Why Good People Do Bad Things

By: Debbie Ford

Narrated by: Debbie Ford

Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

Why Good People Do Bad Things exposes the pervasive and often hidden impulses that influence our everyday decisions. The headlines are full of stories of good people gone astray. They show up on the evening news and are splashed across the weekly tabloids.

In many ways, these sad stories have become a national obsession. Yet countless other acts of self-destruction and sabotage take place in our families, in our communities, in our circle of friends. Despite good intentions, "good people" do very bad things - often without understanding why.

New York Times best-selling author Debbie Ford guides us into the heart of the duality that unknowingly operates within each one of us: the force that compels us to live by our values, give and receive love, and be a contributing member of the community; and the force that holds us back, sabotages our efforts, and repeatedly steers us toward bad choices.

Ford begins with an examination of what she calls the Beach-Ball Effect - the way in which suppressed emotions eventually rise to the surface - revealing the origins of self-destructive behavior. By describing the never-ending battle between our light and dark sides and then identifying the signposts for potential disaster, Ford helps us understand how we end up damaging the lives we've worked so hard to create. She then breaks new ground by helping us recognize the masks we wear to protect ourselves, including the People Pleaser, the Victim, the Bully, Mister Cool, and the Jokester. Understanding these masks and what they cover up allows us to go beneath the surface, wake up from denial, and become the person we always intended to be.

With Why Good People Do Bad Things Ford has created her most enduring, expansive, and powerful work to date. Providing the tools to unlock the patterns of self-sabotage, Ford ultimately knocks down the facade of the false self and shows us how to heal the split between light and dark and live the authentic life w...

©2008 Debbie Ford (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers

Life Changing

This was my first experience with Debbie Ford—and while I now realize she's got a whole host of material (which I am now digging into)—this was very enlightening. The insights I gained will help me make better choices for myself and have also helped me think more kindly about my own self-destructive behavior. My only criticism is that I wish Debbie had selected someone else to read it. She has a slight speech impediment that was distracting, particularly until I got used to it.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Understanding shadows

Very interesting and balanced perspective as to why we do what we do and how our shadows (other side of our 'goodness') can come out sideways. It levels the playing field and shows how everyone of us is capable of thinking, feeling and acting out quite negatively when we get out of balance with our selves.

For the people-pleaser type it is a real eye opener finding out that you aren't quite as innocent as you think . . . more like a manipulator and victim with a hidden agenda to get people to like you.

Initially I had a difficult time listening to Ms. Ford's voice, which is rather monotone and nasally, but once I got accustomed to it I found it rather comforting.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Finally I understand why :)

Would you consider the audio edition of Why Good People Do Bad Things to be better than the print version?

I can listen to it when working and everywhere I go.

What about Debbie Ford’s performance did you like?

She explains so clearly and brilliantly what other authors make it complicated to understand.

What did you learn from Why Good People Do Bad Things that you would use in your daily life?

Help me to question my reaction over what other people express and act over. She make it easy for me to not take other people saying personal and use it wisely. Such a relief...

Any additional comments?

She is an angel, one of the sweetest I had the pleasure to listened to. Thank you Debbie :)

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Examples but no help changing...

This book is full of examples and gives you some ideas of the "masks" people hide behind and maybe even why someone hides behind it but there is no real information regarding identifying your mask or ways to make changes to your behavior.

The book basically repeats the idea that you will never be happy and satisfied while wearing your mask and stresses how important it is to take off your mask and be the real you. It falls short of any information for improving yourself.

Not worth it...

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The Shadow Knows

This is a fascinating book! In college, I studied Jung's description of the shadow (the dark side) that is within all of us. But Debbie Ford makes this a contemporary and relevant listen. Each time I hear of another politician, athlete or celebrity who has self-imploded, I think "there's another one for Debbie's book!"

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Super annoying narration, okay book

Here's the secret if you're listening to this book on an iPod, adjust the speed. Your iPod should let you adjust the narration and this book's narration was only barely tolerable after I increased it to 2x. Soooooooo annoying. And she just goes on and on narrating these ridiculously repetitive lists. Ugh. Anyway, aside from the narration, the content of the book is... okay. But i'm more of a factual, research-based person, and nothing the author had to say was research-based or seemed factual, just her perspective (although not necessarily presented as such) on the topic/s.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Insightful

I liked the overall message of this book and found it very informative. I think she hit the nail on the head on why people do bad things. My only criticism is that this book was a bit repetitive and could have been edited down.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Bless you so much!!!

This book is so awesome! It has helped me to realize that my bad behavior that I almost let myself get into was a nudge to myself that I need to love and accept my wounded self. That there is good and bad in everyone but not to turn to the dark for light and healing that it could never truly fulfill. Also, that I must feed both the good and the bad wolf inside me or one will cause imbalance.

Excellent, relevant and powerful

I've read and listened to hundreds of books and this one created so much clarity about our duality and dark and light self.

A must read if you grew up with the "that is so wrong" or "they are a sinners paradigms.

POWERFUL INSIGHTS.

Amazing book!

Recommended to everyone looking for strength within and untouchable power to live life fully! Get it touch with love and compassion as this will change you life.

It's a life changing book!

This book has changed me some how. I'm very pleased I came across it. I can now truely forgive myself and others. I've have finally found my inner peace. I'm very greatful!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Interesting read

Easy to follow and listen to. Read very well by the author. Took away one star as I didn't like the God references at the end, felt a bit preachy.