I don’t know about you, but I’ve learned that New Year’s resolutions don’t work well for me. Eat healthier, exercise more, and have more gratitude—those are the usual go-to's.

Maybe it’s my Midwestern stubbornness that makes me think, “Don’t tell me what to do!” so I end up doing the opposite—eating more sugar, sleeping in instead of going for a run, and complaining more than feeling grateful. It's embarrassing to admit, but it's true.

What I’ve found that works for me is to choose a word for the year, one that will guide me toward more adventure, joy, and truth. This year, my word is love.

Today’s guest on the Cracking Open podcast, Christina Rasmussen, embodies this word beautifully in her work, relationships, and teachings.

Widowed at a young age, Christina was left managing the devastating loss of her partner while also raising their baby and toddler on her own. Initially, all Christina wanted to do was run away from her pain as far as possible, despite her master’s degree in guidance and counseling. Four years after her 35-year-old husband passed away from Stage 4 colon cancer, she finally found the courage to confront her grief and created the Life Reentry process, which launched her on a mission to bring compassion, grace, and validation to thousands, while simultaneously establishing an exit from what she termed the Waiting Room.

Christina has also published three bestselling books: Second Firsts in 2013, Where Did You Go? in 2018, and her most recent book published in 2024 - Invisible Loss.

In this episode, you’ll feel the love and wisdom Christina brings as she discusses the concept of “invisible losses”—experiences that are completely devastating yet often difficult to articulate. These losses can sometimes be more perplexing and challenging to navigate than the overt tragedies we face.

Christina shares how to honor our invisible losses, using writing exercises she calls “cleanses” to move out of the “Waiting Room”—that place of uncertainty where we feel disconnected from our true selves. We also dive into identifying invisible losses and the three inner narratives we create as we process them: the survivor, the watcher, and the thrive.

This episode is full of actionable tips and tools for navigating grief and honoring all the moments that crack us open in life. Christina reminds us that love is the best medicine—not just to heal grief but to embrace any experience that helps us grow.

Christina is currently finishing her Master of Fine Arts degree in painting and drawing at the Academy of Art University. Her work on grief has been featured in The Guardian, Oprah Daily, ABC News, Women’s World, The Washington Post, and the White House Blog. Christina lives and works in Austin, Texas, with her husband Eric, and their two dogs.

Love,
Molly

Learn more about Christina Rasmussen and her work here
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I will never forget the first time I read Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon’s Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart by Dr. James Doty. It completely shifted my approach to parenting, decision-making, relationships, and business growth.

As this week's guest on the Cracking Open podcast, Dr. Doty shares his journey, from growing up in a tumultuous home to discovering the power of self-agency and the science of manifestation. He opens up about his successes and failures, his struggles with the choice to live life from his ego or his heart, and how much he appreciates being called out on his shortcomings. Ultimately, he has discovered that "possessions, position, and power have nothing to do with wisdom, insight, or self-awareness".

In this episode, we dive into the science of manifestation and explore actionable steps you can take to manifest the life of your dreams. We explore how therapy can yield incredible results when the client is willing to confront life’s challenges and the shadow side of their personality. When we can illuminate the darker, often hidden, parts of ourselves, we can then become more integrated and whole as individuals.

More about Dr. James Doty:

• Neurosurgeon, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and leading researcher in the science of compassion
• Senior editor of the Oxford Handbook of Compassion Science and developed Happi AI (an app that treats stress, anxiety, and depression)
• As the former CEO of Accuray (NASDAQ: ARAY), he helped develop CyberKnife technology, saving countless lives worldwide
• Founder of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford University School of Medicine, where His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the founding benefactor
• NY Times and international bestselling author of Into the Magic Shop and his most recent book, Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation, which became a top-selling book on Amazon in multiple categories

Dr. James Doty’s insights on manifestation teach how to make your brains work FOR us and help us create the life we desire. This powerful conversation can be the very catalyst to unlocking the magic of your mind so you can start manifesting the life you deserve.

Love,

Molly

Learn more about Dr. James Doty and his work here
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What an intense past couple of weeks!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve experienced a whirlwind of emotions lately. I feel sad about my kids' futures and am grieving over the state of our democracy.

At the same time, I feel empowered, knowing that I have self-agency and can choose how I feel each day. By paying attention to when I’m in fight or flight versus rest and digest, I recognize that I can’t help others if I’m constantly in a state of fear, hate, or anger.

So, I’ve made a pact with myself: to feel all my feelings, but also embrace what is, and move forward from a place of love and light, guided by what I call the *mother archetype*—an image of a nurturing, protective mother that resides in the collective unconscious of all humans. This archetype is associated with qualities of love, compassion, protection, fertility, creativity, and abundance.

Having both Mary Pipher and Elizabeth Lesser on the Cracking Open podcast this week felt like divine timing. Over the last month, I re-released the episodes that they had previously and individually done, to remind the listeners who they are and the vast amounts of wisdom they each have to offer. Having them back in my first-ever dual interview for this podcast was an even greater treat!

This special conversation reminds us that life can be simpler if we focus on giving and receiving warmth, spending time in nature, and being present in every moment—whether it’s the comfortable or the uncomfortable parts of life. Both of these women encourage us to ask ourselves each day: “What am I walking away from today, and what am I walking toward?”

Their wisdom reminds us that life is not easy, and Elizabeth encourages us to be curious about what it means to be a hero: “Let’s make the heroes be the ones who stay behind and tend and befriend. Who love. Let’s make love be the sign of a hero.”

Or, as Mary says, “Mr. Rogers was wonderful because he opened up children’s eyes to the diversity of people, and also the importance of understanding and kindness toward people.”

Both women embody the *mother archetype*, and they will undoubtedly give you hope for the future, remind you to love your neighbors, and inspire you to never give up on your passion to help others while also finding your own path.

Elizabeth Lesser has touched millions through her bestselling books, co-founded the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, helped Oprah Winfrey produce a 10-week online seminar based on Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth, is a frequent Oprah’s Soul Series host and has appeared on Super Soul Sunday.

Mary Pipher is a community organizer and activist for many causes and has authored 11 books including 4 New York Times bestsellers. Her latest book is A Life in Light, a luminous new memoir that taps into a cultural moment to offer wisdom, hope, and insight into loss and change.

After finishing their interview, I sat in my chair with my hand on my heart and took some deep breaths. I felt immense gratitude for the opportunity to have conversations and connections with such incredible and courageous women like Elizabeth and Mary. Our time together reminded me that when I am scared or in a place of fear, I am going to pause and redirect my energy. I'm going to make Love my hero and my north star.

Love,
Molly


Learn more about Elizabeth Lesser and her work here
Learn more about Mary Pipher and her work here

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The Cracking Open podcast has an exciting upcoming episode where, for the first time, I host a dual interview with Elizabeth Lesser and Mary Pipher to discuss a particular and profound issue for women (stay tuned for its release on November 21st!)

Leading up to that episode's release, I am re-releasing their initial interviews with me so you can soak in their deep wisdom and charm. You can listen to Elizabeth's episode here. Whether it's the first time you've listened or a refresh, you are in for a treat.

This week's episode on the Cracking Open podcast is someone who I would consider a cherished guide in my personal and professional journey over the last two decades.

Mary Pipher, Ph.D. is a truly extraordinary psychologist who specializes in women, trauma, and the effect of culture on our mental health.

I first came across Mary's work twenty years ago while teaching at an all-girls school in San Francisco. I felt lost on how to best provide emotional support to my students when they felt left out with friends, insecure about their bodies, navigating challenges in their home lives, or struggling with feeling worthy. A fellow teacher recommended that I read a book called Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher.

When I read her words below, I knew I had found the right guidance:

“Girls struggle with mixed messages:
Be beautiful, but beauty is only skin deep.
Be sexy, but not sexual.
Be honest, but don’t hurt anyone’s feelings.
Be independent, but be nice.
Be smart, but not so smart you threaten boys.”

Ever since, I have read anything and everything that Mary has written and it has always been a compassionate, wise, and safe place to land. And because of this, I am pinching myself that I got to have this conversation with her and share it with all of you.

Mary graduated in Cultural Anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley and received her Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska in Clinical Psychology. She was a Rockefeller Scholar in Residence at Bellagio and has received two American Psychological Association Presidential Citations, one of which she returned to protest psychologists’ involvement in enhanced interrogations at Guantánamo and other black sites.

She is a community organizer and activist for many causes and has authored 11 books including 4 New York Times bestsellers. Her latest book is A Life in Light, a luminous new memoir that taps into a cultural moment to offer wisdom, hope, and insight into loss and change.

In today’s episode, Mary reminds us that we don’t have to be perfect, solve every problem, or "fix" anyone. She also helps us remember that we live in a universe filled with love and light that surrounds us and is available to us, at all times.

I will leave you with her wise words:

“I think a wonderful life doesn't mean that a person hasn't had a lot of tragedy. It means they've had a big, rich life where they’ve been able to experience a really wide range of emotions and people and adventures and learnings of all different kinds.

And of course, in terms of loving fiercely, the price for loving fiercely is the pain of goodbye, but I would always choose to love fiercely.”


Love,
Molly

Learn more about Mary Pipher and her work here


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October 19th marked the 13th anniversary of my dad’s passing. It was a deeply profound day, as I experienced a revelation about my grief.

I realized that to reach a healthier place with my grief, I needed to engage with it differently. For the past 13 years, I’ve held onto a level of consciousness regarding my grief that requires transformation. I’ve been wearing a cloak of identification with the narrative of someone who lost their parents too young, feeling like a victim and grappling with anger over both of my parents’ deaths (my mom passed away five years ago).

However, last Saturday, I realized to reach the next level of healing, I needed to cultivate a different relationship with my grief and my dad. While I’m unsure exactly what this new relationship looks like, I set an intention that day to let go and surrender, shifting from the mindset of “this happened to me” to a perspective of “this happened for me.” I aspire for my grief to embody more light than darkness, and to serve as a teacher rather than a burden. I want it to guide me toward humility and deeper wisdom. When grief resurfaces and I feel the sadness and loss in my bones, I wish to embrace it through my tears or screams, but not to identify solely with it.

I share this journey because one woman who has profoundly influenced my understanding of grief is Elizabeth Lesser. I discovered her work around 11 years ago, shortly after my dad’s death, when I read her book Broken Open. Every word resonated deeply and reassured me that I could survive this loss. This book radically changed my life, and I often gift it to those going through difficult transitions.

The Cracking Open podcast has an exciting upcoming episode where, for the first time, I host a dual interview with Elizabeth and Mary Pipher to discuss a particular and profound issue for women (stay tuned for its release on November 21st!)

Leading up to that episode's release, I will re-release their initial interviews with me so you can soak in their deep wisdom and charm. Whether it's the first time you've listened or a refresh, you are in for a treat.

Elizabeth has touched millions through her bestselling books, including Cassandra Speaks: When Women Are the Storytellers, The Human Story Changes, Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow and Marrow: Love, Loss & What Matters Most.

She co-founded the Omega Institute, a retreat and conference center in Rhinebeck, NY, dedicated to holistic education and social change movements, attracting over 30,000 participants annually. In 2008, she also helped Oprah Winfrey produce a 10-week online seminar based on Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth, which reached more than 8 million viewers worldwide. Elizabeth is a frequent Oprah’s Soul Series host and has appeared on Super Soul Sunday.

Please enjoy this incredible conversation. Grab a cup of tea, a notebook, and a pen, and take this hour to soak in Elizabeth’s storytelling, wisdom, and insights.

Love,
Molly


Learn more about Elizabeth Lesser and her work here


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At 21 years old, Lindsay Valentine was told that his father had pancreatic cancer. Towards the end of his father's fight with his cancer, his mother was shockingly also diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Within 6 months of one another, Lindsay lost both of his parents to this heartbreaking disease.

Lindsay joins us on the Cracking Open podcast this week to honor his parents' memory and share his journey with this traumatic life experience and what it taught him.

It is an unimaginable story for any family, let alone a family of four boys aged 18, 20, 22, and 24. At their young age, they should have been thinking about high school prom, college football games, going to parties, and creating resumes for their first jobs. Instead, these four young men became caretakers for their dying parents and one another.

As the oldest brother, Lindsay quickly stepped in as the protector, helper, and savior. Not only did he do this out of deep love for his family, but in retrospect he recognized that taking on this role also distracted him from dealing directly with his own immense grief, sadness, pain, and vulnerability. But that shield only delayed the reckoning of his grief and he has since acknowledged that real healing occurs when we allow space for our grief, pain, and fears.

He now knows that sharing his feelings with his loved ones brings them closer together, versus the dysfunction and separation that occurred when he worked hard to keep his feelings at bay.

In this episode, Lindsay leans into his vulnerability and commitment to connection by sharing that he is still not okay more than a year after losing his parents and that THAT is okay. He remains in a constant battle with his grief but knows that these losses have taught him to be more vulnerable, to ask for help, and most importantly – to love.

Experiencing the death of his mom and dad has reminded him that we only have this one life and it can drastically change in the blink of an eye – so call that friend or family member, follow your joy in everything that you do, and don’t be afraid to have the tough conversations with the people you love most. Overall, Lindsay’s message is that there is always hope to be found, even in the darkest of times.

Bill Valentine, Lindsay's father, passed away on October 21, 2022.
Jessica Valentine, Lindsay's mother, passed away on March 17, 2023.

Lindsay's parents were two of the most loving, selfless, heart-centered, passion-filled humans I've ever known, and both were dear personal friends of mine. This episode is dedicated to their memory and to the burgeoning lives of their four beautiful sons.

Listen to Bill Valentine's podcast interview with Molly as he discusses what having terminal cancer has taught him about the true meaning of life. Originally aired on February 17, 2022, it remains our most downloaded podcast episode.

Love,
Molly


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We often hear mantras urging us to “be in the present moment” or “appreciate what you have because it could all be gone tomorrow". While a part of us knows this to be true, we can still find ourselves stuck, focused on checking off our to-do lists, and laboring on the treadmill of work, believing that more money will lead to greater happiness.

In chasing this false sense of happiness, we often lose sight of what truly matters—our relationships, dreams, and purpose in life. This week, Michael O’Brien joins us on the Cracking Open podcast. Michael is a successful businessman who used to work 60-70 hours a week in corporate leadership and had fallen into the common traps of perceived happiness. But one day he endured a near-death cycling accident when he was struck head-on by an SUV traveling at 40 MPH. This incident completely changed his life.

In the wake of the accident, Michael pleaded for a second chance at life. He promised himself that if he survived, he would live more authentically and stop chasing that elusive happiness. Escaping death marked what he calls “My Last Bad Day,” a turning point that forever altered his outlook on life. After enduring 13 surgeries and years of physical therapy, Michael made a profound shift in his perspective, fulfilling his promise to live a more inspired life.

Influenced by his various teachers and meditation practice, he came to realize that his accident had served as a catalyst for transformation—not only for himself but for those around him. In this episode, Michael shares his "cracking open" story and the struggles that led him to a more intentional life. He discusses finding peace in a chaotic world, discovering personal power amid challenges, and evaluating how our careers can bring happiness.

Today, Michael is an experienced meditation teacher, executive coach, and endurance athlete. He loves helping people accomplish difficult goals through mindfulness, hosts the heartwarming Kintsugi Podcast, and created the app Pause, Breathe, Reflect. In 2022, he rode his bike across America, harnessing the power of mindfulness along the way. Today, Michael helps others navigate life and business using G.R.A.C.E.(Gratitude, Reframing, Awareness, Community, and Energy). This framework assists individuals in building trustworthy support systems, creating fulfilling lives, and bringing out the best in themselves and others.

This heart-centered and tear-filled conversation is not to be missed, and it's an honor to now consider Michael a mentor and friend.

Love,
Molly

Learn more about Michael O'Brien and his work here
Listen to the Kintsugi Podcast here
Download the Pause Breathe Reflect meditation app here
Connect with Michael on LinkedIn


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Two weeks ago, I sent my first child off to college.

To say it’s been an adjustment is an understatement. I didn’t realize how deeply I would grieve not picking up his cheese wrappers, and smelly soccer cleats, or giving him a nightly hug. The silence at home is unnerving – I miss hearing him shout, “Mom, are you home?” and the chaos of soccer boys rummaging through the kitchen. And the bodily heartache around the passing of time or that our family of four is now a family of three.

This transition has given me time to reflect on my immense gratitude for all those who have supported my son, Tommy, through his journey—his coaches, teachers, and school administrators. They’ve taught him about respect, hard work, curiosity, teamwork, and most importantly, love. Tommy would not be the person he is today without their support.

That’s why this week's Cracking Open podcast guest, Rashid Davis, holds a special place in my heart. Rashid is the founding principal of Pathways in Technology Early High School (P-TECH) and embodies the power of education and love.

"We only have a short shelf life, a moment to make an impact. I was raised in the poorest district in the Bronx, so I saw inequities, but I saw love and understanding, so I lead with love.” ~ Rashid Davis

Rashid has dedicated his life to improving education and uplifting humanity. P-TECH, a groundbreaking model that spans grades 9-14, provides a pathway from high school to college and a career in industry. The first P-TECH school in Brooklyn partners with New York City College of Technology and IBM.

In 2013, P-TECH was highlighted by President Obama in the State of the Union and received a visit from him in October of that year. As of August 2021, P-TECH has expanded to 28 countries with over 200 school and college partners and more than 600 industry partners.

In 2016, Rashid was honored as a Legendary School Leader by the Black Caucus of CSA and Administrators and received proclamations from the City Council of New York, the State Assembly, and various Senate Districts. He was also named to City and State’s 2016 “Brooklyn Borough 50,” recognizing influential leaders in Brooklyn.

In this episode, Rashid shares his journey from growing up in the Bronx with a deep passion for education to obtaining multiple master’s degrees and dedicating his career to school development. He shares his invaluable wisdom, inspiring story, and open-hearted approach. Rashid imparts a powerful lesson: If you can open your heart and mind, you will see that everything is education. He emphasizes: “Love people the way that they know and experience love. And so, it really becomes a microcosm of society. And meet people where they are. And when I say love, it's not always the love that feels good, sometimes you have to do things for people to protect them.”

As we kick off a new back-to-school season, Rashid helps remind us of the importance of teachers and educators. I hold deep gratitude for individuals like Rashid who have played such a pivotal and positive role in the educational and growth journeys of so many children, including my son.

Love,
Molly


Learn more about P-Tech here
Connect with Rashid Davis on LinkedIn


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