quickly garnered success as a "teen idol" due to his good looks and spiky blonde hair. He also became a master of "selling" pain to garner heat in wrestling matches.
A few years later, Ricky was paired with fellow wrestler Robert Gibson as the Rock N Roll Express. The team garnered national exposure due to their high profile feuds with the Midnight Express and the Four Horsemen. They traveled the world wrestling for many promotions, including WCW and the WWE.
Today, Ricky is still involved in the wrestling business. He trains wrestlers, provides seminars to independent wrestlers and also works with his son Kerry, who has followed in his father's footsteps.
Ricky comes on the podcast to share his story. He discusses his favorite feuds, stories from the road, hanging out with Motley Crue and Journey, his relationship with his wife, his faith and so much more

Elliot Prestwich - Music, MMA, Family and Friendship - The Peaks and Valleys of a Life Well Lived

Elliot Prestwich is the Executive Director of a Venue Management Company that promotes live music and comedy events all over the Western States. He is the Director of Operations for the Egyptian Theater in Boise Idaho and the Executive Director of the Crest Theater in Sacramento, California.
Elliot grew up in the Sacramento area as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. However, his artistic views and different way of thinking caused him to take a different path than most of his friends. He would express himself through music and theater. He joined Josh Edlow in a backyard wrestling promotion. He also became heavily interested in Mixed Martial Arts.
As he grew up, Elliot fell away from the church, but remained friends with several of his high school church friends, including Seth Fengel. Seth, had many physical ailments which led to a shortened life span. However, they remained friends throughout their teens and into their 20s.
Elliot married at a young age in his 20s, but eventually, the marriage ended, leaving Elliot alone to find his way. He and Seth made promises to each other that they would both start going back to church. Shortly thereafter, Seth passed away. Elliot decided that he would keep his promise to his friend, and has remained active in the church.
Soon, he would take voice lessons to help boost his performing career. Those lessons would be taught by an opera singer who would eventually become his wife. They are now married in the temple and have four children together.
Elliot comes on the podcast to share his story. He discusses his church activity, his times away from church, meeting his wife, the importance of friendship, his foray into MMA, Backyard wrestling, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

Just Me #5 - Wishlist Podcasts, Parent Teacher Conferences and Creating Your Own Box

Josh Edlow answers listener questions about who he'd like to podcast with, his height, whether he hates anyone, whether he sees himself slowing down, how to lose his trust, and more.
He also answers a listener email asking how someone stops trying to fit in "the box" and creates their own. 
If you'd like to ask Josh a question to be answered on the podcast, feel free to reach out on the following social media platforms. 
Facebook: Edlow Podcast
Instagram: @Edlow_Podcast
Tik Tok: @j_edlow

The Melissa Hansen Story - Polygamy, Abuse and Mind Control - Escaping a Fundamentalist Mormon Sect

Melissa Hansen is a former member of a fundamentalist Mormon sect known as the Davis County Cooperative Society (the Kingston Group). Born and raised in the group, Melissa was one of 12 children. During her time within the sect, she saw several plural marriages, including underaged girls married as plural wives to adult men in their 30s and even into their 70s.
At the age of 19, Melissa was married to her husband after he was directed by God to marry her. Prior to their marriage, she was clear that she did not want to be in a polygamist marriage, one week later God directed him to find a second wife, despite her protests.
Several years later, after questioning the teachings of the church, and after several instances of abuse, Melissa decided to escape the church with her four children by entering a safe house for several months. She now lives outside of the Cooperative. Her ex-husband and many of her relatives are still active within the Polygamist sect.
Melissa comes on the podcast to discuss her story, the inner workings of the sect, seeing her sister married to a 36 year old man at 14, life within the sect, abuses amongst wives, escaping with her children, co-parenting with an ex still practicing within the group, figuring out her moral system once out of the sect and so much more.
Melissa continues to speak out against Polygamy. You can find her on Facebook on her page Melissa Speaking MY Truth.

Jay Scarfone and William Stillman - The Road to Oz - The Real Story Behind the Masterpiece

We're off to see the Wizard!
Jay Scarfone and William Stillman are nationally recognized authorities on the classic motion picture "The Wizard of Oz." Historians and collectors since the 1970s, they have amassed one of the world's largest and most comprehensive archives of memorabilia from the film. Their holdings include rare photographs, authentic costumes and props from the production.
They have authored several books on the film and have contributed to several documentaries, and books on Hollywood history and collectibles. They have also appraised rare materials for auction houses and have lectured audiences about the classic film as well.
Mr. Scafone and Mr. Stillman come on the podcast to discuss the making of this masterpiece. They also address several controversies surrounding filming including; 1)the Tin Man's pain; 2) Judy Garland's treatment on set; 3) Judy Garland's treatment on set; 4) alleged Munchkin sex parties at the hotel; 5) the Munchkin hanging himself during filming; my personal favorite; 6) Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon playing along with the film, and so much more.
You can check out their most recent book "The Road to Oz: The Evolution, Creation and Legacy of a Motion Picture Masterpiece" on Amazon at the link below:
https://a.co/d/fEL7jF0

The Debbie Evers Story - Faith, Missions, Charity and Love - Tales from a Mormon Hairstylist

Why do people tell their hairstylist everything? Let's ask one! 
Debbie Evers is a wife, mother, and hairstylist. She is also a lifelong member and returned sister missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 
Debbie grew up in the Citrus Heights area and attended the same high school where her father taught spanish. The youngest of 7 children, Debbie remembers that the entire family worked together to make ends meet. She learned a lot from her parents about love, the importance of family and most of all self-reliance. 
After high school she ultimately decided to go to beauty school to learn how to become a hairdresser. She fell in love with the industry and excelled. As her career and her social life flourished, she had another desire, to serve a full time mission. 
On her mission, Debbie had several significant spiritual experiences that have galvanized her faith. She also learned more about empathy and to afford everyone Christlike love. She came home after 18 months as a new person and resumed her career as a hairstylist with a new outlook. 
Since then, she and her husband Kevin have raised three daughters. She has also continued her career, where she not only helps people look nice, but also hears their stories, their troubles and their desires. She is able to be a listening ear and friend to many through her work. 
Debbie comes on the podcast to share her story, discuss life lessons she has learned, the importance of Christlike love, empathy, stories from her mission and stories from her hairstyling chair. This is one you don't want to miss.