Capturing Essence for Care: Life Stories, Creativity and Meaningful Living

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Episode Description:

Ever wonder what happens to your life stories after you write them? What if they could become part of a published book shared with readers around the world?

Join host Lisa Joworski for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Cheryl Svensson and Sarah White from the Birren Center for Autobiographical Studies as they discuss the newly released anthology "Second Chances: Lives Change One Story at a Time" and the transformative power of Guided Autobiography.

In This Episode You'll Discover:

• How guided autobiography differs from traditional memoir writing and why it's accessible to everyone 

• The story behind the "Second Chances" anthology and the remarkable personal narratives it contains 

• How students and instructors can submit their stories to upcoming anthologies (including "Moments That Shape Us" - deadline April 30th!) 

• Practical tips for interviewing older adults and creating space for meaningful storytelling 

• The research-backed benefits of guided autobiography for personal growth and legacy preservation 

• How the Birren Center has trained over 800 instructors in 35 countries

About Our Guests:

Dr. Cheryl Svensson has been with guided autobiography for more than 25 years, training instructors online since 2009. As founding director of the Birren Center, she's helped build a global community of storytellers.

Sarah White is the Executive Director of the Birren Center for Autobiographical Studies. A former marketing entrepreneur, Sarah discovered guided autobiography during a midlife transition and found her calling in helping others write and share their life stories.

Resources Mentioned:

• "Second Chances: Lives Change One Story at a Time" anthology (available on Amazon) 

• Birren Center Instructor Locator: Find a guided autobiography class near you 

• Upcoming anthology: "Moments That Shape Us" (submissions close April 30th or at 100 entries) 

• Episode 15: Cheryl's first appearance on the podcast

Perfect For: Anyone interested in life story work, aspiring writers, guided autobiography students and instructors, family caregivers, and those seeking meaningful ways to preserve their legacy.

Connect With Lisa: Email: [email protected]

Thank you for listening!

Do you have a question or a topic related to "capturing essence for care" that you would like discussed on the podcast?  

Email:  [email protected]

Or use the "Send us Fan Mail" link at the top of the Episode Description to text the show!

Interested in learning more?  

• Check out my Etsy Shop
• Visit my YouTube channel or website

Intro and outro music with thanks:  Upbeat and Sweet No Strings by Musictown 

Lisa brings over 25 years of experience working in healthcare settings with older adults. The perspectives shared on this podcast are her own and do not represent the views of any past or current employer. Patient/resident stories are shared only with explicit permission or as anonymized composites for educational purposes.

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Episode Description:

What happens when a filmmaker gets rejected from every grant—then discovers a senior citizens fund and pitches the wildest idea imaginable? Award-winning Canadian filmmaker Sean Cisterna shares the inspiring story behind Silver Screamers, his 2025 documentary about a spirited group of seniors who came together to make a horror film called The Rug.

The Origin Story:

• How a flyer about the New Horizons for Seniors Program sparked an unconventional solution to funding rejection
• Why nobody raised their hand when he mentioned "blood and gore"—until 96-year-old Audrey changed everything
• The serendipitous moments that transformed a short film project into an award-winning documentary

Behind the Scenes:

• What happened at the first script reading (hint: larger fonts were urgently needed!)
• How a puppeteer, a painter, and a social butterfly brought their real-life skills to create movie magic
• Why the insurance company said "no" and how that led to beautiful intergenerational partnerships
• Fire alarms, smoke machines, and other chaotic moments that make great cinema

The Bigger Impact:

• How participants went from "I didn't know I had this in me" to walking red carpets and signing autographs
• Why horror audiences and aging research centers are equally enthusiastic
• Post-screening conversations where people share stories about their grandparents and confront fears about aging
• Sean's upcoming international workshops teaching seniors to make films in Mumbai, Brussels, and beyond

Key Themes: Community building and reducing social isolation • Trying something new at any age • Permission vs. direction: letting authenticity shine • Using humour and levity to inspire • Intergenerational collaboration

Perfect for: Family caregivers, recreation therapists, activity directors, digital storytellers, anyone interested in creative aging, and anyone who believes it's never too late to surprise yourself.

Connect with Sean Cisterna:

• Instagram & Facebook: @SilverscreamersDoc
• Instagram: @SeanCisterna
• Silver Screamers is screening throughout 2026—reach out to book a screening!

Watch the Silver Screamers Official Trailer

Mentioned: New Horizons for Seniors Program • CAG Conference • Toronto After Dark Festival • Fantastic Fest • Hot Docs Cinema

Thank you for listening!

Do you have a question or a topic related to "capturing essence for care" that you would like discussed on the podcast?  

Email:  [email protected]

Or use the "Send us Fan Mail" link at the top of the Episode Description to text the show!

Interested in learning more?  

• Check out my Etsy Shop
• Visit my YouTube channel or website

Intro and outro music with thanks:  Upbeat and Sweet No Strings by Musictown 

Lisa brings over 25 years of experience working in healthcare settings with older adults. The perspectives shared on this podcast are her own and do not represent the views of any past or current employer. Patient/resident stories are shared only with explicit permission or as anonymized composites for educational purposes.

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Life Story Methods and Meaningful Living: Year One Reflections

What if capturing your stories today could transform how others care for you tomorrow? After nearly a year and 22 episodes, I'm reflecting on what I've learned about capturing essence—and why this podcast is evolving to focus on meaningful living right now, not just future care.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why capturing your essence nurtures well-being in the present moment, not just preservation for later
• The many ways to capture life stories: digital storytelling, guided autobiography, photography, music, and video
• How podcasting became my creative outlet and community connector
• Key themes from year one: lived experiences, storytelling tools, visual stories, and person-centred care
• Why I'm changing the subtitle to reflect proactive approaches to life story work
• What's coming in year two: returning guests and new conversations about creativity and identity

This podcast serves:

• Anyone wanting to preserve what makes them uniquely themselves
• People curious about life story work and creative expression
• DIYers learning to capture stories themselves
• Professionals interested in person-centred approaches

Coming in Year Two:

• Kristy Wolfe on my storytelling journey (February)
• Sean Cisterna on Silver Screamers and lifelong learning
• Dr. Cheryl Svensson and Sarah White on the "Second Chances" anthology
• Dr. Angela Roberts on super aging

Connect with Capturing Essence for Care:

• Text the show using the link in your podcast player
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: facebook.com/AWEStruckAspirations
• Website: capturingessenceforcare.buzzsprout.com

Enjoying the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share with someone exploring their life story journey!

Thank you for listening!

Do you have a question or a topic related to "capturing essence for care" that you would like discussed on the podcast?  

Email:  [email protected]

Or use the "Send us Fan Mail" link at the top of the Episode Description to text the show!

Interested in learning more?  

• Check out my Etsy Shop
• Visit my YouTube channel or website

Intro and outro music with thanks:  Upbeat and Sweet No Strings by Musictown 

Lisa brings over 25 years of experience working in healthcare settings with older adults. The perspectives shared on this podcast are her own and do not represent the views of any past or current employer. Patient/resident stories are shared only with explicit permission or as anonymized composites for educational purposes.

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Episode Description

In this season finale, I'm joined by Beth Fitzmaurice, whose caregiving story became a digital story transforming how McCormick Dementia Services trains staff and supports caregivers. Beth shares what it was like to care for her mom 24/7 for five years, how digital storytelling helped her find purpose after loss, and why she went from isolated to advocate. This conversation shows how one five-minute video can create ripples of impact far beyond what we imagine.

Key Takeaways

• How Beth and Lisa co-created a five-minute video now used for staff training, board orientation, and caregiver support groups

 • Why simple details—a singing video, a photo showing humor, knowing someone was an x-ray tech—transform care

 • The isolation of 24/7 caregiving and how sharing her story helped Beth realize she did the best she could

 • Privacy decisions: What Beth shared publicly (Scrabble tiles, family photos) versus kept private (hospital videos)

 • McCormick's village approach: Day programs, nurses, social workers, and spa services that enabled home care

 • From farewell speech to Calgary Story Slam: How "a journey only love can navigate" resonated with audiences

 • The therapeutic power of admitting publicly "I keep thinking I didn't do all I could"

 • Finding a video of her mom singing after her death—and wishing she'd shared it with care staff sooner

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Watch the digital story, LOVE 'D'
• Common Language Story Slam
• "The Caregiver's Journey" - Beth's story featured in Western Universtiy Alumni Magazine (Spring/Summer 2025 issue on aging and caregiving)
• Previous episode reference:  Episode 5 with Kristy Wolfe - where Beth's story was first mentioned
• McCormick Dementia Services (London, Ontario) - Providing day programs, education, support groups, counselling, and specialized care for persons with dementia and their care partners

Featured Guest

Beth Fitzmaurice cared for her mother 24/7 for five years following her 2019 dementia diagnosis. Her letter of gratitude to McCormick became a digital story featured at Calgary's Digital Story Slam, used for training at McCormick, published in Western University's Alumni Magazine, and shared in support groups.

Thank you for listening!

Do you have a question or a topic related to "capturing essence for care" that you would like discussed on the podcast?  

Email:  [email protected]

Or use the "Send us Fan Mail" link at the top of the Episode Description to text the show!

Interested in learning more?  

• Check out my Etsy Shop
• Visit my YouTube channel or website

Intro and outro music with thanks:  Upbeat and Sweet No Strings by Musictown 

Lisa brings over 25 years of experience working in healthcare settings with older adults. The perspectives shared on this podcast are her own and do not represent the views of any past or current employer. Patient/resident stories are shared only with explicit permission or as anonymized composites for educational purposes.

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Join host Lisa Joworski for an inspiring conversation with Juno Award-winning musician and storyteller Meaghan Smith about how songwriting became her way to process emotions and help others tell their stories.

In this episode:

• Musical Storytelling - How Meaghan discovered songwriting at age 12 and now writes personalized songs for life's most significant moments
• Learning Through Adversity - Building an award-winning career while unable to read music, playing entirely by ear despite dyslexia
• When Songs Transform Lives - Two powerful stories: "I Know" about her grandfather that led him to write "I love you" for the first time, and "Hole," written for a widower after a profound creative breakthrough
• The Creative Process as Play - Reconnect with childlike creativity—completely present, judgment-free, and authentically yourself
• From Song to Book - Meaghan's illustrated children's book "It Snowed" and upcoming holiday concerts (December 19-20, 2025 in Nova Scotia)

Listen to the songs mentioned in our conversation:

• "I Know"
•  "Hole"

Connect with Meaghan: 

Facebook:

facebook.com/meaghansmith

facebook.com/meaghansmithart

facebook.com/mkindpapersmith

Instagram:

instagram.com/themeaghansmith

instagram.com/meaghansmithart

instagram.com/mkindpapersmith

Tiktok:

tiktok.com/meaghansmithmusic

tiktok.com/meaghansmithart

tiktok.com/mkindpapersmith

Buy Meaghan's book and/or share about it! 

Meaghan's annual holiday concert: https://bellaroseartscentre.com/event/meaghan-smith/

Thank you for listening!

Do you have a question or a topic related to "capturing essence for care" that you would like discussed on the podcast?  

Email:  [email protected]

Or use the "Send us Fan Mail" link at the top of the Episode Description to text the show!

Interested in learning more?  

• Check out my Etsy Shop
• Visit my YouTube channel or website

Intro and outro music with thanks:  Upbeat and Sweet No Strings by Musictown 

Lisa brings over 25 years of experience working in healthcare settings with older adults. The perspectives shared on this podcast are her own and do not represent the views of any past or current employer. Patient/resident stories are shared only with explicit permission or as anonymized composites for educational purposes.

Send us Fan Mail

Episode Description

What if a thirty-minute video could transform how your loved one receives care? Legacy filmmaker Liam Martyn made the shift from commercial videography to founding Everlasting Studios after discovering decades-old family films and realizing how powerfully people come alive when seen in motion. From there, he built a filmmaking practice centred on creating thoughtfully produced interviews enriched with photos and home movies that bridge the gap between healthcare teams and the person behind the chart, building rapport, trust, and shared understanding in clinical settings.

You'll hear about his collaborative process—how preparation, clear questions, and promises of consent create safe spaces for candor. But you don't need professional equipment to start. Liam and I discuss how a smartphone and a few well-chosen prompts can preserve priceless history. Even filming a recipe session captures sensory details that become a family's living manual.

The message is clear: preserve now, not later. Stories secure identity through change, help families grieve with context, and give clinicians a fuller picture of the person they serve.

In This Episode:

• How legacy videos serve as practical tools in healthcare settings
• Creating a safe, collaborative space for storytelling
• Simple ways to start preserving stories with just a smartphone
• Why filming everyday moments like cooking captures irreplaceable details
• The role of memory as medicine in caregiving relationships
• Practical tips for organizing and sharing legacy videos

Guest: Liam Martyn is the founder of Everlasting Studios, a specialized multimedia service dedicated to preserving family history and legacies. Based in London, Ontario, Liam honed his skills in corporate video production (working with brands like Ryobi and Milwaukee Tool) before pivoting in 2022 to focus entirely on emotionally resonant storytelling with families. Everlasting Studios offers high-quality Legacy Videos, Memorial Tributes, and Digitizing Services. Liam is actively pursuing partnerships with funeral homes and retirement residences to offer these heartfelt multimedia services and ensure cherished memories are beautifully preserved for generations.

Website: www.everlastingstudios.ca

Other Storytelling Resources Mentioned:

• Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks
• The Moth 

Thank you for listening!

Do you have a question or a topic related to "capturing essence for care" that you would like discussed on the podcast?  

Email:  [email protected]

Or use the "Send us Fan Mail" link at the top of the Episode Description to text the show!

Interested in learning more?  

• Check out my Etsy Shop
• Visit my YouTube channel or website

Intro and outro music with thanks:  Upbeat and Sweet No Strings by Musictown 

Lisa brings over 25 years of experience working in healthcare settings with older adults. The perspectives shared on this podcast are her own and do not represent the views of any past or current employer. Patient/resident stories are shared only with explicit permission or as anonymized composites for educational purposes.

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Show Description

Anika Chabra is Co-Founder of Root & Seed, a simple and game-like platform on a mission to bring storytelling back to where it belongs, between generations, across kitchen tables, in workplaces and in caregiver and elder interactions. After two decades in the corporate world, Anika knew there had to be a better way to preserve the essence of who we are, our cultures, our traditions, our recipes, and our relationships.

In this episode we explore how personal stories can preserve culture, deepen connection, and transform caregiving, with Anika. From conversation cards to secure audio keepsakes, we share practical ways to honour personhood across home care and healthcare.

Key Takeaways

• The origin of Root & Seed and its mission to end the loss of tradition
• grief, mixed identity, and why family stories matter
• how conversation cards and a QR-powered app work together
• examples of intergenerational connection that build empathy
• training caregivers to use stories during companion visits
• benefits to person-centred care, activity planning, and morale
• creating keepsakes from recorded stories for families
• the role of spirituality and personhood in care decisions

Resources and Links:

Root & Seed - Digital and physical tools leverage light-hearted prompts to start the conversations that matter, and to honour the people and places that shaped us. What began as a bridge between generations of loved ones has grown to include caregivers, community members and colleagues too. Offering space for dignity, memory, and meaning to take root.

The CBC, Toronto Star and RepresentASIAN featured Root & Seed at launch, followed by Better Homes and Garden and Rolling Stone including R&S conversation cards as best gifts in their well-shopped 2023 and 2024 holiday gift guides. With recognition from AgeWell for fostering intergenerational bonds, The Webby Awards for a private and secure method of connection and The Anthem Awards for health-forward innovation, Root & Seed is carving out a human-first, technology-supported path in a digital world.

• Root & Seed :  Rootandseed.com
• Root & Seed Conversation Cards
• Root & Seed Podcast

Looking for printable conversation cards and cues? Check out these Conversation Cards on AWE Struck! Aspirations Etsy Shop!

Thank you for listening!

Do you have a question or a topic related to "capturing essence for care" that you would like discussed on the podcast?  

Email:  [email protected]

Or use the "Send us Fan Mail" link at the top of the Episode Description to text the show!

Interested in learning more?  

• Check out my Etsy Shop
• Visit my YouTube channel or website

Intro and outro music with thanks:  Upbeat and Sweet No Strings by Musictown 

Lisa brings over 25 years of experience working in healthcare settings with older adults. The perspectives shared on this podcast are her own and do not represent the views of any past or current employer. Patient/resident stories are shared only with explicit permission or as anonymized composites for educational purposes.

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Episode Description

Dr. Marie Savundranayagam's innovative virtual reality training program is transforming dementia care by teaching healthcare providers person-centred communication skills in an immersive, judgment-free environment. Her research and personal caregiving experience have shaped a program that helps frontline workers see beyond the condition to connect with the whole person, improving care outcomes while rekindling caregivers' passion for their profession.

Key Takeaways:

• Be Epic VR uses conversational artificial intelligence to create realistic practice scenarios with diverse avatars
• Personal caregiving experience with her father who had Parkinson's disease inspired Marie's research focus
• Research identified "missed opportunities" where caregivers failed to respond to personal conversation openings
• Cultural humility approach acknowledges we can never fully understand others' experiences but remain open to learning
• The program gives gentle feedback when learners miss opportunities, avoiding shame while encouraging growth
• Virtual reality training reduces fear of making mistakes, allowing participants to practice difficult scenarios
• Managers report staff show increased confidence and better person-centred care after training
• Research shows significant measurable improvements in communication approaches after completing the program
• Future research will examine potential implicit bias in how we communicate with people of different backgrounds
• Even in rushed healthcare environments, small communication changes can make meaningful differences

Learn more about Be EPIC:  https://www.uwo.ca/fhs/care/be_epic/index.html

Contact Marie:  [email protected]

@SamkatzCHARU on X

@samkatzcharu on Instagram

Sam Katz CHARU on LinkedIn

Thank you for listening!

Do you have a question or a topic related to "capturing essence for care" that you would like discussed on the podcast?  

Email:  [email protected]

Or use the "Send us Fan Mail" link at the top of the Episode Description to text the show!

Interested in learning more?  

• Check out my Etsy Shop
• Visit my YouTube channel or website

Intro and outro music with thanks:  Upbeat and Sweet No Strings by Musictown 

Lisa brings over 25 years of experience working in healthcare settings with older adults. The perspectives shared on this podcast are her own and do not represent the views of any past or current employer. Patient/resident stories are shared only with explicit permission or as anonymized composites for educational purposes.

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Dr. Sammy Winemaker shares how patients can present themselves as unique individuals to the healthcare system rather than becoming "a cog in a wheel." We explore practical ways to ensure your personhood remains at the center of your healthcare journey, even when time with providers is limited.

• Healthcare systems value efficiency and standardization, which can wash away personhood from patient care
• Patients need to actively present themselves as unique individuals with specific needs and preferences
• Dr. Winemaker encourages patients to tell providers "this is what you need to know about me"
• Working in home-based palliative care provides rich environmental cues about patients' lives and personalities
• Information is a patient's superpower - the more you extract from the healthcare system, the better
• There's a difference between being aggressive and assertive - learn to be assertively engaged in your care
• Dr. Winemaker's "My Big Picture" tool summarizes who you are, what matters to you, and your communication preferences
• Healthcare professionals also need human connection - they often feel like "robots on a conveyor belt"
• Being seen as a whole person isn't just nice - it's essential to receiving appropriate care

To learn more about Dr. Winemaker's approach, visit The Waiting Room Revolution where you can find more information about their book "Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest" and the accompanying workbook.

Connect with Dr. Sammy Winemaker

Other resources mentioned:  

Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov 

Thank you for listening!

Do you have a question or a topic related to "capturing essence for care" that you would like discussed on the podcast?  

Email:  [email protected]

Or use the "Send us Fan Mail" link at the top of the Episode Description to text the show!

Interested in learning more?  

• Check out my Etsy Shop
• Visit my YouTube channel or website

Intro and outro music with thanks:  Upbeat and Sweet No Strings by Musictown 

Lisa brings over 25 years of experience working in healthcare settings with older adults. The perspectives shared on this podcast are her own and do not represent the views of any past or current employer. Patient/resident stories are shared only with explicit permission or as anonymized composites for educational purposes.

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Episode Description:

Feeling like your story doesn't matter? Worried your children or grandchildren won't appreciate your life experiences? Discover how Guided Autobiography (GAB) transforms personal memories into powerful legacies that strengthen families across generations.

In this episode, Dr. Cheryl Svensson, Director of the Birren Center for Autobiographical Studies, reveals how a structured approach to life story writing can provide emotional support, reduce caregiver burden, and create the deep connections we all crave—even when loved ones seem disinterested at first.

Key Takeaways:

• The GAB framework: Write two manageable pages per theme (family, work, health, spirituality) instead of facing the overwhelm of "Where do I start?"
• The power of being heard: Small group sharing creates validation through deep listening—"You get listened into wholeness"
• Research-backed benefits: Children who know their family history show better adjustment, higher self-esteem, and improved coping skills (Emory University research)
• Real breakthroughs: One participant released decades of burden after a group member helped her see how her father's death affected her mother
• Healthcare applications: GAB supports patients with early-onset Alzheimer's, cardiac rehab, dialysis treatment, and provides crucial community for time-starved caregivers
• Your legacy matters: Even if your adult children don't respond now, future generations will treasure knowing where they came from
• Global community: Nearly 800 trained GAB instructors across 32 countries are helping people discover their stories matter

Remember: You don't need perfect prose or a dramatic life story. As Dr. Svensson says, "I have never heard a bad story." Your story is worth preserving—because you're more than a name on the back of a photo.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear that their story matters, and subscribe so you never miss practical tools for meaningful caregiving connections.

Thank you for listening!

Do you have a question or a topic related to "capturing essence for care" that you would like discussed on the podcast?  

Email:  [email protected]

Or use the "Send us Fan Mail" link at the top of the Episode Description to text the show!

Interested in learning more?  

• Check out my Etsy Shop
• Visit my YouTube channel or website

Intro and outro music with thanks:  Upbeat and Sweet No Strings by Musictown 

Lisa brings over 25 years of experience working in healthcare settings with older adults. The perspectives shared on this podcast are her own and do not represent the views of any past or current employer. Patient/resident stories are shared only with explicit permission or as anonymized composites for educational purposes.