Gratitude as Catalyst for Forgiveness: A Global Story of Resilience and Growth - Elisabetta Franzoso

Welcome back, Gratitude Seekers! In today’s powerful episode we sit down with Elisabetta Franzoso—a former Italian schoolteacher turned counselor, life‑coach, author, and global wellness practitioner. Born in the misty rice‑field town of Vercelli, Elisabetta left home at 29 for the bustling streets of Jakarta, Singapore, and beyond, spending 24 transformative years in Southeast Asia before making her home on the sunny beaches of Barcelona.

Through her story we’ll explore:

• The anatomy of gratitude – why Elisabetta believes true thankfulness must be earned through deep analysis, acceptance, and forgiveness, not just a feel‑good mantra.
• Cultural contrasts – how the “yin‑yang” softness she discovered in Asian cultures reshaped her European habit of relentless striving and resistance.
• Personal rebirth – confronting an abusive parenting pattern, navigating two divorces, and turning pain into purpose by studying counseling at 37, publishing a bestseller, and launching a thriving coaching practice.
• Everyday practices – breathing, mindfulness, and seaside meditations she now shares with clients, showing how gratitude can be cultivated in both conflict and calm.

Elisabetta’s journey proves that gratitude is more than a momentary sparkle; it’s a relentless, layered process—like peeling an onion—that leads us from anger to acceptance, from survival to thriving. Stay tuned for her vivid reflections, practical tools, and a glimpse into how gratitude can turn even the toughest chapters into hidden blessings.

Grab your headphones, take a deep breath, and get ready to be inspired—because today’s conversation is a masterclass in turning life’s twists into thank‑you notes.

Resources:

Elisabetta's website: https://elisabettafranzoso.com

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Timestamps:

02:38 – 03:24 | Elisabetta’s background: born in Vercelli, Italy; early life in rice‑field town.

03:24 – 04:45 | Move to Southeast Asia (Jakarta, Singapore) at 29; journey from “three‑year plan” to 24‑year stay.

04:45 – 05:37 | Study of languages, family life, the “leap of faith” with ex‑husband; later return to study at 37.

05:37 – 06:35 | Self‑realization of being an abusive mother; seeking help and meeting counselor Marilyn Shearer.

06:35 – 07:19 | Marilyn’s encouragement to study counseling; facing family resistance and choosing “yes.”

07:19 – 08:03 | Writing a book, returning to education at 37, gratitude to Marilyn for planting the seed.

08:03 – 09:13 | Master’s in counseling, international training; recognizing the four human dimensions (body, intellect, emotion, spirit).

09:13 – 10:05 | Publishing a successful book in Singapore; sudden divorce and the slow emergence of gratitude for that break‑up.

10:05 – 11:13 | Freedom from the divorce → relocation to Barcelona; lifestyle of online/offline coaching by the sea.

11:13 – 12:37 | Question about cultural expressions of gratitude; Elisabetta’s take on Asian vs. Western attitudes.

12:37 – 14:23 | Observations of poverty‑smiles in Asia; lessons of surrender, softness, and accepting what is.

14:23 – 15:47 | How Asian “yin‑yang” balance taught her to stop constant fighting and embrace daily action.

15:47 – 16:34 | Contrast with European resistance; personal challenges restarting life in Barcelona.

16:34 – 17:01 | Stories from Thailand, Bali, and the universal “softness” found in Asian streets.

17:01 – 17:36 | Future curiosity about gratitude in South America (Cuba, orphanage work).

17:36 – 19:14 | Deep‑dive into acceptance, forgiveness, and the necessity of analyzing past pain before true gratitude.

19:14 – 20:48 | Understanding root anger, over‑excitement; forgiveness of ex‑husband and parental figures; feeling “reborn.”

20:48 – 22:02 | Carl Jung’s insight: resistance fuels negativity; peeling the onion metaphor for the gratitude journey.

22:02 – 23:33 | Recent conflict with her daughter → gratitude for conflict as growth; importance of confronting pain.

23:33 – 25:03 | Dialogue on peace vs. conflict; how opposite traits attract; balancing fight and surrender learned in Asia.

25:03 – 26:57 | Choosing when to fight or surrender; developing both strength and softness through conscious choice.

26:57 – 28:27 | Dynamic balance as a lifelong practice; ongoing work to soften the “tough” parts of herself.

28:27 – 30:35 | Impact of self‑judgment; becoming gentler inwardly leads to gentler interactions outwardly; company philosophy “peel‑the‑onion” continues.

30:35 – 32:07 | Balance is ever‑changing like waves; deeper gratitude emerges from this dynamic equilibrium.

32:07 – 33:47 | Gratitude becomes natural—whether amidst crowds or silence; personal moments (mother’s La Scala visit).

33:47 – 35:35 | Honoring imperfect parents; poems acknowledging both gifts and wounds; seeing father’s detachment as a useful lesson.

35:35 – 36:42 | Transforming negative experiences into positive growth requires courage; concluding quote about “blessings in disguise.”

36:42 – 38:04 | Where to find Elisabetta online (website, social media).

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