Certified Listener Poet

Introducing the Summer 2025 Certified Listener Poets, Cohort 11

September 2025

We’re delighted to introduce our recent graduates – the members of Certified Listener Poet Cohort 11! Each poet brings unique gifts, experiences, and perspectives to the practice of listening and poetry. Now, as they join our Community of Practice, they carry this work forward in diverse and meaningful ways, weaving it into their lives, professions, and communities.

Q&A with the Next Generation

September 2025

One of our information sessions took a special turn when we were joined virtually by a high school class from Pittsburgh, PA. Their teacher was teaching a course on Human Flourishing and asked if his seniors could sit in on the session, learn about the healing and medicinal possibilities of poetry, and pose questions to our Listener Poets.

The Good Listening Project Featured in Red Door Magazine

September 2025

We’re honored that The Good Listening Project was featured in Red Door Magazine’s latest issue, #39 – Impermanence, published by Elizabeth Torres, a recent graduate of Certified Listener Poet Cohort 11. You can find an article about our work on page 32, along with a moving poem by Listener Poet Gray Davidson Carroll.

Write Some Cool Sh!t: 366 Prompts to Rekindle Your Creativity by Anne Marie Wells

September 2025

You’re Invited! Saturday, November 29 at 8 PM ET. Anne Marie Wells, Certified Listener Poet Cohort 9, is hosting a virtual book launch for her new book, Write Some Cool Sh!t: 366 Prompts to Rekindle Your Creativity. Come celebrate the launch of Anne Marie’s first self-published book via her publishing house, Star Belt Press, with special guests.

Reconnecting with Your Poetic Voice

August 2025

By Jenny Hegland

Twice a month, our Listener Poet community (now 80+ and growing) gathers for our regular Community of Practice. Last month, the focus of our sessions was on poetic voice – that one-of-a-kind artistic expression that allows us to communicate not only our own truths but also the truths and stories of others.

Board Spotlight: Nancy Scherlong

August 2025

Nancy Scherlong, LCSW-R, CHHC, SEP, CP, PTR/CJT-CM, brings a deep well of experience – and heart – to The Good Listening Project’s Board of Directors. A psychotherapist, educator, and long-time expressive arts advocate, Nancy believes that “creative resonance” – the feeling of being seen or understood through art – is a “powerful complement to any healing process.”

The Other Revival by Salaam Green

August 2025

Salaam Green, an alum of the first cohort of the The Good Listening Project’s Certified Listener Poet course, has released a poetry collection. The Other Revival is a story of homecoming. This collection of poems revolves around a house built in Harpersville, Alabama in 1841. Thirty-nine people enslaved by Samuel Wallace, the owner of the property, constructed the house and worked the land.

Where Poetry Meets Advocacy: The Blood Project features Dr. Julia McDonald's "Teenager Again"

July 2025

A poem by Certified Listener Poet Cohort 9 Alum, Dr. Julia McDonald, is now part of the educational offerings available through The Blood Project (TBP). The mission of TBP is to cultivate a deeper understanding of blood disorders for clinicians through modules, tutorials, and the humanities.

CLP Cohort 11’s Nicole (Nix) Demos Publishes "Not a Burden Just Me"

July 2025

We’re proud to share that current Certified Listener Poet Cohort 11 member, Nicole (Nix) Demos, has a powerful piece featured in the latest issue of Unapologetically Us: Disabled, Proud, and Resilient – a zine by the disability community, for the disability community.

TGLP Brings Essential Listening to NAF’s Annual Conference

June 2025

Listener Poets Dr. Julia McDonald and Dr. Erin FitzGerald representing The Good Listening Project (TGLP) offered a powerful presence at a recent national healthcare conference by facilitating in-person listening sessions. Many shared that TGLP’s focus on provider wellness and resilience filled a much-needed gap in the conference experience.

Listening to Heal: How Poetry Enhances Clinical Practice in Behavioral Health Settings

May 2025

By Geva Thole

Patients in Emplify Health’s Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit are often there because they’ve lost touch with themselves. Some need to reconnect with their values. Others are trying to forgive themselves or contend with a difficult diagnosis. No matter the issue, participating in a Listener Poet session has shown to be helpful.

Congratulations to Sailaja Devaguptapu

May 2025

Congratulations to Sailaja Devaguptapu, a member of the Certified Listener Poet Cohort 2, whose poem "The Falling Leaves The Growing Tree" is featured on the cover of Soul Connection, a quarterly multilingual literary magazine by Guwahati Grand Poetry Festival. Be sure to spend a moment with her beautiful, transformative poetry.

"Find Folks Who Will Step Out Of Meetings To Hear You Cry"

March 2025

By Robert Minicucci

“Palliatively Speaking” Host Toby Campbell, MD, speaks to clinicians from all parts of palliative care—physicians, nurses, social workers, scientists, and chaplains. His guests bring guests—a great unexpected switch up that makes for a more interesting conversation. I felt a part of the conversation, as if his guest was speaking to me directly.

“Bringing together our listening hearts”

March 2025

Certified Listener Poet Erin FitzGerald, Cohort 9, invoked The Good Listening Project in a recent AAHPM (American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine) self care forum, in which she led palliative experts through a breathing exercise and reflection, and introduced the concept of generous listening.