Join the global conversation about how we market to the human body and what it means for our health and humanity.
Humans in Conversation
Humans in Conversation (HIC) is a global space for empathy and storytelling. People gather in small groups, called tables, to share real stories about living in their bodies or caring for others. Each table focuses on a theme that everyone can connect to, such as caregiving, recovery, food, or wellness.
At these tables, people talk about what it feels like when health systems pay attention, and what it’s like when they don’t.
We bring these stories to the people who shape health and wellbeing: governments, scientists, storytellers, and communities.
Our goal? To inspire empathic messages and solutions that come from shared lived experiences.
HIC Story Table 02
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Theme: Gala, Guilt, and Lagos
Host: Marvis Chukwudi
In this Lagos story table, hosted by Marvis Chukwudi, ten people gather virtually to speak honestly about health, wealth, and the mind that grew up in scarcity. Their stories reveal how childhood experiences with money, survival, and instability shape Nigerians' understanding of rest, guilt, mental health, and self-worth today.
From the nostalgia of roadside Gala to the emotional cost of “hustle culture,” this table exposes what it means to care for yourself in a city that constantly demands resilience. These are not stories of pity or shame. Instead, they are stories of a generation redefining what wellbeing means on their own terms.
As always, the conversation begins with the meditation bell and ends with a local symbol shared by our storytellers.
A short English transcript is available below
Introduction and Ground Rules
The roundtable's Theme was: Health, wealth, and the mind that grew up in scarcity.
The discussion explored how an upbringing with limited resources (which is subjective and relative) shapes adult perspectives on money, health, rest, and food. The goal was to discuss how financial and emotional decisions are shaped by a scarcity mindset and the need to be intentional to overcome these tendencies and live without the fear of lack. Speaking rules included muting microphones when not speaking and limiting each person to three to five minutes.
Main Discussion: Money Habits Rooted in Fear
The first main question was: "When did you first notice that your money habits came from fear and not proper logic?"
Convener (Mavis) gave the example of being "penny-wise, pound-foolish"—spending time and transport costs to buy a cheaper item far away rather than buying the more expensive, nearby item for peace. She also struggled to afford a laundry service, viewing the expense as an "extreme luxury" despite its time-saving benefits.
A, who grew up with parents who could "barely even pay your school fees," realized this in school. Despite earning "good money" from freelancing, his spending was driven by fear of returning to broke, given the unpredictable nature of client work.
D observed that habits formed from scarcity are difficult to overcome. He started working at age 14 after finishing school early and losing one parent, which left him with limited financial support even after saving before university.
M shared that his poor habits stemmed from never being taught the true value of money or the relationship between money and time. This was evident when he moved to Lagos and was unable to justify spending "a million naira for a self-contained" (housing), leading to compromises he later regretted.
I was affected by early lessons on contentment: if something was "not compulsory, it wasn't necessary." She constantly questions the need for personal purchases (e.g., a new pair of shoes or a subscription) but would instantly help a friend with money. She is actively learning to "just enjoy yourself a little."
Mental Health and Conclusion
The discussion briefly touched on mental health.
I suggested that the term mental health is "bastardized" in Nigeria, with people sometimes using it as an excuse to avoid responsibilities, feeling that genuine "terrible mental ills" are less common than claims of depression over minor issues.
Convener (Mavis) agreed the term is sometimes overused but countered that Nigerians often dismiss discomfort if it is not "grand or big enough." She argued that even small issues, like commuting stress, can "snowball" and affect every part of one's life, leading to crankiness and poor performance. She stressed that every discomfort is a significant conversation that must be addressed before it grows out of control.
An unidentified participant advised everyone to express all emotions rather than bottling them up.
Mavis's Final Thoughts: She concluded that a background of scarcity is not an excuse for poor choices, and that there is always room for change. She stressed that saving alone cannot save a person out of poverty (i.e., you "cannot save enough to be Bill Gates"). The final message was a call to live intentionally, enjoy, and rest, urging everyone to "grow into more than just survival."
The conversation concluded with Mavis thanking the participants.
Lagos and "Gala"
Mavis introduced Gala, a popular Nigerian sausage roll, as the virtual evening meal. She described it as a quintessential Lagos experience, often eaten with Pepsi or Fanta while commuting through traffic. A symbol of resilience in a city that demands so much from its people.
HIC Story Table 01
Location: Bari, Italy
Theme: Caring for Loved Ones Who Are Chronically ill While Caring for Oneself.
Host: Gianni Marsico
In Bari, Italy, four people share stories of caregiving, love, loss, and resilience.
From Adele’s journey caring for her husband to Ben’s devotion to his partner of 44 years, this first HIC table reminds us that somewhere, someone is figuring life out, and we are all connected.
At the heart of the table was patate, riso e cozze, a traditional Bari dish of potatoes, rice, and mussels. More than food, it became a symbol of community: a dish meant to be shared in abundance, passed from hand to hand, like the stories themselves.
To preserve the nuances of HIC conversations, stories are not translated; however, a short English transcript is provided below
A Saturday in Bari: Stories of Life, Loss, and a Special Dish
Introduction to the Gathering
The discussion, convened by Luigi in Bari, Italy, was a Saturday afternoon tradition of coffee and storytelling among four friends. The goal was to share stories of life, loss, and change—what has brought them to the present, what they have become, and how they have changed. Each participant was allotted seven to ten minutes to tell their story.
Adele's Story: Strength Through Struggle
Adele began by recounting her marriage at 17, which included living under the "dictatorship" of her mother-in-law and her own mother until she moved to the city's outskirts and "woke up." After rolling up her sleeves to help her husband's small business, their carefree life ended abruptly when a bailiff arrived after her husband signed a 20 million lire guarantee for his brother, which ballooned to 70 million.
She spent 25 years working with nuns. The hardest part of her life began when her husband fell ill, leading to 15 and a half years of 24-hour caregiving. She remains angry that after years of intensive care, he died in just two days following a CT scan. Since his death a year ago, she has struggled with the senselessness of it all, throwing herself into work to release tension. The financial burden remains heavy, but she manages to cover some property tax costs by renting out a small shop her husband once worked in. Despite her own illness—a quadrantectomy—she concluded that "Life is a struggle," but she relies on her own strength to recharge and carry on.
Ben's Story: From Narcissist to Caregiver
Ben, an Australian-born violinist, moved to Bari in 1980. After realizing others were better musicians, he shifted his focus. Luigi introduced him by acknowledging his work in founding the local gay community, which was previously "completely invisible." Ben found a new way of living through this work, which helped him create a model of community and open life in society.
He has been with his husband for 44 years. Two years ago, his husband had a stroke, forcing Ben to dedicate all his time to caregiving and being his memory. This was difficult because Ben had been a conductor—"very narcissistic, very megalomaniac, very selfish." This new role stripped away that part of him, changing him into a more tolerant person. At 74, he accepts that he must slow down and resign ambition, learning to be a nurse and a true friend—roles he never embraced, even in his relationship. He concluded that, slowly, his ego is being "smoothed down," transforming him from a "tree" into a "toothpick."
John's Story: The Weight of Guilt and Absence
John moved to Bari two years ago, chasing a dream. This big change created problems in his family, especially with his elderly mother, who took the separation badly. John is plagued by a persistent feeling of guilt that he feels every time he speaks to her on the phone, a feeling rooted in his long-standing distance from the family.
His first major bereavement occurred nearly thirty years ago when his father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As a doctor in residency, he suddenly found himself managing his father's care and the entire family, describing the feeling as a trapeze artist performing without a safety net. After his father's nine-month illness and subsequent death, the family "fell apart." While away studying, his mother and brother handled the fallout, which led to him being labeled "the selfish one" who abandoned the family. Despite being present for his father's final farewell speech (telling him not to give up), John continues to carry the weight of this guilt and absence, which has made him colder and less trusting of people.
Luigi's Story: The Paradox of Unfelt Absence
Luigi reflected on how his current self is the result of past presences and subsequent absences. He shared two losses: the death of his baby brother, Valeriano, and fifty years later, the death of his elder brother, Nico, who resembled the baby.
Luigi confessed that he has not yet had the time to fully "feel" his brother's absence, as he is preoccupied with caring for his inconsolable father and mother. He finds himself in the thread that ties presence to absence, feeling orphaned while managing his 90-year-old parents. He cited his husband as an "anchor, an oasis," and a source of support without whom he wouldn't have survived. His ongoing struggle is balancing the needs of his family and loved ones, who require his support, with his love and relationships with the outside world.
Concluding Wishes and The Special Dish
In the final round, the participants added closing thoughts:
Adele expressed guilt over cremating her husband, whom she cared for but realized she didn't truly love due to his selfishness. She reaffirmed her belief in her innate strength.
Ben mused that he needs to strengthen his selfishness to survive his current situation, acknowledging that his ego has been "beaten down" after stepping down from his "dictator" pedestal as a conductor. He stressed the importance of proactively preparing for a future in which his husband might worsen.
The conversation concluded with a lighthearted discussion of the special Bari dish: patate, riso e cozze (potatoes, rice, and mussels). Adele explained that the original recipe, developed by poor farmers who could not afford mussels, was actually made with zucchini. The version with mussels is an "updated" tradition. It is a quintessential convivial dish, always prepared in abundance to feed everyone.
What is Humans in Conversation (HIC)?
HIC is where empathy meets action. We gather real stories about health, wellness, and what it feels like to live in our bodies. From these stories, we find common themes and share them with the four forces shaping our wellbeing: State, Science, Storytellers, and Society (S4E).
The goal is straightforward: to enhance the way we design policy, programs, and communication. HIC builds on Baltimore in Conversation, a storytelling model created by Kenny for the Baltimore City Health Department.
How HIC Works
1) Story Tables
Small, phone-free, community-led gatherings where people speak for themselves — not as representatives of a group. There’s no script, no agenda, no bias. Just an honest conversation.
Tables can be virtual or in-person (we love in-person most). Each table has a theme everyone can connect with — like:
food systems and our bodies
caring for someone with a chronic disease
living with a disease
recovering from addiction
quitting smoking
fertility and raising a family
fitness
Hosts use HIC prompt cards to spark discussion. Conversations are audio-recorded with participants’ consent.
2) The S4E Summit
We don’t stop at stories. Insights from story tables are brought into an invitation-only gathering of leaders in health, government, media, and culture. Here, they co-design more empathetic systems and narratives.
Why is HIC Different?
Unlike focus groups or consultations, HIC is radically human-centred. It’s not about collecting answers. Rather, it’s about witnessing lives.
We don’t ask people to perform pain or translate trauma. We simply invite them to speak, be seen, and be heard.
How You Can Take Part
Host a story table (online or in person)
Help us analyze themes and actions
Volunteer at the S4E Summit
Connect HIC to people doing meaningful work in health and wellness
Our Collaborators (so far)
Dr. Patrick Chaulk (USA): Former Assistant Commissioner of Health, Baltimore City Health Department
Kayla Joy (Antigua): Brand & humanity-centred strategist; projects include Verizon, Ford, McDonald’s, J&J; co-leads Humble and Free Wadadli, an award-winning regenerative tourism company. Designer of the HIC logo.
Olufunke Nnennaya Michaels-Miano (UK): MIT Sloan Fellow, Harvard Mason Fellow, Sanctum Doctoral Fellow, University of Nairobi.
Dott.ssa Robbin Gheesling (Italy): Phonographer & gastronomer researching the intersections of immersive audio and oral history for food storytelling. She creates immersive audio documentaries that reveal the neglected auditory dimensions of culinary environments, preserving disappearing agricultural soundscapes while fostering public engagement with sustainable food systems.
Dr. Ramien Pierre (USA): A workforce development expert who builds what change needs—systems, strategies, and spaces where people actually grow. As both designer and builder, he makes it easier to practice and sustain the right behaviors. His work blends credibility, clarity, and care to help organizations shape what comes next.
Sam Dokswell (Denmark): An award-winning writer, copywriter & creative. He shapes brand voices for clients worldwide in tech, design & culture while relentlessly developing narrative worlds like 3:47 & Rio Is Meltin
Gianni Marsico (Bari) is an illustrious artist, health system manager, and community leader.
Boluwatife, Healthassay (Nigeria)
Roseanne Mwangi (Kenya): I am an aspiring writer who loves gardening, traveling, and reading. I see the HIC Project as an opportunity to discuss our shared life experiences and learn how to pivot as a conscious, growth-oriented group.
Cynthia Mureithi (Kenya): Beyond my professional roles, I am dedicated to writing about the human experience, employing storytelling to foster empathy, cultural understanding, and global unity. With HIC, I hope to meet like-minded people who want to share, learn, and grow together.
Lyndia Dupré (Haïti): Ici en Haïti, je suis une experte en communication, multimédia et audiovisuelle (avec plus de 10 ans d’expérience) aux Caraïbes. Je suis également intéressé par les affaires de publicité, de TV, de radio, des journaux, bien sûr, l’internet, les enjeux de la climatisation et des histoires du monde. For HIC, I am looking forward to sharing our Haitian reality with others. And to learn from other humans as we cooperate for the benefit of our planet.
Lyonel Félix (Haiti): From working with the Red Cross during the 2010 earthquake to managing several building projects to resettle the people of the island, I am passionate about people. Our stories go unheard because the world is focused on other matters. I believe HIC will help humans to connect and share, even when we are different, “On est la même race humaine.” We are one human race.
Fiona Banfa (North of England): I am an experienced data processor, digital analyst, and legal consultant. I work with people who require one-on-one project management and personalized digital access management. I have a keen interest in creating a unique user experience for each client and in making web pages accessible so that users can make informed decisions. With HIC, I would like to meet with people, learn about their experiences, and share insights on decision-making in business and life.
Samuel Michaels-Miano (England): Although born here in England, I have lived in different countries and learned from many cultures as I grew up. Those experiences contribute to my personal and professional growth in roles that express creativity while directly touching human lives – for the better. As a student and youth speaker, I am committed to advancing a better understanding of youth in cybersecurity, digital experiences, creative online platforms, and web design for social impact. As part of HIC, I look forward to learning from other participants and sharing the human experiences that make us who we are.
Kurabachew Desta( Ethiopia): A development practitioner, humanitarian, and Founder of STEM Plus Community Development Charitable Organization, with over 14 years of experience in community development, gender inclusion, and social accountability. He is dedicated to advancing STEM education and envisions creating a “STEM Village” in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, to nurture innovators equipped to tackle poverty, climate change, and sustainable development challenges across Africa. In response to conflict in Ethiopia, he has also led humanitarian and peacebuilding efforts, protecting vulnerable communities while fostering resilience, healing, and opportunities for children and youth.
Marvis Chukwudi (Lagos) is a lifelong storyteller who has told stories across different forms and industries, including tech, finance, culture, and community. She is a Brand Strategist and Community Lead in Lagos. Her work focuses on helping both people and brands communicate with clarity, connect deeply, and become outstanding in their expression.
Unoma Azuah (Georgia): Unoma is a professor of Literature at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. She has published three books, two of which have won international awards. She is an activist whose work focuses on LGBT writing in Nigerian literature.
Susan Obehi (London): Susan is a London-based Environmental Health professional and human rights advocate. She is a mother with a passion for photography, retouching, and storytelling.
Dr. Jennifer Schaupp (Pittsburgh): Dr Jen is a College professor & storyteller interested in interdisciplinary arts collaborations & community engagement
This list is growing — more collaborators will be added soon.
Get in touch.
Hello, I’d like to set up an HIC table or learn more about this work. Tell me more
Upcoming HIC events.
Lagos, Nigeria
Bari, Italy
London, UK
Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Baltimore, USA
Florence, Italy