How Storytelling Fosters Authentic Community and Empathy with Mary Hoefler

Connection From Here: Finding Community in a Changing World

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True belonging isn’t just about being surrounded by people and fitting the mold– it’s about being seen and valued for who we truly are, imperfections and all. Today’s guest discovered this enlightenment when she embraced her voice, shared her story, and found community along the way. This week on the podcast, Mary Hoefler joins us for a vulnerable and empowering conversation about belonging, authenticity, and the power of telling your story. Episode 7 of Connection from Here is about how storytelling fosters authentic community and empathy.

After finding herself on stage during an expanded state of consciousness, Mary Hoefler decided that it was about time to get writing and start talking. She found herself on The Moth stage for the first time in July of 2023 and never looked back. A 2025 Moth Grand Slam winner and a six-time StorySlam winner, Mary has also been showing up at venues all over Chicago to tell her truth. In her stories, she shares with bravery and vulnerability what it is like to feel invisible at her age and her lifelong journey of wanting to be seen and picked. Although storytelling is clearly in her DNA, it doesn’t pay the bills, so Mary spends her days as a psychotherapist, encouraging clients to find their voice, get loud, and share their own stories without any edits…because why edit who we are?!!

Topics covered:

• The complex dynamics of being raised in an immigrant community, where survival and conformity were values, but true belonging and individuality were harder to find.
• Using storytelling as a tool to reclaim one’s identity and connect with others in an authentic way.
• The difference between “fitting in” and truly finding belonging by showing up as our true, messy selves.
• Insights into finding and building community as an adult, embracing solitude, and holding space for others’ unique stories.

Watch the episode on YouTube here!

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Connect with Mary:

Psychology Today | Mary Hoefler

The Moth Stories:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RKJl_72bxPmcSKAhNYGe_7krfbfOSYOR

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d61g9kWucRUUaVtaGM3MsPYVUlXvZrBL/view

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QQf70imBXDW6HXYRfDuPmgwS87OITjyU/view

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챕터

1. How Storytelling Fosters Authentic Community and Empathy with Mary Hoefler (00:00:00)

2. Seeking Purpose Beyond Service (00:04:49)

3. Struggling with Cultural Identity (00:11:08)

4. Discovering Community Through Storytelling (00:18:27)

5. Finding Belonging Amidst the Messiness (00:28:25)

6. Childhood Intuition and Adult Agency (00:32:13)

7. Building Connection Through Empathy (00:37:40)