Sitemap - 2021 - Briefly by Melissa

Did you know Lena Dunham has a podcast?

The Pearson family might be about to crush my dreams.

Refreshing Reboot of Fantasy Island

I’m tired of celebrity couples talking about their marriages.

70% chance of a tornado...

Social media judges you…

A Shot Made My Child a Superhero

Why Are Hollywood’s Jewish Women Rarely Played by Jewish Actresses?

Alanis Morissette Gave Us Permission to Be Angry

I am disappointed Adele is no longer “fat.”

Margaret Atwood waded into TERF territory.

Can disability be your super power….

Jonathan Kent, the new iteration of Superman, is bisexual, according to DC Comics.

Do Mothers Have to Work?

Introducing Pop Off: The Podcast

Bethenny Frankel decided to weigh in on trans children and it caused a lot of backlash.

Introducing Pop Off: The Podcast.

“The View” Proved Anti-Vaxxers Right

You are famous…

Every episode of The Good Fight starts out making me think it’s jumped the shark.

I’m sorry…

There’s a problem when Dr. Fauci starts talking about someone’s testicles.

Will going to a movie theater always beat streaming at home?

I’m of the generation where 9/11 is a memory…

I’m glad a person of color is going to win Big Brother.

Bette Midler says don’t have sex with men…

Cinderella Is Unfairly Panned by Critics

Part of the problem of this pandemic is we have no real art to help us process it.

How To Always Take Your Personal Essay To The Next Level Every Time

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction — but you need fiction to make sense of that truth.

When bathing is racism…

I didn’t tell my 5-year-old daughter that JoJo Siwa will be dancing with another woman on Dancing…

I Escaped Bed Rest Thanks to HGTV

Feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders…

Celebrities Help Normalize IVF

I’d like to talk a little about the explosion of podcasts.

Join me in sharing your voice

I just signed up for Peacock TV for the $4.99 premium and I’m not sure why.

Val Kilmer was a heartthrob in my youth.

125 million years.

Governor Cuomo to Resign and You Can Thank Ronan Farrow

Why Celebrities Need to Promote The COVID-19 Vaccines

When should “free Britney” turn into “help Britney?”

Monogamy can learn from polygamy.

Priorities shift this summer

Do you really need to hustle?

Mother’s Day can be bittersweet

Writing a personal essay introduction doesn’t have to be hard.

The secret to success on Medium is to stop trying to be a success.

Have you ever had a pandemic cheat day?

Join me on my pandemic cheat day...

Throwback Thursday: What do you say to a grieving mother?

Today Derek Chauvin was convicted and snow is pouring from the Missouri sky in April.

Why you should give up on being a successful writer...

I did the Medium survey for a $5 Amazon card.

How To Make Medium Actually Work For You

My selfie with Woody Allen makes me doubt Allen vs. Farrow

My Selfie With Woody Allen Makes Me Feel Guilty

Why The Pandemic Unexpectedly Hasn’t Made Me Melt Down

I miss the element of surprise on Medium.

When I read about the impending toilet paper crisis…

The impending toilet paper crisis triggers me

A Quick Primer on Using Images in Articles

Welcome to “Briefly by Melissa”

Why we need a new kind of self-care in the wake of a pandemic.

What a chance encounter with Punky Brewster taught me.

How To Be a Successful Pop Off Writer

Is the new normal good enough?

Who am I and what do I write about?

IVF Felt Like We Were Buying a Baby

I’m working on a piece called “How To Be a Successful Pop Off Writer.”

The COVID-19 Crisis in Middle America Reflects A Crisis of Conscience

We are expanding our pop culture focus in Pop Off.

I overheard “Pick one social media platform and do it really well.”

Throwback Thursday.