Excavating American stories,
one person at a time.

The Journey

ShedLight takes you on virtual Road Trips.

We create evocative “home movie” style video essays that reveal the emerging through-lines of culture, sparking better decision-making. We work from the ground, up, to find unheard voices, listening to their stories with empathy and bringing in America’s diverse perspectives, one person at a time and without judgment.

Road-Tripping

  • Cultural Immersion: Ethnographic storytelling, with video essay reporting
  • Cultural Hangouts: Exploratory sessions among people of differing views—generally at culturally important locations (think local diners, churches)
  • Neighborhood Detectives: Trained community members who go where we can’t, to have conversations that aren’t easily shared.

Creative & Design

  • StorySlam: Ideation that brings together human stories, relevant experts, and your team to develop something new
  • Citizen Breakthrough: Sessions that use comic improvisation to get past barriers and tensions)
  • LifeStreaming: Online storytelling and idea generation for immediate impact

Episode 1: The American Dream - Three Generations

A tale of three generations, and the middle-class slide; This is part of a six-part video series entitled Of Many, One: The Impact of 2020 events on everyday Americans.

Calling in the 'Call Out' Culture

ShedLight StorySlam Guest Professor Loretta Ross discusses the damaging"Call-out Culture" and a path toward more productive conversations.

Should Companies Take a Stand on Social Issues?

Business leaders and many consumers believe that companies should play a role in driving change. Let's hear from experts on why.