Celebrate a New Year! Happy 2026 Everyone!
Here’s our lineup of January activities with our Life-Insights group!

When: Monday January 5th, 2026 7:00pm
What: TED Talk Watch Party!
“You can do better than a New Year’s resolution – How to Be a Better Human” w/ Gretchen Rubin
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 

---

BREAKFAST:  Tuesday January 13th our next monthly breakfast!
8am at Kerbey Lane Cafe (183 @ Anderson Mill).
RSVP to  so we know what size table to get!

---

When: Monday January 19th, 2026 7:00pm
What: TED Talk Watch Party!
“The Art of Asking” by Amanda Palmer
A popular TED talk viewed over 13 million times. In The Art of Asking, Amanda Palmer explores the transformative power of vulnerability, arguing that asking for help is not an act of weakness or begging, but a collaborative exchange that builds deep human connection and trust between artists and their communities.
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 

Hi Life-Insights friends!

BREAKFAST: We had our monthly breakfast on Tuesday December 9th at 8am at Kerbey Lane Cafe (183 @ Anderson Mill). MANY THANKS to all who joined us! Mark your calendars now for our next breakfast on Tuesday January 13th at Kerbey Lane!

---

In our typical “busy-ness” of the approaching holidays, let’s not have a formal evening meeting in December.

Instead, I encourage you to attend one or both of these great events:

WILLIAMSON COUNTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Fri, Dec 12 @ 7:30  PM
Worship Center @ Bethany United Methodist Church
Plus, you’ll get to see an art exhibit we just created by our new Creative Crossroads Arts Group at Bethany, which I lead.

AUSTIN CIVIC WIND ENSEMBLE   <- Melissa & Alyssa are in this!
Sat, Dec 13 @ 2:00 PM
Cornerstone Building @ Bethany United Methodist Church

Here’s a map to Bethany:   https://bethany-umc.org/location-parking/

Let me know if you plan on joining us for either of these events!  Both will be wonderful!

Kevin

Actually, it turns out we have enough people who CAN’T come tonight that it just makes sense to cancel tonight’s program.

Sorry to do this!  TONIGHT’S SESSION IS CANCELLED.
Too many folks are entering this super busy holiday chaos!

You can watch the talk in the comfort of your own home! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfgtKWTHkDo

TED Talk Watch Party – CANCELLED
Christmas is an Arms Race: Georgine Getty at TEDxXavierUniversity

Georgine Getty, an advocate for the homeless, uses the provocative title “Christmas is an Arms Race” to critique the immense cultural pressure the holiday season places on vulnerable people. She argues that this societal emphasis on giving and celebration inadvertently highlights and intensifies the often unseen burdens and struggles faced by those in need. Ultimately, her talk calls for a deeper understanding of how the expectations of holiday generosity can force the lives of the homeless into the public spotlight.

Invite: A friend to join you!
When: Monday December 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 

ALSO Breakfasts! – 2nd Tuesdays!

• We are now also getting together for breakfasts on the 2nd Tuesday of each month! No topic. Just fellowship and great conversation.
• December 9 8am at Kerbey Lane Cafe (183 near Anderson Mill)
• RSVP to so we know what size table to get!
  

Coming up next, we have TWO options for dining and fellowship. There’s nothing better than good food and good company. 🙂

Dinner!

Pizza at Aviator Pizza on 4005 West Parmer Lane
Monday November 17th 6:15pm
RSVP to so we know what size table to get!
https://aviatorpizza.com

Breakfast!

• Tuesday November 11th 8am at Kerbey Lane (183 near Anderson Mill).
  RSVP to so we know what size table to get!
• We are now doing breakfasts on the 2nd Tuesday of each month!
  So, November 11th, then December 9th, so put these on your calendars!

Looking Ahead

December 1, 2025 7pm
Watch and Discuss TED Talk + Light Snacks
Christmas is an Arms Race: Georgine Getty
Georgine, passionate about helping the homeless, unveils the hidden truths of Christmas that forces people in need to live in the public’s eye.
Where: Kevin Gourley Photography Studio 11740 Jollyville Rd. Suite 400, Austin

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 November 3, 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 

We enjoyed our watch party for the show “The Kindness Diaries”, we decided to watch two more episodes and discuss!

Season 2 Episode 1: The Gift of Faith
Season 2 Episode 9: The Gift of Connection

Join us for BREAKFAST – Tues Oct 14th 8am
At Kerbey Lane Cafe on 183 near Anderson Mill Rd.

We really would LOVE for you to join us for food and fellowship. 🙂

RSVP to ( we need an accurate count on who will be attending so we have the right size table )

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 

September 15, 2025 6:30pm
Join us on a Dinner outing at Los Reyes Mexican Grill – 183 @ Lake Creek Blvd.

RSVP: Let us know you’re coming, so we can let the restaurant know. Send an email to 

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 

• “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.