Colorado Matters Jan. 2, 2026: Legacy of Cherry Creek: Growing Up Black in Denver’s Transforming Neighborhood
Jan 2, 2026
Kristen Koval, a novelist and former trusts and estates attorney, dives deep into her debut novel, "Penitence," which tackles juvenile fratricide and the complexities of forgiveness. She shares her journey from law to fiction, including her fears and the valuable lessons learned from early rejections. Koval examines the themes of gun safety and juvenile justice, critiquing tough-on-crime policies. With a focus on character development and emotional depth, she highlights how forgiveness isn't just for the transgressor but a key to healing for those left behind.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Forgiveness Vs. Throwing People Away
- Kristen Koval argues forgiveness doesn't mean excusing harm but refusing to permanently discard someone.
- She warns that throwing people away prevents them from learning or improving.
Own Ambition And Embrace Failure
- Kristen Koval advises owning your ambitions so you can fully commit to them.
- She recommends embracing failure as a necessary step when switching careers.
Fratricide Illuminates Forgiveness Tension
- Koval picked juvenile fratricide to explore forgiveness because parents face both extreme reasons to forgive and not forgive.
- That tension lets her probe messy, personal paths to mercy.