HushLoudly Podcast Seeks to Highlight Introverts

Dr. Jeri Bingham created the HushLoudly podcast to destigmatize introverts and show how people introverted can be an advantage. Photo provided by Jeri Bingham.
Dr. Jeri Bingham created the HushLoudly podcast to destigmatize introverts and show how people introverted can be an advantage. Photo provided by Jeri Bingham.

HushLoudly Podcast Seeks to Highlight Introverts


By Tia Carol Jones


A podcast is changing the narrative around what it means to be an introvert. The HushLoudly podcast was started by Dr. Jeri Bingham in 2019 after she realized there was a need for a podcast that highlighted the advantages to being an introvert. Bingham believes that introverts can excel in a society and environment where extroverts are celebrated and rewarded. Her friend suggested that she start a podcast and helped her get her podcast on WGN Radio.


HushLoudly features guests who are introverts and don’t have typical backgrounds, as a way to show how introverts win. One example is Mike Nellis, a political strategist, who has worked with Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Cory Booker and Senator Bernie Sanders. Bingham met him at a reception and found out that he raises money for the Democratic party and was one of the co-founders for White Dudes for Harris. Bingham said she wanted to interview him after hearing about his background.


“People believe that an introvert is a hermit; can’t speak publicly, won’t leave the house, can’t talk to people and can’t lead,” she said.


Bingham said that whenever she talks to people and finds someone who is an introvert, but works in a high profileindustry, she has to interview them. In her latest podcast, she interviewed a doctor on the topic of grief and how introverts grieve and how people respond to that.


She said that introverts are wired to inspect and are highly analytical and good at observing and listening. She said extroverts are wired to respond. Bingham said that through her podcast, she is learning about herself and it has been educational for her to talk to different people. She said that at our core, we’re all wired differently and neither introverts or extroverts are better.


Bingham said she is trying to debunk the myths and stigmas around being an introvert, while changing the stereotypes, not just with the HushLoudly podcast, but also with panel discussions. She also started Black Introvert Week, which will take place this year from Feb. 8th-15th. She said she started it because as she went to speak at company events, colleges and universities she would hear from other Black introverts about their experiences.


She was told that people couldn’t read her. When she first started in her career, she realized that other Black introverted women were experiencing the same things. She said that other people’s biases and stereotypes about how Black women are expected to show up in the workplace, can make it difficult for Black introverted women to move through those spaces as their authentic selves.


“It takes time for me, extra work, I feel like it’s a part time job, to show up in a way that I’m still my authentic self, but I have to make the majority feel like they made the right decision as a new hire,” she said.


Bingham said that Black introverted men and women have the same experience in the workplace, because of stereotypes and biases. With Black Introvert Week, Bingham said keeping that conversation at the forefront, by providing people with strategies when it shows up in the workplace. She said the goal is for people to gather and to help each other. She said it is a way to build.


Bingham said that for introverts in the workplace, having a poker face can be an asset in leadership, because people cannot read them or know what they are thinking. She said that introverts are also very deliberate with their words, and don’t talk just to talk, when they say something, it is intentional and well thought out.


She said the mystery is very helpful and an advantage, because when an introvert does talk, people stop and listen. Bingham said that introverts’ demeanor can be an advantage when a situation calls for people to be calm in the face of a crisis. She said it is something that she has been commended on during her career in the marketing and communications field.


Bingham said she wants people to be empowered as introverts and uplifted, while hearing other people talk about what works for them. She wants introverts to be their authentic selves and see their value and worth. She said that having a different demeanor and being wired differently is an asset and something to be celebrated. She said it is important for people to know they can fit in and to find out and focus on their strengths.


The HushLoudly podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, iheartradio and wherever podcast can be streamed. For more information about the HushLoudly podcast, visit https://hushloudly.com/

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