Identity Library

Warmer days, longer evenings, and Easter right around the corner, it honestly feels like everything is starting again… and so is this podcast. I’ve missed this space so much, and I’m so happy to be back. In Chapter 28, I’m sitting down with Griffin, and we’re talking about something I feel like everyone has said…

What happens when you stop hiding the parts of yourself the world taught you to soften? In this episode, I sit down with Indio Skinner to talk about what it truly means to live unapologetically with a disability. After years of downplaying his spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to avoid being treated differently, Indio made a…

Ever wondered what it’s like to grow up offline, deep in the jungle, at a tiny Indian boarding school? In this episode, I chat with Praneeth Koneru about his nine-year adventure at Rishi Valley School, a place with no Wi-Fi, no phones, and barely any contact with the outside world. We dive into the unique…

Hi everyone, there are conversations that challenge you loudly and then there are the ones that quietly rearrange how you think. This episode belongs to the second kind. Sitting down with Ari, what began as a conversation about monogamy slowly unfolded into something much deeper: a reflection on queerness, intimacy, chosen structures, and the invisible…

A new year, a new semester, and it only felt right to start this season with a familiar voice. In this episode, I’m joined by our old and well-known friend Abdullah Najjar for a conversation that feels like coming home. We talk about approaching strangers, starting conversations, awkward silences, curiosity, fear, and the courage it…

Hi everyone, The Identity Library is back, and I’m so excited for the semester ahead!  This episode is a personal New Year check-in. I share a few honest updates about the podcast, reflect on the past year, and talk about why I’ve started approaching New Year’s resolutions differently. Instead of pressure or perfection, I focus…

Hey everyone! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Life has been racing, new semester, new routines, and a whole lot of catching up with myself. But I’m finally back behind the mic, and it feels good. This first episode of the semester marks a little creative reset, a reminder that even when life gets chaotic,…

Season One of The Identity Library has officially come to a close, and what a chapter it has been. From graduating at NC State to being accepted into grad school, this season was full of change, challenge, and moments I never expected to carry so deeply. As I head home to Germany for the summer,…

Surprise, we’re still in Season 1, but this one feels different. Call it a summer edition, a bonus chapter, or just a moment that needed to exist before we officially wrap things up. In this episode, I sit down with my brilliant and quietly powerful friend Cece Harrison, a Nuclear Engineering major at NC State,…

After weeks of writing, presenting, and overthinking every single page of my thesis, I’m finally back. This semester was a whirlwind, and somehow, I actually graduated. In this episode, I sit down with my friend Tommy Godwin, who also just crossed the stage, to reflect on everything we’ve learned, unlearned, and are still figuring out.…

 Ever wondered what it’s like to live as a “John Smith”? Well, Abdullah Najjar can tell you—because he did just that! In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating (and sometimes hilarious) world of names. Abdullah shares his experience adopting the most common name in the Western world while in Libya, all in an…

Picture this: You’re sitting around a warm kitchen table in China, where the rich aroma of fresh dumplings fills the air, and your grandmother’s hands, weathered with years of tradition, expertly fold the dough. The room buzzes with soft laughter, and each dumpling she creates is a piece of history, wrapped in dough and steeped…

In this episode, I sit down with Gavin Bell, assistant director at NC State’s Multicultural Student Affairs Center and a member of the Lumbee Tribe, to explore Native American identity, cultural resilience, and holistic well-being. Gavin shares the rich history and unique traditions of the Lumbee people, highlighting the diversity among Native American tribes and…

Ever wondered what happens when graphic design meets fashion? In this episode, I sit down with Alyx Hucks, a designer who’s blending the digital world with the tactile magic of wearable art. We dive into her journey from creating eye-catching graphics to transforming thrifted pieces into wearable masterpieces that speak to personal growth and loss.…

It’s hard to believe we’re already stepping into 2025! In this episode, I sit down with Abdullah Najjar to reflect on our past year—2024—and all the things that made it unforgettable. From the ups to the downs, we talk about the moments that shaped us, both personally and professionally. We dive into what we’ve learned,…

Welcome to the first episode of the semester! I hope you all had a great start to 2025 and are ready for another season of conversations on identity, culture, and life abroad. To kick things off, I’m joined by Loridana Foksha, who is giving us a recap of her semester in Spain—living away from her…

As the holiday season sparkles to life and the clock inches closer to a new year, this episode is a warm toast to traditions, laughter, and the magic of festive customs. I’m joined by Lucas Ciscato, who brings stories of Italian Christmas dinners, the whimsical La Befana, and the symbolic ritual of burning away the…

What happens when you venture deep into the Everglades, armed with nothing but curiosity, a love for nature, and a resilient spirit? For Josie Houchard, it marked the start of an adventure that would change her life. In this episode, Josie takes us on a journey through wetlands, rivers, and the winding paths of self-discovery.…

Welcome to Chapter 10 of Identity Library– an episode where we immerse ourselves in the warmth, flavors, and timeless traditions of Italian culture through the eyes of Lucas Ciscato.In this captivating conversation, Lucas takes us from the lively streets of Italy, where the scent of fresh espresso mingles with the sounds of animated conversations, to…

What does it mean to truly align with yourself? In this transformative episode, Kian Alberto returns to explore the deep connections between self-love, alignment, and the pursuit of purpose. Together, we unravel how life’s unexpected detours—whether a job you loathe or a path you never planned to take—can become your greatest blessings. From reframing failures…