Daralyse Lyons and the On Being Biracial Podcast
Daralyse Lyons is a author, actress, yogi, coach, and speaker. shares her experiences and insights into the importance of storytelling, representation, and the power of listening. In this interview Daralyse takes us through her diverse career, from writing children's books to hosting the thought-provoking podcasts "Demystifying Diversity” and “On Being Biracial”.
Not only does Daralyse discuss her passion for storytelling and diversity and inclusion work, but she also delves into how to work with different listening and communication styles for authentic conversations. From her own experiences and conversations, she has discovered the nuances in listening styles and the impact it has on understanding and empathy.
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Rebecca Richardson: Okay. So I guess we could start with coffee. What's your go to coffee order? Or are you even a coffee person? And do you have a favorite shop?
Daralyse Lyons: I love coffee. Coffee does not always love me, so I have to stick to decaf. So either anything decaf or I'll have, like now that it's the fall, I've been having a lot of, like, hot cinnamon tea or chai or, you know, stuff like that. But I am such a fan of coffee. And sadly, I have I have to limit myself to decaf.
Rebecca: No. That's so fair. It's like a social drink too. If I'm out co-working with friends we're gonna have coffee, then I'll have, like, 3 cups a day. It's yeah.
Daralyse: Yes. Yeah. Right.
Rebecca: And do you have a favorite shop?
Daralyse: Mhmm. So I live in the Germantown section of, Philadelphia, and there's a place that I love to go to called Ultimo Coffee. So if anyone wants to stop on by, you might catch me writing.
Rebecca: What, I guess, inspires you? And what do you find yourself gravitating towards or always evolving learning people?
Daralyse: Yeah. I mean, so right now, we just wrapped up production on the on being biracial podcast, and I got to Interview some amazing people. And so I've been consuming their content. Like, right now, I'm reading some of John Blake's work. He wrote a memoir, and, Lisa Funderburg, I'm reading some of her stuff because I get to talk to these really interesting people, and then I wanna delve more into the Things that they've done.
Rebecca: Right. I get that. We do have some cool people here too that also inspire me. So with On Being Biracial, you had podcasts before. How did this start?
Daralyse: Yes. So I mean, I this is gonna be printed so people can't see me there. But, I am biracial. My dad is black. My mom is white. And, in 2018, I published a book called I'm mixed Under the student named Maggie Williams. It's a children's book, and that got a lot of really positive reception. I, then I give a TED talk In 2019 called Black or White: Refusing To Choose and Embracing Biracial Identity, and that had a really positive reception. And I'd already been working in the diversity space. I'm the co-creator of the Demystifying Diversity podcast. I do like DEI education and trainings, and, I've got a podcast in coordination with that.
And in 2019, I got I no. Actually, I'm sorry. Not 2019. In 20 either 2021 or 2022. My sense of timing is horrible. I think, yeah, I think it was 2022. I got COVID, and so I was on my couch for, like, a solid 2 weeks. And I emerged from COVID and called my business partner Malcolm Burnley And said, like, hey. We should do a project about being biracial. And he was like, great. Let's let's do it. And, and so yeah. I mean, I think it was just a mix of me being in the diversity space for a long time and feeling like I wanted to do something that was maybe a little more personal even though it is professional for me as well.
Rebecca: And was that always your goal? Like, when you were a kid, did you always think that you'd be a public speaker or wanna do this kind of work. Like, what started that?
Daralyse: Not at all. But I've always loved telling stories and I consider myself, I think, first and foremost to be a writer. So I love to write. The podcast is a Scripted podcast. So, you know, and I love to kind of delve into other people's stories. So I think that was always there. And then Just over the course of writing different books and doing some journalistic projects. I sort of think the topic found me, but, it's also been my life experience.
I mean, I've spent my whole life being biracial and talking about race because people always asked me, what are you? So, like, it kinda I think that was, perhaps a natural extension of my identity to get into this space. But no. And I never aspired to Work in DEI. I just wanted to write and for a living and, Yeah. And I now I get to do that, but I get to do it about a subject with which I have some lived experience, which is cool.
Rebecca: So do you work with, like, organizations?
Daralyse: So I work in everything like schools, nonprofits, corporations. I do a wide variety of things. Sometimes we're called to go in and do, like, organizational audits. And look at kind of where a company might be where there might be an opportunity for growth in the DEI space. Sometimes we do workshops and trainings and facilitations. I do some 1 on 1 coaching with folks, especially folks in leadership about kinda how to, be more inclusive and diversity centric. And then there is a podcast that that I'm, the Writer and host of, and we've got a couple of cohosts as well called the demystifying diversity podcast, and that just wrapped up its 3rd season. And so, Yeah.
It's sort of like a wide ranging educational initiative. There's a book I wrote called Demystifying Diversity, embracing our shared humanity. So, like, a lot of work has gone into that, for me and this project kind of began after I was finishing season 3 of the Demystifying Diversity podcast.
Rebecca: Awesome. Yeah. I got to listen to both Demystifying and, On Being Biracial.
Daralyse: Thank you.
Rebecca: It was really great. And at that work, especially now, I know there's a lot of states that are trying get rid of DEI stuff in the workplace in general.
Daralyse: Yeah, you know, it's interesting because I feel like there are no shortage of wonderful organizations out there who really want This work and crave that work. And and I tend to only I work with organizations that contact, you know, contact me. And so I have yet to be affected by that, but I do know that it is, it is really challenging. And I think, sadly, the Places that need it most are the places that aren't getting that work and that emphasis on, like because I you know, I don't think diversity is Or or equity or inclusion work. Is it all a negative? Like, I think it's it's just a way to make more people feel comfortable and it's more profitable. I kinda don't understand the rhetoric against it, but, you know, luckily, I haven't been negatively impacted to my knowledge At least. Yeah.
Rebecca: Right. Right. Yeah. I deal with this in my, my other place of work. I work at a museum, and my director is, like, super great about it. She's like, yeah, diversity exists. And what? Like, what do we do? What? Like, what what are we doing? What's our mission? It's it's awesome work.
Rebecca: You've mentioned that you wrote under a Pseudonym for your children's book. Why?
Daralyse: Yeah. That's a great question. So, I have written and published, I think, 23 books now. And so I just to kinda keep a separation or a division between my children's titles and my adult titles. Because, like, if a little kid wants to go Google a book, like, they probably don't wanna read about demystifying diversity or yoga Study or yoga cocaine or, you know, some of the other things that I've written. So, but I can tell you that the synonym is a really Special blend for me of my aunt Maggie, who passed away when I was 8 years old and was one of the most influential people in my life, Even in 8 short years, you know? So Maggie for her and then my grandfather who's like my father figure, his name was John William Lyons. And so the Williams is for him. So it's like a you know, to me, it's an homage to people that I really love.
Rebecca: That's beautiful. Yeah. I remember you mentioned, your grandfather in the talk.
Rebecca: More on, On Being Biracial, I really what I thought was unique is that you actually, like, brought, like, the voices of children. And in that Yeah. How how do you organize that, I guess? And, like, Have you faced any problems or challenges doing that? And why do you do that?
Daralyse: Well, that was that's great questions. So we did 3 episodes, a limited series in December that was funded by the NABJ, the National Association of Black journalists, and we focus specifically on youth ages 4 to 21. And I think we did that partially because, You know, like, kids are just so precious, and it was wonderful to talk to them about their experiences. And it was, like, Kind of fun and inspiring. I think the challenges for me were some of it. The young people had, like, really painful stories. And so to listen to their experiences that just broke my heart, I think were really Was really challenging. And then also, you know, with young people, like, we wanna keep their confidentiality and not use too much like, not post too much On social media and, like, really kinda just take care of the their precious beings.
Daralyse: And so I think, from a Marketing perspective. Like we were limited as to what we could do, but I that was such rich reporting. And I learned so much About young people today and about how things have changed and about myself and my own younger self. And so that was beautiful. And then the season that we just, posted an episode today, is adults. So we have 31 people that we interviewed who are, you know, Grown folks living their lives, working, you know, working in their careers and stuff. And and it's really a lot of the same themes emerged, But it's really interesting to kind of see how some of these early life experiences have calcified and how people have, Navigated the trajectories of their lives. And I I one of the things that I do find hopeful in interviewing young people versus, You know, adults is that the experiences that people were talking about have shifted.
Daralyse: And I think the culture has shifted in terms of race And in terms of identity. So I was really thrilled and felt fortunate that we got to speak with people of A variety of ages, so that we could really, like, think about and and, Yeah. Like, just think about kind of how culture has changed and how it hasn't. And hopefully, this podcast For those listening, whether it be to the 1st season with youth voices or to this current season, hopefully, those listening who are multiracial will Feel like they see themselves in their stories, and, like, their own experiences are reflected back to them and have some Greater sense of belonging and community. And then for folks who aren't multiracial, I mean, we're a growing population. And I think most people Know people or love people or work with people who are multiracial, biracial, mixed, you know, however they identify. And I and So my hope is is that there's something in there for everyone.
Rebecca: I thought that was it was very powerful to hear their experiences at school. Yeah like, I think a couple of them said that, like, the changing like, from different schools, how the culture shift based on the context.
Daralyse: Yeah.
Rebecca: Yeah. That must be Super challenging to, like, navigate. Especially, like, you coming with you, somebody who talks about DEI in institutions. Context was a huge of course, it plays a huge role.
Daralyse: I thought. No. It does. And and geography too. I mean, that's something I noticed, like, we talked to kids who are going to schools who, like the schools are very diverse and they're you know, and there's a lot of kind of, like, Be who you are and, you know, and, like, embrace your full self. And, and then there were some kids who are growing up in places where they might be the only brown face, You know? Or they might be the only person with parents who are who are different races and look different from them or whatever. And, and even within families, you know, we noticed a lot of differences between some kids in the same family. We're like, yeah.
Daralyse: Between some kids in the same family were, like, yeah. Race and identity is something I think about all the time. It's and, like, I don't feel seen. And Other kids in that same family were like, I don't know what you're talking about. Like, I just wanna talk about spaghetti and I'm good.
Rebecca: And you’re working on both projects right now?
Daralyse: Yeah. So demystifying diversity, it that that podcast, we released 3 seasons, and those 3 seasons are out. And then on the on being biracial podcast, we released the youth voices season. And then On being biracial, the 1st episode dropped today of the, like, the main kinda season, this current season. And it's gonna be a 5 week season with Two episodes dropping a week. So, yeah, a lot of content. You know, a lot of Exactly. Just a lot of content.
Daralyse: Yeah.
Rebecca: And you just, like, you acorn them?
Daralyse: Yes. Yeah. Yeah. And that's cool. I've never heard that before, acorn them, but I real I like But he doesn't make sense. I picture a chipmunk. Like, we we store All the goodies, all the content, and then, yeah. Now that the winter is coming, we really are.
Rebecca: Hahaha I don’t even know if thats a thing. I just said that.
Where do you hope On Being Biracial will go, and what do you hope people will gain from the podcast.
Daralyse: Yeah. So I guess I would say that, I hope that as many people as possible will listen to it. Not because I have any, like, inspirations of grandeur, but because I think it can really impact people in a positive way, and especially people maybe who Haven't felt seen or, like, who's don't feel like their stories are told often. I think especially living in the United States, which is where I live, they're The stories of race that are told are often, like, mono-racial stories. Right? Like, this person's black or they're white or they're Asian or they're Tina or, you know, or they're indigenous. And I mean, in many stories of marginalized and under underrepresented people aren't told enough, I think particularly nuanced conversations about race aren't happening. So I really, kinda want more people to be exposed to that so that they can have more nuanced conversations and understandings of race. I think for mixed people for multiracial people.
Daralyse: I just want us to feel seen and heard and our stories to be out there. And then for, you know, monoracial folks, I just think, like, this conversation could benefit anyone. Yeah. But one of the things I will say though is that in the on being biracial podcast, there is a lot of Diversity. Like, there's a lot of diversity of different racial identities, different gender identities, different orientations, and, you know, abilities. And I think also diversity of perspective. And so, like, it's not I think for people listening, it's not like, oh, this is like, we have clear conclusions that we're trying to draw or, like, this is how people are supposed The feel. It's just there's a variety of perspectives and stories, and I think people listening can find value In the fact that we're not trying to present like a, I guess, a one-sided perspective.
Like, we're trying to really do justice to the diversity of the Experience of people who come from multiracial backgrounds.
Rebecca: That's awesome. You mentioned, like, your Your passion for storytelling and, you know, that's that's the the seems to be like the root of Yes. Everything. Like, I wonder what medium of storytelling have you like? Because you've done children's books. You do the counseling. You're doing podcast. Like, which one's your favorite?
Daralyse: Yeah. And it's Boken and stuff on stage. Yeah. I think I think whatever allows me to be in my pajamas, like, having a cup of tea or a cup of decaf coffee. Yeah. Like, to be fair, I think depending on the story, the platform there are platforms that support certain types of stories and on other platforms that that don't. But, Yeah. I right now I love Podcasting because that's what I'm doing, but I also really love writing books and telling stories that way.
Daralyse: I like being on stages. I don't I don't know that I have a Clear a clear favorite. I just know that if I'm not telling stories in some way, shape, or form, I don't feel like myself. I feel like, You know, kind of, just stagnant. So I I just wanna be telling stories in whatever form will have me, I guess.
Rebecca: Yeah. That's so well said. Because, like, it's same it's same thing for artists. Like, you're not always gonna be in the same thing forever. Like, you're just It's hard for me to just keep going and evolving and trying new things. That's awesome.
Daralyse: Yeah. And I think too, like, you know, so I work in DEI, and statistics don't really change people. They don't make a dent, but stories do. And so I think particularly to be able to tell stories about nuance, racial identity, and experience or stories about, You know, people's lives, like, through demystifying diversity. I've told a a variety of different stories on a variety of different topics. And And I think that what I most like about storytelling in this space is that people will listen and And their hearts can sometimes be changed through hearing the voices and the stories and the perspectives of other people in a way that, like, You know, just presenting them with demographic data or whatever, like, isn't gonna make a dent. So I think For me, particularly because of the stories that I'm blessed to be able to tell, I real like, I feel like I can make a difference in various Mediums by bringing the stories of other people forward.
Rebecca: Yeah. Well said.
Daralyse: Oh, thanks. Thanks.
Rebecca: Thanks. So that that was great. Oh, no. Yeah. That's why I like podcasts too. Because also, like, you have that Space, like, most people are listening to these, like, in their cars, in their own spaces. So It's not like like, you can feel what you feel in the privacy of wherever you're listening from, and that makes you internalize what you're hearing more, I think.
Daralyse: Totally. And I also think that sometimes learning in a group environment and this is me. I'm a DEI facilitator, but learning in a group environment can be really scary because people don't wanna Say the wrong thing. They don't wanna ask the wrong question. They don't wanna but podcast, like, it's sort of passive learning. And, yes, people can have an active internal experience, and they can use those lessons to go out and be different in the world. But I just think, you know, for someone who might have a lot of questions about what it is To be biracial or multiracial. Like, this is a great way to learn without going and asking, you know, everyone you know who's By Rachel who may or may not wanna bear the burden of educating you on their experiences.
Rebecca: Absolutely! Yeah. Well, I think we had great discussion so far. Is there anything else that we may have not covered that you'd like to plug or share or add?
Daralyse: Well, I guess one of the things that comes up for me, you know, just in speaking with The various people that I got to speak with is just how important it is for people to, like, Tell their stories. And I know I I don't just mean this in, like, you know, biracial people, but, like, for people to tell their stories And or see their stories represented back to them through representation. And I just I I guess one of the things I love the most about my job is being able to really listen to people and particularly people who aren't often asked To talk about themselves. I just feel like everyone has such a valuable inner reservoir of stories and, like, such a rich inner life. But I also know that the downside of people not telling their stories is that, you know, a lot of, like, Mental health challenges and a lot of, you know, just suffering in silence or not feeling met or seen or heard. So I guess I would just encourage People who are reading this or, you know, to to be willing to talk about themselves and about, you know, who they are and where they come from. And, and I don't necessarily mean in a public way. I just mean, like, in in our everyday lives to, like, show up and be more authentic, I think is important.
Rebecca: I love that! I think, the human experience, and it's some don't that it could be that way. I like what you said about listening a lot, because I think that is a skill that it for me, at least, it needs sharpening. Being present in a conversation is super hard sometimes.
Daralyse: It is super hard.’
Rebecca: Especially in podcasts, it's like being able to listen and let the conversation go. It's hard to let go of that control.
Daralyse: Oh, for sure. And I think what's made me a better listener is listening back to conversations because it's like listening back to the conversation again and again and again. I've realized, like, how many times that maybe I didn't ask a natural follow-up question or how many times I could have, Like done better. So mostly, I just attempt to fail forward in my job. Like, you know, if I just, you know, become a better listener, You know, 1%, like, every year, maybe, you know, at some point, I'll I'll be a really good listener.
Rebecca: Right! It’s an ongoing practice.
Daralyse: Yeah. And you know, one thing too, I Interviewed. This is in the my work in the Demystifying Diversity podcast, but I got to interview this woman named Deborah Tannen. And she It's like an expert on communications, and she talks about how different cultures lift listen differently. Like, I'm from the East Coast. We're sort of, like, fast paced. You know, if there's pauses in the conversation, like, we wanna fill in those conversation those conversational gaps.
Daralyse: You know, not everyone works that way. Some people, like if I'm nodding along and saying like, yeah. Yeah. Like with you, I'm actively listening, but some people perceive that as being, like, rude or interruptive or whatever. And so, you know, I think in my work in diversity particularly. And then also in my work as a podcaster, like, I've just learned that there's a diversity in listening styles To you and how people communicate and like, so can I listen to you the way that you want to be listened to? Can I care about you the way that you wanna be cared about? Can I, Support you in the way that you wanna be supported? Like, all of the you know, all of these things are so they're so nuanced and, and I'm just learning every day, hopefully, you know.
Rebecca: Right! Right That's good advice. Thank you. I appreciate that.
Daralyse: I think I was just talking to myself. I don't know that I mentioned his advice.
Rebecca: No, but I'll take it with me! I guess that wraps up everything. Thank you so much Daralyse!
Daralyse: Thank you so much, Rebecca. I really appreciate it. Okay. Alright.
Rebecca: Bye. Bye.
Drink 🫖
What is Daralyse go-to drink?
I love coffee. Coffee does not always love me, so I have to stick to decaf. So either anything decaf or I'll have, like now that it's the fall, I've been having a lot of, like, hot cinnamon tea or chai or, you know, stuff like that. But I am such a fan of coffee. And sadly, I have I have to limit myself to decaf.
Germantown section of, Philadelphia, and there's a place that I love to go to called Ultimo Coffee.
Listening To 🎧
What is Daralyse listening to at the moment?
Like, right now, I'm reading some of John Blake's work. He wrote a memoir, and, Lisa Funderburg, I'm reading some of her stuff because I get to talk to these really interesting people, and then I wanna delve more into the things they've done.
Your Truth 🗣️
What is a Daralyse’s truth?
I've always loved telling stories and I consider myself, I think, first and foremost to be a writer. So I love to write. The podcast is a Scripted podcast. So, you know, and I love to kind of delve into other people's stories. So I think that was always there. And then just over the course of writing different books and doing some journalistic projects. I sort of think the topic found me, but, it's also been my life experience.
I mean, I've spent my whole life being biracial and talking about race because people always asked me, what are you? So, like, it kinda I think that was, perhaps a natural extension of my identity to get into this space. But no. And I never aspired to work in DEI. I just wanted to write and for a living and, Yeah. And I now I get to do that, but I get to do it about a subject with which I have some lived experience, which is cool.
Your Plug 🔌
What is Daralyse plugging today?
Listen to On Being Biracial with Daralyse and Malcolm Burnley!
Check out Demistifying Diversity DEI Services!
More about Daralyse Lyons
Daralyse Lyons, aka the Transformational Storyteller, is a Biracial journalist, actor, and activist who has made it her mission to stand for a more integrated world. After writing an award-winning children’s book (I’m Mixed!) about embracing her multiethnic heritage, she found her passion and her purpose in empowering others to embrace all aspects of themselves. She has written and spoken extensively about all dimensions of diversity, and feels tremendous gratitude for the opportunity to use her seemingly disparate background as a catalyst for cross-cultural understanding.
Her TEDx Talk “Black or White? Refusing to Choose & Embracing Biracial Identity” encourages individuals to embrace their own conceptions of themselves, rather than adhering to the mandates of a broken society. She is grateful for the opportunity to explore the experiences of other multiracial folx, and to amplify their voices.
Instagram: @daralyselyons
Website: www.demystifyingdiversitypodcast.com/daralyse-lyons
