One image. One story. A lifetime of wisdom
The short-form digital storytelling invited participants to explore their identity through a meaningful childhood image, using guided reflection to uncover the memories, strengths, and wisdom that continue to shape who they are today. Each participant crafted and recorded a short personal story, which was then transformed into a simple animated video, creating a powerful keepsake that celebrated their journey and the essence of who they have always been.
Here are a few examples of one-image digital stories created during a full-day workshop as part of the Third Act Quest retreat held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, April 2026.
Seasons: A Meditation by Jen Butz
Fault Lines by Cheryl Becir
Past workshops
Grandma Wodark by Jodie Hopkins
Chrysalis by Gayle Petrillo
Sweet and Foggy Memories by Martie Mackay
Me at the Havana Zoo by Talek Nantes
The Calm Evolution by Arianne O’Donnell
Digital storytelling workshop with artists, makers and entrepreneurs
Workshops were held both in person and online over five weeks (two hours per week) and culminated in a screening event. The workshop gave participants the opportunity to tell the story behind what they do and build an emotional connection with their audience and clients. Participants worked individually and in small groups to reflect deeply on experiences and turning points in their lives that led them to start creating or to turn their passion into a business. Below are examples of digital stories created during the workshops.
“The highlight for me was the self-discovery. We came in thinking we were making a film to promote our business, but it was so much more. I don’t even know how you got us there, but we discovered so much about ourselves and what drives us.” —William Forsythe, Co-owner and Co-founder of William and Chai Cookies
“It was such an inspirational workshop!! It really made me think about my "why" which is an important and beneficial exercise!” —Arianne O’Donnell, Owner of The Salt Cave of Darien
“Going down that journey and thinking through the backstory of the business and my story was something I haven’t really taken the time to fully explore. I enjoyed the experience, and it was helpful to listen to feedback from others and to different perspectives. —Lee Docherty, Head Craftswoman and Founder of Gather + Harvest
Mother-Daughter Relationships Through the Ages: A virtual digital sorytelling workshop
These workshops ran over 5 weeks, 2 hours per week, in small groups of women who explored and reflected on their relationships with either their mother or their daughter throughout life stages, including lived experiences, events, and moments that have shaped and impacted their connection. Here are some story examples created during the workshops and testimonials from workshop participants.
“I’ve never done anything like it before, and it was fun! It was great working in small groups as well as one-on-one. I felt comfortable and supported, with the creative freedom and space to do what I wanted. It was a really nice experience, and it has made me want to do more. I think they could be great gifts for people!” —Workshop Participant
“The mother-daughter relationship is such a good topic. I was surprised by how healing and transformative the process was. At first, I thought the technical side would be too difficult, but once I started, I found it really fun and an important part of the creative process. I loved the sharing session at the end; it was great to see what other people did, and it was a beautiful way to bring everything together.” —Workshop participant