How to Forgive for Health and Peace of Mind with Fred Luskin, PhD

Today I’m joined by Dr. Fred Luskin, one of the world’s leading researchers and teachers on forgiveness. He’s the founder of the Stanford University Forgiveness Projects, a longtime lecturer at Stanford School of Medicine, and bestselling author of Forgive for Good, Forgive for Love, and the newly released Forgive for Good Recovery Workbook.

Fred has spent decades studying the link between forgiveness and well-being. His research shows that forgiveness can reduce chronic stress, depression, and even physical pain — while boosting resilience, emotional balance, and inner peace.

If you’re healing from an autoimmune disorder or any chronic condition, this conversation is especially for you. Emotional stress, resentment, and unresolved pain can keep the body stuck in survival mode, which fuels inflammation and autoimmunity. Forgiveness is a powerful balm and way of living that soothes the nervous system and supports deep healing.

I had the privilege of taking Fred’s Forgive for Good workshop through Stanford Health Care, and I can say firsthand: his approach is both practical and profoundly transformative.

Tune in as we explore why forgiveness isn’t just a virtue — it’s a vital practice for a healthy, thriving life.

Quote: “Forgiveness is giving up all hope for a better past.”

What’s inside this episode?

02:20 What it is that makes unforgiveness so diminishing 

04:00 Fred’s personal story that led him down the path of understanding and researching “unforgiveness” as his work

07:25 What is forgiveness and what is it not?

10:20 What he found from his study of forgiveness in the most extremely traumatic life circumstances, and the most important aspects of forgiveness

17:25 Forgiveness strategies for someone who has experienced adverse childhood experience(s) (ACEs) and is facing an autoimmune response

25:55 Steps someone can take to forgive and look forward in their life

34:38 The integration of spirituality and history into Fred’s secular studies on forgiveness

38:00 Forgiveness is a choice and a learned skill

Resources mentioned:

Forgive For Good by Dr. Fred Luskin: https://a.co/d/7MzvjrE

The Forgive For Good Recovery Workbook: https://a.co/d/gSPBEXd

Want my help reversing an autoimmune condition?

If you are determined and committed to reclaiming your best health and life, I offer Functional Medicine Total Health Transformation Programs over Zoom. Get on my calendar for a free 30-minute discovery and strategy call: https://palmerkippola.com/apply/

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