fred luskin

World-renowned social scientist, best-selling author of "Forgive for Good," and director of the Stanford Forgiveness Project, Dr. Fred Luskin recognizes why forgiveness is so "unpopular." It takes hard work, intentional practice, and deep vulnerability. 

Grudge-holding may feel more justified, but it only makes us sick. In his seminal "Forgive for Good" workshop and class series, which he has presented around the world, Dr. Luskin takes people through his forgiveness training methodology that’s been validated through six successful research studies conducted through the Stanford Forgiveness Projects. Workshop participants learn to move from hurt to hope as they learn how to release grudges and free themselves from grievance. 

Through his research at Stanford University, over the past 25 years, Dr. Luskin has confirmed that forgiveness has been shown to reduce anger, hurt, depression and stress and lead to greater feelings of optimism, hope, compassion and self confidence. 

Dr. Luskin holds a Ph.D. in Counseling and Health Psychology from Stanford University.

He continues to serve as Director of the Stanford Forgiveness Projects, an ongoing series of workshops and research projects that investigate the effectiveness of his forgiveness methods on a variety of populations. The forgiveness project has successfully explored forgiveness therapy with people who suffered from the violence in Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone as well as the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11. 

In addition his work has been successfully applied and researched in corporate, medical, legal and religious settings. He currently serves as a Senior Consultant in Health Promotion at Stanford University and is a Professor at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. 

Website:  https://learningtoforgive.com/

Dr. Luskin's books: https://learningtoforgive.com/tools/

When we’re hurt by others, we have the choice to forgive or hold onto a grudge. We often think of forgiveness as a gift we give someone who has done us wrong, but forgiveness is just as impactful to the giver. The act of forgiving is good for your health. On this episode, Jen Fisher talks with Dr. Fred Luskin, a world leading researcher and teacher about forgiveness and the author of the best-selling books, Forgive for Good and Forgive for Love, about why forgiveness is important, recognizing the need to forgive, and how to forgive.

Fred Luskin, founder of the Stanford Forgiveness Projects, explains what forgiveness is and what it isn’t—and how the choice transforms anger into healing and peace.