melanieshanklepodcast
What an absolute treat to interview today’s podcast guest.  Melanie Shankle, aka Big Mama, not only knows how to make you laugh hard and feel comfortable, that girl knows how to write.

Last year, Melanie received the fancy title of “New York Times Best Selling Author” with her motherhood memoir, “Sparkly Green Earrings: Catching the Light at Every Turn

“*. If you haven’t read that one, well, you should.

In a way only she can, by the end of the book you have new, enamored eyes for your kids. You treasure those tender fleeting moments and decide to laugh at the challenges.

Last week, her newest memoir, “The Antelope in the Living Room: The Real Story of Two People Sharing One Life

” became available. This time Melanie focuses on her marriage. She paints a picture (through lots of hilarious stories) of how two very different people can share one life and be all the better for it.

During this podcast (one of my longest so far…but just like her books, it’s enjoyable because she’s just so funny) Melanie and I chat about lots of things. And go on a few tangents…including my children possibly being stuck at school because of the snow storm hitting Dallas.

Here’s a brief synopsis:

  • Hear the story behind her book title…aren’t you curious why there is an antelope in the living room?
  • Learn how this promo video made me cry, especially the line: “We’d grown up together…”
  • Be reminded to find the funny and good moments in the midst of the mundane, because life is hard (with or without being married).
  • Hear what her husband, Perry, has taught her over the last 16 years.
  • Get a little sneak-peak into one of the funniest chapters of the book entitled, “The Time I Almost Went on Judge Judy“.
  • Laugh with us when you hear one of Melanie’s humbling marriage stories (involving a flying cordless phone).
  • Be encouraged that it’s okay if you don’t share every moment & every hobby with your spouse.
  • Hear Melanie share how she stays God-centered…being a Spirit-filled wife & mom, her routine spending time with God, and how she decides what to read from the Bible.

Love this quote:

God continually works in my heart in ways that could only happen being Perry’s wife and Caroline’s mother…It’s the daily dependence of saying, ‘God, I need the strength you can give me today to love my husband better and be a better mother.’ {Melanie Shankle}

Show Notes:

Connect with Melanie:

After listening to the podcast or reading the book you have questions, leave them in the comments and we’ll answer them.

Here’s a little reminder on how to listen to the podcast (thanks Kat from inspiredtoaction.com for these steps!):

1. Listen on the blog. Click through to GodCenteredMom.com and click the play button at the beginning of this post.

2. Listen on your smartphone, iPad or iPod Touch – There are a lot of great podcasting apps. Apple has a free one in the app store, there is also one called Downcast. It allows you to search for shows, subscribe to them and even speed up the audio.

3. Subscribe to the Podcast – access the podcast in iTunes (Click here to access via iTunes). You can also search for it on your smartphone app (like the ones listed above) and subscribe.