Leading Through Stories: Empowering Veterans with Digital Storytelling

In this compelling episode of Leading Through Stories, we delve into the transformative power of digital narratives in veteran care and mental health. Our guest, Joy Pavelich from the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, shares her own journey and work in storytelling as a pathway to healing. This episode invites listeners to explore the profound impact of sharing personal narratives, especially in the context of healing from trauma.

Joy Pavelich’s journey from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) to the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families is nothing short of inspiring. Her master’s research focused on storytelling as a means of healing trauma, and she was introduced to digital storytelling through a serendipitous encounter with Dr. Mike Lang. This encounter led to the implementation of digital storytelling workshops designed for veterans and their families, creating a safe space for sharing trauma narratives.

The episode begins by discussing the meticulous process of recruiting storytellers, ensuring their mental well-being, and providing immediate resources if they are triggered. Joy emphasizes the importance of being intentional in the recruitment process, making sure participants are in a good place to share their stories. This thoughtful approach underscores the commitment to valuing lived experiences and supporting storytellers throughout the process.

Working with trained facilitators and creating safe environments for sharing trauma narratives are crucial steps in the digital storytelling workshops. Over the past two years, the cohorts have evolved, highlighting the importance of in-person workshops and the continuous improvements made to enhance storyteller well-being. The logistics of coordinating travel, offering honorariums, and fostering bonds among storytellers are all part of the effort to create a supportive and empowering environment.

The discussion also explores the creation of bilingual, accessible digital stories within a federally funded organization. Captioning and hosting stories on both English and French websites ensure inclusivity. Sharing these stories on social channels, YouTube, and during meetings helps build trust and validation among the audience. The concept of moral injury, distinct from PTSD, is also addressed, emphasizing how digital storytelling can help individuals process trauma by turning it into a cohesive narrative.

Joy Pavelich’s deeply personal journey of grief and healing after the loss of her son Eric is a poignant highlight of the episode. Her book, Chasing my Son Across Heaven, chronicles her emotional and spiritual journey, offering valuable insights into the therapeutic power of digital storytelling. Joy’s experiences provide a powerful example of processing trauma and finding a way to move forward while honoring the memory of loved ones.

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own health and wellness journeys, considering the narratives they might want to share. The episode fosters a community of shared experiences and mutual support, paving the way for healing through storytelling. The importance of storytelling in the realm of health and wellness is emphasized, inviting active participation and engagement from the audience.

In the episode, Joy discusses the intentional recruitment process, the powerful impact of digital storytelling workshops, and the importance of creating safe spaces for veterans and their families. She shares her personal experience of creating her own story with Mike and the sense-making process that helps reduce the emotional burden of retelling traumatic events.

The episode also highlights the significance of considering family dynamics and permissions when sharing personal stories publicly. Joy’s journey of grief and healing offers a moving example of finding meaning and purpose after a devastating loss. The conversation touches on the therapeutic power of digital storytelling and the delicate balance of sharing impactful, manageable narratives without overwhelming oneself.

Overall, this episode of Leading Through Stories is a profound exploration of the healing power of digital narratives in veteran care and mental health. Joy Pavelich’s insights and experiences offer valuable lessons for anyone interested in the transformative potential of storytelling. By fostering a community of shared experiences and mutual support, the episode encourages listeners to reflect on their own health and wellness journeys and consider the stories they might want to share.

About our Guest

V. Joy Pavelich is the Executive Vice-President of Communications and Public Affairs at the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families. A lifelong communicator, working across the spectrum from government to corporate to non-profit, Joy also holds a Master of Arts degree in Professional Communications. Prior to joining Atlas in 2020 she worked for CMHA National in Stakeholder Engagement with a focus on youth mental health, and for five years at

CMHA Calgary leading the Communications and Stakeholder Engagement portfolios, as well as UpStart the youth mental health initiative. Joy has been part of several mental health initiatives including the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s National Advisory Council on the Mental Health of Emerging Adults, the advisory panel of MoBros, a Movember funded project to develop a national men’s depression screening tool, and looking at Integrated Youth Services as a model of delivery for Alberta. In 2020 she was appointed to the Province of Alberta’s Mental Health Review Panel roster which she continues to serve on.

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.
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