Meet Mary Lou.

Mary Lou Quinlan is a writer, actor, speaker and women’s advocate. Her evolving passions have defined her career.. From advertising director at Avon to CEO of ad agency NW Ayer to successful entrepreneur and now creative force, Mary Lou is a master of reinvention. Her marketing company, Just Ask a Woman has advised over 100 blue chip brands, such as Wells Fargo, American Express, Estee Lauder, GlaxoSmithKline and Saks Fifth Avenue.


Mary Lou is the author of What She’s Not Telling You, Time Off for Good Behavior, and Just Ask a Woman. Her latest book The God Box became a New York Times bestseller in just three weeks.


She’s written inspirational features for Real Simple, O, the Oprah magazine, and MORE. She’s appeared as a correspondent on The CBS EARLY Show and many news shows as well as a judge on the premiere season of the ABC series “American Inventor” among many media appearances, including The New York Times, Wall St. Journal, PARADE, PEOPLE and USA TODAY.  She has keynoted hundreds of conferences around the world. She is currently developing a new piece based on a true story about the lives of two women, two generations and for the past several years, has taken up competitive Pro/Am ballroom dancing.

Mary Lou holds five honorary Doctorates from US universities including an Honorary Doctorate in Communications from her alma mater, Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.  She lives in NYC with her husband Joe Quinlan.

A journey of the heart

  • From Advertising to Acting

    Share the backstory of Mary Lou’s evolution from business exec and women’s expert, author, speaker and TV presenter to actor and producer of her solo show at the famed Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014. Follow a real time reinvention of a woman’s life. 


 

Come meet Mary Lou and experience The God Box: A Daughter's Story at a venue near you.
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sample chapter
Enjoy a free selected chapter from The God Box.
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reading group guide
Invite your book club to join this engaging conversation about Mary Lou’s book.
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printable mini cards
Share these mini note cards or write notes for your God Box.
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mobile app
The God Box app makes it easy to write notes on the go.
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giving back
Ask how Mary Lou can support your local cause with the book and play.
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press & praise
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  • "Mary Lou Quinlan shares her mother’s handmade and heartfelt gift of how to persist, believe and move forward with joy."
    – LEE WOODRUFF, AUTHOR OF "IN AN INSTANT"
  • "What a beautiful and profoundly human book....I will keep The God Box in my heart for a long, long time."
    – LAURA SCHROFF, AUTHOR OF "THE INVISIBLE THREAD"
  • "Mary Lou Quinlan has told the story of her mother in a way that entertains, moves and inspires. The thoughts about life and values will stick with you forever."
    – JIM LEHRER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF PBS NEWSHOUR
  • "A beautiful story of love, faith and family. It reads like an intimate, familiar prayer."
    – ELIZABETH GILBERT, AUTHOR OF "EAT, PRAY, LOVE"
  • "In the slips of paper that carry this sweet story forward, we can see the love in our own families and the great possibilities of simple faith."
    – JEFFREY ZASLOW, COAUTHOR OF "THE LAST LECTURE"
  • "A wonderful legacy…Keeping a God Box is an incredibly moving and hopeful ritual that we should all consider adding into our daily lives."
    – REBA, MUSICIAN, AUTHOR, ACTRESS
  • "The courage and wisdom from the messages left in her mother’s God Box will inspire you to create a God Box of your own."
    – GAIL SHEEHY, AUTHOR OF "PASSAGES IN CAREGIVING"

The God Box App is shiny new and ready to welcome your cares

March 19, 2024
by Mary Lou Quinlan

Since The God Box book was published in the spring of 2012, so many readers have told me that they started their own God Boxes. I love hearing stories of children creating God Boxes and married couples joining their prayer and cares in a family box. (And my mother would be thrilled!)  A 'real' God box is a constant reminder that we are not in control and that letting go is the first step to finding comfort, hope and relief for life's worries. But did you know that many thousands have gone virtual with their God boxes? To help the many busy ...

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