004: Shame: Understanding the Stories We Tell Ourselves

In this episode of Return to Heart, we unpack the difference between healthy and toxic shame, how childhood abandonment shapes the stories we tell ourselves, and why God calls us back to live unashamed and loved.

Shame was never meant to define us, yet many of us carry the lie that our needs make us “too much,” “not enough,” or “unlovable.”

Together, we explore:

• The biblical picture of healthy shame in the Garden before the fall
• How abandonment leads to toxic shame and distorted identity
• Why children ask “What’s wrong with me?” instead of “What’s wrong with them?”
• The lifelong effects of toxic shame on relationships, work, and faith
• God’s invitation to live unashamed and loved

If you’ve ever struggled with feelings of inadequacy, rejection, or the belief that you are the problem, this conversation will bring clarity, hope, and a path toward freedom.