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Truth telling shouldn’t cost you your career, your health, or your future. Yet too many people who report fraud, harassment, or ethical violations face a second wave of harm: quiet retaliation that isolates, undermines, and erodes trust. We sit down with Dr. Jackie Garrick—Army social worker, Pentagon policy leader, and founder of Whistleblowers of America—to unpack what moral injury looks like in everyday workplaces and how to navigate it without going alone.

Jackie breaks down the nine tactics organizations use to silence complaints—gaslighting, mobbing, shunning, double binds, blacklisting, and more—and shows why subtle moves in meetings or reassignments can be as damaging as formal discipline. We talk frankly about mixed messages from leadership, the risks tied to mental health labels and security clearances, and how “handle it privately” advice can make reporting unsafe when power is uneven. You’ll hear concrete strategies for employees thinking about speaking up: how to document evidence, when to seek legal or NGO help, how to use IGs for advice, and when anonymous or confidential routes make sense.

Leaders aren’t off the hook. We share a blueprint for responding after an IG complaint: partner with the reporter, ensure safety, use trained independent investigators, and communicate clearly to avoid turning concerns into open warfare. We also tackle the long timelines of investigations, why they stall, and how to protect your well‑being through the wait with peer support and realistic expectations. If you care about ethics, psychological safety, and real accountability—across government, healthcare, or tech—this conversation offers tools you can use today.

Subscribe for more candid, practical conversations on moral injury, whistleblowing, and culture change. Share this episode with a colleague who needs backup, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway or question—we read every one. Go to https://www.whistleblowersofamerica.org/ for more information about Jackie's organization and to get help. 

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