The Mary Marantz Show

Sometimes, trying to find hope in what feels like a hopeless situation feels almost cruel at times. With big dreams but only seeing what you lack - the goals can feel insurmountable, frivolous, and downright silly. No one knows this more than Yvonne Orji - who found herself with less than $8 in her bank account, despite having a master’s degree.  Today, Yvonne is a stand-up comic and actress, best known as Issa Rae's BFF on the HBO series, Insecure - and today’s guest on the Mary Marantz show.  In her new book, Bamboozled by Jesus, Yvonne hilariously exposes the trials and victories she has experienced on the way to the life of her dreams.  In this episode, Mary and Yvonne chat about: Why being bamboozled by God is sometimes the most loving thing He can do  Why every lesson unlearned is a lesson repeated What it means to really have a friendship with God - and not just the fluffy sentiment and idea of this How to return to the truth that God’s timing is true to His promises What exactly to do when it feels like God is giving you hope in a position of hopelessness   Whatever greatness, whatever joy we may hope for, Yvonne is here to tell us that God has something even bigger and better in store for us - if we can just trust Him and be open to having our minds blown by His goodness, His creativity, and His knack for surprises. Snag Yvonne’s book here! https://www.amazon.com/Bamboozled-Jesus-Tricked-into-Dreams/dp/1546012672

There’s nothing more frustrating than KNOWING you have an impactful message to share - but then feeling as if your words fall flat or don’t connect once you put them out into the world. If you’ve ever felt that the world wants something different than what you have to offer, today’s episode is for you.  In today’s equally tangible and heart driven conversation, Mary is bringing on entrepreneur, international speaker, and premier expert copywriter - Ashlyn Carter. Ashlyn is the founder and CEO of Ashlyn Writes, a copywriting business and marketing curriculum source for creatives, and she’s here to share how to actually sound like yourself on socials, your website, and other marketing material.  Mary and Ashlyn are covering: How to find your brand voice and serve your audience so well What’s probably wrong on your about page on your website The 3 t’s of voice to connect the dots between your content and your ideal client  How to put your business on the path to change lives  What copy banking is and how it will save you so much time!   If you’re ready to sound like yourself, show up confidently, and attract raving fans to your brand - turn this episode all the way up and get out your notebook! Follow Ashlyn here! https://www.instagram.com/ashlynscarter

Have you found it difficult to engage with others because staying true to your convictions feels like it comes at too high of a cost?  If you DREAD talking to close ones because of unmanageable political divides, you’re certainly not alone this year. Using Scripture as her foundation, today’s guest on the Mary Marantz Show, Ashley Abercrombie, is speaking on how to resolve the conflicts you’ve been avoiding - even when it feels impossible.  In her new book, Love is the Resistance, Ashley challenges us to dig into our deeply-rooted opinions and reevaluate if we are glorifying Christ through our actions. And she’s here to share all the insights that went into this guidebook to life on hard discussions. In today’s conversation, Mary and Ashley are chatting:  How to be an example of patience and disagreeing with dignity About the scripture ‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies’ and their interpretations The tangible language swaps to love - even the hard people - well About how we lead with love when there isn’t a relationship previously established (ahem, social media comments!) The different ‘buckets of concern’ that help keep your heart soft for causes you care about, without feeling helpless from the ‘bigness’ of the need   If you’re ready to reconnect with the humans around you again - without the dread and without simply ‘giving in’ - you’re in the right place today. Check out Ashley’s book here! https://www.ashabercrombie.org/book

Do you long for tranquility inside your home? Perhaps you want to create a cozy space for the upcoming holiday season, but find yourself overwhelmed at the thought. If you can relate, then you are going to love today’s episode! Today, Mary is joined by interior designer, blogger, and author of the brand new book - “Cozy White Cottage Seasons: 100 Ways to Be Cozy All Year Long'' - Liz Marie Galvan. Liz's design tips and wisdom have been featured everywhere from The Today Show, to Better Homes and Gardens, to Country Living and more! Following the popularity of her first book, “Cozy White Cottage Seasons” is a beautiful, full-color photography holiday lifestyle book with easy-to-do, practical tips to make your home a cozy haven from New Year's to the following Christmas. On today’s episode, Mary and Liz go beyond the surface of interior design and talk about the meaning and importance of having a cozy space. The two vulnerably open up and talk about their own personal stories and what a safe, cozy home means to them; dive into practical tips to set up your own home leading into the holidays; and, discuss the deep meaning of traditions. After listening, you will be equipped to create a place of peace and belonging for you and your family; walk away with insider tips for how to keep your home cozy during the darker days of winter using unique lighting techniques; and, be encouraged to follow your heart (not trends) so that you can be unapologetically you. If you are ready to create a space to snuggle up and stretch out so you can focus on what matters most during this holiday season, then make sure to tune into today’s beautiful episode! Snag her book here! https://www.lizmarieblog.com/book/

If you’ve ever wondered how you can tangibly become a better leader to influence the world for the better, whether you’re in a leadership position or not - well, you’re in the right place. In today’s episode of the Mary Marantz Show, Mary is bringing on founder and CEO of Growing Leaders, and author of the new book, 8 Paradoxes of Great Leadership, Dr Tim Elmore.  In this episode, Mary and Tim dive into the nitty gritty of: What exactly is EQ and can you learn to have more of it (or is it only a natural born gift) How to trust your gut, but also remain teachable from respected voices Holding your vision, but not overly educating yourself because your ‘weakness’ or ‘lack of experience’ might just be the thing that takes you to the next level The essential balance of these TWO traits to make you an effective leader   From the wise words of Dr Elmore: “Our confidence makes our leadership believable. Our humility makes our confidence believable.” Grab Dr Tim Elmore’s book here! https://www.timelmore.com/book

Have you ever wanted life to be a little less, well, complicated and heavy? The guest on the Mary Marantz Show today is telling us how to do just that. Taylor Tippett, known as the flight attendant who leaves encouraging notes on passenger windows, shares how we can find encouragement and meaning amid the heaviness of this world. A few years ago, Taylor was going through a rough season of life, and as she sat in the back of a Boeing 737 journaling, she wrote "be kind to yourself" and then hung it on one of the passenger windows. What started as a personal project to uplift others became a viral sensation as she started writing more notes--and #wordsfromthewindowseat was born. In her latest book, Words from the Window Seat: The Everyday Magic of Kindness, Courage, and Being True To Yourself, Taylor reminds us all that even in the middle of so much darkness and brokenness, it's possible to make a difference and share your unique light. In this vulnerable conversation, Taylor transparently shares her personal journey, including: Breaking off an unhealthy relationship, and acknowledging the unhealth of her own, personal patterns, The trauma in her childhood and how she copes with that now, and What it means to sit with your younger self to step into the fullness of who you were made to be In this conversation with Mary and Taylor, you’ll also learn: How to recognize the magic of small moments and the power of everyday kindness,  The balance of getting better and but also not beating yourself up in the process, and How to create a pep talk for yourself when you don’t ‘win’ - because it’s okay to be human   This uplifting conversation is here to bring a sense of lightness to your day, while also acknowledging the truth of what you’re going through. Friend, it’s not always easy, but we are so grateful you’re here. Snag Taylor's book here! https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/words-from-the-window-seat/

Ever feel like the weight of the world falls squarely on your shoulders, but your life is too ordinary to actually make a difference? If so, you’re not alone - especially over the last couple of years with the collective pain our society has been experiencing.  But the good news? God isn’t calling us to the perfect step, He’s just calling us to the next step.  These are the encouraging words of today’s guest on the Mary Marantz Show, Hosanna Wong.  Hosanna is an international speaker, bestselling author, and spoken word artist sharing captivating stories of a powerful God with churches, conferences, prisons, & other events around the world. In her new book, How (Not) to Save the World: The Truth About Revealing God’s Love to the People Right Next to You, she takes readers on a journey of inspiration and self-realization through a Biblical perspective. Hosanna goes on to provide tips from her own life experience of how she really got it wrong when it came to ‘showing God’s love’ and how she continues to course correct now.  Hosanna and Mary go into depth about: What Hosanna did when she felt small, insignificant, helpless, and less than, What do we do with the feeling that we DON’T want to be unnoticed,  How we ACTUALLY point people to Jesus, A perspective on the story of Peter you haven’t heard before, and What God calls us to before we make our plans   Friend, when you are feeling small, unnoticed, and don’t even know where to start changing the world that you feel is full of pain and you’re helpless to make any difference - start right where you are.  This episode is emotional and inspirational and joy-filled. If you’re ready to start making an impact and living a life of obedience - even in the middle of your ordinary life, this episode is for you. Snag Hosanna's book here! https://www.hosannawong.com/savetheworld

Have the last few months somehow turned into years - and you’re left feeling like you’re floating aimlessly? This ongoing lack of focus and defaulting into decisions can leave us feeling purposeless. Well, it’s time to break the patterns that are keeping you stuck because you’re worth so much more than that.  On today’s episode, Mary is inviting on best-selling author, speaker, and sought after business coach for women entrepreneurs, Tanya Dalton, to the podcast. In Tanya’s most recent book, On Purpose: The Busy Woman’s Guide to An Extraordinary Life of Meaning & Success, Tanya aims to challenge you to shake the foundations of how you view your world and start to step into new opportunities that perhaps you didn’t realize were there.  Mary and Tanya chat about: How to identify brain patterns that keep us believing we don’t have options The ACTUAL opposite of being STUCK, and how to step into it  The delightfully simple and extremely effective practice to break old habits Why because it’s ‘always been this’ doesn’t mean ‘it will ALWAYS be this way’   Friend, if you’re feeling stuck without a way out - begin to recognize: you’re already in pain in your current state - don’t delay the process to stop and recognize these patterns. And today’s episode will show you exactly where to start. Because the painful parts of your story do not need to be regret, but a springboard of resilience. Grab Tanya's book here! https://tanyadalton.com/onpurpose

Do you feel like your life, your time, is actually YOURS? Or do you mostly feel pulled in a million directions and distracted from doing the DEEP work of calling on your life?  Today’s guest on the Mary Marantz Show knows a thing or two about PURPOSEFUL work - and the steps it takes to achieve those goals from a Biblical perspective. Jordan Raynor’s perspective on time management is shaped by the Gospel and as he says in his book, Redeeming Your Time, “the Gospel is our ultimate source of both ambition and rest,” and that truth has tremendous applications for how we redeem our time. In the last five years alone, Jordan has built two businesses that have created more than 100 jobs, signed 7 book deals, and helped millions of Christians in every country connect the gospel to their work. In this episode, Jordan and Mary chat about:  While we are saved by grace through faith, we are also called to do good works! We should care deeply about redeeming our time in whatever field God is calling us to. The real reason why it’s important to redeem our time (hint: it’s not for our success) How to make our yes an actual yes, and how to clear space if we need to make a yes a no in the interim How to find the balance of rest and work + achieving Tangible tips to eliminate the constant noise in today’s culture   Friend, if you feel like your days are not your own, but you’re so ready to start on the deep, legacy leaving work you know you were called to, today’s episode will be refreshing to your overwhelmed soul. Order Jordan’s book today! https://jordanraynor.com/

Do you ever feel a bit less than when you are witnessing the external success and achievements of others around you? Especially when you are going through a season of trial? Whether it’s someone you know on social media or someone you look up to on a stage - it seems like everyone’s achievements are out in the open more than ever.  In that moment - it can be easy to internalize the lie that unless we are SEEN we are not VALUABLE. While you can’t always choose the stages you’re on or the trials you go through, today’s guest on the Mary Marantz Show is here to show you something much more powerful. Natalie Grant is an Eight-time GRAMMY® nominee and Five-time GMA Dove Awards Female Vocalist of the Year, and has become an icon in Christian & Gospel music. In addition to garnering more than 500 million streams and multiple number #1 albums and singles on the Billboard Charts, she is also a respected author and philanthropist - with her first book releasing, Dare to Be: God is Able. Are You Willing? just last month.  Natalie wisely shares her perspective shift on how she views answered prayers in a season of desperation and feeling unseen in order to experience unexpected joy - and how you can, too. In this episode, Natalie and Mary cover: The AMAZING story of how Natalie met her conference/movement co-founder Charlotte - in what feels like a once in a lifetime overlap of stories What we learn in a stormy season that we can’t in a mountaintop moment How to not panic when you hear God say Pause or Pivot The lessons we learn when our usual is challenged by God’s unusual The life changing perspective shift to adopt when in a season of desperation   Friend, whether you’re in a mountaintop or a valley moment - God SEES you. He cares more about who you are becoming than what you are achieving. And there is so much peace in that. Tune in to this amazing episode and see what happens when you say YES to when God says I DARE YOU. Snag Natalie’s book here! https://daretobebook.com/