Jennifer Gibson (Audio); Revolutionizing whistleblowing. The Psst approach.

keywords

whistleblowing, advocacy, tech industry, Psst, Jennifer Gibson, support systems, societal impact, collectivizing, mental health, legal support

summary

In this conversation, Jennifer Gibson, co-founder of Psst, discusses the challenges and importance of whistleblowing, particularly in the tech industry. She emphasizes the need for systemic support for whistleblowers, the risks they face, and the societal implications of silence. Jennifer advocates for a collectivized approach to whistleblowing, providing legal and emotional support to those who dare to speak up. The discussion also touches on the personal challenges faced by advocates in this field and the importance of ethical leadership in corporations.

Psst.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and relies donations to do its work. To learn more about their approach, you can visit www.psst.org or read this recent Wired profile of the organization: https://www.wired.com/story/amber-scorah-psst-tech-whistleblowers/. You can also sign up to their weekly substack: https://psstpsst.substack.com/. To make a donation, please go to www.psst.org/donate."   Please note; two names are wrongly spelled in the captions they’ are Amber Scorah and Rebecca Petras not Amber Sporoff and Rebecca Petrus

takeaways

• Psst aims to revolutionize whistleblowing by providing systemic support.
• Whistleblowers often risk everything for societal benefit.
• Collectivizing whistleblowing can provide safety and support.
• The tech industry presents unique challenges for whistleblowers.
• Mental health support is crucial for whistleblowers.
• The societal impact of silence can be detrimental.
• Ethical leadership is needed in the corporate sector.
• Whistleblowing can be a traumatic experience.
• Advocates must take care of their own mental health.
• Life in advocacy is a marathon, requiring resilience.

 

Sound Bites

• "We need to hold power to account."
• "The stakes are very high in tech."
• "Life is a marathon, not a sprint."

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Whistleblowing and Psst

01:39Jennifer's Journey into Whistleblowing

04:51The Trauma of Whistleblowing

07:54Challenges in the Tech Industry

11:03The Risks of Speaking Up

14:29The Consequences of Silence

18:16The Collective Approach to Whistleblowing

20:50Support Systems for Whistleblowers

23:50Expanding the Model Beyond Tech

25:47Personal Challenges in Advocacy