Co-Created

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 MentionedIncreasing capacity for Maternal and Paediatric Clinical Trials (IMPaCT) Rise Learning Platform Mike Lang’s paper - How to Meaningully Engage with Patient StoriesAbout Our GuestSara 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.

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 MentionedDigital stories from veterans and familiesJoy's digital story - Chasing My Son Across HeavenAbout Our GuestV. 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.

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 MentionedNon Profit Stories - Rocky Mountain Adaptive Nonprofit Storytelling Conference Rev CaptioningAbout Our GuestHeather 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

Discover the profound impact patient narratives can have on healthcare with Dr. Mike Lang, founder of Common Language Digital Storytelling, and his co-author, cancer survivor Vikram Bubber. Together, they unravel the power of story in shaping the wisdom of healthcare professionals. We don't just hear Vikram's own gripping tale of survival, but we learn how to transform passive listening into active learning. Diving into their paper 'Pressure: How to Meaningfully Engage with Patient Stories,' we reveal three pivotal questions that foster deeper understanding and empathy in patient care, putting the spotlight on the need for providers to absorb and act upon the insights patients share.As we journey through this episode, we encounter the emotional resonance and instructive potential of digital storytelling, exemplified by Vikram's battle with Rhabdomyosarcoma. His story, not just a recount but a transformative experience, is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability. Mike elaborates on the nuanced creation of a digital narrative that doesn't just inform but honors the storyteller. We discuss how this approach can revolutionize continuing education in healthcare and the dynamic trend of integrating patient stories into medical literature. It's a conversation that promises to change the way you perceive the intersection of storytelling and medicine, inviting a deeper connection between those who heal and those they serve.Other Links MentionedWatch Vikram’s Digital Story - Pressure About Our GuestsMichael Lang is a health researcher, filmmaker, professional Digital Storytelling facilitator and Adjunct Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Calgary. He has facilitated the creation of over 900 digital stories with a diverse cross-section of patients, family caregivers, and health care professionals around the world and founded Common Language Digital Storytelling. His professional and research focus is on using digital storytelling and documentary filmmaking in education, advocacy, research, and a therapeutic capacity within healthcare and wellness contexts. Connect with him on all socials @mikelangstories or via www.mikelangstories.com or commonlanguagedst.org.Vikram Bubber is a childhood and young adult cancer survivor. Vikram has been a patient advocate for more than 20 years and a community advocate for the last 6 years. He is actively engaged in public speaking at different post-secondary institutions and working on several committees within different health authorities and organizations both locally and nationally.

Every life holds a story waiting to be told, and Lisa Joworski has dedicated her life to bringing those tales to the fore. Join us as we journey with Lisa, a compassionate Common Language Digital Storytelling facilitator, who has turned her profound experiences with the senior community and individuals with dementia into a mission of empathy and connection. Through the recounting of her own evolution from a teen working in long-term care to a supportive figure in outpatient services, Lisa shares with us her innovative activity kits designed to not only bridge generations but also to celebrate the rich tapestry of personal histories often overshadowed by healthcare needs.This episode is a tribute to the power of narrative and the healing it can foster, especially when it uncovers talents and dreams later in life. We discuss the impactful story Lisa's mother created about how her artistic voice emerged following a life-changing diagnosis in her fifties, and we discuss the resonant theme of women recognizing ADHD symptoms in their later years. Lisa shares more about her business Awestruck Aspirations, showcasing how self-reflection and creative exploration, from drama to music, can be a beacon of joy and restoration during life's trying chapters. Listen in and be inspired by the stories that animate our lives and the shared realizations that connect us all.Other Links MentionedCapturing Essence - A digital story by LisaWatch more digital stories created with LisaConversation and Activity Kits available on EtsyAbout Our GuestFor the last two decades, Lisa Joworski has worked in therapeutic recreation with individuals living with various forms of dementia (such as Alzheimer's Disease, Lewy Body Dementia and Frontotemporal Degeneration). She is also a certified Guided Autobiography (GAB) instructor and Common Language Digital Storytelling facilitator. Lisa's goal is to give individuals a platform to share their personal stories, have their voices heard and capture the essence of who they are for when it truly matters.

When Vittorio Borrelli, heart transplant and cancer survivor, recounts his journey, you feel every heartbeat of his tale. Our latest episode honours the beauty of resilience through digital storytelling, providing a platform for individuals like Vittorio to share their experiences with congenital heart disease (CHD). He joins us to discuss his digital story, The Call, a narrative, emphasizing the crucial role of storytelling in connecting the dots between pediatric and adult CHD care. We delve into how sharing personal stories not only aids in healing and understanding but also strengthens community bonds among those affected by CHD.This conversation traverses the landscape of healthcare and personal identity, highlighting digital storytelling's impact as an educational and empathy-building tool. Sickboy podcast host, Jeremie Saunders' vivid recollection of Vittorio's digital story from the Children's Healthcare Canada conference exemplifies its potential to leave a lasting impression, sparking deep discussions and fostering connections. In this episode, we reflect on the meaningful moments shared through a digital storytelling retreat conducted in partnership with Heart Beats Children's Society of Calgary and Western Canadian Children's Heart Network. Both Jacqui's memorable visit to the Libin Heart Institute and the evolution of Maddie's story, illustrate the unexpected and transformative journey storytelling can provoke. Tune in for a heartfelt exploration of how these stories not only touch lives but also inspire action and understanding across the healthcare spectrum.To see each of the stories created at Heart Beats digital storytelling retreat for adults with Congenital Heart Disease click here. About Our GuestVittorio Borrelli is a passionate CHD advocate with lived experience. Vittorio was born with Tetralogy of Fallot and is an adult transplant patient. Vittorio grew up in the Heart Beats community, his parents having been part of the original founding group for the Heart Beats Childrens Charity. One of Vittorio's roles involved leading the youth and sibling programming for CHD families in Calgary called “Offbeats” which is an opportunity for junior and senior high-school youth with CHDs to connect, socialize and have fun with peers.