Feeling stuck? Craving something real? Free & Open Mind is your invitation to break out of old routines and live boldly. Every Friday, join hosts Hardy Brooklyn and Stan Nelson as they dive into unfiltered, inspiring talks with people who’ve dared to reinvent themselves—artists, coaches, and everyday heroes. Get raw stories, honest advice, and that push you need to take the next step. Hit play, shake up your perspective, and start living on your own terms. No judgment! Just real journeys, practical tools, and authentic voices. New episodes drop every Friday! Subscribe so you never miss one.
Whose Story Are You Living? Ellen Lubensky on Reclaiming Your Authentic Self
What if becoming your authentic self isn’t about changing who you are—but finding your way back to who you were before the world told you who to be?
At 20, Ellen Lubensky was given a diagnosis that shaped how she saw herself for the next 25 years. In this honest, moving conversation, she reflects on losing touch with her sense of self—and the questions, boundaries, and hard-won courage that helped her begin reclaiming it.
Ellen joins the hosts to explore the masks we wear to please others, keep the peace, or make ourselves smaller. She shares what it took to trust her own voice, speak openly about her experiences, and rediscover the adventurous spirit she thought she had lost.
Stay with us to the end for Ellen’s most powerful reminder: you don’t have to accept someone else’s story as your own.
Grab a coffee, get comfortable, and get ready to get real.
🎥 Watch live — Fridays, 9:00 AM Eastern on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLToXR0bXV6I92L3wQ3kChZ8guEomccF9w
🎧 Listen anywhere — Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more
https://linktr.ee/freeandopenmind
Meet your hosts:
Hardy Brooklyn → https://boxofrain.com
Stan Nelson → https://coachingwithstan.com.au
Podcast home: https://linktr.ee/freeandopenmind
This show grows one honest conversation at a time. If today's episode landed, follow us, leave a review, and pass it to a friend who needs permission to be real.
9 Oct 2026
From Dope Dealer to Hope Dealer
What does it really mean to live authentically—and how do you begin again when life takes you far from where you hoped to be? On The Free and Open Mind, Hardy and Stan welcome Richard Kaufman for an honest, uplifting conversation about recovery, resilience, and the choices that can change your direction. Richard shares how he moved from addiction and hardship to a life of service as an author, coach, and podcast host. His story offers a powerful reminder: you don’t need to wait for permission or perfect circumstances to take your next step.
Connect with Richard: Listen to his Vertical Momentum podcast, available on 35 platforms, or reach out to him by direct message.
https://verticalmomentumpodcast.com/
Richard’s books: A Hero’s Journey from Darkness to Light and his guide to podcasting are available on Amazon.
Grab a coffee, get comfortable, and get ready to get real.
🎥 Watch live — Fridays, 9:00 AM Eastern on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLToXR0bXV6I92L3wQ3kChZ8guEomccF9w
🎧 Listen anywhere — Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more
https://linktr.ee/freeandopenmind
Meet your hosts:
Hardy Brooklyn → https://boxofrain.com
Stan Nelson → https://coachingwithstan.com.au
Podcast home: https://linktr.ee/freeandopenmind
This show grows one honest conversation at a time. If today's episode landed, follow us, leave a review, and pass it to a friend who needs permission to be real.
2 Oct 2026
The Authenticity Crack When a Perfect Life Isn't the Real Life with Miruna Parchirie
What if the life that looks perfect on paper doesn’t feel like yours? In this episode of The Free and Open Mind, life coach Miruna Parchirie joins Hardy and Stan for an honest conversation about the quiet gap between outward success and inner truth—and the courage it takes to question a path everyone else applauds.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re chasing what you truly want or what you’ve been taught to want, this conversation may help you pause, tune out the noise, and hear yourself more clearly. Listen for a fresh perspective on authenticity, intuition, and finding a version of success that actually feels like your own.
Connect with Miruna:
WEB: feelaboutlife.com (https://feelaboutlife.com)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miruna-parchirie/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/miruna-parchirie/)
Miruna Barkidia Email: miru@feelaboutlife.com (mailto:miru@feelaboutlife.com)
🎥 Watch live — Fridays, 9:00 AM Eastern on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLToXR0bXV6I92L3wQ3kChZ8guEomccF9w (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLToXR0bXV6I92L3wQ3kChZ8guEomccF9w)
🎧 Listen anywhere — Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more
https://linktr.ee/freeandopenmind (https://linktr.ee/freeandopenmind)
Meet your hosts:
Hardy Brooklyn → https://boxofrain.com (https://boxofrain.com/)
Stan Nelson → https://coachingwithstan.com.au (https://coachingwithstan.com.au/)
Podcast home: https://linktr.ee/freeandopenmind (https://linktr.ee/freeandopenmind)
If this episode hits home, follow Free & Open Mind on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, leave a review, and share it with someone who's tired of pretending.
Contact Free & Open Mind
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Free & Open Mind?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
