Leading Through Stories: Children’s Healthcare Canada Conference

In the latest episode of our podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting a discussion that sits at the intersection of storytelling, technology, and healthcare. Pam Kai, Krystle Schofield, and Kristina McGuire, each with their own intimate connection to healthcare as parents and caregivers, joined us to unpack the layers of digital storytelling. These seasoned digital storytellers shared their personal experiences, shedding light on the profound impact that this medium can have on audiences and presenters alike.

Digital storytelling in the healthcare context is not merely about conveying facts or statistics; it is about humanizing the often complex and emotionally charged experiences of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Through the digital medium, these stories are given a visual and auditory life, often becoming more relatable and impactful than words on a page could ever be. Pam’s account of how creating her own digital story helped her see her caregiving role in a new light was particularly powerful, illustrating the personal growth that can come from such an exercise.

The conversation further delved into the evolution of storytelling within the medical realm. Traditionally, patient stories have been shared orally, often in clinical settings or conferences. However, digital storytelling brings a different dimension, using imagery and music to evoke emotions and connect with audiences on a deeper level. This emotional resonance can be a catalyst for change, challenging the status quo of healthcare dynamics and encouraging a more holistic view of what it means to care for and about patients.

The intimate nature of crafting a digital story was also a significant point of discussion. Unlike a live presentation, creating a digital story is a reflective process that allows the storyteller to revisit and refine their narrative, imbuing it with greater meaning each time. Pam’s experience of creating a second digital story highlighted this aspect, as she was able to focus on a different facet of her life and contemplate the impact of sharing it.

Funding and evaluating the impact of digital storytelling in healthcare was another complex topic our guests grappled with. While the emotional and intuitive value of these stories is widely acknowledged, their tangible value is harder to quantify. The conversation acknowledged the need for a balance between the intangible benefits to families and caregivers and the tangible outcomes organizations seek when they invest in such initiatives.

As the podcast wrapped up, we were reminded of the significant role digital storytelling can play in not just shaping the healthcare narrative but also in affecting the well-being of those involved. It is a tool for change, a method for healing, and a platform for voices that might otherwise go unheard. In the constantly evolving landscape of healthcare, where human experiences are as critical as the treatments provided, digital storytelling stands out as a beacon of hope and understanding.

Our episode is not just a testament to the power of digital storytelling but also a call to action for listeners to consider incorporating it into their healthcare practices. The impact of these narratives goes beyond the confines of a conference or a workshop; they ripple outwards, touching lives and transforming the way we think about health, illness, and care.

We invite you to listen to the full episode to hear more from our guests and to understand the true depth of digital storytelling in healthcare. Join us as we navigate through these compelling narratives and discover how they are reshaping the healthcare experience for patients, families, and professionals alike.

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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Through Her Lens: Cameras For Girls with Amina Mohamed – Co-Created

On this episode of Co-Created we're joined by Amina Mohamed, the Founder and Executive Director of Cameras For Girls, to talk about what happens when a founder story becomes a digital story and why that format can reveal the “three-dimensional” truth you can’t always reach in a talk, a webinar, or a standard nonprofit promo.Amina takes us from her family’s refugee journey from Uganda to Canada, through years in film and television, and back to Uganda where she meets young women facing limits on education and opportunity. From that turning point, Cameras For Girls grows into a practical pathway into media careers, combining photography training, ethical storytelling, business skills, and the gift of a camera with the real goal: helping young women enter male-dominated media spaces and land fair paid jobs in places like Uganda and Tanzania.Episode Key MessagesAmina’s origin story from Uganda to Canada and back againWhy Cameras for Girls focuses on fair paid jobsTeaching photography, business skills, and ethical storytellingRejecting extractive storytelling and top-down developmentTurning a “why” into a three-minute digital storyEditing surprises and choosing images responsiblyUsing a founder video for donors, funding, and social mediaEncouraging participants to tell their own stories in their own voiceOther Links MentionedRead this episode's blog postWatch Amina's digital storyLearn more about Cameras For GirlsAbout Our GuestAmina Mohamed is the Founder and Executive Director of Cameras For Girls, a Canadian charity she launched in 2018 to address gender inequality in Africa’s male-dominated media industry. Born in Uganda, Amina came to Canada as a refugee after her family was exiled under the regime of Idi Amin. Growing up between cultures, she discovered photography as a powerful way to express herself when words failed. That early experience shaped the vision behind Cameras For Girls: creating opportunities for young women across Africa to find their voice through visual storytelling.Through a year-long training program combining photography, ethical storytelling, and business skills, Cameras For Girls equips young women with the tools, training, and mentorship needed to build sustainable careers in media. Participants receive professional cameras, hands-on instruction, and ongoing career support designed to help them enter and succeed in the workforce. To date, the organization has trained nearly 200 women through in-person programs across East Africa and has reached more than 2,000 additional participants through its Online Learning Hub. Amina is also a leading advocate for ethical storytelling, challenging outdated and colonial narratives often present in international media. Her work emphasizes dignity-centered storytelling that honours the lived experiences of the women and communities whose stories are shared. Her leadership and impact have earned international recognition. Amina has spoken at the Vital Voices Global Leadership Summit, been featured in publications including Vogue, and received the Estée Lauder Beautiful Forces Grant in recognition of her work advancing women’s leadership.Today, Amina continues to expand Cameras For Girls’ programs across Africa while advocating for gender equality, ethical media practices, and new pathways for women to build sustainable careers in storytelling and journalism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1. Through Her Lens: Cameras For Girls with Amina Mohamed 24:36
2. Double the Magic: Storytelling for Healing and Impact with Melody Williamson 31:57
3. When Science Meets Story: Lessons from a PhD Defense with Becky McCall 35:57
4. Health Promoting Experiences of Storytellers: A Meta-Synthesis 49:36
5. Isolation to Impact: DST in Cancer Care with Jackdaw Bones 25:57

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