Stories don’t just inform us, they reshape how we care. We sit down with Dr. Mike Lang to trace how a single digital story and grows into workshops, screenings, and a culture that centres lived experience in health and wellness. From young caregivers supporting parents with ALS to adults navigating head and neck cancer, Mike shows how these short, voice-driven films become practical tools that can be embedded right into education platforms.`Ready to be part of it? Submit a digital story to the Common Language Story Slam or purchase a ticket to join us in person or virtually on April 30, 2026.

About Our Guest

• Mike's recent digital storytelling workshops
• embedding digital stories into patient education for context and empathy
• "Like A Mountain" documentary on mindfulness for young caregivers
• benefits of repeat workshops and a growing storytelling culture
• Story Slam 2026 format, screenings, and livestream access
• on-stage conversations that deepen meaning and learning
• Common Language facilitator retreat to plan, reflect, and build skills
• Kitchen Table Nights, website resources, and training opportunities
• newsletter options for project updates and podcast releases

Other Links Mentioned

• Join us at the Story Slam on April 30th
• Submit your digital story
• Read this episode's blog post
• Watch the Story Slam 2025 sizzle reel
• Check out more of Mike Lang's work

About Our Guest

Mike Lang, PhD, is the Founder & Lead Trainer and Common Language DST. Mike’s career as a Digital Storytelling facilitator started with a cancer diagnosis at the age of 25. To help process his cancer experience he created his first film after finishing his treatments and in the past 11 years has directed and produced 4 feature length documentaries and three web-series, winning awards and recognitions along the way. In early 2011, Mike recognized that the process of creating a film, that was so therapeutic for him, could be possible for anyone in our digital age… and his interest in the process of “Digital Storytelling” was born. Beginning by working with cancer survivors and caregivers, Mike has personally facilitated the creation of over 900 Digital Stories around the world in the last 12 years. His projects are all health and wellness focused with many projects in public health, healthcare quality improvement, health professions education, health research, global health in addition to projects that are primarily for therapeutic benefit. Mike has authored academic publications on Digital Storytelling and completed his PhD at the University of Calgary, looking specifically at developing a rigorous Digital Storytelling Methodology in health and wellness contexts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.