Process and Purpose
At Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke, we go beyond producing a podcast by engaging stroke survivors in a deep, reflective process that prepares them to share their stories. Each storyteller participates in one-on-one guided reflection sessions over an average of seven weeks to uncover and articulate their personal wisdom. This approach is supported by research (see below) demonstrating that constructing a coherent narrative significantly enhances well-being and resilience, providing both the storyteller and listeners with meaningful insights and inspiration. This reflective storycrafting process culminates in two podcast episodes that not only highlights the storyteller’s recovery journey but also serve as a source of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope for other survivors.
Our process leverages the transformative power of storytelling, which has been shown to improve emotional health and social bonds. By allowing survivors to reframe their experiences, we help them articulate a sense of purpose and identity, which can be profoundly healing. The episodes created through this method are designed to honor the journey of recovery while expressing gratitude to those who have supported the survivor along the way. Stories and interviews become powerful tools for fostering empathy and providing encouragement to both the storytellers and the broader community.
Ultimately, our purpose is to empower stroke survivors to articulate their experiences and share their stories as gifts of inspiration and hope. This narrative process not only celebrates individual growth but also strengthens communal ties among those who have faced similar challenges. Through this work, Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke aims to create a ripple effect of positive change and support that extends far beyond the podcast itself.
Supportive Research
Narrative Identity (McAdams, 2001): Crafting redemptive life stories—where struggles lead to growth—fosters stronger purpose and identity (McAdams, D. P. [2001]. The psychology of life stories. Review of General Psychology, 5(2), 100–122).
Expressive Writing (Pennebaker & Beall, 1986): Writing about traumatic experiences in narrative form improves health outcomes, including reduced doctor visits and better immune functioning (Pennebaker, J. W., & Beall, S. K. [1986]. Confronting a traumatic event: Toward an understanding of inhibition and disease. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 95(3), 274–281).
Narrative Coherence & Meaning (Baumeister et al., 2013): People who see their lives as meaningful tend to view them as coherent stories linking past, present, and future (Baumeister, R. F., Vohs, K. D., Aaker, J. L., & Garbinsky, E. N. [2013]. Some key differences between a happy life and a meaningful life. Journal of Positive Psychology, 8(6), 505–516).
Redemptive Narratives & Generativity (McAdams & Guo, 2015): Adults who tell redemptive stories are more likely to engage in generativity, giving back to others and future generations (McAdams, D. P., & Guo, J. [2015]. Narrative identity and generativity: A longitudinal study of redemptive stories of the “good self.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 109(3), 451–472).