The Open Booth Podcast

Matthew R. O. Brown
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Pull up a seat in The Open Booth, where every location is as unique as the story. From Virginia mountaintops to historic cemeteries, host Matthew R. O. Brown captures raw, unfiltered conversations that inspire, challenge, and connect. No scripts—just real people sharing real stories about life, loss, hope, and everything in between. 🎥 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOpenBooth 💬 In Virginia with a story to share? Book: https://calendly.com/createdphotography/30-minute-introductory-call-or-zoom

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Finding Home on the Range | Harold Andrews

    What happens when the place you call home changes around you? Florida cowboy, Army veteran, and author Harold Andrews joins Matthew Brown on The Open Booth Podcast to share stories of ranch life, a changing Florida, and his personal journey through alcohol struggles, sobriety, and faith. From working cattle to watching familiar pastures give way to development, Harold reflects on the experiences that shaped his life—and what home means to him today. In this conversation:• Cowboy life and working cattle in Florida• Growth and change in Pasco County• Career success alongside struggles with alcohol• Sobriety, faith, and starting over• Preserving memories through his Pasco books Follow The Open Booth Podcast on Spotify for more conversations about real lives, purpose, and hope. Connect with Harold:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haroldandrewsauthor/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@harold.andrews7Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaroldRAndrews Watch this episode on YouTube:https://youtu.be/1K8p7KjW6Q4 Follow The Open Booth Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theopenboothpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theopenboothpodcast

  2. 12/31/2025

    Man's Best: Pro Dog Trainer Shares Life off the Leash

    In this episode 11 of The Open Booth, Matthew Brown sits down with Paul Hearn, a professional dog trainer, to talk about life with dogs, life with people, and how the two are more connected than we think.Paul shares stories from his childhood, moving from place to place, and the first dogs that really shaped how he sees loyalty, attachment, and home. He talks about years working in the security industry and what finally pushed him to step into a second act built around dogs, families, and real connection.Along the way, Matthew and Paul dig into what it actually means to live with a dog: routines, boundaries, calm energy, and why our own emotions and habits often create the very behaviors we don’t like. They talk about kids, thunder, fear, the idea of a “pack,” and why treating a dog like a person can leave everyone confused and frustrated.If you’ve ever wondered why your dog pulls, barks, seems anxious, or just doesn’t feel in sync with your family, this conversation is for you. It’s honest, funny in places, and very real about how much work—and how much reward—comes with sharing life with a dog.As Matthew says near the end, don’t forget to like and share and all that subscribe stuff if this episode gave you something to think about.Chapters:0:00 – Welcome to The Open Booth & meeting Paul3:07 – Growing up near Roanoke and small-town roots11:10 – Fathers, mentors, and generational work ethic16:54 – Moving houses and what “home” really means21:34 – Yard work, long mower lines, and learning gratitude24:09 – Meeting his wife, early married life, and starting a family35:27 – A life with dogs, loss, and bringing a new dog home38:53 – A surprise brain diagnosis and brain surgery39:56 – COVID, travel burnout, and rethinking a 22-year career47:21 – Why this park matters for him and his dog training49:41 – Neighbor’s dog, reading dog behavior, and owner habits52:48 – Making your dog’s day, keeping it simple, and one big family#TheOpenBoothPodcast #TheOpenBooth #MansBest #DogTraining #DogTrainer #Dogs #DogBehavior #FamilyDog #RescueDog #ReactiveDog #CalmDog #Storytelling #Podcast

  3. 11/25/2025

    Scared to Stand-Up: How a drunk driver took him from fear to laughter—and hypnosis!

    Hypnotist/comedian Colin Chapman never pictured this life—until a Richmond crash and the look on his wife’s and son’s faces in the hospital changed everything. From photo-studio kid to press secretary to comedy hypnotist, Colin shares how trauma, grit, and laughter rewired his path. 📍 Cary & Meadow, Richmond — 37°32'53.3"N 77°27'58.9"W Guest: Colin Chapman Chapters 00:00 Welcome + new location 00:35 Who is Colin Chapman? 01:52 “Comedy Hypnosis is Amazing” 02:34 Networking as an introvert 03:28 Boxer rescue dog—can dogs be hypnotized? 04:04 Kansas roots & Wizard of Oz 06:34 Family photo studio (film-era lessons) 08:55 One shot vs 500 shots 10:00 First job at Bobo’s (hustle) 12:45 Politics & campaigns → Capitol Hill press secretary 13:32 Bird swarm under the power lines 16:05 DC years, met wife, got married → Richmond move 17:08 Why Richmond beats DC (stress & pace) 22:41 Marriage: don’t sweep issues under the rug 24:14 Gratitude over entitlement 25:11 Kids update: PhD track & 911 dispatcher 29:34 Threat call before a show; detachment & objectivity 31:53 Calm under pressure; who can do 911 work 34:49 Personality vs choice; faith & fear 38:16 Courage vs fear at this intersection 39:01 Street setups; spirit-led episode 48:29 The crash at Cary & Meadow; TBI & PTSD → recovery 53:06 Telling his wife; launching a hypnosis practice 59:47 Tailoring comedy; HR “Karens” & free speech 01:01:58 Is hypnosis mind control? (short answer: no) 01:02:57 How hypnosis works: calm, focus, rapid learning 01:04:50 Clinical hypnosis too (in-person/Zoom/products) Links YouTube show intro: https://youtu.be/g3d_2n2rhWY Created Photography: https://www.CreatedPhotography.com

  4. 10/05/2025

    Lost Boy. Found Hope. (One of the "Lost Boys of Sudan")

    Lost Boy. Found Hope. (One of the "Lost Boys of Sudan") Carlos’s journey began in war-torn South Sudan, where villages were burned and families torn apart. He fled on foot, survived life as a refugee in Kenya, and was later resettled in the United States as one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. In this episode, Carlos opens up about: Escaping violence and surviving in a refugee camp Life in foster care and the struggles of resettlement in America Wrestling with hopelessness and destructive choices The moment everything changed when he encountered the Word of God Finding healing, forgiveness, and a new purpose This is more than a refugee story—it’s a story of survival, redemption, and hope against all odds. ✨ If you’ve ever felt lost, broken, or searching for meaning, Carlos’s story will inspire you. 🎥 Watch The Open Booth on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theopenbooth📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theopenboothpodcast📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createdphotography🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-open-booth-podcast #TheOpenBooth #LostBoysOfSudan #RefugeeStories #FaithAndHope #RedemptionStory #CreatedForGood

  5. 09/21/2025

    Episode 8 — All Inn the Family | Life, Legacy & Hospitality at Virginia Cliffe Inn

    What does it take to turn a historic family home into a thriving bed and breakfast — and keep it running for decades? In this episode of The Open Booth, Matthew R. O. Brown sits down with Janice Clifton, owner of the Virginia Cliffe Inn in Glen Allen, Virginia. From growing up in the house her father restored from the ground up, to helping her parents transform it into Henrico County’s only fully operating bed and breakfast, Janice shares a story woven with history, faith, and family. The conversation moves from small-town roots to navigating county regulations, balancing entrepreneurship with relationships, and finding joy in giving back through events that now welcome thousands of visitors each year. In this heartfelt conversation, we explore: What it means to live in the same house your entire life — and carry its legacy forward How a family trip to England inspired the creation of a bed and breakfast in Virginia The challenges of hospitality, and how “being a cheerful giver” shapes her approach to guests The Virginia Cliffe Inn’s role as more than lodging — a venue for weddings, celebrations of life, craft shows, and community support The personal sacrifices and joys of managing a family business while keeping faith and family at the center 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TWdEYLfmzpM 🔔 Subscribe for more stories: https://www.youtube.com/@theopenbooth?sub_confirmation=1 📸 Learn more about Created Photography: https://www.CreatedPhotography.com Filmed on-site at the Virginia Cliffe Inn, this conversation isn’t just about business — it’s about legacy, resilience, and the belief that true hospitality is a calling. —The Open Booth Podcast | Hosted by Matthew R. O. Brown#TheOpenBooth #CreatedPhotography #CreatedForGood

  6. 09/14/2025

    Episode 7 - From Crisis to AI Coach | One Man’s Journey Through Struggle, Family & Reinvention

    Episode 7 — From Crisis to AI Coach | One Man’s Journey Through Struggle, Family & Reinvention What happens when your world falls apart—job gone, debt mounting, and no clear way forward? In this raw and honest conversation, our guest opens up about hitting rock bottom and the long climb back. He shares what it felt like to be in crisis, the struggles of supporting his family, and the turning points that led him to reinvent himself as an AI coach. This is not a glossy success story—it’s a testimony of grit, faith, and choosing to adapt when life leaves you no other choice. Together, we unpack the reality of: Facing financial and emotional collapse while raising a family The moment of truth that forced him to change course How he discovered coaching and eventually found a path into the world of artificial intelligence Balancing technology with humanity—why authenticity and faith still matter most Practical lessons for anyone standing at a crossroads, wondering how to rebuild 🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0B-QxiOFkjo 🔔 Subscribe for more stories: https://www.youtube.com/@theopenbooth?sub_confirmation=1 📸 Learn more about Created Photography: https://www.CreatedPhotography.com If you’re in a season of uncertainty, this story will remind you: crisis doesn’t have to be the end. With faith, hard work, and a willingness to step into the unknown, you can turn breakdowns into breakthroughs. —The Open Booth Podcast | Hosted by Matthew R. O. Brown#TheOpenBooth #CreatedPhotography #CreatedForGood

  7. 08/26/2025

    Episode 6 - Like a River

    Episode 6 – Like a River: A Journey Through Military Service, Creativity, and Fatherhood Life, like a river, twists and turns — sometimes calm, sometimes rushing, always moving forward. In this deeply personal episode of The Open Booth, host Matthew R. O. Brown sits down with a guest whose life flows through the defining chapters of military service, artistic creativity, and the joys and challenges of fatherhood. Recorded on location inside the booth, the conversation captures the ebb and flow of life’s transitions — the moments that carry us forward, the rapids we fight against, and the still waters where we find peace. Through candid reflection, the guest shares how the discipline of military life shaped his resilience, how creativity became a vital outlet for self-expression, and how fatherhood reshaped his priorities and purpose. It’s a conversation about identity, balance, and the courage to navigate change. 🎙 In this episode, you’ll discover: How military service can shape outlook and adaptability The role of creativity in personal growth and emotional health Lessons children teach us about love, patience, and perspective Why embracing life’s seasons can bring peace With honesty and warmth, Like a River reminds us that life’s flow isn’t always predictable — but every turn can carry us closer to who we’re meant to be. Pull up a seat in The Open Booth and join a conversation that may inspire you to embrace your own journey, wherever the current takes you. 🎥 Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOpenBooth📘 Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theopenboothpodcast📸 Learn more about Created Photography: https://www.CreatedPhotography.com💬 Are you in Virginia with a powerful story to share? Schedule a time to talk: https://calendly.com/createdphotography/30-minute-introductory-call-or-zoom

  8. 08/19/2025

    Episode 5 - "More than a Coach"

    Episode 5 – More Than a Coach: The Mentorship and Legacy of Robert N. Hoskins, Jr. Some mentors change lives for a season. Others shape them for a lifetime. In this inspiring episode of The Open Booth, host Matthew R. O. Brown sits down with Robert N. Hoskins, Jr., a man whose decades of dedication as both a teacher and coach have left an indelible mark on the lives of his students, athletes, and community. Recorded on location inside the booth, this conversation is more than a career retrospective — it’s a celebration of the values, challenges, and personal moments that define true leadership. Robert shares his philosophy on balancing discipline with compassion, the lessons he’s learned from his students, and the joy of watching others grow into their potential. This is a story about showing up, leading with integrity, and investing in people — not just for the wins and grades, but for the kind of character that lasts long after the final whistle or graduation ceremony. 🎙 In this episode, you’ll discover: How great teachers and coaches leave lasting legacies Why mentorship is about more than skills — it’s about shaping character The impact of balancing firm expectations with empathy Lessons students teach their mentors in return How one person’s commitment can ripple through an entire community Robert’s journey reminds us that the most powerful influence we can have is in the lives we touch directly. Whether you’ve been shaped by a mentor or served as one yourself, this episode will leave you inspired to keep passing that torch. Pull up a seat in The Open Booth and join a conversation that celebrates the quiet, consistent heroes who shape the future one person at a time. 🎥 Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOpenBooth 📘 Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theopenboothpodcast 📸 Learn more about Created Photography: https://www.CreatedPhotography.com 💬 Are you in Virginia with a powerful story to share? Schedule a time to talk: https://calendly.com/createdphotography/30-minute-introductory-call-or-zoom

  9. 08/12/2025

    Episode 4 - "From the Ruins"

    Episode 4 – From the Ruins: Finding Strength in What Remains What do we do when life as we know it crumbles? In From the Ruins, host Matthew R. O. Brown takes The Open Booth to a location marked by history, loss, and resilience. It’s more than a backdrop — it’s a mirror to the story you’re about to hear: one of picking up the pieces after devastation, and learning to build again with what’s left. The guest’s journey begins in the shadow of loss — a season when the familiar was stripped away and the path forward was unclear. Yet, in that space, unexpected lessons emerged: the value of community, the power of perspective, and the quiet but unshakable strength that can grow in the aftermath of hardship. This is not just about tragedy — it’s about transformation. About how the very places and moments that seem broken beyond repair can become the foundation for something new. 🎙 In this episode, you’ll discover: How to find hope when everything feels lost The first steps to rebuilding after a setback Why your perspective can determine your outcome The role of community in healing and restoration Through open, unfiltered conversation, From the Ruins invites you to see that while life may never go back to the way it was, it can still move forward — and sometimes, the new chapter is even more beautiful than the one before. Pull up a seat in The Open Booth and join a conversation that might just change how you see your own challenges. 🎥 Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOpenBooth 📘 Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theopenboothpodcast 📸 Learn more about Created Photography: https://www.CreatedPhotography.com 💬 Are you in Virginia with a powerful story to share? Schedule a time to talk: https://calendly.com/createdphotography/30-minute-introductory-call-or-zoom

  10. 08/08/2025

    Episode 3 – Hope for Homecoming: Youth, Education & Faith

    Episode 3 – Hope for Homecoming: Youth, Education, and Faith in the Face of Adversity What does it take to rise above the circumstances you’re born into? In this heartfelt episode of The Open Booth, host Matthew R. O. Brown sets up outside Thomas Jefferson High School to capture a powerful story about overcoming challenges tied to youth, education, and faith. It’s a conversation about choices, resilience, and the mentors who can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. The guest shares candidly about navigating difficult environments, the turning points that shaped their path, and the hope that kept them moving forward. From early struggles to personal victories, this is a story about the power of belief — both in yourself and in something greater. Filmed on location in The Open Booth, the conversation unfolds in a space designed for honesty and connection, allowing real stories to be told without filters or scripts. Through personal reflection and shared experiences, you’ll hear: The unique pressures facing today’s youth and how they can be overcome How education — both inside and outside the classroom — shapes identity The role of faith and values in navigating life’s hardest seasons Why community support can be the difference between giving up and pressing on This isn’t just about one person’s journey. It’s about the universal need for hope, guidance, and the courage to envision a better future — no matter where you start. 🎙 In this episode, you’ll discover: How positive role models can redirect a young person’s path Why faith can be a source of strength in difficult times The impact of education beyond grades and diplomas Practical ways to support youth in your community Pull up a seat in The Open Booth and join a conversation that’s both deeply personal and universally inspiring. 🎥 Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOpenBooth📘 Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theopenboothpodcast📸 Learn more about Created Photography: https://www.CreatedPhotography.com💬 Are you in Virginia with a powerful story to share? Schedule a time to talk: https://calendly.com/createdphotography/30-minute-introductory-call-or-zoom

  11. 08/08/2025

    Episode 2 – From the Grave: Death Doula

    Episode 2 – From the Grave: A Death Doula’s Guide to Living Fully What if facing death could teach you how to truly live? In this powerful episode of The Open Booth, host Matthew R. O. Brown sets up his mobile interview booth inside Richmond’s historic Hollywood Cemetery — a location as thought-provoking as the story you’re about to hear. Surrounded by the skyline and the silence of weathered gravestones, Matthew sits down with a Death Doula, a guide who supports individuals and families through the final chapter of life. This is not a morbid conversation. It’s raw, honest, and surprisingly uplifting. Through deeply personal stories, the Death Doula reveals: What her role looks like day-to-day and why it matters The common fears people have at the end of life — and how to ease them The unexpected lessons that the dying often pass on to the living How facing mortality can strip away the unimportant and bring clarity to what really matters The conversation challenges us to stop avoiding the topic of death and instead embrace it as a way to live more intentionally. Whether you’ve experienced loss, work in caregiving, or are simply curious about what truly matters when time is short, this episode will stay with you long after it ends. 🎙 In this episode, you’ll discover: How a Death Doula brings peace in life’s final days The most common regrets shared in the last moments Why talking about death can deepen relationships How to start your own conversations about mortality without fear Pull up a seat in The Open Booth and join a conversation that’s as real as it gets — one that may just change the way you see your own life. 🎥 Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOpenBooth📘 Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theopenboothpodcast📸 Learn more about Created Photography: https://www.CreatedPhotography.com💬 Are you in Virginia with a story to share? Schedule a time to talk: https://calendly.com/createdphotography/30-minute-introductory-call-or-zoom

  12. 08/08/2025

    Episode 1 - "The Way Home"

    Episode 1 – The Way Home: A Soldier’s Story of Survival and Coming Back to Life One moment, life was normal. The next, a suicide bomber changed everything. In this gripping debut of The Open Booth, host Matthew R. O. Brown sits down with a close friend whose deployment to Afghanistan took a harrowing turn when his army unit was attacked. The blast from a suicide bomber left scars that went far beyond the battlefield — and began a long, complicated journey back home, both physically and emotionally. Filmed inside The Open Booth — a traveling, on-location interview space designed for open and unfiltered conversation — this episode dives into what it truly means to serve, survive, and find your way back to yourself after war. Through vivid storytelling and raw honesty, you’ll hear: The split-second decisions that meant life or death in combat The emotional weight of surviving when others didn’t The unseen struggles of adjusting to civilian life How faith, resilience, and purpose can guide recovery This isn’t just a story about war. It’s about finding hope after unimaginable loss, and about the people and moments that can light the way home when everything feels broken. Whether you have a personal connection to military service or you’ve never met someone in uniform, this conversation will change the way you think about sacrifice, resilience, and the human spirit. 🎙 In this episode, you’ll discover: What it’s like to face the unimaginable in combat The hardest challenges of coming home from war How to support someone who has served Why hope is often the most powerful survival tool Pull up a seat in The Open Booth and join a conversation that will stay with you long after the final words are spoken. 🎥 Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOpenBooth📘 Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theopenboothpodcast📸 Learn more about Created Photography: https://www.CreatedPhotography.com💬 Are you in Virginia with a powerful story to share? Schedule a time to talk: https://calendly.com/createdphotography/30-minute-introductory-call-or-zoom

  • 12 Episodes

About

Pull up a seat in The Open Booth, where every location is as unique as the story. From Virginia mountaintops to historic cemeteries, host Matthew R. O. Brown captures raw, unfiltered conversations that inspire, challenge, and connect. No scripts—just real people sharing real stories about life, loss, hope, and everything in between. 🎥 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOpenBooth 💬 In Virginia with a story to share? Book: https://calendly.com/createdphotography/30-minute-introductory-call-or-zoom

Information

  • Creator
    Matthew R. O. Brown
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Matthew R. O. Brown
  • Show Website
    The Open Booth Podcast