Arlene Malinowski on Growing Up With Deaf Parents and Finding Her Voice

What happens when a storyteller explores identity, language, and human connection across two worlds? In this episode, I’m joined by Arlene Malinowski, Chicago playwright, performer, writer, and director of education and faculty for the Chicago Dramatists who grew up as a CODA, for an honest conversation about navigating life between deaf and hearing cultures, the power of storytelling, and how personal experience can become a bridge to empathy.We talk about the creation of her solo show (What Does the Sun Sound Like?) and book (Solo: The Everything Guide to Writing, Performing, and Producing Your One-Person Show), where deeply personal stories come to life through humor, vulnerability, and cultural insight. Arlene shares what it means to grow up translating not just language but emotion, how deaf storytelling traditions shaped her voice, and why stories have the power to transform how we see one another.From balancing art and making a living to investing in craft and finding purpose in creative work, this episode explores the realities of building a career rooted in passion and meaning. Arlene also reflects on family, belonging, and the moments that define who we are across different communities.Grab a seat! This is a conversation that will change how you think about communication, identity, and connection.Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(02:34) Growing up with deaf parents and early identity(03:19) What Does the Sun Sound Like and sensory imagination(06:37) Navigating code-switching between deaf and hearing worlds(11:22) Inside the deaf community and experiences in deaf church(13:54) What it really means to be CODA (child of deaf adults)(15:33) The origin of the show and the idea of coming home(19:24) How art, politics, and empathy intersect in storytelling(23:04) Traditions of storytelling within deaf culture(24:41) Figuring out a career path and creative direction(27:09) Balancing two tracks: passion and making a living(28:17) How a day job supports and fuels artistic work(28:54) The importance of investing time in craft(30:41) Why this book needed to be written(31:10) The creative dynamic behind the coauthor collaboration(33:17) What readers will take away from the book(34:38) The brain science behind why stories resonate(35:37) Transformation, meaning, and personal impact(38:58) Why solo shows create such strong audience connection(42:05) The “last sip” story and what it reveals(43:47) A sign language “meet the parents” moment(45:54) The “Penis Colada” story and its cultural contextConnect with me:Official website: https://www.backofyards.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muccidiana Check out The Snugawinks of Cuddleton Falls: https://www.snugawinks.com Connect with my guest:Official website: https://www.arlenemalinowski.com/Check out What Does the Sun Sound Like?: https://www.arlenemalinowski.com/what-does-the-sun-sound-likeCheck out Solo: The Everything Guide to Writing, Performing, and Producing Your One-Person Show: https://www.amazon.com/Solo-Everything-Performing-Producing-One-Person/dp/0810149710LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arlene-malinowski-5921aab2/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arlenemalinowski/