Listener Poets Dr. Erin FitzGerald (left) and Dr. Julia McDonald (right)
““Hands down, this was the best part of the conference.””
The Good Listening Project (TGLP) offered a powerful presence at a recent national healthcare conference, facilitating fully booked in-person listening sessions. These free, one-on-one opportunities for reflection and connection were quickly embraced by attendees, with all slots claimed by midday on the first day. Many shared that TGLP’s focus on provider wellness and resilience filled a much-needed gap in the conference experience. “Hands down, this was the best part of the conference,” one participant shared. At TGLP’s exhibition booth, visitors were drawn to the idea of creative support for healthcare workers, taking materials back to their organizations to explore how they could bring this work into their own settings.
Listener Poets Dr. Julia McDonald and Dr. Erin FitzGerald (pictured above) were on-site throughout the conference, writing original poems for attendees based on their stories. Julia, also a board member of the hosting organization, read from their book Hysteriography during a book panel, generating even more interest in the practice of writing to build resilience. Attendees also had the opportunity to purchase a copy of the book. One participant summed up the impact of their session: “Thank you so very much for holding space, hearing me, and using your incredible skills to reflect back to me. What a beautiful gift and the highlight of my meeting.”
As always, TGLP’s mission is to listen deeply, reflect creatively, and honor the courage and care of those on the front lines – especially in communities where that work is met with challenge and stigma.