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

• 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 talk about 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 with like-minded people who have a desire 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 egalement interesté en affaires de publicité, TV, radio des journals, au bien sur l’internet, en environs de Climate Change 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 to users so that each user can make decisions based on these experiences. With HIC, I would like to meet with people, learn about their experiences, and share decision-making insights on business and life in general.

• 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 working towards a better understanding of youths 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.

This list is growing — more collaborators will be added soon.