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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ALS Digital Storytelling: Who Are These Stories For? – Co-Created

What can digital storytelling hold when a diagnosis changes everything?In this episode, Kristy Wolfe talks with Leslie Ring Adams, executive director of the ALS Society of Alberta, about creating digital stories with people and families living with ALS. The conversation centres on a question that runs through the work: are these stories for advocacy, for education, for family, or simply for the person telling them?Leslie shares how the ALS Society of Alberta supports storytellers, why the strongest stories are often about relationships rather than the disease itself, and how legacy, consent, and community shape what happens after a story is made. They also talk about caregiving, screening stories publicly, using AI voice technology when someone has lost their speech, and why these stories can help families, clinicians, donors, and researchers understand each other more deeply.This is a thoughtful listen for healthcare teams, nonprofit communicators, caregivers, facilitators, and anyone interested in ethical digital storytelling rooted in lived experience.You’ll hear about:- why ALS stories often focus on the person, not the diagnosis- how the ALS Society of Alberta uses stories for support, education, and advocacy- what families need when deciding whether a story stays private or becomes public- the role of digital stories in legacy-making and storyteller wellbeing- how story can connect lived experience with research, care, and communityLinks Mentioned:ALS Screening Still Speaking: Young Adults, ALS, and the Moments that Shape Us Common Language Story SlamDan's Digital Story, A Better Man Ireland’s Digital Story: By Book or By Heart Payton’s Digital Story, Still My Mom ALS Society of Alberta YouTubeMike Lang StoriesAbout Our GuestLeslie Ring Adams has been with the ALS Society of Alberta since 2015 and is currently the organization’s Executive Director. Her connection to ALS began when her mother was diagnosed with the disease. After experiencing firsthand the incredible support the Society provided to her family, Leslie decided to make a career change and join the organization.While that experience brought her to the ALS Society, it is the people, the mission and the opportunity to make a difference that have kept her there. Leslie considers it an honour to walk alongside individuals and families living with ALS and to be part of a community that shows incredible strength and resilience.She is passionate about making sure people affected by ALS have the support they need today, while advocating for better treatments, supporting research and working toward a future without ALS. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1. ALS Digital Storytelling: Who Are These Stories For? 25:53
2. Youth Mental Health & Storyteller Wellbeing 26:41
3. Can a Story Change Veterinary Medicine? 27:40
4. Digital Stories in Community-Based Research with Carolyn Brandly 30:02
5. Using Digital Stories in Clinician Training with Dr. Tricia Williams 30:41