Cracking Open with Molly Carroll

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 of exhilaration as you skied down a mountainside.

Whatever your memories may be, one undeniable thing is that nature stirs something within us.

On this week's episode of the Cracking Open podcast, Jobi Manson reminds us of the profound healing and transformative power of nature. Jobi is a visual artist and sculptor whose work explores the realms of water, light, sound, and stone. Delving into the
ineffable dimensions beyond words, she traverses the realms of matter, time, and the ethereal space in between.

In 2015, she founded Sēfari, a platform dedicated to elemental experiences that fuse science, nature, and art, all in pursuit of psychosomatic evolution. Partnering with esteemed organizations like Auberge, The Sea Ranch Lodge, and In Goop Health, among
others, Sēfari has become a beacon for those seeking to reconnect with nature and themselves.

In this conversation, Jobi shares profound insights, like the transformative power of swimming alongside whales and dolphins and exploring the profound connection between humans and the natural world. We talk about her journey through grief following the death of her mother,  her own near-death experience when she broke her neck while swimming in the ocean which temporarily rendered her paralyzed, and a particularly transformative encounter with a psychic that led her to Hawaii and helped her return home to herself.

Based in Pacific Palisades, California, Jobi now runs a private practice, offering individuals a pathway to rediscover their true essence through the transformative power of art and nature.

Love, Molly


Learn more about Jobi Manson and Sēfari here
Join Jobi's Substack here
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Molly's next 3-month Cracking Open group coaching program starts in July 2024! Learn more here.

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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 be in my pajamas by 8 pm. Truth be told!

So when I discovered Chip Conley, today's guest on Cracking Open and author of the New York Times bestselling book Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age, I knew he would offer a wealth of wisdom on this complex phase called midlife.

In this episode, Chip and I delve deep into the topic. We discuss candidly how his loss of five close friends to suicide and his own near-death experience taught him that mortality serves as an organizing principle for life.

Chip shares insights from his early years of ballroom dancing, where he learned that it's a powerful metaphor for life: in the first half the ego leads the dance, but in the second half the soul takes the lead while the ego follows.

His primary intention is to shift people's perspective on aging, advocating for a pro-aging mindset rather than an anti-aging one. With this shift, he emphasizes the numerous benefits, including gaining an additional seven and a half years of life.

Chip Conley is on a mission to redefine midlife. Having disrupted the hospitality industry twice, first with Joie de Vivre Hospitality and then as Airbnb's Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy, he co-founded MEA (Modern Elder Academy) in 2018. MEA, the world's first midlife wisdom school, aims to reframe aging and empower individuals to navigate midlife with purpose and possibility.

Our conversation in this episode goes beyond simply discussing the science and stories around embracing midlife; we fully embody it. We share laughter and vulnerability, along with our personal experiences with aging, and as a result, we connected on a deeper level.

Since our discussion, I have felt lighter, more alive, and younger in my mind, body, and spirit. Chip Conley is truly a gift to the world and reframing what midlife could be like for all of us.

Love,
Molly

 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, The Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health.

Dr. Langer is one of the first women to achieve tenure at Harvard University and has dedicated forty-five years to pioneering research on aging, diabetes, autism, stress management, and overall health. 

Her work underscores the profound connection between our minds and bodies, advocating for mindfulness as a powerful tool to enhance overall well-being. 

Listening to our discussion today will shed light on Dr. Langer's belief that mindfulness not only benefits us personally but is also remarkably easy to integrate into our lives. She emphasizes that all our misery stems from being mindless, and by becoming more mindful and noticing things in our lives, we can alleviate stress and transform our experiences for the better.

Dr. Ellen Langer is not only a professor and researcher at Harvard but a prolific author, with eleven books to her name, including the internationally acclaimed Mindfulness, which has been translated into fifteen languages, and Counterclockwise: Mindful Health and the Power of Possibility.

Her contributions to psychology have garnered widespread recognition, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest from the American Psychological Association.

With over 200 research articles to her credit, Dr. Langer's pioneering work in social psychology has earned her a place in The New York Times Magazine's "Year in Ideas" issue. Dr. Langer is also an accomplished painter. 

Our lively conversation left a lasting impression on me, especially when she emphasized that "it is not about making the right decisions, it is about making your decisions right". This resonated deeply with me, highlighting the importance of mindfulness in shaping our perceptions and responses to life's challenges. 

Dr. Ellen's teachings have truly transformed my approach to daily living. I now navigate each day with a newfound mindfulness, drawing from her research to navigate life's challenges with greater ease and resilience. Tune in to learn more about how you can bring more mindfulness into your life today.

Love, Molly


Learn more about Dr. Ellen Langer and her work here
Follow Dr. Langer on LinkedIn, Facebook,  X, and Instagram

Molly's next 3-month Cracking Open group coaching program starts in July 2024! Learn more here.

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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 things to come into my life at the right time. 

If this resonates with you, then I invite you into the world of today's Cracking Open podcast guest and life coach Jill Rose, who is here to remind us that there is a kinder, easier, and more generative way to move through this world.

As a self-proclaimed overachiever, hustler, and hard-working mom of three kids, Jill learned to keep pushing forward to reach some unforeseen finish line. Then she had a "cracking open" moment when she lost her home during the housing crisis. Feeling ashamed, lonely, and isolated because she and her family had to move to a new city and start all over, Jill hit rock bottom.

 
Then one day she discovered a yoga class, which brought her the warmth and comfort she was so desperately seeking. She enrolled in yoga teacher training and began to feel alive again. She learned that she loved teaching women yoga, where she could create a space for them to slow down and step out of the rat race, and instead learn to trust their inner voice of rest, presence, and healthy community.

Today Jill is a life coach, speaker, and facilitator who loves nothing more than watching a woman unapologetically shine. Through her one-on-one work with clients, her group coaching program called Rest, Restore & Rise, her bi-annual women’s retreats, and her facilitation work with professional organizations, Jill is dedicated to helping her clients know their value, worth, brilliance, and importance so that they can rise into the women they are destined to be. And by doing so, they inevitably enrich and elevate those around them.

May we all learn from Jill the easier, kinder way of living that is more aligned with our true nature, and may it bring forth more abundance, joy, purpose, passion, bandwidth, and capacity to better care for ourselves and those we love.

Love,
Molly



Learn more about Jill Rose and her work here
Follow Jill on Instagram and Facebook
Learn more about Jill's upcoming retreats & courses here

Feeling Stuck? It's Time to Get Unstuck!
A 3-Month Cracking Open Coaching Program with Molly Carroll.
The next group is starting soon! Learn more here.

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Have you ever pondered the significance of people entering your life – wondering if it is simply a coincidence that you met, or if they are destined to offer support or impart some crucial lesson during your journey in this lifetime?

Our guest today on the Cracking Open podcast, Kara Ladd, is someone I feel certain I was meant to cross paths with in this life.

Kara was living what seemed to be the dream life—working in fashion editorial and residing in a stunning apartment that was nestled between two of New York's hottest nightclubs. She embodied the quintessential girl boss, hustling tirelessly. Then her life took an unforeseen turn when Kara discovered a bump under her left knee, which turned out to be a one-in-a-million synovial sarcoma cancer. At the young age of 24, her life as she knew it came to an abrupt halt. She recalls, “I had this full-on cracking open spiritual, out-of-body experience.”

While editing Kara’s episode last week, life threw me an unexpected curveball. I found myself needing an ultrasound to investigate some symptoms that could have been anything from perimenopause to a potential cancerous mass in my uterus or cervix. Thankfully, my symptoms turned out to be related to menopause (gratitude to Dr. Mary Claire Haver for her invaluable teachings!). But this scare reinforced my belief that Kara's voice needed to be heard on the podcast.

Through her journey with chemotherapy and facing her mortality head-on, Kara realized the importance of delving deep into her soul and asking profound questions like: “Who am I? What do I truly enjoy? Are my relationships nurturing me?” 

Kara is not only a badass cancer survivor but an award-winning multimedia entrepreneur & journalist known for her storytelling, purpose-driven thought leadership, and conscious marketing consultancy for the next generation of modern, mindful brands.

She began her career working in the fashion closets of Cosmopolitan and Italian Vogue, then worked at a boutique sustainable fashion consultancy where she spearheaded creative and strategic marketing for high-profile clients such as Amazon. Kara then pivoted back into editorial, working as Hearst Digital Media’s E-Commerce and Partnerships Editor, where she created optimized digital content for all 28 Hearst sites. Her features have reached 35 million page views worldwide. In 2018, Kara started her own successful consulting company, KL Consulting.

Kara considers her healing journey to be one of the most powerful awakenings of her life and was the conduit for creating her consultancy. She now helps others awaken to their "why" - their heartbeat, their purpose.  Kara's story reminds us that universal light permeates everything around us, and her words help us connect to our hearts. May her message inspire you to take aligned steps towards embodying your best self.

Love,
Molly


Learn more about Kara Ladd and her work here
Follow Kara on Instagram and TikTok

Feeling Stuck? It's Time to Get Unstuck!
A 3-Month Cracking Open Coaching Program with Molly Carroll.
The next group is starting soon! Learn more here.

Connect with Molly on Instagram and Facebook

We are fortunate to welcome back Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a menopause guru, for her second appearance on the podcast (in case you missed it, or want a refresher, go back to episode 39 to listen to our first conversation which is one of our most downloaded episodes ever!).

Did you know that 1.2 billion women are going through menopause right now? In this episode, we delve into the prevalent misconceptions surrounding menopause. Dr. Haver sheds light on various aspects of this hormonal transition, including the misinformation surrounding hormones and cancer, and the staggering statistic that only 0.03% of the NIH (National Institute of Health) budget is allocated to menopause research, despite its universal relevance to all women. She also shares her approach to treating menopause through holistic approaches to health, highlighting the significance of sleep, diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle in managing menopausal symptoms.

Dr. Mary Claire Haver is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist from Tulane University. She is a Louisiana State University Medical Center graduate and completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). She is also a Certified Menopause Specialist through The Menopause Society, and in 2021 she opened Mary Claire Wellness, a clinic dedicated to caring for menopausal patients.

Dr. Haver has amassed over 4 million followers across social media by posting menopausal advice for women. She understands that menopause healthcare is in dire need of change and is proud to be leading the conversation. Her educational background and her own experience led her to develop the national bestselling book and online program, The Galveston Diet, a three-pronged lifestyle plan that encourages fuel refocusing, intermittent fasting, and anti-inflammatory nutrition to manage hormonal symptoms, stabilize weight, and revitalize the body as it ages to provide benefits that will last a lifetime.

She is working on her second book, The New Menopause, which will be released in Spring 2024. One particularly poignant moment from the interview is Dr. Haver's assertion that she is part of a movement poised to transform medicine, recognizing the urgent need for increased focus on menopause healthcare. Her mission is to guide individuals back to their baseline and alleviate the stress associated with menopause through informed treatment options.

This episode resonates not only with women experiencing perimenopause or menopause but also with anyone who has women in their lives—be it daughters, mothers, sisters, or friends. By listening to Dr. Mary Claire Haver's insights, individuals can positively influence their longevity and quality of life, paving the way for a more balanced, sane, and healthy existence.

Love,
Molly

Learn more about Dr. Mary Claire Haver and her work here
Follow Dr. Haver on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Feeling Stuck? It's Time to Get Unstuck!
A 3-Month Cracking Open Coaching Program with Molly Carroll.
The next group is starting soon! Learn more here.

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In my podcast conversations with authors, anthropologists, creatives, and change-makers, we often delve into their personal stories, encompassing their triumphs and setbacks, as well as their spiritual practices and strategies for leading a more fulfilling life.

However, today's conversation is a bit different from the norm.

Today, I'm privileged to engage in conversation with Sun Yi, a distinguished personal branding expert and the visionary founder of Night Owls, an acclaimed digital agency catering to esteemed clients like Mel Robbins, Jay Shetty, Marc Randolph, and Gabby Bernstein.

Despite Sun's professional collaborations with prominent figures in the self-transformation space, he boldly admits his disinterest in practices such as yoga, mantras, or the ritual of smudging his home. Yet, his online presence, characterized by candid insights, thought-provoking slogans, and astute business counsel, immediately captivated my attention, resonating deeply with me as both an occasional social media gawker and a prospective client.

Upon delving further into Sun Yi's work, I eagerly enrolled in his three-month marketing mentorship program. Through this journey, I gained invaluable lessons on branding, marketing tactics, the art of storytelling, authenticity, and the significance of prioritizing both customer service and personal fulfillment.

Sun Yi's multifaceted expertise extends beyond his role as an entrepreneur and storyteller; he's also a TEDx speaker and the driving force behind Night Owls and Night Owl Nation. With over 20 years of experience in digital branding, Sun has helped brands go from virtual zero revenue to $1 billion. He is passionate about teaching and has taught over 22,000+ students through his online course, The Art of Storytelling for Freelancers and Creators. In 2022, he started Night Owl Nation, a global community of entrepreneurs and creators who practice storytelling together.

During our conversation, Sun Yi candidly reflects on his upbringing in Korea and subsequent immigration to the United States at the age of 10, where he endured years of bullying. These experiences shaped his resilience, reinforcing his sense of self while occasionally challenging his capacity for humility.

Through the highs and lows of his professional journey, including almost losing his marriage to the love of his life Gigi, Sun Yi arrived at a profound realization: true success hinges upon establishing authentic human connections with customers. He highlights the importance of active listening, genuine care, and a service-oriented approach as the most potent tools in the realm of marketing and branding.

Sun Yi's authenticity, humor, and candid anecdotes will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression, offering not just marketing and branding insights but also a sense of camaraderie amidst life's ebbs and flows. His message is clear: by embracing the present moment, we unlock the fullest potential of our lives.

Love,
Molly

Learn more about Sun Yi and his work here
Follow Sun Yi on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter), & Instagram

Molly has a new website! Check it out here
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On a sunny afternoon, as I sat on my deck, immersed in reading Oprah Magazine, a
captivating article "How to Love Yourself When You Feel Your Worst" caught my attention. It wasn't just the title that drew me in, but the vibrant, colorful woman gracing the page beneath it. There she stood, in a tiger-printed dress, hands reaching out to the sky, exuding vitality, joy, and boundless possibilities for life.

I read the article which beautifully unfolded the story of J.J. Martin, an American-born, Milan-based fashion designer who discovered her inner light during the darkest days of the pandemic. Two sentences, in particular, stood out to me:

"Cracking open one spiritual window back in 2014 gave me a deep itch to discover the whole glorious mansion within." 

"So, a lot has cracked open from these energy eggs I fertilized."

Of course I had to invite her on the Cracking Open podcast, right??

J.J. Martin holds the titles of Creative Commander and Chief Spiritual Officer at La DoubleJ, a thriving fashion and homeware business. A California native, she arrived in Milan in 2001, spending 17 years as a journalist, contributing to various international publications and uncovering Italy's finest treasures as a contributing editor for Harper’s Bazaar (US), WSJ. Magazine, and Wallpaper. Throughout this journey, she refined her aesthetic sensibilities and forged connections with creative minds in fashion, interiors, art, design, and architecture.

In 2015, J.J. launched La DoubleJ, a shoppable magazine with a dual purpose: to showcase her collection of vintage clothing and to celebrate Milan's glamorous women and legendary housewives. Fueled by J.J.'s maximalist energy, La DoubleJ soared, offering original collections characterized by feel-good fashion, effortless glamour, and a vintage twist.

Over the past two decades in Italy, a place she describes as her "first major spiritual
teacher", J.J. has cultivated a vibrant community of healers, educators, and soul workers, deepening her spiritual practice and becoming a trusted resource in the realm of spirituality and wellness.

All these facets of J.J.'s life reflect her genuine passions, seamlessly woven into a unique lifestyle brand that encourages women to discover joy within and without. In this episode, our conversation goes beyond fashion, fabrics, and design, taking a profound dive into her personal journey and how embracing vulnerability led her on a spiritual path. We explore topics not limited to the pleasant aspects of life but also delve into how to keep your heart open during challenging times and how to heal from loss and disappointments, especially when life doesn't unfold as expected.

I invite you to approach J.J.'s wisdom with an open heart. Her insights, though possibly
new to you, have the potential to profoundly impact your life. J.J.'s business and life mantra revolves around "raising the vibration". She is the perfect evangelist for this cause, and on this episode of Cracking Open, she shares her unique, heartfelt perspective.

Love,
Molly

Learn more about J.J. Martin and her work here
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Why is it that January is one of the most popular times to ask ourselves questions like,
 "What needs to change in my life?" or "How do I want the end of this year to look different from today?"

It is questions like these, about change and self-evolution, that I have been hearing from my clients for many years (and have asked myself as well!). This inspired me to ask Serena Dugan to be our guest on the Cracking Open Podcast today.

Serena is a beacon of change, living a life filled with authenticity and creativity. She is an artist and textile designer based in Sausalito, California. With an education in both Psychology and Fine Art, Serena has spent the past 20 years developing her mark as a painter, product designer, and Chief Creative Officer of Serena & Lily, the home and lifestyle brand she founded in 2004.

In 2020, Serena launched Serena Dugan Studio, her eponymous collection of fabrics
and wallpapers. Serena's art-driven textiles draw inspiration from around the world, from the breezy jet-set spirit of Capri in the 50s to the tribal basket weaving traditions in South America, to the colorful abstract mid-century architecture found in Mexico City. Serena weaves together global references and textile traditions to create her unique statement. Most recently, Serena collaborated with Erik Lindstrom to create a line of rugs inspired by her artwork.

In my conversation with Serena, we delve deep into topics ranging from finding your creativity, trusting your instincts when making decisions, letting go of your ego, and coping with the loss of a loved one. This episode is not only profound and truthful but also a reminder that creativity resides within all of us if we remain open to the idea that life is not stagnant, change is inevitable, and trusting our instincts can make life feel vital and alive.

Serena not only shares her passion for painting and being an artist but also the value of
making mistakes, starting over, and understanding that our achievements do not
define who we are. She lovingly reminds us all -

"At the end of my days, I'm not going to look back on Serena and Lily and think that is my greatest success. I'm not going to look back on my textile collection and say, that is what I'm most proud of. At the end of the day, it's the people that I'm surrounded by that give life meaning. The rest of this is just our path to love."

Love,
Molly



Learn more about Serena Dugan and her work here
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Molly has a new website!! Check it out here
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Today we are kicking off Season 6 of the Cracking Open podcast with a powerful message from legendary explorer, writer, photographer, filmmaker, and storyteller, Wade Davis.

Wade's incredible journey takes us from the Amazon and The Andes, where he spent over three years as a plant explorer among 15 indigenous groups, to Haiti, where he investigated folk preparations tied to the creation of zombies and authored The Serpent and the Rainbow. His explorations have taken him to numerous destinations, including East Africa, Borneo, Nepal, Peru, Polynesia, Tibet, and beyond. We delve into his upbringing and how it influenced his career choices, including anthropology, rituals, and psychedelic experiences with renowned figures like Richard Schulte and Andrew Weil.

Wade Davis's list of achievements is extensive, from being a Professor of Anthropology and holding the BC Leadership Chair in Cultures and Ecosystems at the University of British Columbia to serving as Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society. With degrees in anthropology and biology, including a Ph.D. in ethnobotany from Harvard University, he has authored 25 books, including One River, The Wayfinders, Into the Silence, and Magdalena. His photography has graced the pages of National Geographic, and he has been involved in various documentaries, including Light at the Edge of the World and El Sendero de la Anaconda.

As a professional speaker for 35 years, Wade has delivered captivating lectures at universities, corporations, and professional associations worldwide. He's a TED veteran with talks viewed by millions, and his books have made a global impact. Davis's remarkable contributions have earned him recognition, including honorary memberships and awards like the Gold Medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the prestigious Explorers Medal.

In today's episode, Wade encourages us to follow his example, be leap-takers, and explore our destinies in 2024, reminding us that life is here to lift us if we are willing to take the risk and trust the journey.

He reminds us that taking a leap in life is crucial, and he shares the wisdom of his friend, Terence McKenna, who once said, "Jump off the cliff, the world doesn't exist to put you down. It exists to lift you up." This episode serves as a reminder that we are the architects of our own lives, with the agency to shape our decisions and habits in the direction we choose.

Love,
Molly



Learn more about Wade Davis and his work here
Peruse Wade's bibliography & purchase one of his books here
Follow Wade on Instagram

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