The Daily Ascent

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 4 | The Warrior's Way of Commitment Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

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 explore how commitment can carry you through resistance, what my Pocket Sage Pema Chödrön has to say about staying open when it's hard, and the kind of magic that shows up on the other side of "I don't feel like it."

Question to carry into your day: Where in your life are you tempted to bail on something that might actually be good for you if you stayed committed in that deeper, warrior way?

Connect with Molly Carmel:

Email: dailyascentpod@gmail.com
Instagram: @mollycarmel
Subscribe on YouTube
Amazon Storefront (in case you want to hang out with my Pocket Sages)

If The Daily Ascent helps you find courage in the moments you'd rather turn away, subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone who needs a reminder to stay open.

An Operation Podcast production | @OperationPodcast

Ep. 3 | Don't Be Afraid of Making Mistakes Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

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 disguise itself as protection, and how real freedom begins when we let ourselves start messy. I'll share how The Daily Ascent almost didn't happen because I was waiting for everything to be perfect… and what finally made me begin.

Question to carry into your day: What's one thing you've been waiting to start because you're afraid of messing it up? And can you love yourself enough to take even the smallest, most imperfect step toward it today?

Connect with Molly Carmel:

Email: dailyascentpod@gmail.com
Instagram: @mollycarmel
Subscribe on YouTube
Amazon Storefront (in case you want to hang out with my Pocket Sages)

If The Daily Ascent reminds you that you don't have to be perfect to begin, make sure to subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone who's been waiting for the right time to start.

An Operation Podcast production | @OperationPodcast

Ep. 2 | The Surprising Freedom of Taking Responsibility Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

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 a time I completely checked out, blamed someone else, and got smacked with one of those spiritual two-by-fours that remind you what real freedom feels like. Spoiler: it isn't in being right.

Question to carry into your day: Where might taking responsibility set you free?

Connect with Molly Carmel:

Email: dailyascentpod@gmail.com
Instagram: @mollycarmel
Subscribe on YouTube
Amazon Storefront (in case you want to hang out with my Pocket Sages)

If The Daily Ascent hits home for you, subscribe and share it with someone who's ready to stop avoiding and start evolving.

An Operation Podcast production | @OperationPodcast

Ep. 1 | The 15-Year-Old Who Taught Me the Hardest Spiritual Lesson Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

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 back into my teenage self — and how a Celtic prayer helped me find my way back to love.

Whether it's parenting, friendship, or just life being life, this one's about the messy magic of being human — and the peace that comes when we stop needing to be right and start showing up with an undefended heart.

Question to carry into your day: What might happen if you set down your armor and chose connection instead?

Connect with Molly Carmel:

Email: dailyascentpod@gmail.com
Instagram: @mollycarmel
Subscribe on YouTube
Amazon Storefront (in case you want to hang out with my Pocket Sages)

If The Daily Ascent hits home for you, subscribe, leave some love and share it with someone who might need a little reminder that growth can be gritty - and still sooooo good.

An Operation Podcast production | @OperationPodcast

The Daily Ascent with Molly Carmel (Trailer) Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

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, coach, business owner, sister, godmother, dog mom, and a woman who's learned the hard way that real healing doesn't come from chasing fixes — it comes from finding truth.

Each weekday, I'll bring you real stories, simple insights, and honest reflections from my own winding path of recovery and growth. Together, we'll explore what it means to live with intention, stay grounded, and keep climbing — one small step at a time.

It's honest. It's hopeful. It's like your favorite morning ritual — the one that always leaves you feeling a little lighter, a little clearer, and a lot more human.

130. I'll See You Soon! Aug 30, 2023

Show notes

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 of our lives to see what is working and what is not. Creating content for different social media platforms can be very rewarding, but it's also a lot of work. When the content comes from a place of obligation instead of passion, you know it's time to hit the pause button.

Check the links below to know where you can keep in touch with Molly!

Episode Quotes

"Sometimes the road to knowing what you want to do is really knowing what you don't want to do."

About Molly Carmel

Molly is a leading addiction and eating disorder therapist and the founder of the BeaconProgram, which offers individual and group solutions to help people break free from their destructive relationships with food and dieting. She is also the author of 'Breaking up with Sugar' and the host of 'What You're Craving' Podcast.

Connect with Molly

THANK YOU for being a part of my life for the last two and a half years! As a BIG tytyty I'm offering you FORTY percent off my retreat on September 10th using the code MOLLY40 - sign up here!
Join the WAITLIST for our amazing ALL IN INTENSIVE COACHING in September here: mollycarmel.com/all-in-intensive-coaching.
Also this is MOST DEFINITELY not goodbye - LOTS of ways to still keep in touch!!! Join my list for my Sunday Love Letter, and a free mini masterclass: mollycarmel.com/signup
Purchase the Breaking Up with Sugar course here: mollycarmel.com/buws
Become a part of the Breaking Up with Sugar FB Group: facebook.com/groups/buwsbook

Come hang with me on social media!

IG (I love a DM!): @mollycarmel
YouTube: Molly Carmel
TikTok: @realmollycarmel
Facebook: facebook.com/mollycarmel.buws

129. How to Navigate Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome Aug 16, 2023

Show notes

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 her current struggles, dealing with imposter syndrome and the fear of detaching even a little bit from her eating habits. She explains that even the thought of being a little more flexible with her diet makes her experience fear and shame.

Rachel shares that weighing and measuring food helps her feel in control, and although she has had overeating episodes, she has been on a successful journey, which makes her even more afraid of falling off the wagon. The key question here is: how to feel safe when you reach a certain level of progress?

Perfectionism can be tricky, even more for someone trying to heal their relationship with food. Molly encourages Rachel to expand her identity as someone trying to heal instead of someone trying to follow the plan perfectly. Tune in to learn more!

Episode Quotes

"The only anesthetic for shame is going to be food. It's a profound rejection. It's literally what the brain is trying to protect us from completely."
"Funny thing about diets: they don't take into account the human spirit, they don't take into account biodiversity, and they don't take into account even the healing of the endocrine system."

About Molly Carmel

Connect with Molly

Join the WAITLIST for our amazing ALL IN INTENSIVE COACHING in September here: mollycarmel.com/all-in-intensive-coaching.
Join my mailing list for info (+ discount!) on our SELF-LOVE CAMP coming in August, my Sunday Love Letter, and a free mini masterclass: mollycarmel.com/signup
You can purchase the Breaking Up with Sugar course here: mollycarmel.com/buws
Become a part of the Breaking Up with Sugar FB Group: facebook.com/groups/buwsbook

Come hang with me on social media!

IG (I love a DM!): @mollycarmel
YouTube: Molly Carmel
TikTok: @realmollycarmel
Facebook: com/mollycarmel.buws

128. Are Injectables the Answer? Aug 09, 2023

Show notes

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 loss. First and foremost, we need to acknowledge that it is a medical intervention, and it needs to be treated that way. And guess what? There is nothing wrong with asking for medical support to lose weight.

On the other hand, it won't help if the person taking it stops paying attention to their eating habits and neglecting their health. Cultivating healthy habits, having a balanced diet rich in protein and fiber, and exercising still play an essential role in this process.

Molly invites you to see injectables for weight loss as another tool in the toolbox, not a magic wand that will solve all the problems. And if you are considering making use of this tool, don't forget to weigh the pros and cons, and most importantly, don't treat it like a quick fix. Tune in to learn more!

Episode Quotes

"Maybe it's a beautiful thing to get some help. Maybe we don't really know what we're talking about and maybe we need to set aside all of these prejudices that diet culture has put into us that the only way it works is through hard work."

About Molly Carmel

Connect with Molly

Sign up for CAMP SELF-CARE - find what may be the missing link for you to be living the life you deserve - learn more at: mollycarmel.com/camp-self-care.
Join the WAITLIST for our amazing ALL IN INTENSIVE COACHING in September here: mollycarmel.com/all-in-intensive-coaching
Join my mailing list for info (+ discount!) on our SELF-LOVE CAMP coming in August, my Sunday Love Letter, and a free mini masterclass: mollycarmel.com/signup
You can purchase the Breaking Up with Sugar course here: mollycarmel.com/buws
Become a part of the Breaking Up with Sugar FB Group: facebook.com/groups/buwsbook

Come hang with me on social media!

IG (I love a DM!): @mollycarmel
YouTube: Molly Carmel
TikTok: @realmollycarmel
Facebook: facebook.com/mollycarmel.buws

127. Consistent Progress is Better than Perfection Aug 02, 2023

Show notes

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 like to join the group, what led her to make this decision, and how she could identify that her eating habits were part of something related to an eating disorder.

Jean wasn't sure if she had an eating disorder or even if the program was a good fit for her. At one point, she decided to join the community nonetheless. She realized that something was off when she started noticing unusual habits like binging, eating unhealthy foods daily, and using alcohol as a coping mechanism.

When Jean realized that the program was a real deal and was a considerable investment for her, she decided to take the program more seriously and try to get helpful insights from the other participants. Even on vacation, Jean followed the plan and connected with the group. Consistent progress is way better than perfection. Tune in to learn more!

Episode Quotes

"It was an opportunity to connect my head with my heart, and to get through that program I really needed to be vulnerable." - Jean about joining Breaking Up with Sugar.

About Molly Carmel

Connect with Molly

Sign up for CAMP SELF-CARE - find what may be the missing link for you to be living the life you deserve - learn more at: mollycarmel.com/camp-self-care.
Have questions about the program? Join us for a Camp Self-Care Sneak Peek, August 8 at 4pm - here's the link to sign up: molly-carmel.com/checkout
Join my mailing list for info (+ discount!) on our SELF-LOVE CAMP coming in August, my Sunday Love Letter, and a free mini masterclass: mollycarmel.com/signup
You can purchase the Breaking Up with Sugar course here: mollycarmel.com/buws
Become a part of the Breaking Up with Sugar FB Group: facebook.com/groups/buwsbook

Come hang with me on social media!

IG (I love a DM!): @mollycarmel
YouTube: Molly Carmel
TikTok: @realmollycarmel
Facebook: facebook.com/mollycarmel.buws

126. Self-Care to Regulate the Nervous System with Dr. Alisa Kriegel Jul 26, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of What You're Craving, Molly connects again with clinical psychologist Dr. Alisa Kriegel. Today, they discuss the importance of self-care in regulating the nervous system and how to identify the tools to get into a calmer state.

There is sometimes a misconception that self-care is an act of selfishness but in reality, is an act of self-love. Being present and enjoying the moment is one of the most important exercises to calm the nervous system. But it's a practice. And as with every practice, it takes time.

An important component of this topic that needs to be addressed is multitasking. Multitasking has a considerable impact on the nervous system, and it makes us uncomfortable, even if we don't realize it. People do many things at once due to various reasons, but the main one is fear of not being productive. We are inherently used to chaos, and sometimes we forget to take a break, despite being extremely important for the nervous system. Tune in to learn more!

Episode Quotes

"Self-care starts with the hardest place to be: yourself."
"We all have responsibility for self-care and for putting ourselves first in terms of what we need to be effective in the world to feel good."

Connect with Dr. Alisa Kriegel

Website: www.alisakriegel.com
Podcast: Let's Talk about Sex, Really

Connect with Molly

Sign up for CAMP SELF-CARE (July 26th - 29th) - find what may be the missing link for you to be living the life you deserve - learn more at: mollycarmel.com/camp-self-care. Use CODE "ALISA10" for 10% OFF!
Join my mailing list for info (+ discount!) on our SELF-LOVE CAMP coming in August, my Sunday Love Letter, and a free mini masterclass: mollycarmel.com/signup
You can purchase the Breaking Up with Sugar course here: mollycarmel.com/buws
Become a part of the Breaking Up with Sugar FB Group: facebook.com/groups/buwsbook

Come hang with me on social media!

- IG (I love a DM!): @mollycarmel
- YouTube: Molly Carmel
- TikTok: @realmollycarmel
- Facebook: com/mollycarmel.buws

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