Being Mary
Mary Johnson Van Den Berge is a "wear your heart on your sleeve" kind of woman, an unapologetic bookworm, and an online shopping champion. She devours murder mysteries in every form — whether in books or podcasts — with an enthusiasm that surprises even herself. Raised on a farm near St. Marys in Southwestern Ontario, she now calls Petrolia home, nestled in Ontario’s scenic “banana belt.”
Mary is a proud advocate for women’s rights and believes deeply in the power of honest conversation. On her podcast, she creates a safe and open space for women to explore the emotional layers of life—through candid conversations about relationships, identity, healing, motherhood, and more. It’s not just her story anymore—it’s all of ours.
Episodes
29 episodes
Aging & Thriving, Part 2 - Connection, Home & New Adventures
Part 2 is here! 💕 This week on Being Mary, we’re talking about connection, home, and embracing new adventures — because aging isn’t about slowing down, it’s about showing up differently. Let’s keep walking...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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6:55
Aging & Thriving, Part 1: Health, Purpose & Independence
New episode is up! This week, I’m diving into Part 1 of Aging & Thriving — how to stay healthy, find new purpose, and keep your independence strong. Retirement isn’t the end — it’s a new beginning....
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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4:32
My 69th Birthday
This week’s episode of Being Mary is a special one — a reflection as I turn 69.It’s been a year of growth, loss, laughter, and new beginnings.From publishing my memoir to launching this podcast, from road trips and friendships to ...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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3:15
YES I Can
Some mornings I sit with my coffee and wonder… is this it? Retirement is supposed to be the best years of our lives, but what do we really do with them?That’s why I started my new podcast Yes, I Can!—a celebration of sa...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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5:22
To the girls that are different
"Today’s episode of Being Mary is for the outsiders—the deep feelers, the ones who never quite fit in. 💫 Your strangeness isn’t a flaw—it’s your gift. Listen now!"
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2:03
Funny Friend Requests - Part 2
“Hi, it’s Mary — today’s the day! The new Being Mary episode is out now, and I’m spilling the wildest TikTok friend requests I’ve ever received. From Keanu Reeves to princes and sugar daddies — i...
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7:48
They Called Her Jezebel
"Healing starts when you recognize you are not the problem — the system is."— Dawn Stilwell, They Called Her JezebelHi, it’s Mary, and this week on Being Mary I sit down with my good friend Dawn Stilwell, author of Th...
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19:46
3 Tiny Tweaks for a Younger, Energized You - Part 3 Relationships
Hi, it’s Mary—and welcome back to Being Mary.We’ve been talking about three small habits that can change your body, your energy, and your life. Habit #1 was all about moving your body. Habit #2...
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Episode 21
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5:04
3 Tiny Tweaks for a Younger, Energized You - Part 2 Phones
Hi, it’s Mary—and welcome back to Being Mary. Last week, we started with Habit #1: Move your body. This week, Habit #2 might surprise you.It’s simple. It’s powerful.&nbs...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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3:20
3 Tiny Tweaks for a Younger, Energized You– Part 1: Move Your Body"
Hi, it’s Mary—and I’ve got a question for you:What if just 3 Tiny Tweaks could change your body, boost your energy, and add years to your life? Sounds dramatic, right? But it’s backed by science—and I’m breaking it al...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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6:38
Walks in Nature: Water
✨ Peace. Serenity. Perspective. This Wednesday on Being Mary, I invite you to join me by the lake — where the sound of the waves and the vastness of the water remind us how to let go, breathe deeply, and just… be.🎧 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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3:37
Deep Roots and Green Lawns
Deep Roots and Green LawnsAre you a weed, or are you grass?This episode explores what weeds can teach us about resilience, connection, and quiet strength — even when life feels like a drought.Listen now, and let me k...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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3:51
What Caregivers Need — Help, Compassion & Healing
Episode 2: What Caregivers Need — Help, Compassion & HealingHi, it’s Mary — and welcome back to Being Mary. Last time, I shared my personal journey as a caregiver. Today, I want to talk about what caregivers n...
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3:11
The Caregiver’s Journey — Love, Guilt & Burnout
Episode 1: The Caregiver’s Journey — Love, Guilt & BurnoutHi, it’s Mary — and welcome to Being Mary. Today we’re talking about one of the hardest, most emotional jobs you can ever take on: being a family car...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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4:56
Hearing Loss - You Need To Hear This
👂 You need to hear this.Today we’re talking about something you might not think about — your hearing. I’m sharing my own journey with hearing loss, the surprises (like how loud my bathroom fan really was!), and why taking care of y...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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5:38
Walks in Nature - Rooted: Reconnecting with Trees
🌳✨ New Podcast Episode: Walks in Nature – Rooted: Reconnecting with TreesHi friends — it’s been so hot lately, hasn’t it? I know how hard it can be to feel motivated to get outside. But this week, I want to invite you to join me...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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5:31
Motherhood Was It What You Expected
The Truth About MotherhoodYou thought motherhood would be sweet snuggles and meaningful moments. Turns out it’s… sticky handprints, sleepless nights, and adult kids who eat your groceries, borrow your car, and ignore your...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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8:53
Give Blood - Holly's Story
Last week, I gave blood—and then I read something that stopped me in my tracks.It was a letter written by a 26-year-old woman named Holly Butcher, just one day before she passed away. Her words are powerful, raw, and deeply moving. She s...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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3:00
Marriage Wasn't What I Expected
“Marriage Wasn’t What I Expected”We don’t say it out loud enough—but so many of us walk into marriage with big dreams and open hearts... only to find that reality looks very different.This week on Being Mary, I’m p...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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7:16
What’s Your 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
✨ New Podcast Episode! ✨🧹 What’s Your 1-800-GOT-JUNK?This week on Being Mary, I’m talking spring cleaning—but not just the closets and basements kind. I’m talking about the emotional junk we all ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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5:19
If Only I Were Perfect
💔 New episode: If Only I Were Perfect: A Letter of Love, Loss, and Learning This one is personal. A letter I never sent, shared from the heart. It’s about grief, regret, healing… and the slow, beautiful work of becoming. Th...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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6:57
Healing Journey with Reiki
I’m so excited to share this deeply meaningful conversation with someone who has been a guiding light on my healing journey—Erin Graham McArthur. Erin is a Holy Fire Reiki Master, reflexologist, meditation creator, and a beautiful soul w...
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16:31
Loss of a Relationship
✨ Loss of a Relationship ✨Hi, I’m Mary—and welcome to Being Mary, a podcast where we explore what it means to come home to yourself.In today’s episode, we’re talking about the loss of a relationship—how it shows up...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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8:23
Know Your Place
🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Know Your PlaceWhat does “knowing your place” really mean? (Spoiler: It’s not about being quiet.)In this episode of Being Mary, my friend Marian Wals...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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10:30
Why I'm Not Getting Married (Again)
🎙️ New Episode Alert! Ever wonder why marriage isn't on my bucket list anymore? Join me for a lighthearted chat about the joy (and comedy!) of choosing independence after 28 moves and a lifetime of "experience." Trust me—it's a fun ride!...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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7:31