There's Always Time for One More Hug

ONE MORE HUG
Megan Alexander is an Emmy nominated national news correspondent, author, speaker and actress. She can be seen every evening as a correspondent on the longest-running, top-rated syndicated national news magazine television show, Inside Edition. But Megan’s crowning achievement is as a mother of two sons and a newborn daughter. She has recently written the children's book, One More Hug, that will be released on November 12th. Megan explains, “It’s a beautifully illustrated picture book about being a mother—and our love for our children—especially in the early years, when they need extra reassurance and affection. I wrote it based on the anxiety of my oldest son—now age 8, experienced getting on the bus in kindergarten… and running back for ‘one more hug.’” Megan also wrote an original lullaby that will be available with the book.

Megan has stood firm in her faith in the workplace and at home. It is very important for her and her husband Brian to raise their children in the faith. They make it a priority to stay plugged into their church, and Bible studies. They have also enrolled their children in a Christian school to make sure they build a strong Godly foundation for them to pull from when this world offers them a host of temptations. Even though her kids are still young Megan says it’s important to set boundaries early on. She explains, “I understand that when my oldest son is on his iPad that things can pop up that I don’t want him to see.” Megan says that she and Brian are beginning to tip-toe into those conversations with him and they know there will be more discussions on the importance of purity and boundaries as all of their children mature.   

LEADING IN THE WORKPLACE
As a young girl, Megan loved performing.  Born and raised in Seattle, she attended a Christian school and sang in the school choir. Megan memorized Bible verses and tried to live out the lessons she learned.  She asked Jesus into her heart when she was in kindergarten and then made another declaration at a summer camp in seventh grade.  Her dreams to be on-air started when she was five years old during a school field trip to a radio station.  When the DJ asked if anyone wanted to talk on the microphone, Megan raised her hand, walked to the mic and introduced herself!  Megan recalls videotaping newscasts with her friends and taping radio shows on her tape recorder, complete with commercials as a teenager.  By the time she went to high school, Megan was motivated to make her dreams a reality.  

Megan got her first break in radio after working multiple part-time jobs and overnight shifts. In 2004, she took a job as a co-host and traffic reporter at Great Day SA, a news show in San Antonio. After she got a full-time job, Megan’s stockbroker father warned her not to put all her eggs in one basket. She eventually got a part acting in the movie Redeemed after multiple auditions and hard work. Megan was also cast in season 2 of the ABC drama series Nashville, CMT show, Still the King and this spring she is acting in the feature film Heartbeats. In 2014, CBS hired her as a special correspondent to cover its 8 Thursday Night Football games. Megan splits her time between NYC and Nashville.

THE RED CARPET LIFE
Her job in front of the camera can sometimes be surreal.  “I work in this magical and bizarre world where the people I see on the front page of the newspaper, in the top story on television news programs, or the latest blockbuster will probably be a person I interview in a matter of days,” says Megan.  Her interviews on the red carpet give her an interesting look at society.  She has come to a place in her career where she treats the red carpet as work, yet Megan still appreciates why it is a necessary and exciting part of the entertainment industry. When working on the red carpet, Megan says she occasionally feels insecure.  “I handle my insecurities by remembering what the Bible says: I am fearfully and wonderfully made (PS. 139:14). If I don’t understand and remember this, the red carpet can be dangerous to my self-esteem,” she says.

Over the years, Megan has been asked to cover sensational stories and topics that made her uncomfortable as a Christian.  Megan says it’s important during those times to seek God’s direction.  “Pray and ask Him to guide you,” she says.  “Pray that God will clearly reveal to you what He wants you to do in a given situation.”  Don’t judge others.  Make the most of the situation you are in.  Look for opportunities to shine your light and be true to yourself.  “Trust that God has you there for a reason and that He will use you," says Megan.  If you disagree with a situation and sense that God is telling you not to participate, then get out.  “But realize your next assignment may involve the same challenging issues,” she says.  Her advice to young people who want to get into the entertainment industry:  “Every job is a ministry,” she says.  “To change our culture, we need to engage our culture.”  It makes a difference when Christians show up in the workplace.  Megan, though not outspoken, says she has never been persecuted for her faith in the workplace.  She says it's important for Christians to be in a position of influence.  Establish a reputation for excellence and earn the respect of co-workers and managers.  

When Megan started dating Brian, they decided to practice abstinence until after marriage. Megan encourages young people to save themselves for their future spouse.  By focusing on her career, Megan trained her body and heart to wait. “Saving yourself for marriage places a high value on your own worth and a commitment to God to be a great spouse.”  Megan and Brian married 5 years after they started dating. Megan wants to encourage the next generation by letting them know it is possible to thrive in a career while staying true to core beliefs.