What: There are so many terrible things happening in the world today, but there is also so much good. We’re focusing this session on the good and the kindness that still exists in this world.
Invite: A friend to join you! When: Monday October 6, 2025 7:00pm Bring: Potluck light food/snack item to share – I’ll bring a pizza. (if you don’t have time to bring a food item, come anyway!) Where: Kevin Gourley’s Photography Studio at 11740 Jollyville Rd. Suite 400, Austin TX RSVP: Let us know you’re coming, so we know how to set up tables & chairs. Send an email to
Join us as we watch a couple of heartwarming episodes of “The Kindness Diaries” and discuss. Episode 2:3 “The Gift of Purpose” Episode 2:4 “The Gift of Home“
What: The Secret to Feeling Less Alone We’ll explore the topic of loneliness and kindness.
Invite: A friend to join you! When: Monday Sept 1, 2025 7:00pm Bring: Potluck light food/snack item to share – I’ll bring a pizza. (if you don’t have time to bring a food item, come anyway!) Where: Kevin Gourley’s Photography Studio at 11740 Jollyville Rd. Suite 400, Austin TX RSVP: Let us know you’re coming, so we know how to set up tables & chairs. Send an email to
Join us as we watch two videos featuring author and TV host Leon Logothetis, followed by discussion:
“The Secret to Feeling Less Alone” (11-minute TEDx Talk)
“The Gift of Community” from his Netflix series, “The Kindness Diaries” (24 minutes)
In both videos, Logothetis shares his powerful journey of traveling the world with no money, relying solely on the kindness of others. He shows how simple acts of generosity can create deep human connections and help us all feel less alone.
Looking Ahead
September 15th 6:30pm – Dinner outing at Los Reyes Mexican Grill – 183 @ Lake Creek Blvd.
What: Michael James Cotton Foundation Guest speakers Casey and Beth Cotton, Co-founders and Board Secretary Valerie Cary Invite: A friend to join you! When: Monday August 18, 2025 7:00pm Bring: Potluck light food/snack item to share – I’ll bring a pizza. (if you don’t have time to bring a food item, come anyway!) Where: Kevin Gourley’s Photography Studio at 11740 Jollyville Rd. Suite 400, Austin TX RSVP: Let us know you’re coming, so we know how to set up tables & chairs. Send an email to
The Michael James Cotton Foundation financially supports adolescents/young adults 17-30 years old who cannot afford the support needed to help conquer the growing challenges of addiction, depression, and mental health.
Although an accident took Michael from this world way too early, he won this battle against great odds. The Michael James Cotton Foundation helps provide the opportunity to others who have the desire and drive but lack the economic means to achieve the Victory that Michael did.
Looking Ahead:
September 1st 7pm
We’ll explore the topic of loneliness and kindness: Video watch party and discussion. Bring light potluck snacks if you’d like. We’ll provide a pizza.
Watch “The Secret to Feeling Less Alone” TEDx Talk by Leon Logothesis (11 minutes)
Watch an episode of “The Kindness Diaries – The Gift of Community” by Leon Logothesis (24 minutes)
September 15th 6:30pm – Dinner outing at Los Reyes Mexican Grill – 183 @ Lake Creek Blvd.
Categorizing people ignores their unique journeys. We often overlook the “invisible” among us—like the “homeless” or a “drug addict” or a “prostitute.” To truly understand, we must listen. I invite you to join us.
What: Soft White Underbelly Project Watch Party Invite: A friend to join you! When: Monday August 4, 2025 7:00pm Bring: Potluck light food/snack item to share – I’ll bring a pizza. (if you don’t have time to bring a food item, come anyway!) Where: Kevin Gourley’s Photography Studio at 11740 Jollyville Rd. Suite 400, Austin TX RSVP: Let us know you’re coming, so we know how to set up tables & chairs. Send an email to
The Soft White Underbelly project is a YouTube channel and photographic series created by Mark Laita, a commercial photographer based in Los Angeles. The project focuses on interviewing and photographing “people who are frequently invisible in society-the unhoused, the sex worker, the chronic drug user, the runaway, the gang member, the poor and the sick.” We will discuss some of the insights we gain while watching a couple of these interviews.
Looking Ahead:
August 18th, 2025 7pm Michael James Cotton Foundation Guest speakers Casey and Beth Cotton, Co-founders and Board Secretary Valerie Gary Light snack potluck
This wonderful foundation financially supports adolescents/young adults 17-30YO who cannot afford the support needed to help conquer the growing challenges of addiction, depression, and mental health.
ALSO: Many thanks to all who attended our last gathering!
What: TED Talk Watch Party and Potluck Dinner “It’s Time for Infectious Generosity. Here’s How” by Chris Anderson
Also: We’re also celebrating the move of our studio to our new location! (Same building, but now on the other side.) Come celebrate with us!
Invite: A friend to join you! When: Monday July 21, 2025 6:30pm Bring: Potluck food item to share. Where: Kevin Gourley’s Photography Studio at 11740 Jollyville Rd. Suite 400, Austin TX RSVP: Let us know you’re coming, so we know how to set up tables & chairs. Send an email to
What would happen to humanity if generosity went viral? Sharing transformative stories from around the world, head of TED Chris Anderson outlines why the time has come for the internet to realize its power to supercharge small acts of kindness, changing lives at a scale never experienced before. Learn how to cultivate a generous mindset — with or without giving money — and get inspired with tools to amplify your impact.
This topic is near and dear to my heart because much of my business for the past 20 years has been devoted to generosity and serving the community in a wide variety of ways!
Looking Ahead:
August 4th, 2025 7pm
Soft White Underbelly Project Watch Party – Light snack potluck
The Soft White Underbelly project is a YouTube channel and photographic series created by Mark Laita, a commercial photographer based in Los Angeles. The project focuses on interviewing and photographing “people who are frequently invisible in society-the unhoused, the sex worker, the chronic drug user, the runaway, the gang member, the poor and the sick.” We will discuss some of the insights we gain while watching a couple of these interviews.
August 18th, 2025 7pm Michael James Cotton Foundation Guest speakers Casey and Beth Cotton, Co-founders and Board Secretary Valerie Gary Light snack potluck
This wonderful foundation financially supports adolescents/young adults 17-30YO who cannot afford the support needed to help conquer the growing challenges of addiction, depression, and mental health.
We’re taking a short break due to people’s vacation plans AND due to some big changes in our building, I am having to move my studio to a new location in our building. We’ll be back though! So “stay tuned!”
Imagine a commencement speech that wasn’t just words, but a captivating performance where life’s essential lessons unfolded like a magician’s secrets, urging graduates to conjure their best selves and transform fear into fuel. Brad Meltzer’s address wasn’t just a speech; it was a powerful enchantment of wisdom, empathy, and a touch of Wolverines magic, leaving graduates spellbound and ready to shape a kinder world.
What: “2024 Michigan Commencement Address” – Brad Meltze – Watch Party Bring: Snack / party finger food to share (totally optional) Invite: A friend to join you! When: Monday May 19, 2025 7pm (show up early 6:30-7pm) Bring a snack to share (optional) We’ll provide a pizza. Where: Kevin Gourley’s Photography Studio at 11740 Jollyville Rd. Suite 400, Austin TX RSVP: Let us know you’re coming, so we know how to set up tables & chairs. Send an email to
ALSO: BREAKFAST ANYONE?
Join our little group for breakfast the next day, May 20, 2025 at 8:30am at Kerbey Lane Cafe (on 183 near Anderson Mill)
YES we are doing this one AGAIN! We want more of you to be here for this session. It is a great TED Talk!
What: “Poverty, Money — and Love”TED Talk Watch Party Bring: Snack / party finger food to share (totally optional) Invite: A friend to join you! When: Monday May 5, 2025 7pm (show up early 6:30-7pm) Bring a snack to share (optional) We’ll provide a pizza. Where: Kevin Gourley’s Photography Studio at 11740 Jollyville Rd. Suite 400, Austin TX RSVP: Let us know you’re coming, so we know how to set up tables & chairs. Send an email to
What do you think of people in poverty? Maybe what Jessica Jackley once did: “they” need “our” help, in the form of a few coins in a jar. The co-founder of Kiva.org talks about how her attitude changed — and how her work with microloans has brought new power to people who live on a few dollars a day.
Yes! We did this same TED Talk Watch Party on April 14th, but we only had a few folks who could come. This particular TED Talk was one we WANT MORE OF YOU TO SEE! We encourage you to put this on your calendar now!
Looking ahead:
Our May 19th activity will be an inspiring watch party: 2024 Michigan Commencement Address – Brad Meltzer We all need more empathy. “If you really want to shock the world, unleash your kindness.”
Join us for our second session in 2025! All are invited. As always, free to attend.
What: “The Power of Resilience – Sam Goldstein Ph.D.” TED Talk Watch Party Bring: Snack / party finger food to share (totally optional) Invite: A friend to join you! When: Monday March 24, 2025 7pm (show up early 6:30-7pm) Bring a snack to share (optional) Where: Kevin Gourley’s Photography Studio at 11740 Jollyville Rd. Suite 400, Austin TX RSVP: Let us know you’re coming, so we know how to set up tables & chairs. Send an email to
Parents seek happiness, success in school, satisfaction in life and solid friendships as keys to helping their children transition happily and successfully into adult life. If we examined these parental goals it would not be an oversimplification to conclude that realizing these goals requires that our children possess the inner strength to deal competently and successfully day after day with the challenges and demands they encounter. This capacity to cope and feel competent is called resilience.
Resilience embraces the ability of a child to deal effectively with stress and pressure, to cope with every day challenges, to bounce back from disappointments, adversity and trauma, to develop clear and realistic goals, to solve problems, to relate comfortably with others and to treat one’s self and others with respect. Scientific studies of children facing great adversity in their lives support the importance of a resilient mindset as a powerful force. Resilience explains why some children overcome overwhelming obstacles, sometimes clawing and scraping their way to successful adulthood, while others become victims of their early experiences in environments.
Keep up with what we’re doing! Check back here on our website, OR sign up for our email group. Use our Contact Form to request to be added!
