If you haven’t heard it already, Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated executive producer Ava DuVernay premiered a new series on NBC this fall called “Home Sweet Home” (not to be confused with the new Disney Plus movie Home Alone titled Home Sweet Home Alone).

One that I’m incredibly excited about!

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of attending a Zoom call with Ava and two of the “Home Sweet Home” families, where I was able to listen to them share their wonderful experience on the show. And after watching the first episode of this interesting experience myself today, I’m convinced that Ava is a genius.

“Home Sweet Home” brings together two families who lead very different lives together for a life-changing home exchange experience.

The two families learn what it’s like to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, challenging racial, religious, economic, geographic, gender and identity assumptions as they switch homes for a week and experience the life of those who are unlike them. At the end of each episode, the two families meet to share their eye-opening and heartbreaking experiences.

Episode 1 is touching and literally made me cry. What I can only assume will continue to happen for the rest of the season, as the show, much like “Wife Swap”, leaves families vulnerable as they swap homes and lives for a week, with complete strangers. .

While the thought of having strangers in my house seems a little crazy right now, it sounds like an experience I’d be willing to have. The idea of ​​changing homes with another family to discover a different culture intrigues me.

But if the thought of having other people in your house scares you, in the first episode one of Wixx’s twin daughters compares going to another house to “diving in a pool.” She compared not knowing what the other family would be like and not knowing whether the pool water would be cold or hot before entering it. Obviously, these kids are extremely mature for their young age, and they got it!

Families also make sure to leave a ‘manual’ (like they did on ‘Wife Swap’) for their new family to follow, so they can really understand what it’s like to be them during. one week. Which I find wonderful. Of course, now I’m wondering what I would include in my own manual.

However, the experience itself seems incredible and emotional, yet necessary. In a world where racists are now loud and proud of their racism, I congratulate Ava for bringing us a show that will remind the world that different cultures and families are to be celebrated, not only tolerated, or worse – feared. It also reminds us that while our religions and history may be different, we still have a ton in common!

So if NBC is planning to renew this for another season, count me! This mom would love to experience another culture and swap houses for a week.

New episodes will air weekly on NBC at 8 p.m. / 7 p.m. C on Fridays, with episodes airing the next day on Hulu.