No Shrinking Violets Podcast for Women

Mary Rothwell
  • 5.0 (13)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. Is Shame the Same as Embarrassment?

    2D AGO

    Is Shame the Same as Embarrassment?

    Thoughts or comments? Send us a text! We separate embarrassment from shame and show how shame gets used to push people back into line. We share family and professional stories, then offer ways to notice the first sting of shame and keep advocating for what you need. • difference between embarrassment and shame   • how labels like always careless attach to identity   • why self-advocacy triggers shaming responses   • family example of weaponized shame   • professional boundary met with shame   • recognizing learned patterns, especially among women   • practical ways to pause, inquire, and hold ground   • reclaiming worth while taking up space Thank you for listening. And until next time, go out into the world and be the amazing, resilient, vibrant violet that you are. Support the show Sign up for the launch team for my book, Nature Knows, and get free insider news and surprises at https://maryrothwell.net/natureknows Comments about this episode? Suggestions for a future episode? Email me directly at NSVpodcast@gmail.com. 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!

    12 min
  2. From People Pleasing To Personal Power: Healing Weight, Shame, And Identity

    6D AGO

    From People Pleasing To Personal Power: Healing Weight, Shame, And Identity

    Thoughts or comments? Send us a text! What if your body story isn’t about willpower, but about identity you’ve outgrown? We sit down with intuitive healer and coach Tara Wiscow, who lost 220 pounds and discovered the scale can’t measure self worth. Her three “flashbulb” moments—an early family secret, a heartbreaking park accident with her son, and a profound encounter with her higher self after her sister’s passing—reveal how abandonment, belonging, and grief shape the way we eat, the way we love, and the way we show up. We get honest about weight as protection, people pleasing as survival, and why diets can work on your body while leaving your mind in chaos. Tara breaks down her concept of the “expired self,” those identities that once kept us safe but now keep us stuck. We talk thyroid cancer, hormones, and pregnancies to underscore that there’s never one reason for a number on the scale. Then we pivot to practical shifts: the “seven levels deep” exercise to uncover a genuine why, mindful eating practices that reconnect you to taste and satiety, and a simple baseline habit—hydration—to stabilize energy, mood, and appetite. This conversation blends mindset, trauma-informed healing, and compassionate nutrition without shame or gimmicks. You’ll learn how to question cravings with “what’s the purpose?”, drop the good/bad food narrative, and replace self-punishment with clarity and care. Tara also shares her framework for un-becoming outdated identities so you can rebuild a life that fits: more confidence, fewer masks, and choices aligned with your values. If you’re ready to stop chasing approval and start coming home to yourself, this is your map. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs encouragement today, and leave a quick rating or review to help more listeners find us. Support the show Sign up for the launch team for my book, Nature Knows, and get free insider news and surprises at https://maryrothwell.net/natureknows Comments about this episode? Suggestions for a future episode? Email me directly at NSVpodcast@gmail.com. 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!

    58 min
  3. Can You Change the Intensity of Your Emotions?

    JAN 26

    Can You Change the Intensity of Your Emotions?

    Thoughts or comments? Send us a text! 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. If this conversation helps, share it with a friend who needs a steady hand today, subscribe for more grounded tools, and leave a quick review so others can find these practices too. Website Mary mentioned in this episode: https://www.discoveringpeace.com/emotional-guidance-scale-abraham-hicks/ Support the show Sign up for the launch team for my book, Nature Knows, and get free insider news and surprises at https://maryrothwell.net/natureknows Comments about this episode? Suggestions for a future episode? Email me directly at NSVpodcast@gmail.com. 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!

    16 min
  4. The Cost of Silence: Self-Forgiveness through Honesty and Grace

    JAN 22

    The Cost of Silence: Self-Forgiveness through Honesty and Grace

    Thoughts or comments? Send us a text! What if the story you’re afraid to tell is the very thing that sets you free? We sit down with author and transformational mentor Julie Heaton to explore how shame, silence, and people-pleasing quietly script our lives—and how courage, honest words, and kind boundaries write a new one. Julie shares her journey from a teenage adoption and decades of secrecy to reunion, deep repair, and the everyday practices that rebuilt her inner voice. Together we unpack how unprocessed emotion turns into physical stress, why approval-chasing leads to burnout, and how to use simple mental filters to right-size problems before they swallow your day. Julie’s approach is practical and compassionate: heal in layers, tell the truth to people who can hold it, and treat triggers as teachers instead of proof that you’re broken. We also dig into narrative work—how to spot inherited beliefs, decide what’s truly yours, and stop rehearing old stories that keep you small. If negative self-talk runs your mornings, you’ll leave with tools: the “Stop” interrupt, believable replacements for harsh thoughts, mirror work that doesn’t feel fake, and a gratitude routine that shifts your whole day. Julie introduces ROAR—reclaiming your voice, owning your story, aligning in your truth, and radiating your light—as a gentle map for moving from self-judgment to self-respect. It’s not a switch you flip; it’s a sequence you practice, with humor, patience, and a lot of heart. If this conversation gives you a breath of relief, share it with a friend who needs the reminder that light grows where we tell the truth. Subscribe, leave a review to help others find the show, and tell us: what story are you ready to rewrite today? You can find Julie at hellojulieheaton.com Support the show Sign up for the launch team for my book, Nature Knows, and get free insider news and surprises at https://maryrothwell.net/natureknows Comments about this episode? Suggestions for a future episode? Email me directly at NSVpodcast@gmail.com. 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!

    49 min
  5. Why Do We Procrastinate?

    JAN 19

    Why Do We Procrastinate?

    Thoughts or comments? Send us a text! We rethink procrastination by separating passive, perfectionism-fueled avoidance from active, strategic delay that can sharpen focus and creativity. We share stories from the classroom, the writing process, and tax season to show when waiting helps and when it hurts. • passive procrastination defined and tied to perfectionism • active procrastination as background processing and triage • how deadlines improve prioritization and short-term performance • signals that distinguish helpful delay from harmful avoidance • practical guardrails for strategic delay that reduce stress • small-start tactics to break avoidance and build momentum • when to seek help for anxiety and missed deadlines Support the show Sign up for the launch team for my book, Nature Knows, and get free insider news and surprises at https://maryrothwell.net/natureknows Comments about this episode? Suggestions for a future episode? Email me directly at NSVpodcast@gmail.com. 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!

    11 min
  6. From Shame To Strategy: Rethinking How Women Relate To Money

    JAN 15

    From Shame To Strategy: Rethinking How Women Relate To Money

    Thoughts or comments? Send us a text! Money can feel like a second language—especially when the words you learned were “Don’t talk about it” or “We can’t afford that.” We sit down with nationally recognized wealth advisor and Everyone’s Talkin' Money podcast host Shari Rash to decode the different ways men and women talk about money, why that mismatch fuels shame, and how to build a plan that fits your actual life. From first money memories to the phrases we use with our kids, we trace how language shapes confidence, choices, and long-term wealth. Shari breaks down an empowering translation: performance metrics for those who love numbers and life outcomes for those who value purpose. You’ll hear how to stop deferring the spreadsheet to a partner without turning finances into a fight, how to find every account you have and what each bucket is for, and why automating “wishes” like savings and debt payoff beats waiting for leftovers. We also challenge the latte myth, explore the “cage animal effect” of deprivation, and show how to align spending with core values so your statements read like a story you’re proud of. Expect practical tools that are simple and human: identify your first money memory, audit three months of transactions for themes, swap “We can’t afford it” for “We’re choosing not to spend on that,” and use the Big Three—needs, wants, wishes—to keep progress steady without perfection. We even share kid-friendly strategies that build autonomy and healthy financial identities early on. If you’ve ever felt “bad at money,” you might just be fluent in a different money language. Let’s make your money serve the life you want. If this conversation helped you rethink your approach to money, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—what’s one belief about money you’re ready to rewrite? You can find Shari and her podcast at https://www.everyonestalkinmoneypodcast.com/ Support the show Sign up for the launch team for my book, Nature Knows, and get free insider news and surprises at https://maryrothwell.net/natureknows Comments about this episode? Suggestions for a future episode? Email me directly at NSVpodcast@gmail.com. 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!

    49 min
  7. From Acorns To Oaks: Choosing Hope Over Fear

    JAN 12

    From Acorns To Oaks: Choosing Hope Over Fear

    Thoughts or comments? Send us a text! Headlines feel heavy. Fear and anger flare fast. So we slow down and take our cues from a wiser teacher: nature. Starting with a squirrel’s cheeks full of acorns, we trace how small, steady acts can grow into strong, shade-giving change. This is not a call to ignore pain; it’s a practical guide to channel it. When you can’t fix everything, you can still look someone in the eye, put the phone down, and offer a moment that shifts the tone of their day—and yours. We talk about community over monoculture and why diversity is the backbone of any healthy system. Using invasive species as a vivid metaphor, we unpack how pretty, fast, or convenient choices can smother the very ecosystem we depend on. From mile‑a‑minute vine to the notorious Bradford pear, we show how observation, persistence, and speaking to the right person at the right time can redirect outcomes. Sometimes it’s a hard conversation with a neighbor; sometimes it’s persuading the store manager who influences dozens of decisions. Strategy is empathy with a plan. Destruction has a second act. Fire can devastate, but controlled burns and traditional practices open space for dormant seeds to awaken and for soils to renew. Renewal takes patience, and patience isn’t passive. It’s knowing when to pull the invasive, when to plant what feeds pollinators, and when to let the field rest. If the news leaves you raw, try a short walk, a curated feed, and one intentional act of kindness. We’re gardeners of a shared plot, and while Mother Nature bats last, we bat often. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a review with the one small act you’ll plant today. Support the show Sign up for the launch team for my book, Nature Knows, and get free insider news and surprises at https://maryrothwell.net/natureknows Comments about this episode? Suggestions for a future episode? Email me directly at NSVpodcast@gmail.com. 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!

    14 min
  8. Anger, Resilience, And Raising Humans

    JAN 8

    Anger, Resilience, And Raising Humans

    Thoughts or comments? Send us a text! What if anger wasn’t the problem to solve but a message to translate? We dig into the real mechanics of emotional regulation, from the childhood patterns that prime our reactions to the nervous system tools that bring us back to center. Licensed therapist and host Mary Rothwell welcomes mental health coach Davina Hehn for a candid, story-rich conversation about raising resilient kids while keeping a strong partnership intact. We start by reframing anger as a secondary emotion—often covering disappointment, fear, or loneliness—and share how suppression masquerades as control. Davina breaks down simple, science-backed tools you can try today: visual cues that interrupt anger loops, humming to activate the vagus nerve, and playful code words that defuse tension without shaming anyone. You’ll hear how to model repair in front of your kids, apologize for behaviors without apologizing for feelings, and turn everyday conflicts into a master class in accountability and calm. Then we explore Davina’s Parenting vs Partnership lens, a fresh way to understand why many couples clash after kids. Some of us are wired to prioritize the relationship; others feel most alive in hands-on parenting. Naming your default reduces blame and opens space to borrow strengths from the other side. Along the way, we talk resilience over rescue, boundaries that protect rather than control, and how to build a home where rupture is expected and repair is guaranteed. If you’re ready to replace reactivity with clarity and raise children who trust their own capacity to face hard things, this one’s for you. Listen, share it with a friend, and tell us: are you wired more for parenting or partnership? Subscribe, leave a review, and help more listeners find the show. You can find Davina at https://www.asteadyspace.com/ Support the show Sign up for the launch team for my book, Nature Knows, and get free insider news and surprises at https://maryrothwell.net/natureknows Comments about this episode? Suggestions for a future episode? Email me directly at NSVpodcast@gmail.com. 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!

    1h 8m
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Trailer

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

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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