Emotionally Healthy Activism with Jonathan Walton

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In This Episode

In the first episode of our special series on mental health in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we discuss maintaining emotional health while continuing your activism. Many activists burn out quickly due to compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and a lack of emotional self-care. In this episode, Jonathan Walton opens up about his own journey from unhealthy activism driven by unresolved personal wounds to a more sustainable practice of emotionally healthy activism.

Jonathan's wisdom stems from an understanding of complex intersecting identities and a belief that authentic activism flows from an affirmation of one's full humanity.

Whether you're an avid activist feeling depleted or simply want to integrate more sustainable practices, this conversation will inspire you. Jonathan's framework for emotionally healthy activism allows room for hope, rest, and wholeness as we work toward collective liberation. His insights offer a path for activists to fully show up—not just for causes but also for themselves and their loved ones.

About Jonathan Walton

Jonathan Walton is the creator of the Emotionally Healthy Activist Course and podcast and the author of 5 books, including "Twelve Lies That Hold America Captive." He is also a co-founder of KTF Press and co-host of the Shake the Dust podcast. He has a degree in Creative Writing from Columbia University and an MA from the City University in New York in the Study of the Americas.

Currently, he also works as a Senior Resource Specialist in InterVarsity's Multi-Ethnic Initiatives Department and leads the Emotionally Healthy Activist Team. He focuses on developing resources around Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, including executing one-off workshops, cohort experiences, and conferences.

Connect with Jonathan Walton

Website | LinkedIn | Emotionally Healthy Activist Patreon | KTF Press Newsletter and Podcast

Connect with Maria

Speaking & Training | LinkedIn | Email 

Transcripts

Maria: Welcome back to When Bearing Witness. I am so honored to be here with Jonathan Walton. He is a speaker, an author, an activist, and someone I deeply admire for the way he embodies ethical storytelling and advocacy in everything he does. Jonathan, welcome to the show.

Jonathan: Thank you. Thank you for having me. I’m honored to be here.

Maria: I’m excited to jump in. Can you start by sharing a bit about your journey—how did you come into this work of ethical storytelling and justice advocacy?

Jonathan: Sure. My journey starts with growing up in the rural South in a single-parent household. We were working class, living in a trailer on a small patch of land. That experience shaped how I understood power, belonging, and dignity from a very early age. I also grew up deeply religious, which added another layer to how I viewed justice.

But it wasn’t until I moved to New York City and began working with survivors of labor trafficking that I realized the stories we tell about people—especially in nonprofit spaces—can either honor or harm them. That’s when I began thinking more critically about storytelling and justice.

Maria: That’s such a powerful realization. What do you mean when you say stories can harm?

Jonathan: Well, often in advocacy work, we want people to care. So we tell the hardest parts of someone’s story—the trauma, the violence, the despair—because we think that will move people to action. But what that does is strip away the fullness of that person’s humanity. It reduces them to a problem to be solved, instead of honoring them as a whole person.

Maria: Yes. That resonates so deeply with me. It’s one of the reasons I started this podcast. There’s a real need to talk about how we tell stories, especially in nonprofit and justice spaces. Can you talk more about what ethical storytelling means to you?

Jonathan: Absolutely. Ethical storytelling means centering the agency of the person whose story is being told. It means getting consent—not just for the story itself, but for how it’s told, who it’s told to, and what the outcomes might be. It also means being honest with yourself as a storyteller about why you’re telling this story. Is it to serve the person or to serve your own goals?

Maria: That question—why am I telling this story—is such a critical one. I think many of us skip over it because we assume our intentions are good. But good intentions aren’t always enough, right?

Jonathan: Exactly. Good intentions without accountability can still do harm. That’s why I talk a lot about the need for reflection. We have to ask ourselves hard questions. Are we reinforcing stereotypes? Are we perpetuating saviorism? Are we taking up space that doesn’t belong to us?

Maria: You’ve mentioned before that storytelling is not just a communications tactic—it’s a spiritual practice. Can you unpack that a bit?

Jonathan: Sure. For me, storytelling is about bearing witness. It’s about standing in solidarity with someone’s truth. And that’s a sacred act. It requires humility, patience, and a willingness to be transformed. Too often, we approach storytelling like a transaction: I tell your story, I get support or resources. But if we view it as a spiritual practice, then it becomes about relationship, responsibility, and mutual care.

Maria: That’s beautiful. I’ve never heard it described that way, and it really shifts how I think about my role as a storyteller. I want to circle back to something you said earlier—about agency. What does it look like in practice to center someone’s agency in storytelling?

Jonathan: Great question. It starts with asking, not assuming. Before you share someone’s story, ask how they want it told. Ask what parts feel sacred or off-limits. Ask who they want to hear it. And then, actually listen to their answers. Centering agency also means allowing people to change their minds. Just because someone gave consent once doesn’t mean it’s forever.

Maria: That’s such an important reminder. Consent is ongoing. It’s not a checkbox. Have you ever had to pull a story or change your approach because someone changed their mind?

Jonathan: Absolutely. And I’m grateful when that happens because it means the person felt safe enough to speak up. We have to create spaces where that’s possible—where people feel empowered to say no, or not now, or not like that.

Maria: Yes. That’s where trust is built. So many of these principles apply not just to storytelling, but to justice work more broadly. You talk about showing up with open hands instead of clenched fists. What does that mean?

Jonathan: It means being willing to receive, not just give. It means entering into community with humility and curiosity, not control. Too often, advocates and nonprofits come in with a plan, a solution, a script. But ethical advocacy requires us to slow down, to listen, and to let the community lead.

Maria: That slowing down is so countercultural, especially in this fast-paced digital world. But it’s essential. Before we close, what’s one thing you hope listeners take away from this conversation?

Jonathan: I hope they remember that storytelling is a sacred responsibility. It’s not about being perfect, but about being present. If we can show up with open hearts, listening ears, and a willingness to be accountable, then our stories can be a force for healing and transformation.

Maria: Jonathan, thank you for your wisdom, your presence, and your heart. I’m so grateful for you.

Jonathan: Thank you, Maria. It’s been an honor to be here.

The When Bearing Witness Podcast is produced by Rustic Roots. They are video storytellers passionate about sharing the impact of nonprofits. From story ideation to beautiful and powerful videos on screen, they've got you covered. Learn more at Rusticroots.co.