The Doc Project

A tell-tale accent and a whispering voice: Identities shaped by how we sound

In this week's episode we bring you two stories — about how our voices shape who we are. Gretel Kahn embarks on a journey to change her accent. And Joceline Doucette changes her creative pursuits when a medical condition impacts her voice.
L to R: Gretel Kahn has spent years trying to sound North American. Joceline Doucette has tracheal stenosis, which has left her with a whispering voice. (Submitted by Gretel Kahn and the Doucette family.)

This week we bring you two stories about the way we sound and how it impacts our larger sense of self.

First, Gretel Kahn is on a mission to shake off her accent.

What's in an accent? A lot it turns out when this journalist tries shake it off

Then, Christy Ann Conlin reconnects with Joceline Doucette, her whispering friend.

Left with a whispering voice, this teacher found other ways to channel her creativity