Cracking Open with Molly Carroll

These days, we all need practices that strengthen not just our muscles, but also our spirits. I’m with you in all you’re navigating, and I want Cracking Open to continue being a place where you can land, breathe, and remember: you are not alone. The stories we share here are meant to heal the body, mind, and soul. Recently, I kept hearing about how weightlifting can help you look, feel, and stay younger longer. Not only is it good for your muscles—it’s essential for your bones, joints, and ov...

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 ...

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 bus...

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 h...

“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 Cracki...

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 haunti...