Ordinary People. Ordinary Things. With Melissa Radke

This episode gets real. If you have my book Eat Cake. Be Brave. Then you know that weight has been an issue all of my life. One of my earliest memories was getting out of bed and finding my mom eating frosting and watching Johnny Carson. I’ve tried different diets, and I know it is about the journey, letting God guide me, and having a conversation with my heart. This is why I’m so excited about today’s guest. Amy Reinecke is someone who I discovered on Instagram and her website Beautifully Broken Journey resonated with me. Amy talks about her story, her struggle with weight, food, and dieting. We talk about how it is about the journey, loving your body, and trusting in God to guide you. This is a complex topic that is a lifelong journey. Hopefully, we can all inspire each other to take this journey in a gracious and loving way. You can find Amy Reinecke here: Beautifully Broken Journey Amy on Facebook Amy on Instagram Show Notes [00:55] My earliest memory is crawling out of bed and finding my mom watching Jo

We are on the book tour. Today, we are broadcasting from the road as we hit San Antonio and try to find a nice lunch spot. So far, we have been to Houston, Dallas, and New York. For this episode, we have decided to record each time we are in the car. So, we are taking you on the road with us. If you ever wanted to be in the car with David and Melissa, this is your chance. We talk about how nice Megan was and that there was a big announcement at the end of the segment. We discuss bringing and not bringing our kids on the road trip. We talk about having a meet and greet with Melissa’s social squad of sisters, some favorite and not so favorite comments about the book, feeling tired and emotional after the book signing, and more. I hope you enjoy this ride with us. You can find Melissa here: Podcast Web PageFacebook Page@MsMelissaRadke on Instagram@msmelissaradke on Twitter Show Notes [02:33] How we get along great in the car, and sometimes we don't   [03:00] We were exhausted last night when we got to San Anton

This show is going to be a bit different. It is my book birthday. It is launch day of my book Eat Cake. Be Brave. Imagine that you have been keeping a diary since 7th grade, and it was made public. That is kind of how I’m feeling. I’m sharing today, and all of my launch day feelings and emotions with my wonderful husband David and you my wonderful listeners. You can find Melissa here: Podcast Web PageFacebook Page@MsMelissaRadke on Instagram@msmelissaradke on Twitter Show Notes [02:33] The first time Melissa and David met was on a bus in school. She'll never forget his first words, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” [03:48] What does Eat Cake. Be Brave. Actually mean? [04:11] When Melissa turned 41 she was about to blow out the candles on her birthday cake, and she wished for bravery. [06:09] She wished to be brave for 12 months. After blowing out her candles, she went back to her room and began to journal what bravery meant to her. The rest is history. [07:01] All we need is a flicker of bravery and going upstream when

There is a chapter in my book called Chicken Fried Women. This chapter is about the women in my family who I am very close to. I call us chicken fried, because we may be battered on the outside with our scars and our stories, but we are soft and tender on the inside. With, of course, a little spice thrown in. I have four incredible guests today. My Mother Anet, My Grandmother Mary, My Aunt Melba, and my cousin and Melba’s daughter Meridith Baxter who was also my guest on episode episode 5 Over My Bread Body. We talk about how close our family is and the unique relationship we have. We are loud and outspoken. We tease and give each other a hard time. We fight and forgive, and we love each other fiercely. We talk about what it means to be brave, family traditions, and our relationship with god. We share family stories and discuss challenges of forgiveness and reconciliation. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into our lives and the women who have helped make me who I am. You can find Melissa here: Podcast Web PageFa

In honor of the Fourth of July, I want to talk about freedom. I’m talking about the kind of freedom that happens to us, by us, and in spite of us. I’m going to talk about the kind of imprisonment that I brought on myself, but first an excerpt from my upcoming book. Eat Cake. Be Brave. I’ve been sharing excerpts that pertain to my podcasts. Today’s was hard to choose. My book is a memoir of how all the years of my life led up to my 41st year. This year changed me forever. Before this point, I figuratively, spiritually, and mentally spent a lot of time in prison. This excerpt is from the chapter entitled All Inked up and No Place to Go. You can find Melissa here: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page @MsMelissaRadke on Instagram @msmelissaradke on Twitter Show Notes [02:04] Excerpt from Eat Cake. Be Brave. All Inked Up and No Place to Go... [06:23] I have a shirt that I sell called Choose Your Own Tattoo. People have no clue what the shirt means until they hear me speak. [07:05] My prison was in physical it came in w

My good friend Whitney Lindsey will be here to share her story, but first I’ll be reading an excerpt from my new book Eat Cake. Be Brave. This is excerpt is titled The Old Tinkerbell Mermaid Rose Lamp, and I feel that it is especially relevant to the conversation I have with Whitney.   I met Whitney when she was going through an extremely rough time in her life. You might even say she was broken. We can go through a lifetime of throwing away and exchanging broken things, when things can often be fixed. Today, we shed light on what Whitney was going through as a person as she went through this season of her life.  Then we talk about who Whitney became and the season of her new life.   You can find Whitney here:  Whitney Lindsey on Facebook  Show Notes  [01:59] Excerpt from Eat Cake. Be Brave. The Old Tinkerbell Mermaid Rose Lamp.   [05:32] The first night that Whitney and Melissa met was at a Bible Study Class that Melissa was leading called Victory Over Darkness.  [06:57] Whitney was a little late to class t

As most of you know, I have a daughter named Remi. This episode is about another Remi, and her amazing family. Crystal Sepulvado is a wife, mother, and nurse practitioner who had her faith shaken to the core when her now nine month old daughter Remi was born eight weeks early with multiple health problems requiring multiple surgeries. I am excited about this inspiring interview. Another thing I am excited about is that my book Eat Cake. Be Brave. is being released on July 17th. In honor of my book release, I will be reading excerpts from the book that apply to each podcast. This one is especially pertinent. I’m reading When Hope Is Your Name which is a letter I wrote to my daughter Remi. Crystal is an inspiring woman, wife, and mother. She shares her family's story of Remi being born. She not only shares the multiple challenges she faced, but she shares how hope and faith kept her going. Crystal is a woman of unwavering faith and an inspiration and a help to others. You can find Melissa here: Podcast Web Page

I am broadcasting live from the Social Event of the Season. Even though I had been planning and talking about the event, I got nervous right before and even considered not going. The event turned out to be even more beautiful, precious, and fun than I thought it would be. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. The theme for the event was Live Known and that is something that has been resonating with me often. I am comfortably seated on a recliner and speaking about Live Known. It’s a conversation between me and my many hundreds of newest closest friends. If you are tired of hiding and standing on the sidelines of your very own life, I suggest you join us next year for the social event of the season 2019. You can find Melissa here: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page @MsMelissaRadke on Instagram @msmelissaradke on Twitter Show Notes [02:47] The Social Event of the Season was filled with women from all over the United States. [02:53] By the end of the week, these women who didn't know each other were exchang

Today’s episode isn’t child friendly. Listen to it when the kids aren’t around or when you have your headphones on. I kick off this show with a story about how I tried to have a talk about sex with my daughter Remi. I thought it was going well except for the part where she was curled up on the floorboard of the car and the confusion about whether the people were naked or not. This is why I brought in my friend and nurse practitioner Katherine Diggs to talk about this important topic. You can find Katherine here: Katherine Diggs on Facebook Show Notes [00:56] The night I talked to Remi Hope about sex. All of the women in the family were decorating for a wedding reception, and I thought I would take Remi out to a nice dinner afterwards. [01:22] Remi wanted to go through the Burger King drive-thru. I began to tell Remi what a condom was and she physically curled up in the floorboard of the car. [01:33] She ordered her meal from the floorboard of the car with a colorless look of shock and fear on her face. [01:4

I lived in Nashville Tennessee for 16 years. It was beautiful. There were rolling hills. We had four perfect seasons. The shopping and the culture were to die for. A friend visited me and said it was like being in a Hidden Valley Ranch commercial. It was beautiful and wonderful. In spite of the culture and beauty, it’s not the scenery of a town that plants you there, it’s the people who you share that place with. Today’s episode is about my home town of Lufkin, Texas and how sometimes we end up in the very place that we thought we needed to escape. My friend and guest today is Tara Watson-Watkins the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director. Tara was Miss Texas and left Lufkin for ten years for school and her career. She has been back for 14 years and loves promoting Lufkin and small town life in general. Today, we talk about the advantages of small town life and living in Lufkin and similar small towns. You can find Melissa here: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page @MsMelissaRadke on Instagram @ms

There's a chapter in my upcoming book about something that happened to me when I was 13. Don't get sad or nervous, it wasn't a traumatic thing. Maybe it was a little traumatic, but you'll enjoy reading about it. It reminded me of how hard it is to be 13. It's hard being 11 to 18.  Today, I am talking to a 12-year-old. On this very day May 22, 2006 Remi Hope Radke came screaming into my world, and I haven't had a moment of silence since. I couldn't imagine having a different guest on my podcast today. Every May 22nd, Remi Hope dominates our thoughts and our world, so there is no reason why today should be any different.   You can find Melissa here:  Podcast Web Page Facebook Page @MsMelissaRadke on Instagram @msmelissaradke on Twitter  Show Notes  [01:45] Remi is growing up. I wonder if having a public mom makes her life more difficult? Sometimes I feel like I'm making it harder on her. Although, if I were she would let me know.  [02:08] Today, I'm going to sit down with Remi and introduce her to you.  [02:19

Our hair is one of the first things people notice about us. It frames our face, maybe even our identity. A good hair day versus a bad hair day can affect our self-esteem and our mood. Maybe this is something I always innately knew, because even as a child I was obsessed with hair, hair styles, and magazines about hair styles. Today, we are talking about everything having to do with hair.  Rob Fisher is a stylist at Bella Salon in Lufkin, TX. Rob is the stylist who did my hair for my book cover, and he does amazingly beautiful hair. I wanted to talk to Rob today, because he is brutally honest when it comes to hair. We aren’t pulling any punches on this episode of straight talk about hair, coloring, and styles.   You can find Rob Fisher here:  Hair and Makeup Artistry by Rob Fisher on Facebook  Hair by Rob Fisher on Instagram  Get an appointment with Rob Fisher  Bella Salon Lufkin, TX  Show Notes  [03:38]  Rob is actually not my stylist. He just did my hair for my book cover. He is a good friend, though.  [03:

Sometimes you meet someone who you just know is going to be a good friend. Michelle Briley is one of those people for me. She is a great woman, and someone who I have known and enjoyed while we both have embarked on our spiritual journey. Michelle Briley is the President of The Junior League of Lufkin which is about women building better communities. Today, we talk about a unique program that Michelle started to help girls establish a solid footing in life and have the self-esteem to grow up to be the great women they were meant to be. Seventh grade can be a tough time for girls, yet that is the age bracket where the foundations of their self-esteem are forged. Through the Girls Rock Academy and the Beautiful Me program girls who are at the most risk are mentored to build the esteem needed to help reach their true potential. The brilliance and kindness of this program just might bring a tear to your eye. You can find Michelle here: Girls Rock Academy Beautiful Me Junior League of Lufkin Junior League of Lufki

Are you a teacher? Do you love a teacher, know a teacher, had a teacher, or have been a teacher before? If so, this podcast is specifically for you. I was a voice teacher for three weeks and found it scary and terrifying and ended up quitting. Teachers are underpaid and under appreciated. Today, I am talking to teachers and those who love teachers. Next week is teacher appreciation week, and I want to talk about the job that every girl at my high school wanted except for me. Today is an ode to teachers.  You can find Melissa here:  Podcast Web Page  Facebook Page  @MsMelissaRadke on Instagram  @msmelissaradke on Twitter  Show Notes  [00:21] How being a teacher is one of the jobs that I would like to do the least.  [00:35] I taught voice lessons for three weeks and woke up with diarrhea every single morning.  [01:13] Today, I am taking an opportunity to speak to teachers directly.  [02:21] Being a teacher is a job of purpose. It's no mistake. There is nothing that God hasn't thought out, and you are a teacher

About two years ago, I was on staff at a church as a worship pastor. My career took a bit of the turn, and I found myself traveling and speaking and writing a book. Eventually, I had to step down from the position at the church, and it killed me. My new career was exciting, but I realized that I was having trouble keeping up with everything, because I wasn't organized. About eight months ago, my husband the Attorney General left his job to come on board and help manage me. He realized he couldn't keep me on track or else he would've done it years ago. We realized, we had to find a person that was so organized that they could keep me in line without being too organized and causing me to run away. We found the amazing Erin Cuccio to hire as my Executive Assistant. Today, you get to meet the wonderful Erin. You can find Erin here: Beauty for Ashes Erin Cuccio on LinkedIn Show Notes [04:11] Erin is excited to be here. [04:52] How podcasts should be in the 30 to 40 minute range, and you can't talk about yourself

Spring is here, and it is time to talk about fashion. I have two lovely guests who are moms and amazing women. They have also opened a boutique clothing store in my hometown of Lufkin, Texas. Nicole Carter and Sarah Levine are the co-owners of Spruce a boutique fashion store.  On this episode, we talk about what colors are in for the spring season and the  essentials that every woman should have in her wardrobe. We have some fun with fashion don’ts and celebrities that always look put together. We also share our favorite ladies to follow on Instagram. Most important of all, we talk about what really matters which is the woman inside.  You can find Nicole & Sarah here: Spruce Spruce on Facebook  Show Notes [03:49] Nicole and Sarah are here. After the podcast, they are heading off to a style show.  [04:46] Nicole was a fashion major, and Sarah was a graphic design major. Nicole and Sara met three years ago and became good friends.   [05:24] They went on a three hour trip with their husbands which actually

You are all invited to the social event of the season. It is literally called The Social Event. Join me and a bunch of ladies just like us on May 4th and May 5th in Lufkin, Texas. The theme is Live Known. This is not your mom’s Sunday School retreat. My best friend in the whole world is on the show. Her name is Karli Soule, and her beautiful daughter Haley is getting married. Today, we are going to talk about spring weddings, letting go, leaning in, the dresses, the food, and the control issues. Along with, what an amazing mother-in-law Karli will actually be. You can find Melissa here: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page @MsMelissaRadke on Instagram @msmelissaradke on Twitter Show Notes [02:35] Spring is wedding season and everywhere you look girls are in bonnets on the side of the freeway looking for that perfect shot. [03:04] There is also a darker side, where the mother of the bride is silently weeping in the bathroom and there are challenges, fights, and disagreements. [03:55] One of my all time best friends

Events in our lives are what shape us and make us who we are. In this episode, I share a heartfelt true story that shook my faith to its core. I begin with an excerpt from my book that is really the story that made me who I am today. I also talk about how this story is the basis for my course This Sucks... But God Is Good. This story is about my struggles trying to get pregnant and stay pregnant, and one of the sweetest and holiest Christmas mornings that I had ever had. This is the story of an experience that shook my faith to its core, and how David reminded me that our faith is all that we have ever known. You can find Melissa here: Podcast Web PageFacebook Page@MsMelissaRadke on Instagram@msmelissaradke on Twitter Show Notes [01:02] I share an excerpt from my upcoming book that is the story of what made me who I am today. [10:25] When my faith was shaken to its core, and I was ready to be done. David said, "we can't, he's all we've ever known." [11:09] How this podcast episode was originally intended to

Meridith Baxter is here today. She is my cousin, but she is more like my sister. We have a super fun podcast planned for you entitled Over My Bread Body. Spring is here, and summer is around the corner. All of the stores are moving out the sweatshirts and bringing in the swimsuits. Today, we talk about getting ready for summer and more. We talk about all of the things that we have tried to get ourselves beach body ready including eight of us in swim skirts doing water aerobics or what we called “swim gym”. We also talk about having confidence with yourself and your body. We stress the importance of not  judging others or yourself. It’s important to be kind to others and be an example to those ladies who are younger than us by being who we needed to be for our younger selves. Show Notes [04:34] Meridith shares a story about how they attempted water aerobics to become summer ready. It was eight women in their family, and they were all about the same size and they spent three weeks making it their “swim gym”. T

Last week we began discussing the horrible “F” word of forgiveness. My friend and Pastor Jeremy Yancey was on the show. The show became really good, but it was also really long, so we just divided it into two parts. This is the follow-up to last week's show. We dive into the stages of forgiveness and how to free yourself.  I have heard from so many of you that you needed to hear this teaching from this point of view. You needed to hear this perspective and be reminded that there are some unresolved feelings. Some of you may even have bitterness, unforgiveness, and resentment in your heart. The message resounded with you guys as much as it resounded with me.  You can find Jeremy here: Timber Creek Church 936.632.3540 Timber Creek Church Podcast Timber Creek Church on Facebook Timber Creek Church on Twitter Show Notes [02:26] There has been broken trust in Jeremy's life but nothing that he considers horrific. He has seen it with family and friends though.  [03:45] There are certain laws and principles of life