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The Quote of the Day Show | Daily Motivational Talks

2159 | John Bradshaw: “Shame is About Being, Guilt is About Doing.”

Apr 16, 2025
John Bradshaw, an insightful author known for "Healing the Shame That Binds You," explores the profound distinctions between guilt and shame. He emphasizes that embracing the pain of shame is crucial for healing, diving into how perfectionism can undermine self-worth. The conversation highlights the origins of shame in dysfunctional family dynamics and the importance of vulnerability in personal growth. Bradshaw advocates for environments that promote emotional expression, suggesting that confronting these feelings aids recovery and fosters authentic connections.
18:00

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Understanding the distinction between guilt and shame is crucial for healing, as guilt relates to actions while shame relates to self-worth.
  • Addressing perfectionism is vital for emotional well-being, as it perpetuates shame and fosters a damaging pursuit of unattainable standards.

Deep dives

Understanding Shame vs. Guilt

Shame and guilt are fundamentally different in nature, with shame being associated with one's self-worth and guilt related to actions. Guilt reflects the sentiment that a particular behavior was wrong, whereas shame indicates a deeper feeling of being flawed or defective as a person. This distinction is critical for healing, as addressing guilt can involve changing behavior, while overcoming shame requires a profound shift in self-perception. Recognizing this difference is essential, especially in therapeutic contexts, as treating shame directly can lead to more effective healing than merely addressing guilt.

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