Loneliness is the #1 contributing factor to the mental health crisis we’re currently experiencing so we MUST talk about it for Mental Health Awareness Month. If or when you feel lonely, remember that it’s not a personal deficiency. It’s a systemic issue in our modern-day, industrialized world. The cure for loneliness is not to become a social butterfly, but rather to re-shape the way you interact with people. In this episode, you will learn... - why more and more people, especially...

It’s been almost 3 years since Mary has talked to my father. Now she’s processing that familial estrangement in real time with the help of Minaa B, a licensed social worker and proponent for psychological safety. The conversation also leads into the phenomenon of ghosting; why people do it and how to cope with the lack of closure. You will learn... - what constitutes estranged family and how surprisingly common it is - why people GHOST and how to cope with ghosting in relationships - the...

If you’re human, then you’ve probably received criticism. Though it can be quite unpleasant, your ability to encounter criticism and not let it affect you is directly proportionate to both your self-esteem and self-worth. In this episode, you will learn... - the 2 different types of criticisms - what makes certain criticism hurt so badly (and how to not let it affect you) - 3 questions to ask yourself before listening to other people’s opinions Remember: don’t choose a stranger’s criticism...

Today we’re talking THRIFTING! If you’re anything like Mary, you love secondhand stuff and the unique joy it brings to your home. Artist and collector Virginia Chamlee joins us to share her tips, tricks, and secrets to scoring vintage furniture. You will learn... - how thrifting builds confidence - tips for finding valuable vintage furniture and decor - mistakes people make when they shop secondhand Virginia Chamlee is a writer, artist, entrepreneur, and avid collector of vintage. She is...

Celebrating 200 episodes with sips of tea and a heart full of gratitude. Thank you, my self-lover, for listening to this podcast and giving yourself the gift of self-love. Get my list of 200 Reasons to Choose Self-Love: https://maryscupoftea.myflodesk.com/200 From my heart to yours, Mary Mentioned in this episode: - The Gift of Self-Love: https://maryscupoftea.com/gift-of-self-love. This is a self-love workbook that will help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally...

My husband and I are celebrating 5 years together and 1 year married! To commemorate, we thought we’d answer your burning relationship-related questions while reflecting on the half decade we’ve spent together. We talk about… - how being married feels different - adult friendships and how they’ve changed since our wedding - our age gap - advice for dating and finding “the one” - tips for repairing after a fight - how to decorate your home together, even if you have different styles - new...

Would you consider yourself an organized person? What about those with whom you live with? In the hustle and bustle of life, households frequently face daily stress, financial hiccups, and time crunches which are often aggravated by a lack of organization in the home. Professional organizer Nikki Boyd joins us to talk about communication as the ultimate organizing tool for households and well as hacks for keeping your home beautifully organized. You will learn... - ways to communicate with...

Get ready for a pep talk on how to overcome your insecurities and cultivate authentic, true confidence. You will learn... - the difference between true confidence vs. pseudo-confidence - a counterintuitive approach to conquering your insecurities Remember: the only way to conquer your insecurities is by making them a glorious part of you. If you enjoyed this episode, screenshot it and tag @maryspodcast on social media! And make sure to get Mary’s books two on self-love: - The Gift of...

Last year, Mary did an interview with Christy Harrison on her podcast, Rethinking Wellness. We are resurfacing that episode here, so you can listen to this “reverse interview” where Mary and Christy talk about how wellness culture coupled with social media algorithms creates a toxic environment for both consumers and creators. Tune into this deeply personal conversation about... - Mary’s history as a bikini fitness competitor starting at age 16, and how it both triggered and exacerbated an...

A solo episode where Mary talks about an emotion that’s underrated yet magnetic in other people + how you can channel this emotion to lead a more fulfilling life. Mary talks about... - what’s different about this emotion vs. other positive feelings - how experiencing this feeling is also an act of feminism - ways to get out of a funk - how the show Love on the Spectrum is inspiring her If you enjoyed this episode, screenshot it and tag @maryspodcast on social media! And make sure to get...

There’s often a disparity between how men and women make sacrifices for their relationship. In a long-term partnership, it’s normal and necessary to compromise, but how do we ensure that said compromises don’t make us lose important parts of ourselves in the process? Dr. Alexandra Solomon joins us to talk about how to identify, communicate, and retain independent parts of ourselves as we embark on a life journey with someone we love. We talk about… - how to keep the “me” within the “we” -...

Do you ever cry on your birthday? Because I DO. Every year without fail. Turns out, birthday blues are a real thing. It’s quite normal to feel a mix of emotions as you reflect on the year that’s passed and look forward to the year ahead. Tune in to learn why “birthday blues” are so common + how to cope with feeling behind in life. If you enjoyed this episode, screenshot it and tag @maryspodcast on social media! And make sure to get Mary’s books two on self-love: - The Gift of Self-Love:...

Dr. Jen Gunter is an OBGYN with 30+ years of experience as a vulvar and vaginal diseases expert. She joins us today to debunk menstruation myths! Mary asks Dr. Jen questions like... - is menstruating the body’s way of detoxing? - what causes menstrual cramps and period poops? - why/ how is “alternative medicine” harmful? - do chiropractors really work? - what’s the purpose and process of menstruating? Remember: don’t believe baseless claims you see on the internet! Dr. Jen Gunter is an...

I’m out of town for 2 weeks hosting another self-love retreat; this time in southern Portugal with 20 women coming from all over. So in attempts to preserve my energy while still keeping the pod going, I thought it’d be fun to revisit an older episode called “Learning the Difference.” This episode is about DISCERNMENT: the ability to perceive, judge, and understand things in an empathetic, rational, conscientious way. I believe that many things in life lie on a spectrum with nothing being...

Hyper-independence could be holding you back. Speaking for myself, I am reluctant to ask for and subsequently RECEIVE help which leads to stress, resentment, and basically me running myself in circles. You will learn how to... - ask for help in small and big ways - convince your brain that you’re not being a burden - harness this healthy receiving energy to feel more at peace Remember: self-worth is directly proportional to your willingness to receive. If you enjoyed this episode,...

Jumping on the fresh New Year energy, we’re discussing 5 thought patterns that are keeping you stuck + new mindsets to embrace instead. You will learn how to... - stop overthinking - cease comparing yourself to others - quickly get out of negative self-talk Remember: there is a survival-based need behind everything we do, no matter how self-destructive. Luckily, there are more empowering ways to motivate yourself with self-compassion and self-love at the core. If you enjoyed this episode,...

A personal solo episode where Mary reflects on the highs, lows, and lessons learned of 2023. We invite you to think of your own lessons learned from each month of the year as you’re listening. We hope you had a happy holiday season and a refreshing start to your New Year. If you enjoyed this episode, screenshot it and tag @maryspodcast on social media! And make sure to get Mary’s self-love workbook + journal: - The Gift of Self-Love: https://maryscupoftea.com/gift-of-self-love. This is a...

In this episode, Mary shares 6 ways to declutter your digital spaces. You will learn how to… - declutter your phone, computer and social media - better manage your email - organize important information Remember: Self-love demands that we properly shift from one role to another, acknowledging that digital decluttering is not just about organizing our spaces but reclaiming our focus, reducing stress, and embracing a more intentional and organized use of technology. It’s a journey towards...

In this solo encore episode, Mary shares 5 habits that are good for mental health and personal development AKA habits that might make you a better person! Remember: take what you need and leave what you don‘t! If you enjoyed this episode, screenshot it and tag @maryspodcast on social media! And make sure to get Mary’s books two on self-love: - The Gift of Self-Love: https://maryscupoftea.com/gift-of-self-love. This is a self-love workbook that will help you build confidence, recognize...

The reason you feel behind in life is because you’re comparing yourself to others who seem to be ahead of you. When you compare yourself to people who graduated, got jobs, got married, reproduced, bought cars and houses and vacations, not only are you doing a disservice to yourself, but you’re also contributing to the narrative that “success” is measured by external achievements rather than inner fulfillment. Here’s how to stop comparing yourself to others and start accepting that you are...

“Some of us knew who we were and then we lost our way. Some of us never became our Self in the first place. We grew older, we aged, our roles and functions changed, but we never grasped our essence. We became many things- a professional, a partner, a mentor, a parent, a friend- but we never truly became our Self.” ~ pg. 22 in Dr. Sara Kuburic’s book, It’s On Me. If you’ve ever felt this way– lost, like you don’t know who you really are– then this conversation is for you. Dr. Sara is a...

I thought I was a good communicator until I read this book. It has challenged me (in a good way) and I wanted to share some of my takeaways with you. You will learn... - the book Mary’s been reading, bringing to therapy, and trying to learn from - how most people communicate and why it causes conflict - the 4 levels of communication Remember: there’s a difference between communicating clearly and communicating compassionately. I always thought the goal was the former, but now I’m...

Most of us know that alcohol is poison, it makes us feel s****y, and rarely leads to much good. Despite knowing this, it’s easy to get pressured into drinking even if you don’t want to. This episode is for all my sober-curious friends, who want a fun-filled life without being dependent on alcohol (or any substance for that matter). You will learn about... - the benefits of quitting, or at least reducing, your consumption of alcohol - how to set boundaries around alcohol around friends,...

The holiday season tends to be full of stress: family drama, financial strain, end-of-year work obligations, etc. If you find yourself turning to food to cope with stress, this episode is for you. You will learn... - why stress eating isn’t always bad and when it becomes a problem - what to tell yourself if you feel like you overate - how to mitigate stress eating and feel less guilty about it Remember: Food can be complicated, but it can also be a solid source of comfort, pleasure, and...