Have you ever caught yourself holding back or dimming your light so you don’t stand out too much, intimidate others, or risk failure?

You’re not alone.

So many of us struggle with the fear of shining brightly, even when we know deep down we were created for more.

In this episode, Mary unpacks why we hide and the barriers that keep us from stepping fully into who we are. You’ll hear about:

• The common fears that cause people to dim their light
• The four “hidden barriers” from The Big Leap that stop us from taking bold steps
• What happens when we choose safety over shining
• The freedom and joy that come when we live authentically and let our light radiate

If you’ve ever felt torn between staying small and stepping into your true calling, this conversation will help you see that your light isn’t just for you, it’s for everyone around you.

Ready to overcome your fear of shining too bright?

Download Mary’s free training, Discover What You Really Want, at maryvalloni.com.

Connect with Mary at mary@maryvalloni.com.

We’ve all been there... stuck in the mud of life, spinning our wheels, and wondering if we’ll ever move forward.

In this episode of The Mary Valloni Show, we'll unpack the single most powerful question you can ask yourself when you feel stuck. It’s simple, practical, and can shift your perspective in an instant.

If you are wrestling with career choices, finances, relationships, health, or faith, this question will help you create clarity. We'll also walk through an exercise together to immediately take action and see progress.

What to expect in this episode:

• How to recognize the signs of being stuck and why it happens to everyone.
• The traps of asking the wrong questions (and how to avoid them).
• The breakthrough question that unlocks clarity.
• A practical exercise to answer this breakthrough question.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Download Mary’s free training, Discover What You Really Want, at maryvalloni.com.
• Connect with Mary at mary@maryvalloni.com.

Have you ever set a goal that looked good on paper but fizzled out before you got there? You’re not alone. Most goals stall out because they’re missing the fuel that keeps us going... heart motivation!

• Head motivation - "I should do this."
• Heart motiviation - "I want to do this."

In this episode, Mary unpacks what heart motivation really is, why head knowledge alone isn’t enough, and how to connect your goals to your deepest desires so you can finally enjoy the journey and not just the destination.

You'll learn how to:

• Recognize the difference between head goals and heart goals.
• Understand why willpower runs out (and passion doesn’t).
• How to align your identity, values, and beliefs with what you want.
• Learn an exercise that will help you to retrain your brain.

Ready to align your goals with your head and heart?

Download Mary’s free training, Discover What You Really Want, at maryvalloni.com.

Connect with Mary at mary@maryvalloni.com.

Have you ever felt like your dreams are out of reach? You’re not alone. Most people don’t go after what they really want because of three common roadblocks:

1. Fear – of failure, success, or rejection.
2. Lack of Clarity – not knowing what you want or how to begin.
3. Scarcity Mindset – believing you don’t have enough time, money, or connections.

In this episode of The Mary Valloni Show, Mary shares her proven 7-Step FREEDOM Framework™, the process that takes you from impossible to possible.

You’ll learn how to:

• Clarify your vision so you know exactly where you’re headed.
• Build a strong team of advocates who believe in you.
• Create compelling invitations that fund your vision.
• Deliver results and celebrate impact for long-term growth.

Ready to take your first step?

Download Mary’s free training, Discover What You Really Want, at maryvalloni.com.

Connect with Mary at mary@maryvalloni.com.

If you’ve ever felt stretched thin, resentful, or stuck in situations that drain your energy, it’s time for a reset.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through my 6-step process for creating healthy boundaries that protect your time, energy, and focus without feeling guilty. I’ll also share my shopping mall analogy that makes boundaries simple (and even a little fun) to understand, plus a short exercise you can do today to start putting them in place.

You’ll hear a real-life story of a client who went from a chaotic life to creating a stable, fulfilling life and it all started with getting clear on his vision and setting strong boundaries. I’ll also share a quick update from my recent trip to the U.S.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why everything in your life right now is something you’re allowing and how to change that.

• The 6-step process for creating boundaries that stick:

  1. Get crystal clear on your vision

  2. Decide what you will and won’t allow

  3. Communicate clearly and early

  4. Enforce without guilt

  5. Build in self-checks

  6. Protect your “yes”

• How to use the shopping mall analogy to decide who gets access to your life (and at what level).

• The truth about why boundaries aren’t selfish, they’re actually an act of stewardship.

Resources & Links:

• Download the "Discover What You Really Want" free training here

• Learn more about my coaching and courses at maryvalloni.com

Let’s Connect:

• Email: mary@maryvalloni.com

In this episode, we explore the quiet power of joy: what it is, why it matters, and how it can radically shift the way you live and lead.

You’ll learn the difference between happiness and joy, discover why joy is essential (especially in seasons of overwhelm or uncertainty), and uncover what actually happens when you begin to make space for it in your daily life.

We talk about:

• What joy really is (and how it differs from happiness)

• Why it’s more than just a “nice to have”

• How to add more of it to your life

• The powerful shifts that happen when you start living with joy

This episode will leave you feeling lighter, clearer, and more connected to what matters most.

Ready to create your own Joy List?

Take my free mini-training Discover What You Really Want — a simple 15-minute experience that will help you reconnect with what brings you life. Start now at maryvalloni.com.

Over the years, I’ve done a lot of things because I thought I should, especially for my dad (who passed away 12 years ago when this episode airs!). But that one word, “should,” has carried more weight than I ever realized. In this episode, I share why I decided to remove “should” from my every day life and how that one shift has allowed me to take my power and voice back.

If you’ve ever felt guilt for not doing enough, shame for not being farther along, or pressure to be someone you’re not, this will be a good episode to listen in to.

• Why “should” is so heavy and what it’s really costing you

• The hidden connection between “should” and guilt, shame, and external pressure

• How “should” disconnects you from your truth and your joy

• 5 simple but powerful ways to start releasing the word “should” today

1. Catch it in the moment — Notice when you say or think “should” and ask, “Says who?”

2. Replace it with empowering words — Like “choose,” “want,” or “need”

3. Reflect daily — Ask, “What did I feel I should do today?” and “What did I actually want or need?”

4. Practice out loud — Invite a loved one to help you shift your language

5. Listen to your body — Notice how “should” feels tense, while “want” feels safe

Removing “should” doesn’t mean avoiding responsibility. It means living from a place of freedom instead of fear. As someone committed to helping others move from impossibility to freedom, this practice is foundational—for me, and maybe for you too.

When you stop living by “should,” you:

• Free your voice

• Strengthen your boundaries

• Make space for clarity, joy, and authenticity

Start with my free training to reconnect with your voice and your vision.

Grab it here.

Have questions or thoughts about this episode? I’d love to hear from you.

Connect with me at maryvalloni.com or email mary@maryvalloni.com.

Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs permission to let go of shoulds and embrace freedom.

We’re just getting started and I’m so glad you’re here.

After nearly 5 years, The Mary Valloni Show is back with new direction and new focus.

In this relaunch episode, Mary shares the full story behind the podcast’s evolution, from its beginnings in 2017, to the pause in 2020, and now to a powerful return in 2025. Whether you’re a longtime listener or brand new here, this episode will help you reflect on your own seasons of pause, transition, and renewal.

You’ll hear how Mary’s vision has expanded to helping purpose-driven leaders like you rediscover joy, gain clarity, and walk in freedom—without the pressure, perfectionism, or burnout.

• Why the podcast paused and what’s changed since

• A renewed focus on joy, clarity, and freedom

• What you can expect from upcoming episodes

To discover what you really want, start with Mary's FREE training and reconnect with what matters most to you.

Subscribe, share, and reach out here to let us know how we can help you in your journey.

We’re just getting started!