Forgiveness can feel impossible when the pain runs deep. In this episode of The Giant Builders, Lois Wyant sits down with Natalie Baird King, a family law attorney, mediator, and aspiring author, to talk about what forgiveness really is and what it is not.
Natalie shares her powerful story and explains why forgiveness is a daily practice, not a one-time decision. She also breaks down common myths like “forgive and forget” and “forgiveness excuses what happened,” and replaces them with something far more honest and freeing.
You’ll hear a vivid word picture that might stay with you for a long time. The backpack full of rocks we carry when we hold onto resentment, and what happens when we finally set it down.
Natalie also teaches her HOPE framework:
Harken back, Open your heart, Proclaim forgiveness is for you, Experience freedom.
If you’re carrying something heavy, this conversation offers a real path forward.
Natalie’s book: Forgiving Unforgivable
Website: forgivingunforgivable.com
GIVEAWAY: Lois is buying a copy of the book and giving it away. Comment below to be entered in the drawing.
Note: This episode includes discussion of abuse and trauma.
Timestamp overview
00:00 Forgiveness and the backpack illustration teaser
00:33 Welcome and meet Natalie Baird King
00:57 Attorney and mediator with a mission to teach forgiveness
01:26 How her forgiveness journey began
01:30 Growing up in an abusive home
01:55 Repeating patterns and surviving abusive relationships
02:07 A turning point that changed everything
02:23 Her father’s sudden death in 2012
02:31 Preparing to speak at a domestic violence fundraiser
03:29 The phone call that changed the day
03:50 Grief, guilt, and the search for healing
04:49 What forgiveness means now
04:53 Forgiveness as a daily practice
05:37 The myth of “forgive and forget”
06:01 The myth that forgiveness excuses behavior
06:14 Forgiveness as the key to your freedom
06:36 The backpack of rocks word picture
07:28 Why setting the backpack down changes everything
07:56 HOPE framework overview
08:12 Harken back without reliving it
09:10 Open your heart and feel the emotions
10:07 Proclaim forgiveness is for you
10:30 Experience freedom
10:36 A retreat story and a moment of release
15:35 How this led to her book
16:04 You can use the four steps without her exact path
16:25 About the book and where to find it
17:34 Lois announces a book giveaway
18:11 Closing encouragement for listeners
19:44 Final thoughts and where to connect
20:11 See you next week
Check out other episodes
Business: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf7Uc6zi2pF9pnIL1foYJ3uVP8z1fCVmZ
Health: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf7Uc6zi2pF9QEQ1q2e05K28IjUvLPGJy
Spiritual: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf7Uc6zi2pF96jBzfz6QHUegeULd7YEsY
Family: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf7Uc6zi2pF_SaLQxs8op1CPSDg_wG8vL
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