Leading Through Stories: Storytelling in Congenital Heart Disease Care

In a world where healthcare often seems impersonal and daunting, the art of storytelling emerges as a powerful means to bridge the gap between patients and providers, offering a sense of humanity amidst clinical settings. The latest episode of our podcast presents an enlightening conversation with Vittorio Borrelli, a man whose life is a testament to resilience and courage in the face of congenital heart disease (CHD) and cancer.

Vittorio’s story is not just about the medical battles he has fought but about the personal identity he has forged through his experiences. His narrative encapsulates the struggles and triumphs of living with CHD, the complex journey from pediatric to adult care, and the unexpected turns that life can take when you are a “heart kid” turned adult. The episode poignantly illustrates how digital storytelling can be an educational and empathy-building tool that transcends the traditional patient-healthcare provider dynamic.

The podcast delves into the creation of digital stories as resources that capture and convey the essence of patients’ experiences, often with lasting effects. It explores how Vittorio and others have used storytelling workshops to connect with their peers, leading to transformative realizations and deepened community bonds. This particular retreat in collaboration with Heart Beats Children’s Society of Calgary and Western Canadian Children’s Heart Network offered a unique opportunity for adults with CHD to share their life experiences, shedding light on the often overlooked adult perspective in CHD care.

During the episode, listeners are taken on a journey through the landscapes of healthcare and personal identity, uncovering the remarkable ways in which stories can influence perspectives and incite action. The conversation reveals how narrative medicine is not only a therapeutic tool for those telling their stories but also a means for listeners, including clinicians and families, to gain insight into the lived experiences of individuals with CHD.

Digital storytelling is also praised for its practicality, as it provides easily shareable content for events and awareness campaigns, engaging audiences without the need for extensive preparation. The podcast highlights Sickboy podcast host, Jeremie Saunders’ memorable recollection of Vittorio’s story that left a significant impact on him, showcasing the effectiveness of digital storytelling in healthcare.

As we listen to Vittorio recount meaningful moments from his life, we are reminded of the lifelines that storytelling can provide in the context of health and wellness. Whether it is Jacqui’s memorable visit to the Libin Heart Institute or Maddie’s evolving narrative during the storytelling retreat, the episode underscores the unexpected and powerful ways stories can resonate with us.

The episode concludes with an invitation to the audience to consider their own stories and the moments they would like to share. It encourages listeners to think about the power of storytelling in their own lives and in the healthcare landscape, highlighting the potential of digital narratives to craft connections, foster understanding, and promote healing.

The blog post above captures the essence of the podcast episode, “The Lifelines of Storytelling in Congenital Heart Disease Care,” inviting readers to listen and engage with the transformative power of storytelling in the context of congenital heart disease. With a focus on digital narratives, the episode offers a heartfelt exploration of the role stories play in connecting individuals, educating healthcare professionals, and strengthening communities affected by CHD.

Learn more about how Heart Beats used digital storytelling to increase impact here.

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

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