Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Cracking Open with Molly Carroll
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kat Courtney: Ayahuasca, Ibogaine, and Learning to Be Human | 24 Sep 2026 | 00:58:01 | |
I've interviewed over 100 people on this podcast, and this conversation hit me in a way none of the others have. It made me reflect deeply on my life and what is still holding me back. And if you've ever been curious about plant medicine, or want to learn anything about it, this is the episode to listen to. Part of what hit me may be timing. I'm taking my daughter, my last kid, to college the day before you hear this episode. One day I'm scared and in tears, and the next I feel a little free, hearing a voice say, "It's your time, Molly, to get back more of you, your marriage, your career." It's a hodgepodge of emotions, and Kat's reassuring, loving, and wise voice gave me real comfort in this time of transition. And oh my gosh, did this episode ever quench my thirst for answers about plant medicine! Content note: This episode includes a firsthand account of a suicide attempt, plus discussion of addiction, trauma, and death. Please listen with care. Kat is not only extensively trained in plant medicine, but she's also remarkably knowledgeable about its effects, its healing potential, and the laws surrounding it. She speaks to it medically, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, with a reported 1,000+ ayahuasca ceremonies behind her. But I'd encourage anyone to listen, even if you're not interested in plant medicine, because she also talks about how to function in this world as a human. You'll hear morning and evening rituals, daily practices, and tips and tools to feel more balanced, joyful, and alive. About Kat Kat Courtney is a pioneer in the modern plant medicine space and a traditionally trained Ayahuasquera and Huachumera with over two decades of professional psychedelic experience. She apprenticed for 10+ years in the Shipibo-Conibo and Quechua-Lamista traditions, and she's the author of Plant Medicine Mystery School Vol 1. She leads Master Plant Diets in person and remotely, offers shamanic coaching, and is a certified death doula. In this conversation, she shares the moment her life cracked open in her early 20s, how ayahuasca became the missing piece in her healing, and why she believes the hardest moments of our lives hold the greatest gifts. In this episode:
Practices for everyone
Kat's four questions for any facilitator
Taking my last kid to college is cracking open an old identity for me as a mom, and it's making me look at my life through a different lens. Listening to Kat reminded me that there are so many ways to do that deeper work: plant medicine, daily rituals, therapy, time in nature. What stuck with me most is that I can't just wait for life to do it for me. I need to step in and do the reflection myself, so that my life is rich and full with or without my kids in the house. I hope this conversation leaves you feeling the same way, whatever transition you're in and whichever path feels right for you. xo Molly Promo Information: Work with Kat
Website + Social
This episode reflects the guest's personal experiences and opinions and is not medical advice. Plant medicines can interact dangerously with medications, including SSRIs, and many are illegal in the U.S. If you're struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or a crisis line such as 988 in the U.S. | |||
| How Death Doulas Help Us Live Lighter with Karen Callahan & Jen Tadjedin | 03 Sep 2026 | 01:00:51 | |
Quick heads up: we are talking about grief, death, and all that we can learn from this deep topic today. I know, I know, stay with me. Because we spend so much energy avoiding the one thing that's guaranteed to happen to all of us: death. But I am learning death doesn’t have to be so heavy. It can actually bring so much more light into our lives: perspective, gratitude, appreciation. Those of you who know me or have listened to this show know that I lost both of my parents when I was in my 40s, and I’ve lost friends along the way too. Now, with my own kids heading off to college, I’ve been feeling so many emotions, grief being one of them. So when Karen and Jen reached out to come on the podcast, it was a resounding yes. Karen Callahan and Jen Tadjedin are death doulas who left careers in tech and advertising to help people navigate dying, grief, and end-of-life planning work they both came to after losing people close to them. On this episode, we talk about what a death doula actually does, why we’re so afraid of this conversation, the paperwork nobody wants to fill out but everyone’s grateful for later, and the woo-woo stuff too: mediums, dreams, and the ways our people keep showing up after they’re gone. In this episode
Even though death still scares me, I love finding the time and space to actually talk about it. Every time I do, I walk away feeling more peaceful, more light, and more grateful for the life I get to live right now. I hope this conversation gives you a little bit of that too. Resources & links
Work with Molly: https://calendly.com/mollycarroll/coaching If you’re ready to do the meaningful work of truly knowing and accepting yourself, I’m currently accepting new therapy clients. I specialize in helping people:
Stay Connected with Molly: Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If this episode brought something up for you, I’d love to hear about it — leave a comment or send me a message. And if you know someone who needs this conversation, share it with them. | |||
| Kathy Eldon: Don’t Despair, Don’t Give Up Grief, Loss, and Finding Light After Tragedy | 06 Aug 2026 | 00:50:55 | |
I’ve been sitting with a strange kind of grief lately, the kind that comes from something good. Both my kids will be in college soon, and I know how lucky I am to say that. Still, I keep hearing the same thing from everyone around me. “Molly, this is your time!” Some days that’s true. I feel free, open, like a whole new chapter is standing right there waiting for me. Other days my heart aches just thinking about the quiet house. No one asking me to make them a sandwich. No shower running in the morning, no dishes thrown in the sink because someone was rushing out the door. That sound, that mess, I miss it before it’s even gone. So I needed today’s conversation more than I realized when I sat down to record it. My guest is Kathy Eldon, and her opening line to me set the tone for everything that followed. Don’t despair, don’t give up. There’s no way out, but through. Kathy’s life has been one long act of reinvention, from a conservative upbringing in Iowa, to a journalist in Nairobi, to a mother who lost her 22-year-old son Dan, a Reuters photojournalist killed while covering the crisis in Somalia. She has since built Creative Visions Foundation, which has incubated more than 400 projects across five continents and touched over 100 million people. She’s the author of 17 books, including her memoir In the Heart of Life, which cracked me wide open before we even hit record. In our conversation, Kathy shares: ✨ How being cracked open again and again, by apartheid, by divorce, by grief, became the shape of her entire life rather than something to recover from and move past. ✨ What she has learned about grief after losing Dan, including why the second year was harder than the first, and the one piece of advice she gives everyone who is grieving. ✨ How she turned unimaginable loss into Creative Visions, and what it looks like to give your creative spark to something bigger than yourself. We also talk about her noisy spirits, her visits with psychic mediums, and her simple, powerful closing words: find a path to joy. This conversation is for anyone standing at the edge of a new chapter, whether it’s an empty house, a loss, or a version of yourself you’re not sure how to leave behind. Kathy’s story is proof that the cracks are not the end. They’re where the light gets in. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. xoxo Molly Resources & Links:
Work with Molly: https://calendly.com/mollycarroll/coaching If you’re ready to do the meaningful work of truly knowing and accepting yourself, I’m currently accepting new therapy clients. I specialize in helping people:
A note from Molly: For three years, I’ve poured my heart into this podcast, creating 90 episodes. I’ve funded everything myself to focus on meaningful conversations, but to keep bringing you the quality content you deserve, I need your help. Even $5 a month, less than a coffee, helps cover hosting, editing, and prep time. If this podcast has supported you, would you consider joining? Support here Stay Connected with Molly: Follow on Instagram; follow on Facebook | |||
| Jodie Patterson on Staying Curious When Your Kids (and Your Identity) Are Changing | 23 Jul 2026 | 01:00:08 | |
This fall, my youngest, my last one, leaves for college. Twenty-one years of being a mom, and I’m standing at the edge of a chapter I don’t know how to close. When my son left two years ago, I was a wreck. Shame that I was “too attached,” fear of who I am when mothering isn’t my daily identity, questions about my marriage, my life, my self. So when Jodie Patterson agreed to come back on the podcast, the timing felt like more than coincidence. This is Jodie’s third time on Cracking Open: she was episode 2, back before I knew what I was doing, and episode 65. She’s a friend, and a voice this podcast keeps coming back to. And this time, I felt how much we’ve both shifted since we last talked. Jodie Patterson is an award-winning, globally recognized author, activist, beauty explorer, and mother of five. She was the first Black person to chair the Human Rights Campaign Board, our nation’s largest LGBT organization, and speaks widely on identity, gender, race, and radical parenting. Her memoir, The Bold World, was called “marvelous” by Alice Walker, and her children’s book, Born Ready, was gifted to every public school in Kansas. She also co-founded two beauty companies, works with Mount Sinai Hospital on health disparities and transgender medicine, and has been recognized by the United Nations as a Champion of Change. Here’s what we got into. ✨Slow down internally, then respond from your highest self The night before we recorded, one of Jodie’s adult children texted asking her to back off on the weekly check-ins. Her first instinct was hurt. Instead of firing back, she put the phone down, cried a little, and responded from a steadier place: “I’ll slow down, I’m a phone call away, and when you shift, I’ll shift with you.” One of the best examples of parenting adult children I’ve heard on this show. ✨Mothering as an internal revolution We box ourselves in as much as the world boxes us in, and the deepest revolution is internal. Raising five kids across different relationships, cultures, and identities has taught Jodie that gender, faith, and family are far more fluid than she was raised to believe. ✨Two years without a lover After a family near-death experience, Jodie stopped dating entirely for two years, not from lack of desire, but because energy is finite. She described it like moving houses and finally seeing what’s been under the carpet for years. What she found is the foundation for how she’s dating now, at 55, with a clarity she didn’t have before. ✨Healing versus fixing Jodie’s daily practice isn’t about optimizing; it’s about healing what’s underneath instead of numbing it:
✨Hustle down, flow up I shared the phrase my solopreneur friends coined: hustle down, flow up, and Jodie lit up. Less ambition to write the next book or chair the next board. More interest in what makes her feel alive: alone time, surfing for the first time in Costa Rica, tree hugging. ✨Humility, earned Jodie said something I won’t forget: she’s had to earn her children’s respect and companionship, the same way she’d earn it with anyone she loves. That humility has softened her — while her boundaries have only gotten clearer. I came into this episode carrying so much about my own transition twenty-one years of identity wrapped up in being someone’s mom. Talking to Jodie didn’t hand me answers, but it did something better: she gave me permission to be me again. If you’re standing at your own edge of letting go, I hope this conversation gives you that same permission. Jodie, thank you for trusting me with this conversation again. Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts, and if you missed Jodie’s first appearance, go back to episode 65. 🌱 Purchase Jodie’s book The Bold World here, and Born Ready here. Follow Jodie on Instagram. Love, 🌱 Please consider supporting the Cracking Open podcast on Patreon. RESOURCES & LINKS: Molly Carroll: Now accepting new therapy clients! | |||
| Afraid AI Is Replacing Human Connection? Jack Swift on Leadership, Consciousness, and the Human-Machine Era | 02 Jul 2026 | 00:57:08 | |
I don't know about you, but even though I use AI almost every single day, there is still a part of me that gets nervous about it. I love nothing more than sitting across from a friend with a cup of coffee, driving in the car with my kids and husband to Seattle to see a World Cup Game (yep, I went), or being out in nature with nothing but my own thoughts, no machine, no screen, just me. I am deeply passionate about human connection. So passionate that I did a TED talk on The Power of Human Connection. So when I think about what AI might mean for how we relate to each other, it concerns me. And yet here I am, using AI daily, and if I am honest, loving it. That conflict lives inside of me, and it is exactly what led me to this conversation with today's guest, Jack Swift. I met Jack about two years ago. I was up in the hills outside of Los Angeles, spending the day at a conference on human performance, and at dinner that night I ended up sitting next to Jack. Within minutes we were talking about Jungian psychology, Internal Family Systems, and the nature of the soul. That is just who Jack is. He goes deep fast, and with such warmth that you don’t realize how far you have gone until you come up for air. Something about him immediately put me at ease about what it means to be human in this moment. Jack grew up in Hope, Arkansas (yes, the same town as the Clintons), where something was planted in him early around service and possibility. That thread carried him to West Point as a DI athlete, to the Army as an Airborne Ranger, into institutional finance, and eventually to co-found and lead TIFIN. On this AI-native fintech platform, he grew the team from 30 to over 300 people and oversaw JPMorgan's acquisition of 55ip. When Jack talks about AI, he is not theorizing. He has lived it from the inside. And yet what strikes me most about Jack is not his resume. It is that alongside all of that, he co-founded Sangha, a community I am lucky enough to be part of. A collective of heart-centered leaders, small circles of people who meet regularly, grow together, and integrate their inner work into every part of life. It tells you everything you need to know about who Jack really is. What makes his story so human is that through his success, he was also quietly struggling. Leaning on alcohol to numb emotions he didn’t have words for, stuck in fight-or-flight, measuring his worth by what the world reflected back to him. He shares all of this openly, including the one moment with his daughter that finally changed everything. That part of our conversation stopped me in my tracks. Here is a taste of what we get into: ✨Leading from the inside out and why knowing your own truth is the most important leadership skill right now If you have ever worried about jobs, wondered what to tell your kids to study, or felt like this technology is moving faster than you can keep up with, this episode is for you. Jack does not dismiss that fear. He meets it with honesty and reframes it in a way that gave me hope. As someone who carries caution around what AI means for human connection, I can tell you this conversation with Jack left me feeling more hopeful about AI, about people, and about life itself. xo Molly Jack’s Resources and Links
Love, 🌱 Please consider supporting the Cracking Open podcast on Patreon. RESOURCES & LINKS: Molly Carroll: Website | Instagram | Facebook Now accepting new therapy clients! | |||
| Why Small Talk Is Making You More Lonely (And What To Do Instead) | 11 Jun 2026 | 00:19:28 | |
I recorded this episode in the middle of one of the most emotional weeks of my life. My daughter Cora was three days from graduating high school, and I found myself at backyard parties where the conversation kept drifting to the same familiar places: the weather, work, the kids. And I felt that quiet ache I believe so many of us are carrying right now. The longing for something deeper. More real. More connected. So that’s what today’s episode is about: how we find the courage to have more connection. Something Is Shifting Because I think we all feel it. This quiet ache underneath the busyness of our lives. We reach for our phones in line for coffee instead of turning to the person next to us. We text instead of call. We scroll instead of sit. We show up to gatherings and perform a version of ourselves the edited, polished, “I’m fine” version instead of actually arriving in all our beautiful messiness. And from this? We feel less connected. More lonely. More invisible. Here’s what I’ve learned in 25 years as a therapist: loneliness isn’t about being alone. You can be surrounded by people at a party, in a marriage, in an office full of colleagues and still feel profoundly unseen. The opposite of loneliness isn’t proximity. It’s depth. And the data tells us loneliness is worse for your health than smoking, obesity, or high blood pressure. Anxiety and depression are the highest ever, and we are more likely to die from feeling lonely. The epidemic is real. But here’s what I know after 25 years of sitting with people in my office: loneliness is not the problem. It’s the symptom. Connection is the medicine. And the prescription? COURAGE. The courage to ask a real question. To say the true thing. To let someone love you back. So here are the four pillars of courage to create more connection and therefore more LOVE. The Four Pillars of Courage for Connection ✨1. Ask for Help Here’s the thing about asking for help: we avoid it because we think it makes us look weak or like a burden. A Harvard and Wharton study found the number one reason people don’t ask for help: it makes us feel incompetent. But here’s what the research actually shows. When you ask someone for help, they see you as more competent. They trust you more. And this is the part I love so much: they feel like they matter. I have been a therapist for decades, and I still feel resistance every single time I walk into my own therapist’s office. But this week, in the middle of all the graduation chaos, I asked a couple of friends for help. And I felt the weight lift. I wasn’t just giving love anymore. I was letting people give me love back. Next time someone asks how you’re doing, try this instead of “fine”:
Watch what happens to their face. Watch their eyes change. You just told them they have something real to offer you. You just allowed them to love you. ✨2. Be Authentic I know authenticity gets thrown around so much it almost loses its meaning. So here’s what I actually mean by it: tell the truth. Not the highlight reel, not the LinkedIn version. The real one. I was on a walk with a dear friend recently, and I could feel she’d been carrying something heavy for months. I kept holding back, not wanting to push. But finally I said: “I see something going on with you. I feel like you’re carrying something hard. Can I be here for you?” She was honest. She cried. And then I could share my own fears about Cora leaving for college. We walked away closer than we’d been in years. Try slipping one of these into your next conversation:
People might pause. It might get a little uncomfortable. The Buddhists teach that we need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. ✨3. Make Change Yes, the world is noisy. Yes, our phones, schedules, and the general chaos of life are real. But we still get to choose where we spend our time and if we want to connect on a deeper level. It is our responsibility to create the rituals, the invitations, the conversations for more connection. A month ago I challenged myself to walk up to a table of strangers, young, hip, athletic mountain bikers, and ask if they’d be on my podcast. My heart was pounding. But when I did, they looked up. They smiled. They felt seen. And at a graduation party recently, I stopped a new friend and said, “I’m challenging myself to go deeper at these parties. So here’s my question: in a year from now, what do you want to be celebrating?” We both got quiet. Then she said: “I want to be celebrating that I don’t worry as much. That I’ve let go of the weight I carry around my kids and my divorce. That I’m finally celebrating who I am.” That is the kind of conversation that stays with you. That’s the one you remember. ✨4. Be in Service: Show Up to See, Not Just to Be Seen Most of us walk into a room carrying some version of the same quiet anxiety: Do I look okay? Will people like me? Am I enough? You are not alone in that. I feel it every time too. But what if you walked in with just one question in your heart: “Who in this room needs to feel less alone today?” That is the shift. That is everything. When you become the person who asks the real questions, who listens without fixing, who makes eye contact and says “tell me more,” you become magnetic. Not because you performed well. Because you made someone feel like they mattered. Some of my favorite questions to bring to any gathering:
I heard that last one recently from a son speaking at his father’s funeral. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. This Is the Moment We keep waiting for the right time to have the real conversation. The right setting. The right moment. The right person to go first. There is no right time. This is the moment. By the time you read this, Cora has already graduated. The cap, the gown, the ugly crying it’s all happened. And I can tell you that the conversations I will carry from this season are not the ones about the weather. They’re the ones where someone looked me in the eye and asked something real. At your next gathering, be the one who goes first. Ask the brave question. Sit with the pause. Put down your phone and let it go somewhere. The world doesn’t need more small talk. It needs more of you the real, brave, loving, beautifully messy, imperfect you. That is the magic xo Lots of love, Molly
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| I Want to Be Wild: Emma Tynan on Letting Go of More and Coming Home to Yourself | 28 May 2026 | 00:47:37 | |
I found Emma through Maria Shriver's newsletter, and her words stopped me cold: "I no longer want more. I want to be wild." I felt my whole body exhale. Because I knew exactly what she meant. The TED Talks, the books, the funnels, the coaching groups, I had all of it. And so did Emma. And somewhere underneath all of it, we both heard the same quiet voice saying: this isn't it. This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt that way. Meet Emma Tynan Emma Tynan is an Irish writer whose work explores belonging, the inner life, and contemplative practice through lived experience. She lives in the Pacific Northwest and is currently writing her first book, Brave Words. She also facilitates international luxury retreats in devotion to St. Mary Magdalene, and before all of this, she founded an international life coaching company that served thousands of students worldwide for over a decade. What We Get Into Closing a decade-long business in a single afternoon. Emma got her name on the office door and two weeks later heard four words rise up within her, standing outside her son's school: give me everything. She sent the emails that same day. Her son Eli and the gift inside the unexpected. Emma's youngest is autistic. His becoming was an invitation to grieve, surrender, and release everything she thought life was supposed to look like. She homeschooled him for a year, with hot chocolates, forest walks, and a chalkboard in the dining room. She'd do it ten times over. Distraction disguised as productivity. Years of funnels and Facebook ads, chasing the next strategy while a voice in her heart kept saying the same thing: write the book. I felt this in my bones. Mary Magdalene and reclaiming what's true. Emma's work centers on restoring Mary Magdalene's real story, scholar, apostle, prophet, not the fiction she was branded with for centuries. In Ireland, this history is not abstract. It's in the bones of the culture. What wildness really means. Not resistance. Belonging. The part of us we were taught to tame, that's the part that knows who we really are. Quotes I'm Still Thinking About ✨"It was distraction disguised as productivity and scaling and growth."✨"The thing you're most afraid to admit that's the thing that's going to liberate you." ✨"The tendrils of my soul want to touch the real earth to move not outward, but inward." Her writing will move you. I promise. 📖 Subscribe to her Substack 🌿 www.thelightscript.com 📷 Instagram: @emmatynan_ If this landed somewhere in you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Molly Carroll: Website | Instagram | Facebook Now accepting new therapy clients! Schedule Here | |||
| The Leader Within: Shadow Work, Core Values & the Power of Human Connection with Thomas Droge | Ep. 104 | 14 May 2026 | 00:53:07 | |
What does it mean to truly lead not just in a boardroom, but in your relationships, your family, and your own inner life? In this deeply moving episode, therapist and host Molly Carroll sits down with Thomas Droge, executive coach, Chief Mindfulness Officer, mindfulness speaker, and author of The Leader Within, to explore the practices that create real, lasting transformation. Thomas brings over three decades of integrated medicine, qigong, meditation, and contemplative work into a raw, honest conversation about shadow work, living your core values, the healing power of human connection, and what happens when life cracks you open without warning. You'll hear Thomas share the moment his wife came out of surgery paralyzed — and what that crisis revealed about love, presence, and showing up. This episode is for anyone feeling stuck, disconnected, or searching for deeper meaning in a noisy world. Topics covered:
xo Molly 🌱 Please consider supporting the Cracking Open podcast on Patreon. Resources and Links Thomas Droge: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook The Leader Within — available now wherever books are sold. Molly Carroll: Website | Instagram | Facebook Now accepting new therapy clients! Schedule Here | |||
| Molly Magic: The Power in Life's No's and Not Yet's | 30 Apr 2026 | 00:23:11 | |
You got a NO this week. Maybe more than one. Someone said no to you. Or your kid came home with that look on their face. Or you've been trying and trying, and the door just won't open. Here's what the research tells us: your brain processes social rejection in the same region as physical pain. Neuroscientist Naomi Eisenberger found that the anterior cingulate cortex — the part that lights up when you're physically hurt — lights up identically when you're rejected. You are not being dramatic. You are being human. And your brain doesn't distinguish between a big no and a small one. The strawberries being out of stock. The email that never came back. Your nervous system treats them all the same way. The small nos stack. By noon, your threat response has been firing all morning — and your fear brain starts whispering: maybe you're not enough. Maybe you should stop trying. That is not wisdom. That is fear doing its job. A no is information about that moment. It is not a verdict on your worth. When it happens to someone you love. When your child doesn't make the team, isn't invited to the party, comes home with that look — it hits differently. Research shows that when someone we love is rejected, our brains register it as if it happened to us. Add the helplessness of not being able to take it from them, and it's a lot to carry. So: feel your own pain first. Then sit with them. Listen. Show them what it looks like to get back up. How you handle your nos is teaching everyone around you how to handle theirs. Four tools for the no you're holding: 1. Name which no it is. A not yet has a crack in it — soft language, an open door, worth showing up for again. A real no feels different in your body: clear, final, repeated. Releasing a real no isn't defeat. It's clarity. It frees up every ounce of energy you've been spending on a closed door. 2. Write it out. Unprocessed nos become stories — nothing works out for me, I always get passed over. Those aren't facts. They're feelings. Write it out and watch it lose its grip. Naming an emotion reduces its intensity and moves you from fear brain back into thinking brain. 3. Burn it. Write it down, read it one last time, say out loud: "This does not define me" — and burn it. Watch it turn to ash. Can't burn it? Tear it up. Delete it. The point is the conscious choice to let it go. 4. Ask what it's making room for. What could this no be redirecting you toward? What are your yeses now? And if all you can write is I don't know yet, but I trust something is coming — that is enough. That is the whole practice. Every no you have ever survived is proof that you are still here. Something good is ahead of you. I really believe that. Now go find your magic. 🤍 — Molly 🌱 Please consider supporting the Cracking Open podcast on Patreon. RESOURCES & LINKS: Molly Carroll: Website | Instagram | Facebook Now accepting new therapy clients! | |||
| Shaka Senghor: How to Escape Life's Hidden Prisons and Be Free | 16 Apr 2026 | 00:56:52 | |
Whenever someone asks me for a word that describes how I want to live, my answer is always the same. Freedom. Not just personal freedom, but freedom in my mind, my body, and my spirit. Maybe that comes from being raised Catholic, or maybe it’s simply my wild spirit that has never wanted to be contained. So when I read Shaka Senghor's How to Be Free: A Proven Guide to Escaping Life’s Hidden Prisons, I knew I needed to have him back on the podcast. Because this message isn’t just for people who have been behind bars. You don’t need a prison cell to feel imprisoned. It’s for anyone lying awake replaying something they wish they could let go of. Anyone who can’t move past a loss. Anyone whose carefully built walls are keeping even joy out. Shaka Senghor is known for his remarkable journey from solitary confinement to the C-suite. He is a New York Times bestselling author, a resilience teacher, and one of the most powerful voices we have on transformation, healing, and justice. In his latest book, he names the hidden prisons that keep us stuck. They are not made of concrete and steel, but of grief, anger, shame, and fear. And here is the truth that changes everything. These prisons have doors. In This Episode, We Explore Grief Anger Shame Hope and Joy Shaka spent nineteen years in the Michigan prison system, including seven years in solitary confinement. Since his release, he has become a leading voice on resilience, healing, and personal transformation. His work has been featured on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday, and How to Be Free is a roadmap for anyone who has ever felt stuck. Which, if we’re honest, is all of us. Hidden prisons are real. They are built from our pain, our past, and the stories we carry about who we are. But as he reminds us through both his life and his work, the door is always there. You just have to be willing to walk through it. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. With love, 🌱 Please consider supporting the Cracking Open podcast on Patreon. RESOURCES & LINKS: Shaka Senghor How to Be Free — available wherever books are sold Molly Carroll: Website | Instagram | Facebook Now accepting new therapy clients! | |||
| Welcome to Episode 1 of Molly's Magic: Reset Your Nervous System in Minutes | 02 Apr 2026 | 00:19:17 | |
Welcome to Molly's Magic. I’m Molly. Molly's Magic is simple. Who is Molly's Magic for? This is for the part of you that knows you are capable of more but cannot quite name what is getting in the way. The part of you that feels stuck. The Story Behind Molly's Magic I was not always the smartest, the most athletic, or the most beautiful person in the room. But I have always had something else. And a lot of the time, they do. From meeting the Dalai Lama, to walking into a fully booked restaurant and somehow getting a table, to getting into a Taylor Swift Eras Tour show on the floor with no ticket. Over time, my kids started calling it Molly Magic. What I Know to Be True After 25 years as a therapist, and from living my own messy, beautiful, complicated life, this is what I know. You have the magic too. And I also know what gets in the way. An unregulated nervous system. These things do not just keep you unhappy. What Molly's Magic Is Molly's Magic is about finding your magic. You are not going to feel magical every day. You are okay when you are not okay. This is about possibility and acceptance in the same breath. Because when you learn to truly love yourself, you create more space for connection, for joy, and for magic in your life. Every month, I will share one tool. Something I have learned over 25 years in the therapy room and, often, the hard way in my own life. Short. Simple. Actionable. So welcome to Molly Magic. And welcome home to you. If this landed for you, share it with someone who might need it. If you want more, subscribe to Cracking Open so you never miss an episode, and come find me so we can keep the conversation going. You do not have to do any of this alone. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. With love, 🌱 Please consider supporting the podcast on Patreon. RESOURCES & LINKS: Molly Carroll: Website | Instagram | Facebook Now accepting new therapy clients! | |||
| 100th Episode Part 2: Coming Home to the People Who Know Me Best | 19 Mar 2026 | 01:06:01 | |
Welcome back to Part 2 of our 100th episode. If you have not listened to Part 1 yet, pause here and go back. Truly. Tommy, Lisa, René, Leo, and Cora brought everything. And your responses told me just how deeply it landed. You shared that Tommy reminded you that everything you need is already inside of you. I could not have asked for more than that. And now, we continue. Because there are more stories to tell. In this second half, you will hear from some of the people who have held me together for decades. Charlotte Hardwick, my most trusted confidante, reflects on what 100 episodes of this podcast have taught her. Noelle Teuber, who has been running beside me, both literally and figuratively, for 15 years, shares about loss and what it means to find love again on the other side. My husband, Adam Carroll, opens up about navigating life’s biggest transitions and what it truly means to believe in yourself when the path is not clear. Bowen Teuber speaks honestly about the loneliness and challenge of transitioning to college and how he found himself in the middle of it. And then there is me. Because if I am going to ask the people I love most to crack open on this microphone, it only feels right that I do the same. I share what it meant to show up for René after she lost Jason and how, in that moment, our group of friends became something more than friendship. We became family. These are not famous voices or household names. They are the people who show up. And somewhere in these conversations, my hope is that you hear yourself. Cracking open, that beautiful, messy, courageous act of being human, belongs to all of us. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. With love, 🌱 Please consider supporting the Cracking Open podcast on Patreon. RESOURCES & LINKS: Molly Carroll: Website | Instagram | Facebook Now accepting new therapy clients! | |||
| 100th Episode: Coming Home to the People Who Know Me Best | 05 Mar 2026 | 01:02:38 | |
In this special two-part 100th episode, you’ll hear something a little different—the everyday, deeply human stories of the people closest to me. From navigating the loss of a husband to the tender uncertainty of leaving home for college. From launching a business to discovering a passion for a sport you never imagined trying at 50. From the journey of growing from boy to man, to finding resilience after heartbreak, to the quiet but powerful work of building strong friendships. These are not famous voices or household names—and that is exactly the point. Because cracking open doesn’t belong to the extraordinary few. My hope is that somewhere in these conversations, you hear yourself. You hear your own story. And maybe, just maybe, you feel a little less alone in yours. But to understand why this episode means so much to me, you have to know a little about the journey that brought us here. One Hundred Episodes One hundred episodes. When I started this podcast, I had one question I couldn’t stop thinking about: What is your cracking open moment—and how did it change you forever? I had no idea that question would lead me to 99 of the most extraordinary people I’ve ever had the privilege of sitting with. From Jodie Patterson and David Nichtern, who said yes when I had absolutely no idea what I was doing… to Fr. Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries, Mary Pipher, Shaka Senghor, Elizabeth Lesser, Dr. Mary Claire Haver, Dr. Dan Siegel, Terry Real, Dr. Lisa Miller, Tami Simon, Dr. Ellen Langer, Cory Richards, Suneel Gupta, and so many more whose wisdom has changed me forever. Guests who overcame heroin addiction, grief, incarceration, and unimaginable loss. Guests who returned a second time because one conversation wasn’t enough. Guests who became dear friends. Every one of those 99 guests trusted me with their cracking open stories—with their vulnerability, wisdom, and kindness—and they will forever be woven into the fabric of this podcast. And for that, I am deeply grateful. Because here’s the truth: So every single time someone said yes to me—trusted me with their time and their story—I jumped up in pure joy. Coming Home For episode 100, I wanted to do something that felt true to why I started this podcast in the first place. So I turned to the people who know me best—and asked them the same question I’ve asked every guest: What was your cracking open moment? You’ll hear from my husband of 22 years, Adam Carroll, my son Tommy Carroll, my daughter Cora Carroll, and my brother Leo Rowen. You’ll also hear from the friends who have held me together for decades. Charlotte Hardwick, René Mitchell, Lisa Bermudez, Noelle Teuber, and Bowen Teuber. My Team And none of this would exist without my team. Natalie, Kevin, and Chloe: this is yours too. Ninety-nine episodes of strangers who became teachers, teachers who became friends, and stories that cracked me wide open in ways I never expected. And now episode 100—coming home to the people who have been cracking me open my entire life without even knowing it. It feels exactly right. If this episode moves you, please share it with someone you love. We’re just getting started. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. With love, | |||
| Serena & Lily Co-Founder Serena Dugan on Creativity, Courage, and What Matters Most | 12 Feb 2026 | 00:54:10 | |
As we approach our 100th episode, I’ve been revisiting a few conversations that have stayed with me long after the microphones were turned off. Bill Valentine’s episode was re-released because of the way he shared heart-centered, real-life wisdom while facing the end of his life. And today, I’m re-releasing my conversation with Serena Dugan for a different—but equally powerful—reason. Over the years, people have stopped me on the streets of my hometown of Bend to tell me that Serena’s words gave them the courage to finally write the book that had been living inside them… or to leave a corporate job and start a small design company to help people feel more alive in their homes. These two episodes remind us that our "cracking open" moments come in many forms. Sometimes they arrive through confronting mortality, and sometimes they arrive through choosing to trust our creativity and make brave, life-altering changes. Serena is a beacon of authenticity and creative courage. She is an artist and textile designer based in Sausalito, California. With a background in both psychology and fine art, Serena has spent over 20 years shaping her voice as a painter, product designer, and the Chief Creative Officer of Serena & Lily, the home and lifestyle brand she founded in 2004. In 2020, she launched Serena Dugan Studio, her namesake collection of fabrics and wallpapers. Her art-driven textiles draw inspiration from around the world—from the breezy jet-set spirit of Capri in the ’50s, to South American basket-weaving traditions, to the colorful mid-century architecture of Mexico City. Most recently, Serena collaborated with Erik Lindstrom on a line of rugs inspired by her artwork. In our conversation, we explore what it really means to trust your creative instincts, make decisions from your inner knowing, release ego, and find your way forward through grief and loss. This episode is both grounded and expansive—a reminder that creativity lives within all of us when we remain open to change and willing to listen to ourselves. Serena also speaks honestly about the value of making mistakes, starting over, and remembering that our achievements do not define who we are. As she so beautifully shares: “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 I’m surrounded by that give life meaning. The rest of this is just our path to love.”This conversation is a gentle but powerful reminder that our creative work, our businesses, and our accomplishments are simply vehicles. The true masterpiece is how we love and connect with others along the way. If you’ve been waiting for permission to start that project, make that change, or trust the creative voice that’s been quietly calling you forward—let this episode be your catalyst. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. With love, 🌱 Please consider supporting the Cracking Open podcast on Patreon. RESOURCES & LINKS: Serena Dugan: Molly Carroll: Website | Instagram | Facebook Now accepting new therapy clients! | |||
| Learn How Terminal Cancer Taught Successful Wealth Manager Bill Valentine the True Meaning of Life | 29 Jan 2026 | 00:58:20 | |
In times of uncertainty, we need reminders of what truly matters. Today’s episode is a profound lesson in hope, love, and perspective—one that gently calls us back to presence, connection, and grace. This is a re-release of my conversation with Bill Valentine, who passed away peacefully at home on October 21, 2022. I felt deeply called to bring this episode forward again. It’s exactly what we need right now. This conversation isn’t about fear or loss—it’s about living without regret, being fully present because life is fleeting, and holding hope for the future. Many people say the most precious gift we can give is our time. Bill understood this in a way few ever do. When we recorded this episode, he was living with stage four terminal pancreatic cancer, and he chose to spend some of his remaining time with us. Bill was the only guest I’ve ever interviewed without doing extensive research beforehand. I wanted to meet him heart to heart. As it turns out, that choice mirrored one of his greatest realizations: who we truly are has nothing to do with what we’ve accomplished. Bill was a husband and a father of four boys. His focus had narrowed to what mattered most—love, relationships, and presence. In this conversation, Bill shares what his days looked like, what cancer was teaching him, and the lessons he wanted his sons to carry forward. He speaks openly about participating in his own living funeral—receiving love, hearing how he mattered, and discovering that he was, and always had been, enough. He also shares how psilocybin treatment helped him come to terms with his diagnosis and arrive at a simple, powerful truth: the meaning of life is to give and receive love. This is the legacy he left behind. “It shouldn’t take a terminal disease for you to wake up to your obligation to live a full life—and at the center of that are other people.”— Bill Valentine Bill was one of the greatest teachers to ever join Cracking Open. His wisdom, humility, and open heart continue to ripple outward. Rest in peace, Bill. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. Love, 🌱 Please consider supporting the Cracking Open podcast on Patreon. RESOURCES & LINKS: Molly Carroll: Website | Instagram | Facebook Now accepting new therapy clients! | |||
| Learning to Trust Your Guides with Psychic Medium MaryAnn DiMarco | 15 Jan 2026 | 00:59:23 | |
Throughout my life, clients and friends have often described me as a bridge—a bridge between science and spirituality, between practical cognitive tools and trusting your intuitive voice, between deep compassion and what I lovingly call “getting Nebraska on you” (a little tough love and real accountability). Maybe you’ve felt that tension too. Wanting concrete strategies you can rely on, while also sensing there’s a deeper wisdom guiding you—something you can’t always explain, but you know is there. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share today’s conversation with MaryAnn DiMarco on the Cracking Open podcast. MaryAnn is an author, motivational speaker, and internationally recognized psychic medium and spiritual teacher known for her refreshingly grounded, relatable approach. With humor, heart, and real-world wisdom, she helps people develop their intuitive gifts and trust the guidance that’s already speaking to them. In This Episode, We Explore ✨ MaryAnn’s personal journey of becoming a psychic medium—and learning to trust her own gifts MaryAnn has been featured on beloved podcasts, including Dear Gabby, The Marie Forleo Podcast, Sibling Revelry, Small Medium at Large, and Language of Love. She also leads sold-out workshops, group programs, and one-on-one mentorship for lightworkers, empaths, and those wanting to deepen their connection with Spirit. She’s the author of several books, including Believe, Ask, Act, Medium Mentor, and one of my personal favorites, The Guide(s) Book—a beautiful roadmap for connecting with your guides and understanding life’s journey with Spirit by your side. Talking with MaryAnn feels like meeting someone who speaks both of my languages. We’re building the same bridge—between the seen and unseen, the practical and the mystical, the mind and the soul. What struck me most is how aligned our approaches to transformation are. We both believe real change happens when we take grounded, accountable steps with our own two feet—while also trusting the spiritual guidance illuminating the path ahead. Whether you’re using evidence-based tools or learning to listen to your guides, both are pointing to the same truth: You don’t have to choose between practical action and intuitive wisdom. Real growth happens when we walk the bridge that honors both—and meet ourselves, and our highest potential, right in the middle. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. With love, 🌱 Please consider supporting the Cracking Open podcast on Patreon. RESOURCES & LINKS: MaryAnn DiMarco Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube The Guide(s) Book Molly: | |||
| From Rock Star to Soul Guide: Dr. John Price on Transformation and Purpose | 18 Dec 2025 | 01:17:48 | |
Have you ever had one of those months where you just can’t climb out of a dark hole? That was my October and November. My son had a health scare (instant compassion for every parent walking that road), I wasn’t sleeping—wide awake at 3 a.m. every night (thank God for a dear friend who meets me at Starbucks at 5 a.m.)—and I felt completely unmotivated and uninspired by my work. Not fun. I’m sharing this because maybe you’ve been there too. And here’s the gift hidden inside those seasons: wisdom. What did I learn? Compassion for myself. Humility that I will never “have it all together.” Trust that this, too, shall pass. And it did pass. The light returned—beginning with the conversation you’re about to hear with Dr. John Price. It was medicine for my soul, and I know it will be for yours too. Meet Dr. John W. Price Dr. John W. Price is a licensed psychotherapist, Jungian scholar, and modern-day mythmaker devoted to bridging psychology and spirituality in service of deep transformation. He holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Doctorate in Jungian Psychology and co-founded The Center for Healing Arts and Sciences in Houston with his wife, Leila-Scott Price. Before dedicating his life to healing, John spent a decade as a professional musician—a journey that immersed him in both the highs of creative success and the depths of self-destruction. Becoming a father marked a powerful turning point, when the soul’s call overtook ambition and led him to his true purpose: guiding others through life’s great initiations—grief, identity collapse, spiritual awakening, and the long return to wholeness. He now serves as President of the Board at the Jung Center of Houston, teaches at the Esalen Institute, and hosts The Sacred Speaks podcast—where he explores depth psychology, spirituality, mysticism, and meaning with guests like Richard Rohr, Anne Lamott, and Thomas Moore. In This Episode We Explore ✨ John’s own “cracking open” story—from life as a rock musician to his awakening as a soul-centered psychotherapist This conversation is rich with laughter, depth, and truth—but above all, hope. If you’re walking through your own “dark night,” or simply feeling lost, uninspired, or uncertain, this episode is your lifeline. John offers not quick fixes or toxic positivity, but grounded wisdom: Press play and remember—the light isn’t just coming; it’s already within you, waiting to be rediscovered. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. With love, 🌱 Support the Cracking Open podcast here. RESOURCES & LINKS: Dr. John W. Price | |||
| How to Find Hope in Unexpected Places: Lessons from CNN Hero Maggie Doyne | 20 Nov 2025 | 01:00:18 | |
From the moment Maggie Doyne and I joined our Zoom call, there was an instant recognition—a connection of the heart. We share a love of children, the Oregon coast, and a deep commitment to living in service. Interviewing her was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when one person follows the quiet call of compassion. At just 18 years old, Maggie took what was meant to be a simple gap year—and turned it into her life’s mission. Traveling through India and Nepal, she witnessed a young girl lifting two stones together to build a road. In that moment, she literally said, “I was cracked open”. With her life savings of $5,000, Maggie moved to Nepal and co-founded the BlinkNow Foundation with her Nepali partner, Tope Bahadur Malla. Their vision was clear: to provide children with a safe home, medical care, education, and love—so they would grow into adults with a social conscience and the skills to end cycles of poverty and violence. Working hand-in-hand with Tope and a team that’s 90% Nepali, they built a children’s home for over 100 kids, a school for 350 students, and a women’s center and health clinic for the Kopila Valley community. Maggie’s work has been honored with the 2015 CNN Hero Award and recognition from the Dalai Lama. In this conversation, Maggie shares how a single decision changed her life forever—the joys and challenges of mothering 100 children, sustaining her mission through loss, and the importance of working alongside the local community. She also opens up about a period of deep grief that reshaped her path and strengthened her purpose. Maggie Doyne is a modern-day Mother Teresa—a lighthouse of hope redefining what family means in our world today. She reminds us that one person, with an open heart and unwavering commitment, can create ripples of change that transform entire communities. Whether you’re seeking inspiration to answer your own calling or simply want to witness love in action, this conversation will leave you moved, motivated, and believing in the power of one heart to change the world. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. With love, A note from Molly For three years, I’ve poured my heart into this podcast, creating 90+ episodes. I’ve funded everything myself to focus on meaningful conversations—but to keep bringing you the quality content you deserve, I need your help. Even $5 a month—less than a coffee—helps cover hosting, editing, and prep time. If this podcast has supported you, would you consider joining? Support here: https://www.patreon.com/14800380/join Your support keeps these unrushed, transformative conversations coming. RESOURCES & LINKS: Maggie: Support BlinkNow’s Mission Watch the Film Learn More About Maggie Molly: | |||
| Stop Talking About Creativity and Start Living It with Author Nicole Meier | 06 Nov 2025 | 00:36:43 | |
What happens when one of your dearest friends also happens to be one of the people you admire most in your professional world? That’s exactly the conversation I get to have today—and I couldn’t be more thrilled. This week's guest on the Cracking Open podcast, Nicole Meier, isn’t just a brilliant creative—she’s family. We’ve raised our kids together, navigated the loss of our parents side by side, and cheered each other on as our careers evolved. She’s been a confidant, a mentor, and, without exaggeration, a savant in her craft. Nicole is a certified book coach, developmental editor, and author of four novels whose work has been featured by Booklist, Refinery29, BookBub, and PopSugar. She hosts The Whole Writer podcast for emerging authors, and is a co-founder of Book Works, where she and her partner combine book coaching and branding insight to guide writers to expand their creative community and connect with ideal readers. ✨ In this episode, Nicole shares how she found her way back to creativity while raising three kids (including twins!), supporting aging parents, and juggling all the roles so many of us know too well. Once her kids were in school, she made a powerful choice: to reclaim her voice. Writing became her lifeline—and along the way, she discovered lessons in commitment, boundaries, and courage. ✨ She also gets real about resistance—the sneaky excuses that keep us from doing the work we’re meant to do. Whether it sounds like, “I’ll start when the kids are older,” or “I don’t want people to judge me,” Nicole reminds us that resistance is just fear in disguise. ✨ This conversation is packed with practical wisdom—how to structure your creative day, silence your inner critic, and build your confidence through simple daily actions. And here’s the beautiful truth Nicole offers: creativity isn’t a luxury or a someday dream. It’s a vital practice that keeps us connected to who we truly are. So grab a pen and paper for this one—you’ll want to take notes. Whether you’re a writer, entrepreneur, parent, or simply someone ready to stop making excuses, this episode will remind you that your creative spark never left you. It’s just waiting for you to choose it. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. With love, A note from Molly For three years, I’ve poured my heart into this podcast, creating 90 episodes. I’ve funded everything myself to focus on meaningful conversations—but to keep bringing you the quality content you deserve, I need your help. Even $5 a month—less than a coffee—helps cover hosting, editing, and prep time. If this podcast has supported you, would you consider joining? Support here: https://www.patreon.com/14800380/join Your support keeps these unrushed, transformative conversations coming. RESOURCES & LINKS: Learn more about Nicole Meier here: http://nicolemeier.com/ Follow Nicole on Substack: https://nicolemeierwrites.substack.com/ Check out Book Works: http://bookworks.co/ Work with Molly: https://molly-carroll.com | |||
| Look, Feel, & Stay Young Forever: #1 Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Vonda Wright's Proven Protocol | 09 Oct 2025 | 01:01:15 | |
These days, we all need practices that strengthen not just our muscles, but also our spirits. I’m with you in all you’re navigating, and I want Cracking Open to continue being a place where you can land, breathe, and remember: you are not alone. The stories we share here are meant to heal the body, mind, and soul. Recently, I kept hearing about how weightlifting can help you look, feel, and stay younger longer. Not only is it good for your muscles—it’s essential for your bones, joints, and overall longevity. So I finally decided to try it myself. I joined a local workout group—shoutout to Capacity Performance Therapy—and after almost a year of consistent training, I can confidently say: everything I heard was true. I feel stronger in my body, calmer in my mind, and more alive in my spirit. That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to this week’s guest: Dr. Vonda Wright—a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon and longevity expert. In today’s conversation, we explore science-backed strategies to: As Dr. Wright shares: “Every woman is a sentient being with the agency to make her own decisions, but I want her decisions to be based on facts, not fear. Here are the facts: estrogen optimization, hormone optimization, or menopause hormone therapy—no matter what you call it—changes your life.”Whether you’re 25 or 65, this episode is your blueprint for defying conventional aging and reclaiming your strength—for life. And because this is Cracking Open, we don’t just talk about physical health. Dr. Wright also shares her personal story—her “cracking open” moments that shaped her passion for helping others age powerfully and purposefully. About Dr. Vonda Wright She’s been featured on The Diary of a CEO, Jay Shetty, Mel Robbins, The Today Show, and Dr. Oz, and in The New York Times, USA Today, and more. Dr. Wright has authored five books, including Fitness After 40 and Guide to THRIVE, and lives in Florida with her husband, a retired two-time Stanley Cup champion. We as humans are not destined to grow old and frail. In this episode, you’ll find hope, science, and practical tools to turn back the clock—and start thriving today. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. Love, Resources & Links Follow her on Instagram | |||
| #1 Neurosurgeon on the Power of Manifestation and Positive Mindset (In Memory of Dr. James Doty) | 25 Sep 2025 | 00:50:24 | |
This is one of the most memorable conversations I have had on the podcast. With a heavy heart today, I am re-releasing his episode in honor of Dr. James Doty on neuroscience, manifestation, and the power of focusing your mind and heart on what you know is possible in your life. Dr. Doty passed away on July 16, 2025, from medical complications following surgery. This episode was recorded before his death and remains one of our most beloved conversations. He was truly an incredible human being who believed deeply in the power of the human spirit, mind, and soul. Dr. Doty was a highly sought-after speaker and podcast guest, and he didn't have to say yes to coming on the Cracking Open podcast. But he told me that among the 300 emails he received the day he got my request, he felt it was a "yes" to crack open—and I will forever be grateful. Dr. James Doty was a:
In this episode, 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 choosing to live life from his ego or his heart, and how much he appreciates being called out on his shortcomings. Ultimately, he discovered that "possessions, position, and power have nothing to do with wisdom, insight, or self-awareness." Dr. Doty and I 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 become more integrated and whole as individuals. Whether you have heard this episode before or it's your first time, I invite you to listen to Dr. Doty with an open heart and carry his wisdom forward. To honor Dr. Doty's legacy and life, you can visit his memorial page here: https://everloved.com/life-of/james-doty/ 🎧 Tune in now to listen. With love, A note from Molly For three years, I’ve poured my heart into this podcast, creating 90 episodes. I’ve funded everything myself to focus on meaningful conversations—but to keep bringing you the quality content you deserve, I need your help. Even $5 a month—less than a coffee—helps cover hosting, editing, and prep time. If this podcast has supported you, would you consider joining? Support here: https://www.patreon.com/14800380/join Your support keeps these unrushed, transformative conversations coming. Work with Molly Stay Connected with Molly | |||
| From Rock Bottom to Redemption with Lara Love Hardin | 11 Sep 2025 | 01:01:48 | |
Have you ever hit rock bottom? I know I have—not with drugs or alcohol, but through anxiety, over-mothering my kids, or letting my mind hijack my ability to feel gratitude and joy. Today’s guest, Lara Love Hardin, is a powerful example of what it takes to rise from absolute rock bottom. Lara’s journey is extraordinary: from suburban soccer mom to opioid addict, incarcerated felon, and now bestselling author and advocate. Her memoir, The Many Lives of Mama Love, is a 2024 Oprah Book Club pick and a New York Times bestseller. In our conversation, Lara shares: ✨ How addiction and incarceration stripped away every identity she had built—and why that became her greatest gift.
We also discuss her work today: advocating for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women through The Gemma Project, and how she helps others find redemption, even in life’s darkest moments. This conversation offers profound hope to anyone who has experienced addiction, incarceration, or life-altering setbacks. Lara’s story demonstrates that our darkest moments can become the foundation for our greatest transformation, and that redemption is always possible when we’re willing to do the hard work of truly knowing and accepting ourselves. Whether your rock bottom looks like addiction, mental health struggles, or losing yourself in the roles you play, Lara’s story proves that transformation is not only possible—it can become the greatest gift you never knew you needed. If you’re ready to do the meaningful work of truly knowing and accepting yourself, I’m currently accepting new therapy clients. I specialize in helping people:
Learn more and schedule a session here: https://calendly.com/mollycarroll/coaching 🎧 Tune in now to listen. With love, A note from Molly For three years, I’ve poured my heart into this podcast, creating 90 episodes. I’ve funded everything myself to focus on meaningful conversations—but to keep bringing you the quality content you deserve, I need your help. Even $5 a month—less than a coffee—helps cover hosting, editing, and prep time. If this podcast has supported you, would you consider joining? Support here: https://www.patreon.com/14800380/join Your support keeps these unrushed, transformative conversations coming. Resources & Links Read Lara’s memoir, The Many Lives of Mama Love: https://www.themanylivesofmamalove.com Learn more about The Gemma Project: https://www.thegemmaproject.org Follow Lara on Instagram: @laralovehardin Work with Molly Stay Connected with Molly | |||
| Sr. Monica Clare: From Hollywood to Holy Orders - A Journey to Authentic Joy | 28 Aug 2025 | 01:04:55 | |
This summer, I found myself slowing down—getting quieter on the trails, more present among the trees, and stepping away from my usual morning routine of “to-do” lists, three coffees, and hustling to get people into my coaching programs. I got quiet. I sat with the parts of myself that feel uncomfortable and need external validation to feel worthy. I kept hearing the Zen Buddhist phrase: “chop wood, carry water". The wisdom is simple: do everyday tasks with mindfulness and presence. For me, that meant canceling my coaching program that was supposed to start in August. It meant releasing the constant striving for speaking opportunities, letting go of outreach for podcast guests, and returning to my roots—deep, one-on-one conversations where space is dedicated to what truly matters. It meant going back to being a therapist. For years, Sister Monica Clare heard a quiet call toward a quiet religious life. She first explored Hollywood, marriage, and conventional success before discovering that her heart was truly drawn to sisterhood. Even if you’re not religious or spiritual, this conversation will likely resonate with you. Sister Monica Clare’s story is about learning to "gravitate towards joy versus chaos" and having the courage to follow your authentic calling—no matter how unconventional it may seem, and no matter what you have to release to honor it. Her journey began in a Southern town marked by poverty, abuse, and violence, including witnessing her grandfather attempt to stab her father. Her mother’s encouragement to pursue a different life set her on a path through college in New York City, a career in Hollywood, marriage, heartbreak, and even performing in comedy clubs. Through it all, she never abandoned the power of prayer—even when the call to religious life felt “complicated and baffling, completely out of step with her fame-adjacent life in Los Angeles”. She tried everything to silence it: therapy sessions, ignoring it, secrecy, and even asking friends and mentors, “What do you think about me being a nun?” Sister Monica Clare’s story becomes a compass for anyone struggling to find their truth. Authentic calling rarely makes logical sense—but it always leads to deeper fulfillment. Today, at 59, she has found her unique path to serve:
Sister Monica Clare is the Mother Superior at the Community of St. John Baptist, an Episcopal convent in New Jersey. Before taking her vows in 2012, she worked as a photo editor in L.A. and performed in an acoustic rock duo and improv comedy troupe. In our conversation, she shares how prayer became her sanctuary throughout Hollywood rejections and personal heartbreaks. She reveals the guiding messages she received from God during life’s challenges—like when she discovered her husband was cheating and heard, “Get up and get your house in order.” She opens up about overcoming the fear that people wouldn’t want her around and finding peace as a socially awkward introvert in a tight-knit community. This episode is an invitation to listen to your own quiet callings and consider what authentic joy could look like in your life—and what you might need to release in order to honor it. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. Love, Molly Resources & Links: Read Sr. Monica Clare's memoir, A Change of Habit | |||
| The Mystic Entrepreneur: How Jeff Scult Is Weaving Fashion, Purpose and Planetary Healing | 07 Aug 2025 | 01:11:43 | |
Have you ever had a moment where time seemed to slow, the noise of the world softened, and you felt something ancient stir inside you? That’s exactly what happened when I sat down with Jeff Scult—founder, designer, and visionary behind One Golden Thread. Jeff’s mission is nothing short of revolutionary: to create a regenerative container where humanity can come alive from the inside out. He believes that the “gold” within each of us is the thread that connects us all. And in both life and business, he is walking that talk. A five-time entrepreneur with a background in advertising and storytelling, Jeff spent years amplifying the voices of others before finally tuning into his own. In 2016, he followed an inner calling to birth One Golden Thread, a fashion company that’s as much about soulful expression as it is about sustainability. As Forbes put it: "Jeff Scult and One Golden Thread are creating a regenerative fashion brand that uplifts people and planet."In today’s conversation, Jeff shares openly about his childhood as a people pleaser and shapeshifter—empathetic to everyone’s journey but his own. Beneath the surface, he carried deep emotional sensitivity, a gift that revealed itself through poetic insight and a mystic awareness that often moved people to tears. Even as a child, he knew how to see the soul beneath the mask. Jeff’s story is a profound reminder that our wounds can become portals to purpose. His superpower? Helping others follow their “one golden thread”—the unique inner path that leads each of us home to ourselves. Throughout the episode, Jeff brings his full presence: pausing to light incense, reciting his brand’s founding manifesto, and answering questions with poetic honesty that seems to flow from another realm. What began as an interview became a transmission—a remembering. We explore the steps he took to manifest his vision, the intentionality behind his nature-sourced clothing line, and the deeper ethos guiding his work: wholeness, unity, reverence for self and planet. Whether you’re seeking inspiration to pursue your own dream, curious about conscious entrepreneurship, or simply in need of a breath of truth in a noisy world—this episode is for you. Listen with your heart. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. Love, Molly Resources & Links Explore One Golden Thread: onegoldenthread.com Listen to Drops of Gold: jeffscult.com/dropsofgold Work with Jeff: jeffscult.com Special Offer: Use the code dropsofGold at checkout on onegoldenthread.com to receive a gift with your first purchase. Work with Molly Stay Connected with Molly | |||
| Transforming Fear Into Peace with Thomas Jones and The Paradox Process | 10 Jul 2025 | 00:51:53 | |
Some episodes feel especially personal—and this is one of them. This week on Cracking Open, I’m joined by Thomas M. Jones: psychotherapist, author, musician, and founder of The Paradox Process—an innovative technique that helps people use their negative thoughts to shift perspective and transform their lives. And in this conversation, I don’t just talk to Thomas about his method—I actually experience it in real time. Just one week before our interview, my husband lost his job. I was navigating a wave of fear, frustration, and uncertainty. Rather than hiding those emotions, I brought them into the conversation. And Thomas walked me through them—live on the show. But this episode isn’t just about me. It’s about you. 🌀 Have you ever sat down to tackle your to-do list and felt too overwhelmed to start? 🌀 Are you still ruminating on something from years ago, stuck in emotions you can’t shake? 🌀 Is there a habit you can’t seem to break—no matter how much you want to? That’s what The Paradox Process is for. It’s a simple, accessible method that helps you take control of your thoughts, shift your emotional state, and find peace. I can personally say—it works. A bit more about Thomas: 🌱 He’s been doing this work for over 50 years 🌱 Serving clients ranging from CEOs and social workers to Emmy, Oscar, and Tony award-winning performers. 🌱 His approach blends strategy and soul to help people find fulfillment in every area of their lives—from manifesting the career of their dreams to achieving intimate, loving, lasting relationships. I can honestly say—I’m now a true fan of The Paradox Process. Since my conversation with Thomas, something in me has shifted. The fear and frustration I was feeling around my husband’s job loss have softened. I’m not spiraling in worst-case scenarios or trying to fix everything overnight. Instead, I feel a deep, grounded peace. A quiet ease. A knowing that, even in uncertainty, we’re going to be okay. That’s what this process offers—not just tools to think differently, but a pathway to feel differently. To interrupt the looping narratives that keep us stuck and to choose something more empowering in their place. As you listen to this episode, I invite you to walk through it with me. Let Thomas guide you, too. Bring to mind something in your own life that keeps you spinning—an old wound, a self-defeating belief, or a habit you just can’t seem to break. 🌟 This could be the moment you finally begin to shift it. 🌟 This could be the tool that helps you get unstuck. 🌟 This could be the thing that reminds you—you’re not alone, and you’re not powerless. So take a breath. Be curious. And let The Paradox Process work its quiet magic in your life, too. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. Love, Molly Resources & Links Explore The Paradox Process ✨ Podcast Listeners FREE Gift! Stay Connected with Thomas Work with Molly Stay Connected with Molly | |||
| From Tragedy to Advocacy: Song For Charlie's Founders Ed and Mary Ternan's Fight Against Counterfeit Pills | 19 Jun 2025 | 00:54:32 | |
This episode is deeply personal to me.
I’m acutely aware that most young people—and many parents—don’t realize the deadly risks of purchasing medication online without a prescription. Counterfeit pills are now deliberately designed to look exactly like legitimate prescription opioids. But what’s inside is far more dangerous than most people know. This week on the Cracking Open podcast, I have the immense honor of speaking with Ed and Mary Ternan, founders of the nonprofit Song for Charlie. After losing their son Charlie to a counterfeit Percocet pill laced with illicit fentanyl, Ed and Mary transformed unimaginable grief into purposeful action. Instead of only placing blame on social media platforms where these pills are sold, they chose to lead with education and empathy—working to save other families from the same heartbreak. ✨ Their mission is clear: to warn young people—especially those ages 13–24—about the danger of fake pills purchased online.
In this conversation, Ed and Mary bravely share the story of losing their beloved Charlie and the ripple effects that tragedy had on their family, their faith, and their purpose. Through Song for Charlie, they’ve become fierce advocates for awareness, prevention, and healing. And through their love for Charlie—and for every child who may still be saved—they are making a difference. This is a story of heartbreak. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. Love, Molly RESOURCES & LINKS Learn more about Ed and Mary Ternan’s work Follow Song for Charlie on social media Work with Molly
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| Rising from Ashes: Scott Anderson's Journey Through Loss, Burnout, and Renewal | 05 Jun 2025 | 00:46:31 | |
“I was following my North Star and definitely loving what I was doing—just not how I was doing it.” ~ Molly Carroll I’ll never forget waking up one morning in Costa Rica while leading a women’s retreat. Surrounded by yoga, healthy food, and meaningful transformation, I should’ve felt alive and fulfilled. But instead, I felt utterly exhausted. So I took a solo walk on the beach—not to escape, but to survive. Even though I was in my zone of genius—supporting others and sharing tools for healing—I was deeply burned out. At the time, I had over 30 clients, was writing books, had just finished a TED Talk, was running retreats, parenting two kids, and helping care for my mother as she battled cancer. I was giving everything I had to everyone else. But underneath it all, I was fighting internal demons: shame, perfectionism, fear I wasn’t doing enough—or being enough—as a therapist, mom, wife, and daughter. I was experiencing what Scott Anderson, our guest this week on the Cracking Open podcast, calls burnout. And wow… do I wish I had Scott's work back then. But lucky for all of us—he’s here now. And he’s here to help you. Scott Anderson is the author of You’re Not Toast and founder of DoubleDare, a coaching organization helping high-achieving professionals break free from burnout. With 30+ years of business ownership, therapy training, and ICF coaching credentials, Scott’s work blends business acumen with a deep understanding of the emotional and mental toll burnout takes. Scott’s own story is one of profound transformation. After losing his son Max to addiction, Scott found himself broken, exhausted, and questioning everything. That grief led him to reevaluate his life, uncover his values, and rebuild with more humility and purpose. From this space, the Burnout Breakthrough Method was born—a framework that helps people reconnect with their energy, release emotional weight, and create sustainable, joyful success. In today’s conversation, we talk about: ✨ What burnout really is (hint: it’s not just being tired) ✨ Why high-achievers are most at risk ✨ The intersection of grief, purpose, and healing ✨ How to recover quickly and permanently from burnout ✨ Why passion isn’t enough—and how to work in a way that doesn’t cost your health or soul If you’re feeling exhausted, disconnected, or like you're carrying the weight of the world, let this episode be your own beach walk—an invitation to slow down, reflect, and reconnect. Because there’s more joy available to you than you could ever imagine. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. With love, P.S. Check out Scott's first interview on Cracking Open on 5/19/22! Connect with Scott Anderson Follow Scott on Social Media Work with Molly
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| Whole-Child Health: Dr. Lori Baudino's Movement-Based Approach to Wellbeing | 22 May 2025 | 00:54:58 | |
“Children are our greatest treasure. They are our future.” — Nelson Mandela Kids 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 Dr. 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. 🎧 Tune in now to listen. With love, Explore Dr. Lori Baudino’s Work
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| Rebecca Rusch: 7x World Champ on TBI Recovery to Inner Peace | 08 May 2025 | 01:01:14 | |
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 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. 🎧 Tune in now and let Rebecca’s courage, curiosity, and compassion inspire you to slow down, dig deep, and live your own version of being good. Love, Connect with Rebecca Rusch Explore Rebecca's Work Work with Molly | |||
| Isaac Slade from The Fray: From Platinum Records to Personal Peace | 24 Apr 2025 | 01:00:30 | |
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 love Isaac 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. 🎧 Tune in now and let Isaac’s story remind you that real strength isn’t about pushing through—it’s about slowing down, tuning in, and letting your inner light lead the way. Love, Molly Resources & Links: Connect with Isaac Slade Work with Molly Stay Connected | |||
| What My Father's Death Taught Me About Love with Lindsay Bomstein | 10 Apr 2025 | 00:54:40 | |
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:
While Lindsay’s work helps others heal, her greatest gift lies in how she lives her own story with grace. Through creative expression, connection, and boundless love, she shows us that healing is not only possible but deeply transformative. True change begins with acceptance, compassion, and a willingness to be vulnerable. We can learn so much from one another’s stories—especially those about growing up, letting go, and finding peace in the truth. Love, Resources
Bonus: Listen to Charlotte Hardwick’s Cracking Open podcast episode— a dear friend of Molly’s and frequent retreat co-host with Lindsay! Upcoming Coaching Programs with Molly
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| Food as Medicine: How Grief Led Andrea Nakayama to Transform Nutrition | 20 Mar 2025 | 00:57:08 | |
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 She 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: 🥑 Fat, fiber, and protein at every meal But this episode isn’t just about food. It’s about what truly nourishes us—body, mind, and soul. Andrea opens up about grief, solo parenting, and the ways love pushes us to show up fully, even when life feels impossible. At the heart of it all, this conversation is about love—the love we give, the love we receive, and the love that lives in the everyday choices we make. Whether it’s in the food we eat, the care we show to our bodies, or the ways we hold space for others, love is always at the center. 🎧 Tune in now and let Andrea’s wisdom nourish you from the inside out. Love, Molly Check out Andrea's website here Learn more about Functional Nutrition Alliance here Listen to Andrea's 15-Minute Matrix podcast here Follow Andrea on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Facebook, LinkedIn, & Substack 6-Week Coaching Program starts May 14th! 6-Month Coaching Program starts August 13th! | |||
| A Must-Listen: Donna Sacks on Angelic Guidance – You Are Light, Fear is an Illusion | 06 Mar 2025 | 00:57:54 | |
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: She 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: 💛 Just breathe. You are protected. You are supported. Fear is an illusion. This lifetime—the one we are living right now—is the most important one we will ever have. And we are here to remember who we truly are. That is the greatest gift of all. 🎧 Tune in now and let Donna’s wisdom bring you back to yourself. Love, Learn more about Donna here Visit Two Bunch Palms here 6-Week Coaching Program starts May 14th! 6-Month Coaching Program starts August 13th! | |||
| Cory Richards: The Climb Within-Everest, Addiction, & Mental Illness | 13 Feb 2025 | 01:16:46 | |
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, Learn more about Cory here Purchase The Color of Everything here 6-Week Coaching Program starts May 14th! 6-Month Coaching Program starts August 13th! | |||
| Heal the Body, Heal the Mind with Jaycee Gossett, Founding Teacher of The Class | 30 Jan 2025 | 00:55:27 | |
“Dance is for everybody. I believe that dance came from the people, and it should always be delivered back to the people.” This 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. | |||
| Eboo Patel: Building Better Communities through Pluralism and Faith | 16 Jan 2025 | 00:48:41 | |
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.
Eboo’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.
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| Fully Step Into Your Life With Christina Rasmussen | 02 Jan 2025 | 01:04:23 | |
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. 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.
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| Neurosurgeon Dr. James Doty on the Power of Manifestation, and Positive Mindset | 05 Dec 2024 | 00:50:35 | |
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:
Love, Molly Learn more about Dr. James Doty and his work here
The next 6-Month Coaching Group begins in August 2025. | |||
| Mary Pipher & Elizabeth Lesser: Embodying Love & Seeing Hope in the Human Heart | 21 Nov 2024 | 01:06:27 | |
What an intense past couple of weeks! | |||
| Re-Release: Mary Pipher Brings Hope to All | 07 Nov 2024 | 00:52:31 | |
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!) “Girls struggle with mixed messages:
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| Re-Release: Elizabeth Lesser, Super Soul Sunday Guest & New York Times Bestseller Helps Us Uncover How Birth and Death Can Be Our Greatest Teachers | 24 Oct 2024 | 01:01:19 | |
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. | |||
| Navigating Grief: Lindsay Valentine on His Journey to Healing After Losing His Parents | 10 Oct 2024 | 00:59:42 | |
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. | |||
| How a Near-Death Experience Transformed Michael O'Brien's Life | 26 Sep 2024 | 01:12:42 | |
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. | |||
| Leading With Love With Administrator and Founding Principal of P-TECH Rashid Davis | 12 Sep 2024 | 00:54:20 | |
Two weeks ago, I sent my first child off to college. | |||
| A Deep Dive About Women’s Friendships & Wellness With My 30-Year Friend Charlotte Hardwick | 22 Aug 2024 | 01:01:43 | |
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. | |||
| Homeboy Industries' Fr. Greg Boyle On How To Live With More Love | 08 Aug 2024 | 00:49:14 | |
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. | |||
| Designer for the Stars, Samantha Myer, Shares About Loss and Love | 11 Jul 2024 | 00:50:33 | |
Do you believe in synchronicity? Our guest today on the Cracking Open podcast embodies the essence of serendipity. | |||
| Episode 65: Discover the True Nature of What Mothering Really Means with Jodie Patterson | 27 Jun 2024 | 00:44:46 | |
My son leaves for college in August, so you can only imagine how much I have been reflecting on motherhood lately. 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. | |||
| Episode 64: Former NBA Star Chris Herren On Addiction, Sobriety, and Love | 13 Jun 2024 | 00:30:37 | |
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. | |||
| Episode 63: Elise Loehnen on the Price Women Pay To Be Good | 30 May 2024 | 01:14:11 | |
Do you ever feel like you have to be perfect? The perfect mother, daughter, employee, partner, etc? | |||