The Value Of Vulnerability

S1E9 of What the Fringe?!

Vulnerability is often misunderstood. Many people associate it with weakness, exposure, or loss of control. Yet, in storytelling and in life, vulnerability is one of the most powerful ways we connect with others. This truth is at the heart of EXPOSED, a Denver-based storytelling show created and hosted by Josie Nixon. EXPOSED has been a part of the Denver Fringe, and just completed a successful 2025 North American Fringe tour in September.

EXPOSED invites storytellers to share experiences that are often hidden away—trauma, grief, identity struggles, and moments of deep transformation. The goal is not sensationalism but authenticity. Stories are shaped with care, supported by a process that ensures storytellers feel safe, prepared, and inspired to share. What results is more than performance. It is community.

Fighting Isolation With Vulnerability

As Nixon explained in conversation on What the Fringe?!, the value of vulnerability lies in its ability to break down isolation. When someone dares to speak openly about what society often tells us to keep behind closed doors, it sparks recognition in others. A listener might not share the same background, beliefs, or life circumstances, yet through the story, they recognize an emotion—fear, loss, resilience, or joy—and suddenly realize, me too.

This act of shared recognition is transformative. Nixon notes that audiences often leave EXPOSED in silence, reflecting deeply on what they’ve just heard. Some walk away unsettled, others profoundly moved. A few may even leave mid-show, not ready to face what was stirred within them. But that, too, is part of the work. Vulnerability invites us to confront discomfort, to resist numbing ourselves, and to wrestle with truths that are hard but necessary.

The value of vulnerability is also evident in how it empowers storytellers. For many, telling a difficult story publicly is a turning point. It shifts trauma from being a solitary weight to being part of a shared human experience. Nixon describes it as moving from secrecy to solidarity—proof that no one is truly alone in what they carry.

Dare To Be Seen

This is why EXPOSED resonates so strongly. It reclaims storytelling as a communal act, where healing and connection unfold not in isolation, but in the presence of others willing to listen. Vulnerability, in this context, becomes a radical form of strength. It challenges cultural norms of self-protection and invites a counter-cultural way of living: one rooted in honesty, compassion, and community.

In the end, vulnerability does not diminish us. It enlarges us, both as individuals and as communities. By daring to be seen as we are, we create space for others to do the same—and in that space, connection thrives.

This blog post was inspired by S1E9 of the What the Fringe?! podcast, and was written utilizing AI technology, in conjunction with human oversight and editing.