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

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

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