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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Double the Magic: Storytelling for Healing and Impact with Melody Williamson – Co-Created

Cameras off. Quiet chat. A stack of slides. Then a short digital story plays and suddenly the room wakes up. That flip from passive listening to real connection is what we’re chasing, and it’s why we keep coming back to digital storytelling as a tool for healing, community building, and change.We’re joined by Melody Williamson, a Level 3 digital storytelling facilitator, trainer, and longtime collaborator inside the Common Language Digital Storytelling Collective. Melody shares how digital storytelling keeps expanding as a tool for healing, community, and real-world change. We share what we’re learning from nonprofit projects, research partnerships, facilitator training, and the moments when a story makes people come alive.Episode Key MessagesMelody’s roots in storytelling, inclusion, and group workHow Wellspring uses digital stories with patients, families, staff, volunteers, and caregiversWhy nonprofits benefit from a wider library of perspectivesCollaborations with researchers, including projects tied to antibiotic resistanceStory Slam as a catalyst for community healing and new partnershipsDigital storytelling facilitator training as “double the magic” through teaching othersMentorship meetings, story review, entrepreneurship support, and continuing educationBringing digital stories to conferences to spark connection beyond slidesAI tools, interpretive meaning, and why story arcs change engagementOther Links MentionedRead this episode's blog postListen to Melody's original Co-Created episodeGet your tickets to the Story SlamLearn more about the Common Language Level 1 Facilitator TrainingCheck out the Common Language CollectiveOther Episodes MentionedEp 28 with WellspringEp 46 with Gillian HattoEp 54 with Becky McCallAbout Our GuestMelody Williamson, MSc., B.A., of Melody Williamson Stories, is a Level 3 Common Language Digital Storytelling Facilitator. Like all of us, Melody has been a storyteller all of her life – from reading books on her mother’s lap to a career in professional theatre, to her consulting work in equity and social justice issues.In recent years, she has combined all of her skills and experience into her passion for giving voice to those voices that aren’t typically heard and creating connection between people through digital storytelling. Her word is "Moment-us" and she loves helping people connect with meaningful moments in their lives! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1. Double the Magic: Storytelling for Healing and Impact with Melody Williamson 31:57
2. When Science Meets Story: Lessons from a PhD Defense with Becky McCall 35:57
3. Health Promoting Experiences of Storytellers: A Meta-Synthesis 49:36
4. Isolation to Impact: DST in Cancer Care with Jackdaw Bones 25:57
5. The Storyteller’s Yellow Pages with Lisa Joworski 33:23

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