Transformative Storytelling as a Way of Life: A Workshop for Peaceful Warriors, Wisdom Seekers, Lovers of Life & Magicians of the Common Good

Event Description

An workshop with Dr. Gareth Higgins, internationally-renowned peacemaker, writer and activist at the intersections of spirituality, justice and art.

Since communication began, human beings have woven together experiences and interpretations of those experiences in attempts to make meaning–we call these attempts “stories”. Stories can be told through words, images, and sounds; they can be written down, spoken, sung, danced, painted, photographed, and more. Writers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, therapists, lawyers, teachers and activists tell stories. But they are not the only ones. All humans are storytellers, and the stories we tell are one of the most powerful ways we experience, and influence, the world.

Most of us don’t know this. We go through life dominated by stories that someone else told us, without ever asking if the story is true (or true enough), or if it is the most helpful version. Many of us don’t even know which stories we’re living in.

The capacity to tell stories may be the defining characteristic of humanity—and, for some, may reflect a unique connection with the sacred. If our shared journey is to live into mutual recognition and mutual flourishing, the stories we tell and live are our primary instruments.

While positive stories are often helpful, stories that reveal injustice, grief, and sadness can open room for redemption, change, or growth. Our stories can cling to certainty and fixed mindsets, or we can play with perspective shifting and reframing or restructuring stories to invite more possibilities.

The best stories are honest about both hard and beautiful realities. What would it be like to make a commitment to transformative storytelling? That is the invitation of this day-long experiential workshop.  

Transformative stories expand the circle of belonging and move us from scapegoating, selfishness, and separation toward responsibility, sharing, creativity, courage, and community.

Transformative stories trouble the distinctions between simplistic notions of “us versus them” thinking, while still taking seriously the real power imbalances and injustices that exist. While decisions about which stories to tell–and to whom–are always contextual, asking questions about power and privilege in relation to our stories is crucial. Storytellers can ask whose voices are centered, and their relationships with those voices.

Transformative stories advocate for inviting nuance and complexity while disrupting narratives of both redemptive violence and redemptive suffering.

This workshop will show you how to examine your stories, and create transformative ones.

Cost: $150.00 general admission; $75.00 students and limited income. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Early-bird registration $125.00 before 27 March 2025.

Co-hosted by the Peter A. Allard School of Law and the Vancouver School of Theology and supported by SSHRC.

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Speaker

Gareth Higgins was born in Belfast in 1975, grew up during the Northern Ireland Troubles, and now lives in the US. He writes and speaks about the power of storytelling to shape our lives and world, peacemaking and justice, and how to take life seriously without believing your own propaganda. He has been involved in peacebuilding and violence reduction in Northern Ireland and helping address legacies of conflict. Gareth has a Ph.D. in Sociology from Queen’s University Belfast and helped teach the world’s first graduate course in Reconciliation Studies at Trinity College Dublin. He also helped found the Wild Goose, New Story and Movies & Meaning festivals. Gareth leads retreats in North America and Ireland; he also founded The Porch Magazine.

Gareth’s beloved book How Not to be Afraid has been called “necessary” by Kathleen Norris and “beautiful” by Brian McLaren. Micky ScottBey Jones calls it “a much-needed resource for skill-building through our fear and trauma, so that we might create the belonging and communities we desire.” Pádraig Ó Tuama says “Gareth Higgins is a friend. This book is too.” Find out more at www.hownottobeafraid.com. Gareth’s newest book, co-authored with Kathleen Norris, is A Whole Life in Twelve Movies: A Cinematic Journey to a Deeper Spirituality. Lee Isaac Chung, director of Twisters and Minari says “I wish there was more writing… like it.” Fr James Martin says it’s “endlessly fascinating”; writer-director Scott Teems says it’s “a treasure”, and Kaitlin Curtice says “Please read this book…you’ll be so glad you did."