Marybeth Hicks began her career in the White House where she scribed special correspondence and talking points for President Ronald Reagan. Today, her writing has shifted to focus on the most important job in the world—being a parent.
Top selling author and motivational speaker Marybeth Hicks is the weekly culture columnist for The Washington Times. Syndicated each week to websites including townhall.com, jewishworldreview.com, and catholicexchange.com, her column “Then again…” explores issues and experiences that affect families and shape communities.
Her parenting book Bringing up GEEKS: How to Protect Your Kid’s Childhood in a Grow-up-too-fast World (Penguin/Berkley, 2008) offers encouragement for parents struggling to raise Genuine, Enthusiastic, Empowered Kids against the demands of today’s culture of cool. Her book includes a foreword by highly regarded child advocate Dr. Kimberly Thompson and has received extensive praise from leaders in media, child development and parenting, including Dr. Laura Schlessinger, L. Brent Bozell, Chris Hansen, and Rebecca Hagelin.
Marybeth’s first book, The Perfect World Inside My Minivan–One Mom’s Journey Through the Streets of Suburbia (Faith Publishing), was selected by the Catholic Press Association as one of the three most outstanding family books for 2006. She also is a contributor to four anthologies, The Ultimate Christmas (HCI, 2008), Amazing Grace for Survivors and Amazing Grace for Families (Ascension Press, 2008) and Amazing Grace for Mothers (Ascension Press, 2004).
Recognized for bringing experience, wit, and understanding to universal problems facing families today, Marybeth is a popular keynote at events across the country, which have included the prestigious KidsRisk Symposium at Harvard. A popular TV and radio personality, Marybeth has appeared on ABC World News with Charles Gibson, Oprah and Friends Radio, NPR, Fox, and EWTN’s The World Over, as well as dozens of regional programs. She also appears weekly on Morning Air, the flagship national morning drive show on Relevant Radio; EWTN's SonRise Morning Show, and the Michigan Talk Network's syndicated The Big Show with Michael Patrick Shiels. Additionally, Marybeth is frequently cited as an expert in family-related topics by publications such as The New York Daily News, the Chicago Sun Times, Boston Parent’s Newspaper as well as by new media venues including MSNBC.com, WebMd.com, the Wall Street Journal’s “Juggle” blog, strollerderby.com, Yahoo! Shine, GoodHousekeeping.com, and Drugfree.org’s Partnership for a Drug Free America.
After the White House, Marybeth worked as a communications specialist in the educational, healthcare and corporate sectors. A Michigan resident, she served as the gubernatorial appointee to the board of the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund. She currently serves on the national advisory boards of the Parents Television Council, Phases of Womanhood, and Eduguide, a national non-profit that promotes school success.
Marybeth Hicks is a graduate of Michigan State University. She and her husband of 23 years, Jim Hicks, a law professor, are the proud parents of four children: Kate, 20; Betsy, 18; Jimmy, 15; and Amy, 12.