Cracking Open with Molly Carroll
What happens when life brings you to your knees and forces you to discover who you truly are?Cracking Open is the podcast for anyone who has faced a defining moment of crisis, grief, trauma, or rock bottom and found themselves transformed by it. Hosted by Molly Carroll, licensed therapist, TED speaker, published author, and coach, each episode dives deep into the raw, real stories of actors, athletes, thought leaders, healers, and everyday warriors.Whether it was the loss of a loved one, addiction, childhood trauma, incarceration, or an unexpected life collapse, these "cracking open" moments shape everything: how we...
Kat Courtney: Ayahuasca, Ibogaine, and Learning to Be Human
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...
How Death Doulas Help Us Live Lighter with Karen Callahan & Jen Tadjedin
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...
Kathy Eldon: Don’t Despair, Don’t Give Up Grief, Loss, and Finding Light After Tragedy
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 morn...
Jodie Patterson on Staying Curious When Your Kids (and Your Identity) Are Changing
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 Ope...
Afraid AI Is Replacing Human Connection? Jack Swift on Leadership, Consciousness, and the Human-Machine Era
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 o...
Why Small Talk Is Making You More Lonely (And What To Do Instead)
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.
Some...
I Want to Be Wild: Emma Tynan on Letting Go of More and Coming Home to Yourself
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...
The Leader Within: Shadow Work, Core Values & the Power of Human Connection with Thomas Droge | Ep. 104
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...
Molly Magic: The Power in Life's No's and Not Yet's
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 brai...
Shaka Senghor: How to Escape Life's Hidden Prisons and Be Free
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 mess...
Welcome to Episode 1 of Molly's Magic: Reset Your Nervous System in Minutes
Welcome to Molly's Magic.
I’m Molly.
A mom, a therapist, an author, a podcast host, and a TED speaker.
The alchemy of these roles has brought me here.
Molly's Magic is simple.
Short, meaningful, and doable steps to help you move closer to your goals.
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.
That se...
100th Episode Part 2: Coming Home to the People Who Know Me Best
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.
That Lisa’s story made you want to start something new at 60.
That René’s story changed the way you see single moms and families of three.
That after listening to Cora, you wanted to sign u...
100th Episode: Coming Home to the People Who Know Me Best
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.
Beca...
Serena & Lily Co-Founder Serena Dugan on Creativity, Courage, and What Matters Most
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 tha...
Learn How Terminal Cancer Taught Successful Wealth Manager Bill Valentine the True Meaning of Life
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...
Learning to Trust Your Guides with Psychic Medium MaryAnn DiMarco
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 DiMa...
From Rock Star to Soul Guide: Dr. John Price on Transformation and Purpose
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: wi...
How to Find Hope in Unexpected Places: Lessons from CNN Hero Maggie Doyne
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...
Stop Talking About Creativity and Start Living It with Author Nicole Meier
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.
Look, Feel, & Stay Young Forever: #1 Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Vonda Wright's Proven Protocol
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 longevit...
#1 Neurosurgeon on the Power of Manifestation and Positive Mindset (In Memory of Dr. James Doty)
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.<...
From Rock Bottom to Redemption with Lara Love Hardin
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.
I...
Sr. Monica Clare: From Hollywood to Holy Orders - A Journey to Authentic Joy
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. I...
The Mystic Entrepreneur: How Jeff Scult Is Weaving Fashion, Purpose and Planetary Healing
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...
Transforming Fear Into Peace with Thomas Jones and The Paradox Process
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 uncert...
From Tragedy to Advocacy: Song For Charlie's Founders Ed and Mary Ternan's Fight Against Counterfeit Pills
This 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...
Rising 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 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...
Whole-Child Health: Dr. Lori Baudino's Movement-Based Approach to Wellbeing
“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 s...
Rebecca Rusch: 7x World Champ on TBI Recovery to Inner Peace
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 me...
Isaac Slade from The Fray: From Platinum Records to Personal Peace
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 f...
What My Father's Death Taught Me About Love with Lindsay Bomstein
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 ad...
Food as Medicine: How Grief Led Andrea Nakayama to Transform Nutrition
What are your favorite foods and drinks? For me, it’s pizza and coffee—no question. But at the same time, I love feeling healthy, fueling my body with nourishing foods, and living a vibrant life. And that’s exactly why I’m so excited to introduce you to this week's Cracking Open podcast guest, Andrea Nakayama.
Andrea will change the way you think about food, healing, and love. In this deeply personal conversation, we dive into:
✨ The power of food as medicine and a path to healing
✨ How grief can crack us open and re...
A Must-Listen: Donna Sacks on Angelic Guidance – You Are Light, Fear is an Illusion
I’m going to be bossy for a moment—this episode is a MUST-LISTEN. Trust me, Donna Sacks will make you feel better about your life, reminding you that you are deeply supported and loved.
In this powerful conversation, Donna and I dive into:
✨ Angels, soulmates, and karmic lifetimes
✨ The Akashic records and soul contracts
✨ Out-of-body experiences and spiritual awakenings
✨ The power of presence, gratitude, and stepping fully into your purpose
She shares an essential truth:
“We’re very powerful. We just forgot. This is the lifetime we remember.”
Cory Richards: The Climb Within-Everest, Addiction, & Mental Illness
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...
Heal 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 Ailey
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 episod...
Eboo Patel: Building Better Communities through Pluralism and Faith
I want to begin today by extending my deepest sympathies to the people of Los Angeles. To those who have suffered unimaginable losses due to the California fires, please know that my heart, prayers, and thoughts are with you.
This tragedy is a stark reminder of the power of community—the strength we find in coming together as one. Fire does not discriminate based on our skin color, our workplace position, or the balance in our bank accounts. It impacts us all, underscoring the importance of unity and compassion.
Our guest today, Eboo Patel...
Fully Step Into Your Life With Christina Rasmussen
I don’t know about you, but I’ve learned that New Year’s resolutions don’t work well for me. Eat healthier, exercise more, and have more gratitude—those are the usual go-to's.
Maybe it’s my Midwestern stubbornness that makes me think, “Don’t tell me what to do!” so I end up doing the opposite—eating more sugar, sleeping in instead of going for a run, and complaining more than feeling grateful. It's embarrassing to admit, but it's true.
What I’ve found that works for me is to choose a word for the year, one that...
Neurosurgeon Dr. James Doty on the Power of Manifestation, and Positive Mindset
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 hi...
Mary Pipher & Elizabeth Lesser: Embodying Love & Seeing Hope in the Human Heart
What an intense past couple of weeks!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve experienced a whirlwind of emotions lately. I feel sad about my kids' futures and am grieving over the state of our democracy.
At the same time, I feel empowered, knowing that I have self-agency and can choose how I feel each day. By paying attention to when I’m in fight or flight versus rest and digest, I recognize that I can’t help others if I’m constantly in a state of fear, hate, or anger.
So, I’ve m...
Re-Release: Mary Pipher Brings Hope to All
The Cracking Open podcast has an exciting upcoming episode where, for the first time, I host a dual interview with Elizabeth Lesser and Mary Pipher to discuss a particular and profound issue for women (stay tuned for its release on November 21st!)
Leading up to that episode's release, I am re-releasing their initial interviews with me so you can soak in their deep wisdom and charm. You can listen to Elizabeth's episode here. Whether it's the first time you've listened or a refresh, you are in for a treat.
This week's episode on the Cracking...
