Loneliness is the #1 contributing factor to the mental health crisis we’re currently experiencing so we MUST talk about it for Mental Health Awareness Month.

If or when you feel lonely, remember that it’s not a personal deficiency. It’s a systemic issue in our modern-day, industrialized world. The cure for loneliness is not to become a social butterfly, but rather to re-shape the way you interact with people.

In this episode, you will learn... - why more and more people, especially Americans, are feeling lonely - how to create a culture of connection with your friends and family - the missing KEY to feeling less lonely

If you’re interested in Mary’s next online retreat, sign up to get Mary’s emails here: https://maryscupoftea.myflodesk.com/emails

If you enjoyed this episode, screenshot it and tag @maryspodcast on social media!

It’s been almost 3 years since Mary has talked to her father. Now she’s processing that familial estrangement in real time with the help of Minaa B, a licensed social worker and proponent for psychological safety. The conversation also leads into the phenomenon of ghosting; why people do it and how to cope with the lack of closure.

You will learn...

• what constitutes estranged family and how surprisingly common it is
• why people GHOST and how to cope with ghosting in relationships
• the important difference between rules vs. boundaries
• ways to grieve and find closure for abrupt endings

Remember: closure is akin to forgiveness in that it can only come from within.

Minaa B. is a licensed social worker, mental health educator, and author of Owning Our Struggles. She is also the founder of a mental health consulting practice where she collaborates with organizations to help them develop psychological safety. Additionally, Minaa is the host of the Verywell Mind podcast, runs an advice column for Cosmopolitan magazine called Free Therapy, and is also a member of the Mental Health Advisory Committee for Wondermind, a mental fitness company co-founded by Selena Gomez. An expert in her field, Minaa has been featured in various media outlets, including Red Table Talk, Peace of Mind with Taraji, Oprah Daily, Katie Couric Media, and more. Minaa currently resides in New York City.

Follow Minaa on Instagram: @minaa_b Get Minaa's new book Owning Our Struggles: https://amzn.to/4b1GDOU

And if you enjoyed this episode, screenshot it and share it on social media! Make sure to tag @maryspodcast and @minaa_b

If you’re human, then you’ve probably received criticism. Though it can be quite unpleasant, your ability to encounter criticism and not let it affect you is directly proportionate to both your self-esteem and self-worth.

In this episode, you will learn... - the 2 different types of criticisms - what makes certain criticism hurt so badly (and how to not let it affect you) - 3 questions to ask yourself before listening to other people’s opinions

Remember: don’t choose a stranger’s criticism over your intuition, your values, and your heart.

If you enjoyed this episode, screenshot it and tag @maryspodcast on social media! And make sure to get Mary's books two on self-love:

- The Gift of Self-Love: https://maryscupoftea.com/gift-of-self-love. This is a self-love workbook that will help you build confidence, recognize your worth, and learn to finally love yourself.

- 100 Days of Self-Love: maryscupoftea.com/journal. This is a guided journal with 100 prompts to help you calm self-criticism and learn to love who you are.

Mentioned In This Episode... Mary’s Body-Image TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/DoDzwM0gybg?si=P3kfRMBBdFgTMOAI Mary’s IG reel that went viral and got criticized: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5l6-_fvZCS/?igsh=ZDJrYjA0aXpzM2ww The 4 Agreements book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1878424319/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_AJC459ZTT9B1T36FX5ZR?linkCode=ml2&tag=maryscupoft0b-20