About the Author

Lisa Smith Molinari is the award-winning columnist behind "The Meat and Potatoes of Life" which appears in print weekly in Stars and Stripes and military community newspapers worldwide. Her new book, The Meat and Potatoes of Life: My True Lit Com, is a hilarious readable sitcom based on the honest reality of Lisa's 27 years as a Navy wife and mother of three. The book was released May 1, 2020.  Lisa's humor work has received multiple awards, including first place honors in the 2018 National Society of Newspaper Columnists' Annual Contest. Lisa is also a lawyer, and co-founder and Vice President of Operations for The Orion Military Scholarship Fund, Inc. public charity. Lisa and her family live in Jamestown, Rhode Island.

• Column: “The Meat & Potatoes of Life,” appears weekly in civilian and military newspapers, including Stars and Stripes, the newspaper for the US Armed Forces. Lisa’s work has also been published in The Washington Post, Military Spouse Magazine, HuffingtonPost.com, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Providence Journal, various magazines, websites, and other publications. See “In Print” page for specific details and clips.

• Books: Lisa’s first book,The Meat and Potatoes of Life: My True Lit Com, was released by Elva Resa Publishing on May 1, 2020. Her essays have also appeared in essays have been included in four anthologies:  Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of America: 101 Stories About What Makes Our Country Great  (2016) and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Military Families: 101 Stories about the Force Behind the Forces  (2017);  Stories Around the Table (2015); and  Miracles & Moments of Grace: Inspiring Stories from Moms by Nancy Kennedy (2012).  See “In Print” page for anthology details and cover thumbnails.

• Awards: In 2018, Lisa’s print column won first place honors in the National Society of Newspaper Columnists Annual Contest. In 2013, Lisa’s blog won second place in NSNC’s Annual Contest, and was a finalist in the Robert Benchley Society Annual Humor Writing Contest. Lisa’s writing made WordPress’ “Freshly Pressed” list three times, and her blog was voted a Top Military Family Blog, Top Parents of Teens Blog, and Top Military Mom Blog on Circle of Mom’s website.

• Associations: Lisa served as Vice President, President, and Immediate Past President on the Board of Directors of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and is a member of the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Group, the Association of Rhode Island Authors, and the Newport Round Table Writer’s Group. Lisa is also the co-founder and Vice President of Operations for The Orion Military Scholarship Fund, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to providing scholarship opportunities for children of active duty military service members to attend boarding schools. Lisa is a licensed attorney and member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the District of Columbia Bar Association.

• Speaking: Lisa’s speaking credits include National Society of Newspaper Columnists Conferences, Heroes at Home Military Spouse of the Year Awards in Norfolk and Jacksonville, public readings, radio interviews, event emcee appearances, and other engagements. Please see the "Events" page for specific details about past and upcoming appearances.

• Contact: If you would like to feature “The Meat & Potatoes of Life” in your publication or website, if you are interested in booking Lisa for an interview, a book club appearance, or as a speaker for your event, or if you just want to give Lisa a shout out, please see the "Contact" page.