Countably Infinite

I believe that every human being has compelling stories to share about themselves. Stories that once told are no longer individual but universal. The key is crossing that semipermeable membrane of self-doubt: “My story is nothing compared with so-and-so.”

Imposter syndrome unfortunately persists even after our time at the Institute. As an Educational Counselor, I admit to posing the following question to myself after interviewing a stellar high school senior: “If I were to apply to MIT today, would I get in?”

It’s time to let go of debilitating comparisons to others. We’ve been conditioned to compare as society revels in competition, singling out the winners and so-called losers. Escaping this programming requires realizing that our worthiness is not a function of our worldly accomplishments. Even more important than what we do is how we do it.

The first few episodes of Institrve are not what you’re expecting from a podcast about MIT. And that’s the point. This podcast explores what it means to be human. You don’t need to have won a Fields Medal, Olympic medal, or any medal for that matter to be worthy of telling your story.

For the die-hard techies, don’t worry. There will be plenty of episodes about entrepreneurs with game changing inventions and researchers with triumphant scientific discoveries. There may be an occasional Nobel Prize winner or billionaire CEO, too. But in all instances, I seek to uncover the human journey.

Ladies, I especially need your help. The full might of diversity is needed to address the world’s challenges and your stories are essential. Please reach out, even if it is just for an exploratory chat about the show.

I naively launch this podcast today with no sense of where it is headed. All I know is that I feel an indescribable joy as I work on it. Perhaps I seek that which can only be known upon its unfolding.

There are countably infinite stories to be told.

I hope you’ll join me on this quest of wonder, discovery, and madness!