Have you ever hit rock bottom? I know I have—not with drugs or alcohol, but through anxiety, over-mothering my kids, or letting my mind hijack my ability to feel gratitude and joy.

Today’s guest, Lara Love Hardin, is a powerful example of what it takes to rise from absolute rock bottom.

Lara’s journey is extraordinary: from suburban soccer mom to opioid addict, incarcerated felon, and now bestselling author and advocate. Her memoir, The Many Lives of Mama Love, is a 2024 Oprah Book Club pick and a New York Times bestseller.

In our conversation, Lara shares:

✨ How addiction and incarceration stripped away every identity she had built—and why that became her greatest gift.

 ✨ The unexpected transformation that came from being “just a number” in the system.

 ✨ How she rebuilt her life rooted in authenticity, forgiveness, and self-acceptance.

We also discuss her work today: advocating for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women through The Gemma Project, and how she helps others find redemption, even in life’s darkest moments.

This conversation offers profound hope to anyone who has experienced addiction, incarceration, or life-altering setbacks. Lara’s story demonstrates that our darkest moments can become the foundation for our greatest transformation, and that redemption is always possible when we’re willing to do the hard work of truly knowing and accepting ourselves. 

Whether your rock bottom looks like addiction, mental health struggles, or losing yourself in the roles you play, Lara’s story proves that transformation is not only possible—it can become the greatest gift you never knew you needed.

If you’re ready to do the meaningful work of truly knowing and accepting yourself, I’m currently accepting new therapy clients. I specialize in helping people:

• Break stuck patterns in relationships or life decisions
• Develop coping strategies for anxiety and depression
• Navigate life transitions with clarity and purpose
• Create more joy, balance, and healthy habits

Learn more and schedule a session here: https://calendly.com/mollycarroll/coaching

🎧 Tune in now to listen.

With love,
 Molly

A note from Molly

For three years, I’ve poured my heart into this podcast, creating 90 episodes. I’ve funded everything myself to focus on meaningful conversations—but to keep bringing you the quality content you deserve, I need your help.

Even $5 a month—less than a coffee—helps cover hosting, editing, and prep time. If this podcast has supported you, would you consider joining? Support here: https://www.patreon.com/14800380/join

Your support keeps these unrushed, transformative conversations coming.

Resources & Links

Read Lara’s memoir, The Many Lives of Mama Love: https://www.themanylivesofmamalove.com

Learn more about The Gemma Project: https://www.thegemmaproject.org

Follow Lara on Instagram: @laralovehardin

Work with Molly
https://molly-carroll.com

Stay Connected with Molly
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This summer, I found myself slowing down—getting quieter on the trails, more present among the trees, and stepping away from my usual morning routine of “to-do” lists, three coffees, and hustling to get people into my coaching programs. I got quiet. I sat with the parts of myself that feel uncomfortable and need external validation to feel worthy.  

I kept hearing the Zen Buddhist phrase: “chop wood, carry water". The wisdom is simple: do everyday tasks with mindfulness and presence.

For me, that meant canceling my coaching program that was supposed to start in August. It meant releasing the constant striving for speaking opportunities, letting go of outreach for podcast guests, and returning to my roots—deep, one-on-one conversations where space is dedicated to what truly matters. It meant going back to being a therapist.

For years, Sister Monica Clare heard a quiet call toward a quiet religious life. She first explored Hollywood, marriage, and conventional success before discovering that her heart was truly drawn to sisterhood.

Even if you’re not religious or spiritual, this conversation will likely resonate with you. Sister Monica Clare’s story is about learning to "gravitate towards joy versus chaos" and having the courage to follow your authentic calling—no matter how unconventional it may seem, and no matter what you have to release to honor it.

Her journey began in a Southern town marked by poverty, abuse, and violence, including witnessing her grandfather attempt to stab her father. Her mother’s encouragement to pursue a different life set her on a path through college in New York City, a career in Hollywood, marriage, heartbreak, and even performing in comedy clubs.

Through it all, she never abandoned the power of prayer—even when the call to religious life felt “complicated and baffling, completely out of step with her fame-adjacent life in Los Angeles”. She tried everything to silence it: therapy sessions, ignoring it, secrecy, and even asking friends and mentors, “What do you think about me being a nun?”

Sister Monica Clare’s story becomes a compass for anyone struggling to find their truth. Authentic calling rarely makes logical sense—but it always leads to deeper fulfillment.

Today, at 59, she has found her unique path to serve:

•  Launched @NunsenseForthePeople on TikTok in 2020
• Wrote the bestselling memoir A Change of Habit
• Uses social media to raise awareness about progressive religious orders like the Community of St. John Baptist
• Offers spiritual counseling specializing in religious trauma, mental illness, and addiction

Sister Monica Clare is the Mother Superior at the Community of St. John Baptist, an Episcopal convent in New Jersey. Before taking her vows in 2012, she worked as a photo editor in L.A. and performed in an acoustic rock duo and improv comedy troupe.

In our conversation, she shares how prayer became her sanctuary throughout Hollywood rejections and personal heartbreaks. She reveals the guiding messages she received from God during life’s challenges—like when she discovered her husband was cheating and heard, “Get up and get your house in order.” She opens up about overcoming the fear that people wouldn’t want her around and finding peace as a socially awkward introvert in a tight-knit community.

This episode is an invitation to listen to your own quiet callings and consider what authentic joy could look like in your life—and what you might need to release in order to honor it.

🎧 Tune in now to listen.

Love,

Molly

Resources & Links:

Read Sr. Monica Clare's memoir, A Change of Habit

Have you ever had a moment where time seemed to slow, the noise of the world softened, and you felt something ancient stir inside you? That’s exactly what happened when I sat down with Jeff Scult—founder, designer, and visionary behind One Golden Thread.

Jeff’s mission is nothing short of revolutionary: to create a regenerative container where humanity can come alive from the inside out. He believes that the “gold” within each of us is the thread that connects us all. And in both life and business, he is walking that talk.

A five-time entrepreneur with a background in advertising and storytelling, Jeff spent years amplifying the voices of others before finally tuning into his own. In 2016, he followed an inner calling to birth One Golden Thread, a fashion company that’s as much about soulful expression as it is about sustainability. As Forbes put it:

In today’s conversation, Jeff shares openly about his childhood as a people pleaser and shapeshifter—empathetic to everyone’s journey but his own. Beneath the surface, he carried deep emotional sensitivity, a gift that revealed itself through poetic insight and a mystic awareness that often moved people to tears. Even as a child, he knew how to see the soul beneath the mask.

Jeff’s story is a profound reminder that our wounds can become portals to purpose. His superpower? Helping others follow their “one golden thread”—the unique inner path that leads each of us home to ourselves.

Throughout the episode, Jeff brings his full presence: pausing to light incense, reciting his brand’s founding manifesto, and answering questions with poetic honesty that seems to flow from another realm. What began as an interview became a transmission—a remembering.

We explore the steps he took to manifest his vision, the intentionality behind his nature-sourced clothing line, and the deeper ethos guiding his work: wholeness, unity, reverence for self and planet.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration to pursue your own dream, curious about conscious entrepreneurship, or simply in need of a breath of truth in a noisy world—this episode is for you.

Listen with your heart.
Follow your golden thread.
Remember the brilliance that’s always been within you.

🎧 Tune in now to listen.

Love,

Molly

Resources & Links

Explore One Golden Thread: onegoldenthread.com
Plant-sourced essentials designed to root you in comfort, purpose, and planetary love.

Listen to Drops of Gold: jeffscult.com/dropsofgold
Jeff’s poetic, heart-forward podcast offers reflections and conversations for soul expansion.

Work with Jeff: jeffscult.com
Discover Jeff’s soulful consulting for personal and professional brand alchemy.

Special Offer: Use the code dropsofGold at checkout on onegoldenthread.com to receive a gift with your first purchase.

Work with Molly
https://molly-carroll.com

Stay Connected with Molly
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Some episodes feel especially personal—and this is one of them.

This week on Cracking Open, I’m joined by Thomas M. Jones: psychotherapist, author, musician, and founder of The Paradox Process—an innovative technique that helps people use their negative thoughts to shift perspective and transform their lives.

And in this conversation, I don’t just talk to Thomas about his method—I actually experience it in real time.

Just one week before our interview, my husband lost his job. I was navigating a wave of fear, frustration, and uncertainty. Rather than hiding those emotions, I brought them into the conversation. And Thomas walked me through them—live on the show.

But this episode isn’t just about me. It’s about you.
And the patterns, stories, and pain we all carry.

🌀 Have you ever sat down to tackle your to-do list and felt too overwhelmed to start?

🌀 Are you still ruminating on something from years ago, stuck in emotions you can’t shake?

🌀 Is there a habit you can’t seem to break—no matter how much you want to?

That’s what The Paradox Process is for. It’s a simple, accessible method that helps you take control of your thoughts, shift your emotional state, and find peace. I can personally say—it works.

A bit more about Thomas: 

🌱 He’s been doing this work for over 50 years

🌱 Serving clients ranging from CEOs and social workers to Emmy, Oscar, and Tony award-winning performers. 

🌱 His approach blends strategy and soul to help people find fulfillment in every area of their lives—from manifesting the career of their dreams to achieving intimate, loving, lasting relationships. 

I can honestly say—I’m now a true fan of The Paradox Process.

Since my conversation with Thomas, something in me has shifted. The fear and frustration I was feeling around my husband’s job loss have softened. I’m not spiraling in worst-case scenarios or trying to fix everything overnight. Instead, I feel a deep, grounded peace. A quiet ease. A knowing that, even in uncertainty, we’re going to be okay.

That’s what this process offers—not just tools to think differently, but a pathway to feel differently. To interrupt the looping narratives that keep us stuck and to choose something more empowering in their place.

As you listen to this episode, I invite you to walk through it with me. Let Thomas guide you, too. Bring to mind something in your own life that keeps you spinning—an old wound, a self-defeating belief, or a habit you just can’t seem to break.

🌟 This could be the moment you finally begin to shift it.

🌟 This could be the tool that helps you get unstuck.

🌟 This could be the thing that reminds you—you’re not alone, and you’re not powerless.

So take a breath. Be curious. And let The Paradox Process work its quiet magic in your life, too.

🎧 Tune in now to listen.

Love,

Molly

Resources & Links

Explore The Paradox Process
See if The Paradox Process is right for you
Join the Manifesting Lab – Mondays at 8pm ET

✨ Podcast Listeners FREE Gift!

Stay Connected with Thomas
Instagram

Work with Molly
6-Month Coaching Program begins August 13th

Stay Connected with Molly
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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 and Mary Ternan, founders of the nonprofit Song for Charlie.

After losing their son Charlie to a counterfeit Percocet pill laced with illicit fentanyl, Ed and Mary transformed unimaginable grief into purposeful action. Instead of only placing blame on social media platforms where these pills are sold, they chose to lead with education and empathy—working to save other families from the same heartbreak.

✨ Their mission is clear: to warn young people—especially those ages 13–24—about the danger of fake pills purchased online.

 ✨ Their message is urgent: even one pill can be fatal.

 ✨ Their approach is powerful: reaching youth with messaging that actually resonates with their generation.

In this conversation, Ed and Mary bravely share the story of losing their beloved Charlie and the ripple effects that tragedy had on their family, their faith, and their purpose.

Through Song for Charlie, they’ve become fierce advocates for awareness, prevention, and healing. And through their love for Charlie—and for every child who may still be saved—they are making a difference.

This is a story of heartbreak.
But it’s also a story of hope.

🎧 Tune in now to listen.

Love,

Molly

RESOURCES & LINKS

Learn more about Ed and Mary Ternan’s work
Song for Charlie
The New Drug Talk
La Nueva Drug Talk (en Español)
Meet the Song for Charlie Team

Follow Song for Charlie on social media
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
TikTok
Snapchat
X (formerly Twitter)

Work with Molly

• 🌱 6-Month Coaching Program begins August 13th – Learn more

Connect with Molly

• Official Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

I’ll never forget waking up one morning in Costa Rica while leading a women’s retreat. Surrounded by yoga, healthy food, and meaningful transformation, I should’ve felt alive and fulfilled. But instead, I felt utterly exhausted.

So I took a solo walk on the beach—not to escape, but to survive.

Even though I was in my zone of genius—supporting others and sharing tools for healing—I was deeply burned out. At the time, I had over 30 clients, was writing books, had just finished a TED Talk, was running retreats, parenting two kids, and helping care for my mother as she battled cancer. I was giving everything I had to everyone else.

But underneath it all, I was fighting internal demons: shame, perfectionism, fear I wasn’t doing enough—or being enough—as a therapist, mom, wife, and daughter.

I was experiencing what Scott Anderson, our guest this week on the Cracking Open podcast, calls burnout.

And wow… do I wish I had Scott's work back then.

But lucky for all of us—he’s here now. And he’s here to help you.

Scott Anderson is the author of You’re Not Toast and founder of DoubleDare, a coaching organization helping high-achieving professionals break free from burnout. With 30+ years of business ownership, therapy training, and ICF coaching credentials, Scott’s work blends business acumen with a deep understanding of the emotional and mental toll burnout takes.

Scott’s own story is one of profound transformation. After losing his son Max to addiction, Scott found himself broken, exhausted, and questioning everything. That grief led him to reevaluate his life, uncover his values, and rebuild with more humility and purpose.

From this space, the Burnout Breakthrough Method was born—a framework that helps people reconnect with their energy, release emotional weight, and create sustainable, joyful success.

In today’s conversation, we talk about:

✨ What burnout really is (hint: it’s not just being tired)

✨ Why high-achievers are most at risk

✨ The intersection of grief, purpose, and healing

✨ How to recover quickly and permanently from burnout

✨ Why passion isn’t enough—and how to work in a way that doesn’t cost your health or soul

If you’re feeling exhausted, disconnected, or like you're carrying the weight of the world, let this episode be your own beach walk—an invitation to slow down, reflect, and reconnect.

Because there’s more joy available to you than you could ever imagine.

🎧 Tune in now to listen.

With love,
Molly

P.S. Check out Scott's first interview on Cracking Open on 5/19/22!

Discover How Sobriety, Death, and Service Taught Life Coach Scott Anderson About the True Meaning of Life

Connect with Scott Anderson

• burnoutbreakthrough.com
• Fast Fix Call – Book a free session

Follow Scott on Social Media

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Work with Molly

• 🌱 6-Month Coaching Program begins August 13th – Learn more

Connect with Molly

• Official Website

“Children are our greatest treasure. They are our future.” — Nelson Mandela

Kids have always been part of my story—long before I became a mom. I’ve been a babysitter, camp counselor, teacher, therapist, and now a parent. That’s why this week’s episode feels especially close to my heart.

But it’s not just for parents. Whether you're an aunt, uncle, teacher, coach, or simply someone who wants to better understand and support the next generation, this conversation is for you.

Today on the Cracking Open podcast, I’m honored to sit down with Dr. Lori Baudino—a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified dance/movement therapist with over 20 years of experience supporting children and families.

Dr. Baudino’s approach integrates the mind, body, and spirit. She’s a pioneer in bringing body-based awareness into therapeutic spaces and hospital settings, helping children and parents connect more deeply through movement, presence, and play.

In our conversation, Lori posed a powerful question that stayed with me:

She invites us to see the body as one of our greatest resources. Our physical expressions offer insight into how we feel, what we need, where we struggle, and where we shine.

Together, we explore:

✨ Supporting children who don’t fit conventional emotional or social molds
 ✨ How to strengthen sibling relationships and navigate family dynamics
 ✨ What secure attachment really means—and how to nurture it
 ✨ Why movement is essential to emotional health
 ✨ How to meet your child’s uniqueness with curiosity, not control

Dr. Baudino’s wisdom is profound and practical. Whether you're raising children or walking alongside them, this episode will help you deepen your compassion, expand your understanding, and build more connected, resilient relationships.

After this conversation, I left feeling like a more grounded parent, advocate, and human being—and I think you will too.

🎧 Tune in now to listen.

With love,
Molly

Explore Dr. Lori Baudino’s Work

• Super Flyers Book
• Moving Moments in Childhood Book
• 16-Day Purposeful Parenting Challenge
• Moving Moments Masterclass
• The Global Therapists Program (via AnchoRRa)

Connect with Dr. Lori

• Official Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

Work with Molly

• 🌱 6-Month Coaching Program begins August 13th – Learn more

Connect with Molly

• Official Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

There are guests whose stories are filled with incredible achievements. And then there are guests whose stories crack you open—with their heart, their humility, and their humanity.

Today’s guest, Rebecca Rusch, is all of the above.

Rebecca is one of the world’s most extraordinary endurance athletes—a 7-time World Champion, mountain bike hall-of-famer, best-selling author, Emmy Award winner, and activist. She has not only pushed herself to the physical edge through rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and multi-day adventure races like Eco-Challenge—she has also traveled to the emotional core of what it means to live fully, love deeply, and be good.

You may know her from the acclaimed documentary Blood Road, which follows Rebecca’s 1,800-kilometer mountain bike journey along the Ho Chi Minh Trail to locate the site where her father’s plane went down during the Vietnam War. That quest wasn’t just about closure—it was about connection, healing, and honoring the man who shaped her spirit.

In this deeply moving episode of the Cracking Open podcast, we explore:

✨ How the loss of her father at a young age ignited a lifelong search for meaning
✨ What growing up with a single, hard-working mom taught her about strength and self-reliance
✨ The power of curiosity, nature, and endurance to reveal who we really are
✨ How a traumatic brain injury forced her to slow down—and reimagine what success looks like
✨ Why “being good” matters so much more than being perfect

What we didn’t know when we scheduled this conversation was that Rebecca’s beloved mom would pass away just one week before we recorded. And so what unfolds in this episode is not just an interview—it’s a powerful reflection on how we live, how we love, and how we show up for the people who matter most.

Rebecca’s story is one of grit, grace, and growth. And at the heart of it all is a simple message from her father, who signed every letter home from Vietnam with the same two words: Be Good.

It’s a mantra that continues to guide her—and now, maybe, it will guide you too.

🎧 Tune in now and let Rebecca’s courage, curiosity, and compassion inspire you to slow down, dig deep, and live your own version of being good.

Love,
Molly

Connect with Rebecca Rusch
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube

Explore Rebecca's Work
Official Website
The Be Good Foundation
Rebecca’s Private Idaho

Work with Molly
🌱 6-Week Coaching Program begins May 14th! — Learn more

Stay Connected with Molly
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You know how music can transport you back to a certain era in your life? I’ll never forget gathering in college dorm rooms and tiny apartment living rooms with all my girlfriends in our twenties as we watched Grey’s Anatomy. The show wouldn't have been the same without its unforgettable soundtrack, especially during those nerve-wracking ER scenes or the slow-burn love story between Meredith and Derek.

So much of that iconic sound came from The Fray, the Denver-based band fronted by the haunting, heartwarming voice of lead singer Isaac Slade. 

I first met Isaac at The Nantucket Project and was instantly struck by his unique mix of humor, vulnerability, and grounded wisdom. His childhood was shaped by a loving, religious family that encouraged his musical passions. That support led him to gather friends and form The Fray, a band that would go from playing tiny venues to topping charts, dominating TV soundtracks, and selling out stadiums across the world.

Isaac’s voice helped define an era, but behind the music was a story few of us ever heard. In this honest, soulful conversation on this week's Cracking Open episode, we dive into:

✨ The rise of The Fray and the whirlwind of early fame

 ✨ The toll of success and the mental health struggles it sparked, including on-stage panic attacks

 ✨ His decision to step away from the spotlight and embrace a quieter, more grounded life

 ✨ Why putting your oxygen mask on first is one of the most radical acts of love

Isaac didn’t leave the band because he stopped loving music. He left because he needed to love himself—and his family—more fully. After years of sold-out tours and chart-topping songs, he found healing in the everyday: parenting, slowing down, and opening a record shop on Vashon Island, off the coast of Seattle.

As I waited for him to join this conversation, I couldn’t help but smile, remembering those college days when The Fray’s music helped me survive heartbreaks, insecurities, and burnout. His voice once soothed my confused, overwhelmed soul. And now, nearly 30 years later, we’re sharing stories about embracing the beautiful mess of life and doing what it takes to stay on the treadmill of adulthood.

🎧 Tune in now and let Isaac’s story remind you that real strength isn’t about pushing through—it’s about slowing down, tuning in, and letting your inner light lead the way.

Love,

Molly

Resources & Links:

Connect with Isaac Slade
Follow Isaac on Instagram
Check out Side Stack Records

Work with Molly
🌱 6-Week Coaching Program begins May 14th — Learn more

Stay Connected
Follow Molly on Instagram
Follow Molly on Facebook

Healing often begins in the stories we share—especially when we have the courage to tell them. Vulnerability doesn’t just dissolve shame; it nurtures inner strength. This week’s guest on the Cracking Open podcast, Lindsay Bomstein, beautifully embodies this truth. She opens her heart and shares her story with such raw honesty, gently reminding us that our truth is our superpower.

At the age of 17, just four months after moving cross-country, Lindsay tragically lost her father in a head-on collision. Already deeply empathic, she found herself carrying the heavy weight of grief into her adolescence, college years, and early adulthood, often asking herself: How can I move forward without him? Twenty-four years later, as a wife and mother of three, she faced yet another heart-wrenching loss—the terminal cancer diagnosis and passing of her mother. In this episode, we explore Lindsay’s powerful story—and how, through profound loss, she ultimately discovered deep love.

Lindsay holds an MA in Transpersonal Psychology with a focus on creativity and innovation, and she weaves her rich life experience into everything she does. Since 2013, she has been sharing her heart through her widely-read blog, which explores themes like parenting, mindfulness, mental health, creativity, and grief. Her work has been featured in both local and national publications, including Spirituality & Health Magazine.

Her newly released memoir, All I Feel Is Love, is a tender exploration of healing and the alchemic transformation from loss to love. Through creative self-expression, communal connection, and reflective questioning, it serves as a compassionate companion for anyone seeking hope and light on their journey through grief.

Today, Lindsay facilitates enriching women’s circles, leads therapeutic writing workshops, and co-hosts soul-nourishing retreats—each a reflection of her deep commitment to guiding others through their own healing.

In this episode, we explore:

• 🌱 The personal and cultural journey of grief and its impact
• 🗣️ The healing power of storytelling and why it matters
• 😄 Finding moments of joy, laughter, and even naps in the midst of hardship

While Lindsay’s work helps others heal, her greatest gift lies in how she lives her own story with grace. Through creative expression, connection, and boundless love, she shows us that healing is not only possible but deeply transformative. True change begins with acceptance, compassion, and a willingness to be vulnerable.

We can learn so much from one another’s stories—especially those about growing up, letting go, and finding peace in the truth.

Love,
Molly

Resources

• Check out Lindsay’s website here
• Purchase All I Feel Is Love here
• Follow Lindsay on Instagram and Facebook

Bonus: Listen to Charlotte Hardwick’s Cracking Open podcast episode— a dear friend of Molly’s and frequent retreat co-host with Lindsay!

Upcoming Coaching Programs with Molly

• 6-Week Coaching Program starts May 14th!

Follow Molly on Instagram and Facebook

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