Co-Created

What happens when a simple four-minute digital story manages to capture the essence of a centuries-old military band tradition? For Katlyn Lamont, a registered psychotherapist and newly-trained digital storytelling facilitator, the answer came in the form of tough military veterans moved to tears.

Katlyn's journey with Common Language Digital Storytelling began unexpectedly when her youth addiction agency secured her a last-minute s...

When Laryssa Lamrock created her digital story "Enveloped," she never anticipated how profoundly a four-minute video would transform her advocacy work with military families. As the National Strategic Advisor for Families at the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Laryssa brings her lived experience as a military spouse, daughter, and mother to her work supporting those affected by service-related mental health challenges.

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The power of digital storytelling lies in its ability to capture what textbooks and lectures cannot - the raw, human experience of navigating life's most challenging moments. In this deeply moving conversation with Kathy Cortes-Miller and Keri-Lyn Durant, co-hosts of the Disrupting Death podcast, we explore how digital storytelling creates transformative spaces for processing grief and sharing experiences around Medical Assistance ...

What happens when personal trauma transforms into powerful advocacy? Fabiana Bacchini, Executive Director of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, takes us on a journey through her evolution from NICU parent to healthcare changemaker through the lens of digital storytelling.

The conversation reveals the unique power of digital stories to transcend traditional limitations. Unlike presentations that exist in one moment for one aud...

What happens when you bring together passionate storytellers, skilled facilitators, and purpose-driven organizations? Magic—in the form of powerful digital stories that break barriers and create meaningful change.

Mike Lang joins us discuss how the inaugural Common Language Story Slam transformed how we think about storytelling in the nonprofit space. Across three dynamic screenings, twelve uniquely crafted digital stories took cen...

In an empowering exchange, we speak with Claudia Gore, a passionate NHS doctor, who shares her journey of leveraging digital storytelling to change the narratives around healthcare. Through her personal encounters both as a healthcare provider and as a patient, Claudia sheds light on the deeply human aspects of medical care that often remain unseen.

She introduces us to the concept of digital storytelling, emphasizing its potential ...

Can storytelling help heal trauma? Hear Natasha (Tash) Bilau-Howie's transformative journey from an ER nurse to a brain tumour survivor, and how digital storytelling became a part of it all. Her involvement with the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada and subsequent participation in a storytelling workshop under Mike Lang's guidance helped her navigate a path from patient to storyteller. Tash opens up about the therapeutic power of r...

What if storytelling could be more than just a means of communication? Mike Wilson, the insightful Director of the Storytelling Academy at Loughborough University, unveils the transformative power of storytelling as a vital system of knowledge. From his journey in community theatre to shaping academia, Mike shares how narratives have the potential to address global issues like environmental challenges, health, and social justice, w...

Join us as we pull back the curtain on the inaugural Common Language Story Slam, taking place at cSpace in Calgary, Alberta on March 2nd, 2025. Born from the success of our Kickstarter campaign, this festival is more than just storytelling—intertwines personal narratives with charitable causes. With twelve stories to be shared, the event promotes community connection, engagement, and awareness of the important work done by 12 diffe...

Discover the transformative potential of digital storytelling in tackling social stigma with the inspiring Carmen Logie. In this enlightening episode, Carmen shares her extensive work across East Africa and Canada, where storytelling is not just a tool but a movement that brings marginalized communities to the forefront. By crafting shared narratives, we're uncovering the powerful intersection of HIV projects and climate change ini...

What if the key to transforming public health communication lies in the art of storytelling? Join us as we explore this intriguing idea with Becky McCall, a seasoned medical journalist and a PhD candidate at University College London. Becky shares her unique journey from microbiology to medical journalism and reveals how digital storytelling can make complex health issues like antibiotic resistance more accessible. Inspired by hist...

Imagine a world where you can transform your profound life experiences into powerful narratives that resonate with others. That's exactly what we explore with guest, Bobbi Fridfinnson, from Wellspring Alberta, a charity that supports individuals with cancer and their caregivers through a variety of programs, including digital storytelling workshops. These workshops, originally spearheaded by Mike Lang, have blossomed into a vital s...

Join us on an inspiring exploration of digital storytelling with Burcu Şimşek, an associate professor from Hacettepe University and the visionary behind the Digital Story Hub. Burcu shares her innovative approach to amplifying women's voices through digital storytelling, drawing on her extensive research and passion for gender issues. Discover how her journey began with a PhD thesis that reimagined consciousness-raising meetings fo...

What if we could shift the narrative around childhood disabilities to focus on strengths and possibilities? Join us as we explore this transformative idea with Dr. Peter Rosenbaum, co-founder of the CanChild Centre for Childhood-Onset Disability Research. Peter takes us on his inspiring journey from the early days of developmental pediatrics to a revolutionary approach that celebrates the unique abilities of every child. Discover h...

Ever wondered how community support can bring creative projects to life? We dive into the mechanics behind organizing an impactful story slam event through the Common Language Kickstarter campaign, emphasizing the crucial role of the all-or-nothing funding model. Discover how you can be part of this inspiring movement, whether by attending, sponsoring, or spreading the word. The stories shared at our event have the potential to not...

Rebecca Saah's journey into digital storytelling is as compelling as the stories she helps others tell. Join us as Rebecca discusses her work at the University of Calgary and the influence of Common Language DST on her research, particularly in cannabis harm reduction with young adults. Her insights into using storytelling to navigate the pressures of academia are both inspiring and relatable.

This conversation navigates the intrica...

What if sharing your story could change the world of healthcare? Join us on Co-Created as we sit down with Dr. Daisy Dulay, a dedicated cardiologist who turned her own struggles with burnout and the loss of her colleague and host Kristy's father, Dr. Dennis Morgan, into a mission for wellness. Dr. Dulay's journey led her to create a physician wellness group, as well as to learning how digital storytelling can be a powerful tool for...

Unlock the therapeutic and transformative powers of digital storytelling with our special guests, Pip Hardy, Laura Mazzoli-Smith, and Kate Thompson. Discover how Pip's work with Patient Voices UK is reshaping healthcare narratives with compassion, Laura's research at Durham University is advancing narrative practices, and Kate's expertise as a therapist is offering unique therapeutic insights. We'll take you through their fascinati...

What if sharing your personal story could transform lives and promote healing? Join us on Co-Created as we sit down with Dr. Mike Lang to uncover the incredible world of digital storytelling. Mike recounts his journey from helping cancer survivors at Wellspring Calgary document their healthcare experiences to becoming a renowned expert in the field. He demystifies the structured process of creating digital stories, involving voiceo...