#61 Mary Hoang Speaks On The Messiness of Relationships & How To Transform Them.

My guest on the show today is an author, psychologist and pioneer in the mental health field. Mary Hoang started her career working with street kids for the Salvation Army and found through her experience that employing creative tools, such as music and art, helped change the way kids viewed mental health and opened up communication. 

Mary went on to found The Indigo Project, a progressive psychology practice that runs online courses and workshops to guide people through a transformational journey. She discovered the need for a different approach than the traditional clinical methods when she was searching for a practice for herself and couldn’t find any that fit. 

We discuss how The Indigo Project utilises music to create a safe space for patients through ‘embodied practices’. Mary explains the creative process in detail and how she has truly built a digital company with soul. 

We then go on to explore the messiness in relationships and how to transform them. Mary shares her insight into realistic expectations, not taking on a therapist role, the importance of communication, red flags, boundaries and her own advice for maintaining a healthy relationship. 

I could’ve talked to Mary for hours. Her expertise, experience and breadth of knowledge are fascinating to listen to and embody the mission of It Ain’t Weak to Speak. If you’d like to learn more, I encourage you to read Mary’s book ‘Darkness is Golden’. You’ll learn how to build healthier relationships, break unhelpful patterns and live life on your terms. 

Topic we cover and where to find them:

• [0:00]: Intro.
• [3:06]: Updates for Livin. 
• [3:51]: Last week’s podcast. 
• [4:20]: Introduction of Mary Hoang. 
• [7:05]: Background of Mary and The Indigo Project. 
• [10:51]: Utilising music to create a safe space – Embodied Practices. 
• [14:53]: A gateway to therapy. 
• [16:47]: Working with the right therapist changes everything.
• [20:34]: A digital company with soul. 
• [20:54]: Self care strategies. 
• [22:57]: ‘Darkness is golden’ book by Mary Hoang. 
• [25:36]: Realistic expectations in relationships. 
• [29:09]: Don’t take on the role of a therapist in relationships. 
• [31:05]: Communication is essential. 
• [33:15]: Red flags. 
• [35:06]: How and why we give. 
• [39:45]: Advice for a healthy relationship. 
• [43:38]: Anticipations for new baby. 
• [44:26]: Most important lesson learned. 
• [46:01]: Where to find Mary and The Indigo Project. 
  

Episode resources

Previous episode mentioned: 

• #60 Sophie Grace Holmes Speaks On Mindset, Motivation & Meaning

• Instagram: @the_indigo_project +   @maryhoangindigo
• Website: https://theindigoproject.com.au/  
• Book: https://www.darknessisgolden.com/ 
  

Join us at our FaceBook Group to continue the conversation and to connect with our community to share stories, access mental health tools and strategies, and to learn more about positive mental health because #itaintweaktospeak.