The Listening Lab is a scalable, community-driven wellness initiative designed to provide nervous system regulation and emotional support through structured peer pods. It serves individuals experiencing intense emotions who may not want or be able to access therapy. The program avoids peer therapy pitfalls by assigning rotating coaching and creative roles instead of advice-giving, fostering empowerment, expression, and emotional resilience.

FIA has already developed the core theory, initial simulation, and a draft design. We are seeking graduate students in public health to help advance this into a pilot-ready model by selecting focus areas aligned with their interests and competencies.

Project Options for Students (Choose 1–2):

1. Program Design & Health Promotion Strategy

• Translate Listening Lab’s theory into a detailed health promotion program.
• Design participant-facing materials (e.g., facilitation guides, safety disclaimers, onboarding forms).
• Identify public health frameworks (e.g., trauma-informed care, social support theory) to structure the intervention.
• Deliverable: A full intervention logic model or promotional campaign plan.

2. Technology Feasibility & Peer Role Design

• Recommend digital tools to facilitate remote peer pods (e.g., Zoom, Discord, Circle).
• Help shape peer roles that promote participation and emotional safety.
• Design protocols to ensure participants don't engage in untrained therapy behaviors.
• Deliverable: A set of peer pod role cards and a technology comparison chart.

3. Evidence-Based Evaluation Strategy

• Conduct a literature review on community-based emotional regulation programs.
• Design an evaluation plan to measure safety, satisfaction, and potential health outcomes.
• Recommend pre/post metrics or participant surveys for low-barrier data collection.
• Deliverable: A 2-page evaluation plan + annotated bibliography.

4. Community Outreach & Equity Plan

• Identify target populations for the pilot (e.g., college students, single mothers, neurodivergent adults).
• Develop an inclusive outreach and recruitment plan, considering stigma and access barriers.
• Suggest community partners or local organizations for pilot testing.
• Deliverable: A strategic outreach brief and equity checklist.

Refined Deliverables (choose 2–3 per student based on interest/strengths):

• Educational Module (Slide Deck + Script)
• A full training module for participants or facilitators (e.g., “How to Be a Peer Coach” or “How to use clean language”).
• Branded Pitch Deck
• A high-impact slide deck FIA can use to present the Listening Lab to funders, partners, or universities, tailored to health-focused audiences.
• Training Video (Scripted + Recorded)
• A 3–5 minute video explaining the Listening Lab to new participants or facilitators, using voiceover or roleplay examples.
• Zoom-Based Implementation Plan
• A replicable guide to running a Listening Lab pilot using Zoom, including breakout room structure, timing, and roles.
• Participant Workbook or Journal
• A printable (or fillable PDF) reflection and activity journal designed for 3 sessions of the Listening Lab.
• Health Equity + Safety Protocol
• A plain-language document addressing risks, boundaries, and what to do if a session goes off track—written with both accessibility and trauma-informed care in mind.
• Partner Outreach Packet
• One-pager, outreach email template, and quick info deck that FIA can use to introduce the program to campus counseling centers, nonprofits, or student groups.
• Final Showcase Presentation
• A polished video or deck presenting their project contribution, with key takeaways and how it contributes to mental health innovation.