In this episode of The Awakening Process 101 Podcast, Louise Juel and I open up the conversation around radical forgiveness—what it really means in our daily lives, why it matters, and how it can shift the way we relate to ourselves and others. Together we share stories from our own lives—marriage, family, recovery, and spiritual practice—and explore forgiveness not as a one-time event but as an ongoing process of softening, releasing, and allowing. We look honestly at the patterns of pride, fear, and codependency that keep us stuck, and how forgiveness becomes a way of life rather than something we check off a list. This episode also includes a short meditation, offering space to pause, breathe, and experience what it feels like to let go and return to freedom.

(0:00) Introduction to radical forgiveness
(2:15) What forgiveness really means in daily life
(6:40) Stories of forgiveness in relationships and family
(12:05) Pride, fear, and the roots of resentment
(17:20) Codependency and the challenge of letting go
(23:00) Forgiveness as a spiritual practice
(28:15) How AA and the 12 steps shaped our view of forgiveness
(33:40) Moving from blame to compassion
(39:10) Forgiveness as a way of life
(44:00) Guided meditation on softening and release
(51:20) Closing reflections and takeaways