The Brave Day Approach framework

The Brave Day Approach is a practical framework for ethical, strategic storytelling, developed through over ten years of work with organisations and communities.

Whether we are developing your storytelling strategy, training and capacity-building, or working on a multimedia production or project, the Brave Day Approach guides contributors and participants through a process of Explore - Express -Connect - Grow.

This simple but effective framework helps teams plan, create and reflect on storytelling in ways that build understanding, capacity and connection, not just content.

Four colored ribbons with the words "EXPLORE," "EXPRESS," "CONNECT," and "GROW."

Explore

Understanding purpose, context and ethics before production.

We start by asking:
– What is the real purpose of this storytelling work?
– Who needs to be involved and centred?
– What ethical considerations are present?

A group of women sitting around a table engaging in a meeting or workshop. The table is covered with papers, sticky notes, markers, and various office supplies. The background features brick walls and a window.
Group of women participating in a dance or exercise class in a bright studio with large windows, black mats, and a flag that reads "Husband".

Express

Co-designing how stories are told, and by whom.

We consider:
– What stories need telling, and in what form
– What can be done in-house vs externally
– How to handle complexity and sensitivity

Connect

Ensuring storytelling builds relationships, not just outputs.

We look at:
– Audiences and wider organisational goals
– How stories will be shared and used over time
– Who benefits from the process

A large indoor gathering with multiple round tables filled with people, some working on laptops, others engaged in conversation, in a spacious brick-walled room with tall arched windows.

Grow

Building learning, capability and sustainability.

We focus on:
– Skills and confidence within teams
– Reflective practice and learning
– Long-term value beyond individual projects

A woman with long blond hair and glasses being filmed by a camera crew in a studio with a large colorful abstract painting on the wall and a bright light on a stand.