Do you believe in synchronicity? Our guest today on the Cracking Open podcast embodies the essence of serendipity.

I first encountered Samantha Myer in a Venice, California coffee shop and was drawn to her stylish and distinctive coat/robe/sweater ensemble. Little did I know, her story transcends mere fashion.

Based in Los Angeles, Samantha is a celebrated wardrobe stylist, designer, and the
creative force behind Samantha Myer Studio. She's renowned for the iconic Papa
Sweater, a blend of blanket, sweater, and comforting embrace that I personally
adore.

Samantha's career spans from styling ad campaigns and red carpets to showcasing her designs at New York Fashion Week. Her work has graced the pages of The New York Times, Elle.com, Cosmopolitan, Elle France, and GQ.
In 2014, Samantha made waves in fashion with "Leather Stems" - leather thigh-
high stirrups that transform ankle boots into thigh-highs. Launched at Intermix
Stores nationwide, this innovation marked a pivotal moment in her journey,
leading to collaborations with celebrities such as Alicia Keys.

Beyond her professional achievements, Samantha's designs and identity are
deeply shaped by losing her father at a young age. This experience sparked her involvement with A Caring Hand, a non-profit supporting bereaved children. Samantha's compassion for these young hearts has driven her to use her platform for advocacy and awareness.

In our conversation, Samantha emerges as a captivating storyteller, effortlessly
blending poignant reflections on grief with delightful anecdotes from her life,
including friendships with icons like Lindsay Lohan. Her journey underscores
powerful life lessons about embracing dreams with courage and authenticity.

Love,
Molly


Learn more about Samantha Myer and her work here
Follow Samantha on Instagram



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

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My son leaves for college in August, so you can only imagine how much I have been reflecting on motherhood lately.

I've been thinking back on all those joyful hours watching Tommy play soccer since he was three years old, and the sleepless nights worrying if he'll be okay as he changes and grows into the young man he is today. The essence of loving a child deeply reminds me of Elizabeth Stone's famous saying –

“Making the decision to have a child – it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”

These words have never felt more true than they do right now, and it has inspired me to re-release an early episode of the Cracking Open podcast with one of the fiercest and most radically loving mothers I know - the incredible Jodie Patterson.

Jodie is an award-winning author, public speaker, advocate, and entrepreneur whose work spans communities as diverse as fashion and beauty brands, to media and entertainment organizations, to queer and BIPOC advocacy groups. In 2019, she became the first Black person elected to the role of Chair of The Human Rights Campaign Board, America’s largest LGBT organization with more than forty years of experience advocating for the rights of this community.

Her first book, The Bold World: A Memoir of Family and Transformation, was hailed by Alice Walker as “marvelous”, and since its publication in 2017, Jodie has spoken weekly on topics of identity, gender, race, and beauty, along with how they play out in family dynamics. In 2021, she published her second book, Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope. It has won several awards and was gifted to all public schools in the state of Kansas. The picture book was inspired by Jodie’s child’s pronouncement at the age of three, “Mama, I’m not a girl, I am a boy”, as well as Jodie’s transformation into an unapologetic LGBTQAI advocate.

Jodie's story has been featured in numerous daytime talk shows, evening news programs, national print publications, podcasts, and radio programs, including a short documentary produced by Cosmopolitan magazine that reached more than 11 million views and is currently used by the State of New York for diversity training of its employees. In 2015, Family Circle Magazine named her the #1 Most Influential Mom.

She is a truly inspiring woman and mother, and the conversation that we share is both poignant and passionate. Jodie's voice is an important one to listen to if you want to experience the embodiment of true freedom in love and motherhood.

Love,
Molly

Purchase Jodie's book The Bold World here, and Born Ready here
Follow Jodie on Instagram



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

Interested in a VIP Coaching Day with Molly?
Email Molly for more details!

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Chris Herren's story is one of profound struggle and eventual redemption. Addiction impacts millions of families in heartbreaking ways. I know this personally and through sitting with multiple clients who have been going through it with loved ones. This makes today's conversation about addiction and recovery on the Cracking Open podcast especially powerful.

As a young basketball prodigy from Fall River, MA, Chris soared to fame with over 2000 points in high school, even gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated before graduating. However, his journey with addiction had already started to derail his life and his future as a professional athlete. Due to repeated failed drug tests, Chris was expelled from Boston College.

Legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian reached out to Chris and gave him a second chance to play college basketball at Fresno State. He flourished there, leading him into the NBA, playing with the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics. In secret though, Chris was still battling with alcohol and drug addiction, and basketball simply couldn't compete with the lure of alcohol, cocaine, and heroin.

Despite his success on the court, his personal life spiraled out of control, culminating in an overdose and near-death experience in 2008. Through what he calls his "sherpas" – guiding lights on his journey – Chris fully embraced recovery, and has been sober since August 1, 2008. He continues to share his story through various platforms, including his bestselling memoir Basketball Junkie and the Emmy-nominated ESPN Films documentary Unguarded.

Chris has dedicated his life to sobriety and creating a positive impact in the world. Through his company Herren Talks, he has reached over a million students and community members, sparking crucial conversations about substance use disorder and wellness. Chris's nonprofit Herren Project, empowers schools and communities to make healthy choices and supports families through recovery. Herren Wellness, established in 2018, offers residential health and wellness programs to support substance-free living.

Chris's journey and this conversation around addiction recovery will resonate deeply with many of you. Even if you have not been personally touched by addiction, understanding this topic and its impact is crucial, making this conversation particularly significant.

Love,
Molly


Learn more about Chris Herren and his work here
Follow Chris on Instagram




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

Interested in a VIP Coaching Day with Molly?
Email Molly for more details!

Follow Molly on Instagram and Facebook