Sep 30, 2020
I had such a great discussion with Melissa d’Arabian for this episode. Today we round out Suicide Prevention Month by talking about Melissa’s reflections and perspective as someone who lost her mom to suicide when she was in college. Melissa has appeared many times on the Food Network, first as the season five winner of “The Next Food Network Star,” then as the host of her own show, “Ten Dollar Dinners,” and more recently on several of their other shows. I first remember watching her on “The Next Food Network Star” and rooting for her to win, as she was so relatable to those of us who are busy parents trying to feed their family day in and day out. It is because of her work as an advocate for suicide awareness that I invited her on this show this week. Of course, we do talk about feeding families a bit, too, as that is also something that widowed parents deal with every night of the week.
Some topics Melissa and I discuss include:
- Some memories of her mom, including learning to love food and cooking from her;
- How the scaffolding of her entire life collapsed after her mom died;
- Wishing she had an adult to provide guidance, including on practical matters like paying for school;
- Learning to cherish female friendships in the years after her mom died;
- The difference between “Happiness” and “happiness;”
- The fact that people tend to talk about suicide in whispers, and how important it is to talk about it openly instead;
- Melissa’s thoughts on the struggle often faced by busy parents to get dinner on the table every night;
- Some tips for simple, nutritious, mood-supporting foods that can easily be incorporated into our busy lives; and
- Her role advocation for suicide awareness with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
I hope you enjoy my discussion with Melissa d’Arabian.
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