What happens when the way you grow up teaches you to see the world through empathy, inclusion, and connection?
In this heartfelt conversation, I talk with Maria Gallucci about being raised by deaf parents, growing up as a CODA, and how those experiences shaped her life, business, and advocacy work. Maria shares powerful lessons about communication, bullying, accessibility, ASL, LGBTQ inclusion, and why small acts of kindness can change someone’s life. You’ll also hear how her book Raised in Silence became an Amazon bestseller and why she believes connection matters more than labels.
Highlights:
· 00:54 - Learn how growing up with deaf parents shaped Maria’s view of empathy and inclusion.
· 04:00 - Hear how bullying inspired Maria to advocate for acceptance and accessibility.
· 15:15 - Discover how helping her parents with real estate closings shaped her career path.
· 20:06 - Learn what finally pushed Maria to publish Raised in Silence after 15 years.
· 35:06 - Hear why being fully present can make people feel seen and valued.
· 46:55 - Discover why human connection still matters more than technology.
About the Guest:
Maria Gallucci – Award-Winning Colorado REALTOR®, Advocate & Author
Maria Gallucci is a multi-award-winning Colorado real estate broker, author, and lifelong advocate for inclusive communication and accessible housing. With over 30 years of experience, Maria specializes in working with the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as builders, investors, and families across Denver, Colorado Springs, Northern and Southern Colorado, the Western Slope and Nationwide.
She is the founder of Uptown Realty Group and Gallucci Homes, and is consistently ranked among the top 1.5% of REALTORS® nationwide. Maria is also a top-producing agent at Compass Real Estate.
A Personal Mission Rooted in Inclusion
As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Maria learned American Sign Language (ASL) before English. At just 12 years old, she helped her parents purchase their first home, serving as an unofficial interpreter. This pivotal experience shaped her mission: to ensure that clients from underrepresented communities are seen, heard, and respected—especially in the home buying and selling process.
Maria founded:
- ASL @ Compass , an affinity group for ASL-fluent agents
- ASL Realty , a national platform connecting Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients with ASL-communicating REALTORS®
Her motto, "Just Try," encourages everyone to make meaningful connections, even across communication differences.
Expertise Across All Colorado Real Estate Markets
Maria's depth of knowledge spans:
- Residential real estate across Denver Metro, Colorado Springs, Northern/Southern Colorado and Nationwide
- New construction, Single Family homes, Land, Condos, townhomes, and duplex developments
- Real estate investment opportunities
- Builder marketing and sales strategy
Her clients trust her ability to negotiate, design winning strategies, and execute seamless transactions that are profitable and low-stress.
A Community Advocate and Author
Outside of real estate, Maria serves on the boards of:
- Rocky Mountain Deaf School
- DOVE (Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment)
- Colorado Association of the Deaf (CAD)
She is also the author of Raised in Silence, a memoir and guide to bridging communication gaps — a love letter to the Deaf community that raised her.
Awards & Recognition
- Top 1% of Colorado REALTORS®
- Top 1.5% REALTORS® Nationally
- 5280 Magazine Double Black Diamond Award
- Real Trends / Top 100 Agents in America
- Tom Ferry / Best Real Estate Agent in America
- Outstanding Women in Business
- Five Star Real Estate Agent
- 5280 Five Star Professional Award
- Denver Metro REALTOR® Association Diamond Excellence Award
- South Metro REALTOR® Association 5-Carat Diamond Circle Club Award
Whether you're looking to buy, sell, invest, or build in Colorado, Maria Gallucci is the inclusive, experienced, and results-driven REALTOR® to guide you every step of the way.
Ways to connect with Maria:
https://www.youtube.com/@galluccihomes
https://www.facebook.com/TopASLRealtor
https://www.instagram.com/galluccihomes/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-gallucci-18725b9/
About the Host:
Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog.
Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT\&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children’s Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association’s 2012 Hero Dog Awards.
https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/
https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/
accessiBe Links
https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe
https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/
https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/
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