Season One of The Identity Library has officially come to a close, and what a chapter it has been. From graduating at NC State to being accepted into grad school, this season was full of change, challenge, and moments I never expected to carry so deeply. As I head home to Germany for the summer, I’m taking a well-deserved pause, eating way too much feta cheese, sipping sparkling soda in the sun, and feeling genuinely happy for the first time in a while.

But don’t worry, the stories won’t stop here. Season Two will begin in August, filled with new voices, new questions, and the same curiosity that has carried this podcast since Chapter One. If you have a story about identity, cultural heritage, or simply becoming who you are, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you. Also, enjoy my little commencement speech bonus and podcast recap in this episode.

Thank you for listening, for holding space with me, and for reminding me that the most powerful stories often begin in the quietest places. See you in Season Two.

Surprise, we’re still in Season 1, but this one feels different. Call it a summer edition, a bonus chapter, or just a moment that needed to exist before we officially wrap things up.

In this episode, I sit down with my brilliant and quietly powerful friend Cece Harrison, a Nuclear Engineering major at NC State, to talk about what it really means to be a woman in engineering. Not the glossy poster version. The real one, filled with doubt, pressure, purpose, and the occasional moment of joy when you realize you're building something that once felt off-limits.

Cece opens up about almost not choosing engineering at all, the impact of a female mentor, and why representation and outreach matter more than we think. We talk about surviving toxic environments, the myth of the “girlboss,” and the quiet courage it takes to show up exactly as you are in spaces that weren’t designed for you.

This isn’t just about Nuclear Engineering. It’s about rewriting what power looks like, supporting each other when the system pushes us to compete, and realizing that you don’t need to be extraordinary to belong. You just need to be there, and to stay.

Wherever summer finds you, I hope this episode keeps you good company. I’ll be heading home to Germany for a bit, hopefully catching some cooler air, definitely losing my English fluency, returning with a slightly thicker German accent and maybe a few pastry or cheese reviews.

More soon, with another chapter, after the summer break, and ideally from a room with working AC.

After weeks of writing, presenting, and overthinking every single page of my thesis, I’m finally back. This semester was a whirlwind, and somehow, I actually graduated. In this episode, I sit down with my friend Tommy Godwin, who also just crossed the stage, to reflect on everything we’ve learned, unlearned, and are still figuring out.

Tommy, a double major in Agroecology and International Studies with a minor in Soil Science, shares what it’s like to feel out of place in your own field. I talk about the moments that tested my confidence, the silent awkwardness of dancing across the graduation stage, and the messy beauty of letting go and moving forward.

If you're standing at a crossroads, between dreams and doubts, identity and direction, this one’s for you. We talk about the non-linear paths we’ve taken, the impact of community, and how growth often comes from the messiest soil.

To everyone out there, happy summer. Please hydrate, don’t burn in the sun, and whenever you're stuck in traffic, on your way to work, or just avoiding your to-do list, feel free to tune in. This space is always here for you.

And no, this is not a goodbye, just a soft pause. The Identity Library will be back for Season 2. Until then, take care of your roots, and I’ll see you soon.