Leading Through Stories: Donuts and Digital Narratives in Mental Health

In a world that is increasingly connected yet paradoxically isolating, the need for genuine stories and voices of hope has never been greater. Our latest podcast episode delves into the life of Makaylah Rogers, a non-binary social entrepreneur and mental health advocate who has found solace and strength in digital storytelling. This narrative isn’t just a recount of Makaylah’s journey; it’s a call to the power of vulnerability and the importance of advocacy in the mental health space.

Makaylah’s candid sharing of their experience with suicidal ideation and mental health challenges serves as a beacon for those silently struggling. By opening up about their past and the instrumental role a personal letter played in their darkest times, they illustrate the transformative impact that sharing our stories can have—not only on ourselves but on others who may feel alone in their battles.

In discussing the sensitive topic of suicide, the podcast takes great care to emphasize that while the love and support of friends and family are invaluable, they are not substitutes for professional help. This point underscores a critical message: the path to recovery is a collective effort, requiring a network of support that includes therapy, professional resources, and a community willing to listen and understand. Don’t miss Makaylah’s vetted mental health resource page on their website. You can find it here.

The concept of a “hope chest,” as introduced by Makaylah in their digital story, is particularly poignant. This personal toolbox, filled with letters and mementos, acts as a lifeline during moments of crisis. It’s a practical and touching testament to the proactive management of one’s mental health and the acknowledgment that coping strategies can be as unique and individual as the stories we carry.

Makaylah’s work extends beyond personal advocacy, touching on their social impact initiatives, Frankie D’s Donuts and Scale Naturally. These ventures are not merely businesses but platforms for promoting diversity, fostering belonging, and combating the pervasive loneliness that plagues our society. They serve as examples of how entrepreneurship can intersect with social causes to create meaningful change.

To sum up, this podcast episode is more than just an audio experience; it’s an invitation to join a movement that recognizes the value of every individual’s narrative. It’s a reminder that in sharing our stories, we not only free ourselves but also offer a lifeline to others who might be searching for a sign to keep going. In the words of Makaylah’s friends and colleagues, “Please don’t go. You matter. I want you to stay.”

About Our Guest

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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Digital Stories in Community-Based Research with Carolyn Brandly – Co-Created

A single well-told story can do what a stack of reports cannot: make someone feel the reality of living in a body, a system, or a diagnosis they’ve never had. We sit down with Carolyn, a newly trained Common Language Digital Storytelling facilitator and PhD student, to unpack how digital storytelling becomes a practical tool for health research, quality improvement, and stigma-breaking conversations.Episode Key Messagesrecreation therapy roots and building community programs for older adultsresearch and quality improvement as tools for systems change in long-term carediscovering Common Language through MAID digital stories and stigma reductionchoosing a more personal story and learning facilitation through vulnerabilityliving with disability, wait times in Canada, and rebuilding identity after surgeryKilimanjaro as a turning point for confidence, aging, and capacityadapting digital storytelling for people living with dementia in a PhD protocolco-research, simplified materials, slower pacing, and practical accessibility tweaksmaking a first volunteer story with her mom and deepening connection through memoryrecording voiceover many times and small changes that amplify a storyteller’s voiceinformed consent, sharing implications, and the ethics of public storytellingchallenging ethics board assumptions and shifting to assumed capacityrights-based approaches to dementia in public spaces and collaboration invitationsOther Links MentionedRead this episode's blog postWatch Carolyn's StoryWatch Marg's StoryLearn more about Fostering Inclusion for People with DementiaLearn more about Carolyn's work with Dementia Connections and PhD researchOther Episodes MentionedEpisode 37 Disrupting Death: Stories of MAiD with Kathy Cortes-Miller and Keri-Lyn DurantEpisode 52 The Storyteller’s Yellow Pages with Lisa JoworskiEpisode 57 What Changes When We Treat Stories Like Data with Dr. Katharine SmartAbout Our GuestCarolyn Brandly has worked with and for older adults and people with dementia for 20+ years in care and community settings – designing, implementing, and evaluating health promotion programs, and facilitating community development, knowledge translation and quality improvement initiatives and research. Carolyn has achieved an MA in health leadership, as well as completing graduate-level education in dementia studies, gerontology, and entrepreneurship, and is currently undertaking doctoral studies through the University of Victoria’s Social Dimensions of Health Program. Her aim is to contribute to global efforts shaping inclusive health and social systems that uphold the human rights, autonomy and dignity of people living with dementia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1. Digital Stories in Community-Based Research with Carolyn Brandly 30:02
2. Using Digital Stories in Clinician Training with Dr. Tricia Williams 30:41
3. Digital Stories Belong in Curriculum & Communities with Dr. Mike Lang 29:05
4. What Changes When We Treat Stories Like Data with Dr. Katharine Smart 26:36
5. Through Her Lens: Cameras For Girls with Amina Mohamed 24:36

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