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

#81: How to Follow Your Heart

At our previous retreat, there was 1 retreat sister who couldn't figure out what she wanted when it came to her relationship. Without sharing details, she was at a crossroad in her life. Usually in this situation, everyone says "follow your heart! do what makes you happy!" But nobody tells you exactly HOW to do that. Like what is the difference between a gut instinct and irrational fear? How do you know when you're listening to your own heart when you've been listening to your parents, your partner, your friends for so long? How is it that some people are so in touch with their heart and soul and higher selves and others are so disconnected and struggle to make decisions, let alone be confident in them?

You will learn...

• Exactly what's getting in the way of you following your heart
• 3 questions to ask yourself when you're at a crossroad in life
• The # 1 thing you MUST do if you want to reconnect to yourself

Remember: Following your heart is not equivalent to making perfect decisions all the time. It's about what opportunities and adventures and lessons can come from your heart-centered decisions.

If you enjoyed this episode, screenshot it and share it on social media! Make sure to tag @maryspodcast

And make sure to get Mary's book, The Gift of Self-Love: https://maryscupoftea.com/gift-of-self-love. It’s a self-love workbook that will help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself. Available in stores and online, worldwide!

Mentioned In This Episode...
Episode #64: Struggling to Make Decisions? Listen to this.
Episode #67: Advice for Finding Your Passion + Book Recommendations
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron: https://amzn.to/3DpHpoP

#80: Controversial Conversations with Kenzie Brenna

Okay, this episode is a MUST-LISTEN and we're not just saying that! Today's guest is Kenzie Brenna, fellow self-love advocate, mental health educator, speaker, and podcaster who is AMAZING at talking about taboo topics with the sensitivity and care they deserve.

You will learn how to...

• deal with people who disagree with you

• embrace the paradoxes in life

• be okay with not knowing everything

• approach political topics with the nuance, knowledge, and due dilligence they deserve (instead of believing every infographic you see on Instagram)

Kenzie also shares controversial perspectives about things like...

• trigger warnings (and why they're not always helpful)

• liberal and left-leaning politics

• the body positivity community

Warning: you may disagree with a lot of what we say and that's okay! We are all here to listen to each other, invite in different perspectives, and see what we can learn along the way. Thank you for being open to unpopular opinions and uncomfortable (yet important!) conversations. 🙏

Follow Kenzie on social media: @kenziebrenna Listen to her podcast: Conversations with Kenzie

#79: Dealing with Overwhelm via Self-Talk

If you Google this topic, you'll find plenty of articles telling you how to check more things off your to-do list or organizing your planner for more productivity, and all types of advice which sure, could be helpful. BUT, they don't address the mindset behind overwhelm and the fact that your long to-do list is not necessarily the source of your overwhelm. Overwhelm is a MINDSET. And if you're stuck in that mindset for too long, then it can be detrimental to your mental health and well-being. In this episode, Mary shares self-talk tools for getting through overwhelm. These are things you can say to yourself when you catch yourself getting overwhelmed. You will learn...

• What a mindset of overwhelm is

• The difference between thoughts and feelings (and how to use your thoughts to manage your feelings)

• Ways to deal with overwhelm from a mindset perspective

Remember: a long to-do list can trigger a mindset of overwhelm, but ultimately, you have the power to get out of that mindset by practicing better self-talk.

Let us know how you liked this episode by screenshotting and tagging @maryspodcast in your IG stories! If it was helpful to you, maybe it'll be helpful to someone else too! Thank you in advance for listening, sharing, and supporting the show!

And make sure to get Mary's book, The Gift of Self-Love: https://maryscupoftea.com/gift-of-self-love. It’s a self-love workbook that will help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself. Available in stores and online, worldwide!

#78: Self-Love Retreats: An Inside Look from Our Retreat Sister, Liana

I have a little bit of a different episode for you this week because what you’re about to hear is a conversation with one of my retreat sisters, Liana, who recently attended my Costa Rica Self-Love Retreat. I thought it would be cool to give you an inside look into what self-love retreats are actually like coming from someone who’s experienced one recently.

Even if you’re not thinking about joining a self-love retreat, I still invite you to listen to this episode because Liana and I talk about sexuality, trusting yourself, dealing with toxic family members, connecting with like-minded women, vulnerably sharing your heart, and so much more. Liana herself is incredibly inspiring because she embodies what it means to be so full of self-love and letting that love overflow to others. Whether you want to come to a retreat or not, Liana will help you see what is truly possible for you.

You can connect with Liana by following her on Instagram or TikTok @lovewithliana and inquire to work with her through her website lovewithliana.com. As an Adult Chair® Certified Coach, Liana will guide you through your own self-love practice so that you build healthy relationships and become more present in your life.

And if a self-love retreat sounds interesting to you, our next one will also be in Costa Rica over New Years! At the time of this recording, the New Years Self-Love Retreat is 50% full so if you’re interested, go to maryscupoftea.com/retreats, check out all the information, and if it’s calling you, feel free to fill out an application.

#77: Therapy Update + Thoughts on Marriage

In this personal episode, Mary shares some things she's learned in therapy and how it's helped her overcome childhood traumas. Part of why she started therapy in the first place was to conquer her fear of commitment, especially when it comes to marriage. Mary talks about...

• why marriage used to terrify her

• how her therapist helped her overcome those fears

• other lessons learned in therapy including self-talk, self-trust, and self-empowerment

If you want an accessible and affordable way to see a therapist, check out BetterHelp! Full disclosure: I'm an affiliate because I LOVE their platform and have had an incredible experience with my therapist. I wouldn't have been able to do therapy without BetterHelp (especially during the pandemic)!

Here's a link to a 2-week free therapy trial: betterhelp.com/mcot

#76: Confidence Comes From Clarity

In this episode, Mary explains how confidence comes from CLARITY and how you can gain more clarity in your life. You will learn...

• A trick to help you stop comparing yourself to others

• 3 questions to ask yourself to gain more clarity (and therefore, more confidence)

• How to figure out what you really, really want in life

Remember: you don't need certainty in your life; you need clarity. Clarity is the root of self-confidence.

If you found this episode inspiring, make sure to take a screenshot and share it on your Instagram stories so we can see!

And make sure to get Mary's book, The Gift of Self-Love: https://maryscupoftea.com/gift-of-self-love. It’s a self-love workbook that will help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself. Available in stores and online, worldwide!

#75: The Origins of Intuitive Eating with Elyse Resch

In this episode Mary interviews the co-author of the original Intuitive Eating book!! She is so beyond honored to be able to speak with Elyse about how Intuitive Eating (IE), the concept and book, came to be starting in the early 1990s.

This episode is for anyone who's (re)learning how to eat intuitively and wants deeper insight into the practice.

You will learn about...

• How IE has evolved over the past 26 years and why it's gained popularity in recent years

• The 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating (and which one is the most challenging)

• The biggest criticisms of IE (and why they're plain WRONG)

• How to instill IE into teenagers using adolescent psychology

Remember: your body has an innate wisdom that goes far beyond diet culture and beauty standards. Intuitive eating is about tapping into that wisdom, and learning to trust your body again.

Elyse Resch, MS, RDN, CEDRD-S, Fiaedp, FADA, FAND, is a nutrition therapist in private practice in Beverly Hills, California, with thirty-nine years of experience, specializing in eating disorders, Intuitive Eating, and Health at Every Size. She is the co-author of Intuitive Eating, now in its 4th edition, the Intuitive Eating Workbook, and The Intuitive Eating Card Deck—50 Bite-Sized Ways to Make Peace with Food (upcoming, 2021). Elyse is also the author of The Intuitive Eating Workbook for Teens and The Intuitive Eating Journal—Your Guided Journey for Nourishing a Healthy Relationship with Food (upcoming, 2021), and a chapter contributor to The Handbook of Positive Body Image and Embodiment. She has published journal articles, print articles, and blog posts. Elyse does regular speaking engagements, podcasts, and extensive media interviews. Her work has been profiled on NPR, CNN, KABC, NBC, KTTV, Los Angeles Times, AP Press, KFI Radio, The New York Times, USA Today, and the Huffington Post, among others. Elyse is nationally known for her work in helping patients break free from diet culture through the Intuitive Eating process. She supervises and trains health professionals, is a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian and Supervisor, a Fellow of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, and a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Her philosophy embraces the goal of developing body liberation, with the belief that all bodies deserve dignity, and reconnecting with one’s internal wisdom about eating.

Mentioned in This Episode...

Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch

The Intuitive Eating Workbook for Teens by Elyse Resch

The Intuitive Eating Journal by Elyse Resch

The Intuitive Eating Card Deck by Elyse Resch and Evelyn Tribole

The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia by Sabrina Strings

 

https://elyseresch.com/

https://www.intuitiveeating.org/

Follow Elyse on IG: @elyseresch

 

#74: Afraid of Gaining Weight? Listen to this.

In this solo episode Mary addresses 3 common fears (or myths) surrounding weight gain inlcuding:

"Gaining weight is unhealthy, and losing weight will make you healthier." "If I gain weight, then I won't be attractive (and no one will like me and I'll die alone)." "Gaining weight means you've 'given up on yourself,' 'let yourself go,' or 'gotten lazy.'"

These are not true and in this episode, Mary explains why.

Note: in this episode, Mary reads to you directly from her book, The Gift of Self-Love. If you want more tools for body-image healing and confidence building, you can get this self-love workbook on her website or anywhere books are sold.

#73: Healing from Toxic Relationships, Embracing Sobriety, and Growing Up Asian-American with Kelly U

In this interview Mary is joined by her friend Kelly Uchima (@kellyu) to have a deep conversation about recovering from anorexia, addiction, binge eating, codependency, and toxic relationships. Kelly is also Asian American, so she shares the nuances of growing up with body-image struggles while being a person of color.

You will learn...

• the warning signs and red flags of toxic relationships (we're talking like, narcisstic abuse)

• why you can get addicted to pretty much anything (and how to break free)

• what perfectionism, eating disorders, addiction, and toxic relationships all have in common...

This is a rich, raw, and real conversation filled with true vulnerability and authentic storytelling. Please make sure to let us know how you like it by tagging @maryspodcast and @kellyu in your IG stories!

Kelly U (@kellyu) is incredibly passionate about breaking the stigma on mental health. She created and coined the Instagram and Youtube series, Therapy Thursday, to share just how beautiful and meaningful connecting with the most raw, vulnerable parts of yourself can be. Kelly aspires to inspire those who struggle with their relationship with their bodies, food, trauma and recovery. She has overcome eating disorders, anxiety and depression and is grateful to share her journey and help others to help themselves.

Follow Kelly on the Gram: https://www.instagram.com/_kellyu/ https://www.instagram.com/therapythursday_/

Listen to Kelly's new podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/68zImlmerxtNeVN0XUHoeE

#72: Stop Trying to Lose Weight (A Pep Talk)

In this solo episode, I talk about the impacts of trying to lose weight and how dieting affects our bodies.

You will learn...

• What is the "rebound effect" that happens when you diet

• The impact of our intention to lose weight

• How your body responds to restriction

Remember: :No matter what, no matter how I feel today, I will not starve myself."

 

Get my new book, The Gift of Self-Love: maryscupoftea.com/book. It’s a self-love workbook that will help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself. It’s now available in stores and online, worldwide!

Lastly, if you enjoy Mary’s Cup of Tea Podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than a minute, and it really makes a difference in helping the show grow!