In this episode, we are in conversation with Marina Cantacuzino, MBE: founder of the Forgiveness Project (TFP) – a charity which aims to share stories of forgiveness to build hope, empathy and understanding. TFP is an inspiring endeavour and its outputs can be found in a number of different media from exhibitions, to podcasts, to books, to radio 4 shows. All of these are characterized by stories from real people, showing how forgiveness can lead to reconciliation, understanding, restoration. There are some powerful examples from healthcare in TFP work. Perhaps not surprisingly, this conversation is as much about apology as it is about forgiveness. Are they two sides of the same coin? In some cases yes, ,but not always. Marina also discusses the shadow-side of forgiveness and the concept of premature forgivenss – it’s not always appropriate …but if the conditions are right, forgiveness can lead to restoration, improved well-being, a shedding of bitterness, and sense-making.
About Marina:
Marina Cantacuzino MBE is an author, broadcaster, podcaster and peace activist. In 2004, after working for 15 years as a journalist, and as a response to the invasion of Iraq, she founded The Forgiveness Project, a UK-based charity that works with personal narratives to help people break cycles of harm and create a more compassionate world. She has produced and hosted The F Word Podcast and in 2024 her second BBC series Forgiveness: Stories from the Frontline was aired on Radio 4. She is currently working on a third series. The latest of Marina’s three books on forgiveness, Forgiveness: An Exploration was published by Simon & Schuster in 2022.