“Get to know author Dr. Melanie Ho…one of the most empowering authors and visual artists right now.” - Film Daily
Writing, Art, and Media
My mission as a storyteller and creator is to spark discussion about serious social topics in way that’s relatable, empathic, and even playful.
Scroll down for a quick tour of the work I do across genres.
Novella told as a podcast: University of the Surreal
A gigantic Goldfish Bowl, three stories high, has appeared overnight on the university quad. No one knows where it came from. No one knows what it means. But the fish need feeding, a committee has been formed to determine how many subcommittees the situation requires, and somewhere in the Administration Building, a college president is too busy drowning in his inbox to look up.
There was, of course, another campus that once had a similarly-sized snow globe appear in its quad. It eventually consumed the entire campus. But that was another century, another country — so probably not relevant here.
University of the Surreal is a story about the things we learn not to see — and what it takes to finally look.
Season One Now Available: Apple | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music | Overcast | PocketCasts
Check out my book — Beyond Leaning In
Quick Facts
Silver medalist in the 2022 Axiom Awards, recognizing the world’s best business books
"An engaging evolution of Sheryl Sandberg’s ‘Lean In’ mantra.” - Kirkus Reviews
Based in research, but told as a fast-paced novel
Designed to spark conversation across genders about the hidden biases that professional women continue to face
Available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook at all major online retailers
View my webcomics
As a visual artist, I’ve drawn dozens of comics about feminism and DEI in the workplace. By bringing humor to emotionally-charged topics, I hope these comics spark discussion about organizational and social change.
Looking for a quick read?
My resource centers
I’ve developed a few resource pages to support leaders with critical and timely issues.
Conflict Foresight Model: Proactively address tensions before they derail your efforts.
Boundary Saboteur Self-Assessment and Roadmap: Identify and overcome the internal voices and emotional challenges that can make boundary-setting so difficult.
Bringing Values to Life: From Words to Action: Exploring how values shape culture and decision-making, even amid disruption (Special focus: higher education)
Catch me on other podcasts
The Beyond Leaning In Podcast
Season one is a wrap! Download on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Guest Podcast Appearances
I frequently join as a guest on podcasts related to business, leadership, education, wellness and self-care, feminism, and more.
Contact me with guest requests and click below to listen to recent podcasts I’ve joined.
