42: What I Learned Talking to Strangers: Street Connect NYC with Janille Hill

Janille Hill is the creator of Street Connect NYC, where she is capturing meaningful conversations between strangers in NYC. She shares these conversations on her Instagram page and she is making the world smaller one connection at a time. In this episode, she shares about her process of talking to strangers, stories that have stood out to her, and the responsibilities that come with storytelling. We also chat about being a connector of colour and how systemic racism has played out in all walks of life, including in the connection space. I loved this insightful and fun conversation with a fellow connector!

Highlights & Takeaways

• Vulnerability inspires vulnerability - Janille always lets the other person ask her any question first, before she asks the other person.
• “Everybody has a rich, beautiful story.” Our stories and experiences are what connect us, and lately Janille has been asking people about their deepest pain, because we can all connect to it.
• How approaching strangers we may not find ourselves initially drawn to can be extremely transformative and mind-expanding.
• Sonder - The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.
• Storytelling is a foundational part of the lives of people of colour.
• There is a beauty in being present with others and connecting with strangers has a ripple effect.
• “Say yes to what’s in your soul.”

Resources Mentioned

• Contact Janille: Instagram | Facebook | Youtube
• The Power of Strangers: The Benefits of Connecting in a Suspicious World
• Humans of New York

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