Podcast offers ‘deeply vulnerable conversation’ about forgiveness and healing
It’s not easy publicly discussing a topic like incest that still engenders so much shame and secrecy in every world culture. And many people think that forgiving an abuser means that you condone or dismiss the behaviour. That’s not true at all. You’ll find out why if you listen to my hour long-talk with Brenda Reiss, host of the podcast Forgive Yourself.
I appreciated the opportunity to share my healing process with Brenda in the episode “Finding Yourself Again After Childhood Trauma.” In her words:
“There are some wounds that change the course of a life, and some healing journeys that change it again. In this deeply vulnerable conversation, I sit down with author and memoirist Heather Conn to talk about surviving childhood incest, the long and layered process of healing, and the unexpected path that eventually led her toward forgiveness. Heather shares how years of therapy, body-based healing, creativity, meditation, writing, and spiritual practice helped her reconnect with herself after trauma disconnected her from her body, emotions, and relationships.
“Together, we talk about the difference between forgiveness and condoning harm, the complexity of family relationships, the courage it takes to tell the truth, and why healing is never linear. Heather also opens up about the backlash she received after publishing her memoir No Letter in Your Pocket and why she chose compassion anyway.“
I invite you to listen in to our hour-long talk, but please practise self-care as you do. Our discussion can be triggering to trauma survivors.
In Brenda’s words, here’s what you’ll learn:
- Why forgiveness is not the same thing as excusing harm
- How compassion and accountability can co-exist
- What “bearing witness” means in healing trauma
- The impact of family silence and emotional suppression
- What survivors should consider before telling or publishing their story
- How forgiveness helped Heather reclaim joy, peace, and self-understanding
