Ever wondered how community support can bring creative projects to life? We dive into the mechanics behind organizing an impactful story slam event through the Common Language Kickstarter campaign, emphasizing the crucial role of the all-or-nothing funding model. Discover how you can be part of this inspiring movement, whether by attending, sponsoring, or spreading the word. The stories shared at our event have the potential to not only resonate with audiences but also inspire action towards causes that matter deeply.

Mike Lang shares the incredible experiences had at the International Digital Storytelling Festival in Zakynthos, Greece. From a surgeon's eye-opening revelation about the power of storytelling in healthcare to the art of connecting with global storytellers, this episode captures the magic of narratives that transcend academic boundaries.

Unveil the heart of storytelling within the charitable sector as we discuss sharing stories of the work being done by non-profits across Canada. With a push towards a successful Kickstarter campaign by November 30, 2024, we strive to engage more communities in this powerful journey. Watch the Kickstarter pitch video here.

Top 5 Key Messages

1. Story Slam Vision and Format 5:31
2. Charitable Impact Through Digital Stories 7:50
3. Kickstarter Funding is Essential 10:22
4. Ticket and Sponsorship Options 10:48
5. Inspiring Audience Engagement and Action 14:00

Back the Story Slam Kickstarter Here

If this particular conversation resonated with you, tell a friend or a colleague about Co-Created or share one of the digital stories we were talking about. You can find the stories here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rebecca Saah's journey into digital storytelling is as compelling as the stories she helps others tell. Join us as Rebecca discusses her work at the University of Calgary and the influence of Common Language DST on her research, particularly in cannabis harm reduction with young adults. Her insights into using storytelling to navigate the pressures of academia are both inspiring and relatable.

This conversation navigates the intricate world of digital storytelling workshops, highlighting the unexpected challenges that can arise, but also the importance of adaptability and support. We explore the technical versus executive roles in these projects and how understanding one's own strengths can make a significant difference. From Kitchen Table Nights to Science in the Cinema, learn about the exciting events where digital stories come to life, offering unique opportunities for engagement with youth-focused initiatives.

The episode underscores the transformative power of personal stories in policy advocacy and education. We reflect on the nostalgic impact of shows like Degrassi Junior High and the pressing concerns around defunding harm reduction in Alberta. Rebecca and Kristy stress the critical need to amplify youth voices, particularly in discussions surrounding cannabis legalization and educational policies.

Top 5 Key Messages

1. Rebecca’s Focus on Health Inequities 1:29
2. DST Project on Cannabis Harm Reduction 6:20
3. Youth and DST Competency 14:51
4. Adapting to Personal Strengths in DST Facilitation 17:16
5. The Power of Youth Voices in Policy Discussions 27:18

Other Links Mentioned

• Learn more about the Cannabis Harm Reduction Project
• Finding Myself on the Mat - A digital story by Rebecca
• Watch the digital story from Expecting to Quit Project of the BC Centre of Excellence for Women's Health
• Trace 5 Study
• Read this episode's blog post
• Watch the Ep 20 Looking Back video with Mike Lang & Kristy Wolfe

Connect with Rebecca through her website, rebeccasaah.com.

If this particular conversation resonated with you, tell a friend or a colleague about Co-Created or share one of the digital stories we were talking about. You can find the stories here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if sharing your story could change the world of healthcare? Join us on Co-Created as we sit down with Dr. Daisy Dulay, a dedicated cardiologist who turned her own struggles with burnout and the loss of her colleague and host Kristy's father, Dr. Dennis Morgan, into a mission for wellness. Dr. Dulay's journey led her to create a physician wellness group, as well as to learning how digital storytelling can be a powerful tool for challenging the stigma around medical leave and recovery. Through heartfelt stories, we uncover the systemic shifts needed to better support mental health in the healthcare industry, offering hope and fostering much-needed conversations about resilience.

Experience the therapeutic power of digital storytelling within narrative medicine. We explore the emotional connections that stories can forge between patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. By weaving personal and cultural elements like music into narratives, these stories resonate deeply, creating a space for meaningful dialogue and engagement. Our conversation highlights the potential of storytelling to inspire quality improvements in healthcare, making the case for change in a deeply personal and compelling manner. Sharing stories in settings like presentations and workshops, where storytellers can engage directly, enriches the experience and amplifies the call for change.

In a world where healthcare professionals are constantly battling burnout, digital storytelling offers an innovative approach to understanding identities and sustaining provider resilience. Join us for this enlightening episode filled with stories that reveal the lifelines of storytelling in healthcare.

Top 5 Key Messages

• Daisy's Introduction to Storytelling and Its Impact 1:03
• Physician Wellness and Mental Health 2:12
• Shame and Compassion in Burnout Recovery 6:00
• Impact and Power of Digital Storytelling 13:16
• The Role of Digital Storytelling in Quality Improvement 19:53

Other Links Mentioned

• The Path Now Taken - Watch Daisy's Digital Story
• Times Colonist article Victoria cardiologists's death spurs daughter to make appeal
• Read this episode's blog post
• Watch the Ep15 Looking Back video with Mike Lang & Kristy Wolfe

Connect with Daisy Dulay on Linked In or Twitter.

If this particular conversation resonated with you, tell a friend or a colleague about Co-Created or share one of the digital stories we were talking about. You can find the stories here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if sharing your personal story could transform lives and promote healing? Join us on Co-Created as we sit down with Dr. Mike Lang to uncover the incredible world of digital storytelling. Mike recounts his journey from helping cancer survivors at Wellspring Calgary document their healthcare experiences to becoming a renowned expert in the field. He demystifies the structured process of creating digital stories, involving voiceover narration, personal images, and video editing, all under the guidance of trained facilitators. By emphasizing the power of co-creation and sharing personal stories, Mike reveals how digital storytelling can have a profound and lasting impact on individuals and communities.

Throughout our discussion, we explore the diverse applications of digital storytelling, from therapeutic experiences and advocacy to education and research. Mike stresses the importance of ethical storytelling practices and the vital role trained facilitators play in preserving the storyteller's ownership and well-being. We also highlight the tailored approaches taken by organizations like the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (Episode 14) and the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families (Episode 19). As we wrap up, we delve into the comprehensive training opportunities offered by Common Language Digital Storytelling. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that showcases the transformative power of sharing your story.

Top 5 Key Messages

• What is Digital Storytelling? 3:05 - 4:53
• The Process of Creating a Digital Story 4:53 - 6:24
• Importance of Story Circles in the Creation Process 10:05 - 12:21
• The Power and Function of Digital Storytelling 12:21 - 14:59
• Examples of Successful Digital Storytelling Projects 14:59 - 19:14

Other Links Mentioned

• Mike's digital story, Breath
• Mike's documentary work
• Mike's digital story research
• Read this episode's blog post

Connect with Mike Lang on all socials @mikelangstories or via mikelangstories.com or commonlanguagedst.org.

If this particular conversation resonated with you, tell a friend or a colleague about Co-Created or share one of the digital stories we were talking about. You can find the stories here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unlock the power of digital storytelling in research with our guest, Sara Pot, a parent partner with CanChild's Family Engagement in Research Program with McMaster University. Discover how storytelling fosters trust, empathy, and meaningful partnerships between researchers and those with lived and living experience. Sara offers an insider's perspective on the integration of digital storytelling into an asynchronous curriculum for researchers in maternal and pediatric health, making the learning experience both engaging and deeply personal.

Learn how our innovative approach turned digital stories from supplementary materials into cornerstone content around which entire courses are built. By featuring authentic, personal narratives alongside academic readings and reflective interviews, Sara and her team have created a learning environment that honours the lived experiences of patients and families. Sara discusses how these stories, coupled with thoughtful reflection questions, provide a rich context for learners to connect personally and draw meaningful insights.

The journey of digital storytelling also involves navigating the delicate balance between sharing personal stories and ensuring the welfare of storytellers. Sara emphasizes the critical importance of informed consent and the empowering experience of virtual screenings. Hear about the profound moments and ethical considerations that come with storytelling. Join us for an enlightening conversation on the significant impact of digital storytelling in research and beyond.

Other Links Mentioned

• Increasing capacity for Maternal and Paediatric Clinical Trials (IMPaCT)
• Rise Learning Platform
• Mike Lang’s paper - How to Meaningully Engage with Patient Stories
• Looking Back video with Mike Lang & Kristy Wolfe

About Our Guest

Sara Pot is a parent of four, including two medically fragile teens who require complex care specific to their diagnosed disabilities. She works for CanChild, a research center focused on pediatric disability housed within McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, as an educator and facilitator focused on developing patient and family engagement.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if sharing your story could help heal trauma? This episode of Leading Through Stories explores just that, featuring an insightful conversation with Joy Pavelich from the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families. Joy takes us through her transformative journey from the Canadian Mental Health Association to her current role, emphasizing her master's research on storytelling as a pathway out of trauma. We discuss the incredible impact of digital storytelling workshops designed for veterans, highlighting the meticulous process of recruiting storytellers and ensuring their mental well-being.

Learn about the essential steps involved in training Common Language DST facilitators and creating safe environments for sharing trauma narratives. Over the course of four digital storytelling workshops, Joy and Dr. Mike Lang have seen their cohorts evolve, underscoring the importance of in-person workshops and the continuous commitment to enhancing storyteller well-being. From travel logistics to honorariums, we cover how every detail is thoughtfully designed to value the lived experiences of veterans. The lasting bonds formed among storytellers and the significance of publicly sharing these narratives illustrate a collective journey towards healing.

We also delve into Joy's deeply personal journey of grief and healing after the loss of her son, Eric. Joy opens up about the emotional and spiritual aspects of her experience, offering valuable insights into the therapeutic power of creating her own digital story based on her experience and her book, Chasing My Son Across Heaven. This episode doesn't just share stories; it invites you to reflect on your own health and wellness journey, encouraging you to consider the narratives you might want to share. Join us as we foster a community of shared experiences and mutual support, paving the way for healing through storytelling.

Other Links Mentioned

• Digital stories from veterans and families
• Joy's digital story - Chasing My Son Across Heaven

About Our Guest

V. Joy Pavelich is the Executive Vice-President of Communications and Public Affairs for the Atlas Institute. A lifelong communicator, working across the spectrum from government to corporate to non-profit, Joy also holds a Master of Arts degree in Professional Communications. She has been part of several mental health initiatives including the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s National Advisory Council on the Mental Health of Emerging Adults. In 2020 she was appointed to the Province of Alberta’s Mental Health Review Panel roster.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can storytelling revolutionize the nonprofit sector? Join us in an engaging conversation with Heather Knox, a digital storytelling facilitator who takes us on her incredible journey from co-founding Project Somos in Guatemala to how she is incorporating photography and guided autobiography into her work. Heather shares how storytelling have profoundly impacted her work with Indigenous Mayan children and women. She highlights the importance of privacy and trust in these narratives and discusses how storytelling can galvanize support and engage donors, making it a critical tool in nonprofit advocacy and community building.

Discover the nuances of digital storytelling and its significance in nonprofit fundraising. Heather recounts a memorable collaborative story co-created with Blanca, illustrating the importance of listening and identifying key narrative elements. Throughout the episode Heather expresses gratitude for the leadership and camaraderie within the Common Language Digital Storytelling community, emphasizing the collective effort that drives these impactful narratives. Don't miss this insightful episode on the profound impact of storytelling in nonprofit work.

Other Links Mentioned

• Non Profit Stories - Rocky Mountain Adaptive
• Nonprofit Storytelling Conference
• Rev Captioning

About Our Guest

Heather Alicia Knox is a non-profit leader, digital storytelling facilitator and photographer, based in Mexico and Guatemala. She is co-founder of the Project Somos Children’s Learning Village based in the Central Highlands of Guatemala. Heather has over thirty years experience working in the non-profit sector. Her work has included international, arts and educational organizations. She has worked with children with special needs, rescued dogs, designed farm to table educational programming, recruited and managed volunteers (up to 1200 at a time!) and provided courses and training. Her greatest loves are children and dogs. She loves connecting with individuals and listening deeply to their stories and experiences in the world and values storytelling as a mode to see and hear from others.

Connect with Heather: heatheraknox@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.