When Bearing Witness®: Becoming a Trauma-Informed Storyteller

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As nonprofit storytellers, navigating the legal landscape of consent, privacy, and story ownership is daunting. 

In this episode of When Bearing Witness, we sit down with attorney Allie Levene to answer your most pressing questions about storytelling and the law.

What elements should a media consent form include to truly protect both the storyteller and the organization? What should we keep in mind if we want to compensate story contributors? What rights do storyowners have if they want to edit or retract their story after it’s been published?

Allie tackles these critical questions and more, offering practical advice to help nonprofit professionals navigate the complexities of trauma-informed storytelling.

Listen in for actionable steps you can take to safeguard your nonprofit and honor the rights of story owners.

About Allie Levene

Allie Levene is a lawyer who helps clients understand their legal obligations and options without all of the confusing legal jargon.

After building her career as both in-house and outside counsel for various Connecticut businesses, with a particular focus on small businesses and nonprofits, Levene founded her own practice, Levene Legal.

Her extensive experience in litigation and administrative proceedings, especially in employment, civil rights, and general liability matters, led her to recognize the critical importance of preventative legal services—a realization that became the cornerstone of her firm's mission. 

Connect with Levene

Levene Legal | 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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In this reflective solo episode kicking off season two of When Bearing Witness, Maria Bryan shares valuable insights gained from a transformative year of conversations about trauma-informed storytelling. 

Join us as we reflect on lessons from the past year and tackle big questions: How do we move beyond surface-level discussions to foster deeper action? What role does empathy play in overcoming resistance to new approaches? How can we navigate the guilt that accompanies unlearning harmful practices? 

Whether you're new to trauma-informed storytelling or a seasoned practitioner, this episode provides both validation and actionable insights for moving forward imperfectly but intentionally in this important work.

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 of When Bearing Witness, we talk with Kishshana Palmer, a dynamic international speaker, coach, and author, to discuss her new book, Busy Is a Four-Letter Word: A Guide to Achieving More by Doing Less. 

Kishshana’s candid insights offer a much-needed pause for nonprofit professionals and storytellers navigating the relentless demands of their work. We discuss the importance of slowing down to avoid burnout and maintain the authenticity and empathy necessary for impactful storytelling. 

Through actionable advice and relatable anecdotes, she illustrates how storytellers can challenge unrealistic expectations, push back against "always-on" culture, and focus on what truly matters—crafting stories with care and purpose.

Whether you’re in the early stages of burnout or striving to lead with your values, this conversation is an invitation to embrace balance in a fast-paced world.

About Kishshana

Kishshana Palmer is an international speaker, trainer, author, and coach with a 20+ year background in fundraising, marketing, and talent management who helps leaders create high-performing teams. She’s the CEO of ManageMint, Inc., an organizational development firm focused on helping everyday leaders live well and lead well. Her firm's work centers on equity and social justice and practical solutions for today’s organizations. 

Connect with Kishshana

Busy Is A Four Letter Word Book | Website | ManageMint

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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 sit down with Melissa Romero, Associate Director of Marketing at The Nature Conservancy, to explore the critical intersection of environmental advocacy and trauma-informed storytelling. We delve into how environmental and conservation challenges profoundly impact communities, revealing the human stories often hidden behind environmental issues.

Melissa sheds light on the often-overlooked trauma that environmental challenges can impose on people, from the devastating impacts of climate change to the displacement caused by conservation efforts. Her insights expose the deep human dimensions of environmental transformation.

We explore the delicate balance between communicating urgency and maintaining compassionate care in environmental communications—ensuring we motivate action without overwhelming or paralyzing our audience. 

Through her thoughtful perspective, Melissa illuminates a path toward more responsible and empathetic environmental storytelling.

About Melissa

Melissa Romero is an Associate Director of Marketing at The Nature Conservancy. She has had the honor of telling stories that drive change for good through various roles as a journalist, editor, and non-profit communications and marketing professional. Today, she continues to champion and practice ethical, trauma-informed, and values-based storytelling. 

Connect with Melissa 

LinkedIn | The Nature Conservancy

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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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, 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 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, 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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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.

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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, 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 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, 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, 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, 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 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, 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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