Cracked Open Podcast

This is the cracked open podcast. Every episode host Vanessa McNeal explores guests' emotional and mental blocks, triggers, and ticks to dig down to the roots of an issue. Through getting cracked open, guests find healing within the episode.

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Episodes

Ep 11. Unspoken Chronicles: Reconnecting After 8 Years Without My Mom

In this episode, I share my journey of reuniting with my mother after 8 long years of being estranged. Through vulnerable conversations, I explore the powerful themes of grace, compassion, and forgiveness that played pivotal roles in bridging the gap and healing wounds. Discover the transformative potential of embracing these qualities as we navigate the complexities of rebuilding a fractured relationship. I would love to hear your feedback on this episode and how it resonated with you. Follow m...

Aug 11, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 11

EP 11: Self Sabotage or Self Protection

In this episode I coached Carley, a women's health nutritionist and herbalist. We took a dip dive into stories she told herself around feeling stuck that held her back from fully being all of who she is. In one hour we were able to pin point exactly where her feeling of stuckness came from and worked Carley was having an battle between wanting to be seen versus being afraid to put herself out there. We realized there was a thread that started at the age of 5 that projected onto most parts of her...

Apr 17, 2023•54 min•Ep. 11

EP 10: Acceptance & Motherhood

In this episode I coached Alissa Boyer HSP mentor and educator. Alissa is a new mother and she shared how she was struggling with perfectionism and comparison around parenting her daughter. We took a deep dive into the source of her behavior and revealed that it stemmed from her own insecurities around not feeling good enough. We also determined that a lot of her shame around motherhood was a reflection of years of conditioning she received growing up. We worked through how to reframe perfection...

Apr 03, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 10

EP: 9 Authenticity & Self Protection

Podcast Episode #9- Portia: Authenticity & Self Protection In this episode I coached Portia. She's the founder of the We Experience, a membership portal designed to help women heal, grow and connect. Portia and I took a deep dive into the source of discomfort she felt around fully expresing herself. She felt as though she was taming herself and had a hard time seeing herself the way other people saw her. We dissected her core questions which are the questions she always asked herself yet cou...

Mar 21, 2023•59 min•Season 1Ep. 9

EP. 9 How to survive the void / dark night of the soul

I'm sharing a very special episode today. It's much different from the usual format of Cracked Open- yet, it was so important I had to share. I discuss my experience going through the void/ dark night of the soul/ crumbling. It was a time in my life where nothing felt like it was happening, (running in place) yet at the same time I was re-experiencing old wounds and trauma. It felt like I was going through an internal death. Many people go through this in their life and sometimes multiple times!...

Mar 06, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 9

EP 8: Death & Rebirth

In this episode I coached Jami Alix, an actor and influencer who was most recently featured in Netflix’s Freeridge. Jami discussed how she is in a void period, almost like a waiting room in between two worlds with both her romantic relationship and her career. She discussed the dance between not allowing herself to accept less than what she knew she desired while also being exhausted from the isolation that creates in both her career and love life. She shared: “I’m desperate for this thing I hav...

Feb 20, 2023•1 hr 16 min

EP: 7 Wanting to Belong

In this episode I coached Wendy B, a pleasure expert, coach and pole instructor. Wendy shared how she struggled with being assertive in her life, particularly in her business. She felt a misalignment between the standards she wanted to set and pleasing other people. We took a deep dive into the source of this behavior and revealed it stemmed from yearning for a sense of belonging that started as early as she can remember due to being adopted. We worked through how to reverse the beliefs that lea...

Feb 06, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 7

EP6: Inner Child Healing

In this podcast episode I spoke to Mattie a photographer based out of southern California. Mattie shared how she has created a highly successful multi 6 figure business yet still felt like she hadn’t worked hard enough to earn it. We took a deep dive into why she didn’t believe she deserved the success in her life and revealed it was an inner child wound. We took a deep dive into what it means to “deserve” something and did inner child healing around that. We worked through an inner block she ha...

Jan 23, 2023•56 min

EP5: Taking Off The Mask

In this podcast episode I spoke to Lauren, a photographer from Iowa , who was struggling with the idea of making changes in her business that reflect her authentic identity. We took a deep dive into understanding why she feels out of alignment in her business and what her real desires are. We talked in depth about the fears associated with making changes and what it takes to overcome them. We also talked about the fear of failing, starting over, and not being accepted for who we really are. Laur...

Jan 09, 2023•59 min

EP4: Creating Boundaries

In this podcast episode I spoke to Lavonda, a photographer in South Carolina, who was struggling with feeling like she could set boundaries with her family. We took a deep dive into understanding judgement she had for herself and what it means to reframe difficult situations. We talked about how to overcome fears around setting boundaries and being accepted by others. LaVonda walked away feeling clear and relieved about how to move forward with her family and herself. If you resonate with my sty...

Dec 26, 2022•46 min

EP3: Honoring Your Emotions

In this episode I interview touring concert and wedding photographer Janet. We took a deep dive into Janet’s mindset around her business. She came to me feeling angry and jealous of other people who were creating more success than she had at that point. We talked about how Janet can honor her feelings without feeling stuck or overwhelmed by them. We went back in time to understand how her childhood created the coping mechanisms she utilizes today. We talked about how to surrender in different se...

Dec 12, 2022•58 min

EP2: Overcoming Your Fears

In this episode I interview Caroline certified meditation teacher and empanada business owner Caroline who was recently laid off from her corporate job. Since then, she has been building two businesses that have created so much joy AND uncertainty. Caroline and I took a deep dive into how to navigate the desires on her heart while also understanding the source of her concerns and fears. We talked about how to interrupt generational patterns around having to work hard to receive abundance and wha...

Nov 28, 2022•59 min

EP1: Perfect The Way You Are

In my first episode, I interview social media content creator Allysa who came to the podcast battling comparison and feelings of unworthiness. Allysa and I took a deep dive into the source of where her feelings of not being good enough comes from. We also addressed of perfectionism, overthinking, and what it means to really heal. Not only was she able to excavate an enormous amount of wisdom within herself she was able to create a more compassionately led narrative for the future. She left the s...

Nov 14, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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