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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.

“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.

Chris Herren's story is one of profound struggle and eventual redemption, making today's conversation about addiction and recovery on the Cracking Open podcast especially powerful.

Do you ever feel like you have to be perfect? The perfect mother, daughter, employee, partner, etc?

It's a familiar struggle that I have grappled with in my own life, and as a therapist, I've witnessed this innate desire to be perfect from thousands of women.

That's how I first came across Elise Loehnen's bestselling book, On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good. It is such an intriguing read and I am thrilled to have her on the Cracking Open podcast today.

On this week's episode of the Cracking Open podcast, Jobi Manson reminds us of the profound healing and transformative power of nature. Jobi is a visual artist and sculptor whose work explores the realms of water, light, sound, and stone. Delving into the
ineffable dimensions beyond words, she traverses the realms of matter, time, and the ethereal space in between.

There are days when I feel fantastic about being 53 years old. Maybe I've gone for a run, delved into an article about AI and understood more than half of it, or shared laughs with friends reminiscent of my teenage years.

Then there are those other days when I glance in the mirror and notice more wrinkles, or when my husband suggests going to see a band and I decline because I'd rather be in my pajamas by 8 pm. Truth be told!

So when I discovered Chip Conley, today's guest on Cracking Open and author of the New York Times bestselling book Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age, I knew he would offer a wealth of wisdom on this complex phase called midlife.

Dr. Langer joins us to impart her wisdom, backed by decades of research and enriched by stories from her latest book, The Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health.

As one of the first women to achieve tenure at Harvard University, Dr. Langer has dedicated forty-five years to pioneering research on aging, diabetes, autism, stress management, and overall health. Her work underscores the profound connection between our minds and bodies, advocating for mindfulness as a powerful tool to enhance overall well-being.

Growing up, I often heard sayings such as “the harder the work, the luckier you get” and “nothing comes free in life". Adopting this approach to life inspired me to become a very hard worker. However, I also became someone who can have difficulty relaxing and letting go of work. I still tend towards pushing and striving to make something happen out of sheer will versus allowing the right things to come into my life at the right time.

If this resonates with you, then I invite you into the world of today's Cracking Open podcast guest and life coach Jill Rose, who is here to remind us that there is a kinder, easier, and more generative way to move through this world.

Our guest today on the Cracking Open podcast, Kara Ladd, is someone I feel certain I was meant to cross paths with in this life. Kara is an award-winning multimedia entrepreneur & journalist known for her storytelling, purpose-driven thought leadership, and conscious marketing consultancy for the next generation of modern, mindful brands.

We are fortunate to welcome back Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a menopause guru, for her second appearance on the podcast (in case you missed it, or want a refresher, go back to episode 39 to listen to our first conversation which is one of our most downloaded episodes ever!).