Meet the SEEN:app team
We're passionate about creating a space where people can slow down, be honest, and be truly seen.
Ben Kraker
Founder/Lead Developer
Ben has spent more than a decade in tech, but his interest has always been in the places where technology serves something deeper than efficiency.
During recovery from major jaw surgery, he taught himself to code and built SEEN:app in just three months. The idea grew out of his own journaling with AI in a session he called Iceberg, where reflection revealed what was moving beneath the surface of everyday life.
He sees AI as a mirror, able to show us what's present simply by reflecting it back. Most people don't have the time or tools to shape AI in that way. SEEN:app makes the experience accessible, guiding users from surface thoughts into deeper truths.
Influenced by playback theater and the listening posture of spiritual direction, Ben continues his work in tech while shaping SEEN:app as something more than software. It is where ancient practices meet modern tools, where slowing down becomes an act of resistance, and where being truly seen — even to yourself — can change everything.
He lives in Grand Rapids with his wife Andi, their two young adult kids, and a handful of rescue animals who keep life real.
Mahlon White
Operations & Community Lead
Mahlon White has spent more than twenty years in technology, beginning as a developer and eventually moving into product ownership and management. His gift is turning business ideas into working solutions that make a difference. What inspires him most is the art of the possible — watching thought take shape as something real and meaningful.
When Ben invited him to join the SEEN:app journey, Mahlon found more than just another project. Though journaling had never been his rhythm, the Iceberg flow revealed a surprising love for reflection and the clarity that comes from uncovering what lies beneath the surface.
Mahlon is fascinated by the way AI can act as a safe companion for journaling, offering people a confidential space to explore their lives without performance or judgment. Guided by his Christian faith, he approaches his work with integrity and seeks out communities shaped by honesty, respect, and care.
He lives in Iowa with his wife, their three children, and an ornery black cat who keeps the household in balance. Outside of work, he is a budding podcaster and an avid traveler, always looking for ways to weave story, curiosity, and connection into new experiences.
Our Story
SEEN:app was born from the belief that everyone deserves to be seen and understood. Our mission is simple: to create tools that help people connect with themselves and one another in meaningful ways.
The roots of that mission go back to friendship. One of the first people to truly see Ben, and be seen by him, was his longtime friend Jim. Their college years were filled with late-night pizza runs and performing improv with their school's admissions troupe. That trust carried forward into Real Men Hug, the podcast Ben and Jim cohosted to explore masculinity, vulnerability, and mental well-being.
Around the same time, Mahlon and his cohost Jamie were shaping round table MINDSET, a show known for bold, unfiltered conversations on tough issues. When Jim introduced Ben to Mahlon, the four created a true collaboration episode, released on both podcasts. That conversation became a turning point. Jim and Jamie have remained trusted voices of feedback and encouragement, helping us see that the work we were beginning mattered far beyond ourselves.
As Ben and Mahlon's partnership deepened, their complementary strengths came into focus. Ben carried the vision and technical development. Mahlon brought gifts in community, operations, and user experience. Together, and with the support of friends who first modeled what it means to be seen, SEEN:app began to grow from a personal project into a movement.
Today, SEEN:app reflects that journey: born of friendship, strengthened by honest dialogue, and guided by the belief that being seen changes everything.
Our Mission
A Place to Be Honest
Everyone deserves a private corner to notice what is really going on inside.
The Iceberg Approach
Our AI follows the shape of an iceberg. It begins with surface thoughts, then gently guides you deeper. Along the way, the AI amplifies what it detects as your inner, often quieter voice, helping you see yourself more clearly in the reflection looking back at you.
Privacy First
Your reflections stay yours, fully encrypted and stored only on your device.
Accessible Wellness
Mental wellness should not be a luxury. SEEN:app's core offering of private local storage and written reflection will always be free. Premium features like voice journaling or cloud-based access may come later, but the essentials of honesty and privacy are for everyone.
Our Values
"We're not here to track or fix. We're here to honor what makes us human, believing that being seen changes everything."
Want to Connect?
We'd love to hear from you. Whether you have questions, feedback, or just want to say hello.