The Open Booth Podcast

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

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

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 [https://youtube.com/@theopenbooth] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theopenboothpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/theopenboothpodcast] 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createdphotography [https://www.facebook.com/createdphotography] 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-open-booth-podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-open-booth-podcast] #TheOpenBooth #LostBoysOfSudan #RefugeeStories #FaithAndHope #RedemptionStory #CreatedForGood

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 [https://youtu.be/TWdEYLfmzpM] 🔔 Subscribe for more stories: https://www.youtube.com/@theopenbooth?sub_confirmation=1 [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

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 [https://youtu.be/0B-QxiOFkjo] 🔔 Subscribe for more stories: https://www.youtube.com/@theopenbooth?sub_confirmation=1 [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