Mary's Cup of Tea: the Self Love Podcast for Women

Comparing yourself to other women can make it feel like their success is proof that you're falling behind. In this episode of Mary’s Cup of Tea, Mary explores envy, comparison, jealousy, and the pressure women feel to hit life milestones on an invisible timeline. Through her experience trying to conceive, she shares a mindset shift for breaking out of the comparison trap and learning to enjoy your life before everything goes according to plan.

Tune into our self-love podcast to learn…

What do you do when you feel uninspired, creatively stuck, or disconnected from the person you want to be? Let’s chit chat about how to find inspiration again, reconnect with your creativity, and feel more motivated in your everyday life. If you’ve been feeling stuck in a rut or wondering where your spark went, this might give you a boost of inspiration.

Tune into our self-love podcast to learn…

If you enjoy thoughtful recommendations that make you think, feel, and romanticize autumn, this one’s for you!

In this fall favorites episode, I’m sharing what I’ve been reading, watching, and reaching for lately, from books that have changed how I think about friendship to the TV shows I’m obsessed with. Plus, a few self-care staples that are making fall feel warm and cozy.

I also go off on tangents about female friendships, the beauty of connecting with strangers, fictional female characters, and why spending time together in person matters more than ever. I’...

Why is it so hard to receive love, even when we desperately want it? In this episode, psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Marisa G. Franco and I unpack the hidden side of self-worth: how our early relationships shape the way we see ourselves, why love can sometimes feel threatening, and why shame may be a bigger problem than insecurity itself.

You will learn…

Being multi-passionate can challenge your confidence and sense of self. But what if having a million interests, ideas, and curiosities isn’t something you need to fix? In this episode, Mary explores why embracing your full range might be the key to greater confidence, creativity, and self-trust.

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We all know what it feels like to be hard on ourselves, question whether we're good enough, or let someone else's opinion become our own inner voice. All of this comes down to self-trust.

In this deeply personal conversation, three-time Grammy Award-winning violinist Hilary Hahn (!!!) and I talk about self-worth, perfectionism, creativity, long-term dedication to your craft, and the lifelong process of learning to trust yourself. Hilary shares what decades of performing have taught her about self-trust, quieting her inner critic, finding her own style, and staying connected to the parts of herself that exist beyond achievement.<...

There’s a lot more to self-love than feeling good about yourself. Though self-compassion is clearly associated with better mental health, stronger relationships, healthier behaviors, and greater resilience, the interesting part of the research is what happens underneath all of that: how changing the way you relate to yourself can actually change the way you behave, especially when you fail, struggle, or suffer.

So let’s dive into the science of self-love and self-compassion to uncover some surprising ways they can change your motivation, emotional regulation, and relationship with failure.

Tune into our self-love podcast to lea...

Learning to love yourself can be complicated when the world around you keeps sending messages that you’re not worthy of self-love. Today we are joined by Dr. Thema Bryant to explore how racism, colorism, generational trauma, and survival strategies can shape the way we see ourselves.

You will learn…

Think of this like an extra-long voice note from a friend you haven’t heard from in a while.

A lot has happened over the summer, but also, nothing at all.

I took a little break from this self-love podcast thinking I’d have everything figured out before I came back. But jokes on me. 😂

This is somewhat of an “in-between” season for me, a knowing that change is on the horizon coupled with the realization that patience is not my strong suit.

Nevertheless, I’m so happy to be back hosting our s...

If you’ve ever felt like you’re somehow responsible for remembering, planning, anticipating, organizing, and keeping track of ALL THE THINGS in your relationship, this conversation with Eve Rodsky is going to make you feel very seen.

Eve and I talk about the mental load women carry in relationships, the invisible and unpaid work that can be so difficult to put into words, and why creating a more equal partnership can completely change the way you experience your relationship. Whether you’re married, dating, single, or thinking about the kind of partnership you want someday, this is rela...

How do you know if your romantic relationship consists of real, healthy love versus just chemistry, anxiety, or the excitement of something new? I’m talking all things love and relationships with renowned relationship psychologist Dr. Alexandra Solomon in one of my favorite conversations from the archive.

You will learn…

Perfectionism isn't making your life better. It's keeping you stuck. If you've been waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect plan, or the perfect version of yourself before taking action, this episode is for you. I'm sharing the mindset shift that helped me stop chasing perfection and start living with more confidence, freedom, and self-worth.

You will learn…

You can be successful and still not feel confident about money. In this conversation, money expert Tori Dunlap joins me to talk about the connection between confidence, self-worth, and financial freedom. We explore why so many women (including feminists!) still struggle to feel confident about money, where those beliefs come from, and how to build wealth without shame, intimidation, or perfectionism.

You will learn…

Have you ever felt like you're constantly fixing yourself, yet somehow still don't feel good enough? In this self-love podcast, Mary talks about her struggles with... struggle.

Let’s explore why so many of us get stuck trying to fix every flaw, solve every problem, and become a "better" version of ourselves before we allow ourselves to truly live. If you've been struggling with self-worth, confidence, or the feeling that something is always missing, this conversation may change the way you think about self-love.

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Have you ever thought you'd be happier if you were thinner, prettier, younger, or looked “better” in some way?

In a culture obsessed with appearance, it's easy to believe that confidence, self worth, and self love are waiting on the other side of changing your body. But what if the real struggle has nothing to do with how you look?

Dr. Lindsay Kite joins us to unpack the hidden force behind so many body image struggles. If you're working on self love, healing your body image, or learning how to love yourself in a world that...

There comes a point in your self-love journey where the question shifts from How do I stop obsessing over food and my body-image? to How do I take care of my health in a way that doesn't promote diet culture?

If you've spent years untangling yourself from diet culture, caring for your health can feel surprisingly complicated. You might want to eat more nourishing foods, move your body consistently, or create healthier habits, but worry that those choices will pull you back into restriction, food guilt, or body obsession.

So how do you pursue health wit...

Wedding culture can make so many women feel like they’re producing a performance instead of preparing for a marriage. Between family expectations, social media pressure, people-pleasing, decision fatigue, and endless opinions, it’s easy for women to lose confidence in themselves during a season that’s supposed to feel meaningful.

This conversation with Priya Parker completely reframed the way I think about weddings, relationships, community, and gathering.

Priya is the author of The Art of Gathering and one of the most thoughtful voices on human connection, conflict resolution, and meaningful community. Together, we explore how wome...

If you’ve been feeling stuck, unmotivated, disconnected from yourself, unsure of your direction, or like your confidence has slowly been slipping away, this episode is for you.

In this personal solo episode of Mary’s Cup of Tea, Mary opens up about her own struggles with motivation, burnout, comparison, confidence, and feeling lost in life. From questioning her career path to wrestling with self-criticism and the pressure to always “have it figured out,” she explores how to find the confidence and motivation to move forward when you feel lost.

Because maybe the problem isn’t that you...

Building something meaningful is rarely a linear process. In this episode, Mary sits down with Sasha, co-founder of Self-Care Is For Everyone, to talk about mental health, entrepreneurship, and the unexpected journey from posting illustrations online to building a multi-million dollar brand and business.

Along the way, Sasha opens up about ADHD, grief, burnout, confidence, and what it really takes to keep creating when life gets hard. Let this episode be a reminder that you do not need to feel fully confident before starting something meaningful.

You will learn…

This is for the women who know they want kids eventually, but don't know if or when they'll be ready.

Some questions don’t have a clear answer… they just keep you up at night.

“How do I know if I’m ready to have kids?” is one of them. Especially for women.

This isn’t a how-to guide. Nor is it a checklist. I’m definitely not someone to tell you what to do with your life. I'm just here for women empowerment which means talking about these things openly.

It’s just an i...

What if being a more optimistic person has nothing to do with “staying positive”? In this conversation, we unpack the real psychology of optimism — and why it’s less about feeling good, and more about building resilience, curiosity, and emotional flexibility. If you’ve ever struggled with negative thoughts, anxiety, or your mental health, this episode will bring encouragement, hope, and helpful tools.

You will learn…

Wow!!! I can’t believe this is our 300th episode!!

Thank you so so much for listening to Mary's Cup of Tea: the Self-Love Podcast for Women.

This episode is a bit more personal and vulnerable. It’s me reflecting on why I started Mary’s Cup of Tea, what I’m struggling with, and if/ how I hope to move forward. I pull back the curtain to share what it’s actually taken to produce this show, use my voice, and keep going even when it’s felt messy and overwhelming. A lot of the times I f...

There’s a version of life many women are taught to chase: the one that looks put together, successful, desirable, and “right.” But behind the aesthetic routines, curated homes, and picture-perfect moments, so many of us feel disconnected, drained, or dissatisfied.

This is the self-worth trap.

In this episode, we explore a simple but powerful reframe: your self-worth isn’t built through appearances. It’s built through how your life feels, not how it performs. And when you prioritize appearances over truth, your self-worth will always feel unstable.

Tune into our self-love podcast to learn…

There’s a version of life many women are taught to chase: the one that looks put together, successful, desirable, and “right.” But behind the aesthetic routines, curated homes, and picture-perfect moments, so many of us feel disconnected, drained, or dissatisfied.

This is the self-worth trap.

In this episode, we explore a simple but powerful reframe: your self-worth isn’t built through appearances. It’s built through how your life feels, not how it performs. And when you prioritize appearances over truth, your self-worth will always feel unstable.

Tune into our self-love podcast to learn…

Have you ever noticed how the more you rush, the more everything seems to fall apart? Let’s explore how constantly being “on the go” disconnects you from your confidence and inner peace. If you’re constantly rushing, then you’re stuck in your own anxious headspace, not actually connected to yourself and your surroundings.

In a world that rewards productivity and hustle, slowing down can feel uncomfortable… even wrong. But what if the very thing you think is holding you back is actually the key to building real confidence? What if taking your time is what allows you t...

Spring is a natural time for renewal, and this is your reminder to come back to self love in a grounded way. Not a full reset, not a glow up, just a check-in. A moment to notice what feels good, what feels off, and where you might need a little more care from yourself right now.

Here are 3 questions that are designed to make you feel more alive and aligned. I invite you to ponder these questions or better yet, use them as prompts for bullet journaling! Feel free to share your thoughts with me in a...

Seven years together, three years married, and somehow we’re still learning new things about each other!

In this episode, Husband joins Mary to reflect on moments that shaped their relationship.

This isn’t relationship advice or a step-by-step guide to a perfect marriage. It’s just us looking back at what we’ve been through and realizing how those experiences changed the way we communicate, support each other, and show up in our relationship. Get ready for funny stories, peak memories, and relatable relationship dynamics!

You will learn…

Five years ago, I published The Gift of Self-Love. Writing that book when I was just 20 years old was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. And its message around confidence, healing, and self-love still feels deeply true to me today.

But five years of living, growing, and talking with thousands of women about their experiences has also expanded my understanding of self-love in ways I could not have fully seen back then.

In this reflective episode, I look back on the book with fresh perspective and share a few ideas I might appro...

Have you ever felt like no matter what you do, it’s never enough? Same. Let's talk about inadequacy– how to snap the F out of it and shift into confidence.

Mary introduces her powerful self-love formula, which intertwines self-esteem, self-compassion, and self-worth, as she challenges listeners to confront their feelings of inadequacy. We also unpack the heavy feelings of inadequacy and shame and how redefining self worth can help you stop measuring yourself against impossible standards.

You will learn...

If you’ve ever felt like you have to constantly optimize your life to deserve self-love, this conversation will help you rethink how you approach personal development. A deep dive into the complicated relationship between self-help and self love, and why the self-help industry can sometimes leave women feeling more inadequate instead of more confident.

You will learn how to...

Your voice changes when you feel insecure. It gets tighter, faster, or smaller, and suddenly you don’t feel confident anymore. In this conversation, we explore how to build real confidence by regulating your nervous system and learning to speak from a grounded, embodied confident place.

Mary is joined by voice and communication coach Ryan O’Shea to explore how your voice can make or break your confidence. And no, this isn’t about fixing vocal fry or sounding “more professional.” It’s about learning how to feel more grounded, authentic, present, and confident no matter who you’re commu...

Eating disorder recovery is a journey, and sometimes old patterns will show up even after you’re fully recovered. Let’s talk about 5 disordered habits you might still be doing (despite knowing better) and how to stop doing them.

These subtle disordered eating are often framed as “normal” in our culture, but in reality, they’re leftover patterns from diet culture. Whether you’ve been in eating disorder recovery for years or are just beginning to heal your relationship with food and your body, it’s important to notice these sneaky habits so you can break free from them once...

With special guest: my Sister!!! For my 28th birthday, I sat down with my 18-year-old sister to share 28 truths about confidence, dating, boys, people, and being a woman with self-worth.

This conversation moves from chaotic sister humor to the deeper realities of building confidence as a woman. We talk about why most mistakes get made after midnight, how everything feels more dramatic in the dark, and why intensity is not the same thing as compatibility. We unpack the difference between attraction and anxiety, and why calm, secure love can is often the healthiest.

Beyond dating...

When the external world feels heavy, your internal world must stay regulated. Self-care is not about escaping reality. It’s about standing steadily inside it. This conversation is about how to stay emotionally regulated when the noise feels constant and the news cycle never ends.

We’ll talk about protecting your energy, being intentional with your attention, and practicing self-care through boundaries with yourself. If your mental health has felt stretched thin by the state of the world, this episode offers perspective and encouragement.

You will learn about…

Many women talk about anxiety as if it’s a personality trait, but Dr. Ellen Vora offers a different lens: anxiety could be a mind-body signal that something in your mental health ecosystem needs support. In this conversation, we unpack what women misunderstand about anxiety, why mental health is deeply physical, and how to stop seeing anxiety as a personal flaw.

You will learn…

Sometimes the parts of us we’re trying hardest to fix are the ones working the hardest to protect us. Inspired by one of the best mental health books I’ve read recently, this episode offers a compassionate framework for understanding your inner world without pathologizing it.

If you’ve ever felt conflicted, inconsistent, or torn in different directions, this conversation is for you. It explores why inner tension does not mean you are failing at mental health. It might actually make a lot of sense. This episode reviews my biggest takeaways from the book No Bad Parts by...

WOW!!! This just might be the most enlightening, inspiring interview on Mary’s Cup of Tea, thanks to our guest, Samantha Chung. Rooted in self-love and self-worth, Sam’s approach to manifestation is deep yet simple, grounded yet expansive, firm yet deeply compassionate.

Contrary to popular belief, isn’t about positive thinking, vision boards, or proving your worth — it’s about the relationship you have with yourself. Sam explains why healing shame, releasing self-criticism, and relating to yourself with compassion is what actually changes what you attract.

You will learn about...

Self love isn’t just about accepting yourself as you are or chasing a better version of yourself. It’s about learning how to hold contradictory parts of yourself with self compassion and curiosity.

This conversation explores self love, confidence, mental health, body image, and self-awareness through the lens of growth, rest, insecurity, joy, and becoming. If you’re in your late 20s, or going through a big life transition, this episode is for you.

You will learn how to…

Astrology can be a grounding, practical tool for self-love and mental health, especially for women navigating change. Daniela from Cosmic Latte joins me to break down rising signs, moon energy, and Saturn returns—and how understanding your zodiac chart can help you meet yourself with more compassion, confidence, and care. Whether you’re looking to add a little whimsy to your life or fully devote yourself to the stars, this episode is equal parts fun and educational.

You will learn about...

A vision board can be a powerful tool for self love when created intentionally. In this episode, Mary shares how to approach vision boarding as a self-love practice rooted in intention, self worth, and presence rather than pressure, perfection, or productivity.

If you want Mary’s vision board template, you can get instant access at maryscupoftea.com/vision and follow along.

Instead of focusing on how your life should look, this process invites you to reconnect with how you want it to feel — offering a refreshing approach to self love that prioritizes intention over outcome, being happ...