
The Mark Groves Podcast
The Mark Groves Podcast is for heart-led humans eager to expand perspectives, explore HARD truths, and break old patterns while cultivating deeper, more honest connections with self, our relationships, community, and the world. Tune in twice a week for powerful guest interviews and solo episodes that deliver real talk, fresh insights, and practical tools to transform (y)our relationships — because relationships are how we truly connect — and supercharge (y)our personal growth.
Latest episodes

Aug 24, 2023 • 1h 3min
#305: The Transformative Power of Tea Ceremony with Mariana Rittenhouse
Themes: Plant Medicine, Health, Nature, Awakening, Spirituality, Tea, Relationships, Transformation, Belonging
Summary:
Today I’m jamming with Mariana Rittenhouse! Mariana believes a daily Tea practice will change your life. She has guided hundreds of people and high-profile influencers across 20 countries back to their hearts through courses on Tea, ceremony & ritual, and reconnecting to Nature. Rooted in Earth-based teachings and ritual practices, her work helps people slow down, find deeper meaning and reconnect to the Earth to ease the stress of our chaotic daily lives. She brings a healing experience to her signature course, Start Your Own Tea Practice, as well as her retreats and podcast, OF THE EARTH with Mariana Rittenhouse.
In this episode, Mariana shares how she discovered tea ceremony and how her tea practice helped her recover from her career-related burnout and bring greater meaning into her life. She teaches us how Tea can help us deepen our relationship with ourselves and nature through the process of making tea and holding tea time sacred.
Discover:
How tea ceremonies and meditation contribute to being present, patient, and connected to oneself
The parallels between tea ceremony practice and other mindfulness practices
How tea can help you deepend your relationship with yourself and nature
00:00 Intro
02:28 Cultural exchange
11:52 Stop waiting for the extreme
14:17 Letting tea speak to you
18:39 The problem with over relying on humans
20:57 Making the tea
25:37 Growing up with tea
31:33 Having a tea ceremony
36:35 What happens when you become too extreme on your body
45:23 “Give it away before it gets taken away…”
54:35 Tea’s got your back
Links:
Mariana’s Course: Start Your Own Tea Practice: www.marianarittenhouse.com/syotp - Enrollment open August 23 - Sept 3, 2023!
Instagram: www.instagram.com/marianadelatierra
Website: www.marianarittenhouse.com
Podcast: OF THE EARTH with Mariana Rittenhouse: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/of-the-earth-with-mariana-rittenhouse/id1690880695
Substack: https://marianarittenhouse.substack.com/
Freebie for starting a Tea practice at home: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/623cbd59e4da3a4464c30f11
Sponsors:
Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cardsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Aug 21, 2023 • 41min
#304: How to Create Financial Abundance with Ken Honda
Ken Honda, Japan's Zen Millionaire and best-selling self-development author, joins the show to discuss happy money vs. unhappy money and the power of gratitude and appreciation in our financial lives. They explore the different money personalities in relationships and how to create more abundance. Ken emphasizes the importance of finding and using our gifts, transforming our relationship with money, and understanding the connection between spirituality and money.

Aug 14, 2023 • 1h 2min
#303: Glucose & Metabolic Health with Kara Collier
Themes: Health, Food, Metabolic Health, Diet, Stress, Glucose, Mood, Emotions, Exercise, Cortisol
Summary:
Today I welcome Kara Collier, the co-founder and VP of Health at Nutrisense, one of America’s fastest-growing wellness-tech startups. After becoming frustrated with the shortcomings of the traditional healthcare system, she made it her mission to help others reach their maximum health potential using modern technology & expert coaching. She is the leading authority on the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology for health optimization and disease prevention.
In this episode, we jam about a topic not often discussed by traditional healthcare systems until it’s too late - the role of glucose and insulin response in your body and how it affects your metabolic health. Glucose monitoring is not just for people with diabetes! We talk about insulin sensitivity in our modern (often stress-filled!) lifestyles, the many factors that affect our insulin responses, and how we can monitor our insulin fluctuations to better understand how we metabolize different foods. Glucose monitoring can help us to make more informed lifestyle choices to optimize our overall well-being and long-term health.
Discover:
What glucose is and how it plays a vital role in our bodies
What metabolic health really means and how glucose affects it
How modern-day stressors create cortisol and insulin spikes
What glucose tracking is and how you can do it
Why exercise is essential for your metabolic health and longevity
How glucose fluctuates for women during menstrual cycles + menopause
What you can do if you getting a continuous glucose monitor is not an option for you
00:00 Intro
02:50 What is metabolic health?
09:03 Glucose and insulin
12:05 How does it begin?
19:03 Metabolic health in a modern world
23:03 Understanding our relationship with food
30:21 What is a glucose monitor?
39:24 Making mindful food choices
42:16 Impact of glucose levels on mood
44:43 Effect of alcohol and stress on glucose levels
51:37 The benefits of a strong muscular system
56:05 Glucose fluctuations during menstruation and menopause
58:20 Alternative ways to monitor glucose
Links:
Website: https://www.nutrisense.io/
Special offer for my listeners! Use code CREATETHELOVE50 for $50 off the first month of any subscription at https://www.nutrisense.io/
Kara’s Instagram: @karacollier1 - https://www.instagram.com/karacollier1
Nutrisense IO Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutrisenseio
Sponsors:
Cured Nutrition | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% off all products at curednutrition.com/createthelove
Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cardsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Aug 11, 2023 • 43min
#302: Vaccine Safety with Dr. Peter McCullough of The Wellness Company
Themes: Truth, Pandemic, Vaccine, Anti-Vaxxers, Covid, Media, Vaccine Risk Awareness, Covid Vaccine, Informed Consent
Summary:
Today I’m honoured to welcome the Chief Scientific Officer for The Wellness Company, Dr. Peter McCullough! He completed his medical degree as an Alpha Omega Alpha graduate from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He also completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Washington, with a cardiology fellowship including service as Chief Fellow at William Beaumont Hospital, and a master’s degree in public health at the University of Michigan. He is also an avid researcher and has broadly published on a range of topics in medicine with over 1000 publications and 660 citations in the National Library of Medicine and is currently an internist and cardiologist in academic practice in Dallas, Texas.
In this episode, we jam about vaccine ideology, safety and efficacy, the effects of vaccines on the immune system, and strategies for addressing post-vaccination syndromes. Dr. McCullough also shares his perspectives on the Covid Vaccines and their implications on public health, the relationship between childhood vaccines and autism, and his journey of speaking out against conventional narratives. P.S. The 3 supplements Dr. McCullough mentions for spike protein support are Nattokinase, Bromelain, and Curcumin.
Discover:
The debate around vaccine necessity and overuse
The relationship between childhood vaccines and susceptibility to conditions like adult shingles and autism
Dr. McCullough's perspectives on the COVID-19 vaccines and their implications for public health
The journey of speaking out against conventional narratives and the challenges faced by medical professionals
00:00 Intro
05:00 The Vaccine Dilemma
08:19 The one thing that would’ve made travelling safer than masks and vaccines
11:48 Vaccine ideology
16:44 The role of vaccines in disease reduction
22:54 Navigating vaccine risks
28:24 Does Dr. McCullough recommend the Covid vaccine?
30:12 Gap between media narratives and vaccine risks
35:26 Strategies for addressing post-vaccination syndromes
Links:
Dr. McCullough’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/P_McCulloughMD
Dr. McCullough’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petermcculloughmd/
McCullough Foundation: https://mcculloughfnd.org/
Dr. McCullough’s Book - The Courage to Face Covid-19: https://couragetofacecovid.com/
Dr. McCullough’s Substack: https://substack.com/@petermcculloughmd
Dr. McCullough’s Podcast - The McCullough Report / The America Out Loud Network: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mccullough-report/id1562849542
Dr. Peter McCullough’s Website: https://www.petermcculloughmd.com/
The Wellness Company’s Website: https://www.twc.health/
The Wellness Company’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/twc_health
The Wellness Company’s Instagram - @twc.health: https://www.instagram.com/twc.health/
The Wellness Company’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWellnessCompany.health
https://t.me/thewellnesscompany
https://rumble.com/user/twc4health
https://truthsocial.com/@TWC4health
https://gab.com/thewellnesscompany
https://gettr.com/user/thewellnesscompany
Sponsors:
The Wellness Company | Use code GROVES at checkout for 15% off sitewide at twc.health/groves
Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cardsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Aug 7, 2023 • 1h 6min
#301: Creating a Self-Loving and Liberated Life with Sarah Sapora
Themes: Self Love, Relationships, Personal Development, Awakening, Body Liberation, Transformation, Boundaries, Grief, Truth, Social Media, Aging
Summary:
Today I welcome Sarah Sapora to the show! Sarah is a writer, inspirational speaker, social media community leader, and the creator of size-inclusive live events and retreats. Sarah uses her voice to make personal growth accessible to plus-size women over 40. Leading with radical vulnerability, heart, and colorful humor, Sarah has helped hundreds of thousands of women learn to navigate the sticky place between self-acceptance and self-improvement.
Sarah shares about her messy journey to self-love, which she defines “any thought you think or action you take that gets you closer to your Ultimate You.” She talks about how she had to forgive herself for past behaviors and choices, let go of shame and self-judgment, and really look at her own sh*t in the eye to get brave enough to hold herself accountable to change. In her new book Soul Archeology, she shares a practical map of how to get un-stuck and stop self-abandoning so you can get closer to the real you—one small change at a time.
Discover:
Sarah’s journey to self-love and her experiences with body image, relationships, and how she found a way to surrender to the messy, uncomfortable aspects of life
The correlation between body liberation and greater liberation
How familiarity with old habits and identities can create resistance to transformation
The challenges women face in a society that devalues and vilifies aging
00:00 Intro
04:35 The misconception about self-love
08:04 Breaking free from toxic relationships
14:46 Forgiving yourself
21:01 Resistance to transformation
25:02 Unmasking your true self
29:24 Surrendering
39:18 Soul Archaeology
45:10 The easy path is actually the hard path
47:24 How social media stole our attention span
52:52 Aging and the social value of women
Links:
Instagram: @sarahsapora - https://www.instagram.com/sarahsapora/
Website: https://SarahSapora.com
Book: Soul Archeology - A (Totally Doable) Approach to Living a Self-Loving and Liberated Life: https://www.sarahsapora.com/book
Sponsors:
Primally Pure | Use code MARKGROVES for 15% off sitewide at primallypure.com
Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cardsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jul 31, 2023 • 16min
#300: Falling in Love with the Method – Solo Episode
Themes: Love, Relationships, Death, Truth, Alignment, Awakening, Connection, Healing, Authenticity, Boundaries, Self-Worth, Self-Love, Transformation
Summary:
In this special 300th solo episode, I share a profound realization about love and self-discovery that I recently had when listening to a lecture from Ram Dass. It's all about how we “fall in love with the method” – external triggers that make us feel alive and vibrant. But here's the thing: those methods only awaken something already within us. Join me as we explore the transformative power of choosing ourselves and embracing all of the painful and messy parts of our journeys. Come stand in possibility with me, and make this the moment that everything changes for you.
Discover:
Why we fall in love with “the method” and why it often takes us away from experiencing depth
The importance of facing your pain instead of running from it
The power of choice: choosing to fall in love with yourself rather than the method
00:00 Intro
00:23 Falling in love with the method
03:06 Relationship to death
05:11 Removing what’s not you
08:35 Unconditional love is not equal to unconditional tolerance
10:10 Find the methods that bring you alive
12:19 Your choices will impact how you feel about yourself
Links:
Create The Love Newsletter: https://mark-groves.mykajabi.com/newsletter
Mark Groves Substack: https://markgroves.substack.com
Create The Love Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createthelove @createthelove
Mark’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmarkgroves @itsmarkgroves
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthelove @createthelove
Sponsors:
Cozy Earth | Use code GROVES for 40% off sitewide at cozyearth.com
Create the Love Cards: Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cardsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jul 24, 2023 • 44min
#299: How to Make & Keep Friends with Dr. Marisa G. Franco
Themes: Friendship, Love, Attachment, Vulnerability, Platonic Relationships, Intimacy, Connections, Culture, Society, Belonging
Today I welcome an enlightening psychologist, international speaker, and New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Marisa G. Franco! She is known for digesting and communicating science in ways that resonate deeply enough with people to change their lives. She works as a professor at The University of Maryland and authored the New York Times bestseller Platonic: How The Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends. She writes about friendship for Psychology Today and has been a featured connection expert for major publications like The New York Times, The Telegraph, and Vice.
In this episode, we dive into friendship and attachment, the very real challenges we all experience around friendships and why we might be experiencing them, PLUS pro tips on how to initiate new friendships as an adult and keep them intimate, nourishing, and lasting.
Discover:
Why we devalue friendships and only focus on connection through romantic relationships
Friendships with attachment theory applied and how it can help us be better friends
How men and women approach relationships differently and the stigmas that need to be broken around that
How to make and keep friends
00:00 Intro
01:19 Why do we devalue friendships?
03:46 Friendships and attachment styles
10:17 Friendships and conflict
12:40 Friends helped us to grow
17:35 Friendships between men and women
22:40 Male and female group behavior
24:34 Are we in a masculine-friendly culture?
26:53 Friendships and attractions
29:58 The fear of vulnerability
33:24 Skills you need to make and keep friends
36:20 Building connections and initiating friendships
44:56 How to maintain relationships
Links:
Dr. Franco’s Book: Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and—Keep Friends: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676695/platonic-by-marisa-g-franco-phd/
Instagram: @DrMarisaGFranco - https://www.instagram.com/drmarisagfranco
Website: http://www.DrMarisaGFranco.com
Sponsors:
Manna Vitality | Use code Mark20 for 20% off at mannavitality.com
Primally Pure | Use code MARKGROVES for 15% off sitewide at primallypure.com
Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cardsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jul 20, 2023 • 28min
#298: Life Update: Marriage & Fatherhood
Themes: Parenting, Fatherhood, Pregnancy, Childbirth, Relationships, Truth, Human Behavior, Cancel Culture, Acceptance
Summary:
It’s been a little while since I came on and did a life update, so in this solo episode I share some recent big life changes or initiations for me and Kylie. Marriage and parenthood have taken center stage, leading me on a profound journey of growth and self-discovery. So tune in and explore the magic of life and the transformative power of relationships with me.
Discover:
Our spontaneous Sedona wedding and the profound birth of our baby boy, Jasper
The joys and challenges of early parenthood and discovering the wonders of fatherhood
The power of authentic connections and evolving dynamics of love and partnership
The beauty of life's precious moments and the transformative journey of self-discovery
00:00 Intro
00:59 Getting married in Sedona
03:23 Restoring the sacred in birth
08:20 Becoming a father
12:52 Support during pregnancy and childbirth
16:22 Psychological safety in workplaces and relationships
22:21 The best part about being a father
24:17 Observing, healing, and speaking out
Links:
Create The Love Newsletter: https://mark-groves.mykajabi.com/newsletter
Mark Groves Substack: https://markgroves.substack.com
Create The Love Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createthelove @createthelove
Mark’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmarkgroves @itsmarkgroves
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthelove @createthelove
Sponsors:
Organifi: Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% off sitewide at organifi.com/createthelove
Create the Love Cards: Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cardsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

8 snips
Jul 17, 2023 • 56min
#297: Awakening to Right Relationship with Self with Jayson Gaddis
Themes: Finding Yourself, Grief, Healing, Relationships, Mentors, Friendship, Connection, Transformation, Mental Health, Narcissism, Codependency
Summary:
Today, I welcome back a returning guest and good friend, Jayson Gaddis! He is an artist, author, podcaster, speaker, executive coach, CEO, founder, human behavior specialist, and relationship expert. He is the creator of Interpersonal Intelligence® and Present Centered Relationship Coaching® and has trained over 200 coaches in 11 countries. His book Getting to Zero: How to Work Through Conflict In Your High Stakes Relationships was voted Editors Choice, Best Non-fiction, and Best Leadership and Business Book in 2021 on Amazon.
In this episode, we talk about the powerful journey of awakening to the soul’s desire to be in right relationship with self. We both share personal experiences on how we found our guides or mentors, and what motivated us to continue seeking transformation. Jayson also dives into the challenges of being in a relationship with a person exhibiting covert narcissism, the importance of valuing oneself and setting boundaries, the role of community and supportive relationships in personal transformation, and the significance of confronting shame and engaging in grief work.
Discover:
Going on a journey to finding yourself – finding a mentor and the motivation to go through a transformation
Becoming comfortable with change and accepting the hard truths about ourselves
The importance of being alignment with your core values and the transformative power of accountability and purposeful living
Exploring the complexities of covert narcissism and other personality disorders in relationships
00:00 Intro
00:47 Journey to yourself
04:10 The pain of grace
06:01 The first step to finding yourself
10:42 How to find the right teacher or guide?
20:52 The feeling when you “feel seen”
24:45 Discovering what truly matters
27:10 Becoming the witness of transformation
31:49 Learning to embrace the hard truths
36:37 How to orient yourself to change
39:27 Relationship complexities with personality disorder
43:09 Recovery from covert narcissism
46:29 Grief as a gateway
51:49 Become a Helper
Links:
Certified Relationship Coach Training (RCT): https://relationshipschool.com/rct
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jaysongaddis/ @jaysongaddis
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therelationshipschool @therelationshipschool
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JayGaddis @JayGaddis
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysongaddis/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JaysonGaddis
Sponsors:
Cured Nutrition | Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% off all products at curednutrition.com/createthelove
Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cards
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jul 13, 2023 • 1h 2min
#296: Emotionally Intelligent Parenting with Lael Stone
Themes: Parenting, Emotional Intelligence, Technology, Mental Health, Connection, Education, School, Authenticity, Belonging
Summary:
Today I’m excited to welcome Lael Stone to the show for eye-opening episode about children and parenting! Lael Stone is an educator, TEDx speaker, author, mother, and parenting counsellor who has been working with families for over 20 years. She is the co-creator of Woodline Primary School, an innovative new school based on emotional well-being and connection. Lael is the co-host of The Aware Parenting Podcast and a sought-after public speaker who talks candidly about her experiences and her great passion; creating wellness in families through connection and communication.
Join me in this fascinating conversation where Lael teaches us about how to raise emotionally intelligent children, the importance of modelling properly dealing with our emotions as regulation tools, and how connection (or lack of) can impact a child’s development. There are so many gems in this convo, so if you’re a parent or thinking of becoming one, this episode is for you!
Discover:
Emotional modeling and teaching kids how to understand and manage their emotions
Impact of technology on child development and the importance of having more non-screen play and nature connection
How to identify when your child needs more time to connect with you
00:00 Intro
01:19 How do we raise emotionally intelligent children?
05:25 Meeting your personal needs AND your child’s needs
15:55 Emotional modeling
28:59 Enmeshment in parenting
36:30 Importance of supportive systems and village
38:46 Impact of technology on child development
50:39 Effect of the lack of play or time in nature on children
51:59 Children’s education and emotional safety
Links:
Website: http://www.laelstone.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laelstone/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laelstone/
Woodline Primary: https://www.woodlineprimary.com.au/
About Birth: https://www.aboutbirth.com.au/
Tedx Talk: How to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Kids: https://ideas.ted.com/how-to-raise-emotionally-intelligent-kids/
Book: Raising Resilient and Compassionate Children: https://www.amazon.com.au/Raising-Resilient-Compassionate-Children-Understanding/dp/0645551562
Sponsors:
Cozy Earth | Use code GROVES for 40% off sitewide at cozyearth.com
Primally Pure | Use code MARKGROVES for 15% off sidewide at primallypure.com
Create the Love Cards | Use code CTLCARDS15 for 15% off at createthelove.com/cards
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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