Everything Sucks, Now What? A Merriment Method for a Messy World.

What if “feeling good” didn’t mean chasing happiness — but simply  feeling  at all? In this episode, we’re redefining what it means to feel good by making space for the full emotional spectrum — including grief, seasonal depression, numbness, anger, and those quiet in-between states we don’t always know how to name. Mary unpacks how toxic positivity, people pleasing, and emotional performance disc...

Let’s debunk the myth that your zip code is the problem. This episode explores the real psychology behind why we blame our environments for lack of joy, connection, or progress—and how fear, projection, and resistance keep us from actually going after what we say we want. We’ll talk: • Why “boring” is often code for “I’m scared” • How to identify the deeper fear under your avoidance • Reflection p...

In 2013, I quit my day job, got my heart broken, danced in bars dressed like a mermaid, and filled my bedroom with 60 balloons. I swam in the ocean at 3am, measured a train platform with a banana, got interviewed on the news for guerrilla art—and was told by my blogging heroes that my work didn’t matter. Spoiler: they were wrong. This episode is a time capsule. I'll walk you through everything tha...

What if every day could be your luckiest day of the year? This episode invites you to tune into a new frequency—one where joy isn’t something you earn, but something you allow. Through honest storytelling, grounded tools, and playful philosophy, we explore how to reconnect with your authentic self in a way that feels real, not performative. In this episode, we cover: The Pygmalion Effect and how b...

Have you ever looked at someone and thought, “That’s how I feel inside — I just don’t know how to get there”? In this episode of the Merriment Making Podcast , Mary England speaks directly to the part of you that’s still here — even if it’s been buried, muted, or made to feel like “too much.” You’ll hear why 111 FM was created as a safe space to expand, how to reconnect with your truest self (with...

What if your story didn’t have a final version? What if you got to rewrite it every time you learned something new or felt something deeper? In this week’s episode, I’m reading aloud my interview with Voyage Baltimore —a not-so-definitive autobiography of my journey from chaos to creativity, from pain to playful rebellion. I share about what it’s meant to grow up different, misunderstood, and misd...

When the world tells you “this is it”—a diagnosis, a label, a limitation—you don’t have to accept it as your whole truth. In this episode, we’re breaking down the lie of “nothing can be done” and replacing it with creative, rebellious possibility. This is a wake-up call, a pep talk, and a reminder that you are not your prognosis—and that change is always possible. 💥 Inside Positive Pulse: A writt...

You don’t need to burn your life down to start over. Sometimes you just need to throw a little glitter in the gears . In this episode, I—your resident Joy Trickster and Sacred Disruptor—invite you to  rethink what rebellion really looks like . We’re talking about disrupting guilt spirals, tuning into softer frequencies, and letting your weirdness be a form of wisdom. You’ll explore: 🎧 How sacred...

What if being a little bad at things was actually the secret to a life that lights you up? In this joyful and insightful conversation, I chat with Brigid Gibson of Vibrant Badass about stress relief, breaking out of perfectionism, and letting joy guide your choices—even when it feels weird, messy, or unproductive. We talk creative identity, stress management tools (like brain dumps and challenge p...

When you spend your life caring for others, who cares for you? Today, we’re building a Joy Toolkit — a playful, powerful emotional first aid kit that helps caregivers, helpers, and heart-forward humans stay resourced, recharged, and radiant. This episode is especially for the Heartfelt Caregivers — the over-givers, the nurturers, the ones who feel guilty resting. Less about healing, more about sus...

Why do some habits stick and others fade? It’s not about willpower — it’s about identity . In this episode, Mary explores the power of group culture, the psychology of belonging, and why “people like us do things like this” might be the most life-changing phrase you’ve never considered. You’ll learn why culture always beats strategy, how rituals reinforce who you really are, and why becoming a Mer...

What if joy wasn’t just a personal indulgence, but a professional advantage ? In this episode, we’re exploring how therapists, teachers, caregivers, and helpers of all kinds can use delight —yes, delight!—as a real strategy for building trust, boosting morale, and deepening connection. Whether you’re guiding a classroom, holding space in therapy, or working with a team, joy isn’t just welcome—it’s...

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by people shouting “Just start!” like that’s helpful (spoiler: it isn’t), this episode is your permission slip to try something different. We’re tossing out the rulebook and running our own experiments in joy — with curiosity, wonder, and a whole lot of permission to play. In this episode, I’ll teach you my S.P.A.R.K.L.E. system: a playful, step-by-step method to tap...

What if success didn’t require burnout, self-denial, or endless hustle? What if joy was actually the most sustainable fuel for growth, healing, and motivation? In this episode, Mary England kicks off April’s theme—making joy easy—by dismantling hustle culture myths and offering a gentler path to success: one built on delight, discipline, and a touch of weirdness. We’ll explore the difference betwe...

You don’t have to be fully healed to feel joy. You don’t have to wait until you “figure things out” to take action. And no—you’re not broken. You might just be bored. Overstimulated by junk, undernourished by joy, and caught in a loop that’s keeping you small. This episode is your sacred disruption. It’s your reminder that motion creates momentum. That you don’t have to wait to feel better to star...

Ever feel like you’ll never bounce back from a setback? That the bad stuff lingers longer than it should? Good news: your brain is built to help you recover, adapt, and even find happiness again—faster than you think. In this episode, we’re diving into the science of the psychological immune system—the brain’s built-in defense mechanism that helps us process challenges, reframe setbacks, and regai...

Have you ever felt like the world could use way more joy—but wondered if one person (aka you! ) could really make a difference? Spoiler alert: you can. And today, I’m showing you exactly how.   In this episode, we’re diving into why joy is an act of rebellion, how small acts of kindness create real change, and practical ways to spread joy in your everyday life. You’ll learn:   💛 Why small acts of...

Are you following rules you never actually agreed to? 🚫 In this episode, we’re diving into the power of micro-rebellions—tiny, mischievous acts of defiance that make life feel less suffocating. From taking a spontaneous road trip to eating sugary cereal straight out of the box for dinner, we’re talking about how breaking small, harmless rules can shake you out of autopilot and bring a much-needed...

Ever felt like self-improvement is just too much work ? Like the idea of “getting better” makes you want to take a nap instead? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re breaking down why personal growth doesn’t have to feel like an exhausting full-time job—and how tiny, effortless shifts can actually make the biggest impact. We’ll talk about: 🩷 Why people make self-improvement harder than it need...

Have you ever called yourself lazy for not getting enough done—when really, you were just exhausted ?   Today, we're talking about the real difference between laziness and burnout. Spoiler: Being tired is not a character flaw. In this episode, we go over: 💠 Why exhaustion can feel like laziness (but isn’t) 💠 The difference between true rest and guilt-ridden procrastination 💠 How to actually rel...

Feeling burned out? This episode dives into the science of burnout, why it happens, and how to reverse it with simple, 5-minute practices. Reclaim your energy, restore balance, and remember—you are enough just as you are. Program mentioned: Merriment Reset .

See video version on YouTube.com/MaryEngland. In this deeply personal and unfiltered episode, I sit down—no script, no makeup, no edits—to talk about the messy, real-life struggles I’ve been navigating lately. From family crises and chronic illness to the exhausting tightrope of running a joy-centered business in a world that often feels overwhelming, I open up about the internal battle between my...

What if the most beautiful, joyous thing in your life wasn’t a sunset, a pet, or a twinkle-lit evening—but you ? In this episode of Merriment Making , we’re flipping the script on self-worth and exploring what it means to be the star of your own story. If you’ve ever felt like a supporting character in your own life—always prioritizing others, staying on autopilot, or feeling like your quirks make...

In this episode, we're talking about the 🌿beautiful contradictions that make us human.  🪞 How to reconcile conflicting sides of your identity with compassion and curiosity.  Mary shares her personal journey through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and how she learned to quiet her inner critic and embrace the messy, multifaceted nature of self. 🧠💖 🌈🧘‍♀️And join in for a guided soothing visualiza...

Stuck on autopilot? Coasting through your days without experiencing them? Today we talk about: Why we fall into autopilot How it robs us of joy How to break free From personal stories of overcoming dissociation to practical tips for adding whimsy and joy to your daily life, this episode will inspire you to take control and live intentionally. Plus, I share how The Merriment Makers Membership and T...