The first semester of my senior year was horrible. I dealt with a subpar cross country coach, argued with my friends, lost several races, my drinking got worse, and I had an abortion. I went into a depression and it was only the second half of my senior year that I was able to crawl out of it, find positives in the situation, and get a full scholarship to Boston University. 

Key Takeaways: 

[3:13] Making a name for myself in the running community 

[4:16] Processing my relationship with science guy

[5:02] Falling in love with Jay and hour age difference 

[7:40] Getting a new cross country coach who wasn't great 

[8:59] Getting nervous around a future olympian and losing to her 

[11:19] Agreeing to tie with Marty in a race and breaking that 

[11:23] Being upset with my running because I wasn't first 

[14:30] Trying out for the musical and falling in love with theater 

[17:05] Being terrified and getting an abortion 

[22:55] Feeling like I had lost everything and being depressed 

[25:21] Using theater to process my emotions 

[26:59] Working towards 5 minutes in a mile and meeting that goal

[28:39] My drinking getting worse and vomiting at a dance 

[31:08] Losing confidence in my running and getting pneumonia 

[32:52] Not listening to my coach on the track 

[35:04] Applying to colleges and getting a full scholarship to BU

[37:17] My senior year was horrid, but light was at the end of the tunnel

[40:01] Marty going to BU with me and my running getting better 

[41:12] Going to California for running

[42:36] My relationship with Jay had such good times

[43:51] Feeling connected to my body in a positive way 

Resources:

• The Body Keeps the Score 

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook 

Instagram

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

I went Into junior year a different person: I wasn't with science guy anymore, I had a table at lunch, and my running improved. Along with the good there was such chaos though. My drinking problems began and I got into unsafe relationships with older men. In this episode, I explore my feelings recovering from trauma and finding my people. 

Key Takeaways: 

[2:52] I went into junior year a very different person

[3:54] Women had less rights in the 70s and 80s 

[5:25] Trying to process being sexually assaulted 

[6:58] Feeling grown up and improving my running time

[8:21] Having a table to sit with at lunch because of track 

[8:55] The fearsome five group of runners

[11:23] Running 35 miles a week 

[13:14] Being in relationships with people significantly older than me 

[15:45] Trying cross country, alienating people, and quitting 

[18:22] Meeting Marty, my future college roommate 

[21:02] Streaking in a hotel and getting caught by the cops 

[23:46] Science guy was with several others when he was with me 

[24:36] Feeling like I belonged in junior year and gaining confidence 

[27:04] Learning about anorexia and how it impacts runners 

[29:06] My problem with drinking began 

[31:41] Getting drunk at a dance, smacking into a wall, and getting confronted 

[33:49] How my running time improved throughout high school

[35:54] Realizing science guy wasn't in love with me and my parents finding out 

[38:33] Seeing Molly in younger me 

[39:40] People are more vocal about child abuse now 

Resources:

• The Silence of Great Distance 
• Stitches 

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook 

Instagram

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

My sophomore year was full of ups and downs. I went into the year not knowing where to sit at lunch, and unsure of myself. I ended up going to Germany, quitting gymnastics, joining the cheer team, and becoming a track star. As all these amazing things happened, I spent more time with my teacher, science guy, which quickly became something more. 

Key Takeaways: 

[8:30] Going to gymnastics camp again and feeling harassed 

[11:03] Gymnastics camp giving me a social life

[12:36] My eventful first day of 10th grade as a cheerleader

[13:58] Mr. Smith made such an impact on my life

[17:07] Going to science guy's class and being humiliated 

[19:34] Enjoying cheerleading, dances, getting drunk and in trouble

[24:35] Quitting gymnastics and struggling with my asthma 

[26:25] Keeping myself insanely busy and trying to find a new social group

[28:39] Starting to spend time with science guy in his apartment

[30:28] I struggle with boundaries and where lines can blur with teachers 

[34:01] Making excuses to spend more and more time with science guy 

[36:30] Going out for track because of science guy, but struggling with asthma 

[41:24] Feeling like I fit in, becoming a track star, and getting popular 

[45:57] Having sex for the first time at 15 and the trauma repeating in my life 

[50:53] I recreated the abuse and trauma from when I was younger 

Resources:

• The Silence of Great Distance 
• The Body Keeps the Score

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook 

Instagram

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

Junior high school was a trying time for me between admitting I was being sexually abused to my mom to finding out who my biological father was. Through all the chaos and craziness I was trying to find my way and a group of friends to fit in with. It was not an easy endeavor and so I kept as busy as I could and tried not to be home. In this episode, I explore my early teen years and how it shaped me today.  

Key Takeaways: 

[8:30] 7th grade in junior high school was a transitional year 

[10:16] Doing activities outside of school and struggling with asthma 

[11:03] Recognizing I was suffering from abuse and telling my mom

[17:46] Going into 8th grade, not eating, and filling my schedule 

[19:09] My parents getting a divorce 

[22:13] Going to gymnastics camp and meeting such supportive friends 

[25:26] I kept myself busy with cheerleading so I didn't have to be home

[27:20] Finding out Tom was my biological father 

[29:28] Being told to sit still and be quiet all my life 

[30:08] Trying to be popular, look a certain way, and socioeconomics of Concord 

[33:07] Being friends with people from different social groups 

[33:58] Molly was a floater like me 

[35:59] Becoming more confident through sports 

[38:05] Constantly feeling behind my friends 

[41:38] Giving your children space and not controlling them 

[42:54] I learned that I could feel both joy and tragedy at the same time 

[45:34] Social life has changed

Resources:

• Summer of my German Soldier
• The Body Keeps the Score

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook 

Instagram

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

I've made it one year as a podcaster! This is such an accomplishment for me and I'm excited to see the progress I've made. I can't wait to bring you along as I continue to write blog posts, podcast episodes, and expand into building my brand. 

Key Takeaways: 

[4:41] Where I started with the podcast 

[8:22] Where I'm going next with the podcast 

[12:16] Being told I'm playing the victim 

[15:20] I love getting feedback from my listeners 

[17:17] The negative comments I've gotten since having Jack

[23:36] Working to finalize the MollyB Foundation  

[25:56] Season 3 and dealing with trauma 

[29:04] Season 4, parenting, and the struggles 

[32:15] Getting momentum going with the podcast and blog

[34:29] Thinking about the future of my business 

[35:59] CrossFit is my community that keeps me going 

[39:35] I don't want to repeat my life and moving forward 

[42:33] Meeting more entrepreneurs and learning about business 

[44:37] My goals and where I'm headed 

Resources:

• Hate article written about me 
• The Body Keeps the Score
• Shenanigans Podcast 
• Jace Apollo Creative
• Judy B Web Studio

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook 

Instagram

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

The lines are often blurred to me on what's okay to share and what's not. When a student came to me sharing that they were in a relationship with a teacher, I shared my own story of how I was in a relationship with my teacher, "science guy" when I was a young teenager. This choice proved to have a ripple effect - for better and for worse. As I had to share my story in front of a school board, I contemplate my feelings around our relationship and the narrative of sexual assault victims. 

Key Takeaways: 

[3:34] Going to Washington D.C. and meeting Kenny 

[4:48] Being a health teacher and being criticized in lessons 

[9:40] A student came to me and said her friend was in a relationship with a teacher 

[11:54] The friend in a relationship with a teacher came to me a week later 

[12:59] Getting in trouble with Chris Rath for telling my story of sexual assault 

[17:05] The lines blurred of what's okay to share with students 

[19:59] Other teachers were let go 

[21:09] Being forced to tell my story of sexual assault at a school board meeting

[23:59] Being harassed for telling my story and getting a restraining order

[26:48] Feeling powerless as "science guy" quickly got another job 

[30:40] Feeling like a sacrificial lamb for the district and not realizing my options

[34:08] Victims of sexual assault are guilty before proven innocent 

[38:05] Teaching consent and debating on where the lines blur 

[47:01] Being left with mixed feelings on the incident with "science guy"

[49:13] My next season and plans for having guests on the podcast

Resources:

• Chessy Prout's book on assault at St. Pauls
• Shenanigans Podcast 

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook 

Instagram

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

Connecting with siblings I didn't live with, creating a track camp, and going through a 15 year period where I worked to redefine myself was a lot. In the 90s I spent a ton of time connecting with my siblings that I never really got to know and I cherish those relationships. In the 2000s, I achieved some of my proudest professional moments including starting a track camp. In this episode, I dive into how these big moments changed me as a person. 

Key Takeaways: 

[5:57] Thinking about the "what if's" in my life 

[8:22] Creating relationships with my siblings later in life 

[13:52] This series of events with my family shaped me 

[16:41] 25 years of Princeton Camp helped shape me into a leader

[22:19] I started Barb's Track Camp to provide opportunities to kids 

[26:32] Track Camp has changed over time, but I'm so proud of what I created 

[31:31] Creating a great track and field / cross country program at Concord High

[34:43] I'm great at event planning and I'm so happy to give back to my community

[38:10] I spent 15 years redefining myself 

Resources:

• Shenanigans Podcast 
• Homeless to Harvard
• Barb's Track Camp

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook 

Instagram

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

As I look back on my professional life, I realize that I've been asked to leave almost every job I've had. I've ignored so many red flags from nasty coworkers to recognizing my own issues with following rules and having boundaries. In this episode, I explore my relationships with others in the workplace and why I have struggled so much. 

Key Takeaways: 

[3:13] I've always struggled with my behavior and boundaries in the workplace  

[5:02] I changed jobs a lot and self sabotaged my chances  

[5:45] Teaching in Woburn, getting into arguments, and probably not doing a good job

[7:06] Teaching in an elementary school, but deciding to leave after a year

[8:10] I contemplated my next move and applied to jobs 

[9:09] I took the job at Second Start and didn't work as a team with another teacher 

[11:13] My brother Jonathan with ADHD inspired me to become a SPED teacher 

[14:25] The job at Second Start was challenging and only lasted a year 

[15:59] Working as a teacher at Walker school and being overwhelmed 

[18:45] I struggled to coach and teach with the same discipline 

[22:24] Taking a new job as a health teacher with a less than warm welcome 

[24:28] Julie and I split the job and it became so much better 

[26:25] I questioned myself and felt like I wasn't fulfilling my potential 

[29:34] I've been asked to leave almost every job I've ever had 

[31:36] I push a boundary or decide rules don't apply to me  

[37:06] I returned to Concord and stayed here, but I didn't think I would 

[39:17] I met so many wonderful people, but struggled to show up on time 

Resources:

• The Body Keeps the Score

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook 

Instagram

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

When I moved back to Concord, I didn't have a large group of friends and I had to build my social circle up again. There were so many important people in my life that made a big impact at one point and changed the path I was on. From spending time together with the girls I coached to the students I supported, I received something from all of them. Along the way, I learned how to build a family and what that means to me.

Key Takeaways: 

[3:17] I was social, but didn't make close knit friends 

[5:03] I kept myself busy and my relationship with Meg at Second Start 

[9:22] My time with Chaz was a whirlwind who has supported me heavily 

[11:47] Jack and I grew up together and we ended up both coaching cross country 

[14:15] I didn't get close with the people I worked with 

[15:25] Polly is my rock who I've fought with, but has always been there when I needed her

[16:51] Struggling with boundaries and coaching track 

[17:38] Chris was on the first team I coached and we clicked as people 

[19:40] Chris and I made each other scrapbooks of our time together 

[21:26] Rachel felt validated by me and I felt validated by her 

[24:57] Ember comes from a very religious family and how that played into my life 

[27:05] I didn't take time off of coaching even after giving birth 

[28:17] I bonded with everyone on my track teams and we spent so much time together 

[30:12] Mariah was there to support me when I lost my job and Molly died 

[32:37] Reconnecting with my college friends who I didn't see for years 

[35:43] Erin and Anna both had such strong ties to their family 

[38:08] I had to recreate my life when I moved back to Concord

Resources:

• My Soul House blog

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook 

Instagram

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

Family is a complicated word that has so many meanings, but I think that at the end of the day it's about creating a community. Over the years I have worked to create my chosen family, alongside my biological one and I encourage my children to do the same. In this episode, I explore the concept of family and how it can be whatever you want it to be.

Key Takeaways: 

[3:29] Feeling out of place in my family 

[5:46] My biological and extended family growing up 

[11:42] Redefining what family means with adoption and who we are as people

[15:20] My life falling apart with Molly dying 

[17:58] The definition of family and what it means  

[22:37] The meaning of the word "queer" has changed 

[25:03] Choosing what you think is right or your family 

[27:31] Family is community 

[30:08] Sharing a history of abuse with the women in my family 

[23:59] I always want to have a resolution with the people in my life

[34:52] Thinking about what everyone in a family needs to thrive 

[36:51] Feeling obligated to honor your family 

[38:34] I want Jack to have lots of chosen family 

[40:12] I was trying to create a white picket fence life which didn't exist  

[41:19] Trying to find more balance in my life 

[42:55] What is your family like?

Resources:

• Queer Family Building 101
• Eat Walk, Half Double podcast

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook 

Instagram

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation