Today we’d like to introduce you to Arlene Pellicane
Hi Arlene, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was a strange middle schooler because when I had to give a speech at school, I really liked it. Graduating from high school, I knew I wanted to do something involving public speaking but what do you talk about as a teenager? After college, I was working at Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah which is actually headquartered in Lakeside. It’s an amazing ministry that includes radio and television broadcasts. I wrote for their magazine and worked on the television show as a producer. I loved that! When I became a mom, I decided to stay home and freelance. In 2005, my husband James gave me the challenge (and opportunity) – “You’ve always dreamt of being a speaker and writing books, why don’t you start now while you are a stay-at-home mom?” I began writing about what I knew about – which at that time was losing weight after baby. I was pregnant 3 times in my thirties plus 2 miscarriages, so I started a website and podcast in 2008 to encourage moms. I have been podcasting continuously ever since and that podcast has grown into the Happy Home podcast (I interview marriage and parenting experts weekly).
My first book came out with Harvest House Publishers, 31 Days to a Younger You in 2010 and my tenth book will come out in February 2025 titled Making Marriage Easier.
The research is out now…we know social media and too much tech is bad for kids. We had a feeling that was how it was going to go down…so we did something unusual with our three kids. They have had lots of technology in their lives (yes, we have computers!) but they have not had smartphones, social media, or video games all the way through high school. Our youngest who is a sophomore in high school does not have any of those things and she is very happy and healthy. Our older kids who are now in college (both studying engineering) got their phones before going to college. It’s been an awesome journey.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There were the conversations that went like this with my husband, “Is this a hobby or a business?” Speaking, podcasting and writing books – it can be hard making a living doing these things. I have learned along to way not to despise small beginnings but to be grateful for them. When I was beginning to podcast and write and speak, I had very small audiences and I could grow as a communicator. Doing good work steadily over time – that is the “secret of success.” I’m very grateful for every speaking engagement, podcast listener, and book reader!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Once when introduced to a group of women, the emcee read a few of my book titles and exclaimed with a smile, “What more do you want from us?”
I do want more for families! That’s reflected in my books which include 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife, Parents Rising, Screen Kids (co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman), and Calm, Cool, and Connected: 5 Digital Habits to a More Balanced Life.
I am a speaker, author and host of the Happy Home podcast. I want more happiness for people in their families, more closeness to God, more purpose, and less screen time.
I’ve been honored to speak, write books (translated into over 10 languages), and appear on several media outlets like the Today Show, Wall Street Journal, Focus on the Family, Fox & Friends, FamilyLife Today, and The 700 Club. I earned a BA from Biola University and a MA from Regent University. Before becoming a speaker and author, I served as a features reporter for The 700 Club and associate director for Turning Point with David Jeremiah.
My happy place is with my husband of more than 25 years, James and our three children who grew up without smartphones, Ethan, Noelle and Lucy. You can see their story here: https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/film
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
The books you read (or listen to!) and the people you meet are the key to being mentored and to growing. Early in my writing career, I stood in line to meet a speaker after a talk named Pam Farrel who has written numerous marriage and parenting books. She offered to mentor me (she mentored a group of aspiring writers) and that made all the difference. Don’t be afraid to ask someone for advice. If they are too busy to give it, that is not a problem. You haven’t lost anything but a little time to ask. But if they can direct you with advice or time, what a great blessing!
Look for groups and associations that interest you. Through the years, I have been involved with groups like Professional Women’s Fellowship and Moms in Prayer. I’ve attended writers conferences and speakers conferences. It really supercharges everything when you start meeting people who are ahead of you in the journey. And it’s special when you can later give back to someone on the journey who is behind you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://arlenepellicane.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arlenepellicane/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArlenePellicaneAuthor/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlenePellicane
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArleneHappyHome
- Soundcloud: https://www.accessmore.com/pd/https/arlenepellicanecom/podcasts/
- Other: https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/
Image Credits
Arlene Pellicane
