Diet culture has a sneaky way of showing up everywhere. From weightloss plans disguised as “lifestyle changes” to wellness trends promising to heal everything from your skin to your soul. In this encore episode, I’m joined by Christy Harrison, MPH, RD—author of The Wellness Trap and Anti-Diet—to unpack how diet culture infiltrates the wellness world and impacts women’s health in ways that are anything but healthy.

You can’t truly love yourself if you’re lying to yourself. And you certainly can’t find peace in a version of you that’s not real. Because when you try to love a version of yourself that isn’t true, it feels empty. It’s like people-pleasing: if you sacrifice authenticity for approval, then who are they really approving of? Not the real you. And the same goes for self-approval. If we dress up a lie and call it self-love, we’re building a facade that will inevitably crumble.

[Encore Episode] A lack of self-confidence shows up in small and big ways. Here are 5 not-so-obvious signs that you’re struggling with self-confidence, things that Mary is personally working on as well.

Whether you're in a long-term relationship or just want to improve how you show up for the people you love, this episode will give you the mindset shift you didn’t know you needed.

Are you ready for a confidence pep talk from my wise little sister?! Though she’s only 17, her perspective on mental health, body-image, and self-love is relatable to teens and adults alike. Whether you’re a big sister, auntie, parent, caretaker, or teen, you’ll walk away with a confidence boost and encouragement for self-love.

In this special episode, I sit down with my little sister to reminisce about our unforgettable trip to France. Though my self-esteem was tested, it was a journey that made me and my sister closer than ever. From the cobblestone streets of Paris to the Mediterranean breeze in Nice, we share how travel can shape your confidence, challenge your mindset, and create memories you’ll never forget.

Let’s dive into some unconscious ways us women tend to sabotage our self-love—especially in times of collective stress, societal pressure, and emotional overwhelm. In a world that constantly demands more from women—more productivity, more perfection, more performance—it’s no wonder we struggle to stay connected to our own self-worth.

Ruthie Lindsey joins us for a powerful and tender conversation about healing, self-compassion, and what it truly means to love yourself. As a speaker and author, Ruthie shares her journey of navigating chronic pain, deep grief, and religious trauma. Her story reminds us that even in the most painful chapters of life, there is beauty to be found—and that healing is possible when we learn to come home to ourselves.

Mary shares her journey from battling disordered eating and body-image issues to becoming a self-love queen, hosting retreats, writing books, and blowing up on social media. We break down the nuances of ED recovery, followed by the awkward "I'm lost" phase, why building community as an adult is so damn hard, and how to actually do it.

A personal solo episode where I (Mary) share my “small joys” i.e. little acts of self-care that have made a big difference. Each one has become a gentle anchor, a little nudge to remember who I am and what I need. And through them, I’m realizing how the act of keeping promises to myself—no matter how small—has become a declaration of self-worth. At the core of this episode is the idea that keeping promises to yourself is a declaration of self-worth. Every time you follow through on taking care of yourself, you are signaling that you are WORTHY of the time, energy, money, and attention self-care demands.

Shan Boodram, a renowned sexologist and relationship educator, joins our self-love podcast to share powerful insights on how to feel sexy and confident in a long-term relationship. We explore the nuances of body-image insecurities and relationship dynamics, as Shan delivers her no-nonsense advice on how to feel sexy.

What if a little bit of delusion might be exactly what you need to boost your confidence? As the kids these days say: “being delulu is the solulu!” Mary shares 4 mindset shifts– that some might consider “delusional”– but will do wonders for your confidence. Especially for women, embracing a positive mindset is often the first rebellion against a world that profits off of our self-doubt. This isn’t about toxic positivity or lying to yourself in a way that’s avoidant. It’s about consciously choosing beliefs rooted in self-love that remind you that you are enough. Reclaim your self-esteem by choosing self-talk that inspires action and fuels your dreams, regardless of personal insecurities or cultural expectations.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your to‑do list? This episode is truly the best productivity advice you'll ever receive because it's built on a foundation of self-compassion. It's Oliver Burkeman exposes why mainstream time management hacks fail and how accepting your human finitude liberates you to be productive– not in a capitalistic sense, but in a meaningful way.

Feeling stuck in a rut? Like you've lost your spark? You’re not alone. Many women experience moments where motivation seems to slip through their fingers, leaving them questioning their worth and purpose. Using a balance of mindset shifts and practical advice, Mary will guide you to reigniting your sense of self-worth. Tune in to hear small self-love shifts will help you get your spark back.

If you’ve ever felt “out of control” around food—whether it’s binge eating and/ or constantly feeling guilty when you eat—this episode will help you release any residual shame you might be carrying. Mary sits down with therapist + nutritionist Ryann Nicole to unpack why binge eating recovery is less about food and more about how we relate to it.

If you want to stop binge eating or recover from bulimia, then we must address the deeper emotional roots of disordered eating. Mary sits down for a Part 2 with eating disorder psychologist, Dr. Anita Johnston, author of Eating in the Light of the Moon. In Part 1, we talked about the spiritual side of eating disorder recovery. Now in part 2, we zoom into the emotional layer beneath bulimia and binge eating.

This episode is my honest reflection on a breakup that happened 7 years ago—long before I met my husband. It was a relationship that was equal parts toxic and transformative for my self-love journey. It ended up breaking my heart and somehow healing it, too. I’ve shared bits and pieces over the years, but today I’m telling you my full breakup story—not just for the sake of storytelling, but to offer you insights into what healing really looks like, especially after a hard breakup. Tune in for a vulnerable chat + breakup advice.

Let’s talk about how to help kids build a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. Whether they’re your own kids or perhaps your siblings/ nieces/ nephews/ students, then I’m sure you want to create a body positive environment for them. Psychotherapist Zoë Bisbing, MSW, LCSW is here to teach you HOW.

Four years ago, The Gift of Self-Love was officially published—a journey that started with a little ebook and the sweetest surprise from someone who believed in me. In this episode, I’m sharing the full-circle story of how this book came to be, plus two big life lessons on support and long-term growth.