Growing Up Deaf: Maria Gallucci on Empathy, Advocacy and the Power of Inclusivity

On this episode of the Journey to Purpose Podcast, Maria Gallucci shares her remarkable journey growing up as a child of deaf adults — exploring empathy, advocacy for the deaf and hard of hearing community, the power of kindness to bridge differences, and how her book 'Raised in Silence' came to life. Takeaways- Sign Language was Maria's first language, shaping her empathy.- Only 10% of hearing parents of deaf children learn to sign.- Maria's experience as a child of deaf adults led her to advocate for inclusion.- Communication is key to reducing loneliness in marginalized communities.- Maria's book is a love letter to the deaf and hard of hearing community.- Real estate can be a challenging field for the deaf community without proper support.- Technology has improved communication for the deaf community significantly.- Being present in conversations enhances understanding and connection.- Efforts to communicate, even imperfectly, are appreciated in all communities.- Kindness and acceptance can bridge gaps between different communities.Sound bites"Sign Language was my first language.""I will never leave anybody out.""You just have to try."About Maria GallucciMaria Gallucci is an author, inclusion advocate, and top-producing real estate professional whose life bridges the Deaf and hearing worlds. A proud Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), American Sign Language was her first language, and her early experiences interpreting for her parents shaped her lifelong commitment to empathy, access, and meaningful communication. With more than 30 years in real estate, Maria is the founder of ASL Realty, connecting Deaf and signing clients with ASL-fluent agents nationwide. She is the author of Raised in Silence, a powerful memoir that invites readers to listen more deeply, lead with compassion, and “just try.”galluccihomes.comraisedinsilence.comAbout Philippa BagleyI’m a Professional Speaker and Therapist with a diverse background that includes military service and teaching.Like many people, I grew tired of corporate life and retrained in a range of therapies.Now, I combine my extensive qualifications to assist individuals and organisations in boosting their communication, connection, and confidence. This enables them to make a significant impact on theworld.I am passionately committed to mentoring clients, helping them overcome issues related to confidence, anxiety, and trauma, unlocking their potential, achieving their highest goals, and building mental resilience.🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/...📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phil...🌐 Website: https://philippabagley.com/Journey to Purpose is a personal transformation podcast featuring real conversations about mindset, trauma recovery, self-worth, spiritual awakening, resilience, and finding your life’s purpose. New episodes every week. 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Of0Na1qWovS8Aw2X2FU8M 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philippa.bagley/ 🌐 Website: https://philippabagley.com/ Subscribe and leave a review — it helps others find the show.About your hostPippa Bagley is a clinical hypnotherapist specialising in burnout and sleep, and the host of Journey to Purpose. Based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, she is passionate about helping people reconnect with what truly matters — and build lives and careers that feel genuinely sustainable. Pippa is also studying for an MSc in the Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health at King’s College London. Find out more at philippabagley.com