Cracking Open with Molly Carroll

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...

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...

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...

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 presenc...

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 photo...

“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 ph...

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 p...

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 gratefu...

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...

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...

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 li...

October 19th marked the 13th anniversary of my dad’s passing. It was a deeply profound day, as I experienced a revelation about my grief. I realized that to reach a healthier place with my grief, I needed to engage with it differently. For the past 13 years, I’ve held onto a level of consciousness regarding my grief that requires transformation. I’ve been wearing a cloak of identification with the...

At 21 years old, Lindsay Valentine was told that his father had pancreatic cancer. Towards the end of his father's fight with his cancer, his mother was shockingly also diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Within 6 months of one another, Lindsay lost both of his parents to this heartbreaking disease. Lindsay joins us on the Cracking Open podcast this week to honor his parents' memory and sh...

We often hear mantras urging us to “be in the present moment” or “appreciate what you have because it could all be gone tomorrow". While a part of us knows this to be true, we can still find ourselves stuck, focused on checking off our to-do lists, and laboring on the treadmill of work, believing that more money will lead to greater happiness. In chasing this false sense of happiness, we ofte...

Two weeks ago, I sent my first child off to college. To say it’s been an adjustment is an understatement. I didn’t realize how deeply I would grieve not picking up his cheese wrappers, and smelly soccer cleats, or giving him a nightly hug. The silence at home is unnerving – I miss hearing him shout, “Mom, are you home?” and the chaos of soccer boys rummaging through the kitchen. And the bodily hea...

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...

In an era marked by division and rising mental health challenges, Fr. Greg Boyle’s voice is one we need to hear now more than ever. On this episode of the Cracking Open podcast, I am honored to speak with Fr. Boyle, a man whose work, books, and mission have inspired me for years. Father Gregory Boyle is a Jesuit priest and founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the world's largest gang...

Do you believe in synchronicity? Our guest today on the Cracking Open podcast embodies the essence of serendipity. I first encountered Samantha Myer in a Venice, California coffee shop and was drawn to her stylish and distinctive coat/robe/sweater ensemble. Little did I know, her story transcends mere fashion. Based in Los Angeles, Samantha is a celebrated wardrobe stylist, designer, and the creat...

My son leaves for college in August, so you can only imagine how much I have been reflecting on motherhood lately. I've been thinking back on all those joyful hours watching Tommy play soccer since he was three years old, and the sleepless nights worrying if he'll be okay as he changes and grows into the young man he is today. The essence of loving a child deeply reminds me of Elizabeth...

Chris Herren 's story is one of profound struggle and eventual redemption. Addiction impacts millions of families in heartbreaking ways. I know this personally and through sitting with multiple clients who have been going through it with loved ones. This makes today's conversation about addiction and recovery on the Cracking Open podcast especially powerful. As a young basketball prodigy...

Do you ever feel like you have to be perfect? The perfect mother, daughter, employee, partner, etc? It's a familiar struggle that I have grappled with in my own life, and as a therapist, I've witnessed this innate desire to be perfect from thousands of women. That's how I first came across Elise Loehnen 's bestselling book, On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Pr...

I invite you to reflect on a moment when you immersed yourself in nature — perhaps swimming in a serene lake, hiking through lush trails, or simply basking in the beauty of a park, as you felt the grass beneath your feet and saw the trees towering above you. Can you remember a time when nature had a positive impact on you? Maybe it brought you peace amidst the tranquility of the forest, or a surge...

There are days when I feel fantastic about being 53 years old. Maybe I've gone for a run, delved into an article about AI and understood more than half of it, or shared laughs with friends reminiscent of my teenage years. Then there are those other days when I glance in the mirror and notice more wrinkles, or when my husband suggests going to see a band and I decline because I'd rather b...

  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...

Growing up, I often heard sayings such as “the harder the work, the luckier you get” and “nothing comes free in life" . Adopting this approach to life inspired me to become a very hard worker. However, I also became someone who can have difficulty relaxing and letting go of work. I still tend towards pushing and striving to make something happen out of sheer will versus allowing the right thi...