Overview

This engaging, trauma-informed training equips participants with the tools to share their lived experiences in a way that is safe, empowering, and impactful. Rooted in the national Strategic Sharing movement, this course is ideal for anyone using personal narrative to influence systems change. Participants will learn how to shape their stories for advocacy, recognize risks and motivations, and balance vulnerability with professionalism.

Through interactive discussions and real-world scenarios, learners will explore the difference between “war stories” and stories of resilience, build a narrative framework for different audiences, and gain practical strategies for self-protection and boundary setting. Whether advocating before policymakers, leading peer support groups, or speaking at public events, this training helps storytellers move from reactive sharing to intentional storytelling—amplifying their voice while preserving their well-being.

Learning Objectives

• Define ”Strategic Sharing” – What it is & where it came from
• Identify the importance of self-disclosure in advocacy
• War Stories vs. Stories of Resilience
• Outline the benefits and risks associated with sharing personal stories
• Define components of an effective story
• Building your narrative for advocacy – Frameworks for a variety of settings