The Mary Marantz Show

Do you often sit and wonder about what it would be like to get out of your own way and chase your dreams? Perhaps you are ready to stop thinking about achieving something, and actually take the steps necessary to start accomplishing your goals. If this is you, then you are going to love today’s episode. Today, Mary is joined by best-selling author, and one of Mary’s all-time favorites, Steven Pressfield. Known for his wildly popular book “The War of Art”, today Mary and Steven are diving into this novel within the context of Steven’s brand new book, “A Man at Arms”. On today's episode, Mary and Steven talk about how both of these books represent the inner and outer battles we face when we try to create something that matters and send it out in the world; discuss the voice within our own heads known as resistance and the role it plays; and dive into how fictional and nonfictional characters alike can transition from one level of themselves to a much higher version with a greater purpose. After listening, you will be equipped to understand and combat the resistance you're up against on a daily basis; learn that while you can’t control the level of talent we’ve been given, you can learn control your self-motivation, self-discipline, and self-reinforcement; and, recognize the power you hold when you lead with love not fear. If you are ready to stop thinking about what it is you want to become, and actually become that version of yourself, you will not want to miss today’s amazing episode with one of Mary’s all-time favorite authors! Follow Steven here! https://www.instagram.com/steven_pressfield

Have you ever felt stuck in your relationships, career, or self-confidence? Perhaps you’ve wondered why you feel and act the way that you do when others around you, may feel and act differently. If you can relate, then this episode is for you! Today, Mary is joined by best-selling author, fellow Yale Law alum, and of one of today’s most influential and thought-provoking observers of happiness and human nature- Gretchen Rubin. Known for her ability to distill and convey complex ideas with humor and clarity, in a way that’s accessible to a wide audience, Gretchen does not disappoint in her conversation with Mary today about her book, “The Four Tendencies: Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How to Make Your Life Better (and Other People's Lives Better Too).” On today’s episode, Mary and Gretchen Dive into Gretchen’s explosive, yet simple, question “How do I respond to expectations?”; Discuss Gretchen’s Four Tendency Framework and the accompanying categories that people fit into- upholders, questioners, obligers, and rebels; Talk about how and why our tendencies shape every aspect of our behaviors; and, Dig into how these personality profiles can enhance our lives and the lives of those around us!   After listening, You'll know how to make better decisions based on what works best for your specific personality profile—not what anyone else expects or demands; Understand how we can all have more constructive relationships with the people in our lives; and, Be equipped with the powerful tool to help us better recognize our own nature, while harnessing its strengths and counteracting its weaknesses. If you are ready to overcome the biggest impediments to your happiness and success, then you will not want to miss today’s practical and powerful episode! Be sure to take Gretchen's Tendency quiz for yourself here! https://quiz.gretchenrubin.com/ Watch the Full Episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HzISGDwy-k Bonus Content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XChKLjTqTxA

Do you feel like your life has been ‘on hold’ since the start of the pandemic? Perhaps you feel as if time is just passing you by and you’re not going to be able to make up for it. If you can relate, this episode is here to remind you that it is the journey that matters as much, if not more, than your final destination. Today, Mary is joined for a second time by best-selling artist, poet, and author of the new book, “How Far You Have Come: Musings on Beauty and Courage”, Morgan Harper Nichols. “How Far You Have Come” is an exquisitely illustrated collection of poetry and essays that reminds readers that in the midst of the hurt and the mundane, the questions, and the ‘not yets’, we can forget just how far we have come. Through personal reflections with her signature poems, Morgan shares her journey to reclaim moments of brokenness and re-envision them as experiences of hope. On today’s episode, Mary and Morgan: Dig into the beauty of our stories, Discuss how we can look forward to where we are headed without rushing to our arrival, Talk about the power of reclaiming life’s stories (even the ones you feel like you can’t tell), and Dive into the paralyzing fear of failure with reassurance that that you can still get to where you want to be even with a wrong turn along the way. After listening, Your heart will be awakened to how your own history has made you who you are today, Be equipped to reclaim moments of pain and re-envision them as experiences of reconciliation, and Feel empowered to become exactly who you are in the moment you hold right now. If you are ready to find freedom from finish lines while experiencing the beauty in your own journey, you will not want to miss this powerful and wise episode! Snag Morgan's latest book! https://morganharpernichols.com/howfaryouhavecome Watch the interview on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR_C94Hb9_k

Have you ever wondered what the Bible really says about dating and sex? In a culture where relationships often begin by swiping right, do you ever feel caught between the rules of your upbringing and today’s culture of do what feels good? If you can relate, you are going to love today’s conversation!   Today, Mary is joined for a second time by popular blogger, podcast host, and author - Kat Harris. Growing up at the height of the purity movement, Kat knew this much: “good” Christians don't have sex until marriage. But approaching 30 and thrust into the New York City dating scene, she found a set of rules was not a compelling enough reason. Hungry for clarity, Kat began a multi-year journey searching for answers to the biggest questions about sexuality and faith, and so “Sexless in the City: a Sometimes Sassy, Sometimes Painful, Always Honest Look at Dating, Desire and Sex”, was born.    On today’s episode, Mary and Kat: Dive into a very real conversation about what the Bible actually says about sex; Talk about Kat’s vulnerable story of her breaking point and her personal journey and experiences with sex and dating, and Discuss what intimacy really means within the lens of God’s desire for intimacy and pleasure.   After listening, you will hear Kat's experience with: Discovering a renewed biblical vision for sex, singleness, and relationships; Transforming into an empowered woman of faith equipped to navigate today's dating culture with vision, clarity, and freedom; and, Understanding the various ways to experience intimacy outside of the bedroom.    If you are ready to leave shame and guilt in the past, and replace it with God's heart for sexuality, then you will not want to miss today’s powerful conversation! Snag Kat's book here! https://therefinedwoman.com/sexless-in-the-city

Do you feel like you and your spouse are never on the same team? Do you want a flourishing and vibrant marriage, but wonder how in the world to get there? If this is you, then you are going to love today’s episode! Today, Mary is joined for a second time by author, speaker, and podcast host - Jamie Ivey as well as her husband and worship pastor- Aaron Ivey. And you are in for a special treat, as Mary’s technical director and husband, Justin, joins the conversation as well as the group dives into Jamie and Aaron’s new book, “Complement: The Surprising Beauty of Choosing Together Over Separate in Marriage.” With funny, real-life stories and key insights from Scripture, “Complement” helps readers unite with their spouse, cheer each other on, and serve one another well—even in conflict or tough times! On today’s episode, no topic is off limits as the group dives into: The dangerous trap of why it becomes so easy to stop pursing your spouse after marriage; The distorted cultural views of submission, servanthood, and leadership within a marriage while offering a better view of a healthy, godly marriage; and, The purpose of marriage as the Scripture relates it while tackling topics such as family mission, sex, leadership, fighting, and forgiveness. After listening you will: Be equipped with the keys to build a satisfying and lasting marriage; Know how to serve and love your spouse from a place of overflow rather than a place of selfishness or fear; and, Learn the secret of doing life together (even amidst conflict) when you feel like you are being pulled in opposite directions.   If you are ready to embrace God’s grace and experience a strong, healthy, and vibrant marriage, you will not want to miss today’s powerful episode! Snag their latest book here! https://aaronandjamieivey.com/ Watch the Bonus YouTube content here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfT1B6mOoos

Do you struggle with overthinking every little thing? Perhaps you feel paralyzed to move forward because your brain is on overdrive. If you can relate, today’s episode is for you! Today Mary is joined by six time New York Times Bestselling author and author of a brand new book, Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking, Jon Acuff. For over 20 years Jon has helped some of the biggest brands in the world tell their story, including The Home Depot, Bose, Staples, and the Dave Ramsey Team. In his brand new book, Soundtracks, just hitting shelves today, Jon talks about how overthinking is actually not a personality trait; it is the sneakiest form of fear. In fact, Jon commissioned a research study to ask 10,000 people if they struggle with overthinking too, and 99.5 percent said, "Yes!" The good news is that Soundtracks offers a proven plan to change overthinking from a super problem into a superpower. On today’s episode Mary and Jon: Discuss the definition of overthinking and what this means for your life, productivity, and creativity; Talk about one of the biggest mistakes we make as overthinkers and what we can do about it; and, Dive into the impact of positive vs. negative soundtracks in your life. After listening, you will: Be equipped to flip the script on the broken, negative soundtracks playing on repeat in your head and turn them into powerful anthems; Learn how to control your thoughts so that your thoughts don’t control you; and, Be ready to embrace your thoughts as a powerful tool to propel you toward your goals. If you are ready to learn how to DJ the soundtracks that define you, tap into the surprising power of overthinking, and give your dreams more time and creativity then this episode is not to be missed! Snag Jon's book here! https://acuff.me/books/ Watch the Full Episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqZu-kDBbiE Watch Bonus Content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuENoI7LZeE  

In a culture that suggests that more is more, do you ever wonder what it would look like to live with LESS? Perhaps you long for less stress, less waste, less spending, and less stuff so that you can make room for more joy, connection, and freedom. If you can relate, then this episode is for you! Today, Mary is joined for a second time by best-selling author, speaker, and podcast host - Jen Hatmaker - as the two dive into Jen’s re-release of “7” now republished as “Simple & Free: 7 Experiments Against Excess”. In a journal-like format “Simple & Free” tells the story of how Jen and her family identified seven areas of excess and made seven simple choices to combat overindulgence and learn to live a truly meaningful life. Initially trying this experiment 10 years ago, Jen updated the book’s content, not by removing, but by adding information in a bracketed format so that “2021 Jen” can tell “2010 Jen” what she’s learned over the last decade and how her eyes have been opened in ways she couldn't understand before. In today’s episode Mary and Jen Talk about this counterintuitive idea of pursuing more when we would actually be happier with less; Walk through Jen’s seven experiments of excess in the categories of food, clothes, spending, media, possessions, waste, and stress + what she learned; and, Dive into the abundant life that can be found when we trade in excess for a truly reduced way of living. After listening, Your eyes will be open to the areas where you may have accidentally substituted the “american dream” for God’s Kingdom; Discover what in your life causes an unhealthy change of attitude, personality, or focus when it becomes threatened; and, Be equipped to identity what you actually want to pursue more of when you rid your life of the excess waste and stress. If you are ready to trade in overindulgence for simplicity and generosity that leads to a radically better life of connection and abundance, you will not want to miss today’s episode! Snag Jen's book here! https://jenhatmaker.com/books/

Today, Mary is joined for a second time by founder of the Simplified® brand and best-selling author - Emily Ley - to dive into Emily’s new book “Growing Boldly: Dare to Build a Life You Love”. For the first time, Emily draws on her own story of creating a highly successful business, and loving the process, as she teaches readers how to move forward in their own vocations while serving others at the same time. On today’s episode, Mary and Emily: Talk about stripping back layers by pressing pause to look at the life you want to have; Discuss topics like gumption, grace, and hard-won confidence to become fully alive again; and, Dig into the idea of tenacity to press forward with momentum when things get hard. After listening, You will come to firmly believe in who you are and Whose you are; Be equipped to move past the lies and fears holding you back; Figure out what makes you tick and own it confidently; and Imagine the life you dream of and decide how to make it happen, creating a lasting legacy in your wake. If you are ready to clear the clutter and cultivate clarity so you can do what matters most, you will not want to miss today’s powerful episode! Snag Emily's new book here!  https://www.emilyley.com/pages/growing-boldly

Do you ever wish you were one of those upbeat, positive people who embrace every day with a can-do mindset? A person that motivates others and simply makes life more fun? If you can relate, you will not want to miss today’s episode! Today, Mary is joined by editor-in-chief of Woman’s Day Magazine, on-air personality, and author of the brand new book “Your Fully Charged Life: A Radically Simple Approach to Having Endless Energy and Filling Every Day with YAY”- Meaghan Murphy. Known for her high-energy, upbeat personality, and YAY lifestyle, Meaghan spills her secrets in this practical guide to bringing your best self to every moment--even when the pressures of daily life leave you feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and wallowing in negative thoughts. On today’s episode, Mary and Meaghan: Dive into how positivity and choosing positivity on a moment-by-moment basis is something you can do to actually rewire your brain, Discuss how Meaghan transitioned from the nickname “Grumpy” to the woman who hops around the office giving high fives and wearing lightning bolts, and Dig into the intriguing ideas of emotional contagion and force fields of positivity. After listening, you will: Walk away with three practical tips for practicing positivity so that you can choose to live each day with optimism and joy; Discover the power of the “Cheers Effect” if you live openly with your “cab lights” on, receptive to outside interactions; and, Be equipped to make small changes in your outlook and habits to yield big results without ever sacrificing who you are. If you are tired of being tired and are ready to tackle tomorrow with more energy, positivity, and happiness, you will not want to miss today’s amazing episode! Snag Meaghan's book here! https://meaghanbmurphy.com/

Are you tired of “fake news” permeating our media and news outlets? Perhaps you are among the many longing for facts over misinformation. If you can relate, then this episode is for you! Today, Mary is joined by internet phenomenon, Sharon McMahon. Starting her Instagram account as a photographer, business owner, and government teacher, Sharon has recently gone viral with over 500,000 followers as she is breaking down the facts and sharing ‘government for grownups’. On today’s episode, Mary and Sharon: Talk about both factual and personal integrity, Discuss the power of growing slow over the long haul, Dive into the importance of the digital legacies the next generation will inherit, and Dig into Sharon’s incredible heart for service. After listening, you will: Be equipped to verify facts with substantiated sources, Know how to have bipartisan conversations by listening to understand rather than judge, and Be ready to break down misinformation to form better educated opinions versus assumptions. If you are ready to leave the divisive rhetoric behind and embrace more substantive and purposeful conversations, you will not want to miss today’s powerful episode! Follow Sharon here! https://www.instagram.com/sharonsaysso/