The Mary Marantz Show

Jillian Benfield's life changed in the matter of a 20-second phone call. At the point of absolute destruction, there are more questions than answers, but if you too find yourself surrounded by rubble and ash, Jillian's healing story is precisely what you need to hear. Jillian and Mary discuss the possibility at the other end of your pain and the four things to cling to when it all goes wrong. Tune in to hear, The difference between overcoming and undergoing Why you don't have to call your unexpected circumstances good What our grief can tell us about what we really have propped ourselves on In the grip of pain and loss, we would give anything to live a different life or change our circumstances so that we can get back to ourselves. But friend, let today's episode be here to remind you that there will come a moment when you realize you wouldn't trade your story any longer because of who you have become through it all. Give yourself over to the process. Armorless. Honest. Open. Follow Jillian here! https://www.instagram.com/jillianbenfieldblog/?hl=en Check out her new book here: https://jillianbenfield.com/book/ For full episodes notes, head to: https://marymarantz.com/themarymarantzshow More About Jillian: Jillian Benfield is a former TV News anchor/reporter turned author, speaker, military wife, parent advocate, and mom of three living an unexpected life. In the last eight years, she and her family have lived in 5 different states, experienced a NICU stay and open heart surgery for their second child, a miscarriage, and then a rare diagnosis for their third child. By far, the biggest unexpected moment came though when, at 27 years old, she and her husband found out their second child, Anderson, would be born with Down syndrome. The most difficult and also the most beautiful experience of her life. In her new book, The Gift of The Unexpected: Discovering Who You Were Meant to Be When Life Doesn't Go As Planned, Jillian shares how she discovered who she was and who God wanted her to become as she opened herself to the pain of that season. She believes the unexpected can help us live into our God-dreamed entireties- that is if we resist society's insistence to overcome the unexpected and undergo it instead. Because there can be a gift in the unexpected, you made new.

What does it take for you to start creating? Do you need a specific rhythm or routine to help you settle into the process? Or, uninterrupted time in your favorite spot at home or out in nature? Creativity is messy, vulnerable, time-consuming, and hard work. It takes effort and courage to open ourselves to an imperfect process, let alone have the patience to see it through. But what if we stopped viewing it as a hobby and started treating it as a sacred practice? Today, join Ashlee and Mary, as they lean into what really holds us back from creating and how to move creativity from the margins to the marrow of our lives. Tune in to hear, What developing film taught her about the creative process Why you really aren't taking steps to start How to grab onto stubborn hope What the real cost of monetization is The signs to look for when transitioning your passion to full time The truth is, there will always be a million reasons not to create but the time to start is now. So, whether you feel like you aren't ready yet or your own expectations are limiting the process, let today be the permission you need to create anyway. You were made for this. Now, creativity is calling, are you ready to answer? Follow Ashlee here! https://www.instagram.com/ashleegadd/ Check out her new book here: https://www.ashleegadd.com/book For full episodes notes, head to: https://marymarantz.com/themarymarantzshow More About Ashlee: Ashlee Gadd is a writer, photographer, and the ultimate hype girl for all things motherhood & creativity. Out of those two passions, she recently released her first book entitled, Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood. One-part commissioning, one-part pep talk, Create Anyway will propel you forward with a renewed sense of energy, purpose, and enthusiasm for stewarding the creative dreams God has planted in your heart. Because no matter the season, creativity does not have to be at odds with your life.

What is the one part of your life that is not quite right? When asked that, I bet a specific area comes to mind right away. You just…know. Often, it isn't until the point of collapse (a marriage, friendship, job loss) that we realize we failed to pay attention to the signs that the foundation beneath us wasn't as solid as we thought. Join Alli and Mary to discuss the two key principles to building a firm foundation in Christ – despite hardship. Tune in to hear, What helped Alli find true freedom in all areas of her life How to overcome the temptation to keep pretending The question you need to ask before you start building anything Trouble is inevitable in this life but course correction doesn't have to happen at collapse. Today is the day we look down and are honest about the foundation we are standing on and realign with the only Foundation worth building on. Are you willing to believe He is already at work redeeming the rubble? Follow Alli here! https://www.instagram.com/theallipatterson/ Check out her new book here: https://theallipatterson.com/book/ For full episodes notes, head to: https://marymarantz.com/themarymarantzshow More About Alli: Alli is a mother, friend, mentor, wife, speaker and now author of her first book, How to Stay Standing: 3 Essentials for Building a Faith That Lasts - a disarmingly honest look into her own struggles with marriage, work, parenting, and faith, and the three new rhythms she learned from it all for building daily connection with Jesus. As Teaching Pastor at Crossroads Church in Cincinnati, and a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, she is passionate about helping others build a life on the firm foundation of Jesus' truth and grace through authentic teaching rooted in Scripture. She believes a life with Him is much more than a checklist of beliefs: it's a life of honesty, joy, risk, adventure, and challenge in relationship with a living God.

Have you ever felt like you lost yourself? That who you were and who are now just aren't quite syncing up? The loves and losses of the last decades had created a life full of joy for Dawn but through it all, she began to slowly shift to the sidelines of her own life. After decades full of morphing and giving to those around her, when she faced the big 5 - 0 she barely knew the person she saw in the mirror. It was the beginning of the end…or so she thought. In today's episode, Dawn does not hold back on what we can learn from the life long companion of aging and the joy of rediscovering yourself again. Tune in to hear, What she learned from being asked to take the picture rather than be in it The essential thing to do for authenticity in new seasons What she would have encouraged her 20-year-old self to d Why, in fact, we are more ourselves than we have ever been Dawn's battle cry is the reminder we all need that none of us have control of the time we have left but we do have the choice to live life to the fullest right now. So lean in. Don't disappear. No matter the age or stage, the best is yet to come! Follow Dawn here! https://www.instagram.com/dawnrbarton/?hl=en Check out her new book here: https://dawnbarton.com/preorder For full episodes notes, head to: https://marymarantz.com/themarymarantzshow More About Dawn: Dawn Barton is a joyologist, speaker, motivator, cancer crusher, Jesus lover, and author. She is ridiculously passionate about working with women and coaching them to levels of success in their personal and professional lives that transcend their wildest dreams. She is proud to use the experiences of her personal journey to help others find happiness and success even in the darkest of days. And, in her newest book, Midlife Battle Cry: Redefining the Mighty Second Half (releasing today!), is empowering women to embrace their Mid-Life years by reframing the obstacles before them as reasons to fully embrace joy wherever they can find it.

Do you ever feel like building and scaling a business is easier for everyone else? For Liz and Jessica, courage cornered them early. After experiencing the impacts of the exploitation of work in communities they loved and the confines of global poverty particularly on women and girls, there was no other decision to make but to take action. And now, over a decade later, they have quite a story to tell. From tire scrap sandals to the world's largest fair-trade fashion social selling brand, today's episode is one you don't want to miss. On today's episode of The Mary Marantz Show, Liz and Jessica share what has oriented them throughout their journey and what guiding principles have shaped their leadership along the way. Tune in to hear, Why you need to count the cost of your business How to put courage back in the driver's seat The purpose that comes with co - creating What curiosity offers us in adversity How collaboration over competition can enrich not only our leadership but our lives So what are you waiting for? Today is the day you begin to quell the limiting beliefs that have kept you standing still and take the leap. Because some of the most valuable lessons can only be learned in free fall. --------- Follow Liz here! https://www.instagram.com/lizbohannon/?hl=en Follow Jessica here! https://www.instagram.com/jessicahonegger/ Checkout Noonday Collection here: https://www.noondaycollection.com/ For full episodes notes, head to: https://marymarantz.com/themarymarantzshow

Are you tired of trying to keep up with the never-ending cycle of content creation? Do you wish you had the freedom to focus on creating more of what you love and building an authentic business? If you are longing for a way to optimize your marketing without sacrificing your sanity, today's conversation featuring Jen Olmstead on the Mary Marantz Show is exactly what you need to hear. Today's episode is a 5 Part Mini MasterClass of Effective Marketing: Do Less Better: The One Thing Jen Started Doing That Changed Her Average Like Count from A Couple Hundred to 10,000 Stop Telling People You Like Coffee: Stop Doing THIS When Writing Your Bio and Start Doing THIS Tell People What To Do: Specific Wording Swaps for Higher Conversions Market With Confidence: If You're Marketing Isn't Working, You Might Be Doing THIS Identify Your Low Hanging Fruit: Sometimes You're Overlooking The 'Easy' Thing and Leaving Revenue on the Table Jen is living proof that in a world calling us to more production, we can not only survive but thrive by choosing to contribute more of ourselves. So, if you have been waiting for permission to let go of keeping up so you can lean into what you love this episode is a must listen. Because what everyone needs more of is not generic content, it's more of you. More about Jen: Jen Olmstead is the co-founder and lead designer of TONIC Site Shop, a template shop for the modern entrepreneur. You might have seen her work for clients like Jenna Kutcher, Chris Loves Julia, Jillian Harris, Bossbabe, Create Cultivate, Wit and Delight, and of course, Mary Marantz. ;) When she's not designing, Jen splits her time cooking, homeschooling, trying to make Instagram fun again, and writing TONIC's famous #longandweird newsletter, where she tells stories and nerds out about great marketing. Follow Jen here! https://www.instagram.com/jenolmstead/?hl=en Order her templates here: https://tonicsiteshop.com/

Do you have a dream you cannot go a day without thinking about? Do you feel stuck between dreaming and actually taking the steps you need to make it a reality? If you are looking for a catalyst to move from stuck to start, today's episode featuring Rebecca George is for you. On today's episode, join Mary and Rebecca as they discuss the three stages of being stuck, and some practical ways to move forward in faithfulness to the dream God is calling you toward. On this episode you'll hear, How comparison is the invitation to celebration The principal of spiritual sticktuitiveness How to identify striving out of abiding The power of defining our why Between our doubts and fears and the very real reality of what it costs to bring something to fruition, there will always be obstacles that can keep us stuck but, we don't have to stay there. Are you ready to move from staring on the sidelines, to taking faith-filled steps across the starting line of what's been burning deep inside of you? Then don't miss today's life changing episode! More about Rebecca: Rebecca George is an author, speaker, and host of the popular podcast, Radical Radiance. She is passionate about equipping women to pursue their God given dreams and not waste the present moment - prompting her new book, Do the Thing: Gospel-Centered Goals, Gumption, and Grace for the Go-Getter Girl. Follow Rebecca here! https://www.instagram.com/rebeccadotsongeorge/ Order her book here: https://www.christianbook.com/gospel-centered-goals-gumption-grace-getter/9780830784356/pd/784355

Have you recently found yourself longing for more fulfilling friendships? Or perhaps realizing that the brunt of your connection falls on one or two friends? If so, today's episode featuring Laura Tremaine is for you. Laura is an avid reader, writer and the enthusiastic creator of the podcast born of her desire to eliminate loneliness, the 10 Things To Tell You podcast. She is a pro in friendship building, which led her to write her latest book on how to bring more richness to your friendships. On today's episode, Mary and Laura, discuss how friendships have changed in recent years, and how to overcome disconnect obstacles. Tune in to hear: Practical ways to build connection into your schedule How to start over again with an old friend The principal of holding space to grieve and to hope When to walk away and how to process trauma So, if you are ready to go after more deep and meaningful relationships, you won't want to miss today's impactful episode! Follow Laura here! https://www.instagram.com/laura.tremaine/ Order her book here: https://www.zondervan.com/p/the-life-council/#order

Are you living the life you want? Big question, right? As we enter into a new day, week, or year we can often find ourselves thinking through popular script: I would have the life I wanted if only ________(I had a different job, my relationship looked different, my health was better, etc.) In this episode, Mary chats with homesteader, podcaster, and author Lana Stenner for a conversation on the practical: Where in the world do I start? How do I take baby steps towards a "not so baby" job transition? How do I discern which immediate "yes" is going to aid in a long term, positive change? How do I know if I am truly ready? And does that even matter? This episode will leave you motivated, encouraged, and equipped with practical tools for taking baby steps toward the life that you ultimately want. Are you ready to take the first step? Tune in and find out how! Website https://lanastenner.com/ Book: The Grace Filled Homestead Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LanaStenner/

What does honest intimacy look like? And how does it practically play out in marriage, both sexually and emotionally? If I could describe this conversation with intimacy coach, Lindsey Maestas, in two words, they would be: vulnerable and practical. We get down to the heart of intimacy: How to communicate affirmations and critiques by creating a safe space for communication Why some gendered stereotypes exist when it comes to sex within marriage and how to combat them The effects of divorce on a child's perception of intimacy Practical exercises and habits to keep marriage and sex fresh This conversation is real, refreshing, and comes jam packed with implementable tools! Website https://sparrowsandlily.com/about-2/about/ Course: https://sparrowsandlily.com/marriage-relationship-courses/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingeasywithlindsey/