There are guests whose stories are filled with incredible achievements. And then there are guests whose stories crack you open—with their heart, their humility, and their humanity.

Today’s guest, Rebecca Rusch, is all of the above.

Rebecca is one of the world’s most extraordinary endurance athletes—a 7-time World Champion, mountain bike hall-of-famer, best-selling author, Emmy Award winner, and activist. She has not only pushed herself to the physical edge through rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and multi-day adventure races like Eco-Challenge—she has also traveled to the emotional core of what it means to live fully, love deeply, and be good.

You may know her from the acclaimed documentary Blood Road, which follows Rebecca’s 1,800-kilometer mountain bike journey along the Ho Chi Minh Trail to locate the site where her father’s plane went down during the Vietnam War. That quest wasn’t just about closure—it was about connection, healing, and honoring the man who shaped her spirit.

In this deeply moving episode of the Cracking Open podcast, we explore:

✨ How the loss of her father at a young age ignited a lifelong search for meaning
✨ What growing up with a single, hard-working mom taught her about strength and self-reliance
✨ The power of curiosity, nature, and endurance to reveal who we really are
✨ How a traumatic brain injury forced her to slow down—and reimagine what success looks like
✨ Why “being good” matters so much more than being perfect

What we didn’t know when we scheduled this conversation was that Rebecca’s beloved mom would pass away just one week before we recorded. And so what unfolds in this episode is not just an interview—it’s a powerful reflection on how we live, how we love, and how we show up for the people who matter most.

Rebecca’s story is one of grit, grace, and growth. And at the heart of it all is a simple message from her father, who signed every letter home from Vietnam with the same two words: Be Good.

It’s a mantra that continues to guide her—and now, maybe, it will guide you too.

🎧 Tune in now and let Rebecca’s courage, curiosity, and compassion inspire you to slow down, dig deep, and live your own version of being good.

Love,
Molly

Connect with Rebecca Rusch
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube

Explore Rebecca's Work
Official Website
The Be Good Foundation
Rebecca’s Private Idaho

Work with Molly
🌱 6-Week Coaching Program begins May 14th! — Learn more

Stay Connected with Molly
Instagram
Facebook

You know how music can transport you back to a certain era in your life? I’ll never forget gathering in college dorm rooms and tiny apartment living rooms with all my girlfriends in our twenties as we watched Grey’s Anatomy. The show wouldn't have been the same without its unforgettable soundtrack, especially during those nerve-wracking ER scenes or the slow-burn love story between Meredith and Derek.

So much of that iconic sound came from The Fray, the Denver-based band fronted by the haunting, heartwarming voice of lead singer Isaac Slade.

I first met Isaac at The Nantucket Project and was instantly struck by his unique mix of humor, vulnerability, and grounded wisdom. His childhood was shaped by a loving, religious family that encouraged his musical passions. That support led him to gather friends and form The Fray, a band that would go from playing tiny venues to topping charts, dominating TV soundtracks, and selling out stadiums across the world.

Isaac’s voice helped define an era, but behind the music was a story few of us ever heard. In this honest, soulful conversation on this week's Cracking Open episode, we dive into:

✨ The rise of The Fray and the whirlwind of early fame

✨ The toll of success and the mental health struggles it sparked, including on-stage panic attacks

✨ His decision to step away from the spotlight and embrace a quieter, more grounded life

✨ Why putting your oxygen mask on first is one of the most radical acts of love

Isaac didn’t leave the band because he stopped loving music. He left because he needed to love himself—and his family—more fully. After years of sold-out tours and chart-topping songs, he found healing in the everyday: parenting, slowing down, and opening a record shop on Vashon Island, off the coast of Seattle.

As I waited for him to join this conversation, I couldn’t help but smile, remembering those college days when The Fray’s music helped me survive heartbreaks, insecurities, and burnout. His voice once soothed my confused, overwhelmed soul. And now, nearly 30 years later, we’re sharing stories about embracing the beautiful mess of life and doing what it takes to stay on the treadmill of adulthood.

🎧 Tune in now and let Isaac’s story remind you that real strength isn’t about pushing through—it’s about slowing down, tuning in, and letting your inner light lead the way.

Love,

Molly

Resources & Links:

Connect with Isaac Slade
Follow Isaac on Instagram
Check out Side Stack Records

Work with Molly
🌱 6-Week Coaching Program begins May 14th — Learn more

Stay Connected
Follow Molly on Instagram
Follow Molly on Facebook

Healing often begins in the stories we share—especially when we have the courage to tell them. Vulnerability doesn’t just dissolve shame; it nurtures inner strength. This week’s guest on the Cracking Open podcast, Lindsay Bomstein, beautifully embodies this truth. She opens her heart and shares her story with such raw honesty, gently reminding us that our truth is our superpower.

At the age of 17, just four months after moving cross-country, Lindsay tragically lost her father in a head-on collision. Already deeply empathic, she found herself carrying the heavy weight of grief into her adolescence, college years, and early adulthood, often asking herself: How can I move forward without him? Twenty-four years later, as a wife and mother of three, she faced yet another heart-wrenching loss—the terminal cancer diagnosis and passing of her mother. In this episode, we explore Lindsay’s powerful story—and how, through profound loss, she ultimately discovered deep love.

Lindsay holds an MA in Transpersonal Psychology with a focus on creativity and innovation, and she weaves her rich life experience into everything she does. Since 2013, she has been sharing her heart through her widely-read blog, which explores themes like parenting, mindfulness, mental health, creativity, and grief. Her work has been featured in both local and national publications, including Spirituality & Health Magazine.

Her newly released memoir, All I Feel Is Love, is a tender exploration of healing and the alchemic transformation from loss to love. Through creative self-expression, communal connection, and reflective questioning, it serves as a compassionate companion for anyone seeking hope and light on their journey through grief.

Today, Lindsay facilitates enriching women’s circles, leads therapeutic writing workshops, and co-hosts soul-nourishing retreats—each a reflection of her deep commitment to guiding others through their own healing.

In this episode, we explore:

• 🌱 The personal and cultural journey of grief and its impact
• 🗣️ The healing power of storytelling and why it matters
• 😄 Finding moments of joy, laughter, and even naps in the midst of hardship

While Lindsay’s work helps others heal, her greatest gift lies in how she lives her own story with grace. Through creative expression, connection, and boundless love, she shows us that healing is not only possible but deeply transformative. True change begins with acceptance, compassion, and a willingness to be vulnerable.

We can learn so much from one another’s stories—especially those about growing up, letting go, and finding peace in the truth.

Love,
Molly

Resources

• Check out Lindsay’s website here
• Purchase All I Feel Is Love here
• Follow Lindsay on Instagram and Facebook

Bonus: Listen to Charlotte Hardwick’s Cracking Open podcast episode— a dear friend of Molly’s and frequent retreat co-host with Lindsay!

Upcoming Coaching Programs with Molly

• 6-Week Coaching Program starts May 14th!

Follow Molly on Instagram and Facebook

Check out our sponsor, Magic Mind!
Enjoy a limited-time offer of 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one-time purchases with code CRACKINGOPEN20 at checkout.
Claim your off