Transformative & Therapeutic Benefits of Digital Storytelling
In the latest episode of Co-Created , we delve into the transformative power of digital storytelling in healthcare and education. This enlightening discussion features special guests Pip Hardy, co-founder of the Patient Voices Program, Laura Mazzoli-Smith, an Associate Professor at Durham University, and Kate Thompson, an existential and journal therapist. Together, they explore how digital storytelling can foster therapeutic and educational benefits, reshaping narratives with compassion and empathy.
Digital storytelling is a compelling method that allows individuals to create short films about meaningful moments in their lives, using voiceover narration, personal images, and video editing techniques. This episode highlights the therapeutic potential of these digital narratives, emphasizing how they can recenter and reframe personal meaning through social connections. Pip Hardy's Patient Voices Program exemplifies this by creating compassionate healthcare narratives that humanize the patient experience and foster empathy among healthcare providers.
Laura brings an academic perspective to the discussion, sharing insights from her research at Durham University. Her work in the Narrative Practices Lab focuses on advancing narrative practices in education, highlighting the profound impact of digital storytelling as an educational tool. Laura's research underscores the depth of social learning facilitated by digital storytelling, revealing how it promotes interpersonal learning and group cohesion.
Kate offers a unique therapeutic perspective, drawing from her expertise in existential and journal therapy. She discusses how digital storytelling can serve as a form of group therapy, providing participants with a cathartic and healing experience. Kate's analysis of the therapeutic factors involved in digital storytelling aligns with Irvin Yalom's existential group therapy approach, highlighting the correlations between story circles and therapeutic groups.
The episode explores a recent study published in the journal Arts and Health, which examines the transformative and therapeutic benefits of digital storytelling. This study, conducted by Pip, Laura, and Kate, employs a phenomenological approach to capture the profound experiences of digital storytelling participants. By focusing on the lived experiences of individuals, the study provides rich, descriptive insights into how digital storytelling can facilitate personal growth and healing.
One of the key concepts is the concept of "lifeworlds," a phenomenological idea that emphasizes the holistic and interconnected nature of human experiences. By examining participants' experiences through the lens of life worlds, the study reveals the complex and multifaceted impact of digital storytelling on individuals' lives. This approach allows researchers to move beyond traditional thematic analysis, capturing the richness and depth of participants' experiences in a more nuanced and meaningful way.
The episode also touches on the educational impact of digital storytelling, highlighting its ability to foster deep social learning and powerful group experiences. Digital storytelling workshops often involve a story circle, where participants share their drafts and provide feedback to one another. This collaborative process not only enhances the quality of the digital stories but also creates a sense of community and shared purpose among participants.
Episode 22 Key Messages
Introduction to Digital Storytelling Research Publication 2:34
The focus of the episode is the recent publication of an article titled “Transformative and Therapeutic Benefits of Digital Storytelling: A Phenomenological Lifeworlds Study of Patient Voices Participant Experiences” in Arts and Health, an International Journal for Research Policy and Practice.
Phenomenological Approach to Digital Storytelling Research 3:38
Laura Mazzoli-Smith discusses the use of phenomenology in their research, emphasizing that it focuses on participants' lived experiences rather than objective observation. This approach aims to understand deeply personal and complex experiences of change through storytelling.
Cathartic and Therapeutic Nature of Digital Storytelling 4:52
Pip Hardy highlights how many participants have described the digital storytelling process as cathartic, therapeutic, and healing, both immediately after the workshop and even years later. The study explored whether these transformative benefits were sustained over time.
Social and Interpersonal Learning in Digital Storytelling 14:52
Laura Mazzoli-Smith talks about the tacit social learning that occurs through the digital storytelling process. While the story is personal, the group experience plays a crucial role in its development. This interpersonal learning is a powerful aspect of the storytelling process.
Digital Storytelling as a Therapeutic Process 19:21
Kate Thompson shares how, while digital storytelling is not considered formal therapy, it has profound therapeutic benefits. Facilitators often emphasize that they are not therapists, but participants frequently describe emotional changes and personal transformation after sharing their stories.
Future research plans and projects are also discussed, including the experiences of digital storytelling facilitators and the integration of writing into digital storytelling workshops. Register for the Narrative Practices Lab newsletter here. The episode highlights the importance of maintaining clear distinctions between therapeutic storytelling and conventional therapy, ensuring that participants receive the appropriate support and guidance throughout the process.
Listeners are encouraged to stay connected with the ongoing work of Pip, Laura, and Kate, as they continue to explore the transformative potential of digital storytelling. Upcoming events, such as the International Digital Storytelling Festival in Greece, provide opportunities for further engagement and collaboration within the digital storytelling community.
This episode of Co-Created offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the transformative and therapeutic benefits of digital storytelling. By bringing together diverse perspectives from healthcare, education, and therapy, the discussion highlights the power of compassionate narratives to shape the future of these fields. Whether you're a healthcare provider, educator, therapist, or simply someone interested in the power of stories, this episode provides valuable insights and inspiration for harnessing the potential of digital storytelling in your own work and life.
Looking Back
Common Language founder Mike Lang joins Co-Created host Kristy Wolfe for a look back at an earlier episode. This conversation was recorded about the Episode 8: Transforming Healthcare Narratives: The Impact of Digital Storytelling with guests Pip Hardy, Tony Sumner, Laura Mazzoli-Smith that went live on April 29th, 2024.
About Co-Created
Co-Created is a podcast that takes you behind the scenes of digital storytelling. On each episode, host Kristy Wolfe dives into conversations with the storytellers and facilitators who bring digital stories to life.
If this particular conversation resonated with you, tell a friend or a colleague about Co-Created or share one of the digital stories we were talking about. You can find the stories here.
Co-Created is presented by Common Language DST, digital storytelling facilitation training for health and wellness changemakers and is supported by the team at Snack Labs.
