Forgiveness: Who,what,when,where and why?

Forgiveness is one of the most misunderstood—and most weaponized—concepts trauma survivors are taught to accept without question.

In this solo episode of When the Bough Breaks, Alexis dismantles forgiveness from every angle:

the dictionary definition, the religious mandate, the mainstream self-help narrative, and what forgiveness actually looks like when you’ve survived abuse, neglect, estrangement, or long-term harm.

If you’ve ever been told you can’t heal until you forgive, this episode offers a necessary reframe.

We talk about:

•Why forgiveness is often used to silence survivors

•How religious and wellness spaces pressure people to forgive without accountability

•Why anger is not the opposite of healing

•What forgiveness does—and does not—mean for trauma survivors

•Why healing does not require reconciliation, excusing harm, or being “the bigger person”

We talk about WHO does and doesn’t deserve your forgiveness.

This episode is for listeners who are tired of being rushed, minimized, or morally judged for protecting themselves.

Forgiveness is optional.

Your safety is not.