Nonprofit storytelling has the profound capacity to move your mission. Yet, traditional storytelling can inadvertently reinforce the very systems of harm we seek to dismantle. This session reimagines storytelling through a trauma-informed lens, offering tools that center agency and safety.
We'll delve into the delicate ecosystem of storytelling—examining the intricate relationships between story owners, receivers, and witnesses. You'll move beyond traditional approaches to discover how to gather, craft, and share stories in ways that honor both the story owner and the broader communities they represent.
Takeaways
- Understand the impact of trauma and why trauma-informed storytelling matters.
- Learn about the three kinds of people impacted by a story— the story owner, the story receiver, and the witness.
- Review and discuss real stories that got it right (and some that didn't) to see trauma-informed storytelling in action and learn how to use it in your own work.
- Gain simple and actionable steps to integrate trauma-informed practices in all aspects of storytelling, including story gathering, crafting, and distribution.
One attendee randomly selected will receive an individual or organization 30 minute coaching session from Maria Bryan.
Speaker Bio:
Maria Bryan is a trauma-informed storytelling trainer. She is the host of the When Bearing Witness® podcast and facilitates the When Bearing Witness® Trauma-Informed Storytelling Certification Program.
Maria’s work helps nonprofit leaders tell powerful and impactful stories that resist harm. Over the past 15+ years in the nonprofit and public sector, Maria has trained thousands globally in person and virtually—focusing on trauma-informed storytelling and purpose-driven marketing.
Her learning lineage spans a Master's Degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, and professional certifications in Trauma & Resilience, Trauma-Informed Space Holding, Trauma-Informed Coaching, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation.
Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place.