What You're Craving

Ep. 50 | I Broke My New Year's Resolution on January 3rd (And Why That's Actually Perfect)

09 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about what happened when I broke my New Year's resolution on January 3rd - and why perfectionism is the real enemy, no...

Ep. 49 | What Happens When You Stop Deciding You Can't Do Things

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about what happens when we stop assuming we're incapable and let ourselves stay with discomfort long enough to learn. ...

Ep. 48 | When Diet Culture Gets Loud: Stop Comparing Your Insides to Their Outsides

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about how the resurgence of skinny culture can destabilize even the most grounded healing journeys. I share a story fr...

Ep. 47 | When Letting Go Early Is the Most Loving Choice

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode I'm talking about a difficult but deeply clarifying leadership lesson: when letting go early can actually be the most loving and ho...

Ep. 46 | The Power of Saying No and Letting Yourself Rest

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the power of saying no — especially during the holidays — and how honoring your body's limits can be deeply ...

Ep. 45 | The Wisdom of Winter

02 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the winter seasons of our lives — those moments that feel dark, uncertain, or stripped down to the essentials....

Ep. 44 | Why Casual Indifference Is Costing You the Life You Want

01 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Happy 2026, Ascenders!!! In today's episode, I'm talking about why casual indifference costs us more than we realize — and how choosing to live cour...

Ep. 43 | Letting Go Gracefully: How to Know When Something's Complete

31 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the art of letting good things end well — and how closure can be an act of love, not loss.  I share the story...

Ep. 42 | When Life Falls Apart: Finding Strength in the Hardest Moments

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about transformation through life's curveballs — spiritual growth born from collapse. At her book launch, my friend ...

Ep. 41 | Devotion: The Power of Showing Up Even When It's Hard

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about devotion — not as discipline or perfection, but as the steady, human practice of showing up when things are ha...

Ep. 40 | How to Soften Your Heart When Anger Takes Over

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about how to soften your heart when anger takes over — especially during emotionally charged moments like the holida...

Ep. 39 | Loving Your Family Without Losing Yourself: Unicorns and Horses

25 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I am talking about what it feels like to be the outsider in your family.  I share a story about a client who sees herself as the ...

Ep. 38 | How to Stop Saying Yes to Everything Without Feeling Guilty

24 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about overcommitting, exhaustion, and learning how to pause before saying yes.  This episode explores spiritual growt...

Ep. 37 | When Relationships Change Shape: Staying Open to What Comes Next

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the tenderness of relationships that change form rather than disappear.  I share the story of reconnecting with...

Ep. 36 | How to Find Stability When the Holidays Knock You Off Your Beam

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about how to find stability when the holidays knock you off your spiritual beam.  I share a personal story about slip...

Ep. 35 | Stop Trying So Hard: Finding Your Way Back to Flow

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the difference between contribution and flow — and what happens when we stop trying to earn our place in the r...

Ep. 34 | ​​​​When Your Body Says Stop: Learning to Surrender to What Is

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about what happens when your nervous system calls the shots and your only job is to surrender.  I share the story of ...

Ep. 33 | ​​When Self Trust Means Leaving Early

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the deep self trust that comes from honoring your inner experience, even when it means stepping away.  I share ...

Ep. 32 | How to Recognize the Universe's Subtle Signs

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the quiet ways the universe guides us — the subtle signs, the gentle nudges, the whispers that redirect us whe...

Ep. 31 | Replenish Yourself: The Healing Power of Receiving

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the sacred rhythm of giving and receiving — and how remembering to replenish ourselves keeps love alive.  I s...

Ep. 30 | Why It's Okay to Need Help (Even When You're the Strong One)

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about why it's okay to need help — even when you're the strong one. I share a story about how easily we forget that ...

Ep. 29 | Helping Without Burning Out: The Art of Discernment

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the difference between helping and fixing — and how discernment turns giving into true compassion. I share the...

Ep. 28 | When Overwhelm Rises: The Gentle Power of a Reframe

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about how a simple reframe can soften everyday overwhelm and open the door to a more grounded, empowered way of meetin...

Ep. 27 | Choosing Boldness: Saying Yes to Joy When Old Wounds Whisper No

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the lifelong journey of healing the parts of us that learned to shrink. I share a story about growing up as the ...

Ep. 26 | How to Stop Sending Worry - and Start Sending Love

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the kind of old grief that rises out of nowhere and asks to be felt. On Veterans Day I found myself pulled into ...

Ep. 25 | How to Stop Sending Worry - and Start Sending Love

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about how to stop sending worry - and start sending love. I share the story of a friend who was spiraling in fear for ...

Ep. 24 | How Serving Others Heals Your Heart

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about what happens when heartbreak meets service — how turning your love outward can become the very thing that heal...

Ep. 23 | The Permission to Rest

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the permission to rest — how letting yourself stop, even briefly, can open the door to healing, balance, and g...

Ep. 22 | The Surprise of Grief

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the kind of grief that surprises you — the kind that arrives even when you think you've already "processed" it...

Ep. 21 | The Art of Receiving

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the art of receiving — and how letting in love, help, or abundance can sometimes be the hardest spiritual prac...

Ep. 20 | Lead with Your Heart

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the power of leading with heart — how sharing your truth honestly and courageously can connect even the most d...

Ep. 19 | The Power of Vulnerability (When You Finally Tell the Truth)

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's special Thanksgiving episode, I'm talking about vulnerability — the quiet, brave kind that shows up when we stop pretending and start tel...

Ep. 18 | The Gift of Just Being There

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the spiritual power of presence — how witnessing instead of fixing can be one of the most healing acts of love...

Ep. 17 | When Life Humbles You (But You Keep Going Anyway)

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the power of perseverance — how to stay open when life humbles you, and how to turn humiliation into humility....

Ep. 16 | When Love Gets Tangled with Ego

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about what happens when love gets tangled with ego — how even our most caring relationships can stir up fear when we...

Ep. 15 | When Darkness Is Actually Your Ascent

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about one of the most powerful shifts we can make — the moment we realize that what feels like darkness might actual...

Ep. 14 | The Healing Power of Being Forgiven

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the sacred and humbling experience of being forgiven — what happens when shame meets empathy and we finally le...

Ep. 13 | When Expansion Feels Terrifying (But You Know It's Right)

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the fear of success that can appear just when life starts moving forward. This episode explores spiritual growth...

Ep. 12 | The Answer Might Already Be Here

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about those moments of spiritual growth when life looks perfect on the outside, but something inside feels off. I shar...

Ep. 11 | Honor the Body

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about what real strength looks like when your body asks you to stop. We'll explore the journey from treating our bodie...

Ep. 10 | It's All Happening for a Reason (and Other Things That Need a Second Look)

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about one of the most overused phrases in spirituality - "It's all happening for a reason" - and how we can reclaim it...

Ep. 9 | Finding the Glimmers

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the practice of noticing the small moments of safety and peace that help us regulate when the world feels like o...

Ep. 8 | Balance Isn't Selfish

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about one of the hardest lessons for helpers and healers - how to love others without losing yourself. We'll explore t...

Ep. 7 | The Lightness of Letting Go

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about what happens when something that started from the heart starts to feel heavy — and how choosing smaller, slowe...

Ep. 6 | When It Just Feels Right

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the quiet power of alignment — those moments when your head, heart, and actions finally agree. We'll look at h...

Ep. 5 | Stepping Back Into Focus

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the practice of noticing where your energy goes, and what happens when you choose to put it where it truly matte...

Ep. 4 | The Warrior's Way of Commitment

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about those moments when you really don't want to do the thing — and what can happen when you do it anyway. We'll ex...

Ep. 3 | Don't Be Afraid of Making Mistakes

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm talking about the fear that keeps so many of us stuck — the fear of getting it wrong. We'll explore how perfectionism can di...

Ep. 2 | The Surprising Freedom of Taking Responsibility

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever catch yourself sure someone else dropped the ball… only to realize it might have been you? Yeah, me too. In this episode, I share a story about...

Ep. 1 | The 15-Year-Old Who Taught Me the Hardest Spiritual Lesson

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm sharing how one tiny dinner-table moment with my 15-year-old goddaughter catapulted me straight out of adulthood and right bac...

The Daily Ascent with Molly Carmel (Trailer)

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to The Daily Ascent — a quick, meaningful moment in your day to pause, breathe, and come back to yourself. I'm Molly Carmel: therapist, coac...

130. I'll See You Soon!

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in to this episode as Molly shares why she is taking a break from the show. We all know that from time to time, it's important to do an inventory...

129. How to Navigate Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of What You're Craving, Molly connects with Rachel, a member of the Breaking Up with Sugar community. Rachel shares her journey and he...

128. Are Injectables the Answer?

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo episode of What You're Craving, Molly gives her opinion on a topic that has been getting some attention lately: injectables for weight lo...

127. Consistent Progress is Better than Perfection

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of What You're Craving, Molly connects with Jean Ferrari, a member of the Breaking Up with Sugar community. Jean details what it was l...

126. Self-Care to Regulate the Nervous System with Dr. Alisa Kriegel

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of What You're Craving, Molly connects again with clinical psychologist Dr. Alisa Kriegel. Today, they discuss the importance of self-...

125. Healing Your Relationship with Food Is a Journey, Not a Race

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you are in the process of healing your relationship with food, you might have periodic thoughts that say: "Why is this taking so long?" or "Why don...

124. How the Nervous System Impacts Your Relationship with Food with Michelle Shapiro

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join this episode of What You're Craving as Molly chats with Michelle Shapiro about how the nervous system affects our relationship with food. Michell...

123. The Courage to Heal: A Conversation on Recovery and Wellness

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of What You're Craving, Molly welcomes back Felicia from the Breaking Up with Sugar Community. She shares her current struggles in hea...

122. There's No Healing Without Feeling Safe

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of What You're Craving, you will listen to Leanne's story and her journey so far. Molly and Leanne talk a lot about the idea of being ...

121. Shift the Script and Realize You're Doing an Amazing Job

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After breaking up with sugar and flour for four months, Sara still needs to accept that the little voice urging her to binge on something will still s...

120. Overcoming Hard Times through Mindfulness and Meditation with Lindsey Pearson

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of What You're Craving, Molly connects with Lindsey Pearson. Lindsey is a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher (MBSR), a Registe...

119. Regulating the Nervous System and Healing Childhood Wounds with Dr. Alisa Kriegel

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of What You're Craving, Molly welcomes clinical psychologist Dr. Alisa Kriegel. Dr. Alisa shares her perspective on two relevant topic...

118. Is the Diet Industry Preventing You from Forgiving Yourself?

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join this week's episode as Molly talks about how women can break free from the unrealistic beauty standards imposed by diet culture. Women of all age...

117. How to Safely Stop Psychiatric Medication with Dr. Mark Horowitz

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join this episode of What You're Craving as Molly connects with Dr. Mark Horowitz. Dr. Mark is a Clinical Research Fellow in Psychiatry North East Lon...

116. What If Shame and Fear Take Over?

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

To feel shame and fear for whatever reason is not an easy process. Both feelings are not simple feelings to live with, especially when we know what it...

115. Finding Inner Rest with Caleb Campbell

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Caleb Campbell is a dynamic keynote speaker, coach, and mental health advocate known for his authentic and transformational message on high-capacity l...

114. From Food Addiction to Forgiveness and Freedom

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you struggling to break free from your addiction to food? Do you turn to food as a coping mechanism during tough times? In this episode of What Yo...

113. From Chronic Illness to Wellness with Krista Joy Palmer

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Krista Joy Palmer is a health coach and advocate for essential oils who has a unique story of healing herself with the help of plants. Despite sufferi...

112. A Breakthrough Moment in Healing

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for an inspiring episode as Molly is joined by Elizabeth, a member of Molly's All In group coaching program. Elizabeth shares her journey with...

111. A Financial Planner's Guide to Becoming Truly WELLthy with Dawn Dahlby

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you constantly worry about money or feel dissatisfied with your financial situation? Molly's guest today is Dawn Dahlby, a certified financial plan...

110. You Always Have A Choice

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When we feel like a victim of our circumstances, we often forget that we have choices. In this episode, Molly encourages you to bring yourself back to...

109. Undoing Diet Culture Thinking with Jennifer Steinman Sternin

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of What You're Craving, Molly interviews Jennifer Steinman Sternin, an award-winning filmmaker with over 20 years of experience in tel...

108. The Importance of Compassion in Achieving Wellness

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At the age of 30, Christine was diagnosed with gluten intolerance, which forced her to learn how to eat all over again. She tried various diets but fo...

107. Navigating Menopause: A Comprehensive Approach to Nutrition and Wellness with Dr. Mary Claire Haver

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of What You're Craving, Molly chats with Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a board-certified OB/GYN and Certified Culinary Medicine specialist. A...

106. Discovering Joy on Demand with IntenSati - with Lucy Osborne

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the episode of What You're Craving, Molly interviews Lucy Osborne, owner and CEO of intenSati, a method of movement, mantra, and meditation that ai...

105. Understanding the Food-Mood Connection with Dr. Amy Shah

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of What You're Craving, Molly and Amy Shah, MD, a double-board-certified medical doctor and nutrition expert, have a conversation abou...

104. Owning Your Worth with Loren Lahav

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of What You're Craving, Molly is joined by Loren Lahav, an accomplished speaker, author, and coach. As someone who is deeply in tune w...

103. How to Break the Cycle of Food Addiction with Clarissa Kennedy and Molly Painschab

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of What You're Craving, Molly is joined by addiction specialist Clarissa Kennedy and her Food Junkies podcast co-host Molly Painschab....

102. What We Hold On To Keeps us Held Up

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Molly sits down with Laura, a longtime member of the Breaking Up with Sugar Facebook community, to share her experience posting about her journey for ...

101. Making Your Self-Relationship a Priority with Mike Millner

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A vulnerable state of wanting to lose weight can make diet culture messaging enticing, and we are more likely to follow whatever diet plan promises to...

100. Challenging Our Toxic Thoughts

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Molly is joined by Leanne, a member of the "Breaking Up with Sugar" Facebook community to engage in a coaching session and take a deeper dive into her...

99. Find Calm in the Chaos Through Mindfulness and Meditation with Manoj Dias

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There is a profound wisdom inside of us that knows exactly what to do and who we are, but that wisdom is often overshadowed and drowned out by the cha...

98. Taking Control of Your Health

11 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's podcast guest is Elisa, a member of Molly's All In Intensive coaching program. In this episode, Elisa talks with Molly about how she finally l...

97. How to Handle the Diet Culture Vultures

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Given this time of year and the fact that diet culture vultures are swarming, Molly wants to help you to access your wisdom so you don't fall victim t...

96. The Missing Piece of the Intuitive Eating Movement with Michelle Shapiro

28 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With January 1 right around the corner, that means the diet culture vultures are coming out and are ready to prey on people that want a quick fix for ...

95. The Gut-Body Connection with Dr. Heather Finley

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's podcast guest, registered dietitian Dr. Heather Finley, joins Molly to have a discussion about gut health. As a result of learning about the c...

94. Building a Loving Relationship with Food and our Bodies with Sophie Chiche

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sophie Chiche sits down with Molly to share how she built a loving relationship not only with food but with her own body. Sophie weighed 350 pounds wh...

93. Overcoming Negative Self-Talk and Tuning Into Your Highest Self with Randi Zinn

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Women often find it difficult to make time for themselves and to explore the things they enjoy. On the podcast today, mindfulness and wellness expert ...

92. How to Sugarproof Your Kids with Dr. Michael Goran

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Michael Goran sits down with Molly to offer his best advice on helping our children navigate our sugar-saturated environment. Now that Christmas i...

91. Guiding Principles for Thriving Through the Holidays

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As we approach the holiday season, Molly has a lot to say about diet culture vultures and the marketing that says "how to survive the holiday season."...

90. Energy Healing and Raising Your Vibration with Taylor Stone

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode features Taylor Stone, a leader in higher consciousness, self-mastery, and energetics. Taylor's mission is to help remind women that t...

89. Heal the Body, Heal the Mind

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today Molly is joined by Dr. David Wiss, RDN and founder of Nutrition in Recovery, a group practice of RDNs that specialize in treating eating and sub...

88. Connection is the Opposite of Addiction with Alison Leipzig

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Molly is joined by her friend and creator of Soul Camp, Alison Leipzig. Have you ever found yourself overidentifying with your health...

87. Beyond Day 66 with Marshall Malone

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Marshall Malone returns on the podcast to reflect on his ongoing road to recovery, which began once he set the goal to totally break up with sugar by ...

86. Acupuncture and Emotions as Energy With Wendy Swanson

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Wendy Swanson dives into the ins and outs of acupuncture. Molly calls the modality "an absolute, life-changing measure" after she was cured of her Lon...

85. Menopause and Integrative Health with Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Molly and Dr. Suzanne talk all things integrative health. From the food we consume to the products we put on our skin, to the things we smell, hear, a...

84. Becoming Who You Were Meant to Be with Joseph Sheehey

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest, Joseph Sheehey, holds nothing back in sharing the details of his struggles with depression, suicidal thoughts, his career, as well as h...

83. Perfectionism: Enough is Enough

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Having struggled with her weight and self-image since childhood, Sara discusses with Molly her journey of breaking up with sugar, her relationship wit...

82. Coaching at Its Core with Julie Reisler

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After being diagnosed with Hashimoto's, Julie Reisler discusses her wake-up call from her body alerting her to stop consuming sugar. She has 19 years ...