Leading Through Stories: When Your World Stops

Digital storytelling is a powerful tool in the realm of health and wellness. It allows individuals to capture and share their experiences in a deeply emotional and engaging way. This was the focus of our recent podcast episode where we sat down with Jennifer, a congenital heart parent and advocate. Jennifer shared her journey with digital storytelling and the profound impact it has had not only on her life but on the lives of others in similar situations.

Jennifer’s journey with digital storytelling began when she heard Kristy speak at a virtual conference, which led her to create ‘Day One’, a compelling digital narrative of her child’s diagnosis. This powerful tool enabled her to encapsulate the emotions and impacts of the moment, creating a poignant story that resonates with many families navigating similar experiences. She discovered the therapeutic potential of digital storytelling, using it as an education and advocacy tool.

Creating a digital story is a process that involves finding the essence of a story, weaving it together with captivating audio-visual elements, and setting the mood with the perfect score. This process is not just about capturing moments but also about unearthing the therapeutic impact of storytelling. It allows individuals to process their experiences in a deeply personal and meaningful way, providing a sense of comfort and understanding that can be invaluable in navigating health and wellness challenges.

The potential of digital stories as a platform for connection was also highlighted in our conversation with Jennifer. She shared her vision of fostering a community of shared experiences and her hopes of establishing a digital story library based on the stories in her book, When Your World Stops; Finding Hope in Your Child’s Medical Journey.

The power of digital storytelling extends beyond self-expression. It can serve as a tool for fostering empathy and understanding, allowing individuals to connect on a deeper level. Our conversation with Jennifer illustrates this beautifully, providing a glimpse into the profound impact of digital storytelling in the health and wellness realm. Her journey serves as an inspiration, highlighting the potential of digital storytelling to make a difference in our lives.

In conclusion, digital storytelling offers a compelling platform for sharing and understanding health and wellness experiences. Whether you are a health professional, a patient, or a family member navigating a health challenge, this tool can provide comfort, connection, and understanding. As Jennifer’s experience demonstrates, digital storytelling is not just about capturing moments; it’s about creating connections, fostering empathy, and promoting healing. Tune in to listen to Jen’s inspiring journey and discover how digital storytelling can make a difference in your own life.

About Our Guest

Jennifer Siran lives in Manitoba, Canada, with her husband and three children. For over a decade, she worked with marginalized youth in Winnipeg’s Inner City, learning the power of story when overcoming hardship. Writing has been a tool that she has used to process many complex emotions and all that life brings. After spending the last 12 years raising an amazing heart hero and navigating some major setbacks, she took time during Covid to write her book—a project to support fellow heart families in a unique way. Their family continues to navigate their son’s chronic illness in the midst of all the amazing things that childhood contains. 

Website: jennifersiran.com
Digital Story: Day One
Book:  When Your World Stops; Finding Hope in Your Child’s Medical Journey

About Leading Through Stories

Everyone has a story to tell—and what we do with that story can create lasting impact. Every episode, Leading Through Stories, helps unravel the how and why of digital storytelling with host Kristy Wolfe.

Life is made up of meaningful moments—which ones do you want to share?

Don’t miss an episode from Leading Through Stories!

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Unveiling the Impact of a Story Screening: A Deep Dive into Digital Storytelling – Leading Through Stories

Get ready to be taken on a journey through the fascinating world of digital storytelling. Promising to be a deep-dive into the realm of personal narratives and their potency, we welcome three guests, Cindy McDonald, Christie Oswald, and Kathleen Shearer. Each of them brings to the table their unique experiences, highlighting the meaningful moments that sparked their digital stories which were recently shared a screening event in Edmonton.As we progress, we step into the excitement of sharing personal stories. Our guests share their roller coaster of emotions, from the exhilaration to the nervous anticipation, and the deep sense of fulfillment that engulfs a storyteller when their digital story resonates with the audience. You'll hear about the integral role of family and friends in bolstering the narrator's confidence, the bond of trust with the host, and the heartwarming effects of sharing stories with a larger audience. Diving into the profound impact of digital storytelling, we dissect our own experiences and the conversations that ensue from these digital narratives. Unveiling the potential of digital storytelling as a powerful tool for advocacy and initiating dialogue, we underscore its effectiveness in bridging gaps and sharing meaningful experiences. Together, we unravel the immense power vested in digital storytelling and the deep connections it can forge. This episode serves as a testament to the transformative potential of sharing unique stories, encouraging everyone to embrace their experiences and paint them onto a digital canvas.Digital Story LinksThink Like a Parent Christie Oswald created her digital story as part of her Masters of Social Work capstone project at the University of Alberta in the spring of 2023. A New Path Forward Kathleen Shearer created her story, A New Path Forward, during a workshop for medical parents. The Soul System Cindy McDonald shares her story of healing after being diagnosed with postpartum depression and surviving a suicide attempt. About Leading Through StoriesEveryone has a story to tell—and what we do with that story can create lasting impact. Every episode, Leading Through Stories, helps unravel the how and why of digital storytelling with host Kristy Wolfe. Life is made up of meaningful moments—which ones do you want to share? This podcast is sponsored by Common Language DST, digital storytelling facilitation training for health and wellness changemakers. Don't miss an episode from Leading Through Stories! Sign up for the Leading Through Stories newsletter, follow us on Instagram @LeadingThroughStories and subscribe on your favourite podcast platform.

1. Unveiling the Impact of a Story Screening: A Deep Dive into Digital Storytelling 28:32
2. LIVE Kids Brain Health Network Conference with Kristina McGuire & Melanie Birch 33:28
3. Empowering Rare Disease Families: A Conversation with Krystle Schofield 21:52
4. When Your World Stops: Insights from a Congenital Heart Parent and Advocate 24:10
5. Enhancing Storyteller Wellbeing: Digital Storytelling with Mike Lang 24:26

Common Language DST facilitator trainings are open for registration.
Learn more here.