Planting a seed of kindness and understanding

Ryals reflects on growing up gay in Ukraine, navigating shame, bullying, and the pressure to hide who he was while living through a period of upheaval and suppression. He shares how early messages from his parents, especially his stepfather’s quiet wisdom, planted a “seed” that later grew into a deeper commitment to compassion and understanding.

Moving to the United States became a turning point: a chance to rebuild his life, come out, and repair relationships, including a difficult but ultimately loving conversation with his mother. Alongside this, Ryals speaks candidly about depression, grief after his father’s death, and the role of therapy in helping him unlearn anger and move forward.

The conversation also explores how Ryals channels lived experience into creativity and advocacy, using songwriting, performance, and storytelling to encourage young people to live more freely, seek support, and choose kindness. He discusses partnering with organisations supporting LGBTQI people facing persecution and plans to take anti-bullying messages into schools, emphasising that small acts of empathy can create lasting change.