Melissa Studdard was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and is an American author, poet, talk show host, and professor.

[2] The accompanying journal, My Yehidah, was released in December 2011 and was adopted by art and play therapists for clinical use in adolescent therapy sessions.

[4] In her podcast work she has interviewed such figures as Jane Hirshfield, Rita Dove, Julia Cameron, Robert Pinsky, Patricia Smith, Cheryl Strayed, Joy Harjo, and Krista Tippett.

Studdard is also a past president of the Women's Caucus and moderated their annual meeting at the Association of Writers & Writing Programs conference.

Melissa Studdard was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States, and was raised in Texas.