“Mom, who’s your favorite person in this family?” she asked, batting her long lashes at me. After her siblings devolved …
Lighten Up #30: Summer Camp
Osheta Moore and I talk about all things summer camp-related and camp-adjacent, including tender camp love, Jesus camp, camp foods, …
Lighten Up #29: Emily Freeman
Today I’m talking with Emily Freeman, author of several books including Grace for the Good Girl and Simply Tuesday, and co-founder …
This Summer Will Be Different
My kids are coming home from school for the whole summer in five hours and you can see the whites …
Lighten Up #28: Kelly Flanagan
Today I’m talking with Dr. Kelly Flanagan about his book Loveable: Embracing What Is Truest About You, So You Can …
Coffee+Crumbs: Why I’m Excited for Summer Break
I smash the alarm off at 6 a.m., pull a hoodie over my unfettered boobs, and knock on three doors. …
Dear Teachers, We Appreciate You
Oh how I love thee; let me count the ways. When I think about the teachers in my kids’ lives, …
Lighten Up #27: Elisha Wilson Beach
Today I’m talking with Elisha Wilson Beach, blogger at mylifeisabeach.com, about motherhood, dance, her nursing photo that went viral, and …
Mother’s Day Gifts for the Mom Who Breaks the Mold
Well, it must be that time of year again when all the retailers turn their collective gaze to mothers. Over …
Coffee+Crumbs: Is Everyone Else’s House Blowing Up at 5pm?
They call it the witching hour. Well I’d like to expelliarmus the power right out of 5 p.m. and disarm …
Lighten Up #26: Ann Swindell
Today on Lighten Up I talk with Ann Swindell about her new book, Still Waiting: Hope for When God Doesn’t Give …
Lighten Up #25: Ashlee Gadd
Ahhhh, I’m so excited about today! I talk with Ashlee Gadd, founder of Coffee+Crumbs, about her new book, The Magic of …
City Moms: 5 Ways to Survive the Death of a Dream
The doctor stares at you across the room, cocks her head to the side, and you already know what she’s …
Lighten Up #24: Laila @FrontRowMama
Today I talk with my friend Laila @FrontRowMama, a single mom, full-time PhD student, and blogger, about pursuing her goals, building …
Lighten Up #23: Anna LeBaron
Today on Lighten Up, I talk with Anna LeBaron, author of The Polygamist’s Daughter, about her life as the daughter …
Big News from Coffee+Crumbs!
Three years ago on the way home from Allume Conference, I got a tweet from someone named Ashlee Gadd. I …
Coffee+Crumbs: My Kids Talk Back to Me
When your kids are little, you’re dying for them to learn how to talk. You point to things and try …
Lighten Up #22: Courtney Westlake
Today on Lighten Up I talk with Courtney Westlake, author of A Different Beautiful, about her daughter, Brenna, who was born …
Lighten Up #21: Jen Glantz
This podcast is SO MUCH FUN. Today I talk with Jen Glantz, author of Always a Bridesmaid (For Hire) about …
Coffee+Crumbs: Sometimes You Can Have Both
Have you ever unexpectedly ugly-cried after a movie? I watched a movie recently where the stars had to lay aside …
10 Ways to Help Refugees
My heart is heavy and so naturally I’m doing a lot of thinking about Bruce Willis. As one does. I …
Lighten Up #20: Todd Phillips
You guys, today is the 20th episode of Lighten Up, and since I still feel like I just started this thing …
Lighten Up #19: Laura Parker
Did you know that January is human trafficking awareness month? Today I’m talking about that with Laura Parker, along with …
Melanie’s Marginal Guide to Mediocrity in 2017
I keep fantasizing about spooning a standard poodle. I need a fluffy poodle in my face. At the beginning of …