Podcast Summary: Excellent Executive Coaching – EEC 412

"Unlocking Empathy – What the Deaf Community Taught Me About Inclusion"

Guest: Maria Gallucci
Host: Dr. Katrina Burrus
Date: December 16, 2025

Main Theme

This episode centers around lessons in empathy, inclusion, and communication derived from Maria Gallucci's unique upbringing as the hearing child of deaf parents (a "CODA" – Child of Deaf Adults). Maria shares how her experiences in the Deaf community shaped her worldview, career, and leadership philosophy. Together with Dr. Katrina Burrus, she explores actionable strategies to foster inclusion and connection in business and society, especially for executive coaches and leaders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Maria’s Upbringing: Bridging Two Worlds

• Background as a CODA: Maria grew up as one of six hearing children to deaf parents, with American Sign Language (ASL) as her first language.
• Learning to Speak: She learned to speak around age five, aided by TV and school counseling ([02:18]).
• Language and Culture: ASL was their family’s primary mode of communication. English—learned later—sometimes posed word order challenges, similar to those found in Spanish or French ([02:38], [03:05]).

  “Even now to say, I’ll say things backwards, because that’s how we do it in sign language.” —Maria ([02:38])

2. Lessons in Empathy and Inclusion

• First-Hand Witness to Exclusion: Observing her parents’ struggles with exclusion inspired Maria’s steadfast resolve to ensure others never feel left out ([01:53]).
• Inherited Empathy: Communicating through sign language heightened empathy and emotional connection.

  “I always want to make everybody feel included and not left out or disregarded.” —Maria ([01:53])

• Patience as a Practice: Sign language requires patience and full explanations, an approach she brings to all communication ([05:37]).

3. Navigating Social Settings and Communication Dynamics

• Comfort in Deaf Community: Maria describes herself as significantly more comfortable, extroverted, and relaxed within Deaf environments ([04:16]).

• Stuttering & Communication: She stutters in spoken English but not in sign language, reinforcing her sense of ease in the Deaf community ([03:45]).

• Bridging Communication Styles: She notes that direct, terse responses can feel brusque or isolating to Deaf individuals; warmth, context, and emotional engagement are vital ([06:22]).

  “We want to hear that someone’s listening to us and someone’s understanding what we’re saying... you have to say hi, say how’s your day?... make them feel like they’re being seen and heard.” —Maria ([06:22])

4. Building an Inclusive Business (ASL Realty)

• Turning Empathy to Enterprise: Maria founded ASL Realty, connecting Deaf and hard-of-hearing clients with ASL-fluent real estate agents nationwide ([07:20]).
• Designing Deaf-Friendly Spaces: Understanding that Deaf clients require open-concept homes for visual communication guides her business model ([08:31], [09:07]).

  “Anytime I have any of my events, I make sure that there’s no walls separated. I make sure it’s just an open space so everybody can communicate...” —Maria ([09:07])

5. Practical Communication Advice for Working with the Deaf Community

• Tips for Hearing Individuals:
  • Make direct eye contact.
  • Touch the shoulder to get attention.
  • Use texting or apps if you don’t know sign language.
  • Communicate patience and willingness to try ([09:48]).
• Assistive Technologies: From apps that transcribe/translate to video relay services for live interpreting, technology now offers crucial bridges ([10:26], [10:54]).

6. Evolution of Societal Inclusion

• Historical Challenges: Maria’s parents faced discrimination and inadequate support, such as lack of interpreters at important meetings ([11:25]).

• Progress in Accessibility:

  • Laws now often mandate interpreters.
  • Greater public awareness and technological advances have dramatically improved communication and opportunity ([12:44]).

  “Now we have interpreters at concerts. We have interpreters at big events, on the news… Technology and awareness have changed a lot from then till now.” —Maria ([12:44])

7. Personal Growth and Resilience

• Navigating Multiple Cultures: Maria’s dual fluency gave her not only language, but cultural agility, heightened non-verbal awareness, and resilience ([14:07]).
• On Connection Over Volume:

  “Hearing audience can learn empathy by realizing, like, communication isn’t about volume, it’s about connection. And I think that goes with every culture in every language. We just want to connect with the other individual beyond languages or signs.” —Maria ([14:57])

8. The Importance of Visibility and Expression

• Visual Cues are Critical: Coverage with sunglasses blocks vital facial expressions, making communication difficult ([15:11]).

  “You need to see their expressions and you need to see their eyes or their face... you see a lot with people’s eyes.” —Maria ([15:11])

• Multitasking and Interpreting: Years of switching between talking and signing made Maria adept at simultaneous listening and communication, but she still finds it hard to speak and sign at the same time ([16:20], [16:29]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I always want to make everybody feel included and not left out or disregarded.” —Maria ([01:53])
• “Sign language, I’m a lot more comfortable signing even in a group setting. ...I don’t stutter when I sign.” —Maria ([03:45])
• “It builds trust and it builds connection...” —Maria, on the power of sign language ([04:40])
• “You have to be nice... you have to say hi, say how’s your day? ...make them feel like they’re being seen and heard.” —Maria ([06:22])
• “I built ASL Realty... to connect with Deaf and hard of hearing clients so they understand what they’re doing.” —Maria ([07:20])
• “Communication isn’t about volume, it’s about connection.” —Maria ([14:57])

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | | --------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | | [01:03] | Maria’s upbringing; childhood as a CODA | | [01:26] | Early lessons in empathy and connection | | [02:18] | First language experiences; learning to speak | | [03:45] | Comfort level in Deaf vs. hearing communities; stuttering | | [04:40] | Sign language’s impact on trust and connection | | [05:37] | Communication patience and inclusion | | [06:22] | Adjusting communication for Deaf clients; teaching staff empathy | | [07:20] | Launching ASL Realty; business designed for Deaf accessibility | | [08:31] | Deaf-friendly home design | | [09:48] | Practical communication tips for hearing people with Deaf individuals | | [10:26] | Assistive tech and apps for Deaf communication | | [12:44] | Societal evolution; increased awareness and support | | [14:07] | Personal growth, resilience, and lessons for hearing people | | [15:11] | Importance of facial visibility and expression | | [16:20] | Multitasking and challenges interpreting | | [17:08] | Introduction to Maria’s book: "Raised in Silence" |

Guest’s Book

• "Raised in Silence" by Maria Gallucci
  • Personal stories about growing up in the Deaf community
  • Communication tips with the Deaf community
  • Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Google, and raisedinsilence.com ([17:54])

  “It’s just about being your authentic self... teaching awareness and being inclusive with other cultures and other communities.” —Maria ([17:08])

Key Takeaways for Leaders & Coaches

• Empathy is a practice honed not just by listening but by actively creating inclusion.
• Communication is more than words: patience, visual cues, non-verbal connection, and willingness to adapt are vital.
• Building organizations and environments (physical and cultural) that value diverse communication styles unlocks trust and engagement.
• Technology and assisted tools are now available to bridge many divides—use them intentionally.

This episode is highly recommended for executive coaches, leaders, and anyone interested in authentic communication, inclusion, and the lived experience of bridging cultures.