Identity Library

Chapter 28: How to Actually Learn a Language with Griffin McNesby

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 download the app, do one lesson, and call it a day. Even if you only speak one language, it’s never too late to start a new one or pick up where you left off in school. This episode felt like the perfect reminder that you actually can start, maybe even now, before summer hits and life gets busy again. We talk about Griffin’s journey through Spanish, German, Portuguese, and Russian, and how it was never about being perfect, but about showing up, staying curious, and letting language become part of your everyday life I also share some of my own experiences, how much learning a language is tied to the people around you, the environments you put yourself in, and honestly just being okay with sounding a little lost at first. Think of this episode as your little push to finally begin. Not in a “new year, new me” kind of way, but in a soft, spring kind of way. You don’t need a perfect plan, just a starting point. ★ Support this podcast ★ [https://wknc.org/donate]

Chapter 27: Unapologetically Disabled – The Strength of Self-Love with Indio Skinner

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 limit him, it empowered him. We explore how embracing disability can deepen relationships, strengthen identity, and redefine confidence.  This conversation goes beyond disability. We talk about the courage to show weaknesses without seeking validation, the quiet power of small daily acts, and why surrounding yourself with diverse perspectives strengthens who you are. We also reflect on helping others as a form of healing, and how true purpose often lives in everyday human connection, not titles or recognition. This episode is a reminder that confidence is not about perfection. It’s about ownership. It’s about presence. It’s about loving yourself - unapologetically. If you’ve ever felt pressure to hide parts of yourself to fit in, this conversation is for you. Thank you so much for listening! -V. ★ Support this podcast ★ [https://wknc.org/donate]

Chapter 26: Life in the Jungle - Welcome to India’s Rishi Valley Boarding School with Praneeth Koneru

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, navigating strict rules, surviving basic dorm living, and discovering independence the hard and sometimes hilarious way. Praneeth shares how the experience shaped his life skills, confidence, and ability to handle conflict, lessons that still help him today. This conversation is not about criticizing India, but about appreciating its incredible diversity, culture, and traditions. From South Indian cuisine and customs to the way students learn self-discipline and relationships, we explore how cultural context shapes education and identity. If you’re curious about growing up differently, navigating identity, and learning life lessons in unexpected ways, this episode is for you. You’ll laugh, reflect, and maybe gain a new appreciation for the many ways childhood can happen, even without Wi-Fi. ★ Support this podcast ★ [https://wknc.org/donate]

Chapter 25: Rethinking Monogamy- Queer Perspectives on Love and Commitment with Ari

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 love. Not because they fit us, but because they’re familiar. We talk about monogamy not as a default, but as a choice. About queerness not as a category, but as a lens. About relationships not as something to label, but something to experience honestly. This episode isn’t here to give answers or define what love should look like. It’s here to sit in the questions, the uncomfortable ones, the tender ones, the ones we don’t always say out loud. If you’ve ever felt like the traditional relationship narrative didn’t quite fit, or if you’ve found yourself curious about what intimacy could look like beyond expectation, this conversation invites you to listen, slowly, openly, and without needing to decide anything at all. Enjoy listening to this episode and stay tuned for a new episode next week! ★ Support this podcast ★ [https://wknc.org/donate]

Chapter 24: Starting the Conversation- On Approaching Strangers with Abdullah Najjar

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 classroom, or life in general. This episode is less about having the perfect words and more about showing up as you are. It’s about listening, making mistakes, laughing them off, and realizing that some conversations are meant to last, and some are simply meant to happen. If this new year has you craving connection, this episode is for you. Welcome back to The Identity Library. Let’s start the season by starting the conversation. ★ Support this podcast ★ [https://wknc.org/donate]