Shows
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollTransforming Fear Into Peace with Thomas Jones and The Paradox ProcessSome 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 uncert...2025-07-1051 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollFrom Tragedy to Advocacy: Song For Charlie's Founders Ed and Mary Ternan's Fight Against Counterfeit PillsThis episode is deeply personal to me. Not only as a therapist and podcast host—but as a mom to a 19-year-old son and a 17-year-old daughter.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 a...2025-06-1954 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollRising from Ashes: Scott Anderson's Journey Through Loss, Burnout, and Renewal“I was following my North Star and definitely loving what I was doing—just not how I was doing it.” ~ Molly CarrollI’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...2025-06-0546 min
College Admissions with Mark and AnnaTackling Changes for Collegebound Families with Molly CarrollIn this episode, we sit down with Molly Carroll to explore the shifting family dynamics that come with having a collegebound student. Molly shares valuable insights into the emotional and practical changes families experience during this transition. We focus on how parents can navigate this challenging shift with empathy, clear communication, and support. Through thoughtful discussion, Molly offers strategies for parents to maintain strong connections while encouraging independence, ultimately helping families adapt to this new phase with confidence and understanding.Molly Carroll is the author of Cracking Open: A Creative Journal for Self-Transformation and Trust Within: Letting...2025-05-3051 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollWhole-Child Health: Dr. Lori Baudino's Movement-Based Approach to Wellbeing“Children are our greatest treasure. They are our future.” — Nelson MandelaKids have always been part of my story—long before I became a mom. I’ve been a babysitter, camp counselor, teacher, therapist, and now a parent. That’s why this week’s episode feels especially close to my heart.But it’s not just for parents. Whether you're an aunt, uncle, teacher, coach, or simply someone who wants to better understand and support the next generation, this conversation is for you.Today on the Cracking Open podcast, I’m honored to s...2025-05-2254 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollRebecca Rusch: 7x World Champ on TBI Recovery to Inner PeaceThere 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 me...2025-05-081h 01
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollIsaac Slade from The Fray: From Platinum Records to Personal PeaceYou 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 f...2025-04-241h 00
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollWhat My Father's Death Taught Me About Love with Lindsay BomsteinHealing 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 ad...2025-04-1054 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollFood as Medicine: How Grief Led Andrea Nakayama to Transform NutritionWhat are your favorite foods and drinks? For me, it’s pizza and coffee—no question. But at the same time, I love feeling healthy, fueling my body with nourishing foods, and living a vibrant life. And that’s exactly why I’m so excited to introduce you to this week's Cracking Open podcast guest, Andrea Nakayama.Andrea will change the way you think about food, healing, and love. In this deeply personal conversation, we dive into: ✨ The power of food as medicine and a path to healing ✨ How grief can crack us open and re...2025-03-2057 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollA Must-Listen: Donna Sacks on Angelic Guidance – You Are Light, Fear is an IllusionI’m going to be bossy for a moment—this episode is a MUST-LISTEN. Trust me, Donna Sacks will make you feel better about your life, reminding you that you are deeply supported and loved.In this powerful conversation, Donna and I dive into:✨ Angels, soulmates, and karmic lifetimes✨ The Akashic records and soul contracts✨ Out-of-body experiences and spiritual awakenings✨ The power of presence, gratitude, and stepping fully into your purposeShe shares an essential truth:“We’re very powerful. We just forgot. This is the lifetime we remember.”2025-03-0657 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollCory Richards: The Climb Within-Everest, Addiction, & Mental IllnessWhat 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...2025-02-131h 16
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollHeal the Body, Heal the Mind with Jaycee Gossett, Founding Teacher of The Class“Dance is for everybody. I believe that dance came from the people, and it should always be delivered back to the people.” ~ Alvin AileyThis powerful quote captures the spirit of this week’s conversation with Jaycee Gossett, a founding teacher and VP of Experience of The Class, a dynamic exercise workout that blends yoga, dance, HIIT, and meditation. Focusing on more than simply getting into physical shape, this program also invigorates your mind and helps you process emotions through a fusion of movement, music, and self-reflection.On this week's episod...2025-01-3055 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEboo Patel: Building Better Communities through Pluralism and FaithI want to begin today by extending my deepest sympathies to the people of Los Angeles. To those who have suffered unimaginable losses due to the California fires, please know that my heart, prayers, and thoughts are with you.This tragedy is a stark reminder of the power of community—the strength we find in coming together as one. Fire does not discriminate based on our skin color, our workplace position, or the balance in our bank accounts. It impacts us all, underscoring the importance of unity and compassion.Our guest today, Eboo Patel...2025-01-1648 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollFully Step Into Your Life With Christina RasmussenI don’t know about you, but I’ve learned that New Year’s resolutions don’t work well for me. Eat healthier, exercise more, and have more gratitude—those are the usual go-to's. Maybe it’s my Midwestern stubbornness that makes me think, “Don’t tell me what to do!” so I end up doing the opposite—eating more sugar, sleeping in instead of going for a run, and complaining more than feeling grateful. It's embarrassing to admit, but it's true.What I’ve found that works for me is to choose a word for the year, one that...2025-01-021h 04
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollNeurosurgeon Dr. James Doty on the Power of Manifestation, and Positive MindsetI 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 hi...2024-12-0550 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollMary Pipher & Elizabeth Lesser: Embodying Love & Seeing Hope in the Human HeartWhat an intense past couple of weeks! I don’t know about you, but I’ve experienced a whirlwind of emotions lately. I feel sad about my kids' futures and am grieving over the state of our democracy. At the same time, I feel empowered, knowing that I have self-agency and can choose how I feel each day. By paying attention to when I’m in fight or flight versus rest and digest, I recognize that I can’t help others if I’m constantly in a state of fear, hate, or anger. So, I’ve m...2024-11-211h 06
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollRe-Release: Mary Pipher Brings Hope to AllThe Cracking Open podcast has an exciting upcoming episode where, for the first time, I host a dual interview with Elizabeth Lesser and Mary Pipher to discuss a particular and profound issue for women (stay tuned for its release on November 21st!)Leading up to that episode's release, I am re-releasing their initial interviews with me so you can soak in their deep wisdom and charm. You can listen to Elizabeth's episode here. Whether it's the first time you've listened or a refresh, you are in for a treat.This week's episode on the Cracking...2024-11-0752 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollRe-Release: Elizabeth Lesser, Super Soul Sunday Guest & New York Times Bestseller Helps Us Uncover How Birth and Death Can Be Our Greatest TeachersOctober 19th marked the 13th anniversary of my dad’s passing. It was a deeply profound day, as I experienced a revelation about my grief. I realized that to reach a healthier place with my grief, I needed to engage with it differently. For the past 13 years, I’ve held onto a level of consciousness regarding my grief that requires transformation. I’ve been wearing a cloak of identification with the narrative of someone who lost their parents too young, feeling like a victim and grappling with anger over both of my parents’ deaths (my mom passed away fiv...2024-10-241h 01
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollNavigating Grief: Lindsay Valentine on His Journey to Healing After Losing His ParentsAt 21 years old, Lindsay Valentine was told that his father had pancreatic cancer. Towards the end of his father's fight with his cancer, his mother was shockingly also diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Within 6 months of one another, Lindsay lost both of his parents to this heartbreaking disease.Lindsay joins us on the Cracking Open podcast this week to honor his parents' memory and share his journey with this traumatic life experience and what it taught him.It is an unimaginable story for any family, let alone a family of four boys aged 18, 20, 22, and 24...2024-10-1059 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollHow a Near-Death Experience Transformed Michael O'Brien's LifeWe often hear mantras urging us to “be in the present moment” or “appreciate what you have because it could all be gone tomorrow". While a part of us knows this to be true, we can still find ourselves stuck, focused on checking off our to-do lists, and laboring on the treadmill of work, believing that more money will lead to greater happiness.In chasing this false sense of happiness, we often lose sight of what truly matters—our relationships, dreams, and purpose in life. This week, Michael O’Brien joins us on the Cracking Open podca...2024-09-261h 12
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollLeading With Love With Administrator and Founding Principal of P-TECH Rashid DavisTwo weeks ago, I sent my first child off to college.To say it’s been an adjustment is an understatement. I didn’t realize how deeply I would grieve not picking up his cheese wrappers, and smelly soccer cleats, or giving him a nightly hug. The silence at home is unnerving – I miss hearing him shout, “Mom, are you home?” and the chaos of soccer boys rummaging through the kitchen. And the bodily heartache around the passing of time or that our family of four is now a family of three.This transition has given me t...2024-09-1254 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollA Deep Dive About Women’s Friendships & Wellness With My 30-Year Friend Charlotte HardwickFor me, this episode's timing could not be more perfect. I dropped off my first kiddo at college last weekend and that has brought with it a tidal wave of emotions – grief, sadness, tons of tears, and reflections on the passing of time, my marriage, and my identity as a mom. I have had to lean on my closest friends multiple times already, and I know that those friendships will continue to be a salvation to me in this new phase of life and letting go.Do you remember singing, “Make new friends, but keep the old; one...2024-08-221h 01
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollHomeboy Industries' Fr. Greg Boyle On How To Live With More LoveIn an era marked by division and rising mental health challenges, Fr. Greg Boyle’s voice is one we need to hear now more than ever. On this episode of the Cracking Open podcast, I am honored to speak with Fr. Boyle, a man whose work, books, and mission have inspired me for years.Father Gregory Boyle is a Jesuit priest and founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the world's largest gang intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Fr. Boyle served as pastor of Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights from 1986 to...2024-08-0849 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollDesigner for the Stars, Samantha Myer, Shares About Loss and LoveDo you believe in synchronicity? Our guest today on the Cracking Open podcast embodies the essence of serendipity. I first encountered Samantha Myer in a Venice, California coffee shop and was drawn to her stylish and distinctive coat/robe/sweater ensemble. Little did I know, her story transcends mere fashion.Based in Los Angeles, Samantha is a celebrated wardrobe stylist, designer, and thecreative force behind Samantha Myer Studio. She's renowned for the iconic PapaSweater, a blend of blanket, sweater, and comforting embrace that I personallyadore....2024-07-1150 min
Heavy Hitter SportsMolly Carroll: Mindset Matters - Unlocking Athlete PotentialMolly Carroll, therapist, coach & Tedx speaker, shares how to enrich the mental mindset of young athletes. A wide variety of other sports psychology topics are addressed by Molly & host Mark Hochgesang. Molly's Website: https://molly-carroll.com/Molly's Podcast: https://molly-carroll.com/podcast/Molly's Blog: https://molly-carroll.com/blog/Molly's What Keeps Us Alive Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujBJKoVbvzoMolly's Human Connection Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/molly_carroll_the_need_for_human_connection_and_why_it_starts_with_ourselves2024-07-1047 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 65: Discover the True Nature of What Mothering Really Means with Jodie PattersonMy son leaves for college in August, so you can only imagine how much I have been reflecting on motherhood lately.I've been thinking back on all those joyful hours watching Tommy play soccer since he was three years old, and the sleepless nights worrying if he'll be okay as he changes and grows into the young man he is today. The essence of loving a child deeply reminds me of Elizabeth Stone's famous saying – “Making the decision to have a child – it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walkin...2024-06-2744 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 64: Former NBA Star Chris Herren On Addiction, Sobriety, and LoveChris Herren's story is one of profound struggle and eventual redemption. Addiction impacts millions of families in heartbreaking ways. I know this personally and through sitting with multiple clients who have been going through it with loved ones. This makes today's conversation about addiction and recovery on the Cracking Open podcast especially powerful. As a young basketball prodigy from Fall River, MA, Chris soared to fame with over 2000 points in high school, even gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated before graduating. However, his journey with addiction had already started to derail his life and...2024-06-1330 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 63: Elise Loehnen on the Price Women Pay To Be GoodDo you ever feel like you have to be perfect? The perfect mother, daughter, employee, partner, etc?It's a familiar struggle that I have grappled with in my own life, and as a therapist, I've witnessed this innate desire to be perfect from thousands of women. That's how I first came across Elise Loehnen's bestselling book, On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good. It is such an intriguing read and I am thrilled to have her on the Cracking Open podcast today.2024-05-301h 14
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 62: The Healing Powers of Nature With Jobi MansonI invite you to reflect on a moment when you immersed yourself in nature — perhaps swimming in a serene lake, hiking through lush trails, or simply basking in the beauty of a park, as you felt the grass beneath your feet and saw the trees towering above you.Can you remember a time when nature had a positive impact on you? Maybe it brought you peace amidst the tranquility of the forest, or a surge of exhilaration as you skied down a mountainside. Whatever your memories may be, one undeniable thing is that nature stirs so...2024-05-161h 05
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 61: Chip Conley on Learning to Love Midlife and Adding Years to Your LifeThere are days when I feel fantastic about being 53 years old. Maybe I've gone for a run, delved into an article about AI and understood more than half of it, or shared laughs with friends reminiscent of my teenage years.Then there are those other days when I glance in the mirror and notice more wrinkles, or when my husband suggests going to see a band and I decline because I'd rather be in my pajamas by 8 pm. Truth be told!So when I discovered Chip Conley, today's guest on Cracking Open and...2024-05-0248 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 60: Harvard's Dr. Ellen Langer on Mind-Body Unity Have you ever had a moment where you get chills up and down your spine while listening to someone's story and how it transformed how they live, work, and exist in the world?This is what happened to me when I first heard Dr. Ellen Langer speak, and she joins us today on the Cracking Open podcast to impart her wisdom, backed by decades of research and enriched by stories from her latest book, The Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health.Dr. Langer is one of the first w...2024-04-1859 min
The Ripple Effect Podcast with Steve HarperThe Ripple Effect Podcast: Thinking Outside of Ourselves with Molly CarrollAfter watching and listening to Molly Carroll's TEDx Talk, I instantly felt that she is one of a kind. I'm repeatedly screaming in my head, "She's a Rippler!" We featured Molly's talk in one of our TED Ripples for our Connect + Grow Ripple Coaching membership. To say it was a hit with our members would be an understatement! Here's the link to her TEDx Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/molly_carroll_the_need_for_human_connection_and_why_it_starts_with_ourselves I admire the way Molly is unafraid to show v...2024-04-051h 03
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 59: #1 Way To Find More Trust in Yourself With Life Coach Jill RoseGrowing up, I often heard sayings such as “the harder the work, the luckier you get” and “nothing comes free in life". Adopting this approach to life inspired me to become a very hard worker. However, I also became someone who can have difficulty relaxing and letting go of work. I still tend towards pushing and striving to make something happen out of sheer will versus allowing the right things to come into my life at the right time. If this resonates with you, then I invite you into the world of today's Cracking Open podcast guest a...2024-04-0445 min
Facing FWD:#13: Getting Unstuck & Creating Change w/ Molly CarrollThis podcast was produced and published by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)
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Kara faces forward with therapist, coach, author, podcaster, and TED Talker, Molly Carroll.
In the episode, Kara and Molly discuss their own personal and professional growth, the role of intuition, serendipitous connections, transformative experiences and much, much more.
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Highlights:
(2:57) Molly’s “aha” career moment and commitment to staying centered
(9:21) Tools for getting unstuck and on your way
(19:14) Molly on identifying the three core wounds
(31:07) Curiosity is the key
2024-03-2951 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 58: How Cancer Catapulted Kara Ladd To Know What is Important in LifeHave you ever pondered the significance of people entering your life – wondering if it is simply a coincidence that you met, or if they are destined to offer support or impart some crucial lesson during your journey in this lifetime?Our guest today on the Cracking Open podcast, Kara Ladd, is someone I feel certain I was meant to cross paths with in this life. Kara was living what seemed to be the dream life—working in fashion editorial and residing in a stunning apartment that was nestled between two of New Y...2024-03-2150 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 57: She’s Back! Dr. Mary Claire Haver Is Our Favorite Menopause GuruWe are fortunate to welcome back Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a menopause guru, for her second appearance on the podcast (in case you missed it, or want a refresher, go back to episode 39 to listen to our first conversation which is one of our most downloaded episodes ever!).Did you know that 1.2 billion women are going through menopause right now? In this episode, we delve into the prevalent misconceptions surrounding menopause. Dr. Haver sheds light on various aspects of this hormonal transition, including the misinformation surrounding hormones and cancer, and the staggering statistic that only 0.03...2024-03-0752 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 56: Sun Yi Learn to Build an Authentic BrandIn my podcast conversations with authors, anthropologists, creatives, and change-makers, we often delve into their personal stories, encompassing their triumphs and setbacks, as well as their spiritual practices and strategies for leading a more fulfilling life.However, today's conversation is a bit different from the norm.Today, I'm privileged to engage in conversation with Sun Yi, a distinguished personal branding expert and the visionary founder of Night Owls, an acclaimed digital agency catering to esteemed clients like Mel Robbins, Jay Shetty, Marc Randolph, and Gabby Bernstein.Despite Sun's professional...2024-02-2254 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 55: J.J. Martin Raise Your Vibration with La DoubleJ Fashion DesignerOn a sunny afternoon, as I sat on my deck, immersed in reading Oprah Magazine, acaptivating article "How to Love Yourself When You Feel Your Worst" caught my attention. It wasn't just the title that drew me in, but the vibrant, colorful woman gracing the page beneath it. There she stood, in a tiger-printed dress, hands reaching out to the sky, exuding vitality, joy, and boundless possibilities for life.I read the article which beautifully unfolded the story of J.J. Martin, an American-born, Milan-based fashion designer who discovered her inner light during...2024-02-0854 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 54: Serena & Lily Co-Founder Serena Dugan on Following Your GutWhy is it that January is one of the most popular times to ask ourselves questions like, "What needs to change in my life?" or "How do I want the end of this year to look different from today?"It is questions like these, about change and self-evolution, that I have been hearing from my clients for many years (and have asked myself as well!). This inspired me to ask Serena Dugan to be our guest on the Cracking Open Podcast today.Serena is a beacon of change, living a life filled w...2024-01-2551 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 53: Wade Davis How To Become the Architect of Your LIfeToday we are kicking off Season 6 of the Cracking Open podcast with a powerful message from legendary explorer, writer, photographer, filmmaker, and storyteller, Wade Davis.Wade's incredible journey takes us from the Amazon and The Andes, where he spent over three years as a plant explorer among 15 indigenous groups, to Haiti, where he investigated folk preparations tied to the creation of zombies and authored The Serpent and the Rainbow. His explorations have taken him to numerous destinations, including East Africa, Borneo, Nepal, Peru, Polynesia, Tibet, and beyond. We delve into his upbringing and how it...2024-01-111h 10
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 52: Mary Celeste Beall Growing Through Grief, Blackberry Farm's Mary Celeste Beall"Believe in yourself, follow your gut, and never say never, you have no idea what you can do." These words of hope and inspiration from Mary Celeste Beall, mother of five children and proprietor of the Blackberry farm, are what we all need to hear during the holiday season.In 2016, Mary Celeste Beall's life took an unexpected turn when she lost her beloved husband, Sam, in a shocking ski accident. Just weeks later, her professional life also transformed when she was asked by her beloved father-in-law to be the proprietor of the legendary Blackberry Farm a...2023-12-2156 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 51: Casey Hammer Facing Trauma with the TruthFor many of us, this time of year is filled with joyful celebrations and creating wonderful memories with friends and family. And for many of us, this time of year can actually be a difficult and stressful time.Maybe it's the first holiday season after the loss of someone you love, or maybe you simply feel stressed about the hectic pace that often surrounds the holidays or the pressure of meeting others' expectations of what our families or celebrations "should" look like in order to make it the most perfect holiday ever.This week's...2023-11-3050 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 50: Suneel Gupta Living Out Your DharmaI started the Cracking Open podcast with a brand new Yeti microphone and a Jenna Kutcher workshop called The Podcast Lab, where I learned how to launch and run a podcast. Even more important? I ignored the people who said things like, “Why would you start a podcast in such a saturated market?” or “How will you get any guests? It’s not like you're famous." (Yes, someone really said this to me!) Instead, I listened deeply to my own inner cheerleader who has helped me stay the course and manifest my mission of bringing more huma...2023-11-0955 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 49: Lisa Congdon Bringing Truth, Joy, and Creativity to LifeI've been helping both of my children prepare for college, and as the entire family has gotten caught up in the hustle of doing "all the things" to prepare for their college futures, this podcast guest came along at just the right time to remind me that they are already enough just as they are right now.Lisa Congdon is an award-winning fine artist, illustrator, and writer who is widely accomplished despite being self-taught and not achieving career momentum until she was nearly 40 years old.Based in Portland, Oregon, Lisa now makes art...2023-10-2652 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 48: Sam Onche Teaching Us About Afrofuturism Art and MusicOne morning I opened an email from my literary agency and saw that they were featuring a young artist by the name of Sam Onche. I was instantly captivated by his illustrations filled with bold colors, expressive images, and intense facial expressions. They gave me chills all over my body!I knew immediately that I wanted to meet him and hear more about his story. So I invited him to come on the Cracking Open podcast, and I'm so deeply pleased that he said yes.Sam has been making art for as long...2023-10-1246 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 47: Jeff Grant on Soberity, Service, and FaithOver 20 million people are suffering right now from substance abuse, often in silence. This secrecy around addiction creates shame which then increases the addiction, which then increases the shame. This vicious cycle can only be broken if we first break the stigma of addiction and the silence and shame that perpetuates it. This week's guest on the Cracking Open podcast is Reverend Jeff Grant, and he's here to do just that. After a basketball injury, Jeff was prescribed opioids for the pain and thus began his slippery slope into substance dependency. His growing addic...2023-09-281h 03
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 46: Mary Pipher Brings Hope to AllToday's episode on the Cracking Open podcast is someone who I would consider a cherished guide in my professional journey over the last two decades. Mary Pipher, Ph.D. is a truly extraordinary psychologist who specializes in women, trauma, and the effect of culture on our mental health.I first came across Mary's work twenty years ago when I was teaching at an all-girls school in San Francisco. I was feeling lost on how to best provide emotional support to my students when they felt left out with friends, insecure about their bodies...2023-09-1452 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 45: Mark Dahir Living in the HeartThis will probably be the hardest newsletter I will write about a Cracking Open podcast guest, and I avoided doing it for as long as I possibly could because I didn't want to face my heartbreak. My honored guest today is Mark Dahir, the CEO of Heart Ministry Center, a non-profit organization based in Omaha. Their mission is to provide healthcare, food, and a way forward for people severely affected by poverty, and Mark had an unquestionably positive impact on the company, its employees, and the community they serve over the many years he was a...2023-08-311h 09
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 44: Emily Paulson The Truth About MLM's and Alcohol UseCracking Open podcast has so many incredible guests lined up for you this season! Today's guest is Emily Paulson – a writer, Certified Professional Recovery Coach, TEDx Speaker, and the Founder of Sober Mom Squad. She is passionate about ending the shame and stigma of mental health and substance use disorders, and her own recovery path is focused on ruthless honesty, grace, self-love, and the belief that sharing our truth with each other is the best resource of all.Emily opens up about her struggle with alcoholism and how it led her to get su...2023-08-1747 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 43: Golden Nuggets of Wisdom | Seasons 1-4 RecapHi everyone! I hope you have had a wonderful summer. I've missed being with you! My July was spent soaking up precious time with my family, relaxing, and hitting the pause button on the daily rush of life. It's so important to remember to take time for ourselves to refill our cups in all the ways we need.One of my favorite things I did during my break was re-listen to all of the amazing guests that have visited the Cracking Open podcast thus far. And – WOW! We have had some spectacular guests in Seasons 1-4...2023-08-0355 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollSuzanne Anderson Learn How to Reclaim Your LifeI have had the great blessing of witnessing people's stories over the last 30 years as a therapist and teacher. During this time, I have learned to identify various archetypes – universal models of people's personalities that play a role in influencing their human behavior. Carl Jung, who founded the field of analytical psychology, developed 12 Archetypes including The Sage, The Innocent, The Explorer, and more.Through my own work in the field of psychology and human studies, I have identified another archetype that I named The Lighthouse. This archetype illuminates the parts of ourselves that are hidden or unseen. Th...2023-06-291h 08
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 41: Melissa Urban, CEO of Whole30The topic of boundaries was one of the first things I studied in my graduate school program – how to create boundaries as a therapist and how to teach and encourage clients to create their own boundaries in order to have healthier relationships and make better choices.Regardless of where you may be in your journey with boundaries, we can all acknowledge the importance of having healthy boundaries in our lives. Today's podcast guest, Melissa Urban, is a total boundary badass and an authority on helping people create lifelong healthy habits. She is the co...2023-06-1554 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 40: Dr. Christina Bjorndal Lighting the Way to Better Mental HealthHow is your mental health these days? In recent years, our society has grown more accustomed to discussing this very important subject. We have normalized checking in with ourselves and each other, increased our compassion for those who are struggling, and have more resources than ever available to us to educate and guide us toward improving our mental health. Dr. Christina Bjorndal, ND is on the Cracking Open podcast today, and she is considered an authority in treating mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders using a naturopathic physical, m...2023-06-0156 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 39: Dr. Mary Claire Haver Menopause Guru With the Galveston DietEverywhere I turn, people are talking about menopause. Finally! This phase of life that used to be ignored, or even considered shameful, is now getting its long overdue spotlight as a worthy wellness topic and normal rite of passage for women.Oprah recently produced a special with a panel of experts on the subject of perimenopause and menopause. Naomi Watts has helped create a line of holistic beauty & wellness products for menopausal women. And Dr. Mary Claire Haver is inspiring, educating, and empowering thousands of women to navigate this stage of life with...2023-05-1857 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 38: Brian Burns, Hollywood Writer & Executive ProducerLife can often be so predictable. Each day I wake up, have coffee, get my kids to school, and go to work. But sometimes there are days when things happen that are completely unexpected. That sums up my experience interviewing today's podcast guest Brian Burns, and I could not be more grateful for it.Brian Burns is the award-winning writer and Executive Producer of the hit television series Blue Bloods on CBS, HBO’s Entourage, and Will Ferrell’s hit comedy film, Daddy’s Home.Brian has served as Executive Producer of Blue Bloods...2023-05-041h 26
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 37: Truth Bombs About Parenting and Friendships With Liz PryorI always appreciate it when people tell the truth as they see it and don’t sugarcoat or beat around the bush. I trust that raw honesty and find myself reaching out to the truth-tellers when I need advice and support.Liz Pryor, today’s guest on the Cracking Open podcast is one of these incredible truth-tellers.She is the published author of two books: What Did I Do Wrong?, a book of advice on female friendship, as well as her provocative and moving memoir, Look at You Now, which promptly beca...2023-04-201h 14
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 36: Getting Vulnerable With Molly Carroll, Host of the Cracking Open PodcastFor months now my team has been encouraging me to do a solo podcast episode where I talk, teach, and just riff about life, parenting, psychology, and anything else that I am inspired by that may also resonate with our listeners. I initially had a lot of resistance to this idea. Maybe it was the mixture of fear and the choir of voices telling me, “Who would want to listen to just me, and what would I talk about for an hour that would be interesting to the Cracking Open audience?” But then my dear friend...2023-04-0644 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 35: Larry Zier on Grief, Sobriety & ParentingMore and more these days, I find myself drawn to people who are doing inspiring and brave things in the world but whose journeys along the way came with challenges, hardships, and “cracking open” moments that developed their characters, passions, and souls.Today’s guest is a beautiful example of this.Larry Zier is a father of four girls, a loving husband, and a successful owner of two occupational therapy clinics in Chicago and Omaha. His passion is working with children, and he enjoys running, biking, yoga, boxing, and anything that will get him ou...2023-03-231h 03
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 34: Help Heal Your Anxiety With Dr. Russell KennedyOne day, while driving home after dropping off my daughter at school, I listened to a Mel Robbins podcast interview with Dr. Russell Kennedy. He shared how he had gone to medical school to become a doctor and neuroscientist, done hundreds of hours of therapy, become a yoga and meditation teacher, traveled to India, tried medications and plant medicine, and was even a stand-up comedian! And yet through all of it, he struggled with crippling anxiety for decades. While listening I began crying because I felt a part of his story, was a part of m...2023-03-091h 12
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 33: Linda Sivertsen, Author and the Host of the Beautiful Writers Podcast, Teaches Us About the Truth of Writing and Following Your HeartWelcome to Season 4 of the Cracking Open podcast! I am so excited to share with you all the wonderful guests we have lined up this season. Get ready for more incredible personal stories about cracking open moments, helpful tips and tools on how to handle the stressors of parenting, a deep look into how we can heal anxiety, wisdom on how to live an honest and healthy life after addiction, and so much more! We are kicking off this new season with Linda Sivertsen, a woman whom I have admired and learned from for...2023-02-2357 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 32: Liz Dozier, Founder of Chicago Beyond, Reminds Us To Step Fully Into Life and Say, “It’s On!”Three years ago to the day that I lost my mom, the most devout Catholic I've ever known, I interviewed this week's podcast guest, who just so happens to be the daughter of a nun. Life is full of surprises, but rarely any accidents.Liz Dozier is the Founder & CEO of Chicago Beyond, an organization whose mission is to ensure that all young people have the opportunity to live a free and full life. Since its inception in 2016, Chicago Beyond has invested more than $40M in barriers to equity – from education, to youth safety, to he...2023-02-021h 02
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 31: Tami Simon, Founder of Sounds True, Teaches Us How To Reach Our Highest PotentialHave you ever had a conversation with someone you just met, where time seems to come to a standstill and it feels like you have known this person for years? This is exactly what it felt like when I interviewed Tami Simon. Tami is the Founder and CEO of Sounds True, a wildly successful multimedia publishing company that she launched more than three decades ago with a dream and one clear mission – to disseminate spiritual wisdom. Now one of the top publishing companies for many of the leading teachers and visionaries of our time, Tami an...2023-01-1959 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollEpisode 30: Learn How To Change Your Negative Habits With Executive Coach Angie DeGeronimoWelcome to 2023. I am so glad you are here!While reflecting on this brand new year and today’s podcast episode, I was reminded of the classic Native American legend called The Tale of Two Wolves.An elder Cherokee is teaching his grandson an important lesson about life. “There is a fight going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued...2023-01-0549 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollLearn How A Finance Executive Turned to Kundalini Yoga and Sound Healing To Heal Her Chronic Back Pain and Soul With Candace BlairDoes this time of year bring up conflicting emotions for you? I know it does for me.I truly love buying gifts for my friends and family, attending holiday parties, and listening to Nat King Cole sing Christmas carols in all my favorite stores. But at the same time, I also carry around a pit in my stomach from the overconsumption of too many Christmas cookies and wine, and also from spending so much money! This leads me to often ask myself, “In all this holiday rigmarole, is something missing?”One morning while sitt...2022-12-151h 01
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollLearn About the Four Attachment Styles and How To Heal Your Attachment Wounds With Dr. Diane Poole HellerIn talking to friends about their Thanksgiving stories, I began to become even more curious about people's relationships, attachments, and personalities. Why are we so attached to some family members, but not to others? Why do we feel safe around some people, but want to avoid or runaway from others?Why are some of us so uptight about cooking, while others can do itwith ease?Why do we sometimes crave solitude while other times love being ina large group?I have found that...2022-12-0159 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollLearn How 19 Years in Prison, Telling the Truth and Vulnerability Gave Shaka Senghor FreedomThere are so many gems in this episode but one of my biggest takeaways is the importance of standing in your truth.Shaka shares his story with us about his own reckoning and realization that he initially wasn’t living his truth. Instead, he was living out an interpretation of his life rooted in his trauma. This trauma-informed life eventually led him into a 19-year imprisonment for 2nd-degree murder, seven of those years which were in solitary confinement. These dire circumstances would understandably crush most people's spirits. But Shaka was able to use thi...2022-11-1058 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollLearn About Your Enneagram Number and How To Come Back to Yourself With Ashton Whitmoyer-OberAre you someone who is curious about who you are?You want to learn how to feel more connected to your friends, family, and even yourself.You are yearning to dig deeper to discover what motivates you to live a bigger life.Or maybe you are searching for how to stand back up after being brought to your knees from hearing about a dear friend’s illness or constantly worrying about your teenage kids. Well, you are not alone. In fact, we are kindred spirits. ...2022-10-2753 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollLearn How To Live More in Your Heart While Looking at Your Biases, With BMe Co-Founder and Developer of Asset Framing, Trabian ShortersI will never forget one cold and dark February morning getting chills from head to toe while listening to Krista Tippet interview Trabian Shorters on her podcast On Being. Trabian was describing his visionary concept of asset framing. From social media to journalism, academics, and policy-making, asset framing is about seeing others’ assets before you witness their deficits. Trabian discovered that as humans we have a habit of seeing others’ problems and defining people in need by their problems rather than their gifts and aspirations. He realized that naming this task was ne...2022-10-1357 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollHow To Heal Your Body by Healing Your Soul With Registered Dietitian Heather K. JonesHow many of you look at your legs and bellies, and curse them for their shapes and sizes?Do you feel shame about your body in any way, or restrict what you do or don't eat?Do you worry about eating dairy, gluten, sugar, or meat, and wonder if you should be on a vegan, vegetarian, or keto diet?If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. An estimated 45 million people go on diets yearly, and 33 billion dollars are spent on weight loss and wellness products....2022-09-291h 05
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollDr. Dan Siegel, UCLA School of Medicine Professor, Is Using Science To Bring More Compassion Into the WorldWhat a way to launch Season 3’s Cracking Open Podcast! Get ready for a deep and honest conversation about meditation, psychedelics, and how to obtain a positive mindset.Dr. Dan Siegel is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and the founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA. He is also the Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute which focuses on the development of mindsight and teaches insight, empathy, and integration in individuals, families, and communities.He is also a highly published researcher and author. His fiv...2022-09-151h 21
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollLearn How To Grow and Love More Deeply After Your Loss With Grief Therapist Karen MoonI will never forget sitting next to my mother's bedside as she was taking her last breaths. It was an out-of-body, shocking, and life-altering experience. I felt honored to hold space for my mom with deep love and respect as she passed on. At the time of her death, I was quite dazed and confused about a lot of things, but one thing I knew for sure was that the death of my mother would change me forever. One of the bigger transformations that occurred for me after my mom died was that I knew I co...2022-08-0456 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollDr. Lisa Miller Teaches Us About the Neuroscience of SpiritualityIf you could ask yourself one question every morning that would allow you to tap into a heightened awareness of the world around you and your place in it, wouldn’t you?This question could not only help you feel more connected to yourself and your loved ones but also help you feel less depressed, anxious, or lost.It was this question that our Cracking Open guest Dr. Lisa Miller, professor in the Clinical Psychology Program at Columbia University, asked several 18–25-year olds while going through an MRI. What she discovered is that when we conte...2022-07-211h 11
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollTehillah Alphonso, Grammy Nominated Singer, Helps Us Discover How Determination, Grit, and Belief in Yourself Is the Key to Authenticity and SuccessWhat do Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and the Grammys have in common? Tehillah Alphonso. I discovered Tehillah while reading my high school alumni magazine. Tehillah and I both went to an all-girls Catholic school in Omaha, Nebraska. Marian High School was a place that encouraged young women to live a life of pride in themselves, their grades, their faith, and how they walk in the world. And Tehillah has done this in spades.New-Jersey-born and Nebraska-raised, Tehillah Alphonso is a Nigerian-American musician based in Los Angeles, California.Though Tehillah was introduced to m...2022-06-301h 09
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollGina Muñoz, the Trevor Project's Board Chair Teaches Us How Accepting Our Sexuality Means Accepting Our True SelvesI met Gina Muñoz 20 years ago at the wedding of one of my husband’s college friends on Martha’s Vineyard. As a Midwesterner who went to a state college, I remember feeling a bit intellectually insecure with these, albeit incredibly kind, Williams college grads.Sitting around a fire, listening to their belly laughs while they told stories of the good ol' days, Gina sat down next to me, leaned over, and said, “Hi, I'm Gina. So where did you go to college?” Her question and awareness instantly transformed my feeling of being “other” into feeling accepted into t...2022-06-1657 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollTerry Real, Therapist and New York Times Best Selling Author, Teaches Us How To Heal Our Trauma, and Reconnect With Our Partners To Create Healthier RelationshipsI will never forget the day I was in my therapist’s office sharing about how my anxiety was through the roof. I was grieving the death of my father, saddened by my mother’s cancer diagnosis, and fearful that my husband’s business would have to close its doors. I was the epitome of “down and out” in my life and marriage.My therapist had the ability to show deep compassion but also called me out on my denial when necessary. She said, “Molly, you need help and I think you should begin with the book Fierce Intimacy...2022-06-0257 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollDiscover How Sobriety, Death, and Service Taught Life Coach Scott Anderson About the True Meaning of LifeHave you ever had a moment when you know you are in the presence of a true sage? Well, that is exactly how I felt in the presence of Scott Anderson. In today’s episode, Scott will openly share about his family's three generations' struggle with alcohol and drug addiction, and how these addictions can not only cause deep suffering, but also profound humility and grace. Scott not only openly talks about his “cracking open” moments but also shares with us how his personal story has brought so much more depth to his professional life. Sco...2022-05-1945 min
Cracking Open with Molly CarrollDiscover How Olympian Kelly Gunther Comes Back From What ‘Could Be a Tragic’ Yet ‘Turned Triumphant’ Story“It’s not an easy road and there will be days you will not want to get out of bed and face your challenges… but through your struggles, your mess will become your message.” This quote is from our incredibly vulnerable and raw podcast guest today, Kelly Gunther, an Olympian skater known as the Comeback Kid for all the times she has had to persevere and come back from a challenge.Kelly’s comebacks included everything from a learning disability, an absent alcoholic father, and several challenges she faced in her skating career. In the 2010...2022-05-051h 06
Feldenkrais: Moving into the UnknownMolly Tipping on anxiety, the nervous system and emotional maturation……Molly Tipping specialises in working with people experiencing anxiety and associated issues. In this lively conversation Molly shares her wisdom interlaced with Dr Moshe Feldenkrais’ extensive references to anxiety. She takes us on a fascinating journey describing the repertoire of Nervous System responses available during our ‘apprenticeship’ to mature adulthood. Molly normalises our Autonomic Nervous System responses of fight, flight, freeze and describes ways to help clients gain awareness and alter their internal environment to ‘show up’ in ways they need or want to in their varied daily contexts.
Molly takes the same lens Moshe Feldenkrais used to underst...2022-04-271h 04