In a world where women's contributions often go unnoticed, Juliane Troicki's passion project throws a much-deserved spotlight on the quiet yet vital achievements of women in our communities. Tune in as we discuss why women's achievements are boundless but often invisible. Through her Illuminating Project, Juliane shines a light on the everyday contributions of women from a wide array of perspectives. Witness how her endeavor transcends mere recognition, fostering an environment where all forms of success are acknowledged and cherished for their societal impact. The result is a breathtaking exhibit of each woman's photographic portrait and their story.
Listen in as Juliane and I talk about:
How her efforts to incorporate this project into the workforce have done more for employee retention than any free lunch ever would.
How she uses her background as a political science professor to gather data to judge the effect of recognizing people's efforts in the workforce.
Her upcoming exhibit at the Trout Museum of Art in Appleton on January 12, 2024.
In a world where women's contributions often go unnoticed, Juliane Troicki's passion project throws a much-deserved spotlight on the quiet yet vital achievements of women in our communities. Tune in as we discuss why women's achievements are boundless but often invisible. Through her Illuminating Project, Juliane shines a light on the everyday contributions of women from a wide array of perspectives. Witness how her endeavor transcends mere recognition, fostering an environment where all forms of success are acknowledged and cherished for their societal impact. The result is a breathtaking exhibit of each woman's photographic portrait and their story.
Listen in as Juliane and I talk about:
How her efforts to incorporate this project into the workforce have done more for employee retention than any free lunch ever would.
How she uses her background as a political science professor to gather data to judge the effect of recognizing people's efforts in the workforce.
Her upcoming exhibit at the Trout Museum of Art in Appleton on January 12, 2024.
Did she really do that? You, betcha? She did. Hello, and welcome back to another episode of you, betcha. She Did the podcast where female changemakers, leaders and entrepreneurs, especially from Wisconsin, share their wit and wisdom. I'm your host, rainer Rikiki. Today in the studio I have Juliana Troike. She has a PhD and is the founder of the Illuminating Project. She partners with companies to retain their most valuable employees and with organizations to engage communities. Who doesn't want more of that, right? She is a native of Berlin, germany, and Juliana has lived in New York City and Philadelphia before making her home in the great state of Wisconsin. When she's not chasing after her four children and her husband and her rescue dog Roy, she enjoys weightlifting and restoring mid-century furniture Two very cool hobbies. She also cares deeply about community and you'll see that within this interview With the Illuminating Project, juliana seeks to learn from others and share their inspiring stories and lessons, something I can definitely relate to with my own podcast.
Speaker 1:
So, juliana welcome to the show. Thank you for the lovely introduction. It's wonderful to be here. I love what you're doing with the podcast.
Speaker 2:
Thank you vice versa, right back at you. So let's dive in, let's tell our listeners a little bit more about the Illuminating Project and the inspiration behind it.
Speaker 1:
Yes, the Illuminating Project. Really, I have to make sure not to make this story too long, but it's kind of lived in my head and my heart for many, many years. I've always had a passion for women's stories, and I grew up with a lot of strong women. I had a lot of women that mentored me, that inspired me in my life continue to have that actually and I always felt like a kinship with other women. And so I thought it would be so wonderful to have a project that highlights women's achievements in all kinds of areas of life. And also why I wanted to do it is it's very important to me to appreciate individuals for their contributions, for their unique talents, for who they are and what they do, especially and especially with women. They often do a lot of wonderful things for others, for the community, in their work, in private, and often they do these things quietly and they never get recognized for it. So I thought this would be a wonderful way to do that, to make people feel appreciated and to really also share with the world what these women have done. So and then I thought you know, I can write, I'm a writer and I can organize, I can hustle, I can do things. But I'm not a photographer and I wanted this to be sort of a collaboration. I wanted to have photography too. So I wanted to kind of have a project where you see in this case it started with the women where you see the women but you also learn about the women. So that's why how this evolved.
Speaker 1:
So and then I basically just sort of I just basically I just did it. I just found an art center and I approached the curator there, which was in Fond du Lac, wisconsin Shout out to the Thelma beautiful art center in the middle of downtown Fond du Lac. So I had just approached the curator and I said you know, I have this idea and I'd love to do this. What do you think? And this guy was amazing. He liked it right away. He said, yes, this is brilliant, we have to do it. And I really I let's, I'll give you the whole museum, we'll do the whole thing. And then I just had to find a photographer and I found someone, so Laura Schneider of Studio L Photography, a friend of mine. She's fabulous and very skilled at what she does. So we decided to collaborate and then we just started this community art project, which has led to so much more, but that's kind of how it started.
Speaker 2:
And I love everything you were saying just about. You know women we talked about this on the podcast before but how women are like the backbone of society, doing all this work behind the scenes that often isn't recognized but, you know, really is integral to the community and when we shine a light on that, when we share those stories, you really see that come out. So I love that you're doing that in these local communities. You know it's not something that needs to be. You know a big stage in LA and New York but it's like hey, all over the United States, all over the world, women are doing this work that is changing lives and let's not only celebrate that but yes, and also women and individuals.
Speaker 1:
They have success and do great things in all aspects of their lives. So it might be someone might be a community volunteer, someone might be a wonderful parent, someone might be a kick-ass career person. You know, like just so. There's all these different layers of success and achievement and something that's inspiring, and I think I want to show that all of those layers, or shine a light on one of those layers, and it's also to say that not one is more important than the other. They're all valid contributions to society and they're all achievements that should be celebrated.
Speaker 2:
That kind of dives into my next question. So how do you identify and select the women whose stories are featured, you know, in these illuminating projects? Is there like a certain criteria or, like you mentioned, you're kind of looking at different slices of life?
Speaker 1:
throughout the community. You know, of course we're trying yeah, exactly we're trying to showcase different people of different backgrounds, of different talents, of different achievements, of different values, of different, you know, all kinds of different perspectives. But we really it kind of usually is really a true community collaborative Project which is really also speaks for the project. So with the we usually start out and I also collaborate with other photographers for the project. But usually the photographer and I will collaborate and we will both maybe give heaven name or two of someone that we have personally that we find somehow what kind of connections like this person is so inspiring, I want him or her in this project, and so then we start with them and so we have maybe one or two that we start with and then we ask the people that are already in the project who do you find inspiring? Who inspires you, would you recommend? So it's in the.
Speaker 1:
It started out with women who are inspiring, recommending who inspires them. So kind of grows like that. And then you know how it is, how it is when you keep something secret, it can't get out anyway. So I can not have this like you know people, we didn't want people to self nominate, you know not your usual superstars, they don't need it. I mean, they're wonderful too, but they don't need this project. And so we thought, oh and then so kind of word got out and people started contacting me and they said I know you're doing this project. Have you heard of so and so? And mostly people did not nominate themselves. They said, oh, how about such and such? And have you thought about so and so? And you know this one and so this was also wonderful and really inspiring about doing this actual work. How so if people came out of the woodworks to really show support for other women, for these individuals, for the community, and they were excited for us, they were cheering for us and the women and Participating.
Speaker 2:
That's what. That's what you want to see. Right, that it's my engagement. I know you have a show coming up in the new year. Tell us a little bit about it, where it is, and maybe could you highlight just a couple of the women's story. I don't want to give everything away, just a teaser. We are.
Speaker 1:
We are excited on January 12. At the trout museum of art in Appleton and we're featuring 30 inspiring women from the Appleton area. Yeah, the women from all kinds of backgrounds, different, you know, different education backgrounds, different professional backgrounds. We also have some people who are women, who are community volunteers. We have some People who are really women, who are really focused on motherhood, so we have the whole range. We have a Holocaust survivor, we have career trailblazers and in construction industry. So we have women from all backgrounds and they're all inspiring in their own way and I can't wait for people to see it. So the launch is January 12 at 5pm at the trout museum of art in Appleton and it's open until May 12, I believe, and there's another event for that that I could also publicize for international women's day, there'll be a speaker panel. I'll be there myself and several of the illuminated women will be speaking on the experience. I think it's March 8 at 5pm, and both of the opening and the panel event on March 8 free and open to the public. So so everyone's welcome.
Speaker 2:
In the show notes I'll have those events linked to their website. So if you want to check them out, if you want to get more information, just go to the show notes and you will find it there. So this is good. This conversation about community and where these exhibits goes is kind of where I want to talk about next. Besides illuminating women, I also know you illuminate whiskers, and we're not talking about cats. That's first thing that came my mind, but tell us more about that. What does that mean?
Speaker 1:
illuminating whiskers yes so that's another upcoming project that will be at the Thelma Sadov Center for the Arts opening March 1 at 6pm. I'm collaborating with photographer Christine Peck of being Christine photography downtown Von Dauleck and we are shining a light on men from Wisconsin who have facial hair, so a beard or a mustache, and we figured that whiskers would be a great name to incorporate both of those. And we're basically it's inspired on my end. It's inspired by illuminating women because it's also an attentive way to story tell, to pay attention. But here we're focusing on men, on their achievements, their stories, and it's through the lens of the facial hair. So it's about the beard, but it's also about so much more. It's lighthearted and it's inspiring, it's touching and it's another. You know how life happens. It's a great collaboration.
Speaker 1:
So, christine, she, we met by chance and she said you know I've been working on this amazing project, I'm a photographer and I'm kind of at a point where I'm like what's my next step with this project?
Speaker 1:
And then I said you know you could help with that. So you know how about we do a community art project and engage the community where we feature men stories and we tell the stories of their beards and moustaches but we also tell their stories and so that's how it got started. So we were featuring 30 men and they're from all across the state of Wisconsin, so they're not just in one region, they're from all walks of life, all backgrounds education backgrounds, career we I think we also have a dad who takes care of the children as a full time job, so we have all kinds of. We also have a, you know, overachiever, so we it's very similar in terms of the variety and diversity of the illuminating women project. So it's going to be really inspiring and I'm excited. And the bottom line is, you know, everyone needs to know that they're important and, especially when someone does something wonderful, they need to be appreciated and they that they can also inspire someone else.
Speaker 2:
So you know, building a community is crucial right For projects like this, and you already talked about how it's spurred people to recognize others and really kind of reach out. What have you noticed from the project Like, how has it fostered community, maybe not only through the exhibit, but amongst the women or in the greater community at large it fosters?
Speaker 1:
community in many ways. So it starts right, you know when, at the opening night, when all the people actually it starts in the process of making it, because you know you interact with the community and people come out to support and nominate the women. So this was the same for this. So and you also selfishly I make amazing friends through these incredible people also, men, who are just excited about this project, who want to help you with the project, who are rooting for you, who are, you know, they're approaching you. I know you're doing this. How can we help? So that, automatically, is just the best feeling in the world. You know that what you do means something to people and that you're making an impact on a community. So I know for a fact that we're doing that At the opening night. It's really powerful because many of the women usually attend these events who are featured. They're featured on the wall with a photo and side by side with a biography, and so it's almost life-size, so it's pretty big.
Speaker 2:
So, yeah, oh wow, that is big, just see yourself you're like well, there I am.
Speaker 1:
That's the idea. That's the size of it is from my thought process behind it that you are interacting with this person you are when you're standing in front of each installation of each woman. You are spending time with that woman. You're paying attention to not just how she looks that's not so important to me but what she has done and what she's doing and how she's unique and how she's making a difference, and I think that's very inspiring and touches people's lives. I know when the people are there, I kind of I love being fly on the wall.
Speaker 1:
When I see people see in the shows, the audience, I see how they're inspired. I see they usually first look at the photo. Is their stunning photos of incredible women very well done? And so people look at that first, and then I can see them shift over to the biography where they're reading and they're thinking. I can see the wheels turning. I can see people feeling the feelings that I want them to feel I mostly and then I see them look back at the photo and I just know now they're looking at her with fresh eyes, with appreciative eyes and with a sense of this is someone inspiring. I love this, and they're taking something away from it.
Speaker 1:
So it does that with the individual audience member. It also there's this buzz in the room I hope you'll be there, you'll see it. There's this buzz where people feel so connected as a community, they feel so inspired and they feel the sense of I belong to this amazing community that has produced these incredible women that are part of the social and cultural fiber of this community, so it really strengthens the community. That's also the feedback I very often get at these shows, so people will afterwards approach me or during the opening they will find me and say this is amazing, we love it. It just makes us feel so connected too, and I'm so proud to live here and I'm so proud that we have these women in our community. So it really does that. It also gives hope, I think, and that was really important to me In the times that we live in, where the news are disastrous, everyone is very much divided and it's so polarized, pandemic didn't help certainly.
Speaker 2:
I feel like this.
Speaker 1:
I mean, it seems that this really helps with it because you're connecting, you're collectively doing something, but you're also connecting and appreciating individuals, and it makes people think about what they could do with their lives. I gave a talk about this the other day and I noticed how people's eyes got misty and they were really inspired and they said to me this really makes me question my life in the best way. I thought I hope I'm doing something meaningful. What if she told my story? So I was like, oh yeah, that works too. I'm glad you're welcome.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, you're like that was a nice intended effect, but I'll take it. I like it.
Speaker 1:
We all need to be inspired and we all need to know that we are important and that when we do something, that it matters, especially when we give our heart and soul to something, that we make an impact, and that we're important. And also the women many of them do really wonderful things, so this is also an opportunity for them to share the work they do and also to inspire others to join them in their worthy causes. So I'm happy to also shine light on that with this. So I think there's a multitude of benefits, but it's certainly in our great time of isolation and disconnection. It does just the opposite it brings people together. So, yeah, hope to see you at the opening.
Speaker 2:
I love that Shows people's unique qualities and abilities and how they contribute to a community. And, like you said, we live in this time where people are more often looking at the differences and judging people for whatever reason, and instead it's like, regardless of this person's political stance or whatnot, it's like let's appreciate them and look how they're changing things and maybe that'll bring people together. I love that underlying hope aspect. Now, I know we've been talking a lot about the illuminating women aspect of the illuminating project, which is wonderful, but I also know that you work with companies to help to dig into their employees and look at how individuals are contributing with the company and how that leads to appreciation. Talk to us a little more about that and what are some of the results you've noticed.
Speaker 1:
So we also collaborate or partner with companies to highlight their employees. So that is usually a custom project, so it can be done in any way that works best for the organizational company where we basically feature and shine a light on their employees and their individual achievements. It does wonderful things for the company culture where people feel the same, as they feel in the community projects, they feel they're connected, they're really proud to work in a place like that, an organizational company that values its employees or members so much that they would hire this woman and her photographer to basically shine a light on them. It's really meaningful for the company. I mean it boosts retention, it increases engagement, which we know is key. It's also value and appreciation in employees or individuals. There's also psychological studies that will share this with you that people who feel appreciated and values they are more engaged and they're more productive and they're the best advertising for their company. So actually you'd be better off versus buying a billboard or some cheesy advertising. You'd be much better off shining a light on your employees and making them feel special and valued. You'd get a better sort of return for your money actually. So that's that for the company. It's huge and they usually are very proud of it and it's kind of their love letter to their employees, if you will.
Speaker 1:
I know, for several collaborations that we had for a project we, you know, several of the women applied for new jobs afterwards. A handful of them also got promoted right after they were featured and included. So I hope that we contributed in some way to that One woman. I'm still in touch with all of the women, it's just the best. So one of them, she told me, you know, this gave me the courage to apply for a higher job, for a management position that I didn't have before, and I just felt really very bolstered in my my confidence is higher and I just feel much better. And they also feel more connected to their workplace. And I think, you know, using my nerdy PhD brain, I always like to collect data, yep. So I always collect data from all my projects to see, you know, is it doing what I think it should be doing? Is it doing what I think it does? And it actually does. So I'm really proud of that. So it boosts self confidence, self esteem, feelings of belonging, excitement about their organization. Also, it really boosts retention.
Speaker 1:
I always ask them. You know, how do you feel about the company now versus how did you feel about it before? And what I've been measuring is that they feel more connected and they all say like 80 plus percent. They say, oh, you know, I'm less likely to quit, I'm definitely more likely to stay after this project Because I feel so valued and I feel so connected. So it's really wonderful. And you know it's. I would say. You know, this is all in light of the great resignation and the current also the challenge for companies where people are remote, so they don't see everyone every day face to face, so it's hard to appreciate these people. This is where this can also help. But so the Illuminati project is really kind of the antidote to that. It's the opposite to oh, I'm just a number, I'm just a small cog in the wheel. No, you are not just a number, you are a person. We see you, we appreciate you as you are and we're here to celebrate you and what you do matters.
Speaker 2:
Yes, and we see that I mean how motivating is that.
Speaker 1:
I mean you and I both we know this from our line of work right? We feel very valued in doing this, we feel like it matters, we feel like we're making an impact, and that's why we're working so hard, you know, for the sake of that, we're just so committed. I mean I'm that's how I see us both.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, no, definitely, definitely. You're like, if I can raise someone up and inspire someone you know to go after more, I'm doing my job. I was gonna say I want to pick your brain a little bit too about, because I know you're a political science professor. How have you used tools that you use in the political science realm in this project, like, what kind of connections are there? I'm curious about that.
Speaker 1:
I love data, oh yeah.
Speaker 2:
So I'm like, who are these intersect?
Speaker 1:
Well, I mean, I think it's all connects, I mean it actually all makes sense. So, you know, I was teach I still am sometimes so teaching international politics, mostly at local area colleges, and I love that. I love that I get to, you know, not just teach someone, but I have an impact on someone's life and I am still connected to many of my students and you know, I know that I will make an impact and so I get to appreciate them and show them what they're capable of and inspire them to do more things. For example, I mean, it's not just the class material but it's also the, you know, the personal relationships, that mentoring that I love doing and that is so meaningful to me.
Speaker 1:
So you know, one of my students last year she was applying for her first job out of college and she said oh, professor Trichy, I'm really nervous. Before the interview, what should I do, what should I think about? And I said, you know, I gave her a bunch of tips, but the most important thing that I think made a future work. I said do not just accept what they're offering. Negotiate your salary, don't accept the first offer. You know, know your worth, do a little research and see what, what you can get. So because otherwise they'll just give you the lowest and and you'll just and that'll be that, and you never know what you might have missed. So and so a week later she comes back and she says Professor Trichy, I was thinking of what you said to me and I added another 15,000 to what I think I should get. And I played a call, I said this is what I want, and they didn't blink an eye and they just gave it to me. So I mean those kinds of things. You know where I'm like, I'm rooting for them, I'm cheering for them and I know I'm making an impact. So I get to appreciate them, they get to be encouraged, so so that's connected to the nature of my project, but also in terms of my academic research.
Speaker 1:
So I started out studying actually political parties and their connection and the fancy term in political science we call it linkage where how, in terms of how, how voters are in the people, the boots on the ground, how the volunteers, how they are connected to the parties, the political parties. And I looked at parties in Poland, I looked at parties in the United States and I looked at parties in Germany. With my background, that made sense, and it was super interesting, just the short stories. One of the things that stuck with me was the better the connection was between the parties and the voters and that is the personal connection, the linkage, you know, did they, did the voters feel appreciated, that they feel like they had an actual input, that they feel like they were valued in their volunteering and all of those things that had a huge impact on the wealth of the party in terms of not money Well that's a great question, and I know that too but also in terms of the electoral success. So there is that, you know, and also we know if people who study individual politicians around the world, the people who get elected again and again, they're the charismatic types, they're the people that where you hear these anecdotes oh, I met so and so, and they are just, they just know your name, they just know who you are and they say thank you and they're appreciative. So so there's that common link, I guess, and that led me to it and you know I just always had that passion, I'm always a storyteller is what are your goals for the next? Oh, this guy's limits, oh, this guy's limit.
Speaker 1:
So, immediately, my goal in the next, in the near future is to expand the project in the state of Wisconsin. So that's what we're kind of doing it right now. So we did two areas very recently, so I'm very open to doing others. I'd love to do a project in the walkie area. I'd love to do a project in Madison and surrounding areas.
Speaker 1:
This is also a project for big cities, it's not just for small communities, because especially in big cities having lived in New York and also in Philadelphia people often feel lonely and isolated and they don't feel connected to their community. So this again would be a wonderful way to connect people and make them see oh, this person is in my neighborhood, this person is in my city. I didn't know there's someone like that, so you know, so it can do that as well. So that's my immediate goal, like really projects in Wisconsin, other Wisconsin communities I think would be wonderful.
Speaker 1:
Next is the United States as a whole. So taking it to different states, I would love that, and and then, of course, also being international myself, I'd love to take it across the globe. I think people need to be appreciated and communities need to be connected and we need to yeah, we need to reconnect and regroup everywhere, after the pandemic especially so, and generally I mean. Life is better when you do it together and when you find focus on what you have in common and what you can also do together.
Speaker 2:
Yuliana. Thank you so much for being on the show today. Listeners, I will have Yuliana's information all linked in the show notes, so if you want to get in touch with her, which I hope you do, check out the art exhibits coming up. That'll all be there for your viewing pleasure, as always. Thank you for listening to you, betcha, she did. If you like what you're hearing and I know you do don't forget to share it with a friend, a neighbor, a sister. You never know who might need to hear this episode. Please leave us a positive review. Wherever you get your podcasts. Those really do help get the podcast out to new listeners, and when we do that, we lift up women everywhere. Until next time, take care.