Leen on Kindness

From Diagnosis to Direction

And it’s proof that when we lead with love, we can build bridges — not walls. Gina Bowser — a woman who turned pain into purpose, and beauty into service. She began as an entrepreneur in the beauty industry, then answered a deeper calling into social work. But when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, everything shifted. While fighting her own battle, she saw a need — and answered it with courage. She dedicated her life to supporting women walking the same path, combining her clinical training with her heart for care. And as she completed her master’s in social work, she took another bold step: creating hair care products designed specifically for the diverse textures of African American women — a need long overlooked. Today, Gina leads workshops, shares wisdom, and reminds women: your beauty is real — inside and out. This is more than a comeback. It’s a calling. And her kindness is changing lives.

Love that Listens

Paul and MaDonna Newman — an interracial couple from different worlds — have been married for 14 years, proving that love isn’t about matching backgrounds, but about sharing values.  Paul, a White man from Phoenix, grew up without ever seeing a Black student in his high school. MaDonna, a Black woman raised in the diverse heart of Los Angeles, came into the relationship with no children, while Paul brought six.   They come from different political parties, dress differently, and were shaped by vastly different experiences.  But one thing united them: deep, shared values — kindness, integrity, family.  And that was enough. In a world that focuses on division, Paul and MaDonna show us what real love looks like: not sameness, but respect. Not agreement on everything — but compassion, curiosity, and commitment.  This is a story about how two people chose each other — not in spite of their differences, but because they learned to see them as gifts.  And it’s proof that when we lead with love, we can build bridges — not walls.

I Was a Good Mormon - Until I Had to Be Me

Brandon Spevak lived the ideal Mormon life: a descendant of pioneers, a devoted husband, father, bishop, and missionary. He did "everything" right. But from his teenage years, he carried a truth he couldn’t speak: he was gay. For decades, he lived a double life, burying his identity to honor his faith. When his children were teenagers, he realized he could no longer deny who he was. Coming out cost him his standing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but it gave him something far greater: his soul. Though his mother and siblings struggled to support him without defying doctrine, his father’s quiet acceptance became a lifeline. Over time, Brandon let go of his resentment, embraced his truth, and found love. Today, he dedicates his life to supporting LGBTQ+ youth who’ve been cast out by their families — offering the compassion he almost didn’t receive. This is a story of loss, liberation, and legacy — and how one man turned pain into purpose.

The Calm in the Crisis: How Kindness Transforms Tough Conversations

Mike Buchheit has spent decades on the front lines of human emotion, calming panicked voices on insurance calls, guiding uncooperative visitors at the Grand Canyon, and later, navigating his own health crisis as a patient. In this powerful conversation, he shares how kindness, even in high-stakes, high-stress moments, isn't just nice, it's necessary. From de-escalating crises with empathy to setting clear expectations with compassion, Mike reveals how treating people with dignity, whether you're serving them or relying on them, changes outcomes, saves lives, and creates connection where conflict could arise. This is more than a customer service story. It’s a reminder: **kindness is a skill, a strength, and a lifeline especially when the stakes are high.

Eyes Wide Open: Journey to Awareness and Acceptance

shares her story of personal growth, understanding, and empathy, and learn how her experiences have shaped her views on acceptance and unity.