Why Fiction is Necessary to Understand History (from Ezekiel Rawlins, Sonny, and Mary Richards) (Ep. 57)

In this episode of Questions Are Greater Than Answers, Dr. Russell Robinson explores the power of storytelling, representation, and voice through the lens of leadership and culture. Grounded in Walter Mosley’s powerful quote — “If you don’t exist in fiction, then you don’t exist in history” — the episode examines how stories shape identity, belonging, and our understanding of who matters in society.Drawing connections to the Key Undergraduate Leadership Program (KULP) pillars of strategy, agility, connection, and reflection, Dr. Robinson reflects on three iconic fictional characters: Walter Mosley’s Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins, James Baldwin’s Sonny from Sonny’s Blues, and Mary Richards from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Through their stories, he explores themes of visibility, emotional complexity, resilience, empathy, and cultural change.The episode challenges listeners to think critically about representation in literature, television, leadership, and education — and how storytelling can either reinforce exclusion or expand possibility. Along the way, Dr. Robinson connects fiction to emotional intelligence, employee voice, psychological safety, and the importance of creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.More than a conversation about me