Supporting the Humans in Healthcare
Listener Poets deliver in-person and virtual programs to healthcare organizations to reduce burnout and strengthen human connection within care systems.
We use deep listening and poetry to support caregivers, transform healthcare cultures, and equip a new generation of Listener Poets to carry this work forward.
What We Do
The Good Listening Project (TGLP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to humanizing healthcare through the healing power of poetry and compassionate presence. We create spaces for deep listening and poetic reflection that foster connection, reduce burnout, and promote wellbeing for healthcare professionals, patients, and their communities.
At the heart of our work are Listener Poets, who hold one-on-one listening sessions where individuals can share whatever is on their minds. Each conversation is transformed into a custom poem, a reflection of the person’s story, emotions, and experiences.
Listener Poet Sessions
One-on-one reflective conversations where a trained Listener Poet listens closely to a participant’s experiences and creates a poem that honors their story.
Brave Conversations
(Small-Group Reflection)
Facilitated small-group discussions that build communication, trust, and shared purpose.
Certified Listener Poet Course
A reflective, experiential training program for individuals who want to integrate listening, writing, and presence into their care or creative practice.
Anthologies & Events
We curate collections of participant poems and origin stories that illuminate the emotional and ethical landscape of caregiving and receiving care.
Why This Work Matters
The impact of our programs is both experiential and measurable, contributing to improved emotional health and workplace dynamics.
Listener Poet sessions and creative reflection initiatives have been shown to:
Support emotional regulation and thoughtful processing
Foster a sense of being seen, heard, and valued
Reduce isolation and stress in high-pressure environments
Strengthen workplace culture through empathy and shared humanity
Across hospitals, clinics, and community care spaces, our work integrates poetry and presence into the fabric of care. From curated poem collections and reflective story-listening workshops to immersive creative installations, each project demonstrates how listening becomes a powerful clinical and cultural intervention.
Our Impact
“The impact this poetry experience had on me was phenomenal. It had a ripple effect that impacted so many more people in my life than just myself.
It helped me get through the day with ease, as if weight had been lifted off my shoulders that I didn’t even really know I had.”
“I found it to be an unexpected bright spot in my day.
Poetry captures a moment, and if you are in a medical setting and worry tempts you to project into the future, staying in the moment is helpful.”
“Being a good listener is arguably the most important and quintessentially human way that we can continue to support each other – strangers and loved ones alike – as we navigate the chaos and complexities that our world continues to bring.”
Who We Work With
How to Partner With Us
Bring Listener Poets to Your Organization
Bring our blend of deep listening and poetry to support the wellbeing of your staff, patients, and community members.
Become a Listener Poet
Train to become a Certified Listener Poet. Our immersive program blends poetry, presence, and listening as tools for connection and change.
Support Our Work
Fuel listening-centered healing across diverse healthcare settings.
