EPISODE · May 17, 2026 · 41 MIN
Shame & Silence: Lessons on Listening and Love from a Child of Deaf Adults with Maria Gallucci
from Untethering Shame · host Kyira Wackett
In this episode, I sit down with Maria Gallucci, a multi-award-winning real estate agent, author, and a proud Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), to uncover the hidden realities of navigating a world built for the hearing. Maria reveals to me the heavy emotional burden of acting as a childhood interpreter, the massive accessibility gaps in the housing and medical systems, and how she turned a life of feeling "othered" into a nationwide mission for radical inclusion.Key Takeaways The unspoken trauma of children forced to interpret complex, life-altering adult situations. Why treating everyone "equally" is actually a massive mistake when trying to foster true inclusion. The hidden accessibility crisis in the real estate market, and the exact steps needed to fix it. How growing up as a CODA shaped her 30-year mission to protect Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and LGBTQ+ homebuyers. The simple, everyday habits that accidentally isolate marginalized groups (and how we can correct them immediately).Chapters00:00 The Heavy Burden of Being a Child Interpreter03:54 How We Accidentally Exclude The Deaf Community08:02 Turning Childhood Isolation Into a Fight for Inclusion13:02 Why True Empathy & Inclusion Starts At Home23:06 The Real Estate Industry's Massive Accessibility Problem31:50 Protecting an LGBTQ+ Child From Intense Bullying38:30 Maria’s Book: Raised In Silence & ASL Realty40:53 Dismantling Systems of Comparison and ShameAbout My Guest, Maria GallucciMaria Gallucci is a multi-award-winning real estate agent, author, and a proud CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). Growing up as one of six hearing children raised by Deaf parents, she learned American Sign Language before English and began interpreting for her family in complex adult situations at a young age. This unique childhood shaped her lifelong passion for inclusive communication and helping often-overlooked communities feel seen and respected.For over 30 years, Maria has specialized in supporting homebuyers in the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and LGBTQ+ communities. She is the founder of ASL Realty, a national platform that connects clients with signing agents, and her work is dedicated to bridging communication gaps and fostering a more compassionate world.Resources & Connect with Maria Explore ASL Realty: https://aslrealty.com/ Work with Gallucci Homes: https://galluccihomes.com/ Read Maria's Book, Raised in Silence: raisedinsilence.com Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-gallucci-18725b9Full episode transcript available here: Episode TranscriptConnected. Subscribe to my YouTube channel Sign up for my email list: https://adversityrising.com/email-list Listen to my Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AouludJr7EweOkMIN9s42Take the Next Step. Download the FREE handout, "5 Things Shame Resilient People do Every Day" and start making those daily shifts to break that shame cycle that's keeping you stuck in that negative headspace. www.adversityrising.com/become-shame-resilient Book a free 25-minute discovery call to discuss different program options and find the support best fits your needs. https://calendly.com/adversityrising/discovery-call Are you a people pleaser? Ruminator? Over-extender? Sign up for the next round of Liberated Living and implement the radical 3 practice: Radical Acceptance, Radical Responsibility & Radical Authorship. https://adversityrising.com/liberated-living
What this episode covers
In this episode, I sit down with Maria Gallucci, a multi-award-winning real estate agent, author, and a proud Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), to uncover the hidden realities of navigating a world built for the hearing. Maria reveals to me the heavy emotional burden of acting as a childhood interpreter, the massive accessibility gaps in the housing and medical systems, and how she turned a life of feeling "othered" into a nationwide mission for radical inclusion.Key Takeaways The unspoken trauma of children forced to interpret complex, life-altering adult situations. Why treating everyone "equally" is actually a massive mistake when trying to foster true inclusion. The hidden accessibility crisis in the real estate market, and the exact steps needed to fix it. How growing up as a CODA shaped her 30-year mission to protect Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and LGBTQ+ homebuyers. The simple, everyday habits that accidentally isolate marginalized groups (and how we can correct them immediately).Chapters00:00 The Heavy Burden of Being a Child Interpreter03:54 How We Accidentally Exclude The Deaf Community08:02 Turning Childhood Isolation Into a Fight for Inclusion13:02 Why True Empathy & Inclusion Starts At Home23:06 The Real Estate Industry's Massive Accessibility Problem31:50 Protecting an LGBTQ+ Child From Intense Bullying38:30 Maria’s Book: Raised In Silence & ASL Realty40:53 Dismantling Systems of Comparison and ShameAbout My Guest, Maria GallucciMaria Gallucci is a multi-award-winning real estate agent, author, and a proud CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). Growing up as one of six hearing children raised by Deaf parents, she learned American Sign Language before English and began interpreting for her family in complex adult situations at a young age. This unique childhood shaped her lifelong passion for inclusive communication and helping often-overlooked communities feel seen and respected.For over 30 years, Maria has specialized in supporting homebuyers in the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and LGBTQ+ communities. She is the founder of ASL Realty, a national platform that connects clients with signing agents, and her work is dedicated to bridging communication gaps and fostering a more compassionate world.Resources & Connect with Maria Explore ASL Realty: https://aslrealty.com/ Work with Gallucci Homes: https://galluccihomes.com/ Read Maria's Book, Raised in Silence: raisedinsilence.com Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-gallucci-18725b9Full episode transcript available here: Episode TranscriptConnected. Subscribe to my YouTube channel Sign up for my email list: https://adversityrising.com/email-list Listen to my Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AouludJr7EweOkMIN9s42Take the Next Step. Download the FREE handout, "5 Things Shame Resilient People do Every Day" and start making those daily shifts to break that shame cycle that's keeping you stuck in that negative headspace. www.adversityrising.com/become-shame-resilient Book a free 25-minute discovery call to discuss different program options and find the support best fits your needs. https://calendly.com/adversityrising/discovery-call Are you a people pleaser? Ruminator? Over-extender? Sign up for the next round of Liberated Living and implement the radical 3 practice: Radical Acceptance, Radical Responsibility & Radical Authorship. https://adversityrising.com/liberated-living
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Shame & Silence: Lessons on Listening and Love from a Child of Deaf Adults with Maria Gallucci
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