Melissa Pennel

Melissa Pennel is a writer, mother, and coach living in Northern California. She believes that every story matters, that everyone is a writer if given the right prompts, and that life is less about having all the answers and more about asking the right questions. This philosophy of "living the questions" did not come easily, but was instead born from a period of deep grief. In the span of only a few years Melissa lost her grandparents, unexpectedly lost her mother, and saw her only remaining elder succumb to dementia, dying soon after. She was left with so many questions about life, her family’s past, and the deeper selves of her loved ones. As she navigated grief in the following years, she turned to a long-time tool of reflection, self-understanding, and healing: writing. After later getting a degree in psychology and being trained as a life coach, Melissa realized the power of questions. She saw how the right question could shift everything: deepen understanding, create space for connection, and allow us to view ourselves (and each other) entirely differently. It was from this place that she created the "Questions You'll Wish You Asked" series of journals: prompts that capture memories, wisdom, and inspire a reflection on legacy in family relationships. The "Questions You'll Wish You Asked" series took on a life of its own and has changed the lives of thousands of families around the world. Melissa continues to create projects that deepen self-understanding, allow us to transcend our finite time on this planet, and meet ourselves (and each other) in the messy imperfection of being human. As Rumi said, “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” Let writing - and these journals - be your field. To find more of Melissa’s work on how to live a full and authentic life, go to FollowYourFireCoaching.com.