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

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Storytelling photographer Heather Knox shares her journey from international nonprofit work to helping people capture their life stories through guided autobiography and digital storytelling. With deep experience in service, photography, and nonprofit leadership, Heather now focuses on helping seniors in Mexico preserve their stories before they're lost.

Key Points Discussed:

• Over 30 years in nonprofit sector spanning multiple countries and causes
• Founded Project Somos Learning Village in Guatemala with her husband Greg
• Discovered storytelling photography while documenting children at their nonprofit
• Trained in guided autobiography and digital storytelling to help others preserve memories
• Currently works with "To Whom I May Concern" helping people with cognitive changes share their stories
• Recommends three steps to capture your essence: guided autobiography, organizing photos, and creating digital stories
• Views storytelling as a spiritual practice that honors human dignity
• Advocates for printing photos and documenting stories before they're lost
• Serves as a "story doula" helping people birth their personal narratives

Connect with Heather:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heatheraliciaknox
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciaknoxfotos/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heatheraliciaknox
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-alicia-knox-b4587849/
Website: https://aliciaknox.com/
Heather's own digital story: (Te Veo/I See You)

Other links discussed:

Common Language Digital Storytelling:  https://commonlanguagedst.org/
Listen to Episodes 3, 5, 10 & 11 for more about CLDST

The Birren Center for Autobiographical Studies:  https://thebirrencenter.org/

To Whom I May Concern:  https://towhomimayconcern.org/
Listen to Episode 8 for the interview with Laura Bowley with To Whom I May Concern

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute to look at the show notes for resources and links, be sure to leave a rating and review, and follow the show to get notified when the next episode comes out. If you know someone who would enjoy this podcast, please share it with them.

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. Flora Brown shares her journey as a life story coach and guided autobiography facilitator, revealing how childhood experiences eavesdropping in her mother's beauty shop shaped her passion for helping others capture their life stories. She discusses the transformative power of personal storytelling and how it helps people gain new perspectives on their experiences.

Discussion Points:

• Combining Digital Storytelling (DST) with Guided Autobiography (GAB) to create powerful personal narratives
• The importance of creating safe spaces for people to share their stories
• How childhood dreams can shape our adult lives and career paths
• Overcoming self-doubt and limiting beliefs through storytelling
• The therapeutic benefits of writing personal stories, even if never shared publicly
• Building community through shared storytelling experiences
• Dr. Brown's upcoming book "Beyond the White Picket Fence" featuring micro-memoirs
• The power of reflection in understanding our life journey

Check out Flora's Digital Story co-created with Lisa:  The Impact of Stories

Learn more about Guided Autobiography

Connect with Flora:

• Website:  florabrown.com
• Facebook group—Your Life Story Matters
• Substack:  https://substack.com/%40florabrown
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/florabrown2u/#

Flora's books:  https://amazon.com/author/florabrown

Download her free ebook to discover what's blocking you from writing your life story and surprisingly simple ways to topple every one.

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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Whitney Myers, owner and founder of Sacred Stories, shares how personal storytelling through video preserves legacies and enhances care. Her background in ministry, memory care, and family documentation created a natural path toward helping others preserve their life stories through high-quality filmed interviews.

Discussion points:

• Following life's "arrows" rather than looking for definitive answers when making important decisions
• The critical importance of knowing someone's life story when providing care, especially in memory care settings
• Simple conversation starters that open doors to meaningful storytelling, like "What have you been up to lately?"
• How legacy videos are primarily kept private by families as treasured keepsakes
• The value of documenting family stories even with basic equipment - "something is better than nothing"
• Creating meaningful intergenerational conversations through games, dinner table discussions, and guided questions
• The sacred quality of personal stories and how they connect us on a deeper level

Connect with Whitney at sacredstoriesfilms.com to learn more about legacy videos and access her resources for storytelling.

Contact:  [email protected]

Sharing Our Stories Ebook - sacredstoriesfilms.com/sharing-stories-ebook

Instagram - @sacredstoriesfilms
Facebook - @sacredstoriesfilms
Linked In - linkedin.com/in/whitney-myers1/
Vimeo - @sacredstoriesfilms
Website - sacredstoriesfilms.com

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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Visual narratives can impact healthcare by humanizing patient experiences and reconnecting clinical expertise with empathy.  Krystle Schofield reveals how by sharing her own journey from photographer to digital storyteller.

Key Messages:

• Photography evolved from a creative passion to a therapeutic tool when Krystle's second child was diagnosed with a rare disease
• Documentary family photography captures unposed, authentic moments in family life, preserving both joyful and challenging experiences
• Digital storytelling workshops create supportive environments where participants gain agency over their personal narratives
• Trauma-informed approaches ensure storytellers are emotionally ready and maintain control throughout the creative process
• Stories can be shared in various healthcare settings including rounds, meetings, conferences, and educational platforms
• Authentic, unpolished narratives create unique emotional connections in today's polished media landscape
• Visual storytelling helps healthcare providers see beyond clinical data to understand the complete person

Connect with Krystle:  

• Website
• YouTube
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Other Links mentioned:

• Common Language Digital Storytelling Facilitator Training Programs
• Listen to the podcast interview with Dr. Mike Lang 
• Disrupting Death Digital Stories
• Disrupting Death Research Project
• Cannabis Harm Reduction Digital Storytelling Project

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 Notes:

Maureen Leier, a registered nurse in public health and digital storyteller, joins Lisa to explore how integrating personal life stories into healthcare transforms the quality of care and creates meaningful connections between caregivers and patients.

Key Points Discussed:

• Digital storytelling creates a framework for seeing patients as complete humans with rich life experiences

• Deep listening skills are essential for both healthcare and storytelling—hearing what's not being said

• Videos of patients' lives and personalities help staff connect emotionally and provide more compassionate care

• Healthcare providers often report patients are "easier to work with" after seeing their personal stories

• Even brief 3-minute videos can dramatically shift perceptions and improve care quality

• Personal stories provide context that helps staff understand potential unmet needs more clearly that present themselves as "responsive behaviours" or "expressions of risk" 

• Digital stories can serve as a form of memorial that allows healthcare staff to process grief together

• The vulnerability of being unable to advocate for yourself highlights the importance of personal connection

• Simple elements like gentle touch, playful attitudes, and casual conversation remain vital regardless of cognitive ability

• Creating moments of joy and connection is essential because "moment to moment is all we've got"

Share your stories about how personal narratives have impacted your healthcare experience or visit Common Language Digital Storytelling for more information on digital storytelling in healthcare settings.

Check out the digital story Lisa created about a client who inspired her.  

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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Ron Beleno is an active advocate for dementia, caregiving, aging and research communities.  From lived experience, he encourages others to transform the challenging caregiving journey into one of growth and resilience through his innovative approach to narrative reframing and community building. In caring for his father who had Alzheimer's for over ten years, Ron shares practical strategies that changed his perspective and improved quality of life for his entire family.  

Key points discussed:

• Reframing problems as challenges creates a mindset focused on solutions rather than obstacles

• Over 60% of people with dementia will go missing at least once – simple strategies like door chimes and community networks can significantly reduce risks

• Building a support network by sharing your story with local businesses and neighbours creates a safety net for loved ones with dementia

• Men often struggle to identify as caregivers and typically seek help much later than women

• Eliminating words like "good/bad" and "right/wrong" when reflecting on caregiving decisions can significantly reduce caregiver guilt

• The narrative we tell ourselves about our caregiving experience profoundly influences how we navigate challenges

• Approaching caregiving with a "gamer" mindset helps identify creative solutions to complex problems

Ron is an active member, advisor, and mentor to numerous organizations and educational institutions such as AGE-WELL NCE, Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) at Baycrest, City of Toronto's Seniors Strategy, SE Health (formerly known as Saint Elizabeth Health Care) and the Translational Research Program (TRP) at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine.

To learn more, please reach out to Ron.

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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About Our Guest

Laura Bowley is the Director of Communications & Development for To Whom I May Concern®, and a senior facilitator and trainer. Since 2012, Laura has collaborated with Maureen Matthews, blending participatory management, storytelling, and theatre to co-create narratives with individuals diagnosed with dementia. Inspired by her personal connection to the disease through her late mother who had vascular dementia, Laura supports others on similar journeys by engaging directly with those living with dementia.

Episode Key Messages

• Laura developed the "Caring Conversations" toolkit through her personal dementia connection, bridging communication gaps between families and care providers.
  
  
• "Conversation is at the heart of what we do" - TWIMC®'s approach focuses on transformative communication, shifting from talking about dementia as "it" to speaking in first person "I".
  
  
• TWIMC® operates through theatre performances, structured support groups, and enhanced relationships that develop narrative agency.
  
  
• Narrative Agency helps people with dementia reclaim their voice and identity when the disease strips away their stories.
  
  
• People with dementia want normal treatment, requiring patience for slower processing speeds, not simplified content.
  
  
• Sharing personal stories publicly transforms how participants perceive their dementia experience.
  
  
• Small actions like genuine smiles profoundly impact well-being and connection for people living with dementia.

Resources

• Laura's books for people in the later stages of dementia to read alone or with a care partner can be found at https://brightreads.ca/ and are available for sale on Amazon in both print and ebook.
• Narrative Agency & Dementia
• Research on Narrative Approaches in Dementia Care
• Contact Laura at [email protected] 
• More info: towhomimayconcern.org

About Laura's Experience

Laura has authored In My World, led support groups for care partners, guided peer-led support groups for people with dementia, and consulted with organizations like Dementia Alliance International. With a Bachelor of Business Management and as a 2015 Fellow of the School for Social Entrepreneurs, Laura brings over 30 years of consulting experience in business systems design, project management, communications, and facilitation to her role at To Whom I May Concern®.

Listen now to discover how narrative agency can transform the experience of living with dementia, both for individuals diagnosed and those who care for them.

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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When family voices fade into silence, irreplaceable stories disappear forever. Sean Daigle, founder of Memoria Films, shares why capturing video biographies is critical for family preservation—and why waiting could mean losing these precious memories permanently.

The Hidden Cost of Delayed Action

Sean's personal story illustrates a common regret: losing his grandmother at 16 without recording her memories. "I didn't realize the opportunity I missed until I was in my thirties," he reflects. As families move further away from one another and multi-generational living becomes rare, the natural flow of family storytelling has been disrupted.

Why Video Biography Outperforms Written Records

Video storytelling captures what written accounts cannot: vocal inflections, facial expressions, and emotional depth. "There's something about the voice that's so powerful," Sean explains, "and video is that on steroids." These visual and auditory elements preserve the full essence of family heritage.

The Human Touch in Story Preservation

While AI offers convenience, human connection creates the trust necessary for meaningful memory preservation. The empathetic presence of another person generates safe spaces where important stories emerge, providing therapeutic benefits while safeguarding family history for future generations.

Take Action Before It's Too Late

Whether through professional video biography services or simply recording conversations, the key is to start now. What family stories are you risking forever?

Connect with Sean: Instagram @memoriafilms | memoriafilms.com

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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The oldest Baby Boomers will turn 80 in just four years, yet most aren't preparing for aging. Why do we avoid these crucial conversations?

In this episode, I explore the gap between our aging reality and our readiness, drawing from research showing Baby Boomers' underestimated impact on society and healthcare. We'll discuss how stigma prevents preparation, the cost of not having these conversations, and why person-centred care approaches can help us feel more at ease with aging.

You'll learn:

• Why Baby Boomers aren't preparing for their care needs
• How person-centred conversations can break through aging stigma
• The importance of sharing what matters to you before you need care
• Tools to start meaningful conversations about aging and personhood

Perfect for healthcare providers, families, and anyone wanting to approach aging with intention and dignity.

Resources mentioned:

• Boomers' Readiness For Aging (Ontario Long Term Care Association)
• Person-Centred Care Guideline (Cancer Care Ontario)
• Capturing Essence digital story
• Conversation Q Cards and Personhood Template (Etsy Canada)

What is Person-Centred care and why is it important to understand?  Join me as I break down what this means and why it's so important to have meaningful conversations with the ones we love.

Links and resources mentioned:

• Boomers' Readiness For Aging (Ontario Long Term Care Association) 
• Person-Centred Care Guideline (Cancer Care Ontario)
• See my own digital story called:  Capturing Essence
• Conversation Q Cards on Etsy Canada
• Personhood Template on Etsy Canada

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

Show Notes

Kristy Wolfe is a digital storytelling facilitator and a Wolfe Pack Warrior. She believes there is beauty in every story and she champions real stories in marketing and communication. Kristy exposes the human side of any organization, with consideration for ethics in storytelling, as well as storyteller wellness every step of the way.

As a Common Language DST Certified Facilitator and Trainer, Kristy helps individuals and social purpose organizations share meaningful stories, turning their unique experiences into compelling narratives that inspire action.

Kristy shares some of her own lived experiences within the context of each workshop she facilitates to validate that authenticity, openness, and vulnerability are essential to creating meaningful digital stories.

Episode Key Messages

• Kristy shares about the podcast she hosts for Common Language DST called, Co-Created, where she takes you behind the scenes of digital storytelling. 
• How photography and storytelling helped Kristy when her son required them to spend time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
• Kristy explains how it helps to share her own story so other medical families know that she can relate and understand.  
• The four phases of DST:  finding the story, telling the story, crafting the story and sharing the story.
• The importance of ‘sharing the story’, enhancing storyteller wellbeing and different ways digital stories can be used.
• Kristy’s experience with helping her father-in-law share his life story and legacy of their business in 4-5 minutes.  (the digital story is called “Legacy”)
• Kristy mentions Guided Autobiography and her current interest in the Medical Assistance in Dying Digital Stories
• Discussion on how we share stories through voice, imagery, photography and environment.
• Kristy talks about the Common Language Story Slam and the video done to highlight McCormick Dementia Services, a non-profit organization in London, Ontario that provides compassionate care to the community.   The volunteer storyteller, Beth, will be on a future episode!

Other Links Mentioned

• Hugs n Bugs 
• Kristy's interview with Lisa on Co-Created
• Kristy's discussion with Maureen Leier (discussing Medical Assistance in Dying and other topics

Kristy's website: kristywolfestories.ca

Kristy's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kristy.wolfe

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.