Imagine finding out that someone you loved lived a double life…keeping a secret the entire family knew nothing about until after they died.

Secrets, especially those born out of shame, can make us feel small and hidden. They can have dangerous consequences, not just personally, but also socially and culturally.

On the other hand, bringing those secrets to light can be profoundly enlightening, powerful, and maybe even spark social change.

On today’s episode of the Storytelling with Heart podcast, we explore both the impact of secret-keeping and the potential of storytelling, with journalist and debut novelist, Sasha Vasilyuk.

Sasha Vasilyuk is a journalist and author of the new novel, Your Presence is Mandatory, which spans between World War II and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Sasha has an MA in journalism from New York University and her nonfiction has been published in the New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, CNN, Time magazine and more.

Sasha grew up between Ukraine and Russia before immigrating to the U.S. at the age of 13. In 2007, after her grandfather’s death, Sasha’s grandmother discovered in his papers a confession letter addressed to the KGB, revealing a history previously buried. Loosely inspired by her grandfather’s story, the novel explores the multi-generational impact of not only war and trauma, but also secrets and stigma.

In this episode of the Storytelling with Heart podcast, we explore Sasha’s fascinating family story, as well as broader themes such as:

– The value of fiction writing and how it can be used to explore nuanced and difficult subjects.

– The personal and social risk of internalized shame – how storytelling, or the lack thereof, can shape cultural narratives as well as causing personal harm.

– How to navigate the muddy waters of sharing complicated stories with our children and young people.

– The challenge of sharing sensitive or vulnerable stories, and how to decide when it’s worth it to share the truth (or not).

– Why it’s worth exploring family histories, regardless of whether you want to publish them.

– Plus, tips for memoir and creative nonfiction writing!

When you’re done listening, check out Your Presence is Mandatory here: www.sashavasilyuk.com/your-presence-is-mandatory.

Sometimes, the darkest and most discomfiting moments of our lives can result in our best art, our finest work, or our most powerful stories.

Carla Patullo is living proof; and the Grammy she won this year backs it up.

Carla Patullo is a renowned film composer and multi-instrumentalist, who secured her first GRAMMY® win at the 66th Annual GRAMMY® Awards this year for "SO SHE HOWLS," in the category of Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album.

“SO SHE HOWLS,” was conceived during Carla’s battle with breast cancer, and it blends howling vocals, orchestral swells, and electronic pulses to create a mesmerizing journey from grief and fear to inspiration and healing.

In addition to composing and performing, Carla is a prolific songwriter and has written over 100 songs with placements on film and TV shows, and she has written scores for over 30 films.

In this episode of Storytelling with Heart, Carla explores her process for telling stories through music and sound, and she shares how she turned her most heart wrenching moments into a Grammy-winning — yet very raw and real — record.

Themes we explore:

– How creating art can be a powerful outlet when dealing with difficult things, and why sharing your personal stories can be deeply healing

– The importance of just “letting it out” and not judging the work/art too much in the early stages of the process

– The value of keeping things raw, real, and human – and why it might even be a good idea to leave in some mistakes and imperfections

– How to think like a documentarian when going through a difficult time in your life, and why it might be worth capturing your thoughts and feelings along the way

– How to maintain your own artistic voice even when working for or with other people, clients, etc.

– The value of making time for your own creative practice (even if creative work is part of your job.)

– Why you should go ahead and make the thing you want to make rather than waiting for the perfect time. But also: the danger of false urgency and why it’s also a good idea to let things take the time they need to unfold.

Check out SO SHE HOWLS at https://www.carlapatullo.com/howls-preview

Do you want to inspire and motivate people? Want to build a community, or rally people around your cause? Need to get buy-in (and potentially funding) for your idea, mission, or organization?

If so, this episode is a must-listen, featuring Sandy Dang.

Sandy Dang is a social entrepreneur, leadership trainer, community organizer, and management consultant. She is the Co-founder and Principal of Co-lnnovate Consulting, a company that provides leadership training, capacity building, and strategic planning to companies, foundations, and nonprofits.

Born in Hanoi, Sandy left Vietnam when she was ten years old. After living in rural China and Hong Kong refugee camps, Sandy resettled in the United States at the age of thirteen.

Sandy went from a childhood without books and very limited education, to being the only kid who didn’t speak English in her school, to becoming an internationally recognized speaker, leader, educator, and master storyteller. Most of all, Sandy has used her experiences and stories to empower others.

For more than a decade, she served as Founder and Executive Director of Asian American Leadership, Empowerment, and Development (AALED) an organization that supports refugee families through a broad array of educational and social services. Sandy was also appointed by President Obama to serve as Executive Director of the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF).

These days, Sandy teaches leaders — especially community organizers, and founders of mission-driven organizations — how to use storytelling to enhance their leadership capacity, and inspire and motivate others. She serves people all over the world, and works in both the US and Asia, including Vietnam and Thailand.

In this episode, you’ll hear Sandy’s inspiring story, and gain all kinds of useful intel about powerful, purposeful storytelling. Themes we explore:

– Storytelling as a survival tool: Sandy details how she used storytelling to get support, gather resources, build community, and navigate life in the US (even when she was just learning to speak English)

– Using your story to help others: Sandy shares how she used her story to build her non-profit, going from $15,000 to over $1.7 million dollars in its annual budget

– The truth: Why the heart of storytelling is truth-telling, and how honesty and authenticity are essential to build connection, community, and support

– The healing power of storytelling: Why telling your story might be one of the most healing and important things you can do for yourself, and for others

– The power of public narrative: How to translate your lived experience into a story that demonstrates your values and makes people feel inspired and motivated to join your cause

– Taking control of your own story: Why leaders need to share stories about themselves; how to use your story to build trust; and the problem with letting other people decide your story for you

– The three stories all leaders must have in their arsenal — plus, Sandy’s process for putting the stories together into a cohesive narrative.

– “This will only work in the US, not here”: How to adapt the concepts of personal storytelling for a more community-oriented mindset, and how to work around concerns about humility and bragging

– Tips for trainers, coaches, facilitators, and leaders: Sandy distills her advice into her #1 takeaway.

Practical advice, heartfelt insight, and an inspiring and uplifting story…this episode has it all.