No Shrinking Violets
No Shrinking Violets
Podcast Description
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.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show explores various themes centered around women's empowerment, mental health, and personal growth, covering topics such as invisible labor in the workplace, the complexities of autoimmune diseases, the importance of rest and renewal, and the concept of essential nature. Episode highlights include discussions on setting boundaries, navigating chronic illness, and drawing parallels between human and plant needs for fulfillment.
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.
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Some days the world feels impossibly heavy, and personal hurts pile on until sleep won’t come. We walk through a grounded path to emotional change that doesn’t deny pain: naming exactly what you feel, reaching for the next gentler emotion, and using micro-actions that shift your state in minutes. Drawing on therapy practice and the emotional guidance scale popularized by Abraham Hicks, we show how specificity lowers the body’s alarm and opens space for wiser choices.
We talk candidly about moments of unfair treatment and the familiar hesitation to speak up, then model a way forward that balances honesty and self-compassion. Instead of chasing a forced “positive mindset,” we use precise language to move from worry to doubt, from doubt to hope, and from hope to action. You’ll hear simple prompts that work under stress—How do I want to feel right now? Is any part of me actually okay?—and learn how to replace absolutes like “nothing is working” with “I haven’t found what works yet.” We also share tiny interventions that create real relief: stepping outside to find the sky, playing one song that lifts you, making a cashier’s day with genuine attention, or holding a realistic affirmation such as “This is hard, and I’m trying.”
Progress isn’t linear, and that’s part of the plan. When you hit a wall, rest is a strategy: nap, cry, take a bath, or write an unsent letter to release what’s stuck. From there, gratitude in small doses—clean sheets, a kind text, the warmth of tea—signals safety to your nervous system and helps you climb a few rungs up the emotional scale. These changes won’t erase injustice or grief, but they will give you more power to respond with clarity, courage, and care.
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Comments about this episode? Suggestions for a future episode? Email me directly at [email protected].
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