The Mark Groves Podcast

Themes: Toxic Positivity, Social Media, Authenticity, Parenting, Mental Health

Summary: 

Meet Whitney Goodman, LMFT — a radically honest psychotherapist behind the hugely popular Instagram account @sitwithwhit, author, and the owner of The Collaborative Counseling Center, a virtual therapy practice in Florida. Whitney's debut book, Toxic Positivity: Keeping it Real in a World Obsessed with Being Happy, shows readers how to shift the goal from being happy to being authentic in order to live fully. In this episode, we discuss toxic positivity and how a “good vibes only” mentality, while good-intentioned, can actually backfire when we’re denying and dismissing the hardships of life. 

Discover:

What the term toxic positivity means, and why constantly striving to maintain a positive outlook isn’t actually helpful or realistic when it comes to mental health

How social media perpetuates toxic positivity and shame through an absence of realness

How to avoid the anxiety and comparison that comes with the constant positivity on social media

Why keeping it real and not forcing positivity leads to deeper, more sincere connections

The best way you can show up for someone who’s going through a hard time

00:00 Intro

01:01 Toxic positivity

02:51 Cultural gaslighting

03:24 Gratitude, toxic positivity & the internet

04:47 History of toxic positivity

08:06 The absence of realness on social media

10:53 Social media boundaries

12:59 The cultural shift beyond constant positivity

15:00 The effects of toxic positivity on connection

21:14 Connection between cancel culture and toxic positivity

24:18 Toxic positivity in relationships

28:01 Stop trying to save people

31:51 Relationships with parents

37:00 Gender roles in parenting

38:42 Life without a smartphone and the internet

41:42 Living in alignment with your values

Links:

Website | sitwithwhit.com

Book | Toxic Positivity

Instagram | @sitwithwhit 

Sponsors:

Organifi | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% off your next order at organifi.com/createthelove

Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cards

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Themes: Relationships, Attachment Theory, Conflict, Interdependency

Summary: 

Today I’m honoured to be joined by Stan Tatkin: PsyD, MFT, clinician, author, researcher, co-founder of the PACT Institute and all-around relational ninja. Stan’s ability to help couples navigate the often tricky waters of relationships is truly unparalleled, and in this episode, you’ll understand why. Join us as we discuss attachment theory, the leading causes of breakups and, ultimately, how to co-create a thriving, lasting relationship. 

Dr. Tatkin is an assistant clinical professor at UCLA, David Geffen School of Medicine. He maintains a private practice in Southern California and leads PACT programs in the US and internationally. He is the author of We Do, Wired for Love, Your Brain on Love, Relationship Rx, Wired for Dating, What Every Therapist Ought to Know, and co-author of Love and War in Intimate Relationships, and the upcoming, In Each Other’s Care.

Discover:

Why we choose the partners we do, and why we default to certain behaviors while in a relationship

Two main reasons relationships don’t last

The non-negotiable habits of couples in strong, healthy relationships

The mindset shift couples need to make for their relationship to survive and thrive

00:00 Intro

01:10 Stan’s background

02:57 Why we choose who we choose

10:30 Two main reasons relationships don’t last

18:02 Attachment theory & why we stay

23:24 Interdependency

26:29 Purpose-centered love

34:42 Creating a relationship that survives and thrives

41:32 Relationships are a team sport

48:16 Prioritizing repair

54:10 Avoid working on each other; only the problem

Links:

Website | thepactinstitute.com

Instagram | @drstantatkin

Sponsors:

Cozy Earth | Use code GROVES for 40% off sitewide at cozyearth.com

Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cards

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Themes: Politics, Spirituality, Health, Transformation, Self-Love, Unity

Summary: 

Join me for a thought-provoking discussion with bestselling author, political activist and spiritual thought leader, Marianne Williamson. For more than three decades, Marianne has been a leader in spiritual and religiously progressive circles. She is the author of 14 books, four of which have been #1 New York Times best sellers, and ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020. In this episode we discuss self-love, spirituality and our best shot at healing the divide we are experiencing in society right now. 

Discover:

How love and healing our own shadows first can help heal the political divide we are experiencing now in the world

Non-violence political resistance and why it’s one of the most effective ways to spark political change

The best way to start your day if you want to be your best self, live in integrity and radiate positive energy (hint: it’s not scrolling the gram)

Taking control of how you show up in the world through a commitment to spiritual exercises and rituals

Why mindfulness and meditation are crucial for effecting social change

00:00 Intro

00:43 Healing the divide

03:59 The government is gaslighting the people

06:44 Looking at ourselves first

08:58 Non-violent politics

13:08 We are meant to collaborate

16:21 Social media, individualism and narcissism 

20:43 Impulse control

22:41 Living a more integrous life

28:52 Do this first thing in the morning

35:46 God and religion

43:03 Being committed to difference

46:42 Why are we scared of unity?

49:29 The urgent invitation to awakening

53:41 You don’t need the majority

55:48 The purpose of relationships

Links:

Website | marianne.com

Twitter | @marwilliamson

Instagram | @mariannewilliamson

Substack | mariannewilliamson.substack.com

Sponsors:

LMNT | LMNT is a tasty electrolyte drink mix that replaces vital electrolytes without sugars and dodgy ingredients found in conventional sports drinks. Get a FREE LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at drinklmnt.com/createthelove

Organifi | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% off your next order at organifi.com/createthelove

Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cards

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Trigger Warning: This episode may be emotionally challenging and contains discussions of child trafficking and exploitation. Listener discretion is advised.

Themes: Child & Human Trafficking, Child Exploitation, Pornography, Sex Education, Online Grooming

Summary: 

You probably know by now that I’m all about having difficult yet necessary conversations, and this episode with Tim Ballard is no exception. Tim is an anti-human trafficking activist, author, and the founder and CEO of Operation Underground Railroad. His work has both inspired me and made me feel incredibly naive about what goes on under our noses in most communities across the country and the world.

Tim spent over a decade working as a Special Agent for the Department of Homeland Security, where he was assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and was deployed as an undercover operative for the U.S. Child Sex Tourism Jump Team. He has worked every type of case imaginable in the fight to dismantle child trafficking rings, both in the United States and in multiple foreign countries. He has successfully dismantled dozens of these organizations and rescued children from slavery and exploitation.

While working for the government, Tim saw how much more needed to be done in the fight against child trafficking and exploitation across the world. In 2013, Tim and a team of former government operatives left the security of their careers to go about the work of rescuing children as a private foundation - Operation Underground Railroad. At O.U.R., Tim envisioned a team that could work in any jurisdiction and work with law enforcement to rescue children directly. That team exists today all over the world.

Discover:

The shocking number of human trafficking victims in the US each year and how much money this horrific industry is worth

Real life stories and tactics of how children & teens are being lured into trafficking and being exploited right here in developed countries and good homes

Why most people are afraid to take action or learn the truth about this industry

The number one thing you can do to help protect children 

The impacts of porn on the brain and how an over-sexualized society is a key factor in child exploitation and trafficking

00:00 Intro

01:46 The effects of the pandemic on child abuse

03:44 Child trafficking

12:38 Educational grooming

15:14 Sex education

20:00 Teenagers should be able to talk with professionals

24:43 How does human trafficking commonly happen?

31:16 Greatest challenge in fighting the issue

34:19 Not wanting to know the truth

37:21 How you can protect the children

38:43 Is it happening everywhere?

40:28 Impact of pornography

Links:

Website | ourrescue.org

Facebook | @OURrescue

Twitter | @ourrescue

Instagram | @ourrescue         

TikTok | @ourrescue

Youtube | @ourrescue

Documentary | Operation Toussaint

Fight the New Drug | fightthenewdrug.org

Sponsors:

Cured Nutrition | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% off all products at curednutrition.com/createthelove

Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cards

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Themes: Integrity, Truth, Alignment, Religion, Liberation, People Pleasing, Authority

Summary: 

It is my great honor to welcome Dr. Martha Beck, New York Times bestselling author, life coach, and speaker to the podcast this week. Her newest book, The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self, was an instant New York Times Best Seller and felt like a journey home for me — one of those books where I found myself yelling “EFF YES!” out loud while reading. You know the kind.

Martha holds three Harvard degrees in social science, and Oprah Winfrey has called her “one of the smartest women I know.” She is a passionate and engaging teacher, known for her unique combination of science, humor, and spirituality. In this episode we cover navigating the internal split when you’re out of alignment or integrity and the magic that awaits when you have the courage to walk your truth — away from your socialization and towards the call of your soul.

Discover:

Why choosing and being in harmony with yourself is the key to a joyful and meaningful life

Staying true to yourself despite other people’s opinions and expectations

Navigating the internal split when out of integrity and having the courage to answer the call of your soul

Suffering as the key to liberation

How flipping your negative thoughts can give you peace of mind

00:00 Intro

01:24 Journey to getting her integrity back

06:48 Gaining authority over your own life

08:34 Psychic experiences

14:31 Coming home to your truth

18:39 Meditation for liberation

21:24 Questioning systems

24:31 The internal split

29:06 Going back to your true self

33:01 Flipping your negative thoughts

35:48 Integrity is contagious

42:05 Following your internal compass

44:34 Fear is the greatest challenge

47:10 The left hemisphere of our brain

50:05 The living dead

51:52 Returning to the right side of the brain

Links:

Watch this episode on Youtube

Website | marthabeck.com

Instagram | @themarthabeck

Book | The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self by Martha Beck

Book | Leaving the Saints by Martha Beck

Episode with Byron Katie, listen to it here!

Sponsors:

Organifi | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% all products at organifi.com/createthelove

Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cards

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Themes: Health, Sustainability, Permaculture, Regenerative Agriculture, Nutrition, Food Systems

Summary:

Is Glyphosate really that bad? Does buying local produce actually make a difference? Why should we care about soil — it’s just dirt, right? WRONG! So pumped to bring you this conversation with environmental filmmaker, citizen journalist, and musical activist, Rob Herring. Rob is the director and producer of the award-winning film The Need to GROW, which explores the opportunity we have to help regenerate our planet’s dying soils and participate in the restoration of earth. Join us for a fascinating chat on the importance of restoring our connection to nature, rethinking our food system and regenerating our most precious natural resource: soil. 

Discover:

Why using the herbicide Glyphosate has become common-practice for farmers around the world and its detrimental effects on our soil, food and health

Why soil biodiversity is so freaking important and why we should care as consumers

What regenerative agriculture is and why it’s the key to a healthy planet and people

The simplest and most powerful steps you can take to mitigate the effects of destructive/conventional agricultural practices on your health and that of the environment

The health benefits of gardening, getting your hands dirty and eating fresh food

00:00 Intro

00:36 The Need to GROW

08:07 Why destructive agriculture is the norm

23:42 How you can help

31:15 Connecting with nature and the positive health effects

40:17 The environmental cost of corruption

48:56 What could happen if we let nature regenerate

52:03 Returning to nature 

Links:

Watch this episode on Youtube 

Watch The Need to GROW for free here!

Farmacy of Light | farmacyoflight.com

Earth Conscious Life | EarthConsciousLife.org

Tip News | Tip.News

Make Soil | makesoil.org

This Is Your Brain on Food by Dr Uma Naidoo

The Biggest Little Farm Documentary

Sponsors:

ION* | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 15% off sitewide at intelligenceofnature.com (Offer only available to US based residents. Coupon applies to all one-time purchases, excludes bundles and subscription purchases)

Cured Nutrition | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% all products at curednutrition.com/createthelove

Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cards

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Themes: Consumerism, Humanity, Biodiversity, Health, Sustainability, Natural Law, the Microbiome

Summary:

Dr. Zach Bush is back for the third time for a deep dive into the health and future of both humanity and our planet. Zach is a renowned, multi-disciplinary physician of internal medicine, endocrinology, and hospice care and is an internationally recognized educator on the microbiome as it relates to human health, soil health, food systems, and a regenerative future.

In this episode, we dive into the planet's vulnerability and how it’s demanding a massive change in our current systems. We also explore the responsibility we all have to reimagine humanity as a system of coherence with nature instead of fighting against natural law. 

Discover:

Why the world is in a state of tumultuous transformation and what is possible for humanity and the earth if we’re able to develop a cohesive vision for the future

How over time, humanity has shifted from a mindset of sharing, reverence and abundance to one of ownership, extraction and competition, and the negative consequences this is having on planet earth

The importance of diversity on ALL levels, from bacteria to crops to thoughts and opinions

Natural law and how we can use nature’s ancient wisdom as a template for a new, more coherent human society

00:00 Intro

00:43 Consumerism & outsourcing everything

4:30 The future of humanity

08:29 As above, so below

17:15 Diversity vs. monoculture

24:00 Cancel culture

25:25 The control of information to reduce panic

31:52 Natural law

40:17 Being afraid of change

54:04 Gut health & ION*

Links:

Watch this episode on Youtube

Zach’s Website | zachbushmd.com 

Natural Law | naturallawandgov.org

Journey of Intrinsic Health | journeyofintrinsichealth.com

Farmer’s Footprint | farmersfootprint.us

Instagram | @zachbushmd

Zach’s First Episode | Regenerating Health with Dr. Zach Bush

Zach’s Second Episode | Engineering Our Future with Dr. Zach Bush

Sponsors:

ION* | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 15% off sitewide at intelligenceofnature.com (Offer only available to US based residents. Coupon applies to all one-time purchases, excludes bundles and subscription purchases)

Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cards

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Themes: Alignment, Authenticity, Transformation, Self-Love, Values

Summary:

Feel like there’s something more to life? Like you’re not quite reaching your potential? Perhaps you want a more fulfilling career, a better relationship, to heal your relationship with money, your body, social media, or your family. Whatever it may be, this split — the space between what you say you want, who you say you are and who you’re actually being and what you’re choosing — is one of the most significant sources of our pain, our addictions, and our emotional, mental, and physical health issues. I know this firsthand.

Join me as I explore how to merge the gap between where you are now and what is possible for your life. Will you move toward your soul’s calling? Can you say yes to yourself? Can you claim your potential? Consider this your invitation.

Discover:

The wisdom of negative emotions and why life shouldn’t always feel good

The difference between orienting your life around what your soul desires vs. your wounds, around expansion instead of defensiveness

How to decide what to do when you don’t know what to do

What happens when you commit to honouring yourself

00:00 Intro

00:26 The universe has your back

01:09 Life isn’t about feeling good all the time

02:08 The space between what you have and what you want

04:33 Orienting to your soul, not your wounds

09:26 Words don’t teach; actions do

12:41 Be mindful of your choices

13:15 You’re weird, but all the best people are

15:01 Stepping away can also be healing

17:03 When you stop running from who you are

18:30 Learning to say yes to yourself

Links:

Watch this episode on Youtube 

Join me on Mine’d!

Sign up for my newsletter here

Instagram | @createthelove

Facebook | @createthelove

Sponsors:

Open | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 30 days free at withopen.com/createthelove

Cozy Earth | Use code GROVES for 40% off sitewide at cozyearth.com

Cured Nutrition | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% all products at curednutrition.com/createthelove

Organifi | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% off all products at organifi.com/createthelove

Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cards

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Themes: Social Media, Self Love, Self Worth, Hollywood, Trauma, Mental Health

Summary:

This week I’m joined by one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood, Zachary Levi, with critically acclaimed roles in TV, film, and on Broadway. You may recognize him from his career catapulting role as Chuck Bartowski in the hit NBC series, Chuck, from his recurring role on Amazon Studios’ Emmy winning series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, or from his recent roles in American Underdog, the Kurt Warner Story and the 2019 blockbuster hit, Shazam!.

In this episode we jam on the addictive nature of social media, the problems Hollywood and reality TV perpetuate, plus Zachary’s emotional journey through a lifetime of crippling anxiety and depression and how a breakdown led him to ultimately find joy, gratitude, self-love and acceptance.

Discover:

The irony of social media and how it’s both one of the biggest contributors to mental illness today AND a useful platform for amplifying awareness for such conditions

The profit over people model of Hollywood and how it’s affecting the mental health of those working in the industry as well as viewers

How reality TV is modeling an unhealthy approach to relationships and body image

Zachary’s mental, emotional and spiritual breakdown and how it ultimately led him to find joy, gratitude, acceptance and purpose

The beautiful ripple effect that comes with doing the inner work, facing what you’re most afraid of and integrating your wounds

00:00 Intro

00:37 The irony of social media

02:02 Being a parent now

05:38 Is social media safe for kids?

10:02 Media is designed to be addictive

15:18 The problem with Hollywood & reality TV

22:30 Altering your appearance

29:51 Money is not the root of evil

33:16 The breakdown

46:34 Getting the role of Shazam

55:39 Healthy love not being modeled

1:03:44 Therapy 

Links:

Instagram |  @zacharylevi

Twitter | @zacharylevi

Book | Radical Love: Learning to Accept Yourself and Others

Sponsors:

Open | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 30 days free at withopen.com/createthelove

Cozy Earth | Use code GROVES for 40% off sitewide at cozyearth.com

Cured Nutrition | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% all products at curednutrition.com/createthelove

Organifi | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% off all products at organifi.com/createthelove

Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cards

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Themes: Relationships, Transformation, Acceptance, Infidelity, Authenticity, Codependency

Summary:

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with power couple Rainier Wylde and Kristi Born as they share the intimate details of how their relationship has evolved through infidelity. We discuss relational pain as a potent catalyst for transformation, the beauty in being honest with ourselves and our partner, and viewing ruptures as an invitation to truth.

About Rainier & Kristi:

Rainier Wylde is an author, teacher, and speaker. He has embraced life for all it is, celebrating its highs and learning from its lows. Rainier has managed a Fortune 500 company and built businesses; he has also elegantly blown them up, burned them down, and started over from scratch. Studying with Zen masters and Sufi mystics, Rainier founded and participated in neo-monastic communities for many years, becoming a spiritual director to both individuals and groups. Through the various positions he has held, Rainier discovered that life must be claimed to hold any worth. His work is to inspire others to live, fully and deeply, in the here and now.

Kristi Born is a marriage and family therapist, relationship coach and teacher. She has worked with diverse populations and a wide variety of age groups. As a graduate school professor and popular educator, Kristi thrills in bringing people together to discuss topics that unleash their power and minimize their shame. Kristi specializes in the art of couple’s therapy and relationship healing. Through this work, she helps couples create their own designer relationships; conscious and wholehearted partnerships. She finds joy in partnering with Rainier Wylde to use their personal relational journey to help any and every person accept and step into their own power, telling a beautiful story of their own. Together they host the podcast Love Like Hell, exploring the modern landscape of intimacy and union.

Discover:

Love and relational pain as a potent catalyst for transformation

Why we sometimes hide our past from our current partners

Why we often jump into relationships too fast

The beauty of being honest with ourselves and our partner and where to begin when you have a history of tiptoeing around the truth

Viewing ruptures in relationship as an invitation to truth and an opportunity really see and understand each other

The importance of holding onto yourself and your identity while in relationship

The impact of relationship transformation on kids and what they can learn from seeing a marriage with a foundation of truth

00:00 Intro

03:28 Entering into relationships unconsciously

05:00 When dysfunction is normalized

08:16 Love as a catalyst for transformation

14:23 Fear of knowing your partner’s past

20:45 Why we often jump from relationship to relationship

23:36 Liberation through truth

28:38 Talking about things as they arise vs. burying them

30:10 Ruptures are an opportunity

40:04 How did the community react to the truth?

46:31 Wanting the best for your partner

49:57 Relationships are not risk-free

58:50 Impact of relationship transformation on kids

Links:

Instagram | @rainierwylde & @kristimarieborn

Podcast | Love Like Hell

Book | As You Are: Meditations on Self and Other

Check out my first episode with Rainier | The Complexities of Being Alive with Rainier Wylde

Sponsors:

Open | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 30 days free at withopen.com/createthelove

Cozy Earth | Use code GROVES for 40% off sitewide at cozyearth.com

Cured Nutrition | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% all products at curednutrition.com/createthelove

Organifi | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% off all products at organifi.com/createthelove

Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cards

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands