Story Thieves w/ Dr. Danisha Keating

0:00 Intro
1:14 Interview Begins

Dr. Danisha Keating discusses the concept of story thieves, which refers to individuals who take other people's stories for their own benefit without giving credit. She shares her personal experience of encountering story thieves in the foster care advocacy space. Dr. Keating highlights how fear and distrust impact advocates' ability to have collective power and take collective action.

She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, valuing one's own story, and vetting individuals before collaborating with them. The conversation explores the pattern of story theft and competition within the foster care advocacy community. It highlights the harm caused by individuals stealing stories and voices, which not only affects individuals but also diminishes collective power.

The conversation emphasizes the need for unity and collaboration among advocates, rather than competition and gatekeeping. It discusses the fear of uplifting each other and the tendency to view fellow advocates as threats to one's own success. The conversation also addresses the issue of ageism in advocacy and the importance of intergenerational collaboration. It concludes with a call to prevent story theft and competition by standing up against harmful practices and creating inclusive spaces for advocacy.