Ep. 56 | The Moment I Stopped Asking Someone to Become Who I Wanted
Release Date: 01/19/2026
Ep. 63 | Why I Almost Didn't Go to the Shiva (And Why I'm So Glad I Did)
The Daily Ascent
In today's episode, I'm talking about almost not going to a shiva because I wasn't on the invite list - and how my friend Jenny reminded me that showing up for people isn't about being invited, it's about being present when someone needs you. I share the story of old middle school wounds showing up even though I know better, and how pushing past them led to one of the most heart-expanding experiences I've had in a long time. We'll explore how showing up for people - setting aside our own insecurities and old stories - is one of the most sacred things we can do. Question to carry...
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Ep. 62 | What If We Stopped Obsessing Over the Worst-Case Scenario?
The Daily Ascent
In today's episode, I'm talking about what happened when I lost my keys on a walk with my dog and immediately spiraled into worst-case scenario thinking - and what a Buddhist monk on Instagram reminded me about training our brains toward positivity instead of panic. I share the story of catastrophizing in the forest, only to find my keys safely in my car, and explore why our brains are wired to obsess over what could go wrong instead of what could go right. We'll explore how we can train ourselves to shift perspective from panic to possibility. Question to carry into your day:...
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Ep. 61 | When It's Time to Leave a Room That's Hurting You
The Daily Ascent
In today's episode, I'm talking about something vulnerable - getting pulled into drama that brought me right back to 8th grade, and what my friends taught me about listening to your body and knowing when it's time to leave. I share what happened when I found out someone was talking about me in unkind ways, and how my friends Karen and Betsy helped me see that sometimes you just need to switch schools. We'll explore why leaving isn't failure - and why protecting yourself is sometimes the bravest choice you can make. Question to carry into your day: Where in your life are you trying...
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Ep. 60 | Catching Sadness Before It Becomes Despair
The Daily Ascent
In today's episode, I'm talking about what my friend's emergency root canal taught me about feelings - and why we can't postpone pain, no matter how inconvenient the timing. I share the story of my friend thinking she could deal with her root canal in 2026, and how it connected to a woman in my group who was in despair. We'll explore why catching ourselves at sadness - and tending to it early - is the only way to keep from hitting despair. Question to carry into your day: What sadness are you postponing right now - and what would it look like to tend to it before it becomes...
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Ep. 59 | Why the First Time Through Is Always the Hardest
The Daily Ascent
In today's episode, I'm talking about what my yoga teacher said that completely reframed how I think about transitions - and why the first time through anything is always the hardest. I share the story of my best friend Drea starting a new job and feeling disoriented and off-balance, and how something Greg said in yoga class reminded me that rhythm always comes if you keep showing up. We'll explore why the "first side" of any change feels so hard and how to trust that you'll find your footing even when it doesn't feel that way. Question to carry into your day: What transition are...
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Ep. 58 | How Telling the Truth Made My Shame Disappear
The Daily Ascent
In today's episode, I'm talking about something I learned recently about shame - and how telling the truth to the right people can make it disappear. I share the story of getting pulled into drama and feeling so ashamed about it that I almost didn't tell anyone. And how my friends became shame eliminators just by listening with empathy. We'll explore why shame thrives in secrecy and how confession - bringing something hidden into the light - can set you free. Question to carry into your day: What are you carrying right now that feels too shameful to say out loud - and who in your...
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Ep. 57 | The Night I Sobbed in a Parking Lot After a Book Launch
The Daily Ascent
In today's episode, I'm talking about the night I hysterically cried in a parking lot after watching someone else launch their book - and how that moment that felt like total failure turned out to be a turning point I just couldn't see yet. I share the story of grieving my old creative life, feeling completely hopeless about what was next, and how my friend Michelle's words came true months later when I realized my life had been quietly reorganizing itself the whole time. We'll explore how life unfolds in ways we can't see while we're in the middle of it - and why the absence of answers...
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Ep. 56 | The Moment I Stopped Asking Someone to Become Who I Wanted
The Daily Ascent
In today's episode, I'm talking about the moment my ex asked me what it would take to get back together - and how years of healing showed up in one sentence I didn't even plan to say. I share the story of feeling the pull to give him a list of conditions, to manage what shouldn't be managed, and how I chose dignity instead - telling him he deserved to be with someone who loved him exactly as he is. We'll explore what it means to love someone without asking them to change, and how real intimacy requires honesty over comfort. Question to carry into your day: Where in your life are you...
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Ep. 55 | When Fear Quietly Sabotages the Life You're Building
The Daily Ascent
In today's episode, I'm talking about how fear sabotages us - not with drama or rebellion, but quietly, by disguising itself as forgetfulness or procrastination. I share the story of a client who stopped picking up her GLP medication right when it started working, and what happened when we named the sabotage for what it really was: fear of change. We'll explore how recognition helps us see what's actually happening underneath our behavior - and how that awareness is what makes different choices possible. Question to carry into your day: Where might fear be quietly sabotaging something that...
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Ep. 54 | Meeting People's Mess With Grace Instead of Judgment
The Daily Ascent
In today's episode, I'm talking about what it looks like when someone meets your chaos with grace - and what happens when you forget to do the same. I share the story of my friend Liz showing me what grace looks like in action, and how it made me realize I hadn't done the same for my brother. Question to carry into your day: When someone's chaos spills into your life, instead of making their worst moment mean something about who they are, can you meet them with grace today? Want to chat about working together? Me too! Visit to schedule a free call about my Stop Starting Over System. Let’s...
info_outlineIn today's episode, I'm talking about the moment my ex asked me what it would take to get back together - and how years of healing showed up in one sentence I didn't even plan to say.
I share the story of feeling the pull to give him a list of conditions, to manage what shouldn't be managed, and how I chose dignity instead - telling him he deserved to be with someone who loved him exactly as he is.
We'll explore what it means to love someone without asking them to change, and how real intimacy requires honesty over comfort.
Question to carry into your day:
Where in your life are you trying to change someone to meet your needs - and what would it look like if you kept the focus on yourself instead?
Want to chat about working together? Me too! Visit https://www.mollycarmel.com to schedule a free call about my Stop Starting Over System.
Let’s Stay Connected:
- Instagram: @mollycarmel
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- Questions or want to share your story? Email me at dailyascentpod@gmail.com
An Operation Podcast production | @OperationPodcast