Ep. 24: Epilogue
Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale
In the final episode of Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairytale, Susan Gibson brings her journey full circle by writing a heartfelt letter to her mother, just as she did when the podcast began. This closing letter reflects on her and her mother's transformation as they worked to mend their relationship. Although their bond was never perfect—like many mother-daughter relationships—Susan chooses to focus on the precious moments they shared in the last years of her mother’s life. She acknowledges the unanswered questions but decides to let them rest, cherishing the peace they found...
info_outline
Ep. 23 - Integrating My Whole Self in 2024
Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale
Welcome to Finding Forgiveness: A Family Fairytale, hosted by Susan Gibson. In this heartfelt episode, Susan invites listeners to embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and the transformative power of forgiveness. She begins by discussing the importance of setting a themed goal for each year. This year's focus is "Integrating My Whole Self." As the episode unfolds, Susan reflects on how sharing her personal story has been a healing experience, emphasizing the balance between our feminine and masculine energies. She also explores how embracing the present moment can bring clarity and...
info_outline
Ep. 22 - Finding My Masculine Heart
Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale
Welcome to "Finding Forgiveness: A Family Fairytale," hosted by Susan Gibson. In this episode, Susan invites listeners to explore the depths of their masculine hearts, beginning with a poignant reflection on a dream she had following her mother's death. She candidly discusses her evolving feelings towards the patriarchy, acknowledging past resentment that has since softened. Susan recounts a moment at a conference where she was subjected to inappropriate behavior. As she navigates her journey to find her masculine heart, Susan delves into the healing power of integrating feminine and...
info_outline
Ep. 21: Healing the Mother / Daughter Split
Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale
Welcome to "Finding Forgiveness - a Family Fairy Tale" where host Susan Gibson dives into the profound journey of healing and reconciliation. Today Susan invites us to explore a deeply rooted question: how do we mend wounds inflicted by others? As we navigate her insights Susan challenges us to embrace vulnerability and the importance of not facing our struggles alone. She unveils the transformative power of reconnecting with nature as a pathway to healing and advocates for seeking guidance along this intricate path. Drawing from her own experiences Susan shares the symbolic roles of loved...
info_outline
Ep. 20: My Homage to the Feminine
Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale
Welcome to the Finding Forgiveness podcast, hosted by Susan Gibson. In today's episode, Susan delves into her family tree, uncovering the stories of her female ancestors. She shares how the feminine strength and courage woven through her lineage empowers her. Additionally, Susan discusses the importance of slowing down, embracing moments of relaxation, and simply being human amidst our busy lives. This episode is an excellent reminder for all of us to stop being busy and enjoy life. IN THIS EPISODE: [0:35] Looking back into her family tree, Susan discovers her connection to the...
info_outline
Ep. 19: Plunging Into The Depths
Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale
In this episode of Finding Forgiveness with Susan Gibson, Susan explores the profound journey of descent and reemergence, examining how far one must fall before beginning to rise again. She outlines three pivotal moments where she recognized her descent and saw the potential for transformation during this process. Reflecting on how the COVID pandemic opened her eyes to an ongoing descent and the start of her reemergence, she acknowledges that two truths can coexist: a continuing descent and a subsequent reemergence. Susan invites listeners to share their stories. If this scenario strikes a...
info_outline
Ep. 18: My Betrayal of Self
Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale
Today, we delve into the painful yet transformative topic of betrayal. Betrayal wounds deeply, but it can also be the spark that ignites healing and forgiveness. I will share my most profound betrayal: being ousted from the inner circle at work, which ultimately led to the loss of my long-term job. We've all experienced betrayal at some point, and many of us have been the betrayers, too. If this strikes a chord with you, tune into this episode of Finding Forgiveness: A Family Fairy Tale. IN THIS EPISODE: [0:35] Susan reveals her biggest betrayal from the founder of the company...
info_outline
Ep 17: The Boon of My Success
Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale
Today, we dive into the complexities of long-term professional success and the internal conflicts it can create. Join me as I share my journey of navigating 47 years of apparent triumphs while battling self-doubt and emotional turmoil. We'll explore themes of patriarchy, female masculinity, and the struggle to maintain authenticity in a demanding world. Discover how self-sabotage and moral dilemmas played a role in my path, leading to a profound journey of forgiveness for both my mother and myself. Tune in for a raw and honest discussion on finding peace and embracing your true self amidst...
info_outline
Ep. 16 - Forgiving Myself
Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale
Have you ever felt like you took the blame for someone else's actions? Maybe you've been in a situation with a difficult person, an "ogre," as we'll call them here, who caused turmoil in your life. It's natural to wonder if you could have done something differently, but the truth is, you can't change other people. The good news? You can change how you view yourself in the situation. This episode is about the power of self-forgiveness. We'll explore why letting go of blame and embracing self-compassion is essential. We'll also learn practical techniques to help you forgive yourself and move...
info_outline
Ep. 15 - Meet My Ogres
Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale
This episode contains reflection of child abuse and domestic violence. Listen with care. Join me as I open up about three pivotal moments throughout my life where I faced daunting challenges in the form of ogres. These encounters left me fearful and scarred, but through therapy and self-discovery, I found the strength to confront and overcome them. From betrayal to manipulation, each ogre represents a unique struggle that shaped my journey toward healing and understanding. Tune in to discover how therapy became my beacon of hope, guiding me toward resilience and empowerment. IN THIS...
info_outlineWelcome to the premiere episode of "Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale." I’m your host, Susan Gibson, and I'm thrilled to have you as my guest today. We've all experienced those moments of longing to express our unspoken thoughts to loved ones who are no longer with us. The chance to do so isn't out of reach. You can put your thoughts into words by penning a heartfelt letter. I did that and am eager to share my letter with my dear mother.
Blessings
Bless the Seconds
That slip away from us
Bless the Words
That die unsaid between us
Bless the Friends
That keep you away from me
Bless the Distance
that keeps you away from me
Bless the Light
that travels from you to me
Bless the Angels
That carry kisses from you to me
Bless the Children
That live from us
Bless the dreams
That live within us
Bless the Emptiness
That fills when you leave me
Bless the Fullness
That empties when you become me.
By Siraj Sirajuddin
IN THIS EPISODE:
- [00:00] Introduction to the podcast from host Susan Gibson - A Letter to My Mother
- [04:11] Donation of her mother's body and Neptune Society
- [06:16] Making decisions at Susan’s mother's home regarding medications and the cats
- [12:59] Clearing the apartment of mementos and files
- [14:58] Finding that they were a family of secrets
- [18:02] Having her mother's remains and her Celebration of Life Ceremony and burial
- [23:22] Susan invites listeners to write a letter if they have a problematic relationship
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- It will comfort you to put words to paper when you can no longer talk with your loved one.
- Taking a month to complete tasks after a loved one passes benefited Susan.
- It was helpful to Susan that she and her mother had taken time to organize her apartment before her death.
RESOURCES:
Website: www.findingforgivenesspodcast.com
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/meetsusangibson
Company website: https://www.visiontemenos.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551461189197
ABOUT THE HOST:
Susan Gibson grew up in a small town in Northern Maine, the only surviving child of parents who married young and divorced young. From the influence of their shared experiences, Susan has learned two things that are core to who she is: the value of community, and the power of having a voice.
Susan has spent her entire academic and professional career as a woman in tech, starting her career as a developer in the mid-80’s to today, where she is CEO of Temenos+Agility, a management consulting company she co-founded with her partner, Siraj Sirajuddin, where they help enterprises transform organizationally and personally, to find a more meaningful way to deliver value to their customers.
Susan is a frequent contributor to the Women in Tech (WiT) Regatta, and speaks at public and private events around the world, using her voice to grow communities of women, mentors and allies in tech.
Susan has many lifelong pursuits - healthy eating, fitness, yoga & meditation, music, theater, opera, reading, movies, travel, family and friends. She is also rebuilding her family’s 110-year-old homestead in Northern Maine, a true labor of love.