The Mary Marantz Show

Have you become so caught up in life that your well-intentioned plans may have accidentally planned God right out of it all? If you can relate, this episode is here to remind you to slow down and ask God to use you. Today Mary is joined by her dear friend, Teresa Swanstrom Anderson, who is the author Beautifully Interrupted. Through Teresa's personal story you will be inspired to learn the importance of giving your plans back to God to allow Him to expand the borders of your life and heart. Teresa is also the author of three new Bible studies that just released including: Leading Wherever You Are, Saying Yes In The Darkness, and Living for What Really Matters. On today's episode, Mary and Teresa dig deeply into what it looks like to have a tendency to want to run towards what is safe, how we can accidentally get to a place of planning out our years to the point that we actually end up planning God right out, and why we should be asking God to reveal His biggest desires for us rather than tackling life on our own. After listening you will walk away encouraged to live through the 'in-between' times of waiting, be equipped to brave the storms of life with grace and faith, and embrace the life-changing perspective of seeking God's plans first and foremost. If you are ready to turn your life over to God and see where He leads, you won't want to miss this powerhouse of an episode! Snag Teresa's latest Bible studies here! https://www.teresaswanstromanderson.com/bible-studies

Are you facing a challenging time right now? Do you long to know that God is at work even in the midst of your struggle? If you can relate, today's episode will teach you how to see the big picture, even when it seems like there are pieces missing. On today's episode, Mary is joined by pastor, speaker, host of the Greater Story TV show AND podcast - Sam Collier. Sam is also the author of the brand new book, A Greater Story: My Rescue, Your Purpose, and Our Place in God's Plan. In this deeply personal yet remarkably universal book, Sam tells his inspiring story of abandonment, sacrifice, gratitude, and rescue, revealing how God is always doing something bigger and better than we might imagine. Today, Sam opens up about his story which begins with his biological mother giving him up for adoption, the obstacles and challenges he faced throughout his life, and how in spite of opposition that God would prove He was truly writing a story that Sam could have never written in his own strength. After listening you will be encouraged to forge on even in the face of rejection, understand what it looks like to lean into surrender and trust, and believe that God is writing a better story for us even when it goes against what we had originally planned, against what we thought we were being called to do, and against what we thought our gifts were to be used for. If you are ready for a powerful episode that offers a unique perspective to finding your purpose in an ever-changing culture, this episode is a must-listen! Snag Sam's book here! https://www.amazon.com/Greater-Story-Rescue-Purpose-Place/dp/1540901076/

Do you feel overwhelmed by life, the clutter in your home, and your never ending to-do list? Do you long to be more present in the moment and truly enjoy those around you? If you are ready to take a deep breath and find joy in the mundane, then this episode is for you! Today, Mary is joined by 'The Life Minimalist' and host of "The Purpose Show" podcast, Allie Casazza. With a message that is weaved together with faith and a little bit of sarcasm, Allie is known for helping women achieve intentional, simplified living! Allie coaches women to find realistic minimalism in life and in the home that actually helps you free yourself up without counting everything you own! And, Allie helps mamas go from "I'm counting the minutes til bedtime" to "I love this sweet little life of mine"! On today's episode, Allie candidly opens up about her overwhelming first years of motherhood where she battled heavy depression and the feeling of just barely scraping by in life in survival mode; why she began to simplify and remove the unnecessary things that were taking up all of her time; and how she discovered a light at the end of a seemingly very dark tunnel. After listening you will be encouraged to know that life (and in particular, motherhood) doesn't have to be so difficult all the time, you will be inspired to transform your life from cluttered to crystal clear and thriving, and you will learn how to have enough time in a day to accomplish everything you need to, while living abundantly! If you are ready to walk away lighter, more fulfilled, and equipped to be the best version of you - then this episode is a must-listen! Follow Allie on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/allie_thatsme/

Do you have a heart for service? Are you ready to make an impact? If you have been looking for an organization to get involved with, then this episode is for you. In today's episode, Mary chats with activist, writer, and speaker - Terence Lester. Terence is regarded as a thought leader in the realm of systemic poverty and is known nationwide for campaigns that bring awareness to issues surrounding homelessness, poverty, and economic inequality. Founder of Love Beyond Walls and Love Sinks In, Terence lives by the motto that "service is a lifestyle, not an event". Today, Mary digs deep into Terence's book, I See You: How Love Opens Our Eyes to Invisible People. Through his writing and service, Terence calls us to see the "invisible" people around us by becoming proximate with them. Rather than choosing not to see the realities around us, Terence shares his personal encounters and real-life stories to challenge Christians to become more informed about poverty and homelessness, and to see the poor as Jesus does. Mary and Terence also discuss his latest campaign, Love Sinks In, which brings portable hand washing stations (20,000 and counting) to the most high traffic homeless areas across our nation, during our global pandemic. The campaign has been featured by Coca Cola and Brawny. It's been on NPR and countless other media outlets. And in today's episode, Terence talks about how he created the movement just by starting, just by seeing the one; he opens up about his heart for people experiencing homelessness and for racial justice; and he discusses the power of becoming proximate with those who are often overlooked. After listening you will understand the importance of seeing people through God's eyes, how to help others restore their dignity and find their place to flourish; and the value of showing empathy towards others, no matter their circumstances. If you are ready to let love open your eyes, and discover how seeing leads to greater action, you will not want to miss beautiful conversation. Check out Terence's journey and his book! https://www.instagram.com/imterencelester/ Also be sure to head over to Love Beyond Walls https://www.instagram.com/lovebeyondwalls/

Do you feel misunderstood? Judged by others? Often this leads to a deep sense of hurt, shame, and loneliness. If you have a desire to be seen, heard, and understood, this episode is here to bring assurance that you are not alone. The longing for understanding and connection is a very basic, very innate need within us all! In this episode, Mary is joined by filmmaker and star of the internationally award winning film Hillbilly - Ashley York! Motivated by the desire to give voice to people who have been under-served, unheard, or misrepresented, Hillbilly introduces audiences to a nuanced, authentic Appalachia that is quite conscious of how it has been portrayed and the impacts of those portrayals. In today's episode, Ashley and Mary reflect on their own experiences of growing up in the Appalachian region, deconstruct mainstream representations, and address critical questions such as: Where did the hillbilly archetype come from and why has it endured on-screen for more than a hundred years? How does it relate to the exploitation of the land and people who live there? How do Appalachian and rural people view themselves as a result of these negative portrayals, and what is the impact on the rest of America? This is an eye opening episode that addresses our innate human desires while shining a spotlight on the region dear to Mary's and Ashley's heart. After listening, you will have a deep understanding of the rich history of Appalachia and where it's headed; how and why the media portrays the people of this region as two dimensional stereotypes; and why it is so important that we find the commonalities among ourselves while also celebrating our differences. If you are ready to broaden your knowledge, challenge your thinking, and examine the social and cultural underpinnings of stereotypes- you will not want to miss today's episode! There is so much to be learned from the incredible region and people of Appalachia. Check out Hillbilly the movie! http://hillbillymovie.com/

Are you listening to the lies in your head? The ones that sound like: "You are not enough", "God can't use you", "Nobody cares what you have to say". If you have ever found yourself wrestling with these lies from the enemy, this episode is here to help you move forward in your calling while leaning into faith, not fear! In this episode, Mary is joined by pastor, speaker, author, and founder of Jesus Culture - Banning Liebscher, as the two dive into his brand new book, The Three-Miles Walk: The Courage You Need to Live the Life God Wants For You. Drawing from the biblical story of Jonathan, who, after a treacherous three-mile hike, boldly stepped into battle and watched God work a stunning victory in the midst of impossible odds, The Three-Mile Walk offers fresh insight for answering your calling with a courageous "yes," and setting out on the journey of a lifetime. In this episode, Banning: Reveals the three key moves that will awaken your heart and propel you into a life of divine purpose, Dives into the frustration of sitting on the sidelines of life, and Talks about how Jesus has beckoned us out of passivity and into a high-stakes adventure with hearts fully alive and lives fully engaged. After listening, you will be encouraged to move forward in life, engaging in what God has called you to do; recognize the importance of immersing yourself in a community who speaks life over you; and, trust that no matter what disappointment you face along the way that God will give you the holy courage to walk out in faith. If you are ready to live out your God-sized dreams, lean into your calling, and have the faith to keep going when times get tough, this power-packed episode is a must-listen! Follow Banning at https://www.instagram.com/thebanning/ Snag his book https://www.amazon.com/Three-Mile-Walk-Courage-Need-Wants/dp/0310358485

Have you ever dreamed of changing the trajectory of your life for yourself and your family? Perhaps you long to provide a brighter future for your generations to come. If you are searching for ways to make this dream a reality, then this episode is a must-listen for you today! In this episode, Mary is joined by national bestselling author, speaker, financial expert and Ramsey personality - Anthony ONeal. Living by the motto "The choices you make today determine the caliber of your future," Anthony is passionate about helping others learn how to make smart decisions with their money, relationships, and education in order to live a well-balanced life. Reflecting on his own experience of being in debt and homeless by the age of 19, Anthony speaks candidly today about practical ways to pass on generational wealth and prevent grave regrets for your future self. Mary and Anthony also do a deep dive into a Yale University study about the wealth gap in our country, the root causes of this gap, and where we go from here. No matter your background or current situation, after listening to this episode you will be equipped with the knowledge to start building sustainable, generational wealth; challenged to consider and change your mindset; and encouraged to make smart decisions to live a full and balanced life. If you are ready to start building the kind of generational wealth that has the power to change things for lifetimes to come - make sure to tune into this power-packed episode! Follow Anthony at https://www.instagram.com/anthonyoneal/

Do you find yourself stuck in the same ruts, repeating the same cycles over and over again? Maybe you are unsure why you continue certain patterns or behaviors. If you want help figuring out who you are and why you do the things you do, then this eye-opening episode is a must listen! In this episode, Mary is joined by bestselling author, psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, and the host of the popular podcast, Typology - Ian Morgan Cron. Using the wisdom of the Enneagram to help take you further along into who you really are, Mary and Ian dig into Ian's book, The Road Back To You: An Enneagram Journey to Self Discovery. As a master teacher of the Enneagram, Ian brings transparency, humor, and depth of insight to this episode! Today, Ian shares his unique, practical, and comprehensive way of accessing Enneagram wisdom and exploring its connections with Christian spirituality for a deeper knowledge of ourselves, compassion for others, and love for God. After listening you will: Begin to see the world through other people's eyes - understanding how and why people think, feel, and act the way they do; Be equipped to identify the messages that protected you when you were little, but no longer serve you as an adult; Walk away with a powerful knowledge of how our personalities are influenced by our motivations; and, Hold a deeper understanding of yourself and who you were before the world told you who you were supposed to be. If you are ready to learn about the lenses that distort, motivations that drive, and the journey back to the authentic you -- make sure you tune into this deep, eye-opening episode! Follow Ian at https://www.instagram.com/ianmorgancron/ Snag his book https://www.amazon.com/Road-Back-You-Enneagram-Self-Discovery/dp/0830846190

Do you relate your purpose to whatever title you hold - whether it be mom, wife, assistant, employee? The 'find your purpose' narrative is one we hear all the time, but there tends to be confusion that follows this statement. If you've ever wondered how to root down in an unchanging purpose, then this episode is a must-listen! In this episode, Mary talks with star of the blockbuster movie Overcomer, speaker and author of the brand new book Consider the Lilies: Get Rooted In Your Destiny By Discovering God's Plan -Shari Rigby! In her new book Shari teaches readers how to overcome the pressures of 'finding purpose' in the world and provides insight on how to get clarity by aligning with God's plan. Shari brings wisdom and kindness to this episode as she dispels the myth that your purpose is found in your title, dives deeply with Mary about this idea of what it looks like to grow like the lilies rather than spinning and toiling, and how to grow on the holy ground in which you are planted! Shari is a powerhouse of words and after listening you will know exactly where to find your purpose, how to identify your spiritual giftings, and understand the importance of having friends who speak Truth into you. If you are ready to grow in your purpose, right where you are planted- make sure you tune in to this life-giving episode! Check out Shari on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/sharirigby/

What if something as simple as kindness could actually be a superpower? If you are in the middle of a life reset, find yourself embarking on a new chapter in your life, or wondering how to be truly fulfilled then this episode is here to challenge your perception of kindness and argue that something as simple as kindness could actually be the answer that you are looking for. In this episode, Mary hosts Emmy Award-winning ABC News journalist, Good Morning America correspondent, and author- Adrienne Bankert. Adrienne's brand new book, Your Hidden Superpower: The Kindness That Makes You Unbeatable at Work and Connects You with Anyone, is based on her belief that kindness isn't merely about getting along with people and being nice - it's a game changer in business, the door opener to fulfillment, and the key to authenticity and confidence. In today's episode, Mary and Adrienne dive into this idea of kindness as a superpower that is universally understood in every culture no matter our age, ethnicity, or background; How Adrienne has leaned into kindness throughout her life and career; and, Ways to practically put kindness into practice everyday. After listening, you will feel the power of kindness as a force to reconnect you with your authentic self, learn how to make kindness a habit in your own life, and recognize the joy, fulfillment, and inspiration that comes from helping others. If you are ready to be a difference maker in the lives of those around you, while unlocking a superpower within you, then make sure to tune into today's perspective-shifting episode. Follow Adrienne at https://www.instagram.com/abontv/?hl=en Snag a copy of her book https://www.amazon.com/Your-Hidden-Superpower-Kindness-Unbeatable/dp/1400218144