You may recognize Melissa Knowles from her time on The Morning Express with Robin Meade on HLN, or her many times anchoring for CNN. Or maybe, you remember her from the Live Free or Die Hard movie with Bruce Willis. She stole the show on that one, in my opinion.

I have been a fan of Melissa Knowles for as long as she's been gracing our television and movie screens. Maybe it's her incredibly positive energy or her amazing sense of humor that first got my attention. But it is her good heart and her amazing soul which just radiates from her that kept me watching.

Melissa is one of those people you can't help but feel uplifted by. As she graces our Instagram and TikTok feeds (follow her @knowlesitall) feeds, she is a shining example of someone who goes out of her way to create a positive Ripple in the world. She's honest. She's direct. She's funny as Hell. And she will probably make you wish you had worked out just a little bit harder (Soul Cycle, can you just make my girl your spokesmodel already?) and had that extra something something of whatever she takes in the morning to vibrate at some high level.

I am deeply honored she agreed to come on The Ripple Effect Podcast. I am a huge fan not because she's famous but because she is a good person and a Rippler through and through. I could not wait to have this conversation with her.

Learn more about Melissa and her work at melissaknowlestv.com

Here's Melissa's official bio:

Melissa Knowles is an exceptional entertainment news personality with an impressive two-decade career in live and scripted broadcasting. Most recently, Melissa was the entertainment news reporter for "Morning Express with Robin Meade" and a valuable contributor to "CNN New Day." Melissa's daily segment, 'What's Poppin', was a captivating dive into the latest breaking pop-culture news, featuring her distinctive conversational style, quick wit, and polished storytelling. Beyond her regular entertainment news duties, Melissa frequently anchored both 'Morning Express with Robin Meade' and 'Weekend Express with Susan Hendricks,' showcasing her versatility and expertise.

Melissa is renowned for her vibrant personality, which shines through the screen, creating a genuine connection with her audience. Her career commenced as a reporter for Channel One News, laying the foundation for her remarkable journey. Prior to joining the HLN/CNN on-air team, she hosted the daily entertainment news and pop-culture show 'Trending Now' at Yahoo! News. Her work extended to major events like The Summer Olympic Games in London and Super Bowl XLVII for Yahoo! Sports, where she demonstrated her adeptness at delivering high-profile sports coverage.

Notably, Melissa has also served as a correspondent for BET News, covering significant events such as the presidential inauguration in 2013 and the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, displaying her versatility in news reporting. Her sports reporting experience includes a stint at Fox Sports, where she covered the Detroit Pistons, and an anchor role for 'Big 12 This Week' on ESPNU. Additionally, she worked as a sideline reporter for the ESPN family of networks, offering in-depth coverage of college sports.

Melissa's educational background is rooted in journalism, as she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Methodist University. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Melissa and her family have made Atlanta their home. Beyond her broadcasting career, Melissa, along with her husband Scott, is deeply committed to philanthropy and community service. Their dedication to non-profit educational initiatives is instrumental in closing the opportunity and achievement gap for economically disadvantaged children, underscoring her passion for making a positive impact beyond the screen. Melissa Knowles is a multi-talented, dedicated professional who continues to captivate audiences with her charisma and expertise.

Christian Humanist Profiles 243: Bren DuBay