Radical Empathy and the Power of Inclusion for Deaf and Hearing People

Maria Gallucci explores the transformative role of radical empathy as she navigates life as a child of deaf adults, illuminating the nuanced realities of bridging deaf and hearing communities and championing true inclusion and belonging.

In this deeply personal episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne welcomes Maria Gallucci for a conversation that truly bridges silent worlds. The discussion explores the lived realities of being a hearing child in a Deaf family, challenging misconceptions, and unpicking the nuances of deaf culture. Together, Joanne and Maria reflect on radical empathy, stigma, and the importance of genuine communication—offering listeners practical guidance for creating more inclusive interactions. From being the main family interpreter as a child to navigating the sometimes comical, often frustrating misunderstandings of mainstream society, Maria shares stories rich in humour, honesty, and hope.

Maria Gallucci is a multi-award-winning realtor, author, and proud CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), whose journey has been shaped by both her Italian American heritage and her deeply embedded connection to the Deaf community. Born in New Hampshire and raised in Colorado, Maria’s first language was American Sign Language, and her formative years were spent interpreting for her parents in a range of vital settings. Her book, "Raised in Silence", chronicles this unique perspective and provides essential insights into the joys and challenges experienced by families straddling both hearing and Deaf worlds. In addition to her advocacy, Maria works to make home buying more accessible and champions wider understanding between Deaf and hearing communities. Her story is one of resilience, empathy, and steadfast commitment to inclusion.

The conversation highlights the evolution of accessibility technology, the pride that exists within Deaf identity, and how simple acts—like learning a few signs or facing the person rather than their interpreter—can be transformative. Joanne and Maria also discuss intersectionality, the weight of child interpreting, and how modern tools have improved, but not resolved, issues of invisibility and exclusion. A key takeaway from this episode is the enduring power of trying: that even imperfect attempts at inclusive communication foster belonging and connection. Listeners are encouraged to be brave, reach out, and listen deeply—unlocking the true potential for empathy and inclusion in their everyday lives.

Viral Topic: Growing Up with Deaf Parents

Growing Up with Diverse Accents: “And I think it’s because I grew up with that because you’re, you have to listen and, and try to figure out what, what they’re, they’re saying. So for me it’s very easy to have different accents and things like that.”

Dream Perception: “I had asked my mom and dad if they can hear in their, in their Dreams. And they said yes.”

Viral Topic: Building Awareness in Inclusive Communication: “And so I think that’s where awareness comes in and just trying to learn about the culture.”

Viral Topic – Balancing Success and Inclusion: “I feel like there was a moment in my life when I realised I was building a. A successful career and watching people I cared about get, like, left out in the process. So I was doing very well in industry standards and everything, but I wasn’t.”

Viral Topic – Empowerment through Inclusion: “seeing Them feel very included and happy, you know, buying their first home and because that’s a big life investment and so not being able to understand what they’re signing or what. What they’re. They’re doing.”

The Power of Multilingual Empathy: “So I’ve always had a bigger heart because I’ve always thought that I don’t want anybody hurting and I don’t want anybody feeling left out or made fun of because I was growing up, growing up as a kid. So I would never want anybody to feel bad about their own selves. So for me, I think it gave me more of like a bigger heart, I think.”

Viral Topic: Stuttering and Sign Language: “But I don’t stutter when I sign, like at all. It’s just when I speak. So it’s kind of ironic.”

Viral Topic – The Importance of Inclusion: “I think just like including people and knowing that later on in life they may not have their hearing. And so I think that that’s where, it’s where you want to make people feel like, be inclusive and not isolated because it is an isolating feeling that you can’t hear.”

Viral Topic: Embracing Inclusion

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