Marybeth Hicks

Scheduled Talks:

"Creating a vision of a happily uncool family"
Based on Mrs. Hicks’ upcoming book “Bringing up Geeks,” (Penguin/Berkley 2008), this talk will encourage
Engaged Encounter coordinators to consider why it’s cool to be “uncool” as a married couple in today’s world. The current cultural impact on young couples preparing for marriage and family life presents unique challenges. Mrs. Hicks will outline the five most dangerous cultural influences facing young families today and will discuss aspects of family life that should be considered when embarking on a lifelong marriage in our present cultural environment.

Expect to be geeks: New questions for engaged couples about their visions and expectations for family life

Engaged Encounter traditionally helps engaged couples create a shared vision for their futures. In this workshop, Mrs. Hicks will invite EE coordinators to consider new questions to be posed to engaged men and women that challenge their expectations for the future. Is it important to be cool, socially prominent, and successful by today’s cultural standards? Is it crucial to have kids who are considered popular? Do both members of the engaged couple share similar expectations about their future families? Based on her groundbreaking parenting book “Bringing up Geeks,” Mrs. Hicks will help participants reshape the relevant questions for engaged couples based on the cultural challenges these future families will face.

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 Marybeth Hicks

Marybeth Hicks is the weekly family columnist for The Washington Times. Her Sunday feature "Then again..." explores issues and experiences that affect families and shape communities.

Marybeth's first book, "The Perfect World Inside My Minivan -- One Mom's Journey Through the Streets of Suburbia," a collection of her columns, was published in November 2006 by FAITH Publishing Service. Her second book, "Bringing up Geeks -- How to Raise Happily Uncool Kids" will be published in early 2008 by Penguin/Berkley.

Marybeth contributed to the Ascension Press anthology "Amazing Grace for Mothers," and her work will appear in the upcoming "Amazing Grace for Families."

Every Monday morning at 8 a.m. Eastern, Marybeth can be heard on Relevant Radio's "Morning Air" program talking with hosts Sean Harriott and Wendy Weiss about parenting and family life. She also is a frequent speaker for parent groups.

Marybeth has served as an editorial advisor to Catholic Parent magazine and is published in Detroit's Metro Parent Magazine and on several major websites including www.catholicexchange.com, www.jewishworldreview.com, www.mommasaid.net and www.catholicmom.com. Her own site, www.marybethhicks.com, hosts nearly 20,000 visitors per month.

In 2006, she was the finalist judge for the Erma Bombeck Writing Contest. She is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.

Marybeth began her career in the White House where she scribed special correspondence and talking points for President Ronald Reagan. After the White House, she was communications director in educational and healthcare institutions, served as an account executive at public relations and advertising agencies, worked for several non-profit organizations, and acted as a communications specialist for a national insurance company.

A graduate of Michigan State University, Marybeth has served in leadership positions as a community volunteer, including a term as a gubernatorial appointee to the Michigan Children's Trust Fund.

Marybeth lives in the Midwest with her husband of 19 years and their four children.

To visit Marybeth's website, click here.