back from the borderline: emotional alchemy

By: mollie adler
  • Summary

  • I don’t want to talk to your personality; I want to talk to your soul. Imagine if your most painful and debilitating mental health symptoms and self-sabotaging behaviors aren’t evidence of 'disorder' or 'dysfunction', but adaptive strategies that once kept you safe. My goal is to help you shift from asking ‘What’s wrong with me?’ to ‘What happened to me?’


    The word ‘borderline’ in this podcast isn’t about psychiatric labels. It’s about coming back from the inner psychological brink we all experience. Everyone has found themselves on the edge, in that liminal space where the old self falls apart and the new Self emerges. Here, we explore what it means to undergo true emotional alchemy: that ancient and primordial process of falling apart, confronting the underworld of our psyche, and falling back together into someone stronger, wiser, and more whole.


    Many highly sensitive people who identify with the seemingly never-ending list of diagnostic mental health labels contained within ‘the bible of psychiatry’ (the DSM) share the same underlying sense of being irreparably broken, disconnected from their intuition, and paralyzed by life’s existential questions. I believe the resulting—and perfectly understandable—chronic feelings of emptiness and spiritual starvation are the TRUE causes of our current collective ‘mental health crisis.’


    Together, we’ll dive into depth psychology, mythology, human consciousness, critical psychiatry, and the impact of trauma to help you begin the process of emotional alchemy. This exploration will help you get to the root cause of your suffering and free yourself from the toxic shame, limiting beliefs, and mental programming that have kept you locked in the chains of your past.


    In an era where mental health and spirituality are too often commercialized, I’m not here as a guru with a quick fix to sell you. I don’t believe anyone is ever truly ‘healed’ or ‘cured.’ There is no return to some mythical state of pre-trauma purity, but rather a continuous spiral of unbecoming, unlearning, and transformation. As a fellow seeker, I will be there in your ear, walking alongside you on your path toward wholeness as a sort of parasocial big sister. That, I can promise.


    By integrating the concepts we explore together, you’ll begin to see that anyone—even you—can come back from the borderline.


    CRAVING MORE? Visit backfromtheborderline.com to dive into my universe, connect with me, access my Patreon, and discover more about my journey and work. Don’t forget to follow Back from the Borderline so new episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays automatically drop into your podcast feed.

    acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    mollie adler
    Show more Show less
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2
Episodes
  • from hashtag to holy: reclaiming the mystical art of manifestation from the clutches of social media [preview]
    Jan 9 2025

    What if everything you’ve been told about manifesting your ideal reality isn’t just oversimplified but fundamentally misguided? In a world where the art of manifestation is often sold as a quick fix for acquiring your dream life, the perfect partner, or material success, it’s time we peel back the layers of this digital deception. The unsettling reality is that the vast majority of digital manifesters are far removed from the profound, transformative practices they believe they are participating in. Together, we’ll uncover the true essence of manifestation—a practice rooted in millennia-old traditions, where the focus was never about 'me' but about dissolving the 'me' into the greater cosmic order. We’ll trace how this sacred philosophy has been co-opted and corrupted by modern notions of self-centered spirituality, where the deep, integral message of non-duality and unity with the universe has been overshadowed by a rush for personal gain and social media validation.

    Join me as we navigate through the history and hijacking of manifestation, from its reverent origins in mystical traditions to its current incarnation on your TikTok feed. By the end of our journey, you’ll have the knowledge to discern true spiritual empowerment from the ego-driven noise, bringing you closer to the authentic practices that can truly transform your life and connect you with the deeper rhythms of the universe. Prepare to challenge everything you thought you knew about manifestation. It’s time to strip away the illusions and return to the roots of real spiritual power.

    TIME STAMPS:


    00:00 – 45:54.03: PART 1 (Introduction to digital manifestation, exploring its contrast with traditional spiritual practices like Islamic tajallī, historical shifts from the Protestant Reformation to the New Age movement, and the impact of psychoanalysis and technology on individual spiritual autonomy.)

    45:54.03 – 01:17:44.00: PART 2 (Analysis of TikTok manifestation methods versus traditional intentions like niyyah, discussion on how digital spirituality often amplifies ego, exploration of reality shifting and its critiques from various mystics, and strategies for identifying genuine versus problematic spiritual content online.)


    Enjoyed this episode? Explore more as a Premium Submarine. Dive deep into hundreds of hours of ad-free exclusive content and full-length episodes on Patreon, including my original BPD recovery series, guided meditations, and much more. Click here to preview the premium collections you’ll unlock access to for as little as a couple of cups of coffee a month. Learn more and join at backfromtheborderline.com.


    The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.

    acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show more Show less
    49 mins
  • what if the chains of your past are looser than you think? (breaking free from trauma bonding and repetition compulsion)
    Jan 7 2025

    Have you ever felt like you're stuck in a cycle, repeating the same mistakes, attracting the same toxic relationships, and feeling trapped in your own patterns? In this episode, we’re tackling a topic that affects us all, often without us even realizing it: the invisible chains of our own suffering. Abuse and neglect might feel comfortable because they’re all you’ve ever known. But what if I told you that the chains binding you are looser than you think?


    We’ll dive deep into the hidden forces that keep us comfortable in our suffering. We’ll explore trauma bonds and repetition compulsion – the unconscious habits and behaviors that draw us back into familiar but painful cycles. You’ll learn how these patterns are formed and, more importantly, how you can break free from them.

    This episode isn’t just about identifying the problem; it’s about empowering you with the knowledge and tools to transform your life. I’ll share personal insights and experiences, like how the imagery of the Tarot helped me uncover and understand my own chains. But more importantly, I’ll guide you through practical steps to recognize and lift these invisible constraints.


    You’ll hear about the profound realization that many of us are pacing in circles in an imagined cage, unaware of the freedom that lies just beyond our self-imposed limits. We’ll dissect the concept of trauma bonding and why we often find comfort in our pain, preferring the known suffering over the fear of the unknown.

    By the end of this episode, you’ll be equipped with a new perspective on your patterns and the inspiration to break free from them. Are you ready to unlock your chains and embrace the freedom that awaits? Tune in and take the first step towards a life unbound by the past.


    ✧ Click here to read the original article from my Substack.

    ✧ Click here to watch the video of Ina the bear, stuck in her imaginary cage.

    ✧ Click here to view an image of the tarot card The Devil


    Unlock Exclusive Content: Join the Premium Submarines on Patreon for ad-free episodes and bonus content. Visit backfromtheborderline.com to subscribe to my newsletter, follow me on Instagram, and check out book recommendations.


    Disclaimer: The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.


    acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • introducing my new podcast, “back from the borderline baby.”
    Jan 1 2025

    Motherhood cracked me wide open. It’s not the polished journey you see on Instagram or the step-by-step guides in books—it’s raw, unrelenting, and transformative in ways I never expected. That’s why I’ve launched Back from the Borderline Baby—a brand-new podcast with its own dedicated feed, ready for you to follow now.

    In this episode, I share why this project had to exist. After becoming a mother, I found myself sifting through content that either glossed over the deeper truths or drowned in judgment and extremes. This new podcast is my answer to that—a space to ask harder questions, to wrestle with the emotional and psychological depths of this experience, and to honor the humanity of it all.

    If you’re looking for something real, something that cuts through the noise and speaks to the messy, beautiful complexity of this life stage, this is for you. The first episodes are live now, waiting to meet you wherever you are on your journey.

    TO LISTEN TODAY: Search Back from the Borderline Baby on your favorite podcast player to start listening now, or visit https://pod.link/1788205221 to select your favorite platform.

    acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show more Show less
    20 mins

What listeners say about back from the borderline: emotional alchemy

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

More than just BPD, great mental health pod

I started listening to this podcast to learn more about borderline personality disorder so that I could better understand a loved one with BPD traits. Mollie is uniquely qualified to host this podcast as someone who is on her own journey with BPD. There's been a wealth of useful information here as well as destigmatizing of BPD. I think this podcast is valuable to anyone struggling with regulating their emotions or to their loved ones, not just to people with a BPD diagnosis or suspected BPD. Mollie is so generous with her experience and her knowledge and her voice is very soothing, which makes these a very easy listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

View from a parents eye

This Podcast has helped me incredibly. As a parent of a fourteen year old daughter who has not “officially” been diagnosed with BPD, but displays all of the characteristics, BFTB has helped open my eyes. I have been unable to understand what my daughter is going through, as she has never been able to talk to me about what she’s feeling. Hearing all of this explained through the experiences of Mollie, and her guests really has changed the way I see behaviors with her. There is invaluable information here.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing, to say the least.

Amazing podcast; Extremely informative and thought provoking. I love how it helps to inform about bpd and cptsd with a compassionate lens. The added touch of spirituality adds a fresh and lovely blend. Mollie never fails to deliver each topic, and no topic seems gratuitous. This podcast helps many with bpd to come to terms with their condition and for individuals to have compassion for themselves. Thank you, Mollie. You help a lot of people like myself to feel seen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Poignant, relevant, accurate!

I am in love. I just discovered this today and I've already listened to 13 episodes...some of them twice! Mollie is a delight to listen to. Her language is hard-hitting and authentic. Her research is real, her guests are genuine, and her conversations are raw. Great resources--books, social accounts, podcasts, songs, interviews, etc. I've gone through a half box of tissues, and I've almost peed myself laughing. For my first podcast ever, this did not disappoint!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!