
Molly Magic: The Power in Life's No's and Not Yet's
From Cracking Open with Molly Carroll by Molly Carroll, MA, LPC
April 30, 2026 · 23 min
About this episode
Molly Carroll discusses the impact of social rejection on the brain and how to cope with life's 'no's and 'not yet's.
You got a NO this week. Maybe more than one. Someone said no to you. Or your kid came home with that look on their face. Or you've been trying and trying, and the door just won't open. Here's what the research tells us: your brain processes social rejection in the same region as physical pain. Neuroscientist Naomi Eisenberger found that the anterior cingulate cortex — the part that lights up when you're physically hurt — lights up identically when you're rejected. You are not being dramatic. ...
People in this episode
Host: Molly Carroll
Topics covered
- social rejection
- neuroscience
- mental health
- resilience
- personal growth
Keywords
- social rejection
- anterior cingulate cortex
- neuroscience
- mental pain
- resilience
- personal development
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