Open Heart with Lu Leslan

Lu Leslan
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Join musician and filmmaker Lu as she shares intimate stories about finding unexpected connections in life. From exploring identity through names to navigating between cultures, from creative breakthroughs to encounters with nature - each episode digs into moments of genuine human experience. Through vulnerable storytelling and reflection, Lu invites listeners to discover their own surprising connections in everyday life. Send your questions and stories - let's explore these connections together.

  1. 6D AGO

    Imperfection

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION: What if perfection is the deepest illusion? What if the world is meant to be imperfect? In this episode, Lu explores imperfection at the core of human existence—from conversations across countries revealing no perfect system exists, to the biological parallel of good and bad bacteria we need to function. She shares her personal struggle as a pianist striving for excellence while knowing perfection is impossible, and how her high standards are both a strength and a source of suffering. This is about holding the paradox: striving for excellence AND accepting imperfection at the same time. SHOW NOTES: IN THIS EPISODE: No perfect system: conversations across countries about government and corruptionThe biological parallel: good and bad bacteria in our bodies and in our worldWe live in a perfectly imperfect worldThe pianist's paradox: striving for perfection while knowing it doesn't existPersonal struggle: orderly life, high standards, and the source of sufferingThe practice: laugh at yourself, say thank you, move onHolding the paradox: striving and acceptance togetherQUOTE: "Appreciating imperfection doesn't mean lowering your standards. It means holding high standards with compassion. For the world. For others. For yourself." SHARE YOUR STORY: lu@leslancreativestudio.com NEXT EPISODE: Chaos – The functional breakdown that fuels growth. Connect with Open Heart Podcast: Website: leslancreativestudio.comSocial media links:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/open-heart-with-lu-leslan/id1861169448Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2duSwoSJVHFG8wn7SsC1F9YouTube: https://youtu.be/C47yEyI19CMThank you for joining this journey of openness and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please consider subscribing and sharing with someone who might also benefit from my personal stories and insights. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Lu's first documentary: Take a Bow: The Ingrid Clarfield Story (2011)

    11 min

  2. APR 16

    Illusion

    What if memory is just reconstruction? What if the roles you play aren't the sum of who you are? In this episode, Lu explores illusion as the mechanism that keeps us building coherence where there is none. She shares a personal story about looking at a family photo and recognizing the woman but feeling no connection, the biological paradox of six elements creating infinite variety, and why the question "Who am I?" dissolves into silence. This is about noticing when you're creating illusions and learning to exist in the not-knowing. SHOW NOTES: IN THIS EPISODE: Illusion as the friend that keeps us in the loopMemory as reconstruction, not recordingPersonal story: the family photo and the stranger you recognizeThe evolving roles: music teacher, piano teacher, educator, podcaster, filmmakerThe biological paradox: six elements, infinite varietyThe unanswerable question: "Who am I?"The practice: noticing when you're creating coherenceQUOTE: "The self isn't a thing you find. It's a process you're always in the middle of." SHARE YOUR STORY: lu@leslancreativestudio.com NEXT EPISODE: Imperfection – Embracing the cracks in a perfectly imperfect world. Connect with Open Heart Podcast: Website: leslancreativestudio.comSocial media links: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/open-heart-with-lu-leslan/id1861169448 https://open.spotify.com/show/2duSwoSJVHFG8wn7SsC1F9 https://youtu.be/C47yEyI19CMThank you for joining this journey of openness and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please consider subscribing and sharing with someone who might also benefit from my personal stories and insights. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Lu's first documentary: Take a Bow: The Ingrid Clarfield Story (2011)

    13 min

  3. APR 9

    Human Bias

    What is the “self”—and who is this “you” trying so hard to become a better version of? In this episode, Lu Leslan explores the curious phenomenon of human bias: how the very self that seeks improvement is the same one tangled in the problems it wants to fix. Through humor, wisdom, and gentle reflection, we dive into five common “self-traps” that keep us stuck in endless loops of self-judgment, self-delusion, and self-care exhaustion. What if the solution isn’t more effort—but laughter and lightness? Join Lu as she unwraps this cosmic joke and shares a fresh perspective on who we really are. Show Notes: Revisiting the idea that we don’t see the world as it is, but as we areWhat does it mean that the “self” is a constructed story?The Five Self-Traps we all fall into: Self-Esteem, Self-Consciousness, Self-Delusion, Self-Talk, and Self-CareWhy the self trying to fix itself is like using a broken compassThe cosmic joke of self-improvement and why we’re the punchlineHow laughter can break the endless loop of bias and self-judgmentThe ancient wisdom of Wu Wei and the art of effortless beingInviting listeners to notice these patterns and respond with humor and kindnessResources: Email Lu your thoughts, stories, or questions: lu@leslancreativestudio.comPrevious episode on Existence and Absurdity (Episode 3) for reference and deeper contextConnect with Open Heart Podcast: Website: leslancreativestudio.comSocial media links: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/open-heart-with-lu-leslan/id1861169448 https://open.spotify.com/show/2duSwoSJVHFG8wn7SsC1F9 https://youtu.be/C47yEyI19CMThank you for joining this journey of openness and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please consider subscribing and sharing with someone who might also benefit from a little laughter and lightness. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Lu's first documentary: Take a Bow: The Ingrid Clarfield Story (2011)

    11 min

  4. APR 2

    Existence

    What does it mean to exist in a world of wars, poverty, and endless suffering? In this episode, Lu explores existential questions through the lens of Wu Wei—keeping perspective without force. She shares the duality of human existence (blessed with imagination, cursed with conflict), the wonder of looking at the night sky across time, and a powerful poem from a national park. This is about holding existence and absurdity in our minds because we can. SHOW NOTES: IN THIS EPISODE: The blessed and the cursed: duality of human existenceWu Wei: following the natural path like water flowing downstreamThe starlight phenomenon: connection across millenniaA national park poem about grace and courageThree questions: What can I control? What should I let go of? What can I learn today?QUOTE: "Philosophers have debated human existence for centuries. The final analysis in the face of absurdity is to live our life fully with the cards we have. Nothing more, nothing less. Just to BE." SHARE YOUR STORY: lu@leslancreativestudio.com NEXT EPISODE: Human Bias – How our experiences shape everything we perceive. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Lu's first documentary: Take a Bow: The Ingrid Clarfield Story (2011)

    8 min

  5. MAR 26

    Duality in Practice

    How many times have you felt two opposing truths at once? Wanting to stay AND wanting to go. Loving someone AND needing space. In this episode, Lu introduces the WAIT technique for holding duality without breaking. Learn how to Watch both truths arise, Allow them to coexist, Investigate what each reveals, and Take a breath to hold both. Features a personal story about the Peace Corps and finding The Middle Way. SHOW NOTES: IN THIS EPISODE: The WAIT technique: Watch, Allow, Investigate, Take a BreathThe Middle Way: holding opposing truths in one continuous flowWhy we don't need to resolve every contradictionPersonal story: Peace Corps denial and holding disappointment AND reliefQUOTE: "The more you practice WAIT, the more you discover: you're vast enough to hold complexity. Strong enough to hold the tension. Grounded enough to hold both." SHARE YOUR STORY: lu@leslancreativestudio.com NEXT EPISODE: Existence – Exploring what it means to exist in the face of absurdity. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Lu's first documentary: Take a Bow: The Ingrid Clarfield Story (2011)

    12 min

  6. MAR 19

    Thought Capturing in Practice

    What if you could embrace your thoughts with an open heart, without judgment? In this episode, Lu introduces a 5-step process for observing thoughts with curiosity. Learn how to sort thoughts into what serves you, challenges you, and nourishes you—then choose consciously. Features a personal story about editing her first documentary through eleven rough cuts and a simple practice you can try today. SHOW NOTES: IN THIS EPISODE: The 5-step thought capturing processHow to observe with curiosity instead of criticismWhy comfort is the enemy of growthA 10-minute practice for sorting your thoughtsQUOTE: "Curiosity feeds imagination. Imagination is our most powerful resource." SHARE YOUR STORY: lu@leslancreativestudio.com NEXT EPISODE: Duality in Practice – Learn the WAIT technique for holding opposing truths. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Lu's first documentary: Take a Bow: The Ingrid Clarfield Story (2011)

    12 min

  7. FEB 26

    The Power of Storytelling

    In this Season 1 finale, we explore the thread that's woven through every episode: The Power of Storytelling. Why do our stories matter? What happens when we name what's been invisible? And how does sharing our experiences connect us across continents and cultures? I reflect on naming the "Imposter Protector" — recognizing that the exhausting mask we wear is often also our strength. We explore how a story told in Kent, Washington can resonate in Seoul, Nairobi, or São Paulo, because while the details differ, the pattern is the same. From the intimacy of healing through testimony to the cosmic perspective of Voyager's pale blue dot, we discover that our stories aren't millions of separate narratives. We're one story, regenerating itself across the body of the Earth — cells in a planetary organism, constantly dying and being born, self-organizing like the sands of the Sahara. We also confront a paradox: meaning may be illusion, but gratitude is the choice we make inside that illusion. To say, "I didn't ask to be here, but I'm glad I am." As we close Season 1, I invite you to ask: What story have you been holding back? What would happen if you let it breathe? Your story might be the gift someone else has been waiting for. Season 2 begins March 19th with "Thought Capturing" — a deeper dive into human consciousness and the hidden potentials beneath our everyday awareness. Thank you for walking through Season 1 with me. This is just the beginning. Show Notes: In This Episode: The transformative power of naming our experiences — both shadow and lightHow storytelling builds bridges across distance and breaks down isolationWhy vulnerability and courage mean telling our stories imperfectlyThe language of the heart: music, imagination, and narrativeThe paradox of meaning: holding gratitude inside the illusionThe pale blue dot: seeing ourselves from 3.7 billion miles awayWhat's coming in Season 2Key Themes: Storytelling as healingThe architecture of empathyVulnerability as freedomMeaning, gratitude, and the human conditionCosmic perspective and interconnectednessLooking Ahead: Season 2 of Open Heart begins March 19th with "Thought Capturing" — a deeper exploration of human consciousness. Connect With Me: Share your story: lu@leslancreativestudio.com Visit: leslancreativestudio.com Quote From This Episode: "Our stories aren't just ours to keep. They're gifts we give to a world that needs to know it's not alone." #OpenHeartPodcast #Storytelling #Vulnerability #HumanConnection #SeasonFinale #PodcastCommunity RESOURCES MENTIONED: Lu's first documentary: Take a Bow: The Ingrid Clarfield Story (2011)

    11 min

  8. FEB 19

    Motherhood Redefined

    In this deeply personal episode of Open Heart, Lu Leslan reflects on the transformative and paradoxical journey of motherhood. Moving beyond societal expectations and biological definitions, motherhood is examined as a profound initiation that reshapes identity, invites vulnerability, and fosters empowerment. Through intimate stories—ranging from the fragile days with a premature infant to the lessons learned while teaching a grandson to ride a bike—Lu encourages listeners to silence the “Imposter Protector” voice of fear and control. This episode offers a heartfelt invitation to trust intuition, embrace growth on its own timeline, and recognize motherhood as a universal experience of love, release, and renewal.  In This Episode: - Opening reflections on the intertwined emotions of fear, love, and trust in motherhood. - Lu’s personal journey, beginning with the delicate early days of her premature daughter. - Understanding the “Imposter Protector”—the internal and societal pressures to achieve perfection in motherhood. - Lessons learned from nurturing children across cultures and languages, emphasizing the importance of embracing individual growth. - The empowering transition from protective instinct to guiding presence, illustrated through teaching moments in cycling and piano. - The embrace of life’s seasons—survival, emergence, fullness, and release—as metaphors that illuminate the paradoxes of motherhood. A loving invitation to shed fear-based control and nurture with trust and empathy. Reflection Questions: - How has motherhood or nurturing reshaped your sense of self? - In what ways do you recognize the “Imposter Protector” voice in your life? - How can you cultivate trust—in yourself and those you care for—over the need to control? Connect with Lu: Your stories and reflections are welcomed and valued. Please reach out anytime at lu@leslancreativestudio.com. Support Open Heart: If this episode resonated with you, we invite you to share it with your community, subscribe to stay connected, and consider leaving a review. Your support helps us grow this safe, compassionate space for all seekers. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Lu's first documentary: Take a Bow: The Ingrid Clarfield Story (2011)

    9 min
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About

Join musician and filmmaker Lu as she shares intimate stories about finding unexpected connections in life. From exploring identity through names to navigating between cultures, from creative breakthroughs to encounters with nature - each episode digs into moments of genuine human experience. Through vulnerable storytelling and reflection, Lu invites listeners to discover their own surprising connections in everyday life. Send your questions and stories - let's explore these connections together.

Information

  • Creator
    Lu Leslan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Open Heart with Lu Leslan
  • Show Website
    Open Heart with Lu Leslan