STORYTELLING VIDEOS
THE HEALING THROUGH WONDER PROJECT
Stories of Moments that Take Our Breath Away
Welcome to the Healing Through Wonder Project, a storytelling collaboration between Val Walker, author and rehabilitation consultant, and Robyn Houston-Bean, founder of The Sun Will Rise Foundation.
Together, we explore powerful stories of healing sparked by moments of awe and wonder. Through intimate conversations with our guests, we uncover how these extraordinary experiences have shaped their journeys through trauma, substance use, and grief, and how wonder can open a path to resilience and transformation.
Robyn Houston-Bean
Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation
Read more about Robyn and The Sun Will Rise Foundation HERE
A FEW OF OUR STORIES
(From our YouTube Channel)
In beautiful detail, Robyn shares her encounter with a dragonfly that sparked a sense of purpose and hope, guiding her through her grief. (Video: 9 minutes)
WATCH Annie Brewster, MD, Shares Moments of Awe and Wonder
Health Story Collaborative founder, Dr. Annie Brewster, is an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and the author of The Healing Power of Storytelling. In our conversation, she shares fascinating accounts of awe and wonder from a wide variety of experiences throughout her life. (Video: 38 minutes)
WATCH Don's Workout Story and Gary's Cardinal Story
Don Lipstein is a grief support consultant and CEO of Imagine Family Recovery, LLC. He tells his story of an astonishing moment of connection with his deceased son, Joshua. Gary Carter is a grief support group facilitator who shares his story of spiritual inspiration from birds, particularly cardinals. (Video: 42 minutes)
WATCH Luke's Story of Waking His Brother from a Coma
Luke Schmaltz is a writer, songwriter, performer, and editor of the VOICES newsletter for SADOD (Support After Death by Overdose). He is also a survivor of sexual abuse and an advocate for SNAP (Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests.) He shares a stunning (perhaps miraculous) moment of a powerful burst of emotion that woke his brother from a coma. (Video: 25 minutes)
WATCH Tanya's Little Tree Story and Carol's Song Story
Tanya shares a breathtaking story about a lifeless twig unexpectedly sprouting leaves--a life-changing message for her. Carol tells of the amazing moment she hears a song on the radio that instantly transforms her recovery journey. (Video: 40 minutes)
WATCH Dave Roberts: How Awe Sparks a Sense of Belonging With Nature and Each Other
Dave Roberts, LMSW, is an adjunct professor of psychology child life at Utica University, an author, a bereavement support specialist, and a parent who experienced the death of an adult child on March 1, 2003. He is the host of the Teaching Journeys podcast.
Dave shares his insights and stories as we explore awe and wonder through a sense of belonging with birds, trees, and more. People who are grieving and survivors of trauma can share these profound experiences with each other through stories--opening us to deeper connections and breaking out of isolation. (Video length: 8 minutes. This video is an excerpt of our longer video posted in June, 2024)
A photo from Dave Roberts: "A Crow on The Denali Highway. A picture of a single crow on Mile Marker 31. 3/1 is the month and day of my daughter Jeannine's transition to a new existence. Taken by two good friends who believed this was a sign to them from my daughter." (Dave tells this story on the Healing Through Wonder video.)
For more stories, visit our Healing Through Wonder YouTube channel HERE.