Michelle Kuo is an immigration lawyer, and currently teaches on issues of race, punishment, immigration and the law, at the American University of Paris. She is also the author of Reading With Patrick, a deeply moving memoir about the power of storytelling to connect with, and learn from, each other. We talked to Michelle about the importance for authors and teachers of all types to listen to, and lift up, diverse voices and viewpoints, and why we should approach our role as storytellers with humility, and an awareness of our own blindspots.

We also discussed how genre and the rapidly evolving media landscape change the way we share and consume stories, and what that might mean for the upcoming generation of storytellers.

And most importantly, Michelle drops the dirt on her current favourite student, our very own producer, Zach Egan!

You can follow Michelle on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @kuokuomich, or find out more information directly from her website michellkuo.net. Don't miss her Ted Talk on The Healing Power of Reading.
 

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CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE
Building the Oracle posts on the 1st and 15th of every month. It is hosted by Jay Swanson and Richard Bilkey. You can tweet at us on @jayonaboat and @rich_bilkey, find us on Instagram at @jayswanson and @rich_bilkey and follow Jay on YouTube.

Our Super Patrons at the time of recording were Kevin, Karin Bates, Mystery Man, Susan French, Dixie Rose, David Guy, figures.seven.three, Steve, Jane Baker, Founder Timeless Capital, and Mr & Mrs DJ Poseur. High class human beings, every single one.

This episode was produced by Zach Egan.

Our theme music is "Glory" and our ad music is "Light," both by David Cutter.

We record everything on a Rode Procaster and mix in Adobe Audition and/or Audacity depending on how out of our workflow we've fallen.

The show's art is from Jay's book Into the Nanten, illustrated by Nimit Malavia. 

Gustave the dog sleepily protects us every week as we record.