Craig Melvin On Being A Proud Dad And Lessons Learned Along The Way

About Craig Melvin

TODAY Show co-host Craig Melvin grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, in a diverse neighborhood he loved but a household that had its challenges. His 2021 memoir, Pops: Learning to Be a Son and a Father, dealt with his experiences living with a dad who was an alcoholic and a gambling addict – and writing the book ultimately helped him overcome the past and salvage the relationship. Now, he’s written a new children’s book called I’m Proud of You that explores the important role parents play in raising confident kids.

What Craig Melvin Talks About On This Episode

• His new book, I'm Proud of You
• Growing up in Columbia, South Carolina
• His relationship with his dad
• His mother's famous Macaroni and Cheese recipe
• The best advice he received from other dads about being a father

Quotes From Craig Melvin

"I still wanted to write something that mattered to me, but also mattered to someone else that I cared about. So the first time, it was a love letter to my dad. This time it's a love letter to my son and my daughter, and also to just fatherhood in general. This was a lot more fun to work on than the first one. And I got just as much out of it." - Craig Melvin

"I don't care how old you are or what you do professionally, or any modicum of worldly success that you might achieve, knowing your parents are proud of you, it matters. Even now, in the mornings I'll get a few million people that'll watch the show, which is great. I don't take that for granted. It's not lost on me, but it's when I get a text message from my mom who says, 'Oh, you know, I saw that interview you did with blah, blah, blah. That was good. That was good.' - Craig Melvin

About Biscuits & Jam

In the South, talking about food is personal. It's a way of sharing your history, your family, your culture, and yourself. Each week Sid Evans, editor in chief of Southern Living, sits down with celebrity musicians to hear stories of how they grew up, what inspired them, and how they've been shaped by Southern culture. Sid takes us back to some of their most cherished memories and traditions, the family meals they still think about, and their favorite places to eat on the road.Download and listen to this episode of Biscuits & Jam with Craig Melvin on Apple Podcasts,  Spotify, or everywhere podcasts are available.

Editor’s Note: Please be mindful that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors.