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

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“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

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

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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

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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

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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!

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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 redirect our purpose
 ✨ Simple, transformative nutrition tips you can use right now
 ✨ The deep connection between nourishment, love, and presence

She didn’t come to nutrition through a traditional path—she arrived through love, loss, and an unshakable calling. After losing her young husband, Isamu, to a brain tumor in 2002, she turned to food as a source of healing, not just for herself but for others:

"I couldn't get rid of his tumor. But what I could do was influence how he felt, how he managed treatments, and what was happening with him. That’s when I started asking myself: What can I do? Food and nutrition gave me something I could actually do every day, several times a day, to help my husband."

Today, as a Functional Medicine Nutritionist and educator, Andrea is a leading voice in the field, helping thousands of clients and practitioners reclaim their health through personalized nutrition. 

She also offers three simple, game-changing principles for better health:

 🥑 Fat, fiber, and protein at every meal
 🌈 Eating the rainbow
 ✅ Knowing your 'Yes, No, Maybe' food list—tuning in to what fuels and depletes you

But this episode isn’t just about food. It’s about what truly nourishes us—body, mind, and soul. Andrea opens up about grief, solo parenting, and the ways love pushes us to show up fully, even when life feels impossible.

At the heart of it all, this conversation is about love—the love we give, the love we receive, and the love that lives in the everyday choices we make. Whether it’s in the food we eat, the care we show to our bodies, or the ways we hold space for others, love is always at the center.

🎧 Tune in now and let Andrea’s wisdom nourish you from the inside out.

Love,

Molly

Check out Andrea's website here

Learn more about Functional Nutrition Alliance here

Listen to Andrea's 15-Minute Matrix podcast here

Follow Andrea on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Facebook, LinkedIn, & Substack

6-Week Coaching Program starts May 14th!

6-Month Coaching Program starts August 13th!

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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.”

Donna has been connected to higher planes of existence for many lifetimes—living as a medicine woman, a shaman, and an intuitive guide. Since the age of 17, she has heard her angels calling. That calling led her from Detroit to Palm Springs, where she now helps others clear blocked energy and find clarity through Akashic record readings, angel card sessions, and intention-setting at Two Bunch Spa.

In today’s episode, Donna offers practical tools for co-creating your reality—starting with the power of language. Instead of saying “want,” “need,” or “try,” she encourages us to embrace “I am”—planting seeds of healing, freedom, and joy.

I love every episode of Cracking Open, but this one came at just the right time. Lately, I’ve felt waves of fear and uncertainty—questioning my place in the world, wondering if I’m a good person, worrying about the future. But Donna’s words were a profound reminder:

💛 Just breathe. You are protected. You are supported. Fear is an illusion.

This lifetime—the one we are living right now—is the most important one we will ever have. And we are here to remember who we truly are. That is the greatest gift of all.

🎧 Tune in now and let Donna’s wisdom bring you back to yourself.

Love,
Molly

Learn more about Donna here

Visit Two Bunch Palms here  
Follow Donna on Facebook



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March 10, 2025
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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 conditions and a testament to human resilience and the extremes we can push ourselves to.

But this one moment is far more than just a photograph. It’s the culmination of Cory’s entire life—one marked by struggles that include experiencing homelessness in adolescence, searching for love in all the wrong places, facing addiction, battling suicidal thoughts, and navigating a bipolar disorder diagnosis. Driven by a need to escape his inner chaos, Cory pushed himself to the edge, seeking solace and a sense of aliveness in the most extreme, dangerous pursuits.

His memoir, The Color of Everything, lays bare his vulnerability, offering an honest reflection on his mental health journey and the healing power of storytelling—not only for him but for his readers as well. Cory’s bravery in sharing his personal highs and lows serves as a powerful invitation for all of us to embrace our humanity and find healing through connection.

Whether you're grappling with your own sense of self or seeking to understand the intricate balance of success and recovery, our conversation today offers insights that I hope will lead you toward greater self-love and acceptance.

Love,
Molly

Learn more about Cory here

Purchase The Color of Everything here  
Follow Cory on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook



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How To Get Unstuck
March 10, 2025
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“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 episode of the Cracking Open Podcast, Jaycee shares how movement can release tension and free up stuck energy, creating space for clarity, presence, and reconnection with the self. She also opens up about her own transformative journey with her love of dance, and we even dive into my personal experience of taking her class at The Nantucket Project this past Fall. (Spoiler alert: In just one hour of dancing and sweating—yes, even crying—I felt a deep healing I hadn’t experienced in years!)

Jaycee reminds us that in times of fear, confusion, or loneliness, the best medicine is to move. Movement helps ground us, calms our minds, and keeps us present. It's a reminder that, no matter what, we’re going to be okay. Her teaching embodies The Class’s mantra: “We exercise the body to ground the mind and open the heart.”

Before joining The Class, Jaycee traveled the world studying movement, competed in ballroom dance, and worked in television and film. Her classes are a space to find strength, explore freedom, and reconnect with spirit. Through her passion for music and dance, Jaycee encourages students to move, feel, and live with full expression. The result? Classes that are challenging, soulful, liberating—and most importantly, welcoming.

Be sure to listen to the full episode—at the end, Jaycee leads us through a short class! Plus, as a special treat for Cracking Open Podcast listeners, Jaycee is offering a 30-day free trial (link below!).

Jaycee's overarching message is that dance truly is for everybody. And now more than ever, we need to move, release negative emotions, and invite more joy and love into our lives.

Love,
Molly

*Special gift for Cracking Open listeners*
Click here to get your FREE 30-day trial to The Class!

Learn more about The Class here
Follow The Class on Instagram; Follow Jaycee on Instagram



Special Upcoming 1-Hour Live Workshop with Molly:
Calming Your Nervous System to Be Your Best Self
February 10, 2025
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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, is a powerful advocate for building and strengthening communities. He joins us on this week's episode of the Cracking Open podcast to remind us of a profound truth: “We should do social change work because God wants humans to thrive, and it is our job to help that happen.”

Together, we explore his upbringing, the concept of pluralism in today’s divisive political climate, and his refreshing perspective on America’s identity:

“America is not a melting pot, and it’s not a battlefield. It’s a potluck. That means welcoming and being delighted by the distinctive dishes that people bring to the table, finding creative combinations, and engaging in enriching conversations. That’s what America is about.”

Eboo Patel is an author, speaker, educator, and Founder and President of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. He is a civic leader who believes religious diversity is a vital and inspiring aspect of American democracy. Named one of America’s best leaders by U.S. News & World Report, Eboo has worked with governments, universities, corporations, and civic organizations to transform faith into a bridge for cooperation, not division.

Some of Eboo’s notable achievements:

• Served on President Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council
• Delivered hundreds of keynote speeches worldwide
• Authored five books, including We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy
• Ashoka Fellow and Rhodes Scholar with a doctorate in sociology of religion from Oxford University

Eboo’s honesty and vulnerability in this episode will inspire you. He shares powerful stories about how religious and educational institutions can foster unity instead of division. His words ignited a fire in me to embrace the "potluck" concept in my own life, celebrating the diversity of people, traditions, and ideas that bring us all closer together.

Tune in to discover how you too, can create a more inclusive and thriving community.

Love,
Molly


To support the Los Angeles community in healing from the devastation and trauma caused by the Kenneth fire, Molly is offering valuable information sessions on how to start the healing process. These are designed to assist companies, schools, hospitals, and other organizations. For more details, please email Molly at [email protected].


Learn more about Eboo Patel and Interfaith America here
Follow Eboo on X
Purchase We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy here

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