The Dignity Lab – Details, episodes & analysis

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

In this conversation on The Dignity Lab, guest host and neonatologist Dr. Staci Olister brings together trauma-informed care expert Mary Coughlin and host Dr. Jennifer Griggs to explore how trauma and dignity are deeply intertwined in healthcare and beyond. They trace the evolution of trauma from a narrow focus on physical injury to a broader, lived experience that overwhelms a person’s capacity to cope. They define dignity as our inherent, unearned worth—no more and no less than anyone else’s—and extend this to organizations, non-human animals, and the Earth itself.

Dignity violations—exclusion, humiliation, lack of safety, medical gaslighting, and structural injustice—are at the root of much of the trauma experienced by patients and clinicians. Mary describes how we can “build the buffering” for people in overwhelming situations, rather than only “summing up the suffering.” Jennifer offers a pathway for reclaiming dignity: naming a dignity violation, affirming a person’s worth, seeking accountability and repair where possible, and shifting from “me” (the one to whom something happened) to “I” (the agent/creator) and ultimately to “Thou,” seeing the sacred dignity in others, including those who have harmed us.

They also address shame as an emotion that thrives in silence and secrecy. They examine how dehumanizing language, hierarchical culture, business models of productivity, and electronic health records can undermine trauma-informed, dignity-centered care. The episode closes with an invitation to join Mary and Jennifer for an immersive, trauma-informed, dignity-centered retreat in Ireland, focused on embodied leadership, radical listening, reflective writing, and nervous system regulation.

Takeaways

• Trauma is a lived experience that touches body, mind, spirit, and community
• Dignity is our inherent, unearned worth, extending to humans, organizations, and the Earth
• Trauma and dignity violations are interwoven in healthcare and beyond
• Trauma-informed care principles are practical ways to enact dignity in everyday practice
• Shame and secrecy fuel systemic disconnection in healthcare cultures
• Patients, families, and clinicians are routinely exposed to everyday dignity violations
• We reclaim dignity by naming harm, affirming worth, and seeking accountability and repair
• Healing involves shifting from “me” to “I” to “Thou” in our stories and leadership
• Dehumanizing language, business models, and electronic recor

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, Jennifer and Vanessa deepen their conversation on healing from past hurts, exploring forgiveness, the importance of bodily awareness, and the journey from victimhood to creator. They share personal stories, insights from their season of solo episodes, and tease upcoming season themes on dignity.

Main Topics Covered

• The role of forgiveness and its alternatives in healing
• Recognizing and honoring emotions in the forgiveness process
• Bodily awareness as a tool for understanding readiness to forgive
• The significance of physical reactions like lying on the floor as part of emotional processing
• Shifting from victim to creator: acknowledging participation and reclaiming dignity
• The metaphor of calling back one’s dignity as a hawk
• The importance of positive emotions like hope and joy in healing
• Navigating the complex process of forgiveness across different ages and circumstances

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 Griggs explores the concept of dignity in the context of forgiveness and its alternatives. She discusses how understanding dignity can aid in healing from past hurts, emphasizing the importance of validating one's own experiences and recognizing the elements of dignity that may have been violated. She also covers the ways in which taking accountability can, if applicable, can further healing.

Takeaways

• Dignity is your inherent worth or value.
• Understanding dignity aids in healing even if forgiveness does not appeal.
• Dignity is vulnerable to harm and trauma.
• Naming dignity elements helps validate personal pain.
• Validating experiences confirms their authenticity.
• Accountability is a key element of dignity.
• Recognizing personal agency can empower healing.
• Accountability helps make sense of personal hurt.

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 complexities of forgiveness, outlining five reasons why it may not be the right time to forgive. She emphasizes the importance of understanding what forgiveness is not, clarifying misconceptions, and ultimately defining forgiveness and its alternatives as a personal journey towards emotional freedom.

Takeaways

It's too soon to forgive if you're still in acute pain.

• Being told to forgive can be counterproductive.
• Being attached to one’s victim identity can hinder forgiveness.
• Misconceptions about forgiveness can create barriers.
• Forgiveness does not mean forgetting or condoning harm.
• Forgiveness does not require an apology from the offender.
• Justice is an important aspect of healing.
• Forgiveness is a process, not a one-time event.
• Forgiveness is an inside job and personal work.
• Forgiveness is an invitation to emotional freedom.

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 season is for you if you’ve been hurt, and who hasn’t? It’s for you if healing feels complicated, unfinished, or unfair. It’s for you if you’ve ever been told to forgive before you were ready.

In Season 5 of The Dignity Lab, we explore what it truly means to heal after violations of dignity. Drawing from years of experience leading teams, hosting forgiveness groups, and providing one-on-one forgiveness coaching, Dr. Jennifer Griggs shares what she’s learned about forgiveness, its alternatives, and the many paths toward healing.

We’ll explore how dignity violations shape our inner lives, how power and harm complicate healing, and how we can reclaim our dignity without minimizing what we’ve endured.

 In this season, we take a deeper look at:

• Whether forgiveness is necessary, optional, or even appropriate - and what actually happens when we choose it (or don’t)
• How emotions, needs, and the language we use shape healing after violations of dignity
• Ways to reclaim dignity, tell your story differently, and foster positive emotions without excusing harm
• What comes next after harm: reconciliation, release, or something else entirely

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 is for you if you want a comprehensive overview of dignity, exploring its definition, elements, and the impact of power dynamics on dignity violations. It’s for you if you’re a leader. It’s for you if you’ve been hurt, and who hasn’t? We discuss the vulnerability of dignity, how trauma and shame relate to dignity violations, and offer insights on reclaiming dignity after harm. We expand dignity to encompass “next level dignity,” broader implications of dignity for future generations and the earth.

Takeaways

• Dignity is inherent and does not need to be earned.
• Dignity can be violated by anyone in our lives.
• Power dynamics significantly affect how dignity is experienced and violated.
• As leaders, we need to be aware of the impact of our actions on others.
• Trauma stems from repeated dignity violations, and shame is a common response to those dignity violations.
• Reclaiming dignity involves recognizing our inherent worth.
• Setting boundaries is crucial for restoring dignity.
• Self-compassion helps in the process of reclaiming dignity.
• We can shift from a victim mindset to one of agency by making commitments to ourselves.
• Next level dignity extends to future generations and the earth.

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:

• Dignity & Social Justice with Megan Albertson
• Megan Albertson on LinkedIn

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, Michelle Bernabe shares her journey from being a Columbia-trained nurse to her experiences in psychiatric emergency rooms and prisons. She emphasizes the importance of dignity in healthcare, the need for accountability in relationships, and the implications of cancel culture. Michelle discusses how moral health is intertwined with physical health and the necessity of community for healing. She advocates for a contemplative approach to understanding one's role in accountability and the importance of learning these processes to foster healthier relationships and societies.

• Resources
• Michelle Bernabe on LinkedIn
• Moral Health
• We Will Not Cancel Us by adrienne marie brown
• 32BJ Health Fund
• The Dignity Lab: Restorative Justice with Dan Green

Takeaways

• Michelle's journey into nursing was shaped by her experiences in psychiatric emergency rooms.
• Dignity in healthcare is crucial for both patients and providers.
• Accountability is more than just saying sorry; it involves taking steps to prevent harm.
• Shame can be a teacher and lead to personal growth.
• The healthcare system often lacks accountability, affecting patient care.
• Cancel culture can be seen as a form of exile, lacking rehabilitation.
• Community is essential for health and healing.
• Moral health impacts physical health; accountability is fundamental.
• Individuals must engage in self-reflection to understand their role in accountability.
• Learning accountability processes is vital for personal and societal growth.

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, Dr. Jennifer Griggs speaks with Megan Albertson, the director of the Jackson Care Hub in Jackson, Michigan. They discuss the work being done in Jackson to create a more just and equitable healthcare system. Megan emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing disparities in healthcare, as well as the need to move beyond charity and focus on systemic change. They also explore the role of love in the work and the ingredients needed for societal transformation. Overall, the conversation highlights the power of community and the potential for positive change.

Guest Contact

• More information about the Jackson Care Hub
• Viral Podcast with Linsey Grove and Megan Albertson

Episode Resources

• Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy's Guide to the Constitution by Elie Mystal
• Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul by Dorcas Cheng-Tozun
• The Eating Instinct by Virginia Sole-Smith
• Ice by Amy Brady 
• Whalefall by Daniel Krauss

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:01 The Work in Jackson, Michigan
06:15 Understanding Equity and Disparities
07:09 Counting and Measuring Needs
09:04 Moving Beyond Charity
11:39 The Limitations of Helping
13:28 Critiquing Systems, Not Individuals
21:37 The Role of Love in the Work
25:21 Ingredients of Transformation
27:13 Sustaining Joy in a Challenging World
29:09 One Wish for Listeners
35:22 What's Lighting You Up
40:09 Conclusion

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 bonus episode of The Dignity Lab, join us for a guided visualization that takes you to the top of a mountain, where you’ll call back a hawk as a symbol of reclaiming your dignity. This sensory meditation is perfect for grounding yourself, finding perspective, and reconnecting with yourself and your inherent worth. Take a deep breath, settle in, and let this calming journey guide you toward renewed energy.

Takeaways

• The hawk symbolizes reclaiming your sense of dignity and self-worth.
• The meditation offers a peaceful moment to ground yourself and gain clarity.
• Engage your senses to reconnect with yourself and your inherent value.
• This journey inspires a sense of renewal and empowerment to carry forward.

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.