Do you long for community, authentic friendships, and cheerleaders to do life with? Perhaps you feel that finding true community in a fiercely competitive world seems like an impossible task. If you can relate, then this is the episode for you!

Today, Mary is joined for a second time by entrepreneur, author, and dear friend, Natalie Franke, as the two dive into Natalie’s new book, “Built to Belong: Discovering The Power of Community Over Competition”. “Built to Belong” is a bold reminder that we can succeed while cheering for the success of others too, and that there is room for all of us to make our mark and thrive together.

Natalie believes that we all have the opportunity to step outside of the box and become exactly who we are called to be. And, on today’s episode, Mary and Natalie don’t hold back as they discuss the dichotomy between how we can be built to belong but also created to compete; the role that social media plays in competition vs. community; and, the wide-spread epidemic of loneliness that is fiercely contagious.

After listening, you will be able to recognize when competition becomes unhealthy and how to strike that much needed balance between community and competition; be equipped to start building your personal network starting with just one person; and be ready to drop the consumption of social media in order to embrace the connection aspects of it.

If you are ready to join hands in charting a new course forward and take part in a rallying cry to transform lives - all while cultivating deeply rooted relationships that raise the tide for all - then today’s episode is not to be missed!

Snag Natalie's book here! https://nataliefranke.com/book

Have you ever felt inadequate, overwhelmed, or guilty in trying to balance it all? Perhaps you’ve let these negative feelings unconsciously define you. If you can relate, then you are going to love today’s episode!

Today, Mary is joined by popular podcast host of “Surviving Sarah,” writer, and cheerleader for moms everywhere - Sarah Bragg- as the two dig deep into Sarah’s new book “A Mother’s Guide to Raising Herself: What Parenting Taught Me About Life, Faith, and Myself.” Through vulnerable and relatable stories, Sarah shares her realization that the things she wanted for her daughters, (like self-worth, body positivity, tenacity) she did not yet possess herself. This realization led her on a humbling yet beautiful journey to raising herself alongside raising her girls.

On today’s episode Mary and Sarah dive into what it means to be a recovering perfectionist as it relates to motherhood; discuss the concept of fitting in versus actually belonging; and the importance of ‘presence’ in the lives of those around you.

After listening, you will be challenged to give yourself permission to find the courage to show up as yourself; be equipped to wrestle with how purpose, work, and calling all fit together; and be ready to replace ‘mom culture thinking’ with a “sometimes 3rd place is enough” mentality.

If you are ready to find your sense of worth and stop attaching happiness to the extraordinary, then you will not want to miss today’s powerful and insightful episode!

Snag Sarah's book here! https://www.zondervan.com/p/a-mothers-guide-to-raising-herself/

Are you looking at the pieces of your life and losing hope that they can be put back together again? Perhaps your heart has been broken, your dream has been put on hold, or your character is being put under pressure.

If you can relate, then you are guaranteed to feel seen and understood after listening to today’s episode!

Today, Mary is joined by former Bachelorette reality star, podcast host, designer, and author of the brand new book, “The Road to Roses: Heartbreak, Hope, and Finding Strength When Life Doesn't Go as Planned” - Desiree Siegfried! When Desiree was offered the opportunity to star on The Bachelorette, she thought she was finally getting the life she always longed for. Yet her reality TV dreams gave way to rough roads of unexpected twists, public scrutiny, and rejection. Now Desiree reveals in her rivetingly honest book how she found her resilience and love after all--and how you can, too.

On today’s episode, Mary and Desiree dive into Desiree’s story before life as a reality star; discuss their similar upbringings and how old wounds from childhood left unaddressed can affect our decision-making as adults; and talk about what it truly looks like to put your identity in Christ while letting go of limiting beliefs and comfortable (yet, unhealthy) decision-making.

After listening, you will be equipped with an authentic guide for finding your grit and courage to keep going no matter what you are facing; feel empowered to stay true to yourself despite external pressures and old wounds; and most importantly, find hope in the identity of Christ trusting that God loves you just as you are.

If you are ready to pick up the pieces of your life, jumpstart your dreams, or begin living true to yourself, you will not want to miss today’s empowering episode!

Follow Desiree here! https://www.instagram.com/desireesiegfried/

Are you trying to navigate singleness in this crazy dating world of modern times? Are you finding your experiences to be frustrating, infuriating, or about as clear as mud? If you can relate, then you are going to absolutely love today’s episode.

Today, Mary is joined by blogger, turned New York Times Bestselling author, and creator of the single woman social media movement, Mandy Hale! Known for her ability to cut to the heart of single life with straight talking, witty, and inspirational takes on life and love, Mandy’s newest book “Don’t Believe the Swipe: Finding Love without Losing Yourself,” is not your mother’s dating guide.

On today’s episode, Mary and Mandy talk all about how to find love without losing yourself; about learning to date without surrendering your power; about choosing yourself, regardless of whether someone swipes right or swipes left; and, of course about the crazy caricatures of your stereotypical dates gone wrong.

After listening, you will be equipped to trust the path, process, and uniqueness of your personal journey; feel empowered to use this waiting time in your life (no matter what you are waiting for) to build a relationship with God versus just seeing what's not there yet; and, learn the mindset and tactics you need to approach dating and love without losing yourself.

If you are ready to approach dating with dignity, refuse to let ‘the swipe’ rule your life, and stand confidently in your worth while not settling for less than you deserve, you will not want to miss today’s hilariously honest episode!

Follow Mandy here! https://www.instagram.com/thesinglewoman/

Are you okay? As in, really okay? Or, do you go about your everyday responsibilities putting on a brave face for yourself and those around you, just pretending to be okay?

If you can relate to the weight of wearing this mask, when deep down you are struggling, then this episode is for you!

Today, Mary is joined by licensed professional counselor, speaker and author - Debra Fileta. Debra is also the host of the Love + Relationships Podcast, and the writer behind the popular relationship advice blog TrueLoveDates.com. And today, Mary and Debra dig into Debra’s new book, “Are You Really Okay? Getting Real About Who You Are, How You’re Doing, and Why It Matters”.

In this book, Debra challenges readers to get real with how you’re doing spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically so you can recognize where you need growth and healing.

On today’s episode, Debra shares her firsthand knowledge that being a person of faith doesn’t automatically mean you’re healthy. Mary and Debra talk about what it looks like to be living in the social media times that says how you look through the filter on the outside is more important than what's going on in the inside; dig deep about things like trauma, anxiety, depression; and discuss how to deal with the negative things in life head on with the truth about who God says we are.

After listening, you will be equipped to get to the root of what you believe about yourself, others, and God; recognize the influences of past traumas and replace them with God’s truth; and, be ready to understand and express your emotions in healthy and helpful ways. If you are ready to get intentional about pursuing health in every part of your life, using a combination of science, psychology, and faith, you will not want to miss today’s incredible episode!

Snag Debra's book here! https://truelovedates.com/order/

Have you ever hated the mirror? Perhaps you’ve felt uncomfortable in your own skin, or complained about the body God's given you.

If you can relate, then today’s episode is a must-listen!

Today, Mary is joined by podcast host, coach, and author - Jess Connolly! Jess and Mary get real, raw, and vulnerable in their conversation as they dive into Jess’ latest book, “Breaking Free from Body Shame: Dare to Reclaim What God Has Named Good.” Obsessed with the freedom that is ours for the taking, Jess has been on a journey to break free from body shame using God’s truth and now she invites you to join her!

On today’s episode, Jess and Mary use a grace-based approach to flip the script on what it means for our bodies to be good and invite listeners to name and reclaim who we were made to be. They go deep on questions of faith, theology, practical ways to reframe your thoughts around your body, the body positivity versus body neutrality movement, and share very real, very honest, very vulnerable stories from both of their lives.

After listening, you

• Will be ready to rename what the world has labeled as less-than,
• Understand the balance between freedom and health,
• Experience restoration where there has been injury, and
• Become a change agent in partnering with God to bring revival to a generation of women!

If you are ready to experience freedom and grace from whatever struggle you are facing today and experience God meeting you in this tender place, you will not want to miss today’s must-listen episode!

Snag Jess's book here! https://jessconnolly.com/

“Do I really rely on the power of God or am I trying to do life in my own strength?” “How can I experience more of His presence?” “Why do I keep struggling with things I’ve been set free from?” If you have ever asked yourself these questions, then today’s episode is for you! Today, Mary is joined for a second time by author, Bible teacher, and sought-after speaker - Jeannie Cunnion. Having been featured on outlets such as the TODAY show, Fox News, The 700 Club, and Focus on the Family, Jeannie is known for her passion of encouraging women to live in the freedom for which Christ has set us free. No matter her forum, Jeannie’s message is always woven with humility, transparency, wisdom, and a contagious love for the Good News. On today’s episode, Mary and Jeannie dive into Jeannie’s latest book, “Don’t Miss out: Daring to Believe Life is Better with The Holy Spirit.” “Don’t Miss Out” is all about answering the following question that Jeannie herself wrestled with:

Have I settled for less than all of God?

As Mary and Jeannie dig deep into this question they also discuss the power that the Holy Spirit has to offer; the difference between living saved and living free; and, the reason why we may be settling for less than everything and what to do about it. After listening,

• You will be equipped to recognize and defeat the toxic thoughts that are constantly taking up residence and swirling in a loop in your head;
• Discover how and why you should make your heart a more welcoming home for the Holy Spirit; and,
• Be ready to unpack the countless ways the Holy Spirit Champions you!

If you are ready to choose the power of 'Spirit-Help' over 'self-help, you will not want to miss today’s powerful episode!

Snag Jeannie's book here! https://www.jeanniecunnion.com/

Are you hurting, seemingly lost, or feeling broken? Perhaps you long for the hope that an opportunity to start over provides.

If you can relate, then today’s episode is going to speak straight to your heart as you learn to discover opportunity even when circumstances and endings are hard and uncertain!

Today, Mary is joined by a Forbes “30 under 30”, named leader by Oprah Winfrey, podcast host, and author- Zim Flores! Mary and Zim go deep today exploring Zim’s book, “Dare to Bloom: Trusting God Through Painful Endings and New Beginnings.”

The daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Zim was the founder of Travel Noire, a hugely successful website and social media presence aimed at serving Black travelers. She sold the business in 2017 to pursue God and her book is about the power of starting over, blooming where you are, and stepping into exactly who you are meant to be.

On today’s episode, Mary and Zim discuss that either by choice or by circumstance, we will all encounter new beginnings; the tension between science and faith and the ways that one actually informs the other; the power of asking for transformation over deliverance; and, the difference between an all-weather purpose and a seasonal purpose.

After listening, you will walk away with practical and hard-won truths about:

• How to reclaim your true identity and surrender your desired outcomes to God
• Ways to navigate new beginnings with hope for whatever is next in your life
• How to joyfully participate in your own story even when you don't know what the future holds

If you are ready to be challenged to be both vulnerable and resilient in new seasons of your life while boldly positioning yourself for whatever God has next, you will not want to miss this incredible episode!

Follow Zim here! https://www.instagram.com/zimism/?hl=en

Do you wonder if you are LIVING life or LETTING life happen to you?

Today, Mary is joined by watercolor artist, popular blogger, and new author - Emily Lex - as the two dive into Emily’s brand new book, “Freely and Lightly: God’s Gracious Invitation to a Life of Quiet Confidence.

Even though Emily appeared to have it all, on the inside she was having an identity crisis that was leading her down a path of burnout and unhappiness. Freely and Lightly is a collection of essays of Emily’s faith journey, about how she was searching for her identity in all the wrong places while hustling, striving, and scrambling to find worthiness. Emily’s new book encourages the reader that God is offering a better way.

On today’s episode, Mary and Emily:

• Dig into this better way, define what real rest and quiet confidence can mean for your life,
• Talk about the feeling of unrest in your soul and what to do about it,
• Discuss this notion of busy as a badge of honor, and
• Dive into what it looks like to keep adding to our calendars in an effort to keep up and the journey to finding a better way.

After listening, you will:

• Be ready to free yourself from the expectations of the world (and the expectations you place on yourself),
• Learn to rest in God’s unforced rhythms of grace,
• Be equipped to dive into the real reasons behind your busyness, and
• Find it time to stop relying on yourself and your own efforts and start relying on Jesus.

If you are ready to leave the burdened and heavy way of living behind, and step into a life of quiet confidence, living freely and lightly, then you will not want to miss today’s eye-opening episode!

Snag Emily's book here! https://emilylex.com/book/

Would you like to live a life free of financial stress? Perhaps the idea of transforming your relationship with money seems impossible.

If you are looking for a proven, non-restrictive method to achieving your financial goals, you will not want to miss today’s powerful episode!

Today, Mary is joined by podcast host, author, and founder of You Need A Budget (YNAB)- Jesse Mecham - as the two dive into Jesse’s book, “You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want.”

Having personally experienced the stress that comes with living paycheck to paycheck, Jesse created YNAB to help his family develop a system to track their expenses. And today, he has captured everything he’s learned and refined over the last 13+ years, into a single, all-inclusive, no-sequel-necessary, this-is-my-best-thinking book that is changing the lives of readers.

On today’s episode, Mary and Jesse talk about

• The ways you can transform money management from a paralyzing burden to a powerful tool;
• How you can crystalize your life’s priorities through the lens of a liberating, exhilarating, life-changing budget; and,
• The freedom that comes from positively reframing how you view money while shedding the guilt you experience when spending it!

After listening, you will be:

• Able to ‘give every dollar job’ and be intentional about what you want your money to do before spend it;
• Ready to embrace your true expenses while breaking them into manageable amounts; and,
• Equipped to uncover your true money priorities without someone telling what you have to do with your money.

If you are ready to stop counting down the minutes until another payday and find the financial freedom you long for, you will not want to miss today’s life-changing episode!

Follow Jesse + YNAB here! https://www.instagram.com/youneedabudget/