Coffee, Courage, and the Gift That Costs Nothing - Free & Open Mind

She overcame societal expectations by becoming pregnant before marriage, challenged a surgeon who claimed women could not be both doctors and mothers, and established the first inclusive program for deaf students in a New York public school—all before publishing her first book. This week, hosts Hardy Brooklyn and Stan Nelson interview educator and author Rosemary Olender, whose new book, Coffee and Wisdom, distills five decades of parenting experience into one guiding ritual: being present each evening with a cup of coffee and a thoughtful question. Rosemary shares the story her father told her the night before he passed—a story that became the inspiration for her book—and explains her “three pillars of intentional parenting”: observe, listen actively, and model. No expensive programs. No additional hours. Just presence.Takeaways:Connection requires intention more than time—five minutes of genuine conversation before the school bus surpasses an hour of distracted togetherness.Children do not become who you instruct them to be; they become who they observe you to be.Call to Action: Watch or listen on Facebook, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, and share a comment about your own “coffee table” moment—a question a parent asked you, or one you ask your children, that made a meaningful impact. We value every comment and appreciate hearing your stories. If this episode resonates with you, consider exploring our back catalog for more thoughtful conversations on authentic living, building resilience in children, and remaining true to yourself in a challenging world.Connect and learn more:Find Rosemary Olender:Calendar link: https://www.companyflix.com/economy/rosemary-olender𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosemary-olender-227660356/Website: www.rosemaryolender.comEmail: [email protected]: Family Reflection Insight Questionnaire Find Hardy Brooklyn at  https://boxofrain.com and http://freeandopenmind.com Connect with Stan Nelson at https://coachingwithstan.com.auPodcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/freeandopenmindIf this episode hits home, follow Free & Open Mind on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, leave a review, and share this with one friend who’s tired of pretending.