The power of digital storytelling lies in its ability to capture what textbooks and lectures cannot - the raw, human experience of navigating life's most challenging moments. In this deeply moving conversation with Kathy Cortes-Miller and Keri-Lyn Durant, co-hosts of the Disrupting Death podcast, we explore how digital storytelling creates transformative spaces for processing grief and sharing experiences around Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID).

When qualitative researchers like Kathy hear countless personal narratives that most people never access, digital storytelling emerges as the perfect vehicle to bridge this gap. Through a five-year research project, their team has worked with individuals who accompanied loved ones through MAID, capturing these profound experiences in digital stories that serve multiple purposes - from personal healing to education and advocacy. The stories become catalysts for important conversations about death, caregiving, and end-of-life choices while empowering individuals to own their narratives.

Episode Key Messages

0:05 Storytelling as Catalyst for Discussion

1:00 Meeting the Disrupting Death Co-Hosts

3:00 Connecting Through Digital Storytelling

5:35 The MAID Digital Story Workshops

8:45 How Stories Create Impact

18:40 Digital Stories for Education

30:15 Future Storytelling Projects

Find more stories and resources at the Disrupting Death podcast, which features a three-part series on digital storytelling and MAID.

• Digital Stories Part 1 Research Project & Diane Sims
• Digital Stories Part 2 Bridge C-14 Participants
• Digital Stories Part 3 MAID Family Support Participants

Other Links Mentioned

• Watch Keri-Lyn's digital story
• Read this episode's blog post
• Watch the Looking Back video about Ep 27 with Dr. Burcu Simsek

Learn more about Keri-Lyn Durant & Kathy Kortes-Miller here.

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What happens when personal trauma transforms into powerful advocacy? Fabiana Bacchini, Executive Director of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, takes us on a journey through her evolution from NICU parent to healthcare changemaker through the lens of digital storytelling.

The conversation reveals the unique power of digital stories to transcend traditional limitations. Unlike presentations that exist in one moment for one audience, digital stories live online, cross borders, translate across languages, and remain relevant for years. They protect storytellers from repeatedly reliving trauma while maximizing impact and creating space for multiple perspectives – including those of siblings and patients themselves.

Whether you're a healthcare professional seeking to understand patient experiences, a parent navigating your own medical journey, or an advocate looking for powerful tools to drive change, this episode illuminates how personal narratives can reshape healthcare from the inside out. Listen now to discover how digital storytelling is revolutionizing patient advocacy and transforming healthcare one story at a time.

Key Messages

• Digital stories have unique power to convey the emotional reality of NICU experiences
• Fabiana's own story begins with performing CPR on her son when "no one came" after calling for help
• Family integrated care research empowered her as a parent and improved her son's outcomes
• Digital stories reach audiences beyond conference rooms and remain impactful over time
• Parent stories consistently receive the highest ratings in conference evaluations
• Creating opportunities for siblings and patients to tell their own stories offers valuable perspectives
• Digital storytelling allows advocates to share impactful experiences without repeatedly reliving trauma

Other Links Mentioned

• Watch Fabiana's digital story
• Watch Petya's story from CPBF's launch event Building Resilience Together
• Watch Alice's story from CPBF's Preemie Chat: The Importance of Sharing your Story
• Read this episode's blog post
• Watch the Looking Back video about Ep 26 with Dr. Peter Rosenbaum

Learn more about Fabiana Bacchini here.

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

What happens when you bring together passionate storytellers, skilled facilitators, and purpose-driven organizations? Magic—in the form of powerful digital stories that break barriers and create meaningful change.

Mike Lang joins us discuss how the inaugural Common Language Story Slam transformed how we think about storytelling in the nonprofit space. Across three dynamic screenings, twelve uniquely crafted digital stories took center stage, each one developed through collaboration between a Common Language-trained facilitator and a charity partner. These short films, featuring personal narratives told through voice recordings and carefully selected images, sparked genuine conversations both in-person and online.

Digital storytelling's most profound impact might be its ability to dismantle stigma. As Dr. Carmen Logie noted during the event, "Stigma is often somehow attached to a lack of understanding about someone, and digital stories, more than anything, help you understand." We witnessed this phenomenon repeatedly—whether through stories about substance use, medical trauma, or family caregiving. When we truly understand someone's experience, judgment dissolves.

The event's format elevated these stories beyond mere viewing. After each film, audience members discussed their reactions in small groups, then heard directly from the storyteller and facilitator about the creation process. This multilayered approach created a rich experience that honoured the stories while exploring their broader implications and applications.

Most remarkably, these digital stories are creating tangible change. Ashley Durance's narrative about parenting a medically complex child receives standing ovations at healthcare conferences. The documentary from Greg's Wings has transformed medical education for 50,000+ healthcare providers worldwide. Organizations like SIDS Calgary were planning their next storytelling projects before the day had even concluded.

Episode Key Messages

• Digital storytelling democratizes the narrative process by putting storytelling power into the hands of those with lived experiences
• Each screening featured four stories created by different Common Language-trained facilitators working with unique charities
• Storytellers and facilitators discussed their experiences on stage, providing insights into both the story and the process
• Many charities began planning their next storytelling projects immediately after experiencing the Story Slam
• The hybrid format allowed for meaningful engagement with both in-person and virtual participants
• Digital stories prove particularly effective at combating stigma by fostering deeper understanding

Other Links Mentioned

• Watch the Story Slam
• Read the blog post
• Find out who the storytellers, facilitators and charity partners were
• Sign up for the Common Language newsletter

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