Free & Open Mind

Welcome to the **Free & Open Mind Podcast** – a weekly live show where we explore **authentic living** with real stories, practical strategies, and honest conversations.In this episode, **Hardy Brooklyn** – a life and business coach based in Brooklyn, NY – dives into what it *really* means to live authentically:- Showing up as your **true self** (without masks or costumes) - Asking: *“Am I doing this because I truly want to, or to please others?”* - Building **self-confidence** through small daily choices - Celebrating **small wins** and embracing imperfection - Setting boundaries and saying **no** to people and situations that don’t respect who you are - Owning neurodiversity, dyslexia, and other traits as part of your authentic self 🔴 **Live every Friday at 9:00 AM (ET) on YouTube** Watch past and future episodes at: **freeandopenmind.com** (redirects to Hardy’s YouTube channel).👤 **About Hardy Brooklyn** Hardy is a life and business coach who helps people who feel “something’s just not right” in their life figure out what it is, how to correct it, and how to create a more joyful, rewarding path by being their authentic self.👉 **Reflection Questions for You:** - Are you living life for who *you* want to be, or behind a mask? - Are you honoring your **values, desires, and limitations**—physical and mental? - What small win can you celebrate today on your journey toward authenticity?🔔 **Subscribe** to Free & Open Mind for weekly episodes on authentic living, self-discovery, and real-world strategies for a happier life. See you next Friday—with a special guest.

In this episode of the Free & Open Mind podcast, hosts Hardy Brooklyn (life & business coach, Brooklyn, NY) and Stan Nelson (moving forward & goal success coach, Perth, Australia) sit down with Gudrun Schmidt, a psychologist and coach from Germany who specializes in resilience, burnout, and traffic psychology.Gudrun shares her powerful story of: Growing up with a mother who struggled with alcoholism and a suicide attempt Building resilience from a difficult childhood and learning to cope rather than escape Working in traffic psychology, alcohol- and drug-related driving offenses, and stress reduction Facing a life-changing lymphoma diagnosis, partial paralysis, months in hospitals, and infection complications Maintaining her authentic self and continuing to coach online through cancer, disability, and depression Moving from running ultra-marathons and Berlin marathons to redefining joy through cooking, meaningful work, and helping othersShe offers practical tools for living more authentically, including: Accepting what you can’t immediately change Using music and connection with others to manage stress and pain Mind mapping to sort mental chaos and find solutions Journaling each morning to structure the day Taking care of the basics: sleep, movement, nutrition, and self-compassionKey messages: Never give up hope. Resilience can be learned at any age. Even when walls appear—illness, disability, loss—you can find new paths to live in alignment with who you are.🔗 Connect with Gudrun:Website: https://www.coach-gudrun.comSearch: “Gudrun Schmidt Germany” on social media to find her profiles.🎧 This audio episode is part of the Free & Open Mind podcast, where we feature real people from all walks of life sharing their journeys toward authentic living.📅 We stream live every Friday at 9am Eastern Time at FreeAndOpenMind.com (redirects to our YouTube channel).

In this episode of the Free & Open Mind Podcast, hosts Hardy Brooklyn (life & business coach, Brooklyn, NY) and Stan Nelson (moving forward & goal success coach, Perth, Australia) explore the art of being yourself and how creativity can literally save and reshape a life.Hardy shares his powerful journey from a burned-out tech consultant to body-painted performance artist, burlesque performer, and life coach—and how art helped him recover from medical trauma, addiction to prescription meds, and a career that was destroying his body. (Note: video includes reference to self-harm.)You’ll hear about: • How music and the live music community helped Hardy through serious medical challenges • The life-changing experience of being body-painted on stage and publicly embraced—even by the police • Using art to reduce stress, calm an ADHD/ADD brain, and reconnect with your body • Moving from perfectionism in tech to permission and play in art • How Hardy now integrates art into his coaching practice - Doodling as subconscious journaling - Photography and noticing what draws your eye - Collaging to understand workplace dynamics and emotions • Why mental health support and therapy are not taboo and how Hardy’s beliefs shifted • What improv really is (hint: it’s about “yes, and…,” presence, and acceptance—not just being funny) • Practical tips to start an art practice even if you “aren’t an artist” - 5–6 minute “micro sessions” instead of forcing an hour - Coloring books, clay, sketch pads, photo apps, and more • How art brings play, curiosity, and authentic expression back into adult lifeHardy also shares a sneak peek of a satirical performance piece he’s developing with an AI engineer about the future of AI and human connection.Key takeaway:Art isn’t about perfection or talent—it’s a tool for happiness, nervous system regulation, self-discovery, and authentic living. From rearranging your furniture (feng shui) to choosing colors that feel right on your body, you are constantly creating art in your life.

In this episode of the Free and Open Mind Podcast, hosts Hardy Brooklyn from Brooklyn, NY, and Stan Nelson from Perth, Western Australia, sit down with life and wellness coach Paul Lennander to explore what it truly means to live an authentic life — especially as a gay man growing up in a world that didn’t feel accepting.Paul shares his powerful journey of realizing he was gay at a young age in a large Irish Catholic family, and the years he spent people-pleasing, code-switching, and disconnecting from his true self. He opens up about: - Growing up knowing he was gay but feeling he shouldn’t be - The impact of trying to be who others wanted him to be instead of who he really was - The anxiety, panic attacks, and constant fight-or-flight response that came from hiding his identity - How coming out at 28 led to surprising acceptance from his father and familyThe conversation goes deep into the connection between authenticity, nervous system regulation, and sexual health. Paul, now a certified breath-work facilitator working mainly with gay and bisexual men, explains: - Why nervous system dysregulation makes it hard to “live in your body” - How this disconnection can show up as sexual dysfunction or performance challenges - Why he focuses on breath-work, mindset, and communication (rather than just medication) to support sexual functioning - The importance of being able to clearly communicate desires, needs, and boundaries in sexual situationsHardy also shares his own experience of living out of alignment as a high-powered consultant and how that stress showed up physically — particularly in his shoulder. He talks about: - How breath-work and stretching (especially around the pelvic area) unexpectedly improved his shoulder pain - Transitioning from multiple prescription drugs to natural anti-inflammatory supports like turmeric, ginger, and garlic, together with breath practices - Reconnecting with “childlike” movement (like deep squats) and how that, paired with breathing, accelerated his healingTogether, they offer practical tools and insights for anyone wanting to live more authentically: - Focusing on what truly brings you joy, your hopes, and what you actually can control - Letting go of trying to control other people’s reactions or expectations - Using breathing techniques to regulate your nervous system, including: - Longer exhales than inhales (aiming for the exhale to be at least twice as long) - Inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth to support calm and regulationPaul emphasizes that the desire to live an authentic life is a universal human experience, not just an LGBTQ+ one — and that learning these tools earlier in life can save years of pain and disconnection.Where to find our guests and hosts: Paul Lennander (Life & Wellness Coach) Website: inspiredaction.org Instagram: @inspiredactionatelier Facebook: Paul Lennander Life and Wellness Coaching Hardy Brooklyn (Leonard Shostak) – Life & Business Coach, Brooklyn, NY Website: boxofrain.com Stan Nelson – Moving Forward & Goal Success Coach (Perth, WA) Website: coachingwithstan.com.au

Welcome to the Free & Open Mind Podcast – where real people from all walks of life get honest about authentic living, relationships, and becoming who you truly are.We go live every Friday around 9:00 AM Eastern Time, sharing: • Candid conversations about love, boundaries, and authentic relationships • Real-life stories about breaking free from family conditioning and old expectations • Practical tips for communicating your needs, love languages, and boundaries • Honest talk about what it means to grow at your own pace – even when your partner, friends, or family aren’t growing with youIn this episode, Hardy Brooklyn (life & business coach from Brooklyn, NY) and Stan Nelson (Moving Forward with Stan) dive into: • What it really means to show up authentically in your relationships • How to deal with misaligned interests (like different tastes in art, hobbies, or lifestyle) • Why space, curiosity, and communication matter more than being “perfectly aligned” • How to love someone 100% as yourself without trying to change their 100%You’ll hear stories about: • Navigating different paces of personal growth in a relationship • Using acts of service (like morning coffee and fresh bread) as a love language • Moving from a “supposed to” life (big tech, big expectations) to performance art, purple hair, and radical authenticityIf you’re tired of pretending, shrinking, or playing a role just to keep the peace, this podcast is your permission slip to: • Speak your truth; • Love without losing yourself; • Show up as the most real version of you.🔔 Subscribe to Free & Open Mind for weekly conversations on authenticity, love, and living life on your own terms.🌐 Catch past episodes at freeandopenmind.com💬 Drop a comment: What does authentic love mean to you? Where do you feel most mismatched in your relationships – and how are you handling it?

In this episode of the Free and Open Mind Podcast, life and business coach Hardy Brooklyn (Leonard Shostak) from Brooklyn, New York, and Moving Forward coach Stan Nelson from Perth, Western Australia, dive deep into Valentine’s Day expectations, boundaries, and consent.Valentine’s Day can bring joy, pressure, and confusion—especially around what we “should” do, what we expect from our partners, and how far we push boundaries. Leonard and Stan unpack how to navigate all of this in a way that’s healthy, honest, and sustainable for your relationship.In this episode, we explore: Expectations vs. Reality on Valentine’s Day • How unrealistic fantasies set you up for disappointment • Why your recent relationship dynamic matters more than the date on the calendar Love Languages & Setting Expectations • How the five love languages (words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, physical touch) shape what feels romantic • Why planning Valentine’s Day based on your partner’s love language — not yours — changes everything • Examples of shifting plans based on your partner’s actual needs and mood Boundaries, Consent & Altered States • Why consent cannot truly be given under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or even intense adrenaline/euphoria • How this applies to BDSM, parties, marathons, high-energy events, and more • The critical truth that consent can be withdrawn at any time, for any reason, without explanation Surprises, Public Gestures, & Social Pressure • The risks of big public surprises (like Jumbotron proposals) when you haven’t checked in with your partner • Understanding your partner’s comfort with public displays of affection versus private intimacy • How a “grand romantic gesture” can turn into a long-term resentment if it violates boundaries Real-Life Stories & Lessons • Leonard’s personal experience of taking someone to a party that was outside their comfort zone • A client story about a boundary violation that went unresolved for decades and what that did to the relationship • The “backpack full of rocks” metaphor for carrying old hurts vs. choosing lighter expectations Practical Ways to Prep for Valentine’s Day • How to “prep the next step” instead of expecting instant intimacy • Using active listening and your partner’s love language to turn a likely “no” into a genuine “hell yes!” • Choosing activities that are a little edgy but still within your partner’s boundariesKey Takeaways: • Talk early and often: Don’t wait until the night of Valentine’s Day to share what you want. • Match your partner’s reality: Check in with how your relationship has been recently before planning big events. • Center consent and safety: Never rely on intoxication or emotional highs to “get to yes.” • Respect boundaries: Pushing boundaries without agreement creates long-lasting damage and emotional “baggage.” • Aim for “hell yes”: Focus on mutual enthusiasm, not pressured compliance.About the Hosts:Hardy Brooklyn (Leonard Shostak)Life and business coach from Brooklyn, New York, helping people identify what feels inauthentic in their lives and create a path toward a happier, healthier, and more authentic life.Stan Nelson“Moving Forward” coach from Perth, Western Australia, supporting people to move through stuck points, clarify what they want, and take grounded steps forward.🔴 Watch us live every Friday at 9:00 AM New York time🎥 Catch past episodes and more content at: freeandopenmind.comIf you found this episode helpful: 👍 Like the video 💬 Comment with your experiences around Valentine’s Day expectations and boundaries 🔔 Subscribe to the channel for more conversations on authentic living, relationships, and personal growth

Are you loving in a way that feels true to you—or just going through the motions? In this episode of the Free & Open Mind Podcast, hosts Hardy Brooklyn (life and business coach based in Brooklyn, NY) and Stan Nelson (relationship coach from Perth, Australia) unpack what it really means to love and live authentically.They explore: • How to use the 5 Love Languages as a starting point, not a box • Why you and your partner can share the same love language but mean totally different things • Real-life examples of navigating mismatched love languages • Setting and communicating boundaries without sounding controlling • Choosing everyday moments of love instead of relying on grand gestures • How living authentically impacts your energy, mood, and relationshipsYou’ll hear Hardy share candid stories about his marriage, how he and his wife found overlap in their love languages, and how timing, consent, and clear communication turned potential conflict into deeper connection.If you’ve ever felt unseen, misunderstood, or “not quite right” in your relationships, this episode will give you practical ideas and language to: • Understand your own needs more clearly • Communicate them without conflict • Meet your partner where they are—without losing yourself👉 CALL TO ACTION:If this conversation resonates with you: • Like this video to support the show! • Subscribe to the Free & Open Mind podcast for new episodes every Friday at 9am Eastern Time. • Comment below: What does living authentically mean to you? • Share this episode with someone who’s exploring their own authentic path.🔗 Connect with us: • Free & Open Mind podcast & past episodes: freeandopenmind.com • Work with Hardy (life & business coaching): based in Brooklyn, NY – helping you find your path to a happier, more rewarding life • Work with Stan: coachingwithstan.com.auLet this be your invitation to start loving—and living—more authentically.👤 About the HostsHardy BrooklynLife and business coach based in Brooklyn, New York. Hardy helps individuals who feel something’s “just not right” figure out how to reconnect their path to a healthier, happier, more rewarding journey. Website & Newsletter: https://boxofrain.com Link: https://www.bor.bz Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hardybrooklynStanMoving forward and goal success coach from Perth, Western Australia. Stan helps people who feel stuck start living extraordinary lives with clarity, momentum, and aligned goals. Website & Blog: https://coachingwithstan.com.au🔴 Watch Live & Catch Past EpisodesThe Free & Open Mind Podcast streams live every Friday at 9:00 AM Eastern Time. Watch live and find past episodes: https://freeandopenmind.com (Redirects to the YouTube channel and the archive of past episodes.)We feature guests from all walks of life who openly share about authentic living, identity, transformation, and personal growth.💬 Join the ConversationWe encourage you to: Ask questions in the live chat and comments Share your own experiences with authenticity, motherhood, identity, and big life transitions Suggest future guests or topics you’d love to see on the show👍 Support the ShowIf this conversation resonates with you: Like this video Subscribe to the channel Comment with your biggest takeaway from CC’s story Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement to live more authenticallyYour support helps us reach more people who are ready to live with a Free & Open Mind.

In this episode of the Free & Open Mind Podcast, hosts Hardy Brooklyn and Stan Nelson dive deep into one of the most important skills for authentic living: setting and holding boundaries in the workplace.Using a real-life story about a confusing presentation request, Hardy explains how clear boundaries around time, expectations, and communication protect your professional reputation, your energy, and your personal life.We explore: 💼 Workplace Boundaries • How unclear expectations around a presentation (time, length, audience, focus) can derail your work • Why saying “I cannot commit until I have this information” is both professional and necessary 🧠 Coaching & Client Boundaries • Why Hardy requires payment up front and completed intake forms before starting coaching • How boundaries show whether clients are truly committing to themselves • Using empowering language like “I’m not comfortable proceeding without…” instead of blaming others ⏰ Time & Communication Boundaries • Setting clear business hours for emails, texts, and messages • Using tools like “Send Later” so you don’t train clients to expect 24/7 access • How responding outside your agreed-upon hours slowly erodes your boundaries 🧩 Practical First Steps • Simple boundaries you can start using today (e.g., no interruptions during focused work or personal time) • Why repetition and consistency are key to making boundaries stick • How healthier boundaries lead to better well-being, stronger relationships, and more authentic living Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re filters and fences you can open and close, so you can show up as your best self.If you’re tired of work overrunning your evenings, weekends, and family time, this conversation will give you clear language, real examples, and practical steps to start protecting your time, money, and energy today.Work with us… Coaching with Hardy (Leonard Shostak): 🌐 boxofrain.com Coaching with Stan (Stan Nelson): 🌐 coachingwithstan.com.au

In this episode of The Free and Open Mind Podcast, Hardy Brooklyn (Leonard Shostak) and Stan Nelson dive into the art of active listening — a core coaching skill that can transform your relationships, your work, and your everyday conversations.We explore:

• What active listening really is (beyond just “hearing” someone)
• Why interrupting and “waiting for your turn to talk” kills real connection
• How to handle those silent pauses without rushing to fill the space
• The role of eye contact, body language, and non-verbal cues
• Why taking notes helps you stay present and catch what’s not being said
• The impact of ADHD, ASD, anxiety, and depression on listening—and how to support people who experience them
• How to avoid unsolicited advice, assumptions, and “one-up” storytelling
• A simple, practical one-skill challenge you can start using this week

• Focus fully on the other person (phone away, distractions off);
• Paraphrase or repeat back what they’ve said to confirm you’ve understood;
• Notice how it changes the quality of the interaction.

“There’s a big difference between listening and waiting for your turn to talk.”This week’s practice:Pick one conversation and:Let us know how it went—comment below with your experience practicing active listening.Connect with us: Hardy Brooklyn (Leonard Shostak) – Coaching & more: 🌐 https://www.boxofrain.com Stan Nelson – Coaching with Stan: 🌐 https://coachingwithstan.com.au

Are you making decent money but still feeling broke, stressed, or stuck? In this episode of Free & Open Mind, Hardy Brooklyn sits down with Andre Jensen of Canoosa Finance to talk about money, mindset, and what it really means to live life on your terms — without being controlled by your finances.Andre shares his journey from a diverse mix of jobs across the U.S. and Canada to becoming a money mindset and financial durability coach. He explains how he helps clients who earn “enough” but still live paycheck to paycheck, constantly wondering where their money went and feeling anxious every time a bill or tax notice shows up.You’ll hear about: • What it really means to live life on your terms (not your job’s, not your bills’) • Why many people who make good money are still broke at the end of the month • Simple mindset shifts like “Did I get my money’s worth?” and paying yourself first • The difference between emotional spending (donuts, coffee, little treats) and intentional spending • How to become more liquid than a typical millionaire by building cash buffers • Practical tools: tracking every dollar for a month, carrying pocket cash, and building bill coverage months ahead • How reducing financial stress opens the door to living more authentically, instead of reacting to money emergenciesIf you’ve ever thought, “I make okay money—so why am I always stressed about it?,” this episode will give you new ways to think about cash flow, spending, and building a healthier relationship with money.Connect with Andre (Canoosa Finance) Website: https://canoosa.com Social: @canoosafinance on major platformsCall to ActionIf this conversation helped you rethink your relationship with money: • Subscribe to Free & Open Mind for more honest conversations about living life authentically. • Like this video to help others discover it. • Comment below: What’s one money habit you’re going to change after watching this? • Share this episode with a friend or entrepreneur who’s making money but still feeling financially stuck.Let’s keep building a world where more people are financially durable and free to live authentically on their own terms.