Join our next event in Austin
Leonard Pickard
Inside the Mind of the Acid King
A rare evening with a living legend of the psychedelic underground
In 2000, Leonard Pickard was arrested while moving a clandestine laboratory linked to what became the largest LSD case in history. The verdict was two life sentences without parole. For the next twenty years, he lived behind bars far from his family, friends, and the life he had known.
For Leonard, the hardest part was not the prison walls, but the absence of the people he loved. That separation became his rock bottom.
Join us for a powerful night of storytelling and connection as Leonard reflects on his years in the psychedelic underground, the two decades in prison that reshaped him, and what the future holds for him.
Maja Gray
The Longest Layover
One woman's true story of going halfway around the globe to face what she couldn't outrun.
After losing her father, Maja Gray found herself untethered. She boarded a flight with no clear destination and ended up living in Singapore’s Changi Airport for six months.
This isn’t a story about travel. It’s about what happens when life stops making sense and the only way forward is inward.
Join us for a powerful night of storytelling and connection as Maja shares how the most unexpected chapter of her life became the one that changed everything.
Nate Boyer
The Space Between
A Conversation on Unity, Courage, and Finding Common Ground
Join us for an Open Spaces evening with Nate Boyer—Army Green Beret, UT Longhorn, NFL player, and filmmaker—as we explore what it takes to build bridges in a world determined to tear them down.
In 2016, when Colin Kaepernick began sitting during the national anthem, Nate did something radical: he listened. Their private conversation led to Kaepernick's decision to kneel instead, but thrust Nate into a firestorm, attacked by both sides of a divided nation.
This gathering will hold space for honest conversation about navigating polarization and discovering that sometimes the most patriotic thing you can do is help your country heal.
Alex Bradley
The Next Step
A Conversation on Identity and Mental Health
Join us for an Open Spaces evening with Alex Bradley, movement coach and founder of A2B Fitness, as we explore identity, mental health, and the courage it takes to start over.
Alex’s story is one of unraveling and rebuilding - of leaving behind a life that no longer fit and choosing a new path forward.
This gathering will hold space for honest conversation, shared reflection, and healing through community.
Finding Purpose Amid Grief with Laura Cannon
Kick off 2025 with our first Open Spaces event of the new year! Join us for a collaborative event and launch party for Just Okay, featuring Just Okay founder, Laura Cannon.
FAQs
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Open Spaces is a live event series designed to help people feel seen, connected, and inspired. Through real stories, intentional conversations, and moments that go beyond small talk, we create space for honest, human connection.
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Open Spaces is not a support group or a licensed mental health provider. We're a community that creates spaces for real conversation, connection, and shared human experience. While many find our events healing and meaningful, they are not a substitute for therapy or professional mental health support. We always encourage anyone in need to seek guidance from a licensed professional.
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Open-hearted people from all walks of life. Our community includes creatives, founders, healers, tech folks, introverts, extroverts, and anyone craving more realness and less surface-level talk.
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Since Open Spaces events take place entirely outdoors, we keep a close eye on the weather. If rain or severe weather is in the forecast, we’ll make a call at least 12 hours before the event to either reschedule or cancel.
If we reschedule, your ticket will automatically transfer to the new date. If you can’t make the rescheduled date, we’ll offer you a credit you can use for any future Open Spaces event.
If we cancel the event completely and don’t reschedule, you’ll receive a full refund.
We’ll communicate all weather-related updates via email and Instagram, so be sure to keep an eye on both the day of and before the event.
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Yes, there is plenty of free parking in an empty lot directly next to the venue. Look for the Parking sign!
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Each gathering centers around a powerful conversation with a featured guest. We layer in non-awkward (we promise) connection activities, light bites, a shared meal and non-alcoholic drinks, dessert, and moments for reflection. You’ll leave feeling more grounded, connected, and expanded.
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Nope. You’re welcome just as you are. You’ll never be put on the spot or asked to share if you don’t want to. Some people come to listen. Some come to connect. Both are welcome.
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Whatever makes you feel most like you. There’s no dress code. Come as you are—comfy, casual, dressed up, dressed down. All vibes welcome. Note the venue is outdoors and the ground is gravel. Stiletto heels are not recommended.
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Absolutely. A lot of people do. We intentionally design these experiences so you don’t feel awkward or out of place walking in solo. You might even leave with a new friend or two.
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We do our best to accommodate accessibility limitations. If you have specific needs or questions, email us at kate@open-spaces.co and we’ll make sure you’re supported.
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Yes, all events include light bites, a fully catered meal and non-alcoholic beverages. Gluten free (non-celiac), vegetarian and vegan options are available.
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Tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred. If you can’t make it, you’re welcome to gift or resell your ticket to a friend. Just shoot us a message so we can update our guest list.
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As much as we love dogs (and you might spot one or two roaming around the property), we ask that you leave your pups at home. It helps us keep the space grounded, calm, and distraction-free for everyone attending.
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Open Spaces events are designed for adults 18 and up. The conversations we hold often explore sensitive topics, and we want to create a space where everyone can show up fully without filtering themselves. If you’re a parent, we appreciate you making the time to be with us.
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We’re building something bigger - a community that lives on beyond the events. Follow us on Instagram @openspaces.co, or reach out if you want to collaborate, sponsor, or support at kate@open-spaces.co.