This episode features an interview with Bruce Leonard, who has had a varied life journey. After growing up in Sleepy Hollow, New York and being a college wrestler, Bruce chose to join VISTA rather than go to Vietnam, which led to a transformative experience living in a low-income housing project in Honolulu for two years. This exposure to diverse cultures and social issues significantly shaped his values. Bruce then pursued a graduate degree in Public Health and joined the Public Health Service, working on Indian reservations before transferring to the CDC, where he worked until retiring. Now, in retirement, Bruce is focused on promoting peace through his involvement with his Unitarian Universalist church and an Interfaith Alliance, organizing festivals that bring together different faiths to share music, food, and discussions aimed at fostering understanding.
Episode Highlights:
00:00:37 Bruce Leonard's Background and Early Life
00:03:51 VISTA Experience and Early Career
00:05:59 Public Health Service and CDC Career
00:07:54 Interfaith Alliance and Peace Festivals
00:15:09 Challenges and Goals for Peace
00:19:41 Festival Details and Implementation
00:27:17 Personal Reflections and Spiritual Journey
00:39:53 Future Plans and Final Thoughts
"It's all about love, understanding each other, and producing peace - that's what the world needs now." - Saju
Who is Bruce Leonard?
Bruce Leonard is a Global Peace Ambassador and retired Captain of the U.S. Public Health Service.
With a degree from Franklin and Marshall College and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Hawaii, Bruce dedicated his career to public health, serving with the Indian Health Service and CDC.
He’s now focused on promoting global peace through the Golden Rule Peace Festivals, fostering interfaith collaboration.
Bruce is also an avid marathoner, having completed 21 marathons, and cycled across the U.S. He and his wife, Carol, have been married for 46 years and raised two children.
"We must cherish our existence, protect the environment, and love each other to save our planet." - Bruce
Follow us on Socials:
Bruce Leonard
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bruce.leonard.988
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bruceleonard123
Phone: 678-699-7827
Email: b.leonard97@yahoo.com
Peace Festival Planning
https://www.uucg.org/events/peace-festival-planning-2/
Quest for Peace
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/questforpeacepodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/questforpeacepodcast
Website: https://www.questforpeacepodcast.com
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@questforpeacepodcast
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@questforpeacepodcast
Infinite Love
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infinitelovergv
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infinitelovergv
Website: https://loveisinfinite.org/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@infinitelovergv
#peaceandunderstanding #interfaithfestivals #moralleadership #communitybuilding #spiritualjourney #socialjustice #environmentalactivism #unitedwestand #questforpeace #questforpeacepodcast #innerharmony #life #challenges #tranquility #chaos #conflict #journey #peaces #innerpeace #outerpeace #innerguide #guide #transformation #expedition #sajuvaswani #saju
