Melanie Shankle on “Here Be Dragons”: Navigating Generational Trauma & Motherhood
In this episode of The SavvyCast, Jamie sits down with Melanie Shankle—New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and co-host of The Big Boo Cast—to discuss her latest book, Here Be Dragons: Treading the Deep Waters of Motherhood, Mean Girls, and Generational Trauma. Melanie shares her personal journey of navigating complex family dynamics, breaking generational cycles, and raising her daughter while fighting the “dragons” in life.
Episode at a Glance:
- The Meaning Behind the Title: Melanie explains how the phrase “Here Be Dragons,” perfectly captures the wild ride of motherhood and the challenges of facing generational trauma and mean girls.
- Personal Stories: She shares experiences from her own life, including dealing with mean girl dynamics during her daughter’s high school years and recognizing patterns from her relationships with her own mother and grandmother.
- Breaking the Cycle: Melanie discusses the steps she took to address and heal from past wounds, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness, setting boundaries, and seeking wisdom through prayer.
- Parenting Insights: The challenges of raising teenagers, the impact of generational trauma on parenting styles, and the significance of authenticity over appearances.
- Balancing Roles: Melanie talks about juggling her roles as a writer and podcaster, giving a sneak peak into her creative process.
Who is Melanie Shankle?
Melanie Shankle is a three-time New York Times bestselling author, speaker and co-host of The Big Boo Cast with Sophie Hudson.
She is the author of multiple funny, heartwarming memoirs including Nobody’s Cuter Than You, Church of the Small Things, and On the Bright Side. Melanie’s newest book, Here Be Dragons, was recently released in February.
Melanie is a 1993 graduate of Texas A&M. She lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband, Perry, and her daughter, Caroline, is a proud member of the Texas A&M class of 2025.
Resources & Links:
- Here Be Dragons by Melanie Shankle on Amazon
- The Big Boo Cast Podcast on Apple Podcasts
- Melanie’s Previous Episode on The SavvyCast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
- On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle on Amazon
Connect with Melanie:
- Instagram: @melanieshankle
- Website: The Big Mama Blog
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Where to Listen
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