Content warning: This episode contains brief mentions of suicidal ideation; they are not discussed at length or in detail. Please take care while listening.

Artist, imagination doula, and mom Molly Darling joins host Emily Hessney Lynch for a wide-ranging conversation about evolving identity and how to take the leap and cross the threshold into something new. In the first half of the episode, we discuss the many lives Molly has lived before 40, faith deconstruction, divorce, and discovering she was a lesbian in her 30s.

During the second half of the show, we discuss how important it is to let kids have different experiences than you, learning how to say "I fucked up and I'm sorry" to your kids, the value of female rage, and figuring out how to listen to your body and trust your own intuition rather than operating from a place of fear.

Links:

• Molly's podcast, Behind the Studio Door, will be returning soon! Explore the back catalog here.
• The book Molly mentioned that discusses fear at length is Big Magic: Creating Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert.
• If you are struggling with postpartum depression or psychosis, here are some resources to explore: Postpartum Support International; National Maternal Mental Health Hotline; 988 Lifeline.
• For more of Molly, follow her on Instagram. You can also book an energy portrait or imagination doula session here.
• Follow Emily on Instagram and check out her business, Serve Me the Sky Digital, if you need a social media strategist, speaker, or writer!

Interested in sponsoring It's a Lot? Our media kit is available upon request! Reach out here to start the conversation. You can also support the show by leaving us a one-time (or recurring!) tip. We'll send you a sticker to say thanks!

We're a proud member of the Lunchador Podcast Network. Our logo is by Tenderchomps Art.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Visit joebeanroasters.com to get fresh roasted specialty coffee either by the bag or with a Perpetual Joy subscription!

Mind of Magnus

The Mind is an An Amazing Space Dive into the Mind of Magnus Champlin. A creative brain cursed with endless curiosity. The show focuses on learning about everything and anything, from factoids to deep dives into theories. Magnus interviews guests sharing their stories and life adventures all with the goal of expanding our minds. We are always on the lookout for the next awesome thing to learn!

Getting Real with Bossy: For Women Who Own Business

Check out Getting Real with Bossy: For Women Who Own Business on Lunchador! https://feeds.captivate.fm/gettingrealwithbossy/

In this episode, Lunchador Co-Founder Chris Lindstrom (@stromie) interviews Erica Fee, the CEO and producer of the Rochester Fringe Festival!

The Rochester Fringe Festival, heralded as New York State's largest multidisciplinary performing arts festival, serves as a vital platform for both emerging and established artists. The festival, taking place from September 9th to 20th, features an impressive array of nearly 650 performances, with approximately a quarter offered free of charge, making it accessible for all to enjoy.

Mentions:

rochesterfringe.com - Three Heads Brewing (@three_heads_brewing) - Fee Brothers (@feebrothersofficial) - Gary Craig (@garycraig0483)

Mentioned in this episode:

Mind of Magnus

Check out Mind of Magnus at magnusapollo.com, and leave him factoids at 585-310-2473! https://mind-of-magnus.captivate.fm

Dialed In: A Coffee Podcast

Get Dialed In to the world of coffee with Aaron and Wade! Tastings, coffee news and opinion and more! https://dialedincoffee.captivate.fm

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

In this deeply personal episode of Behind the Studio Door, Molly discusses their upcoming duet exhibition with Rivkah Simcha. Mothering in the Dark is an intensely collaborative multidisciplinary art exhibition in which Molly and Rivkah present their non-traditional and raw experiences of motherhood. Their dialogue emphasizes the significance of artistic expression as a means of coping with the complexities of motherhood, and how the act of creation has become a form of survival for both of them.

Through their collaborative efforts, they aim to honor the tender and vulnerable aspects of motherhood that are rarely acknowledged in mainstream narratives, fostering a space for shared experiences and validation among mamas.

The show opens on August 28th 5-8pm at the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts (GVCA) in Mount Morris. See you there!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

In this episode, we talk with Davida Rogers about the raw, vivid power of personal expression through art. Known for her bold use of color and fearless themes that blend beauty with gore, Davida shares how her work has become a way to process big emotions — from grief to joy — and to make sense of what’s hard to put into words. We also dive into the complicated relationship many creatives have with the label “artist,” especially when faced with outside pressure to monetize what they make. Davida opens up about the role of community, the influence of her Sierra Leonean roots, and how making art became a lifeline. This episode is an invitation to start where you are, trust your voice, and redefine what it means to create on your own terms.

Follow Davida on Instagram @khanya_sviesa

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Mind of Magnus

Artist Magnus Champlin Interviews guests sharing the stories and life adventures with the goal of expanding minds.

In this episode, we sit down with collage and mixed media artist Erica Bryant to explore the mysterious terrain of dreams and how they show up in our waking lives. Erica shares how her fascination with vivid dream imagery led her to start capturing not only her own dreams, but the dreamscapes of others — turning the ephemeral into tangible works of art. We talk about what it means to honor the unconscious, how dreams shape identity, and why they often leave us with more questions than answers. This conversation is a celebration of intuition, inner worlds, and the messy beauty of translating the surreal into something you can hold in your hands.

Erica's newest exhibition, Other People's Dreams, will be on display at RoCo Upstairs at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center from June 6 - 14, 2025.

Find more info at https://www.rochestercontemporary.org/exhibitions/other-peoples-dreams/

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Dialed In: A Coffee Podcast

Get Dialed In to the world of coffee with Aaron and Wade! Tastings, coffee news and opinion and more! https://dialedincoffee.captivate.fm

In this episode, we chat with Hana Acabado—a Filipino author, illustrator, packaging designer, and mom of two—about how she brings her whole self into her work. Hana is the founder of Filipinta Beauty, a playful, imaginative makeup brand that celebrates Filipino culture and serves as a creative playground for her ideas. She shares how her experience as an immigrant shapes both her art and entrepreneurship, and how she stays rooted in authenticity while navigating the beauty industry. We also talk about her children’s book My Mama is a Work of Art, which explores tattoos, kindness, and acceptance. Named one of the Top 25 Filipino Creatives of 2024, Hana opens up about storytelling, identity, and how honoring your culture through creativity can build powerful connections.

https://filipinta.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Punches & Popcorn

The masters of Couch Potato style Mike Huntone, Jason Bills, and Dr. Dominic D’Amore take a deep dive into the best and worst of martial arts films. https://punches-and-popcorn.captivate.fm/

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Carter and Justin Ducett, the duo behind Explore Rochester, to talk about how a simple hashtag turned into a decade-long love letter to the city. As Explore Rochester just celebrated its 10th anniversary with a powerful exhibition at Rochester Contemporary Arts Center—featuring the work of over 500 local contributors—we reflect on what it means to see a city through the eyes of its people.

We talk about community, connection, and the way social media can actually bring us closer to the places we live. From photos snapped on morning walks to deeply personal portraits, this conversation is a tribute to the everyday moments that make Rochester what it is.

Explorerochester.us

Rochestercontemporary.org

Mentioned in this episode:

Punches & Popcorn

The masters of Couch Potato style Mike Huntone, Jason Bills, and Dr. Dominic D’Amore take a deep dive into the best and worst of martial arts films. https://punches-and-popcorn.captivate.fm/

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

In this episode, we dive into the impact of Studio 678, an after-school program where middle school students explore analog photography and poetry. Our guests are Markus Essien, Photography Program Coordinator at Flower City Arts Center, and Emma Rathe, Manager of Programs and Exhibition Production at the George Eastman Museum. Together, they reflect on what it means to help young people find their voices through art. We talk about how Studio 678 builds confidence, connection, and creative skills—and how powerful it is for students to see their work displayed in a professional setting. This conversation also highlights the importance of mentorship, intentionality, and creating spaces where young artists feel seen and supported.

Links referenced in this episode:

• flowercityartscenter.org
• eastman.org

Mentioned in this episode:

Behind the Glass

Podcast and gallery focusing on underrepresented artists utilize the space to amplify their work. Curated by @Richardbcolon @qua.jay. Check out the podcast or join them in person first Fridays at 240 E Main St, Rochester, NY! https://behind-the-glass-gallery.captivate.fm

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. https://shop.joebeanroasters.com