The Edlow Podcast

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. 

Big Ugly - Family, Values, Fatherhood and Wrestling - What Matters Most in the Ugly Dojo?

"Big Ugly" JD Bishop is widely considered as the Godfather of Pro Wrestling in Sacramento. He is one of the most influential trainers and Pro Wrestlers in NorCal Wrestling History. 
Living in Tracy as a young child, he made the choice to move to West Sacramento with his father who had recently returned to his life. He soon realized that his father was an alcoholic. However, he also learned important lessons about hard work and responsibility.
It was in West Sac that he fell in love with sports. He loved football, martial arts and pro wrestling. As he grew he became a highly recruited high school football star. Unfortunately, an injury sidelined his football career and "Big Ugly" eventually found himself in the Colonial Theater at the birth of Supreme Pro Wrestling.
Now...23 years later, Big Ugly had been an influential coach in High School Football in West Sacramento as well as Northern California wrestling. Also, two of his children have followed in his footsteps and are making waves in wrestling all over the country.
Big Ugly comes on the podcast to share his story, from being raised by his father in West Sac, to the birth of modern Indy wrestling in Nor Cal, to coaching football and wrestling, raising a transgender child, what he values most in life and much more.

Michelle Kuei - From Crutches 2 Conqueror - Adversity, Facing Fear & Reaching Your Mountaintop

Michelle Kuei is a public speaker and coach who empowers people to face their fears.
At age 11, Michelle was permanently disabled in a car accident that froze her growth at 4 ft. 4. She would require crutches to walk for the rest of her life.
By her own admission, she was not just physically small, but the shame and unworthiness she felt due to her visibility caused her to live emotionally small.
One day, she had a transformation and embarked on a personal challenge, to climb Machu Picchu in Peru. After hiking 26 miles of ascending trail over 4 days, she reached the peak crawling on her hands and knees.
Her life changed forever. She no longer felt shame and doubt, but began living life fearlessly. She now helps others do the same as an international speaker, coach and author.
Michelle comes on the podcast to share her story, give tips on how to get started on your own transformation and to discuss the "Three Ds" that empowers people to conquer their own Machu Picchus.

Doug Noll - How to Be a Peacemaker, Stop Arguments, Calm Anger and Develop Emotional Intelligence

Douglas E. Noll, JD, MA is an award winning author, speaker and trainer. After 22 years as a trial lawyer, Mr. Noll left his practice to become a peacemaker and mediator. Today he helps people solve conflicts and teaches others. Mr. Noll is an adjunct professor of law at the Pepperdine School of Law Straus Institute where he teaches Decision Making Under Uncertainty Conflict.
Mr. Noll is the co-founder of the award-winning Prison of Peace Project, in which he teaches murderers in maximum security prisons how to mediate conflict.
Mr. Noll has trained mediators and leaders in Europe, the Middle East and Asia in his peacemaking process. He has personally mediated over 1,500 disputes, including sexual abuse cases in the Catholic Church and criminal victim-offender cases. He has written four books, his latest entitled "De-Escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less."
He has developed online video courses in legal negotiation and emotional de-escalation and has conducted dozens of webinars. His video offerings on YouTube have garnered over 87,000 views.
Mr. Noll comes on the podcast to discuss his peacekeeping methods, working with prisoners, his mediation practice and raising kids to be emotionally intelligence.

Liz Entin - Atheism, the Afterlife and Harvey Weinstein - Evidences From an Atheist’s Perspective

Liz Entin is a logical atheist...who also thinks there is an afterlife.
Liz has always considered herself an atheist. However, after the loss of her dad, began investigating afterlife evidence. Now, she believes the evidence points to a likelihood of an afterlife, though different from the organized religions views.
Her book "WTF Just Happened?" points to the evidence and research supporting mediumship and the afterlife, She also hosts a podcast where researchers come on to discuss afterlife evidence.
She also testified as a secondary witness in the trial of Harvey Weinstein. Her testimony went viral...which is a cool story in itself.
Liz comes on the podcast to discuss Atheism, her view of organized religion, the evidence which points toward an afterlife, her experiences with mediums (and how to tell when they're faking), her experience testifying against Harvey Weinstein and much more.
What happens when a Mormon and an afterlife discuss the afterlife? Find out here!
 

Eric Bischoff - The NWO, Seizing Opportunity, Learning from Regret, Faith and Family

Eric Bischoff is a WWE Hall of Famer, Producer and Host of the popular 83 Weeks Podcast.
As Senior Vice President of World Championship Wrestling, he created the New World Order faction headed by a heel (bad guy) Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. This single handedly ignited the famous "Monday Night Wars" in the 90s and ushered in one of the most profitable times in pro wrestling history.
What many don't know about Eric is that he considers his biggest success to be his near 40 year marriage to his wife, and his relationship with his two children.
Eric comes on the podcast to discuss the creation of the NWO, his successes, regrets, the role of faith in his life, his passion for learning and his relationships with his family.
Join us for this special One Year Anniversary episode, and don't forget to subscribe!