The Dignity Lab

Join the dialogue - text your questions, insights, and feedback to The Dignity Lab podcast.

In this brief update, Vanessa Aron, Producer of The Dignity Lab, shares that host Dr. Jennifer Griggs is taking this week off to support a dear friend in need. Vanessa highlights the importance of practicing the compassion and care often discussed on the podcast. She encourages listeners to use this pause as an opportunity to check in with themselves or someone they care about, and to explore or revisit episodes of The Dignity Lab for inspiration and reflection.

Takeaways:

• Compassion is not just about helping others but also about supporting yourself and those closest to you.
• This week is an opportunity to reconnect with yourself or a loved one and reflect on the values shared in the podcast.
• Dive into past episodes to revisit favorite conversations or discover something new.

Call to Action:

Take a moment to check in with yourself or someone close to you. Use this time to explore episodes of The Dignity Lab that resonate with you. We’ll be back next week with more meaningful conversations.

Exploring what it means to live and lead with dignity at work, in our families, in our communities, and in the world. What is dignity? How can we honor the dignity of others? And how can we repair and reclaim our dignity after harm? Tune in to hear stories about violations of dignity and ways in which we heal, forgive, and make choices about how we show up in a chaotic and fractured world. Hosted by physician and coach Jennifer Griggs.

For more information on the podcast, please visit www.thedignitylab.com.
For more information on podcast host Dr. Jennifer Griggs, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/.
For additional free resources, including the periodic table of dignity elements, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/resources/.

The Dignity Lab is an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will receive 10% of the purchase price when you click through and make a purchase. This supports our production and hosting costs. Bookshop.org doesn’t earn money off bookstore sales, all profits go to independent bookstores. We encourage our listeners to purchase books through Bookshop.org for this reason.

Join the dialogue - text your questions, insights, and feedback to The Dignity Lab podcast.

In this episode of The Dignity Lab, Melissa Anne Rogers, an associate pastor and trained marriage and family therapist, shares her journey with grief, both personal and professional. Drawing from her experiences of losing her high school sweetheart and later her husband, she discusses how grief is fundamentally an expression of love rather than something to overcome. Rogers emphasizes the importance of giving grief its proper dignity, understanding its various forms, and recognizing it as a transformative lifelong journey rather than a temporary phase to be exiled.

Episode Resources

• A Hole in the World: Finding Hope in Rituals of Grief and Healing by Amanda Held Opelt
• The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief by Jan Richardson
• Grief Is a Sneaky Bitch: An Uncensored Guide to Navigating Loss by Lisa Keefauver 
• Lost & Found: Reflections on Grief, Gratitude, and Happiness by Kathryn Schulz
• The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
• When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi
• The Bright Hour: A Memoir of Living and Dying, Nina Riggs
• Spirituality of Grief: Ten Practices For Those Who Remain by Fran Tilton Shelton

Takeaways

• Grief is fundamentally an expression of love, not something to overcome or avoid
• Avoiding grief can lead to anger, depression, and living a less full life
• External barriers to grieving include workplace policies, family expectations, and societal pressures
• Internal barriers include physical fatigue, cultural conditioning, and gender socialization
• Grief is transformative and should be integrated into life rather than treated as a temporary phase
• Understanding grief requires both personal experience and education about different types (disenfranchised, ambiguous, complicated)
• Children grieve differently than adults and may process loss over many years
• Substances, excessive busyness, and other numbing behaviors can

Exploring what it means to live and lead with dignity at work, in our families, in our communities, and in the world. What is dignity? How can we honor the dignity of others? And how can we repair and reclaim our dignity after harm? Tune in to hear stories about violations of dignity and ways in which we heal, forgive, and make choices about how we show up in a chaotic and fractured world. Hosted by physician and coach Jennifer Griggs.

For more information on the podcast, please visit www.thedignitylab.com.
For more information on podcast host Dr. Jennifer Griggs, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/.
For additional free resources, including the periodic table of dignity elements, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/resources/.

The Dignity Lab is an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will receive 10% of the purchase price when you click through and make a purchase. This supports our production and hosting costs. Bookshop.org doesn’t earn money off bookstore sales, all profits go to independent bookstores. We encourage our listeners to purchase books through Bookshop.org for this reason.

Join the dialogue - text your questions, insights, and feedback to The Dignity Lab podcast.

This episode of The Dignity Lab explores the evolution and significance of gossip, from its origins as a term for spiritual kinship to its modern social functions. We explain the ways in which gossip can serve positive purposes like social bonding and norm enforcement while also examining when it becomes harmful through practices like case-building.

Book Recommendation:

• Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

Takeaways:

• The word "gossip" originated from "godsibb" (god + sibling), initially referring to spiritual kinship and close friendships before becoming associated with idle talk
• Gossip serves evolutionary and social purposes, helping humans share information, enforce social norms, and build larger group cooperation
• When gossiping, people often seek answers to unspoken questions like "Is what this person did okay?" and "Am I okay?" while trying to meet basic needs for validation and understanding
• Case-building, a form of repetitive negative gossip about someone who has wronged us, can be destructive and keep us stuck in negative patterns
• Body awareness and self-reflection can help determine whether gossip is serving a productive purpose or becoming harmful to ourselves and other
• Leaders have a responsibility to enforce a culture of dignity

Exploring what it means to live and lead with dignity at work, in our families, in our communities, and in the world. What is dignity? How can we honor the dignity of others? And how can we repair and reclaim our dignity after harm? Tune in to hear stories about violations of dignity and ways in which we heal, forgive, and make choices about how we show up in a chaotic and fractured world. Hosted by physician and coach Jennifer Griggs.

For more information on the podcast, please visit www.thedignitylab.com.
For more information on podcast host Dr. Jennifer Griggs, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/.
For additional free resources, including the periodic table of dignity elements, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/resources/.

The Dignity Lab is an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will receive 10% of the purchase price when you click through and make a purchase. This supports our production and hosting costs. Bookshop.org doesn’t earn money off bookstore sales, all profits go to independent bookstores. We encourage our listeners to purchase books through Bookshop.org for this reason.

Join the dialogue - text your questions, insights, and feedback to The Dignity Lab podcast.

Episode Resources

• Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Filled to be Emptied: The Path to Liberation for Privileged People, by Brandan J. Robertson
• For Her Own Good: 150 Years of the Experts’ Advice to Women, by Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English
• How Not to Be Afraid: Seven Ways to Live When Everything Seems Terrifying, by Gareth Higgins
• Room at the Table: A Leader's Guide to Advancing Health Equity and Justice, by Renée Branch Canady 

Exploring what it means to live and lead with dignity at work, in our families, in our communities, and in the world. What is dignity? How can we honor the dignity of others? And how can we repair and reclaim our dignity after harm? Tune in to hear stories about violations of dignity and ways in which we heal, forgive, and make choices about how we show up in a chaotic and fractured world. Hosted by physician and coach Jennifer Griggs.

For more information on the podcast, please visit www.thedignitylab.com.
For more information on podcast host Dr. Jennifer Griggs, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/.
For additional free resources, including the periodic table of dignity elements, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/resources/.

The Dignity Lab is an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will receive 10% of the purchase price when you click through and make a purchase. This supports our production and hosting costs. Bookshop.org doesn’t earn money off bookstore sales, all profits go to independent bookstores. We encourage our listeners to purchase books through Bookshop.org for this reason.

Join the dialogue - text your questions, insights, and feedback to The Dignity Lab podcast.

In this distilled episode from season 1 of The Dignity Lab, Dr. Rachel Thienprayoon and host Dr. Jennifer Griggs discuss the importance of compassion and dignity in the workplace. Dr. Thienprayoon explains the concept of suffering and how it can be mitigated through organizational compassion. Dr. Thienprayoon also highlights the impact of toxic behavior and the need for compassionate leadership that responds to bullying and other behaviors. She emphasizes the connection between compassion and dignity and the role of both in creating a thriving workforce. The conversation concludes with a discussion on changing the narrative around productivity and the importance of self-care.

Guest Contact

• LinkedIn Profile

Episode Resources

• Unlocking Us with Brene Brown: Chris Germer
• Operationalizing Compassionate Connected Care: A path to improved workforce engagement and patient outcomes
• Experiences of Care: Reducing Suffering through Compassionate, Connected Care-Christy Dempsey
• More information about Christina Maslach

Exploring what it means to live and lead with dignity at work, in our families, in our communities, and in the world. What is dignity? How can we honor the dignity of others? And how can we repair and reclaim our dignity after harm? Tune in to hear stories about violations of dignity and ways in which we heal, forgive, and make choices about how we show up in a chaotic and fractured world. Hosted by physician and coach Jennifer Griggs.

For more information on the podcast, please visit www.thedignitylab.com.
For more information on podcast host Dr. Jennifer Griggs, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/.
For additional free resources, including the periodic table of dignity elements, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/resources/.

The Dignity Lab is an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will receive 10% of the purchase price when you click through and make a purchase. This supports our production and hosting costs. Bookshop.org doesn’t earn money off bookstore sales, all profits go to independent bookstores. We encourage our listeners to purchase books through Bookshop.org for this reason.

Join the dialogue - text your questions, insights, and feedback to The Dignity Lab podcast.

This episode of The Dignity Lab features an interview with Tess Carichner, a senior honors nursing student at the University of Michigan who is minoring in disability studies and global health. Tess is the founder of Disability Justice @ Michigan and lead editor of the anthology Accessing Disability Culture. Tess discusses her work in disability health equity and disability justice. She shares her personal experiences growing up in an inter-abled family and her perspective on disability as an identity. The conversation covers various aspects of disability, including visible and invisible disabilities, the importance of dignity in healthcare, and the challenges faced by the disability community.

Takeaways

• Disability is a dynamic and diverse concept that includes physical disabilities, neurodivergence, and chronic illnesses.
• Dignity in disability healthcare involves preserving autonomy, self-determination, and recognizing the importance of individuals' needs.
• Diagnostic overshadowing can lead to healthcare providers dismissing concerns of disabled patients, emphasizing the need for comprehensive primary care.
• Visible and invisible disabilities present different challenges in terms of disclosure, accommodations, and societal perceptions.
• Disability justice involves cross-disability solidarity, representation, and challenging ableist systems.
• The anthology Accessing Disability Culture provides a platform for disabled students to share their experiences and create representation.
• Intersectionality is crucial in understanding the compounded effects of multiple axes of oppression on disabled individuals.
• Non-disabled people can contribute to combating ableism by recognizing the humanity of disabled individuals and creating inclusive communities

Exploring what it means to live and lead with dignity at work, in our families, in our communities, and in the world. What is dignity? How can we honor the dignity of others? And how can we repair and reclaim our dignity after harm? Tune in to hear stories about violations of dignity and ways in which we heal, forgive, and make choices about how we show up in a chaotic and fractured world. Hosted by physician and coach Jennifer Griggs.

For more information on the podcast, please visit www.thedignitylab.com.
For more information on podcast host Dr. Jennifer Griggs, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/.
For additional free resources, including the periodic table of dignity elements, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/resources/.

The Dignity Lab is an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will receive 10% of the purchase price when you click through and make a purchase. This supports our production and hosting costs. Bookshop.org doesn’t earn money off bookstore sales, all profits go to independent bookstores. We encourage our listeners to purchase books through Bookshop.org for this reason.

Join the dialogue - text your questions, insights, and feedback to The Dignity Lab podcast.

In this episode of the Dignity Lab, Jennifer explores the imposter phenomenon, a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their skills and fear being exposed as frauds. She discusses its origins, consequences, and offers strategies to overcome these feelings, emphasizing the importance of belonging, intellectual humility, radical acceptance, and recognizing one's whole self beyond accomplishments.

Takeaways

• The imposter phenomenon affects up to 80% of people.
• It is a cognitive distortion rather than a mental health issue.
• The phenomenon can lead to anxiety, depression, and burnout.
• Belonging practices are crucial to overcoming imposter feelings.
• Intellectual humility involves recognizing our knowledge limitations.
• Radical acceptance means embracing ourselves as we are.
• We should not define ourselves solely by our work or status.
• Positive feedback can feel like proof of deception.
• We can combat imposter feelings by fostering community and support.
• Recognizing our whole selves can help mitigate feelings of fraud.

Exploring what it means to live and lead with dignity at work, in our families, in our communities, and in the world. What is dignity? How can we honor the dignity of others? And how can we repair and reclaim our dignity after harm? Tune in to hear stories about violations of dignity and ways in which we heal, forgive, and make choices about how we show up in a chaotic and fractured world. Hosted by physician and coach Jennifer Griggs.

For more information on the podcast, please visit www.thedignitylab.com.
For more information on podcast host Dr. Jennifer Griggs, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/.
For additional free resources, including the periodic table of dignity elements, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/resources/.

The Dignity Lab is an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will receive 10% of the purchase price when you click through and make a purchase. This supports our production and hosting costs. Bookshop.org doesn’t earn money off bookstore sales, all profits go to independent bookstores. We encourage our listeners to purchase books through Bookshop.org for this reason.

Join the dialogue - text your questions, insights, and feedback to The Dignity Lab podcast.

In this episode of the Dignity Lab, Jennifer explores the concept of purpose, addressing common objections and misconceptions. She emphasizes the importance of understanding one's purpose as a guiding framework for life and leadership. Jennifer discusses what purpose is not, highlighting the distinction between purpose and career, and offers practical advice on how to identify personal purpose. The conversation concludes with a reminder that purpose can extend beyond work and the importance of revisiting it regularly.

Episode Resources

• Meaningful Work: A Quest to do Great Business, Find Your Calling, and Feed Your Soul by Shawn Askinosie

Takeaways

• Purpose provides direction, meaning, and significance in life.
• Knowing your purpose can help navigate opportunities and distractions.
• Purpose is not limited to career or job titles.
• Your purpose should not restrict your present experiences.
• Identifying purpose involves understanding your core values and strengths.
• Heartbreak can guide you to discover your purpose.
• Purpose statements should be broad and inclusive, not limiting.
• You can have multiple purposes in different areas of life.
• Revisiting your purpose regularly ensures alignment with your values.
• Sometimes, simply getting through challenges can be a purpose.

Exploring what it means to live and lead with dignity at work, in our families, in our communities, and in the world. What is dignity? How can we honor the dignity of others? And how can we repair and reclaim our dignity after harm? Tune in to hear stories about violations of dignity and ways in which we heal, forgive, and make choices about how we show up in a chaotic and fractured world. Hosted by physician and coach Jennifer Griggs.

For more information on the podcast, please visit www.thedignitylab.com.
For more information on podcast host Dr. Jennifer Griggs, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/.
For additional free resources, including the periodic table of dignity elements, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/resources/.

The Dignity Lab is an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will receive 10% of the purchase price when you click through and make a purchase. This supports our production and hosting costs. Bookshop.org doesn’t earn money off bookstore sales, all profits go to independent bookstores. We encourage our listeners to purchase books through Bookshop.org for this reason.

Join the dialogue - text your questions, insights, and feedback to The Dignity Lab podcast.

Mary Heinen McPherson, a survivor of domestic violence, shares her experiences with the injustices of the prison system and the role of art in reclaiming dignity. She advocates for incarcerated people and prison reform, using her own experiences to support formerly incarcerated individuals. Mary discusses the power of art, theater, and writing in healing and returning home. She emphasizes the importance of reclaiming dignity through advocacy, activism, and retelling one's own story. The conversation explores themes of justice, freedom, power, healing, and the violation and reclamation of dignity.

Episode Resources

• More about Mary Heinen
• Adolescent Maturity and the Brain: The Promise and Pitfalls of Neuroscience Research in Adolescent Health Policy
• Augusto Boal was heavily influenced by Paulo Freire's educational philosophy, especially his seminal work "Pedagogy of the Oppressed."
• More about Buzz Alexander
• More about the Prison Creative Arts Program
• PCAP’s Michigan Review of Prisoner Creative Writing

Takeaways

• Art, including theater and writing, plays a crucial role in reclaiming dignity and healing from the harms of the prison system.
• Advocacy and activism are essential in addressing the injustices and disparities within the correctional system.
• Reclaiming dignity involves retelling one's own story and becoming the subject rather than the object of harm.
• The power of art lies in making the invisible visible and creating freedom through movement and expression.

Exploring what it means to live and lead with dignity at work, in our families, in our communities, and in the world. What is dignity? How can we honor the dignity of others? And how can we repair and reclaim our dignity after harm? Tune in to hear stories about violations of dignity and ways in which we heal, forgive, and make choices about how we show up in a chaotic and fractured world. Hosted by physician and coach Jennifer Griggs.

For more information on the podcast, please visit www.thedignitylab.com.
For more information on podcast host Dr. Jennifer Griggs, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/.
For additional free resources, including the periodic table of dignity elements, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/resources/.

The Dignity Lab is an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will receive 10% of the purchase price when you click through and make a purchase. This supports our production and hosting costs. Bookshop.org doesn’t earn money off bookstore sales, all profits go to independent bookstores. We encourage our listeners to purchase books through Bookshop.org for this reason.

Join the dialogue - text your questions, insights, and feedback to The Dignity Lab podcast.

In this brief update, Vanessa Aron steps in for host Jennifer Griggs, who is taking the week off to recover from an illness. Vanessa reminds us that even doctors need to take a break and practice self-compassion. She encourages listeners to embrace self-kindness and suggests using this time to catch up on past episodes or revisit favorites.

Takeaways:

• Be kind and compassionate to yourself, especially during challenging times.
• Use this week as an opportunity to catch up on The Dignity Lab episodes.

Call to Action:
Take a moment to show yourself some self-compassion this week. If you’re new to the podcast, dive into past episodes or revisit a favorite. We’ll be back next week with more thought-provoking discussions.

Exploring what it means to live and lead with dignity at work, in our families, in our communities, and in the world. What is dignity? How can we honor the dignity of others? And how can we repair and reclaim our dignity after harm? Tune in to hear stories about violations of dignity and ways in which we heal, forgive, and make choices about how we show up in a chaotic and fractured world. Hosted by physician and coach Jennifer Griggs.

For more information on the podcast, please visit www.thedignitylab.com.
For more information on podcast host Dr. Jennifer Griggs, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/.
For additional free resources, including the periodic table of dignity elements, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/resources/.

The Dignity Lab is an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will receive 10% of the purchase price when you click through and make a purchase. This supports our production and hosting costs. Bookshop.org doesn’t earn money off bookstore sales, all profits go to independent bookstores. We encourage our listeners to purchase books through Bookshop.org for this reason.