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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 diverse people compared to coupled individuals
• The ability to flourish in solitude is a strength, not a deficiency or psychological problem
• Freedom is consistently cited as the greatest benefit of single life by those who are single at heart
• Some partnered people can score high on the "single at heart" scale and need space even in committed relationships
• Those who are single at heart need "the ones" (diverse social connections) rather than "the one" romantic partner
• Creating separate spaces within relationships can help those with single at heart tendencies thrive while partnered
• Being single at heart isn't about rejecting connection, but about living your most authentic life

Find Dr. Bella DePaulo's book "Single at Heart: The Power, Freedom, and Heart-Filling Joy of Single Life" on Amazon and major booksellers, and check out her TED Talk "What No One Ever Told You About People Who Are Single."

Dr. DePaulo's website

Referenced in the episode:
How to Be Alone by Sara Maitland

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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 curiosity is so powerful and profound. Plus, we dive into how your body mirrors your thoughts and why standing tall—shoulders back and down—can shift your entire mindset. Tune in to discover simple yet powerful ways to take up your space, calm your nervous system, and create a sense of steady presence in your life.

Mary's FREE Progressive Relaxation audio

Karen's website

2 mindful exercises

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression by Z. Segal, JMG Williams and J. Teasdale.  They have a workbook too. 

Peak Mind: Find your focus, Own your attention by Amishi Jha

Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer

A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook by B. Stahl and E. Goldstein

Greater Good Magazine: Science based insights for a meaningful life

Mindful resources

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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 societal norms at play, and discuss how these ingrained patterns affect everything from career advancement to personal fulfillment. Tune in for an insightful conversation that sheds light on this hidden burden—and what we can do about it.

Click HERE to get Mary's Communication Equation for Relationship Roles

You can find Christine HERE

Links to information mentioned in this episode:

Pew study

Arlie Hochschild on YouTube

Second Shift book

The Will to Change - bell hooks

Riane Eisler

Tressie McMillan Cottom

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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-founder of The Pelvic Collective, sheds light on the hidden struggles so many women face, from pain during intimacy to postpartum recovery to menopause. We also talk about her inspiring journey of reinvention—living tiny, traveling freely, and embracing the life she truly loves.

You can find more information on Emily Nagoski and the 2 books referenced in this episode: Come as You Are and Come Together on her website at https://www.emilynagoski.com/

Find information and fill out a contact form: The Pelvic Collective 

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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 pressures women face around coupledom, the transformative power of freedom, and the lessons Marieke’s strength has imparted to her daughters. If you’ve ever wondered what it truly means to thrive solo, this conversation is for you.

Here is a link to Dr. Bella DePaulo's website.

You can find her book, Single at Heart: The Power, Freedom, and Heart-Filling Joy of Single Life on Amazon and through all major booksellers.

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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 college or a parent hoping to guide your daughter, this episode offers empowering insights into personal growth, building boundaries, and thriving amidst change.

Click HERE for to get your FREE download, 10 Tips for Women in College.

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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 challenges women face when society expects them to excel in every role.

Kelly shares her journey as a first-generation college student, a dedicated professional in higher education, and a mother navigating co-parenting, all while pursuing her Doctorate of Education. Together, Mary and Kelly reflect on gender roles, societal expectations, and the power of persistence in the face of obstacles.

Whether you're a parent, a professional, or simply someone striving to balance multiple roles, this episode offers relatable insights, empowering anecdotes, and a reminder that we’re all figuring it out, one step at a time. Tune in for an honest and uplifting conversation you won’t want to miss!

Read more about Nancy Chodorow, PhD, quoted by Kelly in this episode, HERE.

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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 insights from her extensive leadership experience and academic expertise, shedding light on the profound impact Invisible Labor has on organizational culture and women’s roles. This conversation offers listeners a fresh perspective on gender dynamics in professional spaces and sets the stage for a follow-up episode exploring Invisible Labor in personal relationships.

You can find more information on Dr. Christine Nowik's work, as well as information on her management training course here: christinenowik.substack.com

Here is a link to Dr Jessica Calarco's work and information on her latest book, Holding it Together: How Women Became America's Safety Net

https://www.jessicacalarco.com/

You can find the video of the salt in jello experiment here: https://www.instagram.com/gzelle_kabir/reel/C_9BcqzugC1/

Here's the link to get info on the Mental Freedom Responsible vs Response-able resource.

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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 syndrome. Together, they explore the complexities of autoimmunity, the importance of advocacy in healthcare, and how to navigate life with chronic illness. Mindy’s story is a testament to resilience, humor, and the power of informed self-care.

10 Tips to Improve Digestion (click here!)

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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 past our limits will only make us less productive, more anxious and perhaps even physically sick. All beings take time to rest – it's in their very nature! Tulips bloom for a short time in the spring, then die back to recharge their bulb’s energy for the following year. Trees lose their leaves, and bears hibernate. Everything needs to rest and find renewal. For each of us, our Essential Nature can help inform us what we need in the daily cycle of life, and how best to build time into each day to recenter and move through times of stress. And by recognizing Nature’s necessity for rest, we can limit self-judgment and make our wellbeing a priority.

HERE is the link to the Month of Mindful Minutes Calendar.

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