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 at least once: “I really want to learn a language.” And somehow… we never start. Or we...

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 bold decision: to show up fully and visibly as himself. That choice didn’t li...

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 challenges and joys of boarding school life: building friendships in tight quarters, navigati...

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 rules we’re taught to follow when it comes to...

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 takes to say the first hello, whether in a coffee shop, a classro...

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 on choosing a theme for the year, something that offers direction with...

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, there’s always rhythm waiting to be found again. This week, I sat down with Lexi, or as some of...

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, I’m taking a well-deserved pause, eating way too much feta cheese, sipping sparkling soda in the sun, a...

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, to talk about what it really means to be a woman in engineering. Not the glossy poster...

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. Tommy, a double major in Agroecology and International Studies...

 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 effort to sound less... well, too "exotic". Spoiler alert: It didn’t go exactly a...

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 memory. In this episode, I sit down with Mingduo, a recent NC State...

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 the importance of cultural preserv...

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. But it’s not just about fabric and design—it’s ab...

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, the surprises life threw our way, and how gratitude and reflection became such...

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 home in the U.S. and NC State. From the excitement of immersing herself in a new culture to the challe...

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 old to welcome the new. We wander through snowy German Christmas markets, savor Dut...

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. From growing up as the youngest in a bustling North Carolina family to...

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 the intimate moments around family tables wher...

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 as opportunities to finding clarity i...

 Welcome to this bonus episode of Identity Library, recorded at the beginning of the semester! I’m excited to have my friend Loridana back with me. Did anyone miss her? With the basketball season just starting, many might dream of becoming a basketball star in their next life, making this episode topic perfect for this time of year. We dive into the complexities of being in your 20s, exploring que...

Join us as we soar through the inspiring journey of Cole Hood, a dedicated student at North Carolina State University. From navigating multiple major changes to earning his pilot's license, Cole shares the pivotal moments that shaped his passion for aviation, including cherished memories with his grandfather and uncle. In this episode, we explore the cultural significance of flying in the U.S., de...

In this chapter, I welcome you to "Islamland." Don’t be scared but be aware that the road may be bumpy and probably filled with way too many camel riders. Here’s the question: are you the rider or the actual camel? If this is confusing you, you definitely need to join our new story as we uncover the truth and the key that connects our names to our identity. What if I told you your name holds the k...

What happens when a random encounter at a café sparks a conversation that unfolds into a captivating story? Get ready for a compelling episode that’s bound to challenge your perspectives! Join me as I welcome Kian Alberto, whose life story reads like a screenplay of triumph and struggle. From a three-year-old soccer prodigy to navigating the complexities of a multicultural identity, Kian's journey...

Before we dive into today's episode, I want to remind everyone in North Carolina to stay safe and prepared for the upcoming hurricane—take care of yourselves and your loved ones! Now, grab your helmets and your Dutch breakfast sprinkles as Lucas Ciscato takes us on a wild ride through his multicultural life. Born in Mexico to a Dutch mom and Italian dad, Lucas shares the ups and downs of being a '...