Make it Make Sense with Dr. Mary McDonald and Maureen Yarborough

Dr. Mary McDonald and Maureen Yarborough
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Philosophy
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Make It Make Sense with Dr. Mary McDonald and Maureen Yarborough, a compassionate and inspiring podcast dedicated to offering grace for the mess and wisdom for the journey. Dr. Mary McDonald, former superintendent of Catholic schools in Memphis, TN, brings her leadership, experience, and heart, while Maureen Yarborough, a dedicated business owner, shares her practical insights and resilience. What started as a mentorship has grown into a powerful friendship, united by a shared commitment to navigating life's toughest trials. Join them as they offer real talk, encouragement, and insi

  1. 6h ago

    Are or were your 20's the Defining Decade?

    Your 20s might be the most defining decade of your life, but not for the reasons you think. Maureen Yarborough and Dr. Mary McDonald sit down with Emma McDonald, and Annie McDonald for a candid, funny, deeply practical conversation about reinvention, imposter syndrome, and the moves that shape who you become next. What starts with a book about "The Defining Decade" turns into a wide-ranging conversation about career pivots, big life transitions, and the pressure young adults feel to have it all figured out. Maureen and Mary reflect on how their own 20s that were packed with marriage, children, moves, and constant change, while Emma shares the loose goals that helped her aim for being well-traveled, well-educated, and well-rounded without boxing herself in. Annie brings a grounded perspective on focusing on career, opportunity, and making the most of the energy and freedom that come with this stage of life. You'll discover: Why some of the biggest life-shaping decisions happen before you feel readyHow to use broad goals to create direction without killing flexibilityWhy "say yes and figure it out later" has helped build real careersThe surprising power of being willing to do the job nobody else wantsHow to handle imposter syndrome, nerves, and the fear of looking unpreparedDr. Mary also shares the lessons that shaped her across each decade, from teaching and graduate school to public speaking, leading, and starting over when necessary. Emma and Annie push the conversation toward what younger adults actually need now: confidence, practical judgment, and the courage to keep growing without comparing their path to everyone else's. This episode is also a reminder that progress often comes from preparation, curiosity, and a willingness to step into rooms, roles, and conversations before you feel perfectly ready. If you're in your 20s, mentoring someone who is, or thinking about your own next chapter, this one is packed with the kind of advice that sticks. Essential listening if you need a reset on success, timing, and what it really means to become who you're meant to be.

  2. Sep 29

    The Dolly Parton Lesson in Staying Authentic Under Pressure

    Dolly Parton was more than a legend - she was a masterclass in staying true to yourself when the whole world tries to turn you into something else. Maureen And Mary reflect on why Dolly’s life, faith, and authenticity resonated so deeply, and why her death felt like losing someone who quietly taught the world how to lead with love. From her improbable rise from a large, poor family to global icon, to the stories behind "I Will Always Love You," Elvis, and the way she handled fame, lawsuits, and criticism without losing her center, this conversation unpacks what made Dolly so rare. Maureen and Mary also explore how Dolly’s universal appeal came from a refusal to judge, a sharp instinct for people, and a commitment to keep her private convictions intact in public. You'll discover: Why Dolly’s authenticity felt bigger than image or brandingThe story behind "I Will Always Love You" and the grace she showed in conflictHow she said no to Elvis at 18 and protected her own workWhy her "cheap" look was actually a deliberate, unforgettable personaHow she became a model of loving everybody without collapsing into people-pleasingMaureen And Mary connect Dolly’s life to deeper questions about faith, discernment, and what it means to be "in the world but not of it." The conversation also opens into a moving reflection on grief, judgment, and the kind of wisdom that asks better questions instead of rushing to tell you what to do.If you’ve ever admired Dolly Parton, wondered how someone stays grounded under pressure, or needed a reminder that joy, integrity, and love still matter, this episode will meet you right where you are. It’s thoughtful, personal, and full of the kind of hard-earned clarity that lingers long after the music stops.

  3. Sep 22

    What “Knowing” Feels Like When Faith Stops Being Abstract

    What if the feeling you cannot explain is the thing you most need to trust? Maureen Yarborough and Dr. Mary McDonald unpack a deeply personal moment of spiritual clarity, faith, and the unmistakable sense of "knowing" that can change how you see your life, your purpose, and your next step. Maureen shares the unexpected experience that sparked this conversation - a late-night realization that her longtime urge to write a book was really about something bigger: telling the story of faith itself, not packaging it into a book. From there, the conversation opens into a candid reflection on divine direction, the difference between forcing meaning and receiving it, and why some truths only become clear when you stop trying to control the outcome. You'll discover: Why Maureen believes the point is not to manufacture answers, but to recognize the moments when God is speakingHow she describes the rare, hard-to-name feeling of spiritual "knowing" and why it feels different from peace, love, or certaintyWhat Sean Ryan's podcast, childhood intuitions, and a striking story about being "almost there" revealed to her about faith and purposeThe way both hosts see spiritual warfare playing out in everyday life - in choices, distractions, self-doubt, and the things we let take overWhy presence, trust, and staying rooted in the moment may be the most practical path through chaosThey also reflect on why certain people seem to carry this quiet clarity, from Dolly Parton's humility and joy to the kind of person who seems fully present in every room. The conversation widens into a powerful reminder that your faith is not just for you - it may be the very thing that helps someone else recognize what they already know but have not yet named.Essential listening if you've ever had a gut-level sense that you were being guided, challenged, or prepared for something you could not yet explain. This episode is for anyone trying to make sense of faith, timing, purpose, and the strange, freeing moment when you finally realize - you know.

  4. Sep 15

    The Real Survival Skill Nobody Talks About: Staying Calm

    What would you do if everything changed in 40 minutes? This conversation starts with a fictional nuclear alert, but quickly becomes a real-world guide to survival, decision-making, and the pressure-cooker moments that reveal who we are. Maureen Yarborough and Dr. Mary McDonald use a gripping new book, Seek Immediate Shelter, to unpack the consequences of split-second choices under extreme stress. From a man who bolts to save himself to the ripple effects that follow, the episode explores how panic can reshape relationships, identity, and regret in ways you do not see coming. You'll discover: Why crisis decisions made in seconds can follow you for yearsHow disaster prep changes when you actually think through what you would needThe 38-item survival backpack list that includes practical essentials most people forgetWhy faith, prayer, and calm matter more than gear when life turns chaoticWhat real survival stories from the Andes, a mine collapse, and an at-sea rescue teach about resilienceMaureen and Mary also get practical about resourcefulness, from growing your own vegetables to what happens when the power goes out, the stove stops working, or the grid goes down. It is part disaster prep, part kitchen-table philosophy, and part reminder that the ordinary can become extraordinary in an instant. If you have ever wondered whether you would panic or stay steady when everything feels uncertain, this episode will hit home. Essential listening for anyone who wants to think more clearly, prepare more wisely, and face the unexpected with a little more courage.

  5. Sep 8

    Reunions Bring us Home

    A high-school reunion leads into a tender conversation about the friendships and memories that shape us. From awkward questions about loss to small acts of reaching out, Maureen and Mary reflect on how hardship can deepen faith, empathy, and connection. Their reunion becomes a reminder that no one gets through life untouched—and that home, shared memories, and kindness can help us keep going.

  6. Sep 1

    Why Building a Village Starts With Being a Villager First

    The advice that changes everything is rarely complicated - it’s usually a quiet nudge to trust your gut, go first, and build the kind of village you actually want to live in. Dr. Mary McDonald and Maureen Yarborurgh sits down with Emma McDonald for a warm, funny, and surprisingly moving conversation about leaving home, starting over, and learning how to create connection in a new season of life. Emma has just finished law school, taken the bar, and is looking for her next chapter - and her perspective on friendship, faith, and courage is the kind of practical wisdom people wish they had sooner. You’ll discover: Why “being a villager first” may be the fastest way to make real friendsThe simple habit Emma uses to save advice she never wants to forgetHow “go first” can change everything when you feel like an outsiderWhy community matters more than chasing the perfect place to belongThe role faith, discernment, and trusted voices play when life feels noisyMaureen, Mary and Emma also unpack how social media can magnify extremes, why people are craving community more than ever, and how the best guidance often comes from people who took the time to put their wisdom into words. From handwritten notes and life advice to a memorable “horses, not zebras” story, this episode is full of the kind of nuggets you’ll want to keep close. If you’re sending someone off into the world, starting over yourself, or just trying to find your footing in a new season, this conversation will meet you right where you are. Essential listening for anyone who needs a reminder that courage, connection, and clarity often begin with one small first step.

  7. Aug 25

    The Frog in the Water

    In this short reflection, Maureen Yarborough and Dr. Mary McDonald consider how faith can bring peace in a world that often feels confusing and fear-driven. Drawing on familiar films, everyday examples, and personal stories about rumors and influence, they explore the importance of listening carefully, discerning truth, and resisting manipulation. Together, they encourage listeners to stay grounded in faith and trust that God can bring all things together for good.

  8. Aug 18

    How Discerning Wheat From Weeds Can Help You Navigate Life’s Challenges

    Unlock the profound truths hidden in life’s messiness—discover how faith, humility, and resilience can help you make sense of it all. In this episode, Maureen Yarborough and Dr. Mary McDonald reflect on doubt, discernment, suffering, courage, and the spiritual practices that help bring peace into everyday life.From the parable of the wheat and weeds to the role of confession, prayer, and humility, this conversation explores how ordinary choices shape extraordinary lives. If you’re looking for encouragement, clarity, and a deeper sense of purpose, this episode offers heartfelt wisdom for navigating uncertainty with grace.

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5
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About

Welcome to Make It Make Sense with Dr. Mary McDonald and Maureen Yarborough, a compassionate and inspiring podcast dedicated to offering grace for the mess and wisdom for the journey. Dr. Mary McDonald, former superintendent of Catholic schools in Memphis, TN, brings her leadership, experience, and heart, while Maureen Yarborough, a dedicated business owner, shares her practical insights and resilience. What started as a mentorship has grown into a powerful friendship, united by a shared commitment to navigating life's toughest trials. Join them as they offer real talk, encouragement, and insi

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