🧭 This month, we've talked about how to show up when you want direct access to clients but don't have it. Your approach can either widen the power imbalance between you and your clients or create friction with colleagues if they see your request as an added burden on their already full plates. ✅ What's worked for me is becoming a participant in the program where possible: leading workshops for clients, helping with program setup, and generally being helpful to program staff during natural interactions with clients so that they could get to know me before I ever asked anything of them. ❌ On the flip side, when all I did was show up to take photographs during programs, I could feel the tension from both the clients and the staff because I was watching them from the outside instead of participating with them. 🟡 So this week’s question is: Where in your storytelling process could YOU shift from observing to participating? What would that look like for you? 🤔

Welcome to the Vault Community 🎉. We're so happy you're here! Vault Premium Members: Go to Classroom and open the first course, “30-Day Ethical Story Challenge,” then the first module, “Take a Stand and Start.” Vault Standard (Community-only) members joining for the first time: Post an introduction comment and share what brought you here!

👋🏽 Hey folks, welcome to this month's theme! Every month, we dig into one piece of the EquaStory® Framework together. This month, we're in Explore, specifically, everything that happens before you even approach a story owner. If you're new here, this post lays out the theme, walks through a few common scenarios you might recognize, and closes with a place to jump into the conversation. 🙌🏽 Each Wednesday this month, I'll drop a new discussion question tied to this theme, so keep an eye out and join in the discussion. No pressure to have this all figured out. That's what we're here for. Read the attached PDF and then come back to take your next action! ✅ YOUR NEXT ACTION: BRING IT TO THE COMMUNITY Wherever you're stuck this month, whether it's access, resistance, or simply too many options, the goal isn't to push through on your own. Bring it to the community. Someone here has likely faced the exact thing you're facing now. ➡️ What does this month's theme bring up for you? Drop a comment below, and keep an eye out for a new discussion question each Wednesday this month. 👇🏽