No Shrinking Violets Podcast for Women
No Shrinking Violets is all about what it truly means for women to take up their space in the world – mind, body and spirit. Mary Rothwell, licensed therapist and certified integrative mental health practitioner, has seen women “stay small” and fit into the space in life that they have been conditioned to believe they deserve. Drawing on 35 years in the mental health field and from her perspective as a woman who was often told to "stay in your lane," Mary discusses how early experiences, society and sometimes our own limiting beliefs can convince us that living inside guardrails is the best -- or only -- option. She'll explore how to recognize our unique essential nature and how to use that to empower a new narrative.Through topics that span psychology, friendships, nature and even gut-brain health, Mary creates a space that is inspiring and authentic - where she celebrates the intuition and power of women who want to chart their own course and program their own GPS. Mary's topics will include sleep and supplements and nutrition and how to live like a plant. (Yes, you read that right - the example of plants is often the most insightful path to knowing what we truly need to feel fulfilled). She’ll talk about setting boundaries, communicating, and relationships, and explore mental health and wellness: trauma and resilience, how our food impacts our mood and the power of simple daily habits. And so much more! As a gardener, Mary knows that violets have been misjudged for centuries and are actually one of the most resilient and ecologically important plants in her native garden. Like violets, women are often underestimated, and they can even mistake their unique gifts for weaknesses. Join Mary to explore all the ways the vibrant and strong violet is an example for finding fulfillment in our own lives.
Episodes
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Dr. Robin Buckley reframes women's power as something inherent rather than something that must mimic masculine ideals, encouraging listeners to identify and pursue what they truly want without apology. She shares practical strategies to help women embrace their natural strengths and overcome societal conditioning that limits their potential.
• Understanding how power is stereotypic...
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That critical voice in your head telling you that you're not good enough? It wasn't born to torment you—it developed to protect you. But now it's time for a new relationship with that inner critic.
Julie Van Elswyk joins Mary to share her powerful journey from blaming herself for her son's cancer diagnosis to becoming a worthiness and law of attraction coach. After e...
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We explore the concept of essential nature and how reconnecting to our true selves leads to authentic living and healing. Licensed therapist and author Harmony Kwiker shares insights from transpersonal psychology on moving beyond our conditioned patterns.
• Transpersonal psychology looks beyond personal identity to access the spiritual dimensions of our humanity
• Our essential natu...
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Women's socialization as caretakers often leads to physical health crises when we neglect our own needs for too long. Melissa Crook shares her powerful story of experiencing severe anxiety attacks at age 50 that sent her to the emergency room twice in one week, ultimately becoming the catalyst for her journey toward self-awareness and authentic living.
• Understanding how our essen...
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Nicole Wahby shares her journey of breaking free from limiting family expectations to create an authentically joyful life through event planning and setting healthy boundaries. Her story illustrates how stepping away from negative influences—even family—can open space for genuine fulfillment and success.
• Growing up in a "primarily miserable family" where her father insisted ...
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Two therapists pull back the curtain on what actually happens in therapy and why it's so powerful for creating change in your life.
• Therapy is for everyone, not just those with severe mental health issues
• The most impactful aspect of therapy is the connection with your therapist, more than any specific techniques
• Finding the right therapist is crucial - it's oka...
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Yoga offers a comprehensive approach to wellness that goes far beyond the physical postures, connecting mind, body, and spirit while creating space for self-discovery and healing. Jennifer Lynn shares her journey from corporate burnout to becoming a certified trauma-informed yoga and menopause yoga teacher, exploring how this ancient practice helps regulate the nervous system and provides tools ...
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Kasey Lee shares her transformative journey from small-town English teacher to Director of Training and Development for the city of Chicago. Her story reveals how professional disappointment became the catalyst for complete reinvention, challenging limiting beliefs and embracing uncertainty.
• Moving from a town of 3,000 to a city of 3.6 million after being passed over for a promotion
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Why do so many women question their own ambitions? And why do so many of us seem to instinctively NOT support each other? In this episode, I sit down again with Dr. Kelly Weaber to unpack how society influences the way we make decisions—whether in careers, parenting, or personal growth. We talk about the weight of expectations, the guilt that can come with putting ourselves first, and the subtle...
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Dr. Bella DePaulo challenges societal assumptions about singleness, revealing how many people are genuinely "single at heart" and thrive in this lifestyle not despite being single, but because of it.
• Being single at heart means feeling most authentic, comfortable, and fulfilled when living a single life
• Single people often maintain richer social connections with diver...
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In this episode, I sit down with fellow therapist Karen Jones to explore how mindfulness isn’t just a tool for crisis moments— even a 12-minute daily practice can rewire your brain for resilience. We talk about practical ways to integrate mindfulness into your everyday routine (like mindful dishwashing and the power of posture), how to ground yourself in the present moment, and why simple curios...
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In this episode of No Shrinking Violets, Dr. Christine Nowik returns to explore the often-overlooked weight of invisible labor—this time, in personal relationships. From holiday planning to the mental load of family schedules, women continue to carry an unspoken responsibility that takes a toll on both mental and physical well-being. We dive into the latest research, unpack the deep-rooted socie...
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This episode is inspiring (my guest TRULY "takes up her space" all over the world!) and filled with not-often-talked-about but essential information for women to know and understand about their health. My guest, Dr Liz Franze, explains how pelvic health isn’t just about Kegels—it's about reclaiming comfort, confidence, and even pleasure. Liz, a traveling physical therapist and co-...
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Society often glorifies coupledom, but what about the joy and freedom of embracing single life? What happens when you choose your happiness over societal scripts? In this candid and uplifting episode, Mary chats with Marieke Nissly James about her decision to leave her marriage, raise two daughters as a single mom, and create a fulfilling life on her own terms. They dive into the societal pressu...
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In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Carli May, a psychology major with a passion for helping others, as she reflects on her college journey. From navigating future career options and friendship conflicts to overcoming self-doubt, Carli shares her story of resilience, and how she found her voice in a complex and often overwhelming environment. Whether you’re a young woman navigating colleg...
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In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of No Shrinking Violets, host Mary sits down with her accomplished and multi-talented friend, Dr. Kelly Weaber, to discuss the complexities of balancing motherhood, career aspirations, and personal growth. Drawing from Kelly's dissertation, The Boys Will Be Okay: Exploring the Mother-Learner-Worker Experiences, the conversation dives into the challeng...
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In this thought-provoking episode, Mary is joined by her friend and leadership expert, Dr. Christine Nowik, to unpack the concept of Invisible Labor, particularly in the workplace. Together, they delve into how unpaid and often unrecognized tasks—such as emotional labor, office housekeeping, and conflict management—disproportionately fall on women due to societal expectations. Christine shares i...
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In this episode, we dive into the often misunderstood world of autoimmune diseases, which affect nearly 80 million Americans—75% of whom are women. Host Mary is joined by Mindy Knaub, a licensed therapist and autoimmune warrior, to share her personal journey through years of misdiagnoses and the challenges of living with conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Lyme disease, and chronic fatigue ...
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So often we – especially women – believe that taking time to rest and find renewal is lazy. Or we convince ourselves that we don’t have time to take even 5 minutes in our day to find respite. The internal refrain of “I don’t have TIME for this!” often repeats in our brains, especially at times of highest stress.
If we look to the lessons of nature, we may more easily recognize that pushing p...
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As humans, we ARE nature. Yet we often feel so far removed from nature in our current loud and fast world that sometimes we forget that we are made of some of the same genetic stuff as most other living organisms. Just as plants and animals instinctively know how to survive and thrive (two very different goals), humans also have innate and shaped tendencies that inform the living conditions we m...
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