By Maria Bryan
The When Bearing Witness podcast is an invitation to explore trauma-informed storytelling, a safe and healthy process of gathering and telling painful stories. Join my conversations with trauma-inf
... more
5
1212 ratings
The podcast currently has 25 episodes available.
Send us a text
Crisis journalist Àmáká Òkóyè has witnessed some of the most harrowing conflicts and atrocities in Nigeria’s recent history. And her commitment to elevating the human stories behind the headlines came at a heavy personal cost.
In this powerful episode, Àmáká bravely opens up about her mental health crisis after immersing herself in conflict reporting. Her story shines a much-needed light on the profound mental and emotional toll of bearing witness.
Àmáká's journey shows us the importance of storytellers prioritizing their own well-being, building strong support networks, and advocating for industry-wide changes to better protect the mental health of those on the frontlines. Her story is a crucial reminder that when we care for ourselves, we are better equipped to tell the stories that truly matter.
Content warning: In this episode, we'll be talking about details of the atrocities that Àmáká covers, as well as details of her mental health crisis. Be mindful of your emotional capacity while listening.
About Àmáká Òkóyè
Àmáká Òkóyè is a journalist covering all human angle stories, crises, and conflicts in volatile areas, including North East Nigeria. She is a storyteller, documentary producer, and anchor.
Connect with Àmáká Òkóyè
Podcast | LinkedIn | Instagram
About Host Maria Bryan
Maria Bryan is a trauma-informed storytelling trainer. She helps nonprofit leaders tell powerful and impactful stories that resist harm. Maria has over fifteen years in marketing communications in the public sector. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, and is professionally certified in Trauma & Resilience, Trauma-Informed Space Holding, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place.
Connect with Maria
Speaking & Training | LinkedIn | Email
Send us a text
In an era where social change often feels like one step forward and two back, this impactful conversation with "The Empathy Guy," Joseph Cope, offers a fresh perspective on how we can move the needle on significant social issues.
Thanks to Joseph, leaders around the country have begun to discover one of the keys to authentic human connection—the most unheralded of leadership superpowers—empathy.
For anyone who has ever felt frustrated by resistance to change in their organization or struggled to bridge the gap between different perspectives, this will provide you with supportive strategies to make change.
Through real-world examples and actionable insights, you'll discover how to transform challenging relationships with leadership, colleagues, and stakeholders into opportunities for meaningful connection and change.
About Joseph Cope
Joseph Cope is a keynote speaker, corporate workshop presenter, and empathy coach. Two decades of work with the world’s most misunderstood population, American teenagers, have helped this award-winning and former middle-school educator develop an empathy-driven and outside-the-box perspective that he shares with leaders who feel stuck with the status quo.
Connect With Joseph
Website | LinkedIn
About Host Maria Bryan
Maria Bryan is a trauma-informed storytelling trainer. She helps nonprofit leaders tell powerful and impactful stories that resist harm. Maria has over fifteen years in marketing communications in the public sector. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, and is professionally certified in Trauma & Resilience, Trauma-Informed Space Holding, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place.
Connect with Maria
Speaking & Training | LinkedIn | Email
Send us a text
Meenadchi is many things, including being a somatic healing practitioner, TEDx speaker, and communications expert whose work centers on social change and embodied transformation.
She also helps folks clear ancestral trauma to create intergenerational healing.
Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of generational healing, offering insights that could transform your perspective on personal growth and self-discovery.
The impact of understanding generational trauma extends far beyond individual growth. It plays a vital role in cultural healing, helping us comprehend the broader implications of collective trauma on communities and societies.
This understanding can be a catalyst for personal empowerment, showing how addressing generational wounds can lead to increased resilience, creativity, and joy in our lives.
Perhaps most surprisingly, exploring our ancestral past can contribute to our holistic well-being, revealing unexpected connections between historical experiences and our current physical, emotional, and mental health.
Uncover the profound impact of generational trauma and why it matters for personal and societal growth. This enlightening podcast episode explores the hidden threads that connect our past, present, and future, revealing how understanding ancestral wounds can be a key to unlocking our full potential.
Tune in to discover why understanding generational trauma isn't just about healing old wounds—it's about opening doors to new possibilities for ourselves and the world around us.
About Meenadchi
Meenadchi is a somatic healing practitioner, TEDx speaker, and communications expert whose work centers social change and embodied transformation. Using a blend of Family Constellation Therapy and Non-Violent Communication, Meenadchi supports individuals and changemakers in reconnecting with the intuitive wisdom of our bodies so that we can co-create intergenerational healing by changing the way we speak to ourselves, each other, and the universe. Meenadchi holds a clinical license in occupational therapy and has historically served communities impacted by gender-based violence, complex trauma, and serious mental illness. She is the author of Decolonizing Non-Violent Communication.
Connect with Meenadchi
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Workbook
About Host Maria Bryan
Maria Bryan is a trauma-informed storytelling trainer. She helps nonprofit leaders tell powerful and impactful stories that resist harm. Maria has over fifteen years in marketing communications in the public sector. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, and is professionally certified in Trauma & Resilience, Trauma-Informed Space Holding, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place.
Connect with Maria
Speaking & Training | LinkedIn | Email
Send us a text
In this episode, we sit down with Tiffany Yu, disability rights advocate and author of the groundbreaking new book The Anti-Ableist Manifesto, as she shares her journey from a childhood car accident to becoming a leading voice in disability inclusion.
For storytellers, content creators, and anyone looking to make their work more inclusive, this conversation is an essential guide to understanding how language shapes perception and how we can all contribute to building a more accessible world.
Through candid discussion and practical insights, Tiffany challenges us to move beyond outdated narratives and fear-based approaches to disability storytelling.
Don't miss this timely and transformative conversation that goes beyond mere political correctness to explore the heart of authentic, respectful storytelling. As Tiffany's new book launches, this episode provides a unique opportunity to learn from someone who has not only lived the experience but has dedicated her life to changing the narrative around disability.
About Tiffany Yu
Tiffany Yu is the CEO & Founder of Diversability, a 3x TEDx speaker, and the author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World. At the age of 9, Tiffany became disabled as a result of a car accident that also took the life of her father. As an adult, she started her career at Goldman Sachs before becoming a speaker and writer on disability. She has recently released her book, The Anti-Ableist Manifesto.
Connect with Tiffany Yu
The Anti-Ableist Manifesto Book | Website
About Host Maria Bryan
Maria Bryan is a trauma-informed storytelling trainer. She helps nonprofit leaders tell powerful and impactful stories that resist harm. Maria has over fifteen years in marketing communications in the public sector. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, and is professionally certified in Trauma & Resilience, Trauma-Informed Space Holding, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place.
Connect with Maria
Speaking & Training | LinkedIn | Email
Send us a text
In this episode, I sit down with Shulamit Ber Levtov, "The Entrepreneurs' Therapist," to address a critical issue in the nonprofit world: the mental health of storytellers who bear witness to challenging narratives.
In the nonprofit sector, many of us wear multiple hats - we're not just storytellers but also fundraisers, advocates, project managers, and more. This balancing act, coupled with the emotional weight of the stories we tell, can lead to a unique form of stress and burnout.
How do we continue to do impactful work without sacrificing our own well-being?
Shulamit brings us practical nervous system care techniques that can be implemented by anyone, regardless of their resources or position.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the stories you tell, struggled with the many roles you play in your organization, or simply want to proactively manage your mental well-being while continuing to make a difference, this conversation is for you.
Tune in for nervous system care insights that could transform how you approach your work and self-care in the world of nonprofit storytelling.
About Shulamit Ber Levtov
Shulamit Ber Levtov, MA, RSW, CCTP, CFSW is an award-winning business owner, speaker, and The Entrepreneurs' Therapist. Shulamit is working passionately to transform the entrepreneurial ecosystem to include founder mental health as a business priority. She also works 1:1 with women business owners to prevent burnout and preserve their peace of mind as they ride the emotional rollercoaster of running a business.
As a masters-level, licensed somatic trauma therapist and a trauma survivor herself, with certifications in Nonviolent Communication, Dare To Lead™, Trauma of Money and Financial Social Work, Shulamit brings a unique perspective and approach to supporting women in business.
Connect with Shulamit Ber Levtov
Website | Newsletter Signup | LinkedIn | Instagram
About Host Maria Bryan
Maria Bryan is a trauma-informed storytelling trainer. She helps nonprofit leaders tell powerful and impactful stories that resist harm. Maria has over fifteen years in marketing communications in the public sector. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, and is professionally certified in Trauma & Resilience, Trauma-Informed Space Holding, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place.
Connect with Maria
Speaking & Training | LinkedIn | Email
Send us a text
Join us as we explore the complex world of human trafficking storytelling with Matthew Fairfax, co-founder of the Justice and Soul Foundation.
Content warning: This episode discusses sex trafficking and sexual violence. Please be mindful of your emotional capacity while listening.
Matthew's journey from salon owner to advocate is both surprising and inspiring. His organization is dedicated to empowering survivors and at-risk youth through professional cosmetology training, offering them a path to self-sufficiency and renewed confidence.
In this episode, we'll explore how Matthew's experiences in Cambodia transformed his mission and shaped his approach to advocacy. We'll examine the delicate balance between creating impactful stories and avoiding harmful sensationalism when advocating against human trafficking.
Listen to gain insights into how we can all contribute to a more responsible and compassionate dialogue around human trafficking.
About Matthew Fairfax
Matthew Fairfax is the President/CEO of James Alan Salon & Spa in Seattle and co-founder of the Justice and Soul Foundation. In 2012, he and his colleague, Lauren Ebright, co-founded the Justice and Soul Foundation, and in 2013, Matthew sold all his belongings and moved to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He now oversees both a salon and academy in Cambodia, along with the Justice and Soul Foundation in Seattle. Matthew recently returned to Seattle to implement a similar program for at-risk youth and survivors in the Pacific Northwest.
Connect with Matthew
Learn More About Justice & Soul | Facebook | Instagram
About Host Maria Bryan
Maria Bryan is a trauma-informed storytelling trainer. She helps nonprofit leaders tell powerful and impactful stories that resist harm. Maria has over fifteen years in marketing communications in the public sector. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, and is professionally certified in Trauma & Resilience, Trauma-Informed Space Holding, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place.
Connect with Maria
Speaking & Training | LinkedIn | Email
Send us a text
In this episode
Imagine if story gathering wasn't just about words on a page or voice-to-voice.
What if we could capture narratives through the stroke of a paintbrush, the sculpting of clay, or the graceful movements of dance?
In this fascinating episode, we dive into this very realm with Madeleine St. John, whose vocation spans from nonprofit communications, philanthropy, community engagement, and expressive arts therapy.
Madeleine introduces us to the forward-thinking concept of sensory story gathering, where all our senses come into play to share and understand human experiences. She shares practical insights on how organizations can incorporate art, movement, and other creative techniques to uncover richer, more nuanced narratives.
Multisensory storytelling is a powerful alternative way for nonprofits to connect with communities, especially those who've faced trauma or struggle with traditional forms of expression.
We explore how this multisensory approach allows story owners to share on their own terms.
About Madeleine St. John
Madeleine’s vocation spans nonprofit communications, philanthropy, community engagement, and expressive arts therapy. She’ll be guiding us through Integrating the Senses into your Storytelling Process—from collection to self-care to community care to the share.
Connect with Madeleine St. John
Website | LinkedIn
About Host Maria Bryan
Maria Bryan is a trauma-informed storytelling trainer. She helps nonprofit leaders tell powerful and impactful stories that resist harm. Maria has over fifteen years in marketing communications in the public sector. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, and is professionally certified in Trauma & Resilience, Trauma-Informed Space Holding, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place.
Connect with Maria
Speaking & Training | LinkedIn | Email
Send us a text
In this episode
In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Janelle Suzanne, the managing partner and chief marketing officer at Louder Agency. Janelle and I take on the complex topic of youth-centered storytelling, offering valuable insights into the delicate balance between sharing impactful narratives and protecting vulnerable children.
Our discussion begins by exploring the nuances of storytelling for young people in challenging circumstances, with a particular focus on children in foster care. Janelle advocates for a paradigm shift in traditional storytelling approaches, encouraging a move away from sensationalism towards more empowering methods that preserve dignity. She provides practical strategies for protecting children's identities while still conveying powerful stories that resonate with audiences.
Throughout our conversation, Janelle's passion for ethical storytelling shines through. She's on a mission to change how we talk about young people, focusing on their strengths and potential rather than just their struggles. Whether you're in youth advocacy and services, this episode is for you.
About Janelle Suzanne
With nearly two decades of experience in messaging, marketing, and philanthropy, Janelle Suzanne is dedicated to amplifying the impact of organizations. As the Managing Partner and Chief Marketing Officer of Louder Agency, she specializes in crafting digital strategies and messaging that elevate nonprofits and purposeful brands.
Connect with Janelle Suzanne
Louder Agency | Nonprofit Amplifier | LinkedIn | Braid Mission Case Story
About Host Maria Bryan
Maria Bryan is a trauma-informed storytelling trainer. She helps nonprofit leaders tell powerful and impactful stories that resist harm. Maria has over fifteen years in marketing communications in the public sector. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, and is professionally certified in Trauma & Resilience, Trauma-Informed Space Holding, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place.
Connect with Maria
Speaking & Training | LinkedIn | Email
Send us a text
In this powerful episode, former public defender Sy Hoekstra shares his experiences working in family court, shedding light on the often-overlooked challenges within the child welfare system.
A system where both families and public defenders have no choice but to tell incredibly traumatic stories.
Content Warning: Sy describes the traumatic impact of investigations on families, particularly on families of color. So, we'll be talking about systematic racism at play. Be mindful of your emotional capacity as you listen in.
Expect to gain eye-opening insights into the complexities of family court, the power dynamics at play, and the lasting impact on all involved. This episode covers the intersection of law, social services, and systemic inequalities, challenging listeners to reconsider their assumptions about family welfare and public defense.
It also sheds light on the beautiful power of storytelling and advocacy during the most traumatic seasons of people’s lives.
Hoekstra's personal journey from public defense to burnout, as well as his current work, demonstrates how these experiences continue to shape his advocacy for marginalized voices and social justice.
About Sy Hoekstra
Sy is a founding partner of the faith-based media and publishing company, KTF Press. He is also an attorney who has worked in the federal court system and as a public defender in New York City's child welfare system. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and daughter.
Connect Sy Hoekstra
KTF Press | KTF Press IG
About Host Maria Bryan
Maria Bryan is a trauma-informed storytelling trainer. She helps nonprofit leaders tell powerful and impactful stories that resist harm. Maria has over fifteen years in marketing communications in the public sector. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, and is professionally certified in Trauma & Resilience, Trauma-Informed Space Holding, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place.
Connect with Maria
Speaking & Training | LinkedIn | Email
Send us a text
Are you ready for a masterclass in trauma-informed space holding?
In this episode of When Bearing Witness, we are joined by Frank Velásquez Jr., founder of 4 the Hood and creator of the Ascending Leaders in Color Fellowship program.
Frank pulls back the curtain on how he creates protected spaces for leaders of color to connect, grow, and authentically express themselves without filters. We also discussed the crucial need for these spaces, given the historical lack of representation in leadership roles and the challenges people of color face in predominantly white workplaces.
About Frank Velásquez Jr.
Meet Frank Velásquez Jr.: Storyteller Extraordinaire, Social Justice Warrior, and Community Trailblazer. With a heart as big as his vision, Frank dances on the frontlines of change, armed with an unshakeable belief in racial and gender equity. As the founder of 4 Da Hood and the mastermind behind the Ascending Leaders in Color Fellowship program, Frank is forging paths for people of color to lead with authenticity, courage, and joy! For Frank, advancing equity isn't just a job—it's a movement toward building generational wealth for communities of color!
Connect with Frank Velásquez Jr.
4 Da Hood | Ascending Leaders in Color Fellowship program| LinkedIn | Instagram
About Host Maria Bryan
Maria Bryan is a trauma-informed storytelling trainer. She helps nonprofit leaders tell powerful and impactful stories that resist harm. Maria has over fifteen years in marketing communications in the public sector. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, and is professionally certified in Trauma & Resilience, Trauma-Informed Space Holding, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place.
Connect with Maria
Speaking & Training | LinkedIn | Email
The podcast currently has 25 episodes available.
56,970 Listeners