Don’t Walk Past Someone Who Needs to Be Seen

What does it really mean to love people well—especially when conversations get messy, awkward, or emotional?

In this episode of Courageous Love, Kristin DeVan and Mark Riding kick off the new year by rethinking resolutions, reflecting on growth, and diving into a powerful (and practical!) listening strategy that can transform friendships, families, classrooms, and communities.

You’ll learn how to recognize whether someone needs a tissue box, a soap box, or a tool box—and why jumping straight to “fixing” can actually do more harm than good. Gaby Y. shares her leadership journey from sixth grade representative to student council president and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it really means to lead in middle school. From planning fun events to making sure every student feels heard, Gaby reminds us that leadership is about inclusion, listening, and creating joy.Along the way, Kristin and Mark explore what courageous love looks like in everyday moments, from sitting with someone who’s alone to choosing truth over comfort.