At SE2, we believe storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape opinions, influence policy, and connect with communities. That’s why we’re proud to share our “Anatomy of Ethical Storytelling” poster at ComNet25 in Denver this month—a visual guide that reflects our commitment to telling stories that heal, not harm.
We created this piece to challenge communicators to think critically about the impact of their narratives. Too often, stories are shaped by the agenda of the storyteller rather than the lived experiences of the people at the heart of them. When that happens, storytelling can unintentionally reinforce stereotypes, retraumatize communities, and miss opportunities for truth and transformation.
So what’s the alternative? Ethical storytelling. For us, that means listening deeply, respecting lived experiences, and elevating community voices. It’s not just about visibility—it’s about influence, resistance, and connection.
To bring this concept to life, we used the metaphor of the human body. Each part represents a principle we believe is essential to ethical storytelling:
- Head – Strategy, critical thinking, and self-awareness guide the narrative.
- Eyes – We consider audience perspectives, needs, and values.
- Ears – We listen deeply to community input.
- Nose – We apply the “sniff test”: Does the story feel authentic?
- Voice – We ensure storytellers maintain agency over their own narratives.
- Heart – We center dignity, humanity, and empathy.
- Stomach – We use the “gut check”: Does the story move us?
- Hands – We handle stories with care to inspire, not exploit.
- Spine – We support storytelling with transparency, truth, and accountability.
- Feet – We step into communities to find authentic stories.
This framework isn’t just theoretical—it’s how we work every day. Whether we’re crafting a campaign, producing a video, or writing a feature, we strive to honor the people whose stories we tell. Download a PDF version of the Ethical Storytelling Framework here.
If you’re at ComNet25, come see the poster in person and let’s talk about how we can all do better by the stories we share. And if you’re curious to learn more, check out our other blogs.
Let’s keep storytelling human.
