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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Single parenting can feel like you are carrying a whole household on your back and getting judged at the same time. We wanted to cut through the noise and talk about what actually helps, so we brought on Pat Hankin, author of The Field Guide for Single Parents: practical tips to gain control of your life. Pat combines lived experience with 40 plus years in financial services and a front row seat to an enormous parenting community, and she does not sugarcoat the reality: resources are often scarce, shame is everywhere, and “standard advice” frequently ignores context.
We dig into the big pillars Pat organizes her work around: money, time, relationships, and fun. You will hear why common personal finance rules like “never go into debt” can be harmful for single moms and single dads dealing with peaks and valleys, job shifts, childcare gaps, and the high stakes need for reliable transportation. We also talk about budgeting in plain language, tracking what you spend without judgment, and making tradeoffs with your kids that reduce guilt and build resilience. Pat even challenges the pressure cooker expectations around vacations and offers a more realistic way to create memories without blowing up your budget.
Then we move into time management for single parents, including how to “create time” by doing less, cutting low value tasks, and pulling kids into age appropriate responsibilities. From there, we expand the idea of a support system beyond close friends and family into “friendlies” and everyday allies, plus practical tips for partnering with teachers and advocating for learning differences without walking into meetings already on defense. We close by reclaiming fun as essential, not optional, and share simple routines that protect your mental health.
If this resonates, subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with a parent who needs it.
You can find Pat HERE
https://pathankin.com
Learn more about my book, Nature Knows: Grow and Thrive through the Wisdom of PlantsHERE.
Comments about this episode? Suggestions for a future episode? Email me directly at [email protected].
Want to be a guest on No Shrinking Violets Podcast for Women? Send Mary Rothwell a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/noshrinkingviolets
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram, and check out my website!

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