The danger of good intentions

March 24
30 mins

Episode Description

In this episode of Matters of Consequence, host Michael Hanf speaks with Jessica Hoeper about professional dangerousness and the uncomfortable realization that even well-intentioned professionals can cause harm.


Jessica spent many years working in child protection in the United States, making decisions that shaped the lives of families and children. Early in her career she believed her role was to determine whether parents were doing things right or wrong. Over time that certainty began to shift.


In the conversation Jessica reflects on moments where hindsight changed the way she understood her own decisions. Experiences later in her life, including becoming a parent herself, made her see situations she had judged very differently.


They talk about the power professionals hold, the difficulty of questioning one’s own intentions, and why self-awareness and curiosity may be some of the most important tools for people working with others.


A conversation about responsibility, hindsight, and learning to live with decisions that look different over time.

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