If you’re a parent navigating loss, a health professional seeking empathy-building tools, or a changemaker curious about narrative practices, you’ll find practical insights on peer support, ritual, and the craft of story in our conversation with Gillian Hatto. Gillian is mom to Hazel, Elliot, Lily, and Olive and she opens up about how sudden child loss upended her world and how she found her way to community and purpose. She shares the origin of Hazel’s Heroes, a free Alberta retreat for bereaved parents. We also open the door on digital storytelling: how a guided workshop, a story circle, and careful editing help distill a life-altering experience into a two-to-four minute film. Gillian describes the nerves of drafting, the surprise of supportive feedback, and the power of pairing voice with images to say what words alone can’t. These personal films now live on websites and in small gatherings, helping families explain the why behind their work and giving clinicians and communities a tool to listen better.

Episode Key Messages

• defining SIDS and the shift to undetermined terminology

• founding Hazel’s Heroes and designing an annual retreat

• how peer support reduces isolation and builds language for grief

• the digital storytelling process from draft to story circle to edit

• using short films as advocacy, education and legacy

• carrying grief and joy at the same time

• the ladybug symbol as a living thread to memory

• links to SIDS Calgary Society and Hazel’s Heroes for support

Other Links Mentioned

• Watch Gillian’s digital story
• Read this episode's blog post

About Our Guest

Gillian Hatto is mother to Hazel, Elliott, Lily, and Olive. She holds two of her children in her arms, and two of her children in her heart. Gillian is the founder of Hazel’s Heroes, a non-profit society that hosts annual retreats for mothers who are grieving the loss of a young child. She is also the Vice-Chair of SIDS Calgary Society. Gillian has found so much healing through the relationships she has made with other grieving parents, as they are the only ones who truly ‘get it’ and that inspired her to create a space for other bereaved mothers to feel supported and understood. When Gillian is not planning for an upcoming retreat or fundraiser, she is working as a Learning Support Teacher for students with disabilities in an elementary school. She can also be found walking her gentle giant, Maigs, or snuggling on the couch with her earth-side children, Elliott and Olive.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stories don’t just inform us, they reshape how we care. We sit down with Dr. Mike Lang to trace how a single digital story and grows into workshops, screenings, and a culture that centres lived experience in health and wellness. From young caregivers supporting parents with ALS to adults navigating head and neck cancer, Mike shows how these short, voice-driven films become practical tools that can be embedded right into education platforms.`Ready to be part of it? Submit a digital story to the Common Language Story Slam or purchase a ticket to join us in person or virtually on April 30, 2026.

About Our Guest

• Mike's recent digital storytelling workshops
• embedding digital stories into patient education for context and empathy
• "Like A Mountain" documentary on mindfulness for young caregivers
• benefits of repeat workshops and a growing storytelling culture
• Story Slam 2026 format, screenings, and livestream access
• on-stage conversations that deepen meaning and learning
• Common Language facilitator retreat to plan, reflect, and build skills
• Kitchen Table Nights, website resources, and training opportunities
• newsletter options for project updates and podcast releases

Other Links Mentioned

• Join us at the Story Slam on April 30th
• Submit your digital story
• Read this episode's blog post
• Watch the Story Slam 2025 sizzle reel
• Check out more of Mike Lang's work

About Our Guest

Mike Lang, PhD, is the Founder & Lead Trainer and Common Language DST. Mike’s career as a Digital Storytelling facilitator started with a cancer diagnosis at the age of 25. To help process his cancer experience he created his first film after finishing his treatments and in the past 11 years has directed and produced 4 feature length documentaries and three web-series, winning awards and recognitions along the way. In early 2011, Mike recognized that the process of creating a film, that was so therapeutic for him, could be possible for anyone in our digital age… and his interest in the process of “Digital Storytelling” was born. Beginning by working with cancer survivors and caregivers, Mike has personally facilitated the creation of over 900 Digital Stories around the world in the last 12 years. His projects are all health and wellness focused with many projects in public health, healthcare quality improvement, health professions education, health research, global health in addition to projects that are primarily for therapeutic benefit. Mike has authored academic publications on Digital Storytelling and completed his PhD at the University of Calgary, looking specifically at developing a rigorous Digital Storytelling Methodology in health and wellness contexts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heather Alicia Knox combines her skills as a photographer, writer, and digital storytelling facilitator to help people capture their most meaningful moments and share them with the world. Her journey reveals how storytelling methodologies can complement each other beautifully. Trained as a Common Language DST facilitator and a Guided Autobiography instructor, Heather now helps people transform their written reflections into powerful short films. She discusses her work with various communities including expats, individuals with cognitive changes, and their care partners.

Episode Key Messages

• Trained as a guided autobiography instructor and now teaches with her husband Greg
• Created "From Page to Screen" program that helps people transform written stories into digital stories
• Works with "To Whom I May Concern" creating reader's theatre productions about cognitive changes
• Planning a human interest film festival in Ajijic to showcase digital stories
• Now focusing on legacy stories, tributes, and end-of-life narratives
• Works virtually with clients around the world
• Launched her new website at aliciaknox.com

Other Links Mentioned

• Watch a digital stories Heather has co-created
• Read this episode's blog post
• Check out Heather's photography and storytelling services
• Listen to the Capturing Essence for Care podcast episode with Heather
• Register for the Sayulita writing retreat

About Our Guest

Heather Alicia Knox has over thirty years experience working in the non-profit sector. Her work has included international, arts and educational organizations. Throughout her career as a non-profit leader, Heather discovered the transformative power of storytelling for fundraising and donor communication. This insight inspired her evolution into a storytelling photographer, capturing narratives that connect and inspire. She became a digital storytelling facilitator with Common Language Digital Storytelling in 2022 and is certified through the Birren Center for Autobiographical Studies as a Guided Autobiography Instructor. Together with her husband, Greg Kemp, who is also an instructor, they offer Guided Autobiography classes both locally and online. Since arriving in Mexico, Heather has continued her passion for community engagement, volunteering as a photography instructor for local Mexican youth. She has recently expanded her work to include "To Whom I May Concern," where she shares the powerful stories of individuals living with cognitive changes and their care-partners through a collaborative dialogue. Additionally, Heather has taken on the role of executive assistant for Common Language, further deepening her commitment to the art and impact of storytelling.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.