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What if the moment you thought would end your life became the start of a mission to save millions?
In this extraordinary episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with suicide prevention advocate, storyteller, and best-selling author Kevin Hines. At 19, Kevin jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge — and lived to talk about it. Since then, his journey has become a beacon of hope, proving that resilience, love, and the right words at the right time can rewrite any story. From the sea lion that kept him afloat to the love story that began in a psych ward, Kevin shares the lessons he’s learned about staying, surviving, and thriving.
How do you find the will to live when your own mind tells you otherwise?
Kevin shows us that survival is not just possible. It can be the foundation for a life full of purpose, healing, and connection.
(00:00) From Trauma to Adoption: The Early Years
● Kevin’s childhood of neglect, poverty, and losing his brother in foster care
● How the Hines family gave him stability, love, and a new beginning
● Hiding behind the mask of “everything’s fine”
(07:57) Living With Bipolar Disorder & Suicidal Ideation
● Why silence and shame keep so many from getting help
● Kevin’s mantra: “My thoughts do not have to become my actions”
● The four words that have kept him alive for 25 years
(11:40) The Golden Gate Bridge Attempt & Miracles That Followed
● The instant regret that 19 survivors reported feeling
● The sea lion that kept him afloat until the Coast Guard arrived
● How a stranger’s phone call set off a chain of lifesaving miracles
(15:27) Turning Pain Into Purpose: Speaking, Writing & Advocacy
● Kevin’s mission to share his story
● His workbook The Art of Wellness and the daily practices he lives by
● How routines like breathwork, exercise, and sleep protect his brain health
(18:51) Love in the Psych Ward: Kevin & Margaret’s Story
● Meeting his future wife during his third involuntary stay
● The “worst first date ever”
● Why unconditional love and partnership became his ultimate source of strength
(21:13) The Fight for Safety at the Golden Gate Bridge
● How Kevin and his father co-founded the Bridge Rail Foundation
● The long battle to install suicide prevention nets
● Why saving lives matters more than “aesthetics” or money
(23:58) How to Save a Life: What to Say When Someone’s in Pain
● The exact questions anyone can ask when they see someone struggling
● Why simply stopping and caring could make the difference
● Kevin’s reminder that suicide is never the solution; it’s the problem
(25:58) Daily Mental Health Habits That Work
● The 23-minute rule for exercise and better mood
● Using logic and support to combat paranoia
● Why therapy, meditation, and medication all play a role
(31:01) Living Proof That Healing is Possible
● How Kevin’s work has reached over 3 billion viewers worldwide
● The thousands of people who’ve written to say his story saved their lives
● His message: every waking moment is a gift worth staying for
Guest Resources
● Listen to the Hindsights Podcast
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