In this powerful episode of the Masculine Wilderness podcast, Tom Perez sits down with Jenni Lippold, a people technologist, StoryCorp enthusiast, and a relentless believer in the power of human connection. Together, they explore how storytelling can soften political divides, dissolve concepts of the “other,” and transform our understanding of trauma, fear, and one another.

Drawing from over 12,000 recorded Storycore conversations, Jenni brings rare insight into what people are really longing for: to be heard, to be seen, and to matter. She breaks down why empathy isn’t just a virtue, it’s a skill, a practice, and a survival tool in a polarized world.

They dig into StoryCorps’ groundbreaking One Small Step initiative, which pairs Americans on opposite sides of the political spectrum for deeply human, surprisingly tender conversations. Through these stories, Jenni reveals the vulnerability, courage, and hope that emerge when we dare to listen past the noise.

This is an episode about connection, compassion, and the radical possibilities that open when we stop asking, “What do you believe?” and start asking, “What’s your story?”

Chapters:

00:00 — Introduction to the Masculine Wilderness Podcast

01:37 — Jenni Lippold: A People Technologist’s Journey

04:20 — StoryCorps: Archiving Humanity’s Stories

06:08 — One Small Step: Bridging Political Divides

11:48 — Digital Conversations: The Evolution of Engagement

15:10 — Insights from 12,000 Conversations

21:24 — Empathy: The Key to Understanding

27:49 — The Power of Shared Stories

33:54 — The Role of Empathy in Change

34:23 — The Power of Data in Empathy-Building

39:22 — Storytelling’s Impact on Understanding

45:21 — Children and the Magic of Storytelling

49:33 — Trauma & Connection Through Shared Stories

51:10 — Fear, Human Behavior, and the “Other”

53:18 — The Future of Empathy Initiatives

01:02:43 — Masculine Wilderness Theme

Let's Connect:

www.epikproject.org

https://storycorps.org/