Being Mary
Mary Johnson Van Den Berge is a "wear your heart on your sleeve" kind of woman, an unapologetic bookworm, and an online shopping champion. She devours murder mysteries in every form — whether in books or podcasts — with an enthusiasm that surprises even herself. Raised on a farm near St. Marys in Southwestern Ontario, she now calls Petrolia home, nestled in Ontario’s scenic “banana belt.”Mary is a proud advocate for women’s rights and believes deeply in the power of honest conversation. On her podcast, she creates a safe and open space for women to explore the emotional layers of life—thro...
Episode 4: Becoming a Grandmother — Legacy and Letting
Send a text
Today on Being Mary, we come full circle.
In the final episode of the Daughter – Mom – Grandmother series, I reflect on the tender wisdom of becoming a grandmother — or an Oma, as I’m called.
This season is softer.
It’s about presence instead of direction.
About watching love continue — and trusting what you’ve passed on.
In this episode, I share reflections on legacy, letting go, and the quiet joy of seeing parts of yourself live on through the next generation.
✨ If this episode resonates, I invite you to share it...
Episode 3: The Balancing Act — Parenting Adult Children
Send a text
Today on Being Mary, we step into a chapter no one really prepares us for — raising adult children.
It’s the quiet shift from being the one who leads…
to the one who learns how to step back with love and trust.
In this episode, I talk about the evolving role of motherhood — the art of not saying the thing, respecting boundaries, navigating new partners, and learning how to stay close without control.
This season asks us to trade direction for presence, advice for listening, and certainty for curio...
Episode 2: The Becoming of a Mother — Matrescence
Send a text
When a woman becomes a mother, everything shifts — body, heart, and soul.
In today’s episode of Being Mary, I explore matrescence — the profound transformation that happens as a woman learns to love, nurture, and rediscover herself.
This is an honest conversation about identity, exhaustion, wonder, and the quiet courage it takes to become someone new.
✨ If you’re a mother — new, seasoned, or somewhere in between — this episode is for you.
🎧 Now streaming wherever you get your podcasts.
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca<...
Episode 1: The Ties That Bind — Daughters and Mothers
Send a text
Today on Being Mary, we begin a brand-new series:
Daughter – Mom – Grandmother: The Evolution of Love.
We start at the beginning — the bond between a mother and daughter.
It’s one of the most complex, beautiful, and emotional relationships we experience as women.
It can lift us up.
It can challenge us.
And at times, it can break our hearts.
But it’s also the thread that ties generations together — passing down wisdom, strength, and stories.
In this episode, I reflect on growing up as a...
Being Mary Re-Introduction
Send a text
On Monday I said, “If you’re new here, come back Wednesday.”
So here we are. 🤍
This episode is a re-introduction—for those just joining me, and for those who’ve been walking alongside me for a while.
Being Mary began as a book, but it’s become so much more than that. It’s a space for real conversations about life, loss, love, healing, and becoming—at any age.
You can listen to the episode now, and if you’d like to explore more, my new website is live with past episodes, m...
PICKLEBALL – and why I’m Hooked
Send a text
I showed up alone with a paddle, a few nerves, and no expectations… and walked away hooked. This episode is about pickleball, community, and rediscovering the joy of play — no experience required. 🏓💛
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca
https://www.facebook.com/beingmaryvdb
https://www.instagram.com/beingmaryvdb/
https://www.youtube.com/@BeingMaryVDB
https://www.tiktok.com/@maryvdb
Surviving the Holidays
Send a text
🎄 Feeling like the holidays are just a Hallmark movie you didn’t audition for?
Single? Alone? Or just avoiding awkward family drama? You’re not alone.
Join me, Mary, as I talk about surviving the holidays—without losing your mind, your wallet, or your sanity. We’ll laugh at Hallmark fails, celebrate Die Hard moments, and maybe even find ways to help someone else this season.
This holiday, it’s not about perfection—it’s about surviving, thriving, and a little bit of grat...
Aging & Thriving, Part 2 - Connection, Home & New Adventures
Send a text
Part 2 is here! 💕
This week on Being Mary, we’re talking about connection, home, and embracing new adventures — because aging isn’t about slowing down, it’s about showing up differently.
Let’s keep walking, laughing, and growing — together.
🎧 Tune in now to Aging & Thriving, Part 2.
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca
https://www.facebook.com/beingmaryvdb
https://www.instagram.com/beingmaryvdb/
https://www.youtube.com/@BeingMaryVDB
https://www.tiktok.com/@maryvdb
Aging & Thriving, Part 1: Health, Purpose & Independence
Send a text
New episode is up!
This week, I’m diving into Part 1 of Aging & Thriving — how to stay healthy, find new purpose, and keep your independence strong.
Retirement isn’t the end — it’s a new beginning.
Come age with me — the best is still ahead. 💫
🎧 Listen now on Being Mary.
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca
https://www.facebook.com/beingmaryvdb
https://www.instagram.com/beingmaryvdb/
https://www.youtube.com/@BeingMaryVDB
https://www.tikto
My 69th Birthday
Send a text
This week’s episode of Being Mary is a special one — a reflection as I turn 69.
It’s been a year of growth, loss, laughter, and new beginnings.
From publishing my memoir to launching this podcast, from road trips and friendships to moments of deep reflection — 68 taught me a lot about resilience and gratitude.
I share why these conversations mean so much to me, and how each episode helps me live a little braver and love a little deeper.
Here’s to embracing life — all of it — as I st...
YES I Can
Send a text
Some mornings I sit with my coffee and wonder… is this it? Retirement is supposed to be the best years of our lives, but what do we really do with them?
That’s why I started my new podcast Yes, I Can!—a celebration of saying yes to life at any age. 💕
Episode 1 is out now—come join me as we talk about purpose, adventure, and living fully—because if I can, so can you.
🎧 Listen here 👉
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca
To the girls that are different
Send a text
"Today’s episode of Being Mary is for the outsiders—the deep feelers, the ones who never quite fit in. 💫 Your strangeness isn’t a flaw—it’s your gift. Listen now!"
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca
https://www.facebook.com/beingmaryvdb
https://www.instagram.com/beingmaryvdb/
https://www.youtube.com/@BeingMaryVDB
https://www.tiktok.com/@maryvdb
Funny Friend Requests - Part 2
Send a text
“Hi, it’s Mary — today’s the day! The new Being Mary episode is out now, and I’m spilling the wildest TikTok friend requests I’ve ever received. From Keanu Reeves to princes and sugar daddies — it’s a ride you don’t want to miss. Listen now!”
www.BeingMary.ca
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca
https://www.facebook.com/beingmaryvdb
https://www.instagram.com/beingmaryvdb/
https://www.youtube.com/@BeingMaryVDB
...
They Called Her Jezebel
Send a text
"Healing starts when you recognize you are not the problem — the system is."
— Dawn Stilwell, They Called Her Jezebel
Hi, it’s Mary, and this week on Being Mary I sit down with my good friend Dawn Stilwell, author of They Called Her Jezebel: A Cult Survivor’s Self-Help Memoir. Dawn opens up about her emotional journey — from her early passion for faith and leadership in the church, to the shocking realization that what she thought was her spiritual home was actually a cult. She shares the painful process of breaking f...
3 Tiny Tweaks for a Younger, Energized You - Part 3 Relationships
Send a text
Hi, it’s Mary—and welcome back to Being Mary.
We’ve been talking about three small habits that can change your body, your energy, and your life.
Habit #1 was all about moving your body.
Habit #2 was about creating more presence in your life.
And now—Habit #3.
It’s simple, powerful, and honestly, it might be the most surprising one yet.
Want to know what it is? Relationships!
Support the show
www.beingmary...
3 Tiny Tweaks for a Younger, Energized You - Part 2 Phones
Send a text
Hi, it’s Mary—and welcome back to Being Mary.
Last week, we started with Habit #1: Move your body.
This week, Habit #2 might surprise you.
It’s simple. It’s powerful.
And it could completely change how you feel, how you connect, and even how you age.
Want to know what it is?
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca
https://www.facebook.com/beingmaryvdb
https://www.instagr...
3 Tiny Tweaks for a Younger, Energized You– Part 1: Move Your Body"
Send a text
Hi, it’s Mary—and I’ve got a question for you:
What if just 3 Tiny Tweaks could change your body, boost your energy, and add years to your life?
Sounds dramatic, right? But it’s backed by science—and I’m breaking it all down in a new 3-part podcast series.
In this first episode, I’m talking about the one habit you already know—but might be overlooking.
It’s not about losing weight.
It’s not about looking a certain way.
It’s about feeli...
Walks in Nature: Water
Send a text
✨ Peace. Serenity. Perspective.
This Wednesday on Being Mary, I invite you to join me by the lake — where the sound of the waves and the vastness of the water remind us how to let go, breathe deeply, and just… be.
🎧 Tune in here or wherever you listen to podcasts. Let the water work its quiet magic.
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca
https://www.facebook.com/beingmaryvdb
https://www.instagram.com/beingmaryvdb/
https://www.youtube.com/@BeingMaryVDB
https://www.tiktok.co...
Deep Roots and Green Lawns
Send a text
Deep Roots and Green Lawns
Are you a weed, or are you grass?
This episode explores what weeds can teach us about resilience, connection, and quiet strength — even when life feels like a drought.
Listen now, and let me know: which one are you?
🎧 Available wherever you listen to podcasts.
#Podcast #NewEpisode #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #DeepRoots
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca
https://www.facebook.com/beingmaryvdb
https://www.instagram.com/beingmaryvdb/
https://www.y...
What Caregivers Need — Help, Compassion & Healing
Send a text
Episode 2: What Caregivers Need — Help, Compassion & Healing
Hi, it’s Mary — and welcome back to Being Mary.
Last time, I shared my personal journey as a caregiver.
Today, I want to talk about what caregivers need from the people around them — how you can really show up for someone who’s caring for a loved one. Even the smallest gestures can mean the world.
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca
https://www.facebook.com/beingmaryvdb
https://www.instagram.com/beingmaryvdb/
http...
The Caregiver’s Journey — Love, Guilt & Burnout
Send a text
Episode 1: The Caregiver’s Journey — Love, Guilt & Burnout
Hi, it’s Mary — and welcome to Being Mary.
Today we’re talking about one of the hardest, most emotional jobs you can ever take on: being a family caregiver. The love, the guilt, the frustration, the grief — it’s a roller coaster no one really prepares you for.
If you’re a caregiver, or you’ve been one, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about it.
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca
https://www.facebook.co...
Hearing Loss - You Need To Hear This
Send a text
👂 You need to hear this.
Today we’re talking about something you might not think about — your hearing. I’m sharing my own journey with hearing loss, the surprises (like how loud my bathroom fan really was!), and why taking care of your hearing is about so much more than just hearing better.
If you’ve ever wondered about hearing aids, felt insecure about needing them, or love someone who struggles to hear, this episode is for you. Let’s take the stigma out of hearing loss and learn to advocate for ourselves...
Walks in Nature - Rooted: Reconnecting with Trees
Send a text
🌳✨ New Podcast Episode: Walks in Nature – Rooted: Reconnecting with Trees
Hi friends — it’s been so hot lately, hasn’t it? I know how hard it can be to feel motivated to get outside. But this week, I want to invite you to join me on a quiet, shady trail — and reconnect with the trees.
There’s something deeply calming about being under a canopy of leaves, feeling the strength of a tree beneath your hand, and breathing in the air they’ve made just for you.
Even a short walk can re...
Motherhood Was It What You Expected
Send a text
The Truth About Motherhood
You thought motherhood would be sweet snuggles and meaningful moments.
Turns out it’s… sticky handprints, sleepless nights, and adult kids who eat your groceries, borrow your car, and ignore your advice.
Let’s talk about it.
This week on Being Mary, I’m pulling back the curtain on what motherhood really looks like—burnout, guilt, grown-up kids who know everything (but still need your Wi-Fi), and why “doing your best” is more than enough.
✨Spoiler: There’s no perfect mom. Just t...
Give Blood - Holly's Story
Send a text
Last week, I gave blood—and then I read something that stopped me in my tracks.
It was a letter written by a 26-year-old woman named Holly Butcher, just one day before she passed away. Her words are powerful, raw, and deeply moving. She speaks about life, love, letting go of the small stuff—and the incredible gift of donating blood.
This is one you’ll want to hear.
#BeingMaryPodcast #LifeLessons #DonateBlood #HollyButcher #Gratitude #LiveFully
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca
https://www.fa...
Marriage Wasn't What I Expected
Send a text
“Marriage Wasn’t What I Expected”
We don’t say it out loud enough—but so many of us walk into marriage with big dreams and open hearts... only to find that reality looks very different.
This week on Being Mary, I’m peeling back the curtain on what marriage taught me: about love, loneliness, unmet expectations, and personal growth.
If you've ever looked at your relationship and thought, "This isn’t what I thought it would be..." — this one’s for you. 💬💔💡
🎧 Tune in wherever you listen to podc...
What’s Your 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
Send a text
✨ New Podcast Episode! ✨🧹
What’s Your 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
This week on Being Mary, I’m talking spring cleaning—but not just the closets and basements kind. I’m talking about the emotional junk we all carry... the stuff we’ve held onto for way too long.
Old stories.
Outdated guilt.
Invisible weight.
It’s time to make the call and clear some space—for peace, for joy, for you.
📦🎧 Tun...
If Only I Were Perfect
Send a text
💔 New episode: If Only I Were Perfect: A Letter of Love, Loss, and Learning
This one is personal. A letter I never sent, shared from the heart.
It’s about grief, regret, healing… and the slow, beautiful work of becoming.
Thank you for holding space with me. 💛
Hi friends,
Today’s episode is a little different. It’s more personal… more of a letter than a lesson. I’ve been reflecting on some things I’ve carried quietly — things I haven’t fully shared, maybe because I wasn’t ready.
But lately, th...
Healing Journey with Reiki
Send a text
I’m so excited to share this deeply meaningful conversation with someone who has been a guiding light on my healing journey—Erin Graham McArthur. Erin is a Holy Fire Reiki Master, reflexologist, meditation creator, and a beautiful soul who brings heart, wisdom, and authenticity to everything she does.
We sat down together (with tea, of course ☕) and talked about:
✨ How Erin found her purpose through healing work
✨ What Holy Fire Reiki really is—and how it differs from traditional Reiki
✨ Navigating doubt, skeptics, and staying true to your calling
Loss of a Relationship
Send a text
✨ Loss of a Relationship ✨
Hi, I’m Mary—and welcome to Being Mary, a podcast where we explore what it means to come home to yourself.
In today’s episode, we’re talking about the loss of a relationship—how it shows up in our lives, how it reshapes us, and how we can gently move forward without losing ourselves in the process.
Whether you’re grieving the end of a romantic relationship, a friendship, or a connection that never fully became what you hoped, I invite you to li...
Know Your Place
Send a text
🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Know Your Place
What does “knowing your place” really mean?
(Spoiler: It’s not about being quiet.)
In this episode of Being Mary, my friend Marian Walsh and I share a coffee and a conversation about self-awareness, boundaries, and the wisdom of knowing when and how to show up.
It’s not about shrinking.
It’s about centering.
☕ Listen now →
Hi...
Why I'm Not Getting Married (Again)
Send a text
🎙️ New Episode Alert! Ever wonder why marriage isn't on my bucket list anymore? Join me for a lighthearted chat about the joy (and comedy!) of choosing independence after 28 moves and a lifetime of "experience." Trust me—it's a fun ride!
👉 Listen now and let's share a laugh together!
#BeingMaryPodcast #SingleAndLovingIt #LifeAfterMarriage #IndependentWoman #PodcastLife #NeverSettle
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca
https://www.facebook.com/beingmaryvdb
https://www.instagram.com/beingmaryvdb/
https://www.youtube.com/@BeingMaryVDB
https://www.tiktok...
Healing and Purpose Through Meditation
Send a text
✨ New Podcast Alert! ✨
Looking to deepen your spiritual journey and reconnect with your higher self? Tune into my new meditation podcast where we explore the power of Holy Fire Reiki, guided healing, and inner transformation.
This episode offers a sacred space for calm, clarity, and connection. Breathe deeply. Align fully. Awaken gently. Now streaming on all major platforms.
Today, we’re exploring the powerful combination of Holy Fire Reiki and guided visualization meditation—how these practices have helped me heal, reconnect with myself, and step into a deeper sense of purpose...
Tools for the Journey
Send a text
🎙️ New Podcast: “Tools for the Journey”
A new vacuum got me thinking—life really is about having the right tools.
✨ Self-love
✨ Support
✨ Belief in yourself
What’s in your life toolbox?
💬 Let me know in the comments or DM me if you want to chat.
#BeingMary #LifeTools #WomenSupportingWomen #StartWhereYouAre
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca
https://www.facebook.com/beingmaryvdb
https://www.instagram.com/beingmaryvdb/
https://www.youtube.com/@BeingMaryVDB
https://www.tiktok.com/@maryvdb
Why Am I Doing This?
Send a text
Because it’s time to reflect, reconnect, and be real about what it means to live a life of strength, struggle, and starting over.
This is the heart behind Being Mary—a podcast about truth, transformation, and the power of sharing our stories.
Watch the first episode and join me on this journey.
Let me know in the comments: What would your story be called?
#BeingMaryPodcast #WomenWhoTellStories #HealingOutLoud #AuthenticLiving #LifeReflections
Support the show
www...
From Girl to Grown: The Memo I Wish I'd Gotten
Send a text
Imagine sliding a note across the lunch table to your teenage self that says, “PS: You’re going to do amazing things.” That’s basically what this video is. Grab a coffee, hit play, and tag a friend whose younger self could use a high-five today.
#womensupportingwomen #dearyoungerme #beingmarypodcast
Support the show
www.beingmary.ca
https://www.facebook.com/beingmaryvdb
https://www.instagram.com/beingmaryvdb/
https://www.youtube.com/@BeingMaryVDB
https://www.tiktok.com/@maryvdb<
