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When Bearing Witness®: Becoming a Trauma-Informed Storyteller
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-informed experts and fellow social-good storytellers as we help shape the intersection of trauma-informed care and the storytelling process.
Stories are sacred, and we can create a safe space to tell and share them.
Episodes
33 episodes
Dismantling the White Coat: Reshaping Mental Health Care with Dr. Neeru Bakshi
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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26:51
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The Evolution of Ethical Storytelling with Carly Euler
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 a...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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34:02
Breaking the Invisibility Tax: The Science Behind Who Gets Heard with Chloé Nwangwu
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 groundbreakin...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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27:22
Ethical Calls to Action: Moving Beyond Manipulation in Nonprofit Storytelling
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 c...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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19:27
Can You Tell This Story? Legal Considerations with Attorney Allie Levene
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 qu...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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32:46
Lessons Learned in Trauma-Informed Storytelling: Reflections for 2025
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 les...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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18:11
Finding Balance and Joy in Nonprofit Storytelling with Kishshana Palmer
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 ca...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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26:19
Humanizing Environmental and Conservation Justice with Melissa Romero
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 co...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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24:04
The Realities of Storyteller Vicarious Trauma with Àmáká Òkóyè
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 th...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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22:06
Using Empathy to Foster Social Impact with Joseph Cope
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 t...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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31:09
Exploring Ancestral Trauma with Meenadchi
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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26:53
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Becoming an Anti-Ableist Storyteller with Tiffany Yu
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 disab...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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28:03
Rx for Storyteller Wellness with Therapist Shulamit Ber Levtov
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 secto...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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32:13
Beyond Sensationalism: Navigating Human Trafficking Stories with Matthew Fairfax
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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40:12
Sensory Story Gathering with Madeleine St. John
In this episodeImagine 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 move...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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27:25
Safely Telling Youth-Centered Stories with Janelle Suzanne
In this episodeIn 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 storytelli...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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38:49
Painful Stories in Public Defense with Sy Hoekstra
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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41:04
Creating Trauma-Informed Spaces with Frank Velásquez Jr.
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 A...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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26:39
Lessons From a Social Justice-Driven Oral Historian with Cliff Mayotte
Cliff Mayotte, a seasoned oral historian and co-author of the book Say It Forward: A Guide to Social Justice Storytelling shares invaluable insights from his experiences as a social justice-centered storyteller. Cliff's journey began w...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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33:05
Building an Inclusive and Values-Driven Brand with Crystal Whiteaker
In this episode, Crystal Whitaker, an inclusive branding and leadership development consultant, shares her insights on creating authentic, values-driven brands that foster a sense of belonging. Crystal delves into the fine line betw...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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23:34
Overcoming Fundraiser Fatigue with Micah James
Fundraising is a calling fueled by a passion for important causes. However, the weight of connecting resources to meet overwhelming needs can lead to burnout for even the most dedicated fundraisers. In this candid discussion, veteran fundraiser...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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25:34
Exploring Storyteller Self-Care with Liz Jackson
As a development director at NAMI, Liz Jackson is immersed in the powerful and often painful stories of those impacted by mental illness. In this episode, she shares her journey of learning the critical importance of self-care for storytellers ...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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28:37
Emotionally Health Activism with Jonathan Walton
In the first episode of our special series on mental health in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we discuss maintaining emotional health while continuing your activism. Many activists burn out quickly due to compassion fatigue, secondary ...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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35:08
Body Scan Meditation for Storyteller Wellness With Carol Flanagan
Carol will guide us through a 20-minute body scan meditation. The body scan is a practice of systematically bringing gentle attention to each part of the body. It helps us become more present and aware of the physical sensations we ...
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19:02
Human-Centered AI and Data with Meena Das
AI has seemed to blow in like a tornado this past year. The rapid development of AI has brought both excitement and concerns around potential biases and inequities. In this episode, data equity expert Meena discusses why we need to ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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33:16
