Summary

Melinda Blau is a prolific writer, speaker, and social observer with a focus on relationships, whose work spans several decades and includes books and articles on topics ranging from parenting to social trends.

Abstract

Melinda Blau has dedicated her career to exploring and writing about the intricacies of human relationships. With a background in educational publishing and journalism, she has contributed significantly to the discourse on psychology, sociology, and learning. Her work, which has appeared in numerous publications, including New York magazine, The New York Times, and Medium, covers a wide spectrum of relationships from casual acquaintances to intimate connections. Blau's writing is informed by her personal experiences, such as her life in Paris and her reflections on the pandemic, as well as her professional collaborations, notably with Ralph Nader and the "Baby Whisperer," Tracy Hogg. Her extensive bibliography includes fifteen books and over two hundred articles, and she continues to share her insights on various platforms, including her blog and LinkedIn.

Opinions

Blau values curiosity and considers it a driving force in her work, echoing Albert Einstein's sentiment about passionately following one's curiosity.
She believes in the importance of relationships, suggesting that proficiency in relationships is key to a successful life.
Blau's writing reflects a deep interest in the human experience, from the impact of societal trends to the dynamics of family therapy.
Her work on consequential strangers and family whispering indicates a belief in the significance of both distant and intimate social ties.
She acknowledges the role of technology in modern communication, noting that her words are now consumed on screens and spread through social media.
Blau's personal life, including her experiences with divorce and as a grandmother, informs her professional insights and writing.
She expresses gratitude for the diverse connections in her life, emphasizing the value of maintaining relationships across different geographical locations.

About Me — Melinda Blau

Writer, Speaker, Social Observer, Lover of People and Their Stories

I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” — Albert Einstein

For the past many decades and now on Medium, I’ve reported on the “soft” sciences (psychology, sociology, learning), as well as on social trends. Most recently —I’ve written about my life in Paris and the pandemic. But the theme that runs through all of my work is relationships. I cover the spectrum from consequential strangers to soulmates.

This is how I got here:

As a child…

Growing up, I was “the baby” in a household of adults, and to make sense of it all, I watched the dance between people. I’d sneak out of my room, crouch on the second-floor landing, and eavesdrop on conversations between my parents and my nine- and eleven-years-older siblings.

In college…

Circa the early 60s, I’d roam the dorm, a warren of rooms where girls gathered in rollers and bunny slippers. I listened to everyone’s problems. I can’t remember the face, only her story.

As a young adult…

My earliest jobs were in educational publishing, editing and writing textbooks and teacher’s guides. “Learning kits” were all the rage in 1976 when To Buy or Not to Buy, a collaboration with Ralph Nader, was published. He dubbed me “Melinda Persistent.”

A year later, I segued into journalism, writing my first piece for New York magazine, “How To Get Out of Your Job Rut.” No mere coincidence, I’d been in one myself.

In my thirties…

I had covers stories in New York, on health, sexuality, learning issues, sexual abuse, and the — then new — practice of family therapy. I also wrote for The New York Times, Utne Reader, American Health, and other national magazines.

My work resonated with a wide demographic: GLAAD honored an article on gay parents (far from mainstream in 1993), while the American Legion gave its “Heart of America” award to my “New Family” column in Child.

…and beyond

My first book, Families Apart: Ten Keys to Successful Coparenting (inspired by my own divorce) was published in 1994. I was on Oprah and GMA, and testified at a Senate hearing on at-risk families. I’ve written another fourteen books to date — some solo, some co-authored, and a few as the “ghost.”

In 2001, I became the voice of the actual and often imitated “Baby Whisperer,” Tracy Hogg. Before her untimely death at age 44, we co-authored three New York Times bestselling books based on her work.

My two most recent titles, Consequential Strangers (an exploration of social ties beyond family and close friends) and Family Whispering (a guide to nurturing our closest others) were cited in Shareable’s annual “best of” lists — and are my two favorite books (so far).

Now…

Today, my words are spread by social media and consumed on screens. My writing is featured on LinkedIn, Psychology Today, Shareable, BeliefNet, Rewire Me, and, most recently, Medium. From 2014 to 2016, Huffington Post ran my advice column, “Dear Family Whisperer.” I also blog at MelindaBlau.com.

My grandsons and I five years ago on the dock in Fire Island (author’s photo)

Fifteen books and over two hundred articles later, I heed my own advice: If you’re good at relationships, you’re good at life.

Fortunately, I have lots of people to practice with: my partner; my children and grandchildren; my siblings and assorted other players in our family drama; and close friends, near and far. I am grateful, too, for the many consequential strangers — in New York, Northampton, MA, Miami, Paris, and on the beaches of Fire Island. I move around a lot, but I try my best to maintain these invaluable connections.

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Note: This bio was adapted from the “About me” on my website, melindablau.com where you can read much of what I’ve written since the late seventies. And if you’re so inclined, you can also subscribe to my blog, where I post more personal ruminations.