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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.

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.

Do you remember singing, “Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, and the other is gold”? Today, I’m thrilled to welcome one of my “gold” friends to the Cracking Open podcast — Charlotte Hardwick.

Charlotte and I have been dear friends for over 30 years. In this week's episode, we dive into the highs and lows of female friendships, exploring their benefits and complexities, and how they significantly impact our lives.

In an era marked by division and rising mental health challenges, Fr. Greg Boyle’s voice is one we need to hear now more than ever. On this episode of the Cracking Open podcast, I am honored to speak with Fr. Boyle, a man whose work, books, and mission have inspired me for years.

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.