Trauma-Informed Storytelling for Nonprofits: Promote Safety & Resist Harm with Maria Bryan
Oct 15, 2024
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Maria Bryan, a dedicated storyteller and trauma-informed storytelling trainer, shares her insights on ethical storytelling practices. She emphasizes the importance of consent and emotional readiness when sharing sensitive narratives. Maria offers practical tips for conducting interviews with care, including harm repair plans and grounding techniques. Additionally, she highlights the need for self-care among storytellers and discusses how to navigate the challenges of sharing trauma-related stories with grace and sensitivity.
Trauma-informed storytelling emphasizes the necessity of consent and emotional readiness for both storytellers and audiences, creating safe environments.
Establishing a harm repair plan is essential for ethically addressing missteps in storytelling and prioritizing the emotional well-being of all involved.
Deep dives
Understanding Trauma-Informed Storytelling
Trauma-informed storytelling is a method of gathering and presenting sensitive narratives while prioritizing the safety of the individuals involved. It requires storytellers to be mindful of the emotional state and readiness of those whose stories are being told, as not all individuals may feel prepared to share. Consent plays a crucial role in this process, involving not just permission to tell the story but also understanding the extent of what will be shared, how it will be used, and the options for retracting the story in the future. This approach emphasizes the importance of creating a respectful environment that minimizes the risk of re-traumatization, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of trauma in storytelling practices.
Phases of the Storytelling Process
The storytelling process can be broken down into three key phases: gathering, crafting, and distributing stories. During the gathering phase, determining the story owner's emotional readiness is essential, followed by obtaining comprehensive consent that encompasses not only sharing but also the specifics of the narrative. In the crafting stage, storytellers must be cautious in their wording and avoid graphic details that could provoke distress while still conveying the essence of the shared experience. The distribution phase demands ongoing consent and awareness of how the story is shared publicly, ensuring that the storytellers maintain control over their narratives and can manage any potential fallout.
Addressing Ethical Considerations in Storytelling
Storytellers must navigate several ethical considerations, including the impact of audio-visual elements on an audience's perception of the story. Choices regarding sound and imagery can either enhance or detract from the dignity of the narrative, necessitating a thoughtful selection process. Additionally, integrating audience comfort is vital; for instance, providing opportunities for audience members to step away during sensitive content can help mitigate discomfort. A proactive approach to balancing storytelling with sensitivity fosters a more inclusive atmosphere and respects the diverse experiences of all attendees.
Creating a Harm Repair Plan
Establishing a harm repair plan is crucial for organizations engaging in trauma-informed storytelling to address any potential missteps. This plan should outline a process for acknowledging harm, pausing for reflection, offering apologies, and instituting reparative actions that may involve the affected individuals. It is important to approach feedback with openness rather than defensiveness, ensuring that decisions are made with care and consideration of how to prevent similar incidents in the future. Finally, organizations must prioritize the emotional well-being of their team following such incidents, reinforcing the commitment to both ethical storytelling practices and personal well-being.
Are you inspiring or traumatizing donors and supporters? Storytelling is a powerful tool for nonprofits, but how can it be done ethically and with care? In this episode, Maria Bryan, a trauma-informed storytelling expert, shares actionable strategies for gathering, crafting, and distributing stories in ways that promote safety, resist harm, and maintain dignity.
Maria Bryan delivers practical insights into ethical storytelling that respects both story owners and audiences.
Trauma-Informed Storytelling for Nonprofits – The Highlights:
What's trauma-informed storytelling? And why it matters for nonprofits.
Explore the three phases of storytelling: gathering, crafting, and distributing.
Discover how to ensure consent throughout the storytelling process, including setting expiration dates for shared stories.
Gain tips for crafting respectful and strengths-based stories while avoiding re-traumatization.
Understand the impact of multimedia elements like sounds and imagery on audiences and story owners.
Learn how to create a harm repair plan for when mistakes happen.
Practical advice for nonprofit marketers, fundraisers, and communicators working with sensitive stories.
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About Maria Bryan:
Maria helps changemakers tell impactful stories that resist harm by speaking about trauma-informed storytelling. She provides interactive virtual or in-person training for conferences, summits, retreats, or teams and members. Storytellers will feel equipped with actionable insights and resources grounded in kindness and empathy.
Actionable Tips for Nonprofits:
Create a harm repair plan: Always have a plan in place to address. Include steps for pausing, apologizing, and collaborating on next steps.
Use grounding techniques: During difficult interviews, use sensory objects or boundaries to help regulate emotions and maintain composure.
Incorporate breaks: Schedule time for breaks during emotionally intense interviews to process emotions and give yourself space to reset.
