"I" Statements Podcast

Cornell University’s Intergroup Dialogue Project presents I Statements, a podcast where complexity, vulnerability, and curiosity collide. In each episode people with different identities come together to share their own beliefs, experiences, and perspectives, demonstrating the power and possibility inherent in communicating across difference.

New episodes are released the first Monday of each month.

A Guide to Listening & Learning with the “I” Statements Podcast

If you are interested in incorporating this podcast into your work with students and/or colleagues, check out our resource for Listening & Learning with the “I” Statements” Podcast with discussion questions and related readings for each episode.

Episode 21

Posted: 10/05/2021
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We talk about what it feels like to be seen, stared at, or made invisible because of a social identity. The stories that are shared demonstrate how authenticity, self-doubt, and context can all play a role in feeling visible or invisible, especially when it comes to gender, (dis)ability, and mixed identities. We also spend a moment talking about whether being 34 counts as “old age” – seriously!

Episode 20

Posted: 09/08/2021
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Three different people, three different perspectives on authenticity. We share stories about when our authenticity brought others closer to us or caused them to pull away, raise questions about the relationships between authenticity, conformity, and agency, and, at one point, don some rose-colored glasses to appreciate the vibrancy and humanity that can accompany authenticity.

Episode 19

Posted: 07/07/2021
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How do experiences of nourishment help us feel connected to family members who are far away? What’s it like when we don’t feel nourished by communities we belong to? Can anger nourish and sustain, or does it only deplete us? Why is cat food so disgusting? These are just some of the questions explored in this episode.

If you’re curious about the Code Switch episode that Kathryn mentions, you can find “A Taste of Freedom” here and/or by searching for Code Switch on your podcast platform of choice.

Episode 18

Posted: 06/11/2021
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Drawing on our own experiences and the words of others (including: Diane Ackerman, bell hooks, Sonya Renee Taylor, Martin Luther King Jr., RuPaul Charles, and Grace Lee Boggs), we explore the topic of love: loving ourselves, loving others, and the potential for love to create profound change in the world. Other topics also emerge, including (but not limited to): sacrifice, mystery, worth, colorblindness, calves, credentials, and reality television. Cornell University’s Intergroup Dialogue Project (IDP) proudly presents “I” Statements, a podcast where complexity, vulnerability, and curiosity collide.

Episode 17

Posted: 05/03/2021
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In a conversation about the support that we give and receive (and how all this support makes us feel: vulnerable, powerful, selfish, and more!), we talk about hugs, forgotten tennis shoes, listening to someone vent on the phone, attending protests, and many other ways of showing up for each other. Cornell University’s Intergroup Dialogue Project (IDP) proudly presents “I” Statements, a podcast where complexity, vulnerability, and curiosity collide. Music written and performed by Evan Wilhelms.

Episode 16

Posted: 04/05/2021
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We chat about partnerships that work, challenges associated with forming meaningful and equitable partnerships, and what can make it so stressful to define the relationship (DTR) with a partner – one of us ends up feeling like we’re in couples therapy while recording! Please do check out IDP’s partnership with the Changemaker Compass podcast – we’re thrilled to share our enthusiasm for dialogue in one of their upcoming episodes! Cornell University’s Intergroup Dialogue Project (IDP) proudly presents “I” Statements, a podcast where complexity, vulnerability, and curiosity collide. Music written and performed by Evan Wilhelms.

Episode 15

Posted: 03/04/2021
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In this episode, we delve into vulnerability connected to social identities, families, and even the vulnerable experience of talking about these things publicly on a podcast. It gets meta, folks. Cornell University’s Intergroup Dialogue Project (IDP) proudly presents “I” Statements, a podcast where complexity, vulnerability, and curiosity collide. Music written and performed by Evan Wilhelms.

Episode 14

Posted: 02/01/2021
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This episode’s got stories from high school, questions about medical ethics, and anecdotes about dancing with friends; the conversation ranged far and wide, though it kept returning to social identities, power, and how these show up in our experiences of curiosity. Also “curiosity vampires”? Cornell University’s Intergroup Dialogue Project (IDP) proudly presents “I” Statements, a podcast where complexity, vulnerability, and curiosity collide. Music written and performed by Evan Wilhelms.

Episode 13

Posted: 01/04/2021
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We’ve transitioned to a new year (finally!). In this episode, guests and listeners talk about their experiences with transitions: Transitioning into college and out of college; professional transitions and cultural transitions; physical and medical transitions; and transitioning in ways that change the connections we feel to ourselves and to others. Transitions galore!

Many thanks to everyone who participated in this episode, and we’re wishing you all health, peace, and growth in the year ahead!
Cornell University’s Intergroup Dialogue Project (IDP) proudly presents “I” Statements, a podcast where complexity, vulnerability, and curiosity collide. Music written and performed by Evan Wilhelms.

Episode 12

Posted: 12/07/2020
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In this episode, Jazlin, Kyle, and Rachel talk about opportunities they’ve had, opportunities they hope to provide for others, and where they see connections between social identities and opportunity. To hear Kyle in conversation with Anthony Burrow, the excellent graduate advisor that Rachel mentions in this episode, check out Episode 1 of PRYDE Presents: Talking Youth Research. Cornell University’s Intergroup Dialogue Project proudly presents “I” Statements, a podcast where complexity, vulnerability, and curiosity collide. Music written and performed by Evan Wilhelms.

Episode 11

Posted: 11/02/2020
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In this episode, Carley, Jeannie, and Rachel talk about what they try to control, how that makes them feel, and the potential impact that one individual can have in the world. Cornell University’s Intergroup Dialogue Project proudly presents “I” Statements, a podcast where complexity, vulnerability, and curiosity collide. Music written and performed by Evan Wilhelms.

Episode 10

Posted: 10/05/2020
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In this episode, Kathryn, Khary, and Rachel talk about what they’ve been taught regarding objectivity, how it can show up in science and journalism and among friends and family, and when aspiring for objectivity undermines nuanced and accurate stories about power. Cornell University’s Intergroup Dialogue Project proudly presents “I” Statements, a podcast where complexity, vulnerability, and curiosity collide. Music written and performed by Evan Wilhelms.

Episode 9

Posted: 09/16/2020
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In this episode, Bert, Janani, and Rachel talk about the things they imagined when they were children, how they imagine what’s possible for themselves, and the role of imagination in creating a more just and equitable world. Cornell University’s Intergroup Dialogue Project proudly presents “I” Statements, a podcast where complexity, vulnerability, and curiosity collide. Music written and performed by Evan Wilhelms. Audio production from Bert Odom-Reed.

Episode 8

Posted: 08/03/2020
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In this episode, Natasha, Rachel, and Stephen talk about their experiences learning to listen, connecting to others through listening, and asking themselves questions about who they listen to and why. Cornell University’s Intergroup Dialogue Project proudly presents “I” Statements, a podcast where complexity, vulnerability, and curiosity collide. Music written and performed by Evan Wilhelms.

Episode 7

Posted: 07/06/2020
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In this episode, Rachel, Rheeda, and Tony talk about rest, including how they think about rest during this historic moment characterized by a pandemic and widespread protests against anti-Black racism. They also share where and when they experience rest and ask, rest: what is it good for? Cornell University’s Intergroup Dialogue Project proudly presents “I” Statements, a podcast where complexity, vulnerability, and curiosity collide. Music written and performed by Evan Wilhelms.

Episode 6

Posted: 06/02/2020
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In this episode, Jeannie, Owen, and Rachel talk about when they experience connection to themselves and others, and also how some of the messages they’ve received throughout their lives make it challenging to connect. Spoiler alert: This episode features a cute story about friendship and an invasive species (buckthorn). Cornell University’s Intergroup Dialogue Project proudly presents “I” Statements, a podcast where complexity, vulnerability, and curiosity collide. Music written and performed by Evan Wilhelms.

Episode 5

Posted: 05/04/2020
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In this episode, Jum, Natalie, and Rachel discuss their expectations related to community, when and how they’ve built community, and the ways in which the Coronavirus pandemic has affected their experience of community.

Episode 4

Posted: 04/06/2020
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In this episode, Baba, Janani, and Rachel describe the messages they’ve been told about humility, when they’ve been humbled, and their struggles to find the right level of humility for themselves as they move throughout the world.

Episode 3

Posted: 02/03/2020
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In this episode, Natoshia, Rachel, and Tony talk about what it means when they feel joy, how joy connects to the stories we tell about ourselves, and the importance of seeing one’s own experiences of joy represented in the world.  Music written and performed by Evan Wilhelms.

Episode 2

Posted: 01/06/2020
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In this episode, Rachel, Ruju, and Stephen talk about times when they’ve felt a lack of access in their own lives, examples of when having access has made them feel connected to others, and questions about what access means.   Music written and performed by Evan Wilhelms.

Episode 1

Posted: 11/15/2019
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In this episode Baba, Jeannie, and Rachel talk about intergroup dialogue. Reflecting on interactions with fellow students, teammates, and colleagues, these three describe some of the challenges and opportunities they’ve experienced when having candid conversations about social identity.