Thanks for this podcast. I will definitely check out Gwen’s book. I trained years ago as a counsellor and our group of students was asked if there were a group who they felt they wouldn’t be able to work with - nearly all of them said child sex offenders, I remember being surprised and a bit shocked and not surprised at the same time. I had previously worked with a woman who had killed one of her own children, but I knew her history and the terrible abuse and pain she had suffered herself. I worked in a children’s home with boys who’s histories were so appalling, so much suffering and some of those boys had begun to perpetrate the same crimes - part of empathy and understanding is in those stories, knowledge of those lives so fractured and ruined that lead some people to do terrible things - not an excuse, but an understanding, some context, some realisation of the disconnection - I think it’s easier to feel empathy and understanding if you know the whole story, and like you say, we don’t always want to hear the whole story because we don’t want to be forced to feel some sympathy or empathy. It’s seems such a vital conversation, thank you Elizabeth and I look forward to Gwen’s book
I’ve been waiting patiently all summer for your return Elizabeth and now you are back with a most interesting and inspiring chat with Gwen. You always seem to bring out the deep and the best in your interviewees. Thank you so much for your efforts to make the world a better place 🙏😀
This interview is extremely insightful and the conversation you two hold is most needed these days. I highly resonated with the idea that, sometimes, in order to be able to feel good about ourselves, we have to position others as bad. And, being a biologist myself, I cannot help to link it to an evolutionary question. In order for some to prevail, others have to perish. But, although it seems natural (at least from an evolutionary point of view), it feels devastatingly inhuman. And it might be indeed one of the main causes that trigger evil. So, aren't we all, at some extent, accountable for some of the evil that's in the world? Anyway, it's a difficult topic and maybe I am just rambling nonsense... I am currently waiting for Adshead's book to arrive and I cannot wait to get into it. I reckon it's going to be one of those readings that's gonna leave me mulling this subject over for a long time. Thank you Elizabeth for hosting this interview. Both Gwen's work and yours are admirable. Best regards.
Thankyou so much for this podcast. I can recommend Dr Adshead’s book it is deeply “assumption-breaking”. Blessed are those who care and blessed are those who are drawn to bring their own vulnerabilities to Christ for healing with a humble and contrite heart. It is not easy. I’m still asking for the graces 🙏🏼
The answer is yes. Compassion is inclusive or it is not compassion. And compassion is freedom, freedom is compassion. The great and liberating (for all) work of a lifetime. 🤍
Thanks for this podcast. I will definitely check out Gwen’s book. I trained years ago as a counsellor and our group of students was asked if there were a group who they felt they wouldn’t be able to work with - nearly all of them said child sex offenders, I remember being surprised and a bit shocked and not surprised at the same time. I had previously worked with a woman who had killed one of her own children, but I knew her history and the terrible abuse and pain she had suffered herself. I worked in a children’s home with boys who’s histories were so appalling, so much suffering and some of those boys had begun to perpetrate the same crimes - part of empathy and understanding is in those stories, knowledge of those lives so fractured and ruined that lead some people to do terrible things - not an excuse, but an understanding, some context, some realisation of the disconnection - I think it’s easier to feel empathy and understanding if you know the whole story, and like you say, we don’t always want to hear the whole story because we don’t want to be forced to feel some sympathy or empathy. It’s seems such a vital conversation, thank you Elizabeth and I look forward to Gwen’s book
my favourite pod is back!
I’ve been waiting patiently all summer for your return Elizabeth and now you are back with a most interesting and inspiring chat with Gwen. You always seem to bring out the deep and the best in your interviewees. Thank you so much for your efforts to make the world a better place 🙏😀
@@davidbr810 Thanks so much! And glad you enjoyed the conversation 😊
This interview is extremely insightful and the conversation you two hold is most needed these days. I highly resonated with the idea that, sometimes, in order to be able to feel good about ourselves, we have to position others as bad. And, being a biologist myself, I cannot help to link it to an evolutionary question. In order for some to prevail, others have to perish. But, although it seems natural (at least from an evolutionary point of view), it feels devastatingly inhuman. And it might be indeed one of the main causes that trigger evil. So, aren't we all, at some extent, accountable for some of the evil that's in the world? Anyway, it's a difficult topic and maybe I am just rambling nonsense...
I am currently waiting for Adshead's book to arrive and I cannot wait to get into it. I reckon it's going to be one of those readings that's gonna leave me mulling this subject over for a long time.
Thank you Elizabeth for hosting this interview. Both Gwen's work and yours are admirable. Best regards.
@@mariam1080 thanks for listening!
Thankyou so much for this podcast. I can recommend Dr Adshead’s book it is deeply “assumption-breaking”. Blessed are those who care and blessed are those who are drawn to bring their own vulnerabilities to Christ for healing with a humble and contrite heart. It is not easy. I’m still asking for the graces 🙏🏼
What an interesting channel. Thanks.
Glad you found us!
"Going to where the pain is" now that's quite the challenge, something about true religion comes to mind.
John Steinbeck dealt with this challenge gracefully in “Of Mice & Men”
Culture is confusing empathy and sympathy and it is causing much confusion and harm.
No
The answer is yes. Compassion is inclusive or it is not compassion. And compassion is freedom, freedom is compassion. The great and liberating (for all) work of a lifetime. 🤍