About

How I became a story doctor

One day, as I was out walking, struggling to figure out what to do about a website that was about to launch to an audience of several hundred thousand people around the world, I stopped and stared out across the ocean. I felt a deep sense of dread and anxiety about what to do next.

The pressure was intense. This had to be a win—for the team, for my new role as a digital storyteller, and for the organization. I wished I could turn to someone who would not only advise me but also would be impartial and impervious to the complex politics of the situation. I needed a combination of a doctor, coach and story expert to help me figure out if my idea was going in the right direction and if my story strategy even remotely made sense.

It was at this moment that I thought to myself: I wish I could call a story doctor.

I eventually sorted out my story challenge and the website went on to be nominated for a Webby award. I was lucky to have had such an amazing team with whom to work but the idea of a story doctor, and that moment, stuck with me. As I continued my career as a writer, story designer and content strategist, I started to hear the need for a story doctor more urgently from clients and colleagues.

I’ve spent decades writing, directing, filming, strategizing and teaching but kept feeling like I could serve stories—and storytellers—better if I could treat the root causes of the story problems I saw people struggling with and help them make their stories sing.

Because of that, I developed Story Doctor to help people tell stories and experience a more rewarding process marked by deeply fulfilling work, conversations, and collaborations in order to create real change.

My goal is that you will feel more supported and equipped to tell the right story, at the right time, on the right channel, for the right audience.

I’ve come a long way since that uncertain, fraught day worrying about my story problem, but I still believe, as firmly as I did then, that even small stories can communicate big ideas that can change things for the better. For businesses, communities, organizations and maybe, even the world.

Together, let’s tell stories that matter.

Margaret Doyle
Margaret Doyle

Clients and collaborators on working with Story Doctor:

Building a business has been an interesting journey with many lessons to learn. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that we can’t do it all. I enjoyed Margaret’s creativity and sense of humour! It was such a pleasure to work with her!

~ Tracey Klettl, Owner, Painted Warriors

Mags has been a collaborating partner of the Tourism Cafe for 10 years as a coach, trainer and content developer. Her rich knowledge of the power of stories as a critical element of product development and marketing is complemented by her ability to assess a destination from a visitor and professional lens.

~ Nancy Arsenault, Managing Partner, Tourism Cafe Canada

Mags has a unique ability to make you feel very comfortable when working on creating your story. She does her research, asks the right questions, and provides a clear path forward to ensure we are able to tell the story of our business with confidence. I can’t wait to work with her again.

~ Mike Carpenter, Red Rock Adventures

I had the benefit of attending an online course facilitated by Mags Doyle from Story Doctor. The individual coaching from Mags was extremely helpful. She is warm and approachable, while practical and objective, and many of her suggestions have already been put to use.

~ Yvette Rogers, Celtic Colours International Festival

Passionate, creative, knowledgeable and efficient. Margaret produced a website audit for us that is a terrific roadmap for creating our new website. I highly recommend working with Story Doctor!

~ Diane Baker, Wildhorse Ranch