What is a Good Life? #35 - Exploring Forgiveness with Marina Cantacuzino MBE

On the 35th episode of the 'What is a Good Life?' podcast, I'm delighted to be joined by Marina Cantacuzino MBE. Marina is an award-winning journalist, author, and Founder of The Forgiveness Project, a charity that collects and shares real stories of forgiveness for people to consider, examine, and choose forgiveness in the face of atrocity.

In this episode, we explore the role of forgiveness in transforming pain, the appropriateness of forgiving or not forgiving in different circumstances, what allows us to forgive, and the role curiosity often plays in forgiving others. Marina also shares numerous inspiring stories of forgiveness from her wonderful project that has spawned a book (Forgiveness: An Exploration), a BBC radio series, and exhibitions throughout the world.

This episode will give you plenty to contemplate regarding the idea of forgiveness that you may not have considered before. It will also reveal the complexity and ambiguity of the topic, as well as that of life itself.

Finally, if you are anything like me, it will make you reflect on your own relationships presently and perhaps serve as an impetus to reach out to people you want to be more at peace with in your life.

Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for shorter clips and reflections.

Contact me at [email protected] to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.

Running Order:

02:30 How can we best deal with our psychological pain?

05:44 The appropriateness of forgiveness

12:30 Forgiveness’ role in transforming pain

15:35 Curiosity, genuity, and spite in forgiveness

20:00 The inception of The Forgiveness Project

24:17 Forgiveness in extreme circumstances

28:45 The power of empathy

34:45 What has allowed people to forgive?

40:05 Man incredibly forgives his father

43:27 Personal stories of forgiveness

50:25 The confusing and ambiguous nature of forgiveness

52:35 Dignity in dying

1:00:19 What is a good life for Marina?

For further content and information check out the following: 

- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos

- My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/

- My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/

- Marina's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinacantacuzino/

- The Forgiveness Project website: https://www.theforgivenessproject.com/

Keywords: Meaning of Life Interviews | meaning of life conversations | exploring life | big life questions | meaning of life discussions | creating a meaningful life​