In this episode of the Inclusive Excellence Podcast, Erin Sember-Chase and Toral Patel invite Grace DePaull, the editor of the podcast, to help wrap up Women’s History Month by honoring this year’s theme of celebrating women who tell our stories.  

For DePaull, storytelling became a pivotal part of her life, serving as an avenue to help navigate her identity and passion for writing.

“Storytelling is a way to amplify voices and to show people the intricacies of our lives,” DePaull said. “There's a reason people continue to listen to stories to this day and it's because deep down we want to see ourselves in these narratives and know that whatever it is we're experiencing, we aren't alone.”

After being given the opportunity to edit season five of the Inclusive Excellence Podcast, DePaull sees her role as a storyteller expanding.

Credit: Photo credit: Sarah Killip

“I feel like I'm a bit of a sculptor in a way,” DePaull said. “I’m given a chunk of material and am responsible for crafting a conversation that is coherent and going to make a lasting impact. I'm realizing that the storyteller has a lot of power to dictate what is being reflected to the listener.”

Before arriving at Cornell, DePaull embarked on a four-week cross-country road trip as an extension of an undergraduate honors thesis, challenging herself to construct a story of her own while honoring the importance of sharing her experience. Along the way, DePaull discovered how storytelling helps to transcend physical boundaries by connecting individuals of all backgrounds.

“That’s why having a diverse range of storytellers is so important. A deeper understanding of one another can translate to greater awareness and a responsibility to take care of each other,” DePaull said.

Hear more about the power of storytelling on Episode 66: Stepping Behind the Story: Introducing Our Editor. Visit https://diversity.cornell.edu/iepodcast to access the episode and transcript.

About the Inclusive Excellence Podcast

Join Erin Sember-Chase and Toral Patel from the Department of Inclusion and Belonging for a bi-weekly podcast series where they explore various topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at work. During each episode's interview, they provide a platform for campus colleagues in various roles to share their lived experiences, thoughts and ideas around how to create cultures of belonging, especially in the workplace. You can listen to this podcast on your phone, at your desk, on your way to work, while you are taking a break, even while you get ready for bed! 

Do you have a topic you would like discussed on the podcast, or want to recommend someone doing awesome work around campus? Contact ie-academy@cornell.edu.