In celebration of Valentine’s Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on a force that drives meaningful change in the world—love. Whether in social work, education, medicine, public health, or other social justice spaces, love shows up in the way we listen, connect, and honor each other’s narratives.
At Narrative Mindworks, we’re sharing five powerful stories from practitioners who use storytelling to heal, empower, and transform. By amplifying unheard voices and creating spaces of reflection and connection, these stories—and the people behind them—remind us why narrative practice matters. May they inspire you to bring more love into your work—today and every day.
The Breathe Project: Stories of Healing in Healthcare
1. Jeannine Acantilado, RN, MSN, MBA
Jeannine Acantilado is a changemaker who employs the practice of therapeutic self-exploration and storytelling to help frontline caregivers connect with patients on a personal and purposeful level. Her latest project, Breathe: Honoring Voices of Healthcare, in partnership with director Kaye Tuckerman, is a series of “film shorts” scheduled to make their debut February 20,2025 for as a fundraiser benefitting hashtag#BayAreaHospital at the Egyptian Theater in Coos Bay, Oregon.
Each short film in this series was written by a healthcare worker who pulls back the curtain on the often unseen and unspoken experiences of caring for others in a deeply personal way. Through this documentary-like project, she aims to offer a raw and poignant glimpse into the lives of those on the front lines of healthcare, highlighting their struggles, triumphs, and the emotional depth of their work. Read more here.
From Heartbreak to Hope: Strengthening Family Bonds Through Technology
2. Eben Pingree, Co-founder of Kinsome
Eben Pingree is a changemaker whose mission is rooted in the belief that technology can be a bridge to deeper family connections. His life was altered forever in 2022 when his mother, 78, and father-in-law, 80, were both diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the same week. The simultaneous onset of their illnesses sent him on an emotional journey that was both heartbreaking and revelatory.
As their conditions worsened, Eben found himself grappling with the agonizing question, “What can I do?” Eben turned to technology not just for connection as a way to strengthen families, which led to the creation of Kinsome, a digital platform designed to inspire these vital connections, particularly in the face of challenges like distance or aging-related memory loss. Read more here.
Amplifying Unheard Voices: Cultural Innovation Through Storytelling
3. Brendon Panke, 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.
At UW he works with the Center for Healthy Minds, and in his community advocacy roles, he’s involved in a restorative justice program through the Prison Ministry Project, and he runs writing workshops with students who are currently incarcerated, veterans, and adult students facing economic barriers to college through the UW Odyssey Project. Read more here.
Defining Moments: From Cancer Journeys to Narrative Hope and Healing
4. Kathy Riley, Cancer Support Community Los Angeles
Kathy Riley’s life story is one of profound transformation, defined by the "before and after" of her son’s experience with cancer. In her role with the cancer support community, Kathy channels her personal journey into a mission of helping others navigate serious illness with hope and resilience. Drawing from her background as a former screenwriter, she brings a unique perspective to the narrative practices of healing, empowering individuals and families to reframe their own stories of illness and recovery.
Kathy’s work is a shining example of how narrative practices can provide comfort and guidance during life's most challenging moments. She is a graduate of the Master of Science in Narrative Medicine Program in the Keck School of Medicine at USC and holds a Certification of Professional Achievement in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University. Read more here.
Chronicling the Human Side of Healthcare
5. Ryan McCarthy, MD & Renée K. Nicholson – “Healthcare is Human”
When Ryan McCarthy, MD, created the "Healthcare is Human" project during the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020, he felt compelled to chronicle the stories of healthcare workers on the frontlines of this momentous historic event. Teaming up with photographer Molly Humphreys and a friend, Kym Mattioli, a radio producer, they swiftly combined visual and audio components to the storytelling. Renée K. Nicholson joined in 2022, and these partners have been creating beautiful artifacts ever since.
Since then, “Healthcare is Human” has been telling stories from healthcare as told by the individuals who serve on the frontlines of “a complex and fragmented system,” says Dr. McCarthy. The project—told through photography, podcasts, museum exhibits, film, a forthcoming book, art installations, and a poetry workshop—has grown exponentially. A partnership of talented artists, the “Healthcare is Human” series searches for meaning in all aspects of healthcare, viewed through the lens of Appalachia. Most recently, Dr. McCarthy, an internal medicine doctor and Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency at Berkeley Medical Center at West Virginia University School of Medicine, is collaborating with Nicholson, who is a memoirist, essayist, poet, and the former director (2020-2024) of the WVU Humanities Center, on this signature program of the West Virginia University, Eastern Campus, Internal Medicine Residency in Martinsburg, WV. They are also collaborating on a forthcoming book about the rural model of narrative medicine, which the project exemplifies.
With its ever-expanding reach, “Healthcare is Human” continues to highlight the deeply personal experiences within healthcare, offering new perspectives on patient care, medical practice, and community resilience. Read more here.
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Storytelling has the power to heal, bridge gaps, and create change. These practitioners show how narrative practice transforms medicine, strengthens families, and amplifies unheard voices. At Narrative Mindworks, we bring together healthcare professionals, educators, writers, and leaders who use narrative skills to make an impact.
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