Mary's Cup of Tea: the Self Love Podcast for Women

Spring is a natural time for renewal, and this is your reminder to come back to self love in a grounded way. Not a full reset, not a glow up, just a check-in. A moment to notice what feels good, what feels off, and where you might need a little more care from yourself right now. Here are 3 questions that are designed to make you feel more alive and aligned. I invite you to ponder these questions or better yet, use them as prompts for bullet journaling! Feel free to share your thoughts with me in a comment, message, or review. You will learn… How to bring more self love into your life by noticing everyday moments of magic Where you can disconnect from constant stimulation and reconnect with yourself A gentle way to check in with your thoughts without overanalyzing them The surprising impact of slowing down and going “analog” in your daily routine How to identify what part of you needs attention, care, or support right now Remember: Self love is magical, and so are you. If you’re enjoying our self love podcast, share it with the women in your life! Your support helps spread women empowerment and self-love! Deepen your self love journey with Mary’s books: The Gift of Self-Love, an interactive workbook to help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself. 100 Days of Self-Love, a guided journal with 100 prompts for calming self-criticism and learning to love yourself. Follow Mary's self love journey on IG: @maryscupofteaa and @maryspodcast Mentioned In This Episode... Anna Karenina A Swim in a Pond in the Rain Mary’s Self Love playlist: maryscupoftea.com/playlist Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seven years together, three years married, and somehow we’re still learning new things about each other! In this episode, Husband joins Mary to reflect on moments that shaped their relationship. This isn’t relationship advice or a step-by-step guide to a perfect marriage. It’s just us looking back at what we’ve been through and realizing how those experiences changed the way we communicate, support each other, and show up in our relationship. Get ready for funny stories, peak memories, and relatable relationship dynamics! You will learn… how different communication styles can either clash or deepen connection in a healthy relationship what happens when you stop trying to control your partner’s emotions our favorite, most chaotic travel stories why shared experiences build confidence and emotional intimacy in a relationship how couples therapy helped us break unhealthy patterns the small ways respect, trust, and self-awareness show up in a strong marriage Remember: building a healthy relationship takes communication, self-awareness, and a willingness to grow together. And that can only happen through trial and error, forgiveness, resilience, and sometimes, couples therapy. About Mary’s Husband: Stan is Mary’s husband and occasional podcast guest who is either unintentionally insightful or unexpectedly hilarious. He immigrated to the U.S. from Uzbekistan and brings a grounded, practical perspective to conversations about relationships, growth, and life. When he’s not helping Mary pack for trips or supporting her ideas, he’s working in the automotive industry and perfecting his Tony Soprano impression. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with the women in your life! Or on social media! Be sure to tag @maryspodcast Mentioned In This Episode… 101 Questions to Ask Before You Get Engaged Shrinking on Apple TV Our honeymoon in Tanzania recap Our 1-Year Married Episode Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Five years ago, I published The Gift of Self-Love. Writing that book when I was just 20 years old was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. And its message around confidence, healing, and self-love still feels deeply true to me today. But five years of living, growing, and talking with thousands of women about their experiences has also expanded my understanding of self-love in ways I could not have fully seen back then. In this reflective episode, I look back on the book with fresh perspective and share a few ideas I might approach differently if I were writing it today. This conversation explores how our understanding of self-love can deepen over time, especially as life experiences reshape how we see ourselves and the world around us. Get my books: The Gift of Self-Love, an interactive workbook to help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself. 100 Days of Self-Love, a guided journal with 100 prompts for calming self-criticism and learning to love yourself. Follow Mary's self love journey on IG: @maryscupofteaa and @maryspodcast If you’re enjoying our self love podcast, share it with the women in your life! Your support helps spread the gift of self-love! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever felt like no matter what you do, it’s never enough? Same. Let's talk about inadequacy– how to snap the F out of it and shift into confidence. Mary introduces her powerful self-love formula, which intertwines self-esteem, self-compassion, and self-worth, as she challenges listeners to confront their feelings of inadequacy. We also unpack the heavy feelings of inadequacy and shame and how redefining self worth can help you stop measuring yourself against impossible standards. You will learn... the difference between insecurity and deeper feelings of inadequacy how to question the timelines, expectations, and systems shaping your sense of self worth confront uncomfortable emotions instead of avoiding them reconnect with your inherent worth and rebuild confidence on your own terms create an “audacity list” to step outside comparison and reclaim agency in your life Remember: the goal isn’t to finally become “enough.” The freedom comes when you realize that standard was never yours to begin with. If you’re enjoying our self love podcast, share it with the women in your life to continue spreading the gift of self love. Deepen your self love journey with Mary’s books: The Gift of Self-Love, an interactive workbook to help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself. 100 Days of Self-Love, a guided journal with 100 prompts for calming self-criticism and learning to love yourself. Follow Mary on IG: @maryscupofteaa and @maryspodcast Mentioned in this episode: Why Self-Help Isn't Always Helpful for Self-Love How To Feel Confident When You Speak with Ryan O'Shea Why Manifestation Doesn't Work Without Self-Worth with Samantha Chung Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you’ve ever felt like you have to constantly optimize your life to deserve self-love, this conversation will help you rethink how you approach personal development. A deep dive into the complicated relationship between self-help and self love, and why the self-help industry can sometimes leave women feeling more inadequate instead of more confident. You will learn how to... recognize when self-help messaging is subtly making you feel broken instead of helping you build self-love break the exhausting cycle of pressure → shame → burnout that comes from most self-help advice cultivate self love through community, connection, and self-acceptance rather than endless self-improvement Remember: you don’t need to become a better version of yourself to deserve self-love. The most powerful form of self love is learning to accept yourself exactly as you are, even on the days when nothing feels optimized. If you’re enjoying our self love podcast, share it with the women in your life! Deepen your self love journey with Mary’s books: *The Gift of Self-Love,* an interactive workbook to help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself. *100 Days of Self-Love,* a guided journal with 100 prompts for calming self-criticism and learning to love yourself. Follow Mary on IG: @maryscupofteaa and @maryspodcast Mentioned In This Episode... My conversation with Oliver Burkeman about productivity Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman My conversation with Amelia Nagoski about Burnout Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Reddit discussion: Why self-help books are so popular in North America TikTok creator Paige Turner on self-help advice and gender Episode: How to Stop Comparing Your Current Self to Your Past Self Kurt Vonnegut & Joseph Heller story about “enough” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Your voice changes when you feel insecure. It gets tighter, faster, or smaller, and suddenly you don’t feel confident anymore. In this conversation, we explore how to build real confidence by regulating your nervous system and learning to speak from a grounded, embodied confident place. Mary is joined by voice and communication coach Ryan O’Shea to explore how your voice can make or break your confidence. And no, this isn’t about fixing vocal fry or sounding “more professional.” It’s about learning how to feel more grounded, authentic, present, and confident no matter who you’re communicating with. You will learn… Why some people naturally command attention while others feel chronically unheard How nervous system regulation directly affects your voice and presence The difference between rambling and inhibition — and how to find the sweet spot A simple real-time practice you can use before a presentation, job interview, date, or hard conversation to feel more confident The 3 components of a powerful vocal presence Remember: confidence isn’t about sounding perfect. It’s about feeling safe and connected in your body when you speak. Your voice isn’t something to fix — it’s something to reclaim. Ryan O’Shea is a Los Angeles based voice, accent, and communication coach certified in Fitzmaurice Voicework®, Knight-Thompson Speechwork®, and Organic Intelligence®. Ryan combines her experience as an actor and coach to develop a holistic approach to voice and communication. She wants her clients to feel that learning voice and communication skills can help them feel more like themselves, so she merges voice and delivery skills with tools of nervous system regulation and presence. Ryan works with actors who you've seen (and heard!) on HBO, Showtime, Netflix, AppleTV, Fox, ABC, as well in audiobooks, commercials, and theatres across the world. And she’s worked with countless entrepreneurs, and corporate communication clients from Adidas, Tinder, Alpinestars, and more. Website: https://www.voiceandspeechwithryan.com/ Instagram: @voiceandspeechwithryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-o-shea-27a473277/ Self-led Voice Course: Foundations of Voicework, https://www.voiceandspeechwithryan.com/foundations-of-voicework If you enjoyed this episode, share it with the women in your life! Or on social media! Be sure to tag @maryspodcast and @voiceandspeechwithryan Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Eating disorder recovery is a journey, and sometimes old patterns will show up even after you’re fully recovered. Let’s talk about 5 disordered habits you might still be doing (despite knowing better) and how to stop doing them.These subtle disordered eating are often framed as “normal” in our culture, but in reality, they’re leftover patterns from diet culture. Whether you’ve been in eating disorder recovery for years or are just beginning to heal your relationship with food and your body, it’s important to notice these sneaky habits so you can break free from them once and for all.Mary talks about the common ways women internalize harmful beauty standards and how those beliefs show up in everyday choices. From body-checking to moralizing food, these eating disorder behaviors might feel second nature, but they don’t serve your self love journey. Recovery is about unlearning toxic patterns and choosing self love, compassion, and confidence instead.Take a moment to reflect: Which of these 5 eating disorder habits are you still holding onto? Becoming aware is the first step toward true healing and building a positive mindset around food, body image, and self love.If you’re enjoying our self love podcast, share it with the women in your life! Your support helps spread women empowerment and self-love!Deepen your self love journey with Mary’s books:The Gift of Self-Love, an interactive workbook to help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself.100 Days of Self-Love, a guided journal with 100 prompts for calming self-criticism and learning to love yourself.Follow Mary's self love journey on IG: @maryscupofteaa and @maryspodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With special guest: my Sister!!! For my 28th birthday, I sat down with my 18-year-old sister to share 28 truths about confidence, dating, boys, people, and being a woman with self-worth.This conversation moves from chaotic sister humor to the deeper realities of building confidence as a woman. We talk about why most mistakes get made after midnight, how everything feels more dramatic in the dark, and why intensity is not the same thing as compatibility. We unpack the difference between attraction and anxiety, and why calm, secure love can is often the healthiest.Beyond dating and relationships, we get into the foundations of self-love: choosing your environment wisely, eating consistently, setting boundaries without over-explaining, and remembering that no one is coming to save you. We talk about body image, spotlight syndrome, conquering insecurities, being the average of the people you spend time with, getting to know your mom as a person, and why embarrassment is a choice.I hope this Mary’s Cup of Tea episode feels like a confidence pep talk from your virtual big sister.Remember: “The worst thing in the world can happen, but the next day the sun will come up. And you will eat your toast. And you will drink your tea.”Hope this episode is somehow entertaining and somewhat useful to your self-love journey.If you’re enjoying our self love podcast, share it with the women in your life! Your support helps spread women empowerment and self-love!Deepen your self love journey with Mary’s books:The Gift of Self-Love, an interactive workbook to help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself.100 Days of Self-Love, a guided journal with 100 prompts for calming self-criticism and learning to love yourself.Follow Mary Jelkovsky on IG: @maryscupofteaa and @maryspodcastMentioned In This Episode...Mary’s Self-Love Playlist: maryscupoftea.com/playlist Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When the external world feels heavy, your internal world must stay regulated. Self-care is not about escaping reality. It’s about standing steadily inside it. This conversation is about how to stay emotionally regulated when the noise feels constant and the news cycle never ends.We’ll talk about protecting your energy, being intentional with your attention, and practicing self-care through boundaries with yourself. If your mental health has felt stretched thin by the state of the world, this episode offers perspective and encouragement.You will learn about…how social media functions similarly to propagandawhy energy management might be better than time managementhow I approach giving and charitable contributionthe idea of “joy stacking” as a form of self carewhy eye contact is a form of resistancesmall rituals that help you come back home to yourselfRemember: self-care is not disengagement from the world, it is how you stay resourced enough to meet it. Real self-care supports your mental health AND lets you contribute to causes you care about.If you’re enjoying our self love podcast, share it with the women in your life! Your support expands our self-love circle and shows others that mental health matters.Deepen your self love journey with Mary’s books:The Gift of Self-Love, an interactive workbook to help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself.100 Days of Self-Love, a guided journal with 100 prompts for calming self-criticism and learning to love yourself.Follow Mary's self care journey on IG: @maryscupofteaa and @maryspodcastMentioned In This Episode...A Small Light series on Prime Video“I’m Russian. Here’s how propaganda really works” by Silent East Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Many women talk about anxiety as if it’s a personality trait, but Dr. Ellen Vora offers a different lens: anxiety could be a mind-body signal that something in your mental health ecosystem needs support. In this conversation, we unpack what women misunderstand about anxiety, why mental health is deeply physical, and how to stop seeing anxiety as a personal flaw.You will learn…the difference between “false anxiety” vs. “true anxiety” (and why that distinction changes everything)is it the mind-body connection or the body-mind connection?how women’s bodies, hormones, and cultural stressors create a unique anxiety landscapethe drawbacks of traditional cognitive behavioral therapyphysical ways to take care of your mental health Remember: Anxiety doesn’t automatically mean something is mentally wrong with you. Often it’s your physical body asking for care, and sometimes it’s your inner compass asking for honesty. Either way, you deserve support that helps you feel safer in your body and steadier in your mental health.Dr. Ellen Vora is a board-certified psychiatrist who takes a functional medicine approach to mental health. Dr. Vora received her B.A. from Yale University and her M.D. from Columbia University. She’s also the bestselling author of The Anatomy of Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming the Body’s Fear Response where she shares a whole-person perspective on anxiety, mental health, and overall well-being– especially for women.Follow Dr. Ellen on Instagram: @ellenvoramd Get Dr. Ellen’s book, The Anatomy of Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming the Body’s Fear ResponseAnd if you enjoyed this episode, share it with the women in your life! Make sure to tag @maryspodcast and @ellenvoramdMentioned In This Episode...Quit Like a Woman by Holly WhitakerHealing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Dr. John SarnoThe Way Out by Alan Gordonresearch on Ketamine-assisted therapyWizard of Oz & Dark Side of the Moon Pink Floyd Theory EXPLAINED Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sometimes the parts of us we’re trying hardest to fix are the ones working the hardest to protect us. Inspired by one of the best mental health books I’ve read recently, this episode offers a compassionate framework for understanding your inner world without pathologizing it.If you’ve ever felt conflicted, inconsistent, or torn in different directions, this conversation is for you. It explores why inner tension does not mean you are failing at mental health. It might actually make a lot of sense. This episode reviews my biggest takeaways from the book No Bad Parts by Dr. Richard Schwartz.We’ll explore ideas like:Why there are no bad parts — only misunderstood onesHow self-compassion creates internal safety instead of controlThe difference between being protector-led vs. Self-ledWhy mental health isn’t about eliminating inner conflict, but learning how to relate to itWhat it looks like to stay engaged with the world while still protecting your energy We also touch on something many of us struggle with: how to care deeply about the world without letting its weight completely overwhelm you. And why true self love does not require numbing out, bypassing reality, or carrying everything alone.Remember: Every part of your personality that you do not love will become hostile. The goal is not to get rid of parts of yourself, but to change how you relate to them.If you’re enjoying this self love podcast, share it with the women in your life! Your support helps spread conversations about mental health, confidence, and self-love in a way that feels real and sustainable.Deepen your self love journey with Mary’s books:The Gift of Self-Love, an interactive workbook to help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself.100 Days of Self-Love, a guided journal with 100 prompts for calming self-criticism and learning to love yourself.Follow Mary's self love journey on IG: @maryscupofteaa and @maryspodcastMentioned In This Episode...No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz “How to talk to the worst parts of yourself” TEDx talk by Karen Faith Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

WOW!!! This just might be the most enlightening, inspiring interview on Mary’s Cup of Tea, thanks to our guest, Samantha Chung. Rooted in self-love and self-worth, Sam’s approach to manifestation is deep yet simple, grounded yet expansive, firm yet deeply compassionate.Contrary to popular belief, isn’t about positive thinking, vision boards, or proving your worth — it’s about the relationship you have with yourself. Sam explains why healing shame, releasing self-criticism, and relating to yourself with compassion is what actually changes what you attract.You will learn about...the surprising link between loving yourself and manifesting your dreamshow to reconcile manifestation teachings with privilege, access, and real-world limitationswhy Sam hates the word “manifestation” and the connotations it comes withhow to repair a punitive, damaged relationship with yourselfwhy self-compassion will not you complacentwhat body-image struggles reveal about safety, control, and self worthhow to face your own unworthiness and make contact with a deeply supportive part of yourselfthe ONLY emotion that lowers your vibrationaccess the emotional experience you think money, love, or success will finally give yousee manifestation as a lifestyle rooted in self-love, not a method to fix yourselfRemember: Manifestation doesn't work without self-worth. It's not about getting or achieving something, it's about who you become along the way.Samantha Chung is a transformational life and mindset coach, viral content creator, and host of the top-ranking podcast Spiraling Higher. She is on a mission to help people break free from their conditioned narratives and awaken to their most authentic, limitless selves. Her paradigm-shifting perspectives have inspired millions to step into self-love and embody their highest potential. Today, she’s here to help you do the same.Follow Sam on Instagram: @simplifying.samLearn more about Sam’s private coaching here.Share this self love podcast with the women in your life or on social media! Make sure to tag @maryspodcast and @simplifying.sam Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Self love isn’t just about accepting yourself as you are or chasing a better version of yourself. It’s about learning how to hold contradictory parts of yourself with self compassion and curiosity.This conversation explores self love, confidence, mental health, body image, and self-awareness through the lens of growth, rest, insecurity, joy, and becoming. If you’re in your late 20s, or going through a big life transition, this episode is for you.You will learn how to…reframe the way you think about insecuritiesquestion diet culture, beauty standards, productivity, and comparisonunderstand how pleasure can coexist with painRemember: self love is not about reaching a healed or perfected version of yourself. It’s about staying honest, present, and compassionate through every season of becoming.If you’re enjoying our self love podcast, share it with the women in your life to continue spreading the gift of self love.Deepen your self love journey with Mary’s books:*The Gift of Self-Love,* an interactive workbook to help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself.*100 Days of Self-Love,* a guided journal with 100 prompts for calming self-criticism and learning to love yourself.Follow Mary on IG: @maryscupofteaa and @maryspodcastMentioned In This Episode...Beauty Sick by Dr. Renee EngelnNo Bad Parts by Dr. Richard SchwartzFlesh World, Substack by Jessica DeFino Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Astrology can be a grounding, practical tool for self-love and mental health, especially for women navigating change. Daniela from Cosmic Latte joins me to break down rising signs, moon energy, and Saturn returns—and how understanding your zodiac chart can help you meet yourself with more compassion, confidence, and care. Whether you’re looking to add a little whimsy to your life or fully devote yourself to the stars, this episode is equal parts fun and educational.You will learn about...why most daily horoscopes are incorrectthe importance of knowing your rising signhow the moon influences mood, energy, and confidencehow astrology can help you build routines that support your mental healthwhat a Saturn return brings up in your late 20s (and why it’s not all doom)the astrology of weekdays i.e. how to plan your week around the planets Remember: Self-love isn’t about fixing yourself—it’s about understanding yourself and letting that understanding soften the way you show up. Daniela Karpenos is a New York-based astrologer and founder of Cosmic Latte, a community of 200,000+ unique souls worldwide devoted to feeding spiritual curiosity, creativity, and connection. With her Leo sun flair and Cancer moon intuition, she shares playful astrology content to help you discover your “you-niverse.”Get your personalized eclipse guidebook from The Cosmic Latte here!Or book a private astrology reading with Daniela at thecosmiclatte.com and follow her on Instagram @thecosmiclatteMentioned In This Episode...The Astrology of Days GuideStardust (moon + cycle tracking app)No Bad Parts by Dr. Richard Schwartz If you enjoyed this episode, share it with the women in your life! Make sure to tag @maryspodcast and @cosmiclatte so we can share this self-love journey with you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A vision board can be a powerful tool for self love when created intentionally. In this episode, Mary shares how to approach vision boarding as a self-love practice rooted in intention, self worth, and presence rather than pressure, perfection, or productivity.If you want Mary’s vision board template, you can get instant access at maryscupoftea.com/vision and follow along.Instead of focusing on how your life should look, this process invites you to reconnect with how you want it to feel — offering a refreshing approach to self love that prioritizes intention over outcome, being happy in your life (not just happy with it), and learning to enjoy the process of becoming someone you’re proud of.Tune in to learn…How to make a digital vision board that feels supportive instead of overwhelmingWhy intentions are much better than traditional goal-settingHow to manifest from self compassion rather than controlThe difference between being “happy with your life” vs. being happy in itWhat a vision board becomes when it’s rooted in self-worth, not pressure Remember: Your vision board is not a contract — it’s a conversation with your future self. What’s meant for you is already unfolding, and your only responsibility is to stay present, responsive, and kind to yourself along the way.If you’re enjoying our self love podcast, share it with the women in your life to continue spreading the gift of self love.Deepen your self love journey with Mary’s books:The Gift of Self-Love, an interactive workbook to help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself.100 Days of Self-Love, a guided journal with 100 prompts for calming self-criticism and learning to love yourself. Follow Mary's self-love journey on IG: @maryscupofteaa and @maryspodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As women, we’re often praised for being “good” — benevolent, proper, generous, and agreeable. But that version of goodness often comes at the expense of your mental health. And it requires a type of self-abandonment which leaves little room for complexity, creativity, or truth.Poet and writer Joy Sullivan joins Mary to explore why being “good” can be antithetical to being fully human. Together, they unpack purity culture (both religious and progressive), moral performance, and the shame that follows many women. They also explore Joy’s viral essay Tiny Evils and why allowing ourselves small, imperfect, human transgressions can actually reconnect us to creativity.You will learn how to…Question moral perfection without abandoning integrityUnderstand why goodness is often performativeReclaim creativity as survival, not productivityWrite and create with confidence and without censoring your vulnerabilityRemember: You don’t have to be flawless to be worthy. Your self worth is inherent. If you can love yourself as you are, your creativity will skyrocket.Joy Sullivan is a poet, teacher, and author of the national bestseller, *Instructions for Traveling West.* She received a Masters in poetry from Miami University and has served as the poet-in-residence for the Wexner Center for the Arts. Her work has appeared in places like Goop, Oprah Daily, and The Sunday Paper.In addition to leading international writing retreats, Joy has guest-lectured in classrooms from Stanford University to Florida International University and is the founder of Sustenance, a community designed to help writers revitalize and nourish their craft. Read her thoughts on the creative life in her Substack newsletter, Necessary SaltFollow Joy on Instagram: **@**joysullivanGet Joy’s poetry book *Instructions for Traveling West.*Learn more about Joy’s writing community, Sustenance, here.And if you enjoyed this episode, screenshot it and share it on social media! Make sure to tag @maryspodcast and @joysullivan so other women can find this self-love podcast.Mentioned in This Episode…Tiny Evils by Joy SullivanGlamour UK featureMiranda JulyEllen BassAda Limón Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Mary explores seven principles of self love, using her Self-Love Tree framework as a calm and grounding guide for your year-end reflection and renewal.You will learn how to…Understand the roots of self-love: self-esteem, self-compassion, and self-worthApply the Self-Love Tree framework to your spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, social, romantic, and existential wellbeingCreate your own personalized self-love template to support next year’s intentionsMay you always ground yourself in your own unique individual framework for self love, whether that's a tree or something else you want to plant.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends to spread the self love tea!Deepen your self-love journey with Mary’s books: 1. The Gift of Self-Love, an interactive workbook that will help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself. 2. 100 Days of Self-Love, a guided journal with 100 prompts to help you calm self-criticism and learn to love who you are. Follow Mary on IG: @maryscupofteaa and @maryspodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mary talks with licensed psychotherapist Whitney Goodman about the harmful effects of toxic positivity on our mental health. We’ve all heard it, seen it, and experienced it — those moments when someone brushes off your pain and tells you to “just think positive!” It’s dismissive, overwhelming, and the opposite of self compassion.Whitney shares with us about... what toxic positivity is and the different areas it shows up in (specifically how it appears in religion, workplace, health, grief, etc)how toxic positivity differs from true self compassionthe antidote to toxic positivity how to talk to your loved ones when they are experiencing painself talk tools that will support your mental health without the pressure to have a positive mindset 24/7Whitney Goodman is the radically honest psychotherapist behind the hugely popular Instagram account @sitwithwhit, the founder of Calling Home, author of Toxic Positivity, and owner of The Collaborative Counseling Center, a private online therapy practice in Florida. Her work deeply resonates with women who are navigating boundaries, complex family systems, and the pressure to stay “positive” no matter what.Whitney earned her undergraduate degree at Tulane University and her graduate degree in Counseling Psychology from The University of Miami. She has advanced training in couples work, trauma, family dynamics, and chronic illness. Her writing appears in Psychology Today and she has been featured in The New York Times, Teen Vogue, NY Magazine, InStyle, and Good Morning America.A millennial therapist committed to making mental health information accessible, Whitney believes authenticity and emotional expression are essential to living a grounded, meaningful life. Her transparency around her own humanity helps normalize the full spectrum of feelings we all experience.Remember: “Happiness and positivity have become both a goal and an obligation.” But you don’t have to buy into that—real well-being honors your full emotional landscape and protects your mental health.Follow Whitney on Instagram: @sitwithwhitGet Whitney’s book Toxic Positivity here.And if you're enjoying this self love podcast, share it with the women in your life! Make sure to tag @maryspodcast and @sitwithwhit.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If decision fatigue has you spiraling, this episode will help you reconnect with your needs, wants, desires, and values. Mary shares 7 steps for soothing anxiety, finding clarity, and making choices with confidence and from a place of self-love. You will learn how to... - Stop outsourcing your life to other people’s opinions - Regulate your nervous system so you can make decisions from a place of confidence and self love - Clarify your values and return to your own inner guidance Remember: self love isn’t about making the “perfect” choice. It’s about making the choice that honors who you are right now. This episode is a self-love reminder for women who feel stuck or overwhelmed by decision fatigue. If you’re enjoying our self love podcast, share it with the women in your life to continue spreading the gift of self love. Deepen your self love journey with Mary’s books: 1. The Gift of Self-Love, an interactive workbook to help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself. 2. 100 Days of Self-Love, a guided journal with 100 prompts for calming self-criticism and learning to love yourself. Follow Mary on IG: @maryscupofteaa and @maryspodcast Mentioned In This Episode: Podcast Interview: Why Self Worth Starts in Your Body with Beatriz Victoria Albina Book: Stop Emotional Outsourcing by Béa Victoria Albina Mary’s viral video: “What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Relationship conflict doesn’t have to feel like walking on eggshells. With the right tools and a sense of confidence and self trust, even the messiest moments can become turning points for deeper intimacy. This conversation with relationship expert Baya Voce is packed with research-backed relationship advice that helps you understand why you fight the way you do—and how to shift patterns that have followed you for years. You will learn... what healthy fighting look like and how to navigate conflict with confidencethe different types of toxic tendencies many of us default to when triggereddo men and women differ when it comes to default patterns?Gottman’s 4 Horsemen, the subtle-but-deadly behaviors that quietly erode connectionwhat to do when you’ve asked your partner to change, but they can’t or won’thow to decide whether to stay in or leave a relationship Remember: A healthy relationship isn’t defined by “never fighting.” It’s about navigating conflict with confidence, a regulated nervous system, and trust in your ability to repair. Baya Voce is a relationship repair expert helping couples fight better and make up faster. She holds an MSW from Columbia University, is in ongoing supervision with Esther Perel, and is trained and mentored by Terry Real. Baya collaborates with Columbia University, MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), and Rick Doblin on pioneering research into MDMA-assisted couples therapy. She regularly speaks at SXSW, and with over 5 million views, her TEDx talk on loneliness highlights the often-overlooked impact of relational disconnection. Follow Baya on Instagram: @bayavoceBaya’s Workbook on How To Bridge the “Effort Gap” in Your Relationship Get Baya’s free guide on what to say to your partner after a fight And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with the women in your life to spread the gift of self love! Make sure to tag @maryspodcast and @bayavoce   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.