Cracking Open with Molly Carroll
What happens when life brings you to your knees and forces you to discover who you truly are?
Cracking Open is the podcast for anyone who has faced a defining moment of crisis, grief, trauma, or rock bottom and found themselves transformed by it. Hosted by Molly Carroll, licensed therapist, TED speaker, published author, and coach, each episode dives deep into the raw, real stories of actors, athletes, thought leaders, healers, and everyday warriors.
Whether it was the loss of a loved one, addiction, childhood trauma, incarceration, or an unexpected life collapse, these "cracking open" moments shape everything: how we parent, love, work, lead, and connect.
What you'll discover:
- How trauma and crisis can become the greatest catalysts for growth
- Tools and insights from mental health, healing, and personal transformation
- Honest conversations that normalize struggle and celebrate resilience
If you're navigating grief, trauma recovery, personal growth, or a major life transition, or you simply want to feel less alone in your human experience, this podcast is for you.
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Cracking Open with Molly Carroll
Episode 54: Serena & Lily Co-Founder Serena Dugan on Following Your Gut
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Why is it that January is one of the most popular times to ask ourselves questions like,
"What needs to change in my life?" or "How do I want the end of this year to look different from today?"
It is questions like these, about change and self-evolution, that I have been hearing from my clients for many years (and have asked myself as well!). This inspired me to ask Serena Dugan to be our guest on the Cracking Open Podcast today.
Serena is a beacon of change, living a life filled with authenticity and creativity. She is an artist and textile designer based in Sausalito, California. With an education in both Psychology and Fine Art, Serena has spent the past 20 years developing her mark as a painter, product designer, and Chief Creative Officer of Serena & Lily, the home and lifestyle brand she founded in 2004.
In 2020, Serena launched Serena Dugan Studio, her eponymous collection of fabrics
and wallpapers. Serena's art-driven textiles draw inspiration from around the world, from the breezy jet-set spirit of Capri in the 50s to the tribal basket weaving traditions in South America, to the colorful abstract mid-century architecture found in Mexico City. Serena weaves together global references and textile traditions to create her unique statement. Most recently, Serena collaborated with Erik Lindstrom to create a line of rugs inspired by her artwork.
In my conversation with Serena, we delve deep into topics ranging from finding your creativity, trusting your instincts when making decisions, letting go of your ego, and coping with the loss of a loved one. This episode is not only profound and truthful but also a reminder that creativity resides within all of us if we remain open to the idea that life is not stagnant, change is inevitable, and trusting our instincts can make life feel vital and alive.
Serena not only shares her passion for painting and being an artist but also the value of
making mistakes, starting over, and understanding that our achievements do not
define who we are. She lovingly reminds us all -
"At the end of my days, I'm not going to look back on Serena and Lily and think that is my greatest success. I'm not going to look back on my textile collection and say, that is what I'm most proud of. At the end of the day, it's the people that I'm surrounded by that give life meaning. The rest of this is just our path to love."
Love,
Molly
Learn more about Serena Dugan and her work here
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