Episodes

This week we’re wrapping up season two with Mary’s reflections on all the changes this year brought – including getting sober, moving to the suburbs, and creating two whole seasons of All Up In My Lady Business! Tune in then smash that subscribe button, so you’re the first to know when we’re back for season three. And please send any & all requests to mary@amarynisiproduction.com – we want to hear from you! Links & resources: Learn more about Toast & Jam Launch your DJ business with The Toast...

Today, I’m talking with the one and only Tereasa Surratt. If you live on this planet, you’ve likely seen her advertising and design work. But you may not know about the project closest to her heart— Camp Wandawega, a sustainability and preservation-minded camp in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Together, we talk about her journey from buying the camp to making it the incredible, communal, and passion-filled place that it is today. While half of Tereasa’s life is Camp Wandawega, in the other half she is a t...

Money can be overwhelming especially when it comes to business finances. So today I’m talking with my personal bookkeeper and saving grace, Angie Noll. Angie is the owner of Reconciled Solutions, a bookkeeping and profit acceleration company for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Their mission is to guide small businesses with profitability acceleration, scalability, accounting, bookkeeping, organization, process improvement, cash planning, technology improvement, and budget support. Together...

Today, we’re digging into some heavy topics… but in a groovy way. Tune in to to hear my friend and fellow yogi, Judy Newton, share her incredible life story. Along the way we discuss the tough, but inevitable parts of life and how we find comfort in the communities of our making. Judy is a Capricorn queen, former teacher, grief doula, and hippie realtor. She is also the chair of the Levy Senior Center Foundation Board where she is committed to learning and discovering more about herself and her...

Today we have a spicy topic—the art and history of the Pinup Girl. I’m joined by the remarkable Maria Elena Buszek and together we talk about her journey to and through Art History school as a minority, the rise of the pinup girl in popular culture, and feminism from her perspective. Maria is a scholar, critic, curator, and Professor of Art History at the University of Colorado Denver, where she teaches courses on Modern and Contemporary art. Her recent publications include the books Pin-Up Grr...

We’ve all heard of Dad Rock, but what about Mom Rock? Today Jessica Hopper is back on the podcast to discuss, debate, and maybe even discover what mom rock is and where it’s headed. Jessica is a Chicago-based music critic and the author of The First Collection of Criticism By A Living Female Rock Critic, The Girl’s Guide to Rocking, and her memoir, Night Moves. Her new book No God But Herself: How Women Changed Music in 1975 will be available soon, so keep an eye out for it! Tune in to also he...

In today’s episode, we’re following the incredible, winding road of career pivots, big life changes, and unexpected shifts with my friend Joan LeMay. Joan is a portraitist, painter and illustrator who is interested in capturing the true soul of the subject she’s painting. She is also the Illustrator for her upcoming book with Alex Pappademas, Quantum Criminals: Ramblers, Wild Gamblers, Babylon Sisters, and Other Soul Survivors from the Songs of Steely Dan. We also discuss: How an acid hit can...

In this Lone Gun Woman episode, we get into the way-too-hot topic of perimenopause, how Midnights and Taylor Swift inspire me (yeah, I can't believe it either), and some remarkably cutthroat Sashiko seamstresses. Press play then smash that subscribe button so you never miss an episode, and come hang with us on Instagram & Twitter! Links: The 100 Senses Full Float Bath Pillow Learn more about Toast & Jam Launch your DJ business with the Toast & Jam Lab

Today we’re talking with another fabulous (& funny!) serial entrepreneur about her journey learning that to do it all, you need a helping hand (or two!). Ashley Quinto Powell is a business owner, author, consultant, and mother of two. She is the founder of MyVARocks and author of Executive Motherhood: The Art of Having It All Without Doing It All. In this episode, we discuss– Ashley’s move from city girl life to Wisconsin cheesehead country life The ups and downs of serial entrepreneurship ...

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by director, producer, acclaimed music writer and normal suburban mom Jessica Hopper. Together we tour through the Chicago music scene and Jessica’s storied career. We talk about how we met, Jessica’s 27 years of sobriety, facing sexism in the music scene, why she's working on a new project about Lilith Fair, and more. Tune in then smash that subscribe button so you never miss an episode, and come hang with us on Instagram & Twitter! Links & resources: Visit ...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Viviana Langhoff, accomplished fine jeweler and owner of award-winning jewelry store Adornment + Theory. We go on a journey through Viviana’s experience as a Puerto Rican-American with a passion for creativity and the arts, including the art of business. We also discuss: Living the hyphen as a Puerto Rican-American Creating purpose and opportunities for employees The critical role community plays in our lives and our endeavors The myth of the self-made pers...

This week we dig deep into topic that I’ve mentioned on the podcast but have been nervous to really get into — my sobriety journey. Join me for the highs, lows, and in-betweens of drinking heavily or not drinking at all. On the way, we’ll get into the radical feminism of sobriety and the way the patriarchy uses alcohol to control women. Press play then smash that subscribe button so you never miss an episode, and come hang with us on Instagram & Twitter! Links & resources: Learn more about To...

This week, we’re welcoming Susan Flaga to the podcast! Susan is a hairstylist, co-owner of Sparrow Salon in Chicago, and owner of Sparrow for Everyone- Haircare for Sensitive People. Together, Susan & Mary talk about: Getting the entrepreneur bug Servant leadership and the ever-growing process of learning to be a good leader Thinking of your employees as bosses and caring about their wellbeing while maintaining a well-structured and profitable business with clear expectations How a medium n...

Today we welcome Chicago-based healer Claire Mooney to the podcast! Claire is trained in acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, and Sourcepoint Therapy. She uses all of these modalities and more to help her clients connect with and transform into their highest potential, physically, energetically, and emotionally. Together, Claire & Mary talk about: Claire’s MS diagnosis & how it led her to acupuncture, Chinese medicine and more How Claire started & grew her businesses, Magnolia House & ...

We’re back, baby! This week we’re kicking off season two with a recap of the big three of Mary’s summer – moving to the suburbs, making new friends, and..medical misbehavior. You’ll have to listen to the end to hear what that last one’s about. Press play then smash that subscribe button so you never miss an episode, and come hang with us on Instagram & Twitter! Links & resources: Watch Mary Nisi: Origin Story Learn more about Toast & Jam Launch your DJ business with the Toast & Jam Lab