Inspiring Change Through Storytelling at the University of Wisconsin-Madison - Brendon Panke, at 42, is a passionate advocate for amplifying silenced stories, believing they hold transformative power. He sees storytelling as a vital tool for change, emphasizing that these narratives can challenge societal norms and inspire action. Through his work, he aims to shed light on the voices often overlooked, fostering a deeper understanding and connection within communities.
“I love to help people uncover the stories that they want to tell,” he says. “Whether those stories are about their life, their data, or their specialty I am excited when I can help someone bring their story to others in the form that lets them reveal who they truly are.”
As a recent graduate of the Columbia University Narrative Medicine Certificate program, the Madison, WI resident is on a mission to put that narrative theory into practice through his work with several University of Wisconsin-Madison initiatives.
Though his lifelong avocation has been storytelling, Brendon’s “first act,” was spent steeped in the sciences, biology, conservation and the environment. That was until several years ago, when he heard about the Narrative Medicine program. At the time, he was transitioning from his role as stay-at-home dad for the now 11-year-old Ash.
“Narrative, storytelling and wellness, I knew it was for me,” says Brendon.
These days Brendon marries his love of science and storytelling. Through his role as His current role at UW is Operations and Community Resource Coordinator for the University of Wisconsin-Madison His current role at UW is Operations and Community Resource Coordinator for the university’s Center for Healthy Minds, and his community advocacy roles, his efforts focus on scientific research aimed at enhancing well-being and stress reduction for many different populations, a restorative justice program through the Prison Ministry Project, and writing workshops with students who are currently incarcerated, veterans, and adult students facing economic barriers to college through the UW Odyssey Project.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Brendon co-runs a storytelling workshop at the Arts + Literature Laboratory and has been recognized as a monthly winner at the local Moth open-mic Story Slam competition.
Navigating Challenges
Carving out these new initiatives has not been without its challenges for Brendon. He candidly admits that integrating his narrative medicine training into his existing work at the University of Wisconsin required a significant amount of effort, creativity and resourcefulness.
But he’s determined to make the transition. Translating the philosophy of Narrative Medicine into his institutional frameworks and overcoming resistance to change, is driven by his determination to bring storytelling into the main act of his career.
“I had to shoehorn my narrative medicine concepts into my current projects, finding ways to merge storytelling with scientific research and community programs,” explains Brendon. His current role at UW is Operations and Community Resource Coordinator for the university’s Center for Healthy Minds. The Center explores well-being across the lifespan – from pregnancy to old age.
“I’ve been working to slowly build relationships and demonstrate how storytelling and the work being done in various university departments can greatly complement each other,” says Brendon.
Act One
A devoted husband and father to 11-year-old Ash, Brendon is committed to helping individuals uncover and share their stories, whether personal, data-driven, or related to their expertise.
His path to and through the Columbia Narrative Program was a personal transformation.
But for most of his career, he lived in the world of environmental biology.
Brendon holds a Masters, Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development from UW and a BA in Environmental Biology from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, worked as a research specialist in the UW Agronomy department from 2008 to 2013. He says his narrative understanding distinguishes him as a project manager, where he excels at connecting people and resources to foster community and collaboration.
After devoting several years as a stay-at-home dad for Ash, Brendon says he was “super excited” when he discovered the Columbia Narrative Medicine program which married his love for storytelling with the inspiration to surface voices that have been largely ignored due to systemic injustice, lack of representation, or direct suppression.
Act Two
With the Narrative Medicine certificate under his belt, Brendon is seeking to expand his various roles in amplifying to the voices of the unheard. He hopes to devote more time conducting narrative and writing workshops inside local prisons through his work with the UW Odyssey prison higher education project. The project offers college jumpstart programs to students incarcerated in Wisconsin state prisons.
“My long-term goals are to keep carving out space where my education and love for storytelling can be of service and support the work at the University and community organizations that are giving space to the voices of people who need to be heard,” says Brendon.
“Almost every day I see a situation, where I am saying to myself, ‘Oh my gosh, why not combine this program with narrative?’ There are so many possibilities ahead.”
The Mindworks Questionnaire
- What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Living honestly with myself. Hopefully while in a hammock.
- Which living person do you most admire?
I really admire a local advocate Tamra Oman, peer support administrator for EXPO (EX-incarcerated People Organizing). She’s a powerful speaker and whenever I hear her, I’ll be quoting her to people for (at least) the next three weeks. She’s honest about herself and to herself and to you and makes you feel like you belong and that there’s some work that we all should pitch in on together.
- What do you consider your greatest achievement?
When I was 23, I accidentally became the business manager of an improv troupe. I spent the next few years trying to make sure the bank account had enough money at the end of each month to keep the lights on so that my dearest friends could keep doing the thing they loved on stage. After about five years I passed the business on to the next person (with their full awareness) and she was able to help the troupe get its own theater. Twenty years later they are still performing and teaching new community members.
- What book are you recommending
An Immense World by Ed Young. He’s such a fantastic science writer. The book is all about how animals sense the world around them. Young is so good at skewering hierarchies. The book caused me to reframe how I think about accessibility because Young is so good at describing differences in how beings experience the world.
- Describe yourself in six words.
Almost always almost ready for it.
- What are you most grateful for?
I hope to be most grateful for the current moment and whatever small possibility and pleasure it is bringing me. Otherwise, I’m most grateful for laughter.
- What’s next on your bucket list?
Last year I started getting a tattoo that I hope will eventually cover my side and wrap around to my back with a murmuration of moths and butterflies. I’ve gotten five so far so I have a ways to go, but I’ll get there.
- What would you share with your provider that isn’t in your medical chart?
I think I’ve said most of it so hopefully it’s in there by now, but when I was a kid my pediatrician’s son was in my Boy Scout Troop, so we all got to take a few hikes on the Appalachian Trail together. Dr. Graciosa would usually take the whole troop out to Ponderosa on the way home from these hikes. He was a good doctor and is a person I admire and did a lot to earn my trust and because of all the work he put in I feel open and trusting towards you as a provider.
