The Dignity of Purpose with Shawn Askinosie

The Dignity Lab

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In this episode of The Dignity Lab, Shawn Askinosie, founder and CEO of Askinosie Chocolate, shares the personal and poignant experiences that have shaped his commitment to ethical entrepreneurship.
From his early legal career to creating a business that deeply respects its community of cocoa farmers, Shawn's journey illuminates the powerful interplay between personal history and professional purpose.

Hosted by Dr. Jennifer Griggs, this episode explores how Shawn's childhood memories, pivotal life events, and philosophical insights into capitalism and suffering inform his innovative approach to business and community engagement.
Guest Contact:

• Website
• LinkedIn

Episode Resources

• Meaningful Work: A Quest to Do Great Business, Find Your Calling, and Feed Your Soul

Takeaways:

• Reflecting on his grandparents' farm life, Shawn credits his values of community and responsibility to his upbringing.
• Shawn ties family experiences to his business practices, fostering deep connections and mutual respect with farmers and business partners.
• He critically examines capitalism, advocating for a model that ensures fair growth and mutual benefits.
• Shawn’s personal journey through joy and suffering informs his compassionate business practices.
• 'Integrated kinship' with cocoa farmers illustrates partnerships based on mutual respect and long-term collaboration.
• He highlights the importance of being present, both in personal interactions and in business, enabling deeper moments, connections, and understanding.
• Community and dignity are central to Shawn's business ethos, ensuring practices are socially responsible.

Exploring what it means to live and lead with dignity at work, in our families, in our communities, and in the world. What is dignity? How can we honor the dignity of others? And how can we repair and reclaim our dignity after harm? Tune in to hear stories about violations of dignity and ways in which we heal, forgive, and make choices about how we show up in a chaotic and fractured world. Hosted by physician and coach Jennifer Griggs.
For more information on the podcast, please visit www.thedignitylab.com.
For more information on podcast host Dr. Jennifer Griggs, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/.
For additional free resources, including the periodic table of dignity elements, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/resources/.
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