About Susan

Susan McConnell is an author, counselor and speaker whose passion is to teach principles that will encourage and promote successful living. Her first book, Raising Great Kids in a Tough World, was published in 2005. Parenting in Tough Times, her second book, was published in June 2007. Susan earned her B.S. degree from Auburn University and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Middle Tennessee State University.  She worked in private practice counseling and testing in Mobile, Alabama from 1998 to 2010. She was also licensed as a stock broker in 1987 and worked with two New York Stock Exchange firms before returning to her passion for counseling, writing and encouraging successful family life. She and her husband, Roger, have been married for 34 years. They have raised two great kids in a tough world, Melissa and Jonathan, both Auburn graduates. Melissa is a nurse by profession, married to Dr. McCain Ashurst and is the mother of Macy and Addie. Jonathan is a former Marine Corps captain, who recently completed a law degree at the University of Alabama.

Susan has been teaching and speaking to groups since 1985, including, church groups, schools and civic organizations. She has participated in teaching youth and adult Sunday school, chaperoning youth mission and camp activities, teaching seminars on family issues, leading a divorce recovery support group (Rainbows), singing in her church choir, serving her community through Assistance League, a national philanthropic organization, and participating in state and local political activities to help strengthen families and moral values.

In addition to writing books and articles, Susan speaks to groups on marriage, parenting, divorce, communication, relationships and other topics.

Thought of the Week

Recent Articles

  • The Sexualization of Girls

    The Sexualization of Girls August 26, 2011 Jour Apres Lunes, a French company, has released a clothing line called, loungerie, for little girls 4-12 years old. Photos for the new line feature girls in makeup, ladies jewelry, teased hair, and lingerie styles for women, including black lace panties and skimpy tops that look like bras (jours-apres-lunes.com). This marketing ploy joins a host of other products and media messages that sexualize girls, such as the popular Bratz dolls, marketed for 4 t...

  • Remembering Dad

    Walking out the door to get in my car, my dad did not get up from his chair to say goodbye. I gave him a hug and kiss and told him, “I love you”. The car was packed that warm September day as I was checking off the list of items I would need for my dorm room.

  • The Great State of Football

    The Great State of Football Ranked 23rd and 22nd respectively in the USA Coaches Poll and the AP Poll in pre-season, the Auburn Tigers won the BCS National Championship. Who would have predicted that one? Somewhere between September and November, all the teams, with the exception of Oregon and TCU, lost at least one game, which brought Auburn and Oregon to the BCS Title game in Phoenix on January 10, 2011.

  • Battling Breast Cancer

  • Parental Influence in Underage Drinking

RSS Feed

Susan's Books

Make sure to check out Susan's two books, Parenting in Tough Times and Raising Great Kids in a Tough World

Speaking Topics

Susan is an engaging speaker who motivates people through a variety of topics including: parenting issues, guarding your heart, successful living, parenting in tough times, ADHD, transitions in middle school, tips on talking to teens without ticking them off, grandparenting in tough times, believing God, and much more.

Contact Susan now to reserve her for your event and request a speaking topic listed above or request a new topic!