Leading Through Stories: Unveiling the Impact of a Story Screening

The latest episode of our podcast, “Unveiling the Power of Personal Narratives: A Deep Dive into Digital Storytelling,” delves into the fascinating realm of digital narratives. Esteemed guests Cindy McDonald, Kristie Oswald, and Kathleen Shearer share their unique experiences and perspectives, highlighting the profound moments that inspired their stories and the art of crafting these into impactful narratives.

The episode begins with an engaging discussion about the creation of their digital stories. The guests discuss how they came to digital storytelling and the significant moments that inspired their stories. They highlight the importance of focusing on a specific transformative moment to craft a powerful narrative. This part of the conversation underscores the immense potential of digital storytelling to resonate with audiences, stimulate empathy, and forge connections.

Next, the podcast delves into the process involved in sharing personal stories at a screening. The guests discuss their experiences of the exhilaration, nervous anticipation, and deep sense of fulfillment that engulfs a storyteller when their narrative resonates with the audience. The discussion illuminates 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.

The profound impact of digital storytelling is further explored as the hosts and guests dissect their own experiences and the ensuing conversations from these narratives. They unveil the potential of digital storytelling as a powerful tool for advocacy and initiating dialogue, emphasizing its effectiveness in bridging gaps and sharing meaningful experiences. This part of the episode underscores the transformative potential of digital storytelling, highlighting its capacity to initiate dialogue, foster understanding, and build connections.

Towards the end of the episode, the conversation pivots towards the power of digital storytelling and its ability to create meaningful connections through personal experiences. The guests share their own stories, underscoring the impact of digital storytelling on building confidence and providing a platform for individuals to share their experiences. They emphasize the importance of hearing stories from a family lens, adding a human element to the facts. The episode concludes with a discussion on the value of storytelling and encourages everyone to share their own unique story.

The podcast episode provides an enriching exploration of digital storytelling, emphasizing its power in facilitating dialogue, fostering empathy, and bridging gaps. It serves as a testament to the transformative potential of personal narratives and encourages everyone to embrace their experiences and paint them onto a digital canvas.

About Common Language DST

“I came up with a methodology that was fluid enough to work in any setting but also provided a form that could be followed to ensure that the best practices of digital storytelling were still being used. It’s based around four phases finding, telling, crafting and sharing and this is sort of the foundational form of digital storytelling that we teach at Common Language.”

~ Mike Lang

Click here to download the Free Digital Storytelling Methodology Publication

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?

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Can a Story Change Veterinary Medicine? – Co-Created

If you care about storyteller wellbeing, healthcare burnout, or ethical digital storytelling, this conversation will stay with you.Kristy Wolfe is joined by Dr. Marie Holowaychuk, veterinarian, speaker, author, and mental health advocate, to talk about the digital story she co-created with Angie Turner for the Common Language Story Slam. Marie shares the lived experience behind her digital story, Human After All, and why telling a story about burnout, shame, and recovery felt necessary for veterinary medicine.Together, they explore:how burnout showed up across Marie’s career in veterinary practice and academiawhy she chose to tell the story of a devastating clinical mistakewhat changed when that story became a digital storyhow images, pacing, and music deepened the emotional impactwhat it felt like to watch the story with a live audiencewhy reflection and conversation matter after a story is sharedhow this work connects to caregiver wellbeing far beyond vet medThis is a thoughtful episode for veterinarians, healthcare workers, educators, facilitators, and anyone interested in how stories can make space for honesty, repair, and meaningful dialogue.If this conversation resonates, you may also want to listen to Episode 48: Resilient Stories in Vet Education, featuring Angie Turner.Other Links Mentioned:Marie's digital story at the Common Language Story SlamDST Facilitator Angie Turner of SOS LegaciesThis episode's blog postAbout Our GuestDr. Marie Holowaychuk, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC Veterinarian, Mental Health and Wellness Advocate, Speaker, and Author“What if caregiving professionals could thrive in their careers without sacrificing their wellbeing?” Dr. Marie Holowaychuk is on a mission to make that vision a reality. A passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing in caregiving professions, Marie empowers veterinary teams and other caregiving professionals to prevent burnout, build resilience, and cultivate fulfilling careers.With over 20 years of experience as a veterinarian and critical care specialist, Marie founded Reviving Veterinary Medicine to provide evidence-based resources through transformative programs like From Burnout to Balance and From Toxic to Terrific.As a certified coach, yoga and meditation teacher, and wellbeing facilitator, Marie blends science, empathy, and practical insights to engage and inspire audiences. She also hosts the Reviving Vet Med Podcast, exploring topics such as mental health and workplace culture. Her contributions have earned her the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association’s Communication Award and the Alberta Blue Cross Face of Wellness Award, as well as being recognized as one of Canada’s Top Keynote Speakers of 2025 by Eureka Education and Top 100 Health & Wellness by Top 100 Magazine. Marie’s book, A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means to Be a Veterinarian, offers a candid exploration of the challenges and rewards of a career in veterinary medicine, shedding light on the emotional complexities and deep sense of purpose that drive those in the profession. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1. Can a Story Change Veterinary Medicine? 27:40
2. Digital Stories in Community-Based Research with Carolyn Brandly 30:02
3. Using Digital Stories in Clinician Training with Dr. Tricia Williams 30:41
4. Digital Stories Belong in Curriculum & Communities with Dr. Mike Lang 29:05
5. What Changes When We Treat Stories Like Data with Dr. Katharine Smart 26:36