The Dignity Lab

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

In this episode of the Dignity Lab, Jennifer explores the relationship between dignity and listening. She discusses various listening approaches, including active, deep, and radical listening, and highlights the importance of emotions and of empathy in communication. Jennifer identifies common empathy blockers that hinder effective listening and offers practical strategies to practice being a better listener. The episode concludes with an invitation to join an online event aimed at improving listening abilities in a supportive environment.

Resources

• Non-Violent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg
• Active Listening by Richard Evans Farson and Carl R. Rogers
• Supercommunicators: How to Understand the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg
• Deep Listening podcast

Takeaways

• Listening is one way to honor dignity.
• Active listening involves fully attuning to the speaker's feelings.
• Deep listening requires self-reflection and vulnerability.
• Radical listening allows for authentic communication without preconceived notions.
• Empathy blockers can erode trust and violate dignity.
• Practicing listening can lead to deeper relationships.
• Pausing before responding can enhance understanding.
• Noticing body language is crucial in conversations.
• Group listening helps in hearing collective voices.
• Listening is a skill that can be developed over time.

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 dose of dignity, Jennifer describes the purpose and important of having a weekly meeting with oneself to enhance self-awareness, personal growth, and effective time management. She discusses the benefits of self-reflection, including improved problem-solving skills and stress management. Jennifer provides practical tips on how to establish this meeting, including choosing a consistent time, creating a distraction-free environment, and asking insightful questions to guide the reflection process. Our website, www.thedignitylab.com, has a downloadable list of questions you can ask yourself each week.

Resources

• PRO Weekly - The Life Planner to Achieve your Goals – Clever Fox®
• Flow Club 2-week pass

Takeaways

• Many meetings are not valuable and lack clear next steps.
• Neglecting personal development can lead to a lack of awareness.
• Investing 30 to 40 minutes weekly can significantly impact growth.
• Self-awareness is key to effective leadership and personal values.
• Regularly assessing priorities aligns time with long-term goals.
• Dedicated time for problem-solving enhances decision-making.
• Reflecting on relationships helps address communication patterns.
• Managing stress can be achieved through self-reflection.
• Creating a distraction-free environment is crucial for focus.
• Asking the right questions leads to valuable insights.

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 conversation, Jennifer discusses the impact of the Victorian era and the Pre-Raphaelite movement on modern craft and dignity with designer Natalie Chanin. They explore the significance of hand craftsmanship, the relationship between dignity and work, and the need for a cultural shift in how we perceive and value craft in society. Chanin shares her journey of creating a sustainable fashion movement in Alabama, emphasizing the importance of community and environmental consciousness. She describes her own relationship with dignity.

Resources

• The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: Project and Stories Celebrating Hand-Sewing, Quilting, and Embroidery for Contemporary Sustainable Style by Natalie Chanin
• Embroidery: Threads and Stories from Alabama Chanin and the School of Making by Natalie Chanin
• Alabama Studio Sewing + Design: A Guide to Hand-Sewing an Alabama Chanin Wardrobe by Natalie Chanin
• Alabama Stitch Book by Natalie Chanin
• William Morris Gallery

Takeaways

• Craftsmanship is essential for personal dignity and fulfillment.
• Natalie Chanin's work blends environmental consciousness with cultural preservation.
• Dignity in work is crucial for individual and community well-being.
• The concept of craft has evolved but remains significant in society.
• Industry's disregard for dignity has roots in the Industrial Revolution.
• Handcrafted items foster a deeper connection to the creator.
• A shift in corporate culture is necessary to honor dignity.
• Craft can be both a skill and a form of expression.
• Connecting with one's work enhances the perception 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.

This episode of the Dignity Lab focuses on how to receive feedback with dignity, exploring the physiological and emotional responses that occur when receiving critiques. Jennifer discusses the importance of understanding these reactions, especially for those who have experienced trauma, and offers practical strategies for responding to feedback in a constructive manner. The conversation emphasizes the need for a culture of open feedback in both personal and professional relationships, encouraging listeners to seek input regularly and maintain their dignity throughout the process.

Takeaways

• Receiving feedback can trigger strong physiological responses.
• Understanding our emotional reactions is key to processing feedback.
• Deep breaths can calm our nervous system during feedback.
• All feedback is information about ourselves and others.
• Feedback should be viewed as a gift, not a threat.
• Practicing responses to feedback can help prepare us for real situations.
• It's okay to take time to process feedback before responding.
• Setting boundaries is important when dignity is violated.
• Creating a culture of feedback can improve relationships.
• Regularly seeking feedback fosters personal and professional growth.

Resources

• Thanks for the Feedback, The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well, by Sheila Heen and Douglas Stone
• Leader as Healer, A New Paradigm for 21st-Century Leadership, by Nicholas Janni

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 discusses the importance of giving feedback through the lens of dignity. She explains how dignity relates to feedback, the preparation needed before giving feedback, and a structured process for delivering feedback that honors the dignity of all parties involved. The conversation also addresses challenging situations where feedback may not be effective and emphasizes the need for compassion and understanding in these scenarios.

Takeaways

• Dignity is inherent and does not need to be earned.
• Feedback should honor the identity of the recipient.
• Checking our biases is crucial before giving feedback.
• Emotional state affects how feedback is received.
• The purpose of feedback should be to help the recipient grow.
• Asking for permission before giving feedback increases receptiveness.
• Observations should be made without judgment.
• Explaining the impact of behavior is essential for understanding.
• Requests for change should be paired with commitments.
• Listening and asking for feedback for oneself fosters a healthy dialogue.

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 complex relationship between Thanksgiving and dignity, particularly in relation to Indigenous peoples. She discusses the true meaning of gratitude, differentiating between superficial forms of gratitude and a deeper, transformative practice that honors both ourselves and others. Through this exploration, she emphasizes the importance of recognizing genuine kindness and the full spectrum of human experience.

Takeaways

• The modern Thanksgiving celebration often overlooks the dignity of Indigenous peoples.
• Gratitude can be understood as both a tool and a virtue.
• Comparative gratitude can lead to a harmful mindset that limits gratitude to only times in which others suffer.
• Social or performative gratitude does not reflect true feelings or experiences.
• Prescribing gratitude to those in pain can violate their dignity.
• True gratitude emerges from acceptance and recognition of kindness and acknowledges both challenges and gifts in life.
• Recognizing goodness in others honors their dignity and our shared humanity.

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, 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 impede healthy grieving
• Grief is spiral in nature - new losses often trigger previous grief experience

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.

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.