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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