“We have a lot to learn from them. It’s really about the survival of the human spirit.” – Dr. Stephanie Covington

In this informative episode of Uncorking a Story, we dive into the life and expertise of Stephanie Covington, Ph.D. who shares wisdom gained through her work with incarcerated women and reveals how they support each other in the most challenging of environments.

Meet Stephanie Covington

Dr. Stephanie S. Covington is an internationally recognized pioneer in the fields of addiction, trauma, and gender-responsive care. For three decades she has created and facilitated trauma-informed programs and curricula for use in criminal–legal settings across the United States and globally. Educated at Columbia University and the Union Institute, Dr. Covington is co-director of the Institute for Relational Development and the Center for Gender & Justice in Del Mar, California. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her life and book Hidden Healers: The Unexpected Ways Women in Prison Help Each Other Survive.

Key Themes:

  1. Transformation through Trauma: Dr. Covington’s approach to creating trauma-informed programs in prisons that catalyze healing and recovery.
  2. Gender-Responsive Care: The unique needs of women in the criminal legal system and how current systems fail to address them.
  3. The Power of Storytelling: Dr. Covington emphasizes the therapeutic power of sharing and listening to stories, which form the foundation of her work and writing.
  4. Misconceptions of Prison Life: A discussion on the stark contrast between public perceptions of prison life and the realities faced by incarcerated women.
  5. Community and Solidarity: How women in prison form supportive networks that mimic familial structures, providing mutual support and survival strategies.
  6. Reform and Advocacy: Insights into how the public can engage with and influence criminal justice reform.
  7. The Impact of Small Actions: Encouraging listeners to recognize the profound impact of seemingly small gestures of kindness and support towards incarcerated individuals.

 

Buy Hidden Healers: The Unexpected Ways Women in Prison Help Each Other Survive

Amazon: https://amzn.to/49PFDfL

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781394254392

 

Connect with Stephanie

Website: https://stephaniecovington.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniecovingtonofficial/

 

Connect with Mike

Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/

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