This episode's theme revolves around ethical storytelling, particularly in the context of journalism. The conversation with Stephanie Jane Capper reveals her extensive experience working in various global contexts, where she highlights the critical role of investigative journalism in addressing societal issues. Capper's journey, from her initial aspirations to become a physiotherapist to her ultimate dedication to storytelling, showcases a unique blend of personal passion and professional commitment. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own privilege and the implications it has on their perceptions and narratives. We also touch on the innovative concept of solutions journalism, which aims to present not only problems but also potential solutions, effectively enriching the narrative landscape and inspiring hope within communities. This episode serves as both a call to action and an educational resource, urging all to consider how they can contribute to a more equitable and compassionate world through storytelling.

Takeaways:

1. The podcast emphasizes the transformative power of storytelling, highlighting its potential to ignite change within communities.
2. Ethical storytelling is paramount, requiring journalists to listen more than they speak, fostering genuine connections with the subjects.
3. Stephanie Jane Capper's work exemplifies the importance of community engagement in journalism, focusing on solutions rather than problems.
4. The conversation underscores the necessity of checking one's privilege, which shapes storytelling and influences how narratives are crafted.
5. Critical thinking and travel are essential skills for journalists, broadening perspectives and enhancing empathy towards diverse experiences.
6. The episode advocates for a shift in journalism towards a more inclusive and constructive approach, promoting solutions journalism as a means to foster understanding.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

1. Ignite Voice Inc.
2. ABC
3. SBS
4. Dateline
5. Yes Media
6. HuffPost
7. Solutions Journalism Without Borders
8. Actuality Abroad
9. Solutions Journalism Network

Your voice is your superpower. Use it. Welcome to Ignite My Voice Becoming unstoppable. Powered by Ignite Voice Inc. The podcast where voice meets purpose and stories ignite change.

Deep conversations with amazing guests, storytellers, speakers and change makers.

They trust me with me telling their story and they trust me with like in doing that that hopefully some good will come out of it.

Today's conversation takes us far beyond the studio, all the way to Guatemala, where we connect with an extraordinary storyteller, journalist and change maker, Stephanie Jane Capper.

She's a freelance correspondent and documentary producer whose work focuses on human rights and social justice.

Her reporting has appeared on ABC, SBS, Dateline, Yes Media, and HuffPost.

And she's co prod produced more than 20 short documentaries spotlighting changemakers across Asia, Africa and Central America.

Wow. She's also the founder of Solutions Journalism Without Borders, an innovative program that brings aspiring journalists into communities.

This is a conversation about ethical storytelling, checking our privilege, listening more than we.

Speak, and how powerful things can happen when stories are told with communities rather than about them. Enjoy.

I mean, I've, I've known since I was about 10 that I wanted to be a journalist or a storyteller. It was kind of a strange journey into, into journalism and storytelling and documentary storytelling. I was an athlete for 10 years.

I did track and field and I was elite level. And so I actually started flirting with the idea of becoming a physiotherapist.

So when it came to deciding what I wanted to study at university, that was quite a battle that I had. So I wasn't sure if I wanted to do physio or if I wanted to be a journalist.

I ended up starting off in physiotherapy and lasted about three weeks and realized I hated it and all I wanted to do was write. So I ended up basically begging the professors in the course of journalism and, and communications to let me in. And they did.

And yeah, ever since then, I've just been obsessed, like with telling stories and both in a written and a visual format.

Well, you're very specialized. You're really about social change and you're a real activist. You're a change maker.

So you're using this platform to make an impact on the world and that's something that's.

Oh, thank you. I mean, working with Actuality Abroad was something that really sort of molded me into who I am today, to be honest.

And I give a lot of credit to Aubrey and Robin, who are the, the co founders of Actuality Abroad, for, you know, taking me on and mentoring me and yeah, sort of coaching me into that mindset that storytelling can have social impact and journalism doesn't have to be negative. And it also sort of led me towards solutions journalism, which is what I specialize in now.

So at the moment I would consider myself an investigative journalist, but I always try and weave a solutions lens into my storytelling. So, yeah, like my, my last.

I've just submitted two big articles to Mongo Bay and BBC about a response to the dengue epidemics that were sort of raging around Latin America last year. And it's been, it's been really interesting researching this.

This method called the Wolvertia method, which is a bacteria that's being injected into mosquitoes which when breed. When they breed with each other in the wild, actually block the dengue virus and has also got potential to block malaria.

And which means that there's. Yeah. Which is really cool because that means that we could be looking at a dengue Zika, Chinkinguya and malaria free world in. Yeah.

A decade or two if this works. So, yeah, it's been, it's been really interesting. And people are always at the core of my storytelling as well.

So it's always thinking about what helps, what kind of storytelling helps people. It's not just about the bylines, you know.

Well, that's what I really noticed about you. When we were in Guatemala together, you were really concerned about the people of the town.

We were in San Marco and you were concerned about how they were living and how to tell their story. So that it made an impact and helped people understand the challenges and the significance of the challenges that were going.

People were going through. And you were very empathetic and conscious of telling a story with authenticity.

Yeah, I mean, I think that first of all, I do feel as though I'm an empathetic person.

So when I do see injustice in communities, especially having traveled so much and lived and worked from underrepresented communities, especially those that are really under resourced. That's very much at the forefront of my mindset when, you know, when it comes to storytelling.

And I'm really happy to hear that that sort of translated into teaching that especially in that community where back then the malnutrition rates. I can't remember which documentary that you were working on, but yeah, that was the one, wasn't it? It was about Conahel.

Oh, yeah, it was. You're right. Yeah.

Amazing. Because back then, like San Marcos was, the town itself had one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world. Among children.

And they've actually reversed that, which is really, really cool.

Which is amazing. Yeah. And you were a part of bringing those stories to light.

So you must feel so good about the work that it is that you do in helping people make a difference.

I mean, it is very rewarding work. I don't know. It's hard to describe. Yes, but no, because, yeah, it's. It's never about. It's never about me. It's about the community. So that's.

I've always been and always will be the focus of my storytelling work. I think it's. I find it to be a privilege, to be honest. Like, I'm. I just feel extremely lucky to be able to do what I do. It has its challenges.

But, yeah, I. I feel more privileged, if that makes sense.

Absolutely.

I'm privileged that people let me. Their lives, that they trust me with, with me telling their story, and they trust me with. In, like, in doing that. That hopefully some good will come.

Storytelling really is an art, and it is about building trust and building connection. How do you go about building trust with people who might not trust you or who might have a different sort of cultural background?

That is a really good question. And that is something that focus a lot on with my journalism program. Solutions, Journalism Without Borders. It's all about listening.

So really keeping your ears open, noticing the details, making people feel comfortable with you. There are specific techniques like.

Like specialized journalism and documentary storytelling techniques in terms of interviewing and talking with people and like using your body language, mirroring, looping, and honestly just listening to what they have to say, like asking less questions than more. Because that's when people's real feelings and concerns and so on come out and their real stories come out.

And that's being authentic, and that's connecting authentically. And listening is a really big part of that, isn't it?

Right. Exactly.

Yeah.

Listening to you, Stephanie, it seems to me it's kind of almost a counterculture approach to journalism right now, at least from a North American perspective. From a North American perspective, we see. We seem to have swung into not listening. We seem to have swung into.

We'll tell you, the way the world really works. Almost a colonialism journalism, you know, and you seem to have a very different approach.

Yeah, that's really interesting. I hadn't thought about it that way, actually. I'm quite.

I mean, because I reside in between Europe and Latin America, I'm not so much switched on with. I mean, obviously I'm keeping across the news in the States, in North America, but yeah, I guess, I guess you're right. Yeah, it is.

I have, I have noticed that.

I have noticed especially a lot of mainstream outlets are more sort of talking at you, you know, especially television, rather than sort of conversing and connecting with communities. So yeah, that's something that's, that's a really interesting point.

Yeah, you seem to have taken a different approach. And I mean, you're not in your 50s or 60s, all wise and trying to share this approach. You've come here at a younger age. That's fascinating.

Thank you. Yeah, I mean, but I think that also has its upside. You know, you're more sort of receptive and more, you're noticing more. Right.

So you're more open minded, you're less rigid in your thinking and your opinions and your views. So I think that is definitely an advantage of being a journalist or storyteller in this sort of age group.

Yeah, that's beautiful. We need more of that, Stephanie. We need more of your approach.

So if I'm just thinking of trying to blend more of your approach into what's happening in North America and probably parts of Europe right now. How do we get there? How do we move this current self centered approach to perhaps life and journalism that we see happening in the West?

How do we move people off of that?

That is a great question. And there is actually a movement that's happening.

So I'm not sure if you've heard of the Solutions Journalism Network, but they are training journalists from all over the world in solutions journalism, which has been proven to improve or to sort of facilitate this kind of shift in journalism. And so they're trained, they have either monthly or every couple of few months they have these train the trainer sessions.

And so they train journalists how to do, how to sort of how to report more efficiently and with more of a solutions lens and more community engagement. So that movement is actually happening and it's gaining a lot of traction.

And I wouldn't be surprised if that doesn't become a lot more like a lot more normalized in the years to come.

Where did that start and how did that start? That's really interesting.

The Solutions Journalism Network.

Yeah, I think they would be delighted to come on your show to tell you more about that because I think they're a lot more qualified to tell that story. I can tell you from my own perspective. They inspired me to.

Well, they were part of the inspiration for me to start my own journalism program because I felt so impassioned by how they were changing journalism that I designed A program to train journalists, shooting.

Journalists, Solutions, Journalism Without Borders. That's you, right?

Yeah, that's me. Yeah.

And how did you start that?

That's an interesting thing as well. So actually Actuality Abroad has a lot to do with this.

So they really inspired me by the approach to storytelling, the ethical storytelling, the authenticity and, you know, community engagement approach to storytelling.

Yeah, I noticed a lot of journalists were on those programs and I kept asking, you know, because I worked with them for a few years, and I noticed that, yeah, these journalists were on these programs and I asked why. So what inspired you to join Actuality Abroad? And the answer was always, well, that's not really anything for journalists, but we wanted to.

To produce something that has social impact. We wanted to travel abroad, we wanted to go to a community and sort of give back. So yeah, it was a really slow process.

And I applied for a Solutions Journalism Network fellowship. It's called a lead program. And I got in and so they basically helped coach me into designing the program and optimizing. Optimizing the course.

Kat, you remember, like in with Actuality Abroad, the key concept was we're not there to, you know, give back, we're there to learn. So it's all about the community, it's not about us. And it's kind of a reverse voluntourism, if that makes sense.

So you're not going there to sort of feel good because you've done good. You're going there to be humbled and to appreciate a community and to learn from them.

Yeah, we took ourselves out of the story and we let them lead and tell their story in their voice, in their way, which was so powerful and so meaningful. And we left with so much gratitude in our hearts for the stories that we were able to tell. And that was very purposeful and such a passion project.

It was lovely.

Yeah, I just got goosebumps remembering that, actually. Yeah, that was a beautiful, beautiful program and such a lovely group of People as well.

And we did touch on some really important stories as well that would have otherwise gone untold. I'm. I'm sure you remember that one of the.

One of the documentaries was based on contraception in San Juan Pablo, and that we had to do a private screening to protect the members of that community who were working there. Yeah. And I wanted to actually say this. This is really. I just have no words.

Actually, that program has gone so well now that they not only have expanded it, but they've got use now leading these programs themselves.

Wow.

It's incredible. And so, you know, like, just witnessing these communities evolve as well, like, the privilege I have of still being here is just.

It just feels immense.

And isn't that the power of story? You're able to give this community a voice that allows change, and that change was significant for the community.

Exactly. And so that NGO as, from what I understand, they used that documentary to help gain more funding, and that funding then went to those programs.

And now because of that funding, those programs have expanded and have moved to that space where the stigma surrounding contraception in these communities is drastically reduced.

It strikes me that what you're talking about is very challenging.

You know, we work with young people quite a bit, teaching some different things about policy and the way government works, say, and trying to get people to see outside of what they consider common sense.

You know, trying to almost be anthropologists and looking at your own culture or another culture from above, and go see the way these people work and not be biased yourself or to be able to see outside of your own culture is so hard. We really have to push our students to try to do that. Doesn't always work. What tips would you have to encourage that? And how did you do it?

I mean, you've obviously been very successful at seeing outside of that term, common sense. Right.

I mean, studying is obviously a huge factor in this. So a lot of what was in the curriculum for me when I studied journalism and communication was, you know, critical thinking.

So making a significant effort to advance your critical thinking skills is one thing that's very easy to do, and it's almost free. There's. There are so many resources online in order to improve those skills. Another one is if you can travel.

Travel, because that's a huge way of opening doors.

And widening your lens and understanding how communities work and how different they are, regardless of whether they're different or being able to learn from those differences. And it just breaks down a lot of barriers. It breaks down prejudice. It breaks down. Yeah, it just, it just changes your way of thinking.

But I know that travel is not available to everyone and it can be if you're not.

Yeah, there are, there, there are sort of challenges to traveling and, and doing it right if, if that sort of makes sense and in an ethical and sustainable way. But even just. Yeah, and reading.

So reading, reading the news, watching documentaries and just keeping an open mind when having conversations with people you don't know and with people you do know.

Well, that's a huge key, having an open mind, isn't it? And go back to what you said earlier and listening and not imposing your will on someone else's journey.

Exactly, yeah. And just being aware of your privilege as well.

So which is, which is something that's always a challenge and that's something that should always be at the forefront of any storyteller's mind. Check your privilege. What am I witnessing here? What part of my privilege or my own experience is sort of shaping what I'm seeing?

That's a huge part of the curriculum that I teach is why am I seeing things this way. We have a lot of conversations about that, so. And why.

For example, there was a student of mine who was getting very angry during an interview a couple of years back. I understood why, I really did, because the person she was interviewing was.

Yeah, I won't go into too much detail about it, but it's kind of like removing yourself and just allowing. Allowing yourself to witness other people's opinions, thoughts and experiences.

I'm listening and thinking. I like the travel component that we haven't really explored in our podcast too much yet. I'm thinking the transporting to another place.

I suppose you could do it through a book too, but there's a visceral connection. You know, when you're in another place that you're not familiar.

Familiar with and you connect with people you wouldn't normally, there's something about that visceral connection that really moves your world. And I like that.

Absolutely. And I think it makes you so much more self aware and so much more compassionate and understanding for other people's lived experiences.

Like the community, for example, that I live in right now, or that I'm residing in right now.

It's just so compassionate and like both the foreigners and the locals, because that interaction has just cultivated a Community, that's, that's a lot more self aware. So I think traveling is just, it just really not only broadens your perspectives, but it makes you a lot more human, for want of a better word.

Like, yeah, you're just witnessing so many different types of people from different places and from different cultures and you're just constantly learning and it's such a beautiful thing.

I heard a stat the other day that 50% of Americans have never had a passport. I thought, oh, that's kind of, that's rather sad. I think we need to spread the message of the growth and joy that can be experience through travel.

That, I don't know that message gets out there that much. Right?

Yeah, that's really interesting. I mean, I'm kind of an interesting person to talk to you about this because I, I'm from Australia, right. But I have not lived there for 10 years.

Wait, no longer. It's been 12 now. 12 years, almost 13.

Yeah.

I've lived in, in the UK, I've lived in Germany, I've lived in Spain. I've trapped backpacks all through Central America and Europe. And the thought of not having a passport for me is just inconceivable.

But I'm also really aware that there's a lot of privilege to that and the fact that I can afford a passport for one thing as well. Like, I know that I think passports in the, in the US are quite expensive, aren't they?

Yeah, they could be.

I don't know.

A lot of my students over the years, both with actuality abroad and solutions, Journalism Without Borders, have. That was their first experience traveling outside of the States.

It was really interesting to observe that and watch their experience and watch their worlds expand.

You're a woman of the world. You belong everywhere and nowhere in particular. Isn't that an interesting feeling to have?

I suppose it is, it is. But it has its draw about setbacks as well and drawbacks. So, you know, the longer you spend away from inverted commas. Home.

So home being, you know, where I originally came from, the more distance you tend to feel.

So that's, it's not all sunshine and daisies, but it is very special and there is a lot of privilege involved in, in being able to, to be wherever I want to be. So yeah, it is, it is exciting. It's. It's a very exciting life.

Do you miss Australia? Do you, do you miss your roots as sort of the original home?

Oh, that's an interesting question. I do miss Australia. I desperately miss my family.

But there's so much that I'm constantly learning while I'm not there that I don't feel like I miss the country itself, if that makes sense. I miss the beauty of where I'm from. It's. It's a stunning place. It's the Gold Coast. It's one of the most beautiful places in the world.

It has some of the most beautiful beaches, amazing breaks to surf at. The people are super friendly and nice. But I feel like I'm. I'm not quite ready to go back. I have a lot. I just have so much to learn still.

Do you see yourself doing anything differently? Do you see this path for you for the rest of your life?

I ask myself that all the time and I have no answer. I really don't know. I mean, I've never been a person who's had a sort of five or ten year plan. I've had goals, obviously, but. Yeah, I'm not sure.

I really am not sure. It could be. I. I tend to make snap decisions based on my gut.

So, for example, I was living in Germany for a while and then I suddenly decided, okay, I wanted to live in Barcelona. And then before that I was in. I was in the uk. I was living in London. And then a bunch of our friends just made a snap decision to move to Mallorca.

And then I was with an ex partner at the time and then he was moving back to Germany. So I made a snap decision decision to move to Germany. Because for me it's always just, why not? I will just try it.

What I love about you is you're. You're courageous. Like, you just go with it. You jump in with both feet and you're, you're vivacious and you're living your life.

Oh, thank you. Also, a little bit. It also. Some people might say it's a bit insane though, because, you know, like, I do take a lot of risks.

I mean, they're calculated risks, right?

But, well, with no risk, there's no reward.

That's true. That's very true.

I mean, let's face it, Kat and I do not know what we're going to do when we grow up. We're still totally unsure ourselves.

Yeah, I know that feeling.

Oh, Stephanie, I just so enjoy talking to you and I'm so grateful for your time.

You have given so much of yourself and the stories that you tell are so compelling and I'm just so thrilled that you're doing the work that you do and that you're helping the people that you do.

And I still have so much love for Guatemala I haven't been back and to know that you're there, who knows, maybe I'll just, you know, like you jump on a plane and come visit you in Guatemala.

You know what stays with me after this conversation is Stephanie's humility, her deep understanding that storytelling isn't about the storyteller at all.

It's about witnessing, holding space and trusting that when people feel seen and heard, change becomes possible.

Stephanie's work reminds us that stories can do more than inform. They can mobilize.

Critical thinking, travel, curiosity, discomfort and the willingness to be aware are all storytelling skills.

Thanks for joining us for this conversation. If it resonated, share it with someone who believes that stories matter because they do.

We're grateful to our listeners in El Salvador, Spain and here in our home country, Canada. Ignite my voice.com ignite my voice becoming unstoppable. Your voice is your superpower. Use it.