Our Origin

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke grew out of a deep belief in the transformative power of storytelling. As a stroke survivor and retreat facilitator, Molly Buccola spent fifteen years guiding faculty, staff, and students through a reflective story crafting process to articulate and publicly share their life lessons and I was always moved by the depth and unique wisdom each person carries. While volunteering as a stroke support group facilitator after the pandemic, she brought this same reflective story crafting process to stroke survivors  and was struck by each survivor’s story developed with a deep-rooted sense of purpose, connection, and hope.  What began there has now reached listeners across all 50 states and 49 countries. 

Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke, and nearly 7 million people live with its long-term effects, often facing a loss of identity, purpose, and connection. Beyond Stillness works to change that. We guide stroke survivors through personalized reflection sessions to help them reframe and share their stories through the lens of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope. It’s a double gift: each storyteller feels empowered, and their story inspires countless others on their recovery journey. 

Through gatherings, retreats, and workshops, we’re building a community rooted in shared resilience—where stroke survivors discover they are more than supportive; they are truly inspirational.

Stroke offers a powerful, life-changing, shift in perspective.  The moment stroke strikes, we are forced to be still. Thankfully, for survivors, that’s not the end of the story. There is much, much more beyond. Beyond Stillness offers pause for storytelling and reflection.  Ultimately, Beyond Stillness is a welcoming environment that reveres the movement beyond stroke’s paralysis.  Still moments unite humanity and divinity.

Recovery stories are as unique as people themselves and yet similar threads tie the stroke community together. Beyond Stillness reminds us that we are not alone on the recovery journey. In our uniqueness, we are part of a community. We are bound by something greater and are invited to serve as a source of inspiration and hope.

We envision a vibrant community where every stroke survivor is empowered to reflect on the wisdom gained through recovery and share their unique story through the lens of purpose, connection, and hope.

We are guided by our mission, vision, and shared commitment to:

• Individuality - We believe each person has gifts to be discovered, nurtured, and shared.

• Community  - We find strength and purpose in supporting one another.

• Spirituality - We believe we are part of Something Greater

• Service - We are all able to offer our unique talents with purpose.

• Hope - We believe there is always an inspired way forward.