It’s the monthly crossover episode with Sarah Bragg of Surviving Sarah, and this month, we’re chatting about personal growth. I …
The Lighten Up Guidelines for Laughing at Life
I was sitting on my thinking chair (the toilet) the other day when it occurred to me that while my …
Lighten Up #70: Beth Bruno
Today I’m talking with Beth Bruno, the founder and director of a nonprofit aimed at preventing domestic minor sex trafficking …
Coffee+Crumbs: The Horrifying and Hilarious Tale of the Rogue Suburban Flasher
His junk is burned in my brain. I can’t unsee it. Last week I was walking down the street at …
Lighten Up #69: Karla Akins
Today I’m talking with Karla Akins, author of A Pair of Miracles: A Story of Autism, Faith, and Determined Parenting. Do …
Lighten Up #68: Wynter Pitts
Hey, anybody else find parenting hard? Ugh, I basically use this podcast to hang out with parents who are way better …
On the MOPS Blog: “Gird Your Loins”
“I have seeds in my balls? How do they come out? Surgery? IS IT WITH A NEEDLE?!” The sex talk …
Lighten Up #67: Marriage Crossover with Sarah Bragg
It’s time for our monthly crossover with Sarah Bragg, where we take a topic and talk about how to lighten …
Lighten Up #66: Shaunti Feldhahn
Alex and I got married almost 18 years ago and one of the first books I was given was a cute, little …
Lighten Up #65: Lighten Up About Gardening
Spring has sprung, or at least it should spring sometime in the next month or two depending on where you …
Coffee+Crumbs: You Might Think I’m a Serial Killer
I hope you don’t find the box in my closet. I hope no one finds it because if they do, …
Lighten Up #64: Kate Motaung
Today I’m talking with Kate Motaung about how she moved to South Africa and fell in love…with South Africa and …
Lighten Up #63: Body Image Crossover with Sarah Bragg
Today I’m back with Sarah Bragg of Surviving Sarah for our monthly crossover episode, where we take a topic and chat …
Lighten Up #62: Carolina Hinojosa-Cisneros
Today I’m talking with poet and writer Carolina Hinojosa-Cisneros and we run the gamut from light to serious. She tells an amazing …
Lighten Up #61: Callie Feyen
Today I’m talking with my Coffee+Crumbs buddy Callie Feyen, author of the new book, The Teacher Diaries: Romeo & Juliet. …
Coffee+Crumbs: Getting Up the Energy for a Fancy Date Night
(This photo is *not* from a fancy date night, but it is from our most recent date night, our annual …
Lighten Up #60: Jen Lewis
Today I’m talking with Jen Lewis, founder and executive director of Purse & Clutch, my favorite bag company dedicated to …
Lighten Up #59: Friendship Crossover with Sarah Bragg
What is the most exciting thing about your favorite TV show? It’s when they do a crossover episode with your …
Lighten Up #58: Holley Gerth
Listen, can I be totally honest with you? I think January can be such a killer for comparison. It’s the …
Lighten Up #57: Alli Worthington
Hey welcome to episode 57 of Lighten Up with Melanie Dale. Guys, Alex just showed me how to download the …
Lighten Up #56: Jamie Ivey
Today I’m talking with Jamie Ivey, host of The Happy Hour Podcast. Guys, I got to laughing so hard while …
Coffee+Crumbs: Yesterday My Kids Got Along and I Almost Dropped Dead from Shock
Do your kids ever fight? Of course not, right? Your kids are perfect. You would never, for instance, awaken to …
Lighten Up #55: 10 Tips for 2018
Happy New Year, guys. Today I’m talking with my very favorite person on the planet, Alex Dale. Alex owns Loudmark, …
Jesus Blew Up Mary’s Birth Plan
Prepare the way for the Lord. – Isaiah 40:3 “Call your husband and tell him you’re having the baby today,” said …