When Bearing Witness®: Becoming a Trauma-Informed Storyteller

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How do we communicate with care when marketing and fundraising often rely on urgency and pressure? 

Today’s guest brings a thoughtful lens to one of the most overlooked areas in nonprofit storytelling: the words we choose and how they land. Stephanie Bilinsky is a trauma-informed copywriter who helps ethical entrepreneurs and organizations connect with their audiences through intentional, human-centered messaging.

In this conversation, we explore how trauma-informed storytelling practices can strengthen nonprofit leadership and communication ethics. Stephanie unpacks common copywriting tactics that unintentionally harm audiences, like scarcity, urgency, and pain-point marketing, and offers nonprofit marketing strategies rooted in clarity, choice, and consent. 

About Stephanie Bilinsky

Stephanie is a trauma-informed copywriter for ethical entrepreneurs. She connects business owners with their dream clients through intentional, human-centered messaging.

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Brandcendent.com | 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, Trauma-Informed Coaching, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place. 

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What does it mean to lead with care when everything feels like it’s on fire? 

Today’s guest brings clarity to one of the most important tools we have in times of crisis: storytelling. Catherine Alonzo is a strategist, storyteller, and CEO of Javelina, a branding and marketing agency helping purpose-driven organizations deepen their social impact. From minimum wage to marriage equality to climate justice, Catherine has helped shape the messages behind some of the most influential movements of our time.

In this episode, we explore trauma-informed storytelling as a vital piece of nonprofit communication ethics. 

Catherine shares insights from her guide, A Guide to Effective Storytelling During a Crisis, including how to balance urgency with humanity, what it means to communicate with clarity during chaos, and how a simple decision tree can help nonprofit leaders speak out with intention. 

About Catherine Alonzo

Catherine Alonzo is on a mission to deepen the social impact of purpose-driven, values-aligned changemakers. She does this through her work with Javelina, a branding and marketing agency that helps social change organizations tell a powerful story that moves their target audiences to action, and through her consulting practice, in which she teaches teams a value-based approach to decision making, team building, storytelling, and leadership so that they can advance their community impact.

Recognized for her business leadership by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Business Magazine, Arizona Big Media, and the Phoenix Business Journal, Catherine has been a part of some of the most influential change movements of our time, including increasing minimum wages, advancing marriage equality, widening transportation networks, preserving our climate and environment, and protecting abortion rights.

Connect with Catherine Alonzo

 Effective Storytelling During a Crisis | Javelina.co | Catherinealonzo.com 

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, Trauma-Informed Coaching, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place. 

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In This Episode

What if ethical transformation in the nonprofit sector doesn't start with policy, but with people? 

In this episode, Maria Bryan is joined by Diana Farias Heinrich, founder of the Ethical Nonprofit Summit, to explore how courage, connection, and accountability can reshape the way we fundraise, communicate, and lead.

This conversation isn't a checklist of best practices. It's a powerful reflection on what happens when we acknowledge our past harm, choose integrity over fear, and build spaces that remind us we are not alone in this work.

About Diana Farias Heinrich

Diana Farias Heinrich (she/her) is the CEO of Habrá Marketing and a champion of ethical nonprofit storytelling. Through her Equastory™ framework and The Ethical Nonprofit Summit, she actively safeguards equality, respect, and dignity in nonprofit communications while helping organizations raise funds with integrity. She's a certified Advocate for Survivors of Domestic Violence and for DEI in the Workplace. 

Get Your Ethical Nonprofit Tix!

Go to EthicalNonprofitSummit.com and use code WITNESS20 for $20 off

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, Trauma-Informed Coaching, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place. 

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Content warnings have long been treated as mere disclaimers—brief nods to potential triggers without much thought to their real impact. 

But what if they could do more? Rachel Edwards believes they can. 

As a senior content designer at Content Design London and the creator of the book Designed with Care: Creating Trauma-Informed Content, Rachel brings together voices from health, government, and nonprofit sectors to explore how words can support those experiencing trauma. Her book is a groundbreaking resource for anyone looking to communicate with empathy and intention.

In our conversation, Rachel unpacks the limitations of traditional content warnings and explains how to transform them into tools of empowerment and choice. We also explore the inspiration behind Designed with Care and the collaborative effort that brought its pages to life. 

With practical insights on trauma-informed design, Rachel shares how simple shifts in language can make information more accessible and less retraumatizing. Join us as we dig into the principles of trauma-informed design and discover how content warnings can move beyond disclaimers to become instruments of real safety and empowerment.

About Rachel Edwards

From dabbling in food writing to working as a librarian, Rachel has spent the best part of 2 decades working with words. As a content designer she has worked extensively with parliament, and government, helping people understand their rights. Her interest is how to create better content for people experiencing stress, anxiety and trauma. Originally from Canada, Rachel now lives in Scotland with her 2 children.

Connect with Rachel Edwards

Designed With Care | Linkedin | Get the Book

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, Trauma-Informed Coaching, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place. 

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In this episode, we explore how purpose, clarity, and sustainability can shape the way we show up as nonprofit storytellers and marketers. Our guest, Quinn Tempest, is a business and brand strategist and the founder of Create Your Purpose®, a movement that empowers women entrepreneurs to build meaningful, sustainable businesses without sacrificing what matters most.

Through Quinn’s lens of purpose-driven marketing and her concept of “gentle consistency,” we reflect on what it means to communicate with intention—especially in a culture that often rewards hustle and scarcity. Together, we dig into how to resist burnout, market without manipulation, and stay connected to your values in both message and method.

Whether you're navigating nonprofit communications, content strategy, or your own trauma-informed storytelling practice, this conversation is a powerful reminder that sustainability and integrity are not at odds—they're essential partners in storytelling for social impact.

About Quinn Tempest

Quinn Tempest is a business + brand strategist and the founder of Create Your Purpose®, a movement empowering women entrepreneurs to build meaningful, sustainable businesses without sacrificing what matters most. Through her community, strategic resources, and thought leadership, she helps women redefine success—trading burnout and busywork for businesses that fuel their purpose, well-being, and impact. At the heart of her work is a deep belief in reclaiming agency—not just in business, but in how we shape our time, our stories, and our lives.

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QuinnTempest.com | Instagram | Create Your Purpose Quiz

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, Trauma-Informed Coaching, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place. 

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In this episode, we navigate how nonprofit leaders can speak up with courage during politically divided times. Our guest today, Vu Le, a bold voice in the nonprofit sector, combines humor with unflinching honesty to challenge systemic issues. 

In this candid and vulnerable conversation, we'll explore the real costs and consequences of speaking truth to power, the responsibilities that come with privilege, and practical approaches to communicating during politically divided times. Vu shares insights on balancing organizational survival with moral imperatives and offers guidance for nonprofit leaders wrestling with when to speak up and when to step back. 

Get ready for a conversation that's as thought-provoking as it is timely—because the stakes have never been higher for nonprofits navigating today's complex political landscape.

About Vu Le

Rabblerouser Vu writes the blog nonprofitAF.com. He has led two nonprofits and is involved in several movements including Crappy Funding Practices and Community-Centric Fundraising.

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Nonprofitaf.com | Bluesky 

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, Trauma-Informed Coaching, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place. 

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In this eye-opening episode, Maria talks with Dr. Neeru Bakshi, a psychiatrist who's shaking things up in mental healthcare. Neeru, a South Asian woman, works in a field dominated by Western viewpoints. She offers insights on why diverse voices in leadership roles matter for mental health care.

Neeru shares stories of questioning the system, from asking why certain patients were turned away to challenging culturally limited approaches to treatment. Her candid observations reveal how even well-intentioned care can miss the mark when cultural context is overlooked.

This episode offers real hope for change beyond spotlighting the cracks in the system. 

Neeru walks us through practical ways to transform mental healthcare, from diversifying research participants to rethinking education for future practitioners. For anyone who cares about honest storytelling and inclusive healing spaces, this conversation demonstrates how bringing different perspectives to the table creates care where folks feel truly understood and respected.

About Dr. Neeru Bakshi

Neeru Bakshi is a board-certified psychiatrist with expertise and passion in antiracist mental health care and eating disorders. Dr. Neeru Bakshi has dedicated her career to addressing the amplified stigma and barriers to care that exist within the South Asian community. Her mission is to center women of color in leadership and create more accessible, culturally responsive mental healthcare.

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LinkedIn | Instagram | Threads

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, Trauma-Informed Coaching, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place. 

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Join Maria Bryan and Carly Euler, Marketing Director at MemoryFox, to explore the insights from the hot-off-the-press 2024 Ethical Storytelling Report. 

As nonprofits navigate the delicate balance between sharing compelling stories and respecting the dignity of those they serve, this conversation takes a deep dive into the evolving landscape of ethical storytelling practices in the nonprofit sector.

Carly reveals the fascinating gap between what nonprofit professionals believe about ethical storytelling and what's actually happening in practice. You'll hear inspiring success stories—including an organization that exceeded fundraising goals by 75% through strength-based storytelling! 

Storytelling ethics is a journey, not a destination. There aren’t always clear “right” or “wrong” answers. Listen in as Carly invites us to join the MemoryFox campfire to learn how to tell great stories ethically and authentically. 

About Carly Euler
After nearly 10 years in the nonprofit world, Carly joined MemoryFox ready to elevate the hundreds of nonprofits in the community by telling stories ethically and authentically. Carly is the creator of the 2024 Ethical Storytelling Report, and has previously held positions at the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, the Wily Network, and the Code of Support Foundation, where she has specialized in special events, communications, and fundraising. Storytelling has been an integral part of each role.

Connect with MemoryFox

Download the 2024 Ethical Storytelling Report | Learn more about MemoryFox

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, Trauma-Informed Coaching, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place. 

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When brand scientist Chloé Nwangwu discovered that crucial Yemen voices were excluded from peace talks during its civil war, she realized something profound: brands teach others how to treat you. This revelation led her to develop groundbreaking research on what she calls the "invisibility tax" - the hidden costs that under-recognized groups must pay to gain visibility in spaces where decisions are made.

In this episode, Chloé illuminates how visibility biases shape whose voices are heard in critical conversations. Through the lens of behavioral science, she explains how these biases manifest in systematic ways, from the "racial attention deficit" to the "ambition penalty," creating barriers that keep vital perspectives out of influential spaces. 

For nonprofit storytellers, her insights reveal how unconscious biases might be influencing which stories we choose to amplify and which remain in the shadows.

Chloé challenges listeners to examine their role in what she calls the "ecosystem of influence," particularly those who serve as gatekeepers in the nonprofit sector. She argues that true recognition equity requires more than passive awareness - it demands active participation in seeking out under-recognized voices and ideas. 

This conversation isn't just about making space at the table. It's about understanding how our choices as storytellers and marketers can either perpetuate or help dismantle systemic barriers to visibility.

About Chloé Nwangwu

Chloé Nwangwu, the Brand Scientist, is the director of NobiWorks, a brand visibility consultancy rooted in behavioral science. She equips underrecognized brands with visibility strategies and systems scientifically formulated to help them neutralize visibility biases while commanding — and keeping— attention in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Most recently, she advised the first refugee delegation to the UN.

Connect with Chloé

NobiWorks Resource Page | Instagram | 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, Trauma-Informed Coaching, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place. 

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Gone are the days of guilt-driven appeals and false urgency in nonprofit marketing. In 2025, we are embracing trauma-informed storytelling that empowers, not exploits. In this episode, we unpack why ethical calls to action matter and how they can inspire meaningful engagement without manipulating emotions.

We explore the harm caused by donor saviorism, shame-based giving, and misleading urgency—and offer practical ways to reframe your nonprofit’s messaging to honor the agency of your community while building authentic donor relationships. It’s time to rethink outdated CTAs and invite people into a movement, not a rescue mission.

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, Trauma-Informed Coaching, and Somatic Embodiment & Regulation. Maria is a firm believer that storytellers make the world a healthier, safer, cleaner, and happier place. 

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