Cracking Open with Molly Carroll

“Children are our greatest treasure. They are our future.” — Nelson MandelaKids have always been part of my story—long before I became a mom. I've been a babysitter, camp counselor, teacher, therapist, and now a parent. That's why this week's episode feels especially close to my heart.But it's not just for parents. Whether you're an aunt, uncle, teacher, coach, or simply someone who wants to better understand and support the next generation, this conversation is for you.Today on the Cracking Open podcast, I'm honored to sit down with Dr. Lori Baudino—a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified dance/movement therapist with over 20 years of experience supporting children and families.Dr. Baudino's approach integrates the mind, body, and spirit. She's a pioneer in bringing body-based awareness into therapeutic spaces and hospital settings, helping children and parents connect more deeply through movement, presence, and play.In our conversation, Lori posed a powerful question that stayed with me:“What if we all approached life like a dance—with fluidity and playfulness, to feel truly alive?”She invites us to see the body as one of our greatest resources. Our physical expressions offer insight into how we feel, what we need, where we struggle, and where we shine.Together, we explore:✨ Supporting children who don't fit conventional emotional or social molds ✨ How to strengthen sibling relationships and navigate family dynamics ✨ What secure attachment really means—and how to nurture it ✨ Why movement is essential to emotional health ✨ How to meet your child's uniqueness with curiosity, not controlDr. Baudino's wisdom is profound and practical. Whether you're raising children or walking alongside them, this episode will help you deepen your compassion, expand your understanding, and build more connected, resilient relationships.After this conversation, I left feeling like a more grounded parent, advocate, and human being—and I think you will too.

There are guests whose stories are filled with incredible achievements. And then there are guests whose stories crack you open—with their heart, their humility, and their humanity.Today's guest, Rebecca Rusch, is all of the above.Rebecca is one of the world's most extraordinary endurance athletes—a 7-time World Champion, mountain bike hall-of-famer, best-selling author, Emmy Award winner, and activist. She has not only pushed herself to the physical edge through rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and multi-day adventure races like Eco-Challenge—she has also traveled to the emotional core of what it means to live fully, love deeply, and be good.You may know her from the acclaimed documentary Blood Road, which follows Rebecca's 1,800-kilometer mountain bike journey along the Ho Chi Minh Trail to locate the site where her father's plane went down during the Vietnam War. That quest wasn't just about closure—it was about connection, healing, and honoring the man who shaped her spirit.In this deeply moving episode of the Cracking Open podcast, we explore:✨ How the loss of her father at a young age ignited a lifelong search for meaning✨ What growing up with a single, hard-working mom taught her about strength and self-reliance✨ The power of curiosity, nature, and endurance to reveal who we really are✨ How a traumatic brain injury forced her to slow down—and reimagine what success looks like✨ Why “being good” matters so much more than being perfectWhat we didn't know when we scheduled this conversation was that Rebecca's beloved mom would pass away just one week before we recorded. And so what unfolds in this episode is not just an interview—it's a powerful reflection on how we live, how we love, and how we show up for the people who matter most.Rebecca's story is one of grit, grace, and growth. And at the heart of it all is a simple message from her father, who signed every letter home from Vietnam with the same two words: Be Good.It's a mantra that continues to guide her—and now, maybe, it will guide you too.

You know how music can transport you back to a certain era in your life? I'll never forget gathering in college dorm rooms and tiny apartment living rooms with all my girlfriends in our twenties as we watched Grey's Anatomy. The show wouldn't have been the same without its unforgettable soundtrack, especially during those nerve-wracking ER scenes or the slow-burn love story between Meredith and Derek.So much of that iconic sound came from The Fray, the Denver-based band fronted by the haunting, heartwarming voice of lead singer Isaac Slade. I first met Isaac at The Nantucket Project and was instantly struck by his unique mix of humor, vulnerability, and grounded wisdom. His childhood was shaped by a loving, religious family that encouraged his musical passions. That support led him to gather friends and form The Fray, a band that would go from playing tiny venues to topping charts, dominating TV soundtracks, and selling out stadiums across the world.Isaac's voice helped define an era, but behind the music was a story few of us ever heard. In this honest, soulful conversation on this week's Cracking Open episode, we dive into:✨ The rise of The Fray and the whirlwind of early fame ✨ The toll of success and the mental health struggles it sparked, including on-stage panic attacks ✨ His decision to step away from the spotlight and embrace a quieter, more grounded life ✨ Why putting your oxygen mask on first is one of the most radical acts of loveIsaac didn't leave the band because he stopped loving music. He left because he needed to love himself—and his family—more fully. After years of sold-out tours and chart-topping songs, he found healing in the everyday: parenting, slowing down, and opening a record shop on Vashon Island, off the coast of Seattle.As I waited for him to join this conversation, I couldn't help but smile, remembering those college days when The Fray's music helped me survive heartbreaks, insecurities, and burnout. His voice once soothed my confused, overwhelmed soul. And now, nearly 30 years later, we're sharing stories about embracing the beautiful mess of life and doing what it takes to stay on the treadmill of adulthood.

Healing often begins in the stories we share—especially when we have the courage to tell them. Vulnerability doesn't just dissolve shame; it nurtures inner strength. This week's guest on the Cracking Open podcast, Lindsay Bomstein, beautifully embodies this truth. She opens her heart and shares her story with such raw honesty, gently reminding us that our truth is our superpower.At the age of 17, just four months after moving cross-country, Lindsay tragically lost her father in a head-on collision. Already deeply empathic, she found herself carrying the heavy weight of grief into her adolescence, college years, and early adulthood, often asking herself: How can I move forward without him? Twenty-four years later, as a wife and mother of three, she faced yet another heart-wrenching loss—the terminal cancer diagnosis and passing of her mother. In this episode, we explore Lindsay's powerful story—and how, through profound loss, she ultimately discovered deep love.Lindsay holds an MA in Transpersonal Psychology with a focus on creativity and innovation, and she weaves her rich life experience into everything she does. Since 2013, she has been sharing her heart through her widely-read blog, which explores themes like parenting, mindfulness, mental health, creativity, and grief. Her work has been featured in both local and national publications, including Spirituality & Health Magazine.Her newly released memoir, All I Feel Is Love, is a tender exploration of healing and the alchemic transformation from loss to love. Through creative self-expression, communal connection, and reflective questioning, it serves as a compassionate companion for anyone seeking hope and light on their journey through grief.Today, Lindsay facilitates enriching women's circles, leads therapeutic writing workshops, and co-hosts soul-nourishing retreats—each a reflection of her deep commitment to guiding others through their own healing.In this episode, we explore:

What are your favorite foods and drinks? For me, it's pizza and coffee—no question. But at the same time, I love feeling healthy, fueling my body with nourishing foods, and living a vibrant life. And that's exactly why I'm so excited to introduce you to this week's Cracking Open podcast guest, Andrea Nakayama.Andrea will change the way you think about food, healing, and love. In this deeply personal conversation, we dive into: ✨ The power of food as medicine and a path to healing ✨ How grief can crack us open and redirect our purpose ✨ Simple, transformative nutrition tips you can use right now ✨ The deep connection between nourishment, love, and presenceShe didn't come to nutrition through a traditional path—she arrived through love, loss, and an unshakable calling. After losing her young husband, Isamu, to a brain tumor in 2002, she turned to food as a source of healing, not just for herself but for others:"I couldn't get rid of his tumor. But what I could do was influence how he felt, how he managed treatments, and what was happening with him. That's when I started asking myself: What can I do? Food and nutrition gave me something I could actually do every day, several times a day, to help my husband."Today, as a Functional Medicine Nutritionist and educator, Andrea is a leading voice in the field, helping thousands of clients and practitioners reclaim their health through personalized nutrition. She also offers three simple, game-changing principles for better health: 

I'm going to be bossy for a moment—this episode is a MUST-LISTEN. Trust me, Donna Sacks will make you feel better about your life, reminding you that you are deeply supported and loved.In this powerful conversation, Donna and I dive into:✨ Angels, soulmates, and karmic lifetimes✨ The Akashic records and soul contracts✨ Out-of-body experiences and spiritual awakenings✨ The power of presence, gratitude, and stepping fully into your purposeShe shares an essential truth:“We're very powerful. We just forgot. This is the lifetime we remember.”Donna has been connected to higher planes of existence for many lifetimes—living as a medicine woman, a shaman, and an intuitive guide. Since the age of 17, she has heard her angels calling. That calling led her from Detroit to Palm Springs, where she now helps others clear blocked energy and find clarity through Akashic record readings, angel card sessions, and intention-setting at Two Bunch Spa.In today's episode, Donna offers practical tools for co-creating your reality—starting with the power of language. Instead of saying “want,” “need,” or “try,” she encourages us to embrace “I am”—planting seeds of healing, freedom, and joy.I love every episode of Cracking Open, but this one came at just the right time. Lately, I've felt waves of fear and uncertainty—questioning my place in the world, wondering if I'm a good person, worrying about the future. But Donna's words were a profound reminder:

What keeps you grounded? What activities, habits, and rituals help you stay balanced, healthy, and fully human?In this week's episode of Cracking Open, I dive deep into these questions and more with our guest, Cory Richards. Cory is the first American to summit an 8,000-meter peak in winter, and in 2016, he reached the summit of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen.Cory's now-iconic photograph—a selfie taken after surviving an avalanche—was featured on the 125th Anniversary cover of National Geographic. To most, this striking image represents sheer survival in the harshest conditions and a testament to human resilience and the extremes we can push ourselves to.But this one moment is far more than just a photograph. It's the culmination of Cory's entire life—one marked by struggles that include experiencing homelessness in adolescence, searching for love in all the wrong places, facing addiction, battling suicidal thoughts, and navigating a bipolar disorder diagnosis. Driven by a need to escape his inner chaos, Cory pushed himself to the edge, seeking solace and a sense of aliveness in the most extreme, dangerous pursuits.His memoir, The Color of Everything, lays bare his vulnerability, offering an honest reflection on his mental health journey and the healing power of storytelling—not only for him but for his readers as well. Cory's bravery in sharing his personal highs and lows serves as a powerful invitation for all of us to embrace our humanity and find healing through connection.Whether you're grappling with your own sense of self or seeking to understand the intricate balance of success and recovery, our conversation today offers insights that I hope will lead you toward greater self-love and acceptance.Love,MollyLearn more about Cory herePurchase The Color of Everything here  Follow Cory on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook Special Upcoming 1-Hour Live Workshop with Molly:How To Get UnstuckMarch 10, 2025Click here to learn more and register6-Week Coaching Program starts May 14th!6-Month Coaching Program starts August 13th!Follow Molly on Instagram and Facebook

“Dance is for everybody. I believe that dance came from the people, and it should always be delivered back to the people.” ~ Alvin AileyThis powerful quote captures the spirit of this week's conversation with Jaycee Gossett, a founding teacher and VP of Experience of The Class, a dynamic exercise workout that blends yoga, dance, HIIT, and meditation. Focusing on more than simply getting into physical shape, this program also invigorates your mind and helps you process emotions through a fusion of movement, music, and self-reflection.On this week's episode of the Cracking Open Podcast, Jaycee shares how movement can release tension and free up stuck energy, creating space for clarity, presence, and reconnection with the self. She also opens up about her own transformative journey with her love of dance, and we even dive into my personal experience of taking her class at The Nantucket Project this past Fall. (Spoiler alert: In just one hour of dancing and sweating—yes, even crying—I felt a deep healing I hadn't experienced in years!)Jaycee reminds us that in times of fear, confusion, or loneliness, the best medicine is to move. Movement helps ground us, calms our minds, and keeps us present. It's a reminder that, no matter what, we're going to be okay. Her teaching embodies The Class's mantra: “We exercise the body to ground the mind and open the heart.”Before joining The Class, Jaycee traveled the world studying movement, competed in ballroom dance, and worked in television and film. Her classes are a space to find strength, explore freedom, and reconnect with spirit. Through her passion for music and dance, Jaycee encourages students to move, feel, and live with full expression. The result? Classes that are challenging, soulful, liberating—and most importantly, welcoming.Be sure to listen to the full episode—at the end, Jaycee leads us through a short class! Plus, as a special treat for Cracking Open Podcast listeners, Jaycee is offering a 30-day free trial (link below!).Jaycee's overarching message is that dance truly is for everybody. And now more than ever, we need to move, release negative emotions, and invite more joy and love into our lives.Love,Molly*Special gift for Cracking Open listeners*Click here to get your FREE 30-day trial to The Class!Learn more about The Class hereFollow The Class on Instagram; Follow Jaycee on InstagramSpecial Upcoming 1-Hour Live Workshop with Molly:Calming Your Nervous System to Be Your Best Self February 10, 2025Click here to learn more and registerFollow Molly on Instagram and FacebookEye-Opening Moments PodcastEye-Opening Moments are stories of adversity, encounters, and perspectives. They are...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

I want to begin today by extending my deepest sympathies to the people of Los Angeles. To those who have suffered unimaginable losses due to the California fires, please know that my heart, prayers, and thoughts are with you.This tragedy is a stark reminder of the power of community—the strength we find in coming together as one. Fire does not discriminate based on our skin color, our workplace position, or the balance in our bank accounts. It impacts us all, underscoring the importance of unity and compassion.Our guest today, Eboo Patel, is a powerful advocate for building and strengthening communities. He joins us on this week's episode of the Cracking Open podcast to remind us of a profound truth: “We should do social change work because God wants humans to thrive, and it is our job to help that happen.”Together, we explore his upbringing, the concept of pluralism in today's divisive political climate, and his refreshing perspective on America's identity: “America is not a melting pot, and it's not a battlefield. It's a potluck. That means welcoming and being delighted by the distinctive dishes that people bring to the table, finding creative combinations, and engaging in enriching conversations. That's what America is about.” Eboo Patel is an author, speaker, educator, and Founder and President of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. He is a civic leader who believes religious diversity is a vital and inspiring aspect of American democracy. Named one of America's best leaders by U.S. News & World Report, Eboo has worked with governments, universities, corporations, and civic organizations to transform faith into a bridge for cooperation, not division.Some of Eboo's notable achievements:Served on President Obama's Inaugural Faith CouncilDelivered hundreds of keynote speeches worldwideAuthored five books, including We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse DemocracyAshoka Fellow and Rhodes Scholar with a doctorate in sociology of religion from Oxford UniversityEboo's honesty and vulnerability in this episode will inspire you. He shares powerful stories about how religious and educational institutions can foster unity instead of division. His words ignited a fire in me to embrace the "potluck" concept in my own life, celebrating the diversity of people, traditions, and ideas that bring us all closer together.Tune in to discover how you too, can create a more inclusive and thriving community.Love,MollyTo support the Los Angeles community in healing from the devastation and trauma caused by the Kenneth fire, Molly is offering valuable information sessions on how to start the healing process. These are designed to assist companies, schools, hospitals, and other organizations. For more details, please email Molly at molly.rowen.carroll@gmail.com.Learn more about Eboo Patel and Interfaith America hereFollow Eboo on XPurchase We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy hereFollow Molly on Instagram and Facebook6-Week Coaching Program coming May 14th!6-Month Coaching Group coming August 13th!Click here for more details

I don't know about you, but I've learned that New Year's resolutions don't work well for me. Eat healthier, exercise more, and have more gratitude—those are the usual go-to's. Maybe it's my Midwestern stubbornness that makes me think, “Don't tell me what to do!” so I end up doing the opposite—eating more sugar, sleeping in instead of going for a run, and complaining more than feeling grateful. It's embarrassing to admit, but it's true.What I've found that works for me is to choose a word for the year, one that will guide me toward more adventure, joy, and truth. This year, my word is love.Today's guest on the Cracking Open podcast, Christina Rasmussen, embodies this word beautifully in her work, relationships, and teachings.Widowed at a young age, Christina was left managing the devastating loss of her partner while also raising their baby and toddler on her own. Initially, all Christina wanted to do was run away from her pain as far as possible, despite her master's degree in guidance and counseling. Four years after her 35-year-old husband passed away from Stage 4 colon cancer, she finally found the courage to confront her grief and created the Life Reentry process, which launched her on a mission to bring compassion, grace, and validation to thousands, while simultaneously establishing an exit from what she termed the Waiting Room.Christina has also published three bestselling books: Second Firsts in 2013, Where Did You Go? in 2018, and her most recent book published in 2024 - Invisible Loss. In this episode, you'll feel the love and wisdom Christina brings as she discusses the concept of “invisible losses”—experiences that are completely devastating yet often difficult to articulate. These losses can sometimes be more perplexing and challenging to navigate than the overt tragedies we face.Christina shares how to honor our invisible losses, using writing exercises she calls “cleanses” to move out of the “Waiting Room”—that place of uncertainty where we feel disconnected from our true selves. We also dive into identifying invisible losses and the three inner narratives we create as we process them: the survivor, the watcher, and the thrive.This episode is full of actionable tips and tools for navigating grief and honoring all the moments that crack us open in life. Christina reminds us that love is the best medicine—not just to heal grief but to embrace any experience that helps us grow.Christina is currently finishing her Master of Fine Arts degree in painting and drawing at the Academy of Art University. Her work on grief has been featured in The Guardian, Oprah Daily, ABC News, Women's World, The Washington Post, and the White House Blog. Christina lives and works in Austin, Texas, with her husband Eric, and their two dogs.Love,MollyLearn more about Christina Rasmussen and her work hereFollow Christina on Instagram or FacebookPurchase Invisible Loss hereFollow Molly on Instagram and Facebook6-Month Coaching Group coming August 2025!Click here for more details

I will never forget the first time I read Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart by Dr. James Doty. It completely shifted my approach to parenting, decision-making, relationships, and business growth.As this week's guest on the Cracking Open podcast, Dr. Doty shares his journey, from growing up in a tumultuous home to discovering the power of self-agency and the science of manifestation. He opens up about his successes and failures, his struggles with the choice to live life from his ego or his heart, and how much he appreciates being called out on his shortcomings. Ultimately, he has discovered that "possessions, position, and power have nothing to do with wisdom, insight, or self-awareness".In this episode, we dive into the science of manifestation and explore actionable steps you can take to manifest the life of your dreams. We explore how therapy can yield incredible results when the client is willing to confront life's challenges and the shadow side of their personality. When we can illuminate the darker, often hidden, parts of ourselves, we can then become more integrated and whole as individuals.More about Dr. James Doty:Neurosurgeon, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and leading researcher in the science of compassionSenior editor of the Oxford Handbook of Compassion Science and developed Happi AI (an app that treats stress, anxiety, and depression) As the former CEO of Accuray (NASDAQ: ARAY), he helped develop CyberKnife technology, saving countless lives worldwideFounder of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford University School of Medicine, where His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the founding benefactorNY Times and international bestselling author of Into the Magic Shop and his most recent book, Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation, which became a top-selling book on Amazon in multiple categoriesDr. James Doty's insights on manifestation teach how to make your brains work FOR us and help us create the life we desire. This powerful conversation can be the very catalyst to unlocking the magic of your mind so you can start manifesting the life you deserve.Love,MollyLearn more about Dr. James Doty and his work hereFollow Dr. Doty on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or XFollow Molly on Instagram and FacebookThe next 6-Month Coaching Group begins in August 2025.Click here for more details.

What an intense past couple of weeks! I don't know about you, but I've experienced a whirlwind of emotions lately. I feel sad about my kids' futures and am grieving over the state of our democracy. At the same time, I feel empowered, knowing that I have self-agency and can choose how I feel each day. By paying attention to when I'm in fight or flight versus rest and digest, I recognize that I can't help others if I'm constantly in a state of fear, hate, or anger. So, I've made a pact with myself: to feel all my feelings, but also embrace what is, and move forward from a place of love and light, guided by what I call the *mother archetype*—an image of a nurturing, protective mother that resides in the collective unconscious of all humans. This archetype is associated with qualities of love, compassion, protection, fertility, creativity, and abundance.Having both Mary Pipher and Elizabeth Lesser on the Cracking Open podcast this week felt like divine timing. Over the last month, I re-released the episodes that they had previously and individually done, to remind the listeners who they are and the vast amounts of wisdom they each have to offer. Having them back in my first-ever dual interview for this podcast was an even greater treat!This special conversation reminds us that life can be simpler if we focus on giving and receiving warmth, spending time in nature, and being present in every moment—whether it's the comfortable or the uncomfortable parts of life. Both of these women encourage us to ask ourselves each day: “What am I walking away from today, and what am I walking toward?”Their wisdom reminds us that life is not easy, and Elizabeth encourages us to be curious about what it means to be a hero: “Let's make the heroes be the ones who stay behind and tend and befriend. Who love. Let's make love be the sign of a hero.” Or, as Mary says, “Mr. Rogers was wonderful because he opened up children's eyes to the diversity of people, and also the importance of understanding and kindness toward people.”Both women embody the *mother archetype*, and they will undoubtedly give you hope for the future, remind you to love your neighbors, and inspire you to never give up on your passion to help others while also finding your own path.Elizabeth Lesser has touched millions through her bestselling books, co-founded the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, helped Oprah Winfrey produce a 10-week online seminar based on Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth, is a frequent Oprah's Soul Series host and has appeared on Super Soul Sunday.Mary Pipher is a community organizer and activist for many causes and has authored 11 books including 4 New York Times bestsellers. Her latest book is A Life in Light, a luminous new memoir that taps into a cultural moment to offer wisdom, hope, and insight into loss and change.After finishing their interview, I sat in my chair with my hand on my heart and took some deep breaths. I felt immense gratitude for the opportunity to have conversations and connections with such incredible and courageous women like Elizabeth and Mary. Our time together reminded me that when I am scared or in a place of fear, I am going to pause and redirect my energy. I'm going to make Love my hero and my north star.Love,MollyLearn more about Elizabeth Lesser and her work hereLearn more about Mary Pipher and her work hereThe next 6-Month Coaching Group begins in August 2025.Click here for more details.Follow Molly on Instagram and Facebook

The Cracking Open podcast has an exciting upcoming episode where, for the first time, I host a dual interview with Elizabeth Lesser and Mary Pipher to discuss a particular and profound issue for women (stay tuned for its release on November 21st!)Leading up to that episode's release, I am re-releasing their initial interviews with me so you can soak in their deep wisdom and charm. You can listen to Elizabeth's episode here. Whether it's the first time you've listened or a refresh, you are in for a treat.This week's episode on the Cracking Open podcast is someone who I would consider a cherished guide in my personal and professional journey over the last two decades.Mary Pipher, Ph.D. is a truly extraordinary psychologist who specializes in women, trauma, and the effect of culture on our mental health.I first came across Mary's work twenty years ago while teaching at an all-girls school in San Francisco. I felt lost on how to best provide emotional support to my students when they felt left out with friends, insecure about their bodies, navigating challenges in their home lives, or struggling with feeling worthy. A fellow teacher recommended that I read a book called Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher.When I read her words below, I knew I had found the right guidance:“Girls struggle with mixed messages:Be beautiful, but beauty is only skin deep.Be sexy, but not sexual.Be honest, but don't hurt anyone's feelings.Be independent, but be nice.Be smart, but not so smart you threaten boys.”Ever since, I have read anything and everything that Mary has written and it has always been a compassionate, wise, and safe place to land. And because of this, I am pinching myself that I got to have this conversation with her and share it with all of you.Mary graduated in Cultural Anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley and received her Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska in Clinical Psychology. She was a Rockefeller Scholar in Residence at Bellagio and has received two American Psychological Association Presidential Citations, one of which she returned to protest psychologists' involvement in enhanced interrogations at Guantánamo and other black sites.She is a community organizer and activist for many causes and has authored 11 books including 4 New York Times bestsellers. Her latest book is A Life in Light, a luminous new memoir that taps into a cultural moment to offer wisdom, hope, and insight into loss and change.In today's episode, Mary reminds us that we don't have to be perfect, solve every problem, or "fix" anyone. She also helps us remember that we live in a universe filled with love and light that surrounds us and is available to us, at all times.I will leave you with her wise words:“I think a wonderful life doesn't mean that a person hasn't had a lot of tragedy. It means they've had a big, rich life where they've been able to experience a really wide range of emotions and people and adventures and learnings of all different kinds.And of course, in terms of loving fiercely, the price for loving fiercely is the pain of goodbye, but I would always choose to love fiercely.”Love,MollyLearn more about Mary Pipher and her work hereThe new 6-Month Coaching Group begins November 13th!Email Molly for more details!Follow Molly on Instagram and Facebook

October 19th marked the 13th anniversary of my dad's passing. It was a deeply profound day, as I experienced a revelation about my grief. I realized that to reach a healthier place with my grief, I needed to engage with it differently. For the past 13 years, I've held onto a level of consciousness regarding my grief that requires transformation. I've been wearing a cloak of identification with the narrative of someone who lost their parents too young, feeling like a victim and grappling with anger over both of my parents' deaths (my mom passed away five years ago). However, last Saturday, I realized to reach the next level of healing, I needed to cultivate a different relationship with my grief and my dad. While I'm unsure exactly what this new relationship looks like, I set an intention that day to let go and surrender, shifting from the mindset of “this happened to me” to a perspective of “this happened for me.” I aspire for my grief to embody more light than darkness, and to serve as a teacher rather than a burden. I want it to guide me toward humility and deeper wisdom. When grief resurfaces and I feel thesadness and loss in my bones, I wish to embrace it through my tears or screams, but not to identify solely with it.I share this journey because one woman who has profoundly influenced my understanding of grief is Elizabeth Lesser. I discovered her work around 11 years ago, shortly after my dad's death, when I read her book Broken Open. Every word resonated deeply and reassured me that I could survive this loss. This book radically changed my life, and I often gift it to those going through difficult transitions.The Cracking Open podcast has an exciting upcoming episode where, for the first time, I host a dual interview with Elizabeth and Mary Pipher to discuss a particular and profound issue for women (stay tuned for its release on November 21st!)Leading up to that episode's release, I will re-release their initial interviews with me so you can soak in their deep wisdom and charm. Whether it's the first time you've listened or a refresh, you are in for a treat.Elizabeth has touched millions through her bestselling books, including Cassandra Speaks: When Women Are the Storytellers, The Human Story Changes, Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow and Marrow: Love, Loss & What Matters Most.She co-founded the Omega Institute, a retreat and conference center in Rhinebeck, NY, dedicated to holistic education and social change movements, attracting over 30,000 participants annually. In 2008, she also helped Oprah Winfrey produce a 10-week online seminar based on Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth, which reached more than 8 million viewers worldwide. Elizabeth is a frequent Oprah's Soul Series host and has appeared on Super Soul Sunday.Please enjoy this incredible conversation. Grab a cup of tea, a notebook, and a pen, and take this hour to soak in Elizabeth's storytelling, wisdom, and insights.Love,MollyLearn more about Elizabeth Lesser and her work hereThe new 6-Month Coaching Group begins November 6th! Email Molly for more details!Follow Molly on Instagram and Facebook

At 21 years old, Lindsay Valentine was told that his father had pancreatic cancer. Towards the end of his father's fight with his cancer, his mother was shockingly also diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Within 6 months of one another, Lindsay lost both of his parents to this heartbreaking disease.Lindsay joins us on the Cracking Open podcast this week to honor his parents' memory and share his journey with this traumatic life experience and what it taught him.It is an unimaginable story for any family, let alone a family of four boys aged 18, 20, 22, and 24. At their young age, they should have been thinking about high school prom, college football games, going to parties, and creating resumes for their first jobs. Instead, these four young men became caretakers for their dying parents and one another. As the oldest brother, Lindsay quickly stepped in as the protector, helper, and savior. Not only did he do this out of deep love for his family, but in retrospect he recognized that taking on this role also distracted him from dealing directly with his own immense grief, sadness, pain, and vulnerability. But that shield only delayed the reckoning of his grief and he has since acknowledged that real healing occurs when we allow space for our grief, pain, and fears. He now knows that sharing his feelings with his loved ones brings them closer together, versus the dysfunction and separation that occurred when he worked hard to keep his feelings at bay.In this episode, Lindsay leans into his vulnerability and commitment to connection by sharing that he is still not okay more than a year after losing his parents and that THAT is okay. He remains in a constant battle with his grief but knows that these losses have taught him to be more vulnerable, to ask for help, and most importantly – to love. Experiencing the death of his mom and dad has reminded him that we only have this one life and it can drastically change in the blink of an eye – so call that friend or family member, follow your joy in everything that you do, and don't be afraid to have the tough conversations with the people you love most. Overall, Lindsay's message is that there is always hope to be found, even in the darkest of times.Bill Valentine, Lindsay's father, passed away on October 21, 2022.Jessica Valentine, Lindsay's mother, passed away on March 17, 2023.Lindsay's parents were two of the most loving, selfless, heart-centered, passion-filled humans I've ever known, and both were dear personal friends of mine. This episode is dedicated to their memory and to the burgeoning lives of their four beautiful sons. Listen to Bill Valentine's podcast interview with Molly as he discusses what having terminal cancer has taught him about the true meaning of life. Originally aired on February 17, 2022, it remains our most downloaded podcast episode.Love,MollyFor more information on Molly's 3-month coaching program, click hereFollow Molly on Instagram and Facebook

We often hear mantras urging us to “be in the present moment” or “appreciate what you have because it could all be gone tomorrow". While a part of us knows this to be true, we can still find ourselves stuck, focused on checking off our to-do lists, and laboring on the treadmill of work, believing that more money will lead to greater happiness.In chasing this false sense of happiness, we often lose sight of what truly matters—our relationships, dreams, and purpose in life. This week, Michael O'Brien joins us on the Cracking Open podcast. Michael is a successful businessman who used to work 60-70 hours a week in corporate leadership and had fallen into the common traps of perceived happiness. But one day he endured a near-death cycling accident when he was struck head-on by an SUV traveling at 40 MPH. This incident completely changed his life.In the wake of the accident, Michael pleaded for a second chance at life. He promised himself that if he survived, he would live more authentically and stop chasing that elusive happiness. Escaping death marked what he calls “My Last Bad Day,” a turning point that forever altered his outlook on life. After enduring 13 surgeries and years of physical therapy, Michael made a profound shift in his perspective, fulfilling his promise to live a more inspired life. Influenced by his various teachers and meditation practice, he came to realize that his accident had served as a catalyst for transformation—not only for himself but for those around him. In this episode, Michael shares his "cracking open" story and the struggles that led him to a more intentional life. He discusses finding peace in a chaotic world, discovering personal power amid challenges, and evaluating how our careers can bring happiness.Today, Michael is an experienced meditation teacher, executive coach, and endurance athlete. He loves helping people accomplish difficult goals through mindfulness, hosts the heartwarming Kintsugi Podcast, and created the app Pause, Breathe, Reflect. In 2022, he rode his bike across America, harnessing the power of mindfulness along the way. Today, Michael helps others navigate life and business using G.R.A.C.E.(Gratitude, Reframing, Awareness, Community, and Energy). This framework assists individuals in building trustworthy support systems, creating fulfilling lives, and bringing out the best in themselves and others.This heart-centered and tear-filled conversation is not to be missed, and it's an honor to now consider Michael a mentor and friend.Love,MollyLearn more about Michael O'Brien and his work hereListen to the Kintsugi Podcast hereDownload the Pause Breathe Reflect meditation app hereConnect with Michael on LinkedInFor more information on Molly's 3-month coaching program, click hereFollow Molly on Instagram and Facebook

Two weeks ago, I sent my first child off to college.To say it's been an adjustment is an understatement. I didn't realize how deeply I would grieve not picking up his cheese wrappers, and smelly soccer cleats, or giving him a nightly hug. The silence at home is unnerving – I miss hearing him shout, “Mom, are you home?” and the chaos of soccer boys rummaging through the kitchen. And the bodily heartache around the passing of time or that our family of four is now a family of three.This transition has given me time to reflect on my immense gratitude for all those who have supported my son, Tommy, through his journey—his coaches, teachers, and school administrators. They've taught him about respect, hard work, curiosity, teamwork, and most importantly, love. Tommy would not be the person he is today without their support.That's why this week's Cracking Open podcast guest, Rashid Davis, holds a special place in my heart. Rashid is the founding principal of Pathways in Technology Early High School (P-TECH) and embodies the power of education and love. "We only have a short shelf life, a moment to make an impact. I was raised in the poorest district in the Bronx, so I saw inequities, but I saw love and understanding, so I lead with love.” ~ Rashid DavisRashid has dedicated his life to improving education and uplifting humanity. P-TECH, a groundbreaking model that spans grades 9-14, provides a pathway from high school to college and a career in industry. The first P-TECH school in Brooklyn partners with New York City College of Technology and IBM. In 2013, P-TECH was highlighted by President Obama in the State of the Union and received a visit from him in October of that year. As of August 2021, P-TECH has expanded to 28 countries with over 200 school and college partners and more than 600 industry partners.In 2016, Rashid was honored as a Legendary School Leader by the Black Caucus of CSA and Administrators and received proclamations from the City Council of New York, the State Assembly, and various Senate Districts. He was also named to City and State's 2016 “Brooklyn Borough 50,” recognizing influential leaders in Brooklyn.In this episode, Rashid shares his journey from growing up in the Bronx with a deep passion for education to obtaining multiple master's degrees and dedicating his career to school development. He shares his invaluable wisdom, inspiring story, and open-hearted approach. Rashid imparts a powerful lesson: If you can open your heart and mind, you will see that everything is education. He emphasizes: “Love people the way that they know and experience love. And so, it really becomes a microcosm of society. And meet people where they are. And when I say love, it's not always the love that feels good, sometimes you have to do things for people to protect them.”As we kick off a new back-to-school season, Rashid helps remind us of the importance of teachers and educators. I hold deep gratitude for individuals like Rashid who have played such a pivotal and positive role in the educational and growth journeys of so many children, including my son.Love,MollyLearn more about P-Tech hereConnect with Rashid Davis on LinkedInInterested in a VIP Coaching Day with Molly?Email Molly for more details!Follow Molly on Instagram and Facebook

For me, this episode's timing could not be more perfect. I dropped off my first kiddo at college last weekend and that has brought with it a tidal wave of emotions – grief, sadness, tons of tears, and reflections on the passing of time, my marriage, and my identity as a mom. I have had to lean on my closest friends multiple times already, and I know that those friendships will continue to be a salvation to me in this new phase of life and letting go.Do you remember singing, “Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, and the other is gold”? Today, I'm thrilled to welcome one of my “gold” friends to the Cracking Open podcast — Charlotte Hardwick.Charlotte and I have been dear friends for over 30 years. In this week's episode, we dive into the highs and lows of female friendships, exploring their benefits and complexities, and how they significantly impact our lives.However, there is much more to Charlotte than the jewels of long-standing friendship. She also comes to this conversation with a wealth of expertise in wellness and nutrition. With over 20 years of experience developing wellness and life-balance programming, Charlotte has worked with individuals, families, and organizations across the country. She brings her teachings into the homes of her clients, into studios, and on retreats in South Carolina, Costa Rica, Mexico, and at the creative and memorable Blackberry Farm hotel and wellness center in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee.Charlotte's extensive knowledge is built on studies from around the world, including MA degrees in nutrition and early childhood development and over 100 dietary theories. Charlotte's mentors include Dr. Andrew Weil from the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. David Katz from Yale University's Prevention Research Center, and Dr. Walter Willett from Harvard University's nutrition department, among many other leading health and wellness experts.In our conversation, we delve into her vast experience in health and wellness, offering concrete tips and tools for living a more balanced and grounded life. We also get real about what we seek from friendships in our 50s, exploring the highs and lows that have sustained our bond for 30 years, while also discussing why female friendships are crucial for our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. God knows they have saved my ass more than a few times!Charlotte truly embodies the qualities of a “gold” friend — honest, loving, and authentic. I hope you come away from this episode feeling inspired to make healthy choices for your own life and feeling grateful for your own long-standing "gold" friendships.Love,MollyP.S. As you may have noticed, our team has made some changes to the look of the Cracking Open podcast. As much as I loved the original design, it felt like the right time for a fresh new look. I love it and hopefully you do too!Learn more about Charlotte Hardwick hereRegister for Charlotte's next retreat at Blackberry Farm hereFollow Charlotte on InstagramMolly's next 3-month Cracking Open group coaching program starts in September 2024! Learn more here.Interested in a VIP Coaching Day with Molly?Email Molly for more details!Follow Molly on Instagram and Facebook

In an era marked by division and rising mental health challenges, Fr. Greg Boyle's voice is one we need to hear now more than ever. On this episode of the Cracking Open podcast, I am honored to speak with Fr. Boyle, a man whose work, books, and mission have inspired me for years.Father Gregory Boyle is a Jesuit priest and founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the world's largest gang intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Fr. Boyle served as pastor of Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights from 1986 to 1992. Dolores Mission was the poorest Catholic parish in Los Angeles and had the highest concentration of gang activity in the city.  He had a front-row seat to the devastating impact of gang violence on his community during the so-called “decade of death” that began in the late 1980s, peaking at 1,000 gang-related killings in 1992.  Law enforcement deployed harsh police tactics and the criminal justice system rolled out policies of suppression and mass incarceration as the primary response to the increased gang violence. But where others saw only criminals, Father Boyle saw people in need of help. So his parish and community members decided to implement a radically different approach – to treat gang members as human beings.  In 1988 they started what would eventually become Homeboy Industries, which employs and trains former gang members in a range of social enterprises, as well as provides critical services to thousands of individuals who walk through its doors every year seeking a better life. Whether joining their 18-month employment and re-entry program or seeking discreet services such as tattoo removal or substance abuse resources, their clients are embraced by a community of kinship and offered a variety of free wraparound services to facilitate healing and growth. In this episode, we discuss Fr. Boyle's journey to becoming a priest, the development of Homeboy Industries, and his core principles: “Everybody's unshakably good, no exceptions,” and “We belong to each other, no exceptions.”  We also explore the teachings of Jesus, and what Fr. Greg shares is the “marrow of the gospel” emphasizing inclusion, nonviolence, unconditional kindness, and compassion.Fr. Boyle speaks of these concepts in his 2010 New York Times bestseller Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, followed by Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship (2017) and The Whole Language: The Power ofExtravagant Tenderness (2021). Recently he debuted Forgive Everyone Everything, an anthology of writings accompanied by Fabian Debora's artwork. He has received the California Peace Prize and has been inducted into the California Hall of Fame. In 2014, President Obama named Fr. Boyle a Champion of Change. He received the University of Notre Dame's 2017 Laetare Medal, the oldesthonor given to American Catholics. Homeboy Industries was the recipient of the 2020 Hilton Humanitarian Prize, validating 32 years of Fr. Greg Boyle's vision and work by the organization for over three decades. And in May 2024, Fr. Greg was a recipient of The Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Biden.Our heartfelt conversation reveals that what everyone seeks is a home – not just a physical space but a place where they are seen, and valued, and where judgment is left at the door.Love, MollyLearn more about Father Greg Boyle and his work with Homeboy Industries hereFollow Homeboy Industries on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Do you believe in synchronicity? Our guest today on the Cracking Open podcast embodies the essence of serendipity. I first encountered Samantha Myer in a Venice, California coffee shop and was drawn to her stylish and distinctive coat/robe/sweater ensemble. Little did I know, her story transcends mere fashion.Based in Los Angeles, Samantha is a celebrated wardrobe stylist, designer, and thecreative force behind Samantha Myer Studio. She's renowned for the iconic PapaSweater, a blend of blanket, sweater, and comforting embrace that I personallyadore.Samantha's career spans from styling ad campaigns and red carpets to showcasing her designs at New York Fashion Week. Her work has graced the pages of The New York Times, Elle.com, Cosmopolitan, Elle France, and GQ.In 2014, Samantha made waves in fashion with "Leather Stems" - leather thigh-high stirrups that transform ankle boots into thigh-highs. Launched at IntermixStores nationwide, this innovation marked a pivotal moment in her journey,leading to collaborations with celebrities such as Alicia Keys.Beyond her professional achievements, Samantha's designs and identity aredeeply shaped by losing her father at a young age. This experience sparked her involvement with A Caring Hand, a non-profit supporting bereaved children. Samantha's compassion for these young hearts has driven her to use her platform for advocacy and awareness.In our conversation, Samantha emerges as a captivating storyteller, effortlesslyblending poignant reflections on grief with delightful anecdotes from her life,including friendships with icons like Lindsay Lohan. Her journey underscorespowerful life lessons about embracing dreams with courage and authenticity.Love,MollyLearn more about Samantha Myer and her work here Follow Samantha on InstagramMolly's next 3-month Cracking Open group coaching program starts in September 2024! Learn more here.Interested in a VIP Coaching Day with Molly?Email Molly for more details!Follow Molly on Instagram and Facebook

My son leaves for college in August, so you can only imagine how much I have been reflecting on motherhood lately.I've been thinking back on all those joyful hours watching Tommy play soccer since he was three years old, and the sleepless nights worrying if he'll be okay as he changes and grows into the young man he is today. The essence of loving a child deeply reminds me of Elizabeth Stone's famous saying – “Making the decision to have a child – it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”  These words have never felt more true than they do right now, and it has inspired me to re-release an early episode of the Cracking Open podcast with one of the fiercest and most radically loving mothers I know - the incredible Jodie Patterson.Jodie is an award-winning author, public speaker, advocate, and entrepreneur whose work spans communities as diverse as fashion and beauty brands, to media and entertainment organizations, to queer and BIPOC advocacy groups. In 2019, she became the first Black person elected to the role of Chair of The Human Rights Campaign Board, America's largest LGBT organization with more than forty years of experience advocating for the rights of this community.Her first book, The Bold World: A Memoir of Family and Transformation, was hailed by Alice Walker as “marvelous”, and since its publication in 2017, Jodie has spoken weekly on topics of identity, gender, race, and beauty, along with how they play out in family dynamics. In 2021, she published her second book, Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope. It has won several awards and was gifted to all public schools in the state of Kansas. The picture book was inspired by Jodie's child's pronouncement at the age of three, “Mama, I'm not a girl, I am a boy”, as well as Jodie's transformation into an unapologetic LGBTQAI advocate.Jodie's story has been featured in numerous daytime talk shows, evening news programs, national print publications, podcasts, and radio programs, including a short documentary produced by Cosmopolitan magazine that reached more than 11 million views and is currently used by the State of New York for diversity training of its employees. In 2015, Family Circle Magazine named her the #1 Most Influential Mom.She is a truly inspiring woman and mother, and the conversation that we share is both poignant and passionate. Jodie's voice is an important one to listen to if you want to experience the embodiment of true freedom in love and motherhood.Love,MollyPurchase Jodie's book The Bold World here, and Born Ready here  Follow Jodie on InstagramMolly's next 3-month Cracking Open group coaching program starts in September 2024! Learn more here.Interested in a VIP Coaching Day with Molly?Email Molly for more details!Follow Molly on Instagram and Facebook

Chris Herren's story is one of profound struggle and eventual redemption. Addiction impacts millions of families in heartbreaking ways. I know this personally and through sitting with multiple clients who have been going through it with loved ones. This makes today's conversation about addiction and recovery on the Cracking Open podcast especially powerful. As a young basketball prodigy from Fall River, MA, Chris soared to fame with over 2000 points in high school, even gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated before graduating. However, his journey with addiction had already started to derail his life and his future as a professional athlete. Due to repeated failed drug tests, Chris was expelled from Boston College.Legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian reached out to Chris and gave him a second chance to play college basketball at Fresno State. He flourished there, leading him into the NBA, playing with the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics. In secret though, Chris was still battling with alcohol and drug addiction, and basketball simply couldn't compete with the lure of alcohol, cocaine, and heroin. Despite his success on the court, his personal life spiraled out of control, culminating in an overdose and near-death experience in 2008. Through what he calls his "sherpas" – guiding lights on his journey – Chris fully embraced recovery, and has been sober since August 1, 2008. He continues to share his story through various platforms, including his bestselling memoir Basketball Junkie and the Emmy-nominated ESPN Films documentary Unguarded.Chris has dedicated his life to sobriety and creating a positive impact in the world. Through his company Herren Talks, he has reached over a million students and community members, sparking crucial conversations about substance use disorder and wellness. Chris's nonprofit Herren Project, empowers schools and communities to make healthy choices and supports families through recovery. Herren Wellness, established in 2018, offers residential health and wellness programs to support substance-free living.Chris's journey and this conversation around addiction recovery will resonate deeply with many of you. Even if you have not been personally touched by addiction, understanding this topic and its impact is crucial, making this conversation particularly significant.Love,MollyLearn more about Chris Herren and his work hereFollow Chris on InstagramMolly's next 3-month Cracking Open group coaching program starts in July 2024! Learn more here.Interested in a VIP Coaching Day with Molly?Email Molly for more details!Follow Molly on Instagram and Facebook

Do you ever feel like you have to be perfect? The perfect mother, daughter, employee, partner, etc?It's a familiar struggle that I have grappled with in my own life, and as a therapist, I've witnessed this innate desire to be perfect from thousands of women. That's how I first came across Elise Loehnen's bestselling book, On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good.  It is such an intriguing read and I am thrilled to have her on the Cracking Open podcast today.Elise is not only a New York Times bestselling author, but also the host of the podcast Pulling the Thread, where she interviews cultural luminaries about life's big questions. In our conversation, we talk through some of our own big questions like how she got the idea for her book after speaking with the celebrity therapist Lori Gottlieb on the Goop podcast. Ms. Gottlieb told her - pay attention to envy, it can show you what you want. Gottlieb's insight into using envy as a revealing emotion inspired Elise to explore the other six "deadly sins" —lust, anger, greed, gluttony, sloth, and pride—and their impact on women's lives. Not only did this exploration deeply influence millions of women's lives but her own as well."I'm the primary breadwinner. I've killed myself to succeed in life and be a good mother, partner, citizen, employee, and boss. And, you know, I was breathless, exhausted, and recognized that I was running a race with no finish line, that I was competing against a standard that I had not created and that would never give me any rewards that would mean anything to me." ~ Elise LoehnenBoy oh boy, can I relate! Maybe you can too?Join us as we delve into a wide range of topics, such as the Enneagram personality type system, Elise's affinity with spiritual figures such as Mary Magdalene (and how I feel that Elise is our modern-day Joan of Arc!). Elise was previously the chief content officer of the famous lifestyle brand goop. While there, she co-hosted The goop Podcast and The goop Lab on Netflix, and led the brand's content strategy and programming, including launching a magazine with Condé Nast and a book imprint. Before goop, she held roles as the editorial projects director of Conde Nast Traveler and editor at large and deputy editor of Lucky Magazine, where she also served as the on-air spokesperson, appearing regularly on shows like Today, E!, Good Morning America, and The Early Show. Elise is highly accomplished in her career and a staunch advocate for women's self-acceptance. She emphasizes that it's not about striving for perfection but rather about becoming aware of how cultural programming and ancient ideas of morality, such as the seven deadly sins, continue to control and distort women's lives today. Elise believes that trusting in our natural instincts can lead us back to a more balanced, peaceful, and spiritually fulfilling way of living.My conversation with Elise was a breath of fresh air. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.Love,MollyLearn more about Elise Loehnen hereJoin Elise's Substack herePurchase On Our Best Behavior hereListen to Pulling the Thread podcast hereFollow Elise on Instagram

I invite you to reflect on a moment when you immersed yourself in nature — perhaps swimming in a serene lake, hiking through lush trails, or simply basking in the beauty of a park, as you felt the grass beneath your feet and saw the trees towering above you.Can you remember a time when nature had a positive impact on you? Maybe it brought you peace amidst the tranquility of the forest, or a surge of exhilaration as you skied down a mountainside. Whatever your memories may be, one undeniable thing is that nature stirs something within us.On this week's episode of the Cracking Open podcast, Jobi Manson reminds us of the profound healing and transformative power of nature. Jobi is a visual artist and sculptor whose work explores the realms of water, light, sound, and stone. Delving into theineffable dimensions beyond words, she traverses the realms of matter, time, and the ethereal space in between.In 2015, she founded Sēfari, a platform dedicated to elemental experiences that fuse science, nature, and art, all in pursuit of psychosomatic evolution. Partnering with esteemed organizations like Auberge, The Sea Ranch Lodge, and In Goop Health, amongothers, Sēfari has become a beacon for those seeking to reconnect with nature and themselves. In this conversation, Jobi shares profound insights, like the transformative power of swimming alongside whales and dolphins and exploring the profound connection between humans and the natural world. We talk about her journey through grief following the death of her mother,  her own near-death experience when she broke her neck while swimming in the ocean which temporarily rendered her paralyzed, and a particularly transformative encounter with a psychic that led her to Hawaii and helped her return home to herself. Based in Pacific Palisades, California, Jobi now runs a private practice, offering individuals a pathway to rediscover their true essence through the transformative power of art and nature.Love, MollyLearn more about Jobi Manson and Sēfari hereJoin Jobi's Substack hereFollow Jobi on InstagramMolly's next 3-month Cracking Open group coaching program starts in July 2024! Learn more here.Follow Molly on Instagram and Facebook

There are days when I feel fantastic about being 53 years old. Maybe I've gone for a run, delved into an article about AI and understood more than half of it, or shared laughs with friends reminiscent of my teenage years.Then there are those other days when I glance in the mirror and notice more wrinkles, or when my husband suggests going to see a band and I decline because I'd rather be in my pajamas by 8 pm. Truth be told!So when I discovered Chip Conley, today's guest on Cracking Open and author of the New York Times bestselling book Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age, I knew he would offer a wealth of wisdom on this complex phase called midlife.In this episode, Chip and I delve deep into the topic. We discuss candidly how his loss of five close friends to suicide and his own near-death experience taught him that mortality serves as an organizing principle for life.Chip shares insights from his early years of ballroom dancing, where he learned that it's a powerful metaphor for life: in the first half the ego leads the dance, but in the second half the soul takes the lead while the ego follows.His primary intention is to shift people's perspective on aging, advocating for a pro-aging mindset rather than an anti-aging one. With this shift, he emphasizes the numerous benefits, including gaining an additional seven and a half years of life.Chip Conley is on a mission to redefine midlife. Having disrupted the hospitality industry twice, first with Joie de Vivre Hospitality and then as Airbnb's Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy, he co-founded MEA (Modern Elder Academy) in 2018. MEA, the world's first midlife wisdom school, aims to reframe aging and empower individuals to navigate midlife with purpose and possibility.Our conversation in this episode goes beyond simply discussing the science and stories around embracing midlife; we fully embody it. We share laughter and vulnerability, along with our personal experiences with aging, and as a result, we connected on a deeper level.Since our discussion, I have felt lighter, more alive, and younger in my mind, body, and spirit. Chip Conley is truly a gift to the world and reframing what midlife could be like for all of us.Love,Molly

 Have you ever had a moment where you get chills up and down your spine while listening to someone's story and how it transformed how they live, work, and exist in the world?This is what happened to me when I first heard Dr. Ellen Langer speak, and she joins us today on the Cracking Open podcast to impart her wisdom, backed by decades of research and enriched by stories from her latest book, The Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health.Dr. Langer is one of the first women to achieve tenure at Harvard University and has dedicated forty-five years to pioneering research on aging, diabetes, autism, stress management, and overall health. Her work underscores the profound connection between our minds and bodies, advocating for mindfulness as a powerful tool to enhance overall well-being. Listening to our discussion today will shed light on Dr. Langer's belief that mindfulness not only benefits us personally but is also remarkably easy to integrate into our lives. She emphasizes that all our misery stems from being mindless, and by becoming more mindful and noticing things in our lives, we can alleviate stress and transform our experiences for the better.Dr. Ellen Langer is not only a professor and researcher at Harvard but a prolific author, with eleven books to her name, including the internationally acclaimed Mindfulness, which has been translated into fifteen languages, and Counterclockwise: Mindful Health and the Power of Possibility.Her contributions to psychology have garnered widespread recognition, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest from the American Psychological Association.With over 200 research articles to her credit, Dr. Langer's pioneering work in social psychology has earned her a place in The New York Times Magazine's "Year in Ideas" issue. Dr. Langer is also an accomplished painter. Our lively conversation left a lasting impression on me, especially when she emphasized that "it is not about making the right decisions, it is about making your decisions right". This resonated deeply with me, highlighting the importance of mindfulness in shaping our perceptions and responses to life's challenges. Dr. Ellen's teachings have truly transformed my approach to daily living. I now navigate each day with a newfound mindfulness, drawing from her research to navigate life's challenges with greater ease and resilience. Tune in to learn more about how you can bring more mindfulness into your life today.Love, MollyLearn more about Dr. Ellen Langer and her work hereFollow Dr. Langer on LinkedIn, Facebook,  X, and InstagramMolly's next 3-month Cracking Open group coaching program starts in July 2024! Learn more here. Follow Molly on Instagram and Facebook

Growing up, I often heard sayings such as “the harder the work, the luckier you get” and “nothing comes free in life". Adopting this approach to life inspired me to become a very hard worker. However, I also became someone who can have difficulty relaxing and letting go of work. I still tend towards pushing and striving to make something happen out of sheer will versus allowing the right things to come into my life at the right time. If this resonates with you, then I invite you into the world of today's Cracking Open podcast guest and life coach Jill Rose, who is here to remind us that there is a kinder, easier, and more generative way to move through this world.As a self-proclaimed overachiever, hustler, and hard-working mom of three kids, Jill learned to keep pushing forward to reach some unforeseen finish line. Then she had a "cracking open" moment when she lost her home during the housing crisis. Feeling ashamed, lonely, and isolated because she and her family had to move to a new city and start all over, Jill hit rock bottom. Then one day she discovered a yoga class, which brought her the warmth and comfort she was so desperately seeking. She enrolled in yoga teacher training and began to feel alive again. She learned that she loved teaching women yoga, where she could create a space for them to slow down and step out of the rat race, and instead learn to trust their inner voice of rest, presence, and healthy community.Today Jill is a life coach, speaker, and facilitator who loves nothing more than watching a woman unapologetically shine. Through her one-on-one work with clients, her group coaching program called Rest, Restore & Rise, her bi-annual women's retreats, and her facilitation work with professional organizations, Jill is dedicated to helping her clients know their value, worth, brilliance, and importance so that they can rise into the women they are destined to be. And by doing so, they inevitably enrich and elevate those around them.May we all learn from Jill the easier, kinder way of living that is more aligned with our true nature, and may it bring forth more abundance, joy, purpose, passion, bandwidth, and capacity to better care for ourselves and those we love.Love,MollyLearn more about Jill Rose and her work hereFollow Jill on Instagram and FacebookLearn more about Jill's upcoming retreats & courses hereFeeling Stuck? It's Time to Get Unstuck!A 3-Month Cracking Open Coaching Program with Molly Carroll.The next group is starting soon! Learn more here.Connect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

Have you ever pondered the significance of people entering your life – wondering if it is simply a coincidence that you met, or if they are destined to offer support or impart some crucial lesson during your journey in this lifetime?Our guest today on the Cracking Open podcast, Kara Ladd, is someone I feel certain I was meant to cross paths with in this life. Kara was living what seemed to be the dream life—working in fashion editorial and residing in a stunning apartment that was nestled between two of New York's hottest nightclubs. She embodied the quintessential girl boss, hustling tirelessly. Then her life took an unforeseen turn when Kara discovered a bump under her left knee, which turned out to be a one-in-a-million synovial sarcoma cancer. At the young age of 24, her life as she knew it came to an abrupt halt. She recalls, “I had this full-on cracking open spiritual, out-of-body experience.”While editing Kara's episode last week, life threw me an unexpected curveball. I found myself needing an ultrasound to investigate some symptoms that could have been anything from perimenopause to a potential cancerous mass in my uterus or cervix. Thankfully, my symptoms turned out to be related to menopause (gratitude to Dr. Mary Claire Haver for her invaluable teachings!). But this scare reinforced my belief that Kara's voice needed to be heard on the podcast.Through her journey with chemotherapy and facing her mortality head-on, Kara realized the importance of delving deep into her soul and asking profound questions like: “Who am I? What do I truly enjoy? Are my relationships nurturing me?” Kara is not only a badass cancer survivor but an award-winning multimedia entrepreneur & journalist known for her storytelling, purpose-driven thought leadership, and conscious marketing consultancy for the next generation of modern, mindful brands.She began her career working in the fashion closets of Cosmopolitan and Italian Vogue, then worked at a boutique sustainable fashion consultancy where she spearheaded creative and strategic marketing for high-profile clients such as Amazon. Kara then pivoted back into editorial, working as Hearst Digital Media's E-Commerce and Partnerships Editor, where she created optimized digital content for all 28 Hearst sites. Her features have reached 35 million page views worldwide. In 2018, Kara started her own successful consulting company, KL Consulting.Kara considers her healing journey to be one of the most powerful awakenings of her life and was the conduit for creating her consultancy. She now helps others awaken to their "why" - their heartbeat, their purpose.  Kara's story reminds us that universal light permeates everything around us, and her words help us connect to our hearts. May her message inspire you to take aligned steps towards embodying your best self.Love,MollyLearn more about Kara Ladd and her work hereFollow Kara on Instagram and TikTokFeeling Stuck? It's Time to Get Unstuck!A 3-Month Cracking Open Coaching Program with Molly Carroll.The next group is starting soon! Learn more here.Connect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

We are fortunate to welcome back Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a menopause guru, for her second appearance on the podcast (in case you missed it, or want a refresher, go back to episode 39 to listen to our first conversation which is one of our most downloaded episodes ever!).Did you know that 1.2 billion women are going through menopause right now? In this episode, we delve into the prevalent misconceptions surrounding menopause. Dr. Haver sheds light on various aspects of this hormonal transition, including the misinformation surrounding hormones and cancer, and the staggering statistic that only 0.03% of the NIH (National Institute of Health) budget is allocated to menopause research, despite its universal relevance to all women. She also shares her approach to treating menopause through holistic approaches to health, highlighting the significance of sleep, diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle in managing menopausal symptoms.Dr. Mary Claire Haver is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist from Tulane University. She is a Louisiana State University Medical Center graduate and completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). She is also a Certified Menopause Specialist through The Menopause Society, and in 2021 she opened Mary Claire Wellness, a clinic dedicated to caring for menopausal patients.Dr. Haver has amassed over 4 million followers across social media by posting menopausal advice for women. She understands that menopause healthcare is in dire need of change and is proud to be leading the conversation. Her educational background and her own experience led her to develop the national bestselling book and online program, The Galveston Diet, a three-pronged lifestyle plan that encourages fuel refocusing, intermittent fasting, and anti-inflammatory nutrition to manage hormonal symptoms, stabilize weight, and revitalize the body as it ages to provide benefits that will last a lifetime.She is working on her second book, The New Menopause, which will be released in Spring 2024. One particularly poignant moment from the interview is Dr. Haver's assertion that she is part of a movement poised to transform medicine, recognizing the urgent need for increased focus on menopause healthcare. Her mission is to guide individuals back to their baseline and alleviate the stress associated with menopause through informed treatment options.This episode resonates not only with women experiencing perimenopause or menopause but also with anyone who has women in their lives—be it daughters, mothers, sisters, or friends. By listening to Dr. Mary Claire Haver's insights, individuals can positively influence their longevity and quality of life, paving the way for a more balanced, sane, and healthy existence.Love,MollyLearn more about Dr. Mary Claire Haver and her work hereFollow Dr. Haver on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedInFeeling Stuck? It's Time to Get Unstuck! A 3-Month Cracking Open Coaching Program with Molly Carroll. The next group is starting soon! Learn more here.Connect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

In my podcast conversations with authors, anthropologists, creatives, and change-makers, we often delve into their personal stories, encompassing their triumphs and setbacks, as well as their spiritual practices and strategies for leading a more fulfilling life.However, today's conversation is a bit different from the norm.Today, I'm privileged to engage in conversation with Sun Yi, a distinguished personal branding expert and the visionary founder of Night Owls, an acclaimed digital agency catering to esteemed clients like Mel Robbins, Jay Shetty, Marc Randolph, and Gabby Bernstein.Despite Sun's professional collaborations with prominent figures in the self-transformation space, he boldly admits his disinterest in practices such as yoga, mantras, or the ritual of smudging his home. Yet, his online presence, characterized by candid insights, thought-provoking slogans, and astute business counsel, immediately captivated my attention, resonating deeply with me as both an occasional social media gawker and a prospective client.Upon delving further into Sun Yi's work, I eagerly enrolled in his three-month marketing mentorship program. Through this journey, I gained invaluable lessons on branding, marketing tactics, the art of storytelling, authenticity, and the significance of prioritizing both customer service and personal fulfillment.Sun Yi's multifaceted expertise extends beyond his role as an entrepreneur and storyteller; he's also a TEDx speaker and the driving force behind Night Owls and Night Owl Nation. With over 20 years of experience in digital branding, Sun has helped brands go from virtual zero revenue to $1 billion. He is passionate about teaching and has taught over 22,000+ students through his online course, The Art of Storytelling for Freelancers and Creators. In 2022, he started Night Owl Nation, a global community of entrepreneurs and creators who practice storytelling together.During our conversation, Sun Yi candidly reflects on his upbringing in Korea and subsequent immigration to the United States at the age of 10, where he endured years of bullying. These experiences shaped his resilience, reinforcing his sense of self while occasionally challenging his capacity for humility.Through the highs and lows of his professional journey, including almost losing his marriage to the love of his life Gigi, Sun Yi arrived at a profound realization: true success hinges upon establishing authentic human connections with customers. He highlights the importance of active listening, genuine care, and a service-oriented approach as the most potent tools in the realm of marketing and branding.Sun Yi's authenticity, humor, and candid anecdotes will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression, offering not just marketing and branding insights but also a sense of camaraderie amidst life's ebbs and flows. His message is clear: by embracing the present moment, we unlock the fullest potential of our lives.Love,MollyLearn more about Sun Yi and his work hereFollow Sun Yi on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter), & InstagramMolly has a new website! Check it out hereConnect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

On a sunny afternoon, as I sat on my deck, immersed in reading Oprah Magazine, acaptivating article "How to Love Yourself When You Feel Your Worst" caught my attention. It wasn't just the title that drew me in, but the vibrant, colorful woman gracing the page beneath it. There she stood, in a tiger-printed dress, hands reaching out to the sky, exuding vitality, joy, and boundless possibilities for life.I read the article which beautifully unfolded the story of J.J. Martin, an American-born, Milan-based fashion designer who discovered her inner light during the darkest days of the pandemic. Two sentences, in particular, stood out to me: "Cracking open one spiritual window back in 2014 gave me a deep itch to discover the whole glorious mansion within."  "So, a lot has cracked open from these energy eggs I fertilized."Of course I had to invite her on the Cracking Open podcast, right??J.J. Martin holds the titles of Creative Commander and Chief Spiritual Officer at La DoubleJ, a thriving fashion and homeware business. A California native, she arrived in Milan in 2001, spending 17 years as a journalist, contributing to various international publications and uncovering Italy's finest treasures as a contributing editor for Harper's Bazaar (US), WSJ. Magazine, and Wallpaper. Throughout this journey, she refined her aesthetic sensibilities and forged connections with creative minds in fashion, interiors, art, design, and architecture.In 2015, J.J. launched La DoubleJ, a shoppable magazine with a dual purpose: to showcase her collection of vintage clothing and to celebrate Milan's glamorous women and legendary housewives. Fueled by J.J.'s maximalist energy, La DoubleJ soared, offering original collections characterized by feel-good fashion, effortless glamour, and a vintage twist. Over the past two decades in Italy, a place she describes as her "first major spiritualteacher", J.J. has cultivated a vibrant community of healers, educators, and soul workers, deepening her spiritual practice and becoming a trusted resource in the realm of spirituality and wellness.All these facets of J.J.'s life reflect her genuine passions, seamlessly woven into a unique lifestyle brand that encourages women to discover joy within and without. In this episode, our conversation goes beyond fashion, fabrics, and design, taking a profound dive into her personal journey and how embracing vulnerability led her on a spiritual path. We explore topics not limited to the pleasant aspects of life but also delve into how to keep your heart open during challenging times and how to heal from loss and disappointments, especially when life doesn't unfold as expected.I invite you to approach J.J.'s wisdom with an open heart. Her insights, though possiblynew to you, have the potential to profoundly impact your life. J.J.'s business and life mantra revolves around "raising the vibration". She is the perfect evangelist for this cause, and on this episode of Cracking Open, she shares her unique, heartfelt perspective. Love,MollyLearn more about J.J. Martin and her work hereFollow J.J. on InstagramFollow La DoubleJ on InstagramMolly has a new website!! Check it out hereConnect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

Why is it that January is one of the most popular times to ask ourselves questions like, "What needs to change in my life?" or "How do I want the end of this year to look different from today?"It is questions like these, about change and self-evolution, that I have been hearing from my clients for many years (and have asked myself as well!). This inspired me to ask Serena Dugan to be our guest on the Cracking Open Podcast today.Serena is a beacon of change, living a life filled with authenticity and creativity. She is an artist and textile designer based in Sausalito, California. With an education in both Psychology and Fine Art, Serena has spent the past 20 years developing her mark as a painter, product designer, and Chief Creative Officer of Serena & Lily, the home and lifestyle brand she founded in 2004.In 2020, Serena launched Serena Dugan Studio, her eponymous collection of fabricsand wallpapers. Serena's art-driven textiles draw inspiration from around the world, from the breezy jet-set spirit of Capri in the 50s to the tribal basket weaving traditions in South America, to the colorful abstract mid-century architecture found in Mexico City. Serena weaves together global references and textile traditions to create her unique statement. Most recently, Serena collaborated with Erik Lindstrom to create a line of rugs inspired by her artwork. In my conversation with Serena, we delve deep into topics ranging from finding your creativity, trusting your instincts when making decisions, letting go of your ego, and coping with the loss of a loved one. This episode is not only profound and truthful but also a reminder that creativity resides within all of us if we remain open to the idea that life is not stagnant, change is inevitable, and trusting our instincts can make life feel vital and alive.Serena not only shares her passion for painting and being an artist but also the value ofmaking mistakes, starting over, and understanding that our achievements do notdefine who we are. She lovingly reminds us all - "At the end of my days, I'm not going to look back on Serena and Lily and think that is my greatest success. I'm not going to look back on my textile collection and say, that is what I'm most proud of. At the end of the day, it's the people that I'm surrounded by that give life meaning. The rest of this is just our path to love."Love,MollyLearn more about Serena Dugan and her work hereFollow Serena on InstagramMolly has a new website!! Check it out hereConnect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

Today we are kicking off Season 6 of the Cracking Open podcast with a powerful message from legendary explorer, writer, photographer, filmmaker, and storyteller, Wade Davis.Wade's incredible journey takes us from the Amazon and The Andes, where he spent over three years as a plant explorer among 15 indigenous groups, to Haiti, where he investigated folk preparations tied to the creation of zombies and authored The Serpent and the Rainbow. His explorations have taken him to numerous destinations, including East Africa, Borneo, Nepal, Peru, Polynesia, Tibet, and beyond. We delve into his upbringing and how it influenced his career choices, including anthropology, rituals, and psychedelic experiences with renowned figures like Richard Schulte and Andrew Weil.Wade Davis's list of achievements is extensive, from being a Professor of Anthropology and holding the BC Leadership Chair in Cultures and Ecosystems at the University of British Columbia to serving as Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society. With degrees in anthropology and biology, including a Ph.D. in ethnobotany from Harvard University, he has authored 25 books, including One River, The Wayfinders, Into the Silence, and Magdalena. His photography has graced the pages of National Geographic, and he has been involved in various documentaries, including Light at the Edge of the World and El Sendero de la Anaconda.As a professional speaker for 35 years, Wade has delivered captivating lectures at universities, corporations, and professional associations worldwide. He's a TED veteran with talks viewed by millions, and his books have made a global impact. Davis's remarkable contributions have earned him recognition, including honorary memberships and awards like the Gold Medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the prestigious Explorers Medal.In today's episode, Wade encourages us to follow his example, be leap-takers, and explore our destinies in 2024, reminding us that life is here to lift us if we are willing to take the risk and trust the journey.He reminds us that taking a leap in life is crucial, and he shares the wisdom of his friend, Terence McKenna, who once said, "Jump off the cliff, the world doesn't exist to put you down. It exists to lift you up." This episode serves as a reminder that we are the architects of our own lives, with the agency to shape our decisions and habits in the direction we choose.Love,MollyLearn more about Wade Davis and his work herePeruse Wade's bibliography & purchase one of his books hereFollow Wade on InstagramLearn more about Molly Carroll hereConnect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

"Believe in yourself, follow your gut, and never say never, you have no idea what you can do." These words of hope and inspiration from Mary Celeste Beall, mother of five children and proprietor of the Blackberry farm, are what we all need to hear during the holiday season.In 2016, Mary Celeste Beall's life took an unexpected turn when she lost her beloved husband, Sam, in a shocking ski accident. Just weeks later, her professional life also transformed when she was asked by her beloved father-in-law to be the proprietor of the legendary Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain resorts, a position Sam had occupied for years.Mary Celeste initially joined her late husband, Sam, as he spearheaded Blackberry Farm into a renowned food, wine, and wellness destination. In her role as Proprietor, Mary Celeste, alongside her father-in-law, Sandy, and the Blackberry team, played a pivotal role in the creation and opening of Blackberry Mountain. It has since become a haven for preservation and personal exploration in relaxation, wellness, and adventure.Under Mary Celeste's leadership, the Blackberry brand has received numerous accolades, including three James Beard Awards for Best Chef—Southeast, Outstanding Wine Program, and Outstanding Service for Blackberry Farm. Additionally, Blackberry Farm was named Bon Appétit's No. 1 Hotel for Food Lovers, while Blackberry Mountain has garnered recognition from ELLE Décor Travel A-List as the Best New Hotel, Hideaway Report as Hideaway of the Year, and inclusion in Travel + Leisure's It List for best new hotels in the world.In today's episode, you will hear how Mary Celeste has not only been highly successful as the proprietor of Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain but also excels at being open-hearted and honest about her emotions.Mary Celeste begins the conversation by sharing her vulnerability, shedding tears as she discusses a loved one who is hurting. This leads us to the story of her grief over losing her beloved Sam and her journey as a solo mom to five kids.The episode also explores how to keep loved ones alive in memories, stories, and laughter while allowing oneself to feel new love. It emphasizes that life is meant to be lived in connection with others, even when experiencing the loss of a deep love and father to your children.This episode goes beyond Mary Celeste's roles as a mom, proprietor, and widow. It delves into her life as a passionate and creative woman, known for her humor and hope.Despite almost canceling the interview on an "off" day, Mary Celeste's decision to proceed teaches us that it's possible to hold the emotions of grief and joy in the same moment. By allowing all our emotions to be expressed, we create deeper connections with others—a meaningful gift during this holiday season.Mary Celeste's story of moving through loss to find strength and purpose is nothing short of inspiring. Tune in to this episode to be inspired by Mary Celeste Beall's remarkable journey of resilience, hope, and embracing the full spectrum of emotions.Mary Celeste's Websites: https://www.blackberryfarm.com/https://www.blackberrymountain.com/Find Mary Celeste on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/marycelestebf/ https://www.instagram.com/blackberryfarm/ https://www.instagram.com/blackberry.mountain/Learn more about Molly Carroll hereConnect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

For many of us, this time of year is filled with joyful celebrations and creating wonderful memories with friends and family. And for many of us, this time of year can actually be a difficult and stressful time.Maybe it's the first holiday season after the loss of someone you love, or maybe you simply feel stressed about the hectic pace that often surrounds the holidays or the pressure of meeting others' expectations of what our families or celebrations "should" look like in order to make it the most perfect holiday ever.This week's guest on the Cracking Open podcast has every reason to feel stressed around the holidays and yet she has made the conscious choice to no longer live her life according to the "shoulds". Instead, she has bravely decided that speaking the truth and following her own heart is how she is going to heal and live the life that is right for her.Casey Hammer is the granddaughter of Dr. Armand Hammer, renowned industrialist and philanthropist, and the aunt of the famous actor Armie Hammer, known for his role in critically acclaimed and blockbuster movies such as Call Me By Your Name and The Social Network.Casey blew the lid off of multi-generational shocking family secrets when she released her tell-all autobiography, Surviving My Birthright, in 2015. After remaining silent for much of her life about the abuse and unimaginable trauma that she endured at the hands of her own family, she knew that the only path to healing was through speaking up and speaking out.Since the release of her book, Casey's story has also been featured in Vanity Fair's May 2021 issue, The Rise and Fall of the House of Hammer, as well as the 2022 Discovery+ and HBO MAX docuseries The House of Hammer.Throughout her life, Casey witnessed her wealthy and famous family thrive on being “perfect on the outside and twisted on the inside”, as she writes in her book.She is with us today to courageously share her story with the hope that it will help other abuse victims heal and know that they are not alone.  Casey believes her purpose is to empower other survivors of abuse by bringing awareness around consent, accountability, and speaking your truth no matter how hard or messy it might be.  She has continued her own healing journey by becoming an advocate for abuse survivors to help empower others in their own healing process.Casey is proof that the advantages of wealth and privilege do not protect someone from being subjected to a minefield of trauma and strife. And yet, she is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and our ability to rise like a phoenix from the ashes and gift the world with the wisdom of our experiences.A true case for the wounded healer, Casey has turned her pain into power, her trauma into healing, and her secrets into truth. May Casey's story inspire you to do the same in your own life.Love,MollyTrigger Warning: this episode contains conversations about abuse, domestic violence, suicide, and drug use. If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing domestic violence, you can contact The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit their website here.Watch House of Hammer herePurchase Surviving My Birthright hereFollow Casey on Instagram and TikTok

I started the Cracking Open podcast with a brand new Yeti microphone and a Jenna Kutcher workshop called The Podcast Lab, where I learned how to launch and run a podcast. Even more important? I ignored the people who said things like, “Why would you start a podcast in such a saturated market?” or “How will you get any guests? It's not like you're famous."  (Yes, someone really said this to me!) Instead, I listened deeply to my own inner cheerleader who has helped me stay the course and manifest my mission of bringing more human connection into the world. Today we launch our 50th episode!As we near the end of our 5th season, Cracking Open has reached over 20,000 downloads, and I've had the great honor of engaging in profoundly transformational conversations with some of the most prolific teachers, healers, artists, activists, survivors, authors, and leaders in the world! They are the changemakers who offer us different ways to look at our lives and the world around us. They are heart-centered humans who, through their own stories of pain and redemption, teach us to understand, forgive, and love ourselves and each other more deeply.Today's guest is exactly this kind of human. Suneel Gupta is an author and visiting scholar at Harvard Medical School who studies the most extraordinary people on the planet to discover and share simple, actionable habits to lift our performance and deepen our daily sense of purpose. His work has been featured by major outlets including CNBC, TED, and the New York Times. His newest book, Everyday Dharma: 8 Essential Practices for Finding Success and Joy in Everything You Do, was released in September and shares ancient wisdom, reimagined for modern times, as he helps us bring career goals and inner peace into harmony through tiny, everyday habits. I discovered Suneel while listening to his interview on The Good Life Project podcast. I found myself furiously taking notes as he shared his wisdom and tools on how to discover your Dharma. So get ready because Suneel has a wealth of incredible knowledge to share with us today on Cracking Open! In addition to providing practical and insightful tips, he is also a masterful storyteller. Trust me, you are in for a treat. If you want to know how to discover your own dharma and learn how to listen to your heart over your fears, this is the episode for you.Suneel was exactly who I wanted to celebrate my Dharma and 50th episode with on the Cracking Open podcast.  So from the bottom of my heart, thank you Suneel, all of the other 49 amazing guests, and all of you who have made this podcast what it is today. Love,MollyLearn more about Suneel Gupta and his work herePurchase his newly released book, Everyday Dharma, hereFollow Suneel on YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram and TwitterLearn more about Molly Carroll hereConnect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

I've been helping both of my children prepare for college, and as the entire family has gotten caught up in the hustle of doing "all the things" to prepare for their college futures, this podcast guest came along at just the right time to remind me that they are already enough just as they are right now.Lisa Congdon is an award-winning fine artist, illustrator, and writer who is widely accomplished despite being self-taught and not achieving career momentum until she was nearly 40 years old.Based in Portland, Oregon, Lisa now makes art for clients around the globe, including Target, Amazon, Google, Warby Parker, The Library of Congress, and MoMA. Oh, and by the way, she has also authored ten (!) books.Despite her untraditional path, Lisa has achieved recognition, not just as an artist, but as a leader in the industry for her work in social justice, knowledge sharing, mentoring, and teaching. ​​​​In March of 2021, she was named “One of the 50 Most Inspiring People and Companies According to Industry Creatives” published by AdWeek. ​​​​​In this refreshingly raw interview, she shares with us her childhood story of growing up and being told that she was a hard worker but not “gifted”, and how in adulthood with the support of a therapist, she realized that it was time to let go of that victimhood because she was the only one left who was selling herself the old story that she wasn't enough.​​​​​​​Lisa and I talk about how to find our authentic selves through creativity, how to use our voices to speak our truth, the challenges around mental health, and how to know when to quit something that is not making you a better partner, parent, creator, or overall human being.​​​​​​If you've ever believed that you are not enough, this episode is for you. Tune in for wisdom on how to face your fears and insecurities around your creativity, how to stop listening to the voices telling you that you are not enough, and how to remember in your darker days that you are never alone. There is an immense amount of joy, color, and hope available to you if you are willing to get support, prioritize yourself, and face your deepest truths.Because Lisa is more than enough. And guess what – so are you.Love,MollyLearn more about Lisa Congdon and her work hereFollow Lisa on InstagramLearn more about Molly Carroll hereConnect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

One morning I opened an email from my literary agency and saw that they were featuring a young artist by the name of Sam Onche. I was instantly captivated by his illustrations filled with bold colors, expressive images, and intense facial expressions. They gave me chills all over my body!I knew immediately that I wanted to meet him and hear more about his story. So I invited him to come on the Cracking Open podcast, and I'm so deeply pleased that he said yes.Sam has been making art for as long as he can remember. Born in Nigeria, he came to the United States in 2015 to attend high school on a basketball scholarship. From there, he went on to college where he studied studio art with a focus in oil painting. Sam now lives in Chicago where he is an award-winning illustrator and painter.Using digital and oil mediums to create paintings and illustrations for posters, prints, book covers, and album covers, Sam uses Black art as a voice to speak out on issues, expectations, and representations of Black people in our world today. Themes that can be seen in his work are fashion, music, culture, daily life, and Afrofuturism.His goals are to ensure that Black people play a central role in the contemporary art scene and to spread a sense of positivity and self-love through his work. With each piece that he creates, he focuses on a different emotion and story.Sam's art conveys his hope for humanity to live together as equals and to bring people of different races together – “because as much as we might look different, we are all one.”At 24 years of age, Sam taught me so much in this conversation about the power of having a strong daily work ethic to follow your dreams and passions, as well as the importance of believing in yourself even when others don't. I have no doubt that this young man's life will continue to blossom for many decades to come. Knowing that there are beautiful souls in the world like Sam gives me faith that his hope for humanity may come true after all. May his art and his words inspire you too. Love,MollyLearn more about Sam Onche and his art hereFollow Sam on InstagramLearn more about Molly Carroll hereConnect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

Over 20 million people are suffering right now from substance abuse, often in silence. This secrecy around addiction creates shame which then increases the addiction, which then increases the shame. This vicious cycle can only be broken if we first break the stigma of addiction and the silence and shame that perpetuates it. This week's guest on the Cracking Open podcast is Reverend Jeff Grant, and he's here to do just that.         After a basketball injury, Jeff was prescribed opioids for the pain and thus began his slippery slope into substance dependency. His growing addiction led Jeff down a path filled with secrecy and lies that ultimately caused the loss of his law firm, a suicide attempt, a felony fraud conviction, and a federal prison sentence. This cracking open moment radically awakened Jeff's life and soul. After being released from prison, Jeff earned his Master of Divinity, served at an inner-city church in Bridgeport, Connecticut as Associate Minister and Director of Prison Ministries, and then co-founded Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc. – the world's first ministry dedicated to serving people navigating the white-collar criminal justice system.  Jeff's law license has since been reinstated, and he once again founded a private law practice in New York City where he is committed to using his legal expertise and life experience to benefit others. He also recently celebrated his 21st year of sobriety.Join us in this week's episode as we discuss what he has learned along the way about relationships, work ethic, service, God, addiction, prison, and sobriety. This is a deep dive into how to love, tell your truth, and live a meaningful spiritual life in service to others.Love,MollyLearn about Jeff Grant's work with GrantLaw, PLLC  & Progressive Prison Ministries Connect with Jeff on LinkedInLearn more about Molly Carroll hereConnect with Molly on Instagram and FacebookFeeling Stuck?It's Your Time To Get UNSTUCK3-Month Small Group Coaching ProgramStarting October 5, 2023Book a FREE discovery call with Molly today!

Today's episode on the Cracking Open podcast is someone who I would consider a cherished guide in my professional journey over the last two decades. Mary Pipher, Ph.D. is a truly extraordinary psychologist who specializes in women, trauma, and the effect of culture on our mental health.I first came across Mary's work twenty years ago when I was teaching at an all-girls school in San Francisco. I was feeling lost on how to best provide emotional support to my students when they felt left out with friends, insecure about their bodies, navigating challenges in their home lives, or struggling with feeling worthy. A fellow teacher recommended that I read a book called Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher. When I read her words below, I knew I had found the right guidance:“Girls struggle with mixed messages: Be beautiful, but beauty is only skin deep. Be sexy, but not sexual. Be honest, but don't hurt anyone's feelings. Be independent, but be nice. Be smart, but not so smart you threaten boys.” Ever since, I have read anything and everything that Mary has written and it has always been a compassionate, wise, and safe place to land. And because of this, I am pinching myself that I got to have this conversation with her and share it with all of you.Mary graduated in Cultural Anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley and received her Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska in Clinical Psychology. She was a Rockefeller Scholar in Residence at Bellagio and has received two American Psychological Association Presidential Citations, one of which she returned to protest psychologists' involvement in enhanced interrogations at Guantánamo and other black sites.She is a community organizer and activist for many causes and has authored 11 books including 4 New York Times bestsellers. Her latest book is A Life in Light, a luminous new memoir that taps into a cultural moment to offer wisdom, hope, and insight into loss and change.In today's episode, Mary reminds us that we don't have to be perfect, solve every problem, or "fix" anyone. She also helps us remember that we live in a universe filled with love and light that surrounds us and is available to us, at all times. I will leave you with her wise words:“I think a wonderful life doesn't mean that a person hasn't had a lot of tragedy. It means they've had a big, rich life where they've been able to experience a really wide range of emotions and people and adventures and learnings of all different kinds.And of course, in terms of loving fiercely, the price for loving fiercely is the pain of goodbye, but I would always choose to love fiercely.”Love,MollyLearn more about Mary Pipher herePurchase Mary's latest book A Life In Light hereConnect with Mary on FacebookLearn more about Molly Carroll hereConnect with Molly on Instagram and FacebookFeeling Stuck?It's Your Time To Get UNSTUCK3-Month Small Group Coaching ProgramStarting October 5, 2023Book a FREE discovery call with Molly today!

This will probably be the hardest newsletter I will write about a Cracking Open podcast guest, and I avoided doing it for as long as I possibly could because I didn't want to face my heartbreak. My honored guest today is Mark Dahir, the CEO of Heart Ministry Center, a non-profit organization based in Omaha. Their mission is to provide healthcare, food, and a way forward for people severely affected by poverty, and Mark had an unquestionably positive impact on the company, its employees, and the community they serve over the many years he was a part of it. Mark and I had our deeply heartfelt conversation, which you can hear on the podcast today, back in May. On August 3rd, just 3 weeks ago, Mark suddenly and unexpectedly died from a massive heart attack. He was a healthy and active 48-year-old man, a loving father to his daughter Whitney, a loyal son and friend, and a mentor to his sober community. His death has left his friends and family shocked and saddened. At his funeral, it was frequently said that Mark gaveall of his heart to everyone he met. He certainly has left a huge hole in the hearts of all whose lives he touched, including mine.My wish for this episode is to honor Mark's life. You will hear his story about his complicated past of addiction, mental health, and serving time. You will also hear his joy and sense of purpose as he talks about fatherhood, truth, redemption, God, service, sobriety, and hope for himself and those he mentored along the way.  Mark lived every day with intention and passion. He embodied Heart Ministry Center's guiding motto – Dignity for All – and the organization's core values of compassion,community, accountability, and excellence. He impacted the lives of tens of thousands of people. It is an honor to have this conversation recorded. My biggest hope is to give his daughter, family, and friends a place to land when they are deeply missing Mark's deep voice, prophetic wisdom, unending energy for change and growth, and most importantly to remember Mark's main motto in life – be a humble worker of the heart.Love,MollyFor more information about Heart Ministry Center, its mission, and its resources, please visit:HeartMinistryCenter.orgFacebook.com/HeartMinistryCenterInstagram.com/HeartMinistryCenterLearn more about Molly Carroll hereConnect with Molly on Instagram and FacebookFeeling Stuck?It's Your Time To Get UNSTUCK3-Month Small Group Coaching ProgramStarting October 5, 2023Book a FREE discovery call with Molly today!

Cracking Open podcast has so many incredible guests lined up for you this season! Today's guest is Emily Paulson – a writer, Certified Professional Recovery Coach, TEDx Speaker, and the Founder of Sober Mom Squad. She is passionate about ending the shame and stigma of mental health and substance use disorders, and her own recovery path is focused on ruthless honesty, grace, self-love, and the belief that sharing our truth with each other is the best resource of all.Emily opens up about her struggle with alcoholism and how it led her to get sucked into the culture of multilevel marketing. This path made her millions but soon felt dishonest and exploitative. Once she got sober, she was able to clearly see the problematic environment of multilevel marketing and the many victims that get caught up in it.She has since authored two books: Highlight Real: Finding Honesty and Recovery Beyond the Filtered Life, and her newly published book Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing. Emily has given two powerful TEDx talks, challenging the status quo of parenting, alcohol use, and feminism as we know it. She has also been featured in major publications such as the Today Show, New York Times, Washington Post, The Seattle Times, Chicago Tribune, Next Question with Katie Couric, and the Tamron Hall Show.Today's episode is ultimately about choosing compassion over shame when you reflect on your past choices. Emily helps us understand that when we feel lonely, afraid, or have unresolved trauma, we often make decisions that we think will lead us to feel connection and "normalcy" but more often than not those decisions only lead us further away from ourselves and our truth. And when we are healed and whole, our decisions and truth become much more clear and help light the way to the life we were always meant to have. Emily's story is one of truth, sobriety, and how to get honest about the world and people around you, but most importantly with yourself.Love,MollyLearn more about Emily Paulson herePurchase Emily's books hereListen to Emily's Tedx Talks hereConnect with Emily on Facebook and Instagram Learn more about Molly Carroll hereConnect with Molly on Instagram and FacebookFeeling Stuck?It's Your Time To Get UNSTUCK3-Month Small Group Coaching ProgramStarting October 5, 2023Book a FREE discovery call with Molly today!

Hi everyone! I hope you have had a wonderful summer. I've missed being with you! My July was spent soaking up precious time with my family, relaxing, and hitting the pause button on the daily rush of life. It's so important to remember to take time for ourselves to refill our cups in all the ways we need.One of my favorite things I did during my break was re-listen to all of the amazing guests that have visited the Cracking Open podcast thus far. And – WOW! We have had some spectacular guests in Seasons 1-4! I was astonished all over again by the profound wisdom, intriguing conversations, and depth and vulnerability of every single guest that has come on the podcast. In fact, I found myself in such deep awe and gratitude, that I decided to gather some of my favorite clips from the past four seasons and put together a recap episode filled with golden nuggets of wisdom that were shared by some of our guests.It was honestly really hard to choose which ones to highlight because each episode shares an immense amount of wisdom, truth, and vulnerability. But in order to avoid making this episode several hours long, I followed my gut and chose several clips that I know you will love revisiting again too.I created the Cracking Open podcast to help people feel less alone and more hopeful. There is so much light,  even during our darkest hours, and our Cracking Open moments are what teach us the most about life and love.Love, MollyP.S. Do you know what the common thread is among all of the guests that have visited the Cracking Open podcast? The answer might surprise you... they put themselves first. They have been through the ups and downs of life, like we all have. They have faced hardships, challenges, heartbreak, and loss. They have come face-to-face with life-changing, life-defining moments. And in those moments, they chose themselves. They chose to heal; to live their truth; to show up with vulnerability and authenticity; to radically shift their circumstances; to go for the dreams they had been holding back on... it was their time and they knew it and leaned into it. Are you ready to put yourself first? Are you ready to choose YOU?It's Your Time: 6-Month Group Coaching Program with Molly CarrollStarting September 2023Interested in learning more?Book a free discovery call with Molly Carroll here.

I have had the great blessing of witnessing people's stories over the last 30 years as a therapist and teacher. During this time, I have learned to identify various archetypes – universal models of people's personalities that play a role in influencing their human behavior. Carl Jung, who founded the field of analytical psychology, developed 12 Archetypes including The Sage, The Innocent, The Explorer, and more.Through my own work in the field of psychology and human studies, I have identified another archetype that I named The Lighthouse. This archetype illuminates the parts of ourselves that are hidden or unseen. They shine a light on new ideas, perspectives, inspirations, and insights into human soulful experiences. The Lighthouse also teaches us how to become whole and accept all parts of ourselves by offering us new ways to process and integrate the darker experiences we have had in life, such as death, divorce, or disease.Today's guest on Cracking Open, Suzanne Anderson, MA, is one of the most beautiful examples of The Lighthouse I have ever come across in my life. Suzanne is the founder of The Mysterial Woman, a psychologist, coach, leadership consultant, transformational teacher, and author of the newly released memoir & guidebook You Make Your Path By Walking. Her pioneering work in guiding women to awaken their full Feminine and Masculine strengths combines insights and practices from ancient wisdom, depth psychology, and modern neuroscience. Combining her graduate studies in women's developmental psychology together with her decades as a leadership consultant, Suzanne wisely guides women to awaken to the next level of consciousness and leadership capacity, making the changes in themselves they want to shape in the world.She is an incredibly bright light, who has also learned how to navigate through immense darkness. Suzanne lost her beloved husband to suicide in 2013, and in the coming months also lost their island retreat center, her cat, her community, her company, and the future they had created together. Suzanne shares with us how she made it through this dark night of the soul with a certainty that this was a transformation and an awakening to reclaim her power and bring her to a place of greater compassion and love. As a Lighthouse, Suzanne shows us that when life has sent us on a deep dive into the darkness, that through practices in ancient wisdom, depth psychology, and sh*t loads of love, compassion, and support, we can rise and reawaken back into the light, more vibrant than ever before.Love,MollyLearn more about Suzanne Anderson and The Mysterial Woman herePurchase You Make Your Path By Walking hereConnect with Suzanne on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Learn more about Molly Carroll hereGet your free Body Emotion MapConnect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

The topic of boundaries was one of the first things I studied in my graduate school program – how to create boundaries as a therapist and how to teach and encourage clients to create their own boundaries in order to have healthier relationships and make better choices.Regardless of where you may be in your journey with boundaries, we can all acknowledge the importance of having healthy boundaries in our lives. Today's podcast guest, Melissa Urban, is a total boundary badass and an authority on helping people create lifelong healthy habits. She is the co-founder and CEO of Whole30, a 30-day program created to help you curb your cravings and bad habits, boost your metabolism, heal your digestive tract, and calm your immune system.Melissa is also a seven-time New York Times bestselling author (including the instant bestseller The Book of Boundaries), has been featured by People, Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CNBC, and is a prominent keynote speaker on boundaries, building community, health trends, and entrepreneurship.“Boundaries aren't selfish. They're acts of kindness, designed with love for them and you.” ~ Melissa Urban, The Book of BoundariesIn this enlightening conversation, Melissa provides us with step-by-step instructions on how to identify healthy boundaries and set and hold those boundaries so we can feel empowered, reclaim our voices, and live a more balanced lifestyle. She also opens up about her own Cracking Open moment of overcoming a five-year drug addiction in 2000, and how facing a childhood trauma was a huge catalyst in helping her realize the power of boundaries in staying sober and feeling more alive.These podcast episodes always seem to show up at the perfect time in my life (can you relate??). Before I interviewed Melissa, I was struggling with some boundaries in my own life, and she helped me remember that having and holding my boundaries is actually a healthy (and necessary!) act of self-love.I hope that today's podcast episode helps you find the courage to create and hold the boundaries you need to live your own healthy, vibrant, and joyous life.Love,MollyLearn more about Melissa Urban hereLearn more about Whole30 hereConnect with Melissa on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and FacebookFollow Whole30 on Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and FacebookLearn more about Molly Carroll hereGet your free Body Emotion MapConnect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

How is your mental health these days? In recent years, our society has grown more accustomed to discussing this very important subject. We have normalized checking in with ourselves and each other, increased our compassion for those who are struggling, and have more resources than ever available to us to educate and guide us toward improving our mental health.  Dr. Christina Bjorndal, ND is on the Cracking Open podcast today, and she is considered an authority in treating mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders using a naturopathic physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual approach.  Dr. Chris is not only a professional expert and doctor who has studied and researched mental illness for many years, but she also has deep personal experience with her own mental health challenges. She openly and courageously shares with us about her own struggles with bipolar disorder, depression, and multiple suicide attempts, and how she now lives a life free from suicidal ideation, using the tools from her own medical practice to successfully manage her depression and bipolar disorder with loads of compassion and love.This episode with Dr. Chris is thoroughly relatable. Every single one of us seems to be struggling ourselves and/or knows at least one person who is. Many experts believe that we are actually in the throes of a mental health crisis. Whether from the pandemic isolation, social media, genetics, the chaotic hustle of life demands, the pressures we put on ourselves, and on and on... the struggle is real and it is all around us.That is why I am especially grateful for Dr. Chris' presence in our community today as a modern-day lighthouse guiding us with her medical wisdom, personal storytelling, and true compassion. We could all use a Dr. Chris in our lives, leading us to a place of profound healing and radical acceptance. May we all find healthy ways to lay our burdens down. May we all have the courage to ask for help when we need it. May we all find freedom from suffering. Love,MollyIf you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis or contemplating suicide, call or text 988. In emergencies, call 911, or seek care from a local hospital or mental health provider.Learn more about Dr. Christina Bjorndal hereSign up to receive The 4Rs: Tools for Working With Difficult Thoughts here Connect with Dr. Chris on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and InstagramLearn more about Molly Carroll hereGet your free Body Emotion MapConnect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

Everywhere I turn, people are talking about menopause. Finally! This phase of life that used to be ignored, or even considered shameful, is now getting its long overdue spotlight as a worthy wellness topic and normal rite of passage for women.Oprah recently produced a special with a panel of experts on the subject of perimenopause and menopause. Naomi Watts has helped create a line of holistic beauty & wellness products for menopausal women. And Dr. Mary Claire Haver is inspiring, educating, and empowering thousands of women to navigate this stage of life with confidence by helping them create sustainable, healthy habits.Dr. Haver is on the Cracking Open podcast today, and I am so excited to share her wisdom with you all!She is a wife, mom, physician, and entrepreneur who has devoted her adult life to women's health. As a Board Certified OBGYN, Dr. Haver has delivered thousands of babies, completed thousands of well-woman exams, counseled patients, taught residents, and done everything an academic professor and OBGYN could do.As her patient population aged, Dr. Haver was overwhelmed with the number of complaints and concerns her patients had with weight gain while going through menopause. For years, she told her patients to eat less and exercise more. It wasn't until she, too, experienced the changes of menopause and mid-life weight gain that she realized this advice didn't work and ultimately led to her creating and developing her online program, The Galveston Diet, which currently has over 100,000 students and helps women reach their health and wellness goals through an anti-inflammatory approach to nutrition. She additionally became certified in Culinary Medicine in 2019, specializing in medical nutrition, opened the Mary Claire Wellness clinic in 2021, and released the book version of The Galveston Diet in January 2023. She is a leading voice in social media in the realm of menopause education and has over 2 million TikTok followers.In our conversation today, Dr. Haver is not only generous with her expert advice around perimenopause and menopause, but she also shares her own life experiences that have helped shape her and enabled her to compassionately relate to her clients and Galveston Diet participants.There are many incredible women who are leading the movement around normalizing the conversations and healthcare of menopause, and I am deeply grateful to Dr. Mary Claire Haver for being a dedicated, innovative, and extraordinary champion of perimenopausal and menopausal women everywhere. Love, MollyLearn more about the Galveston Diet, and purchase the book hereConnect with Dr. Mary Claire Haver on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedInLearn more about Molly Carroll hereGet your free Body Emotion MapConnect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

Life can often be so predictable. Each day I wake up, have coffee, get my kids to school, and go to work. But sometimes there are days when things happen that are completely unexpected. That sums up my experience interviewing today's podcast guest Brian Burns, and I could not be more grateful for it.Brian Burns is the award-winning writer and Executive Producer of the hit television series Blue Bloods on CBS, HBO's Entourage, and Will Ferrell's hit comedy film, Daddy's Home.Brian has served as Executive Producer of Blue Bloods for nearly 300 episodes over a record 13 seasons, & has personally written over 50 episodes of the long-running hit police procedural.Prior to Blue Bloods, Burns wrote and produced many seasons of Entourage on HBO, where he was nominated multiple times for an Emmy and Writer's Guild Award.Based on his experience as a new stepfather, Burns wrote Daddy's Home for WillFerrell and Adam McKay, which went on to be one of Ferrell's most successful box office hits.So I predicted we would mostly talk about writing and producing TV and movies, which we did. I also figured we would spend a little bit of time discussing his incredibly tight-knit family, which consists of other career heavy-hitters like his father, Edward J Burns, an NYPD police sergeant and former Spokesman for the NYPD, and his brother Ed Burns, the well-known actor and director with whom he created the ABC sitcom That's Life and the NBC sitcom The Fighting Fitzgerald's starring Brian Dennehy and Connie Britton.But our conversation held SO much more than just Hollywood and his incredible and successful creative endeavors.In a beautifully unplanned and organic way, our conversation traveled far and wide, as all the best ones do. We discussed the death of his mentor and dear friend Rocco, his mother's passing during the pandemic, and his journey to sobriety that helped him become a better father, writer, and human being.Brian shares intimate stories about facing the fears that were holding him backfrom living an honest and (sometimes) HARD life. But it was those “hards” in life that forced him to have intimate yet difficult conversations with his loved ones, led him to start training and running marathons, and finally allowed him to get to the truth about his relationship with alcohol.This episode is the longest interview I have released yet, and it's worth every single moment. Join us for this captivating and deeply authentic conversation filled with unexpected turns and immense hope. Our talk left me with an enormous amount of faith in the goodness of people.We are all striving to be healthier in our bodies, minds, and spirits. And regardless of how well-known our work is, or how successful we may be in the world, we all struggle sometimes in life as we try to find ways to connect more deeply to ourselves in order to strengthen our connections to our loved ones.May this conversation strengthen your own connections and give you hope for what's possible.Love,MollyConnect with Brian on Instagram, Twitter, and FacebookResources mentioned in this interview:Book: This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Lifeby Annie GraceBook: The Honey Badgerby Robert Ruark 

For months now my team has been encouraging me to do a solo podcast episode where I talk, teach, and just riff about life, parenting, psychology, and anything else that I am inspired by that may also resonate with our listeners. I initially had a lot of resistance to this idea.  Maybe it was the mixture of fear and the choir of voices telling me, “Who would want to listen to just me, and what would I talk about for an hour that would be interesting to the Cracking Open audience?” But then my dear friend (and episode 9 podcast guest) Tory Junkin offered to interview me and I knew immediately that it was a resounding YES. I have to tell you - this is by far the most vulnerable and honest I have ever been in public. With Tory's loving guidance, we talk about what I have learned from interviewing guests for 35 podcast episodes (and counting!) and how I am drawn to my guests' vulnerability but am honestly scared to show my own. Tory asks poignant and direct questions about what I have learned as a therapist – about victimhood and being too attached to the stories that don't serve us anymore, while also touching on the power of surrendering to true forgiveness. As Marianne Williamson has said, “As long as I hold back forgiveness, I hold back my own healing as well.”Join us as we discuss the ups and downs of parenting, how I still catch myself numbing out when I am in grief over the loss of my parents, how our judgmental minds can separate us from true connection, and what is inspiring me about life right now.  Ultimately through our back-and-forth conversation, we explore the art of accepting, understanding, and processing emotions in order to experience a transformative life.And I must say, not once during our interview did my fearful voices come in. In fact, I feel incredibly confident this is an episode that you will learn a lot about and will love listening to. A huge thank you to my Cracking Open team for believing in me and encouraging me, and to Tory for knowing how to make me feel safe enough to walk in my truth with you all.Love,MollyLearn more about Molly Carroll hereGet your free Body Emotion MapConnect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

More and more these days, I find myself drawn to people who are doing inspiring and brave things in the world but whose journeys along the way came with challenges, hardships, and “cracking open” moments that developed their characters, passions, and souls.Today's guest is a beautiful example of this.Larry Zier is a father of four girls, a loving husband, and a successful owner of two occupational therapy clinics in Chicago and Omaha. His passion is working with children, and he enjoys running, biking, yoga, boxing, and anything that will get him outside. His life is full of joy, love, and success.It wasn't always this way, however. His peace has been hard-earned.Larry's father died when he was in high school. This traumatic event catapulted him into a life of drinking and drugs – not only to numb the pain of losing his father but also to cope with his feelings of shame, anxiety, and loneliness.The years of his addiction brought many wake-up calls including a party with a heroin-addicted grandson of a famous Hollywood star and getting a DUI. Finally, he forced himself to get sober, and through his journey back to sobriety, found his own voice and was finally able to face the grief of losing his father. From this space of clarity and healing came a deep calling to help children and families. Larry earned his clinical doctorate and became an occupational therapist to work with children in an area that is little understood and certainly underserved. He now helps children achieve their highest potential physically, emotionally, and socially. His approach is to treat each child individually, always keeping their unique strengths and differences in mind. He strongly believes in the role of family involvement, as well as collaboration with caregivers, teachers, and other professionals, as integral to a child's growth and overall success. In this episode, Larry teaches us that true connection comes from learning how to regulate your nervous system. He even helps me navigate a challenging incident with my daughter in real time!Join me as Larry helps us all realize that life (and parenting!) is truly about connection instead of compliance, teaches us how to repair when there is a rupture, and guides us toward the power of presence we all experience when we have the courage to embrace the truth in our hearts.Love, MollyLearn more about Larry Zier and the work he does hereLearn more about Molly Carroll hereGet your free Body Emotion MapConnect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook