Unlocking the Power of Storytelling to Restore Human Dignity
Ready to start leveraging the power of storytelling in your life and work? Start your journey to restore human dignity using storytelling...
I've pulled together everything I know about storytelling, project management, and people to create a comprehensive walkthrough on how to restore human dignity using storytelling.
Why Listen to Me?
I've trained over 80 students and staff to work in care facilities with residents to help them tell their life stories. I've personally guided over 100 people through Legacy Projects. I've lovingly published over 70 individual life storybooks.
Countless volunteers, staff, families, and individuals have used the Legacy Recorder methods to work together to tell their stories around the globe.
The course you are about to jump into is the culmination of everything listed above plus my experience working with others to do hard things for the past decade.
"My impression of nursing homes was they were just really sad places to be, but doing this program opened my eyes. The time flies and you wish you were there longer and could keep hanging out because you can tell how much happier they are when we are there. We do activities and fun things to get them out of their rooms and have them laughing. It's nice to see that my impression was wrong."
Jennifer Becker
SHRM-CP
What You'll Gain From the Experience...
First, you need to know that this isn't all about you. You aren't the only one
who will benefit from your commitment to restoring human dignity using
storytelling.
Deeper Connections
You, your storyteller, staff, and families will reconnect, get to know each other better, and create lasting memories with deeper connections with ease and care.
Holding Space with Care
The details of the stories aren't as important as holding the space for the person to recall and share the memory. This is an integral part of the restoration of human dignity.
Sense of Self
Sense of self for you and your storyteller will be forever changed and strengthened by the process of sharing your own and hearing other peoples' stories.
How You'll Learn...
This will be a self-paced course. Everything is pre-recorded and organized into 3 main sections; Orientation, Storytelling in Action, and What's Next. Each section is broken down into modules with clear learning objectives and a consistent framework for each section.
I have included video and written media so that no matter your learning style you can work through the course content and get what you need.
Anytime you have a question you can leave a comment on the module you are working in and I will personally respond. That response might be a quick text response or I may respond with a video.
When relevant there are worksheets and access to additional interactive resources throughout the course.
If at any time you find you need additional 1:1 support, you’ll have the chance to book time with me at course member rates.
What You'll Learn...
Orientation
By the time you finish this section, you will know what to keep in mind as you go through the course and what you will be able to do beyond the completion of the course. You will know what to expect from the rest of the course.
Storytelling in Action
By the time you finish this section, you will know the skills/modalities/methods to help others tell their stories. Once this section is complete, you will have a complete toolbox and a solid foundation for creating storytelling moments in the wild. You will feel confident that you can work with one person or a group to help them tell their stories in most situations.
What's Next
By the time you finish this section, you will know what to do next after building your foundation to work from. This section will provide the next steps for continuing your journey to restore human dignity using storytelling.
Acquire the skills, modalities, and methods to help others tell their stories authentically. This course is your passport to becoming a compassionate guide for those seeking to reclaim their dignity through storytelling.
Upon completing this course, you'll possess a comprehensive toolbox filled with versatile methods. Whether working with individuals or groups, in any situation, you'll feel empowered to create impactful storytelling moments.
Wondering what's next after building a solid storytelling foundation? Our course doesn't stop at the basics. You'll receive expert guidance on how to leverage your newfound skills, modalities, and methods effectively.
With your newfound expertise, you'll be well-prepared to take the lead in transforming lives. By the course's end, you'll know precisely how to guide others on their storytelling journey, ensuring they continue to grow and thrive.
Why Am I Doing This?
Have you ever tried to work with someone to tell their story? How did it go? Did it work? Was it easy?
My guess is, probably not. I can tell you right now, that it's not an easy task to work with someone on anything, let alone helping them tell their stories.
You know what's harder? Trying to do it after they are gone or unable to recall their memories and stories.
This is my life's work because death has been part of my story for as long as I can remember. Helping people work with others to tell their stories is my mission because we have forgotten how to talk to each other. People die in obscurity every day who have colorful, impactful, and fun stories to share.
Restoring human dignity isn't about fame or making someone be in the limelight. It's about the small everyday moments that can be more meaningful because you chose to interact with the person in front of you as a whole human being and not just a name on a chart or a thing you have to do today.
My hope is that by providing tested and proven methods that will help you work with someone you love, care for, or a group of people to tell their stories in a way that restores human dignity and deepens connections, more or our stories will be preserved and more people will live a better quality of life regardless of the quantity they have left.
"Gael helps us pull stories out of family members so their legacies can live on! Whether you have an older parent and want to cherish their stories or just want to have better conversations with family members, you need this in your life! She even has activities for kiddos! I so so wish I knew Gael when my Oma was still with us, I’ve learned so much from Gael about recording legacies."
Monica Walter
Your Journey Begins Here
Don't miss this opportunity to embark on a path that changes lives, empowers communities, and leaves a lasting impact. Get started today to start harnessing the extraordinary power of storytelling to restore human dignity and help people foster deeper connections.
What You'll Leave With...
Solid Foundation
This course is your treasure trove of storytelling tools and a solid foundation to collaborate with others in telling their stories. You'll gain the essential skills needed to embark on this transformative journey.
Confidence in Storytelling
Imagine confidently starting a storytelling conversation with anyone, anywhere. By the end of this course, you'll have the self-assuredness to initiate and facilitate storytelling moments that matter.
Mastery of the Process
I leave no stone unturned. Dive deep into each step of the storytelling process, dissecting it with meticulous detail, ensuring you are well-prepared to create powerful, dignifying narratives.
"My family interviewed my grandma on her 86th birthday. We realized how little we knew about her life and wanted to learn more about her. We used some of the questions and the format from Legacy Recorder.
It was an amazing experience. It was helpful to have a format to follow and so fun to learn about her childhood and marriage to my grandpa. I highly recommend Gael and the Legacy Recorder!"
Kristy H
Join the Movement
This course is more than just an educational experience; it's a movement dedicated to restoring human dignity, one story at a time. Whether you're an experienced storyteller or someone eager to make a profound difference, our course offers you the knowledge and tools to become a beacon of hope and empowerment.
"We did a "Legacy Hunt" activity. The younger kiddos walked around and asked their extended family questions that were created as a scavenger hunt by The Legacy Recorder. If you have an extended family event coming up, I highly recommend it!"
Jen Belt
Who the Heck Am I?
I'm Gael Gilliland and I've spent most of my adult life working with people to help them do hard things.
I provide C-Suite consulting for (usually) women-identifying owned and operated businesses that are seeking help to enhance their processes and impact, both online and offline.
I founded The Legacy Recorder and self-published the Legacy Recorder Community Guide. My mission is to help people forge deeper, lasting connections through intergenerational storytelling. Today, my storytelling methods and project approach are recognized and utilized worldwide.
As a speaker, I've touched on a wide range of topics such as storytelling, project management, conversing with kids, branding, and death (ikr?). Over the years, I've had the privilege of presenting to organizations like ANR, SRU, PRPS, NAPO, SMWL, GSUSA, and many more.
Personally, I am a millennial mom to three incredible humans. I'm a passionate supporter of local music, coffee shops, and budding writers striving to find their voice.
What am I most excited about these days?
Seeing you start this course and dig into what makes the human experience so rich and complex; people's stories!