# E291: Forgiveness as Radical Self-Liberation  Guest Paul Drugan

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/adult-child-of-dysfunction-6619234/e291-forgiveness-as-radical-self-liberation-guest-paul-drugan
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/adult-child-of-dysfunction-6619234/e291-forgiveness-as-radical-self-liberation-guest-paul-drugan.md
Podcast: [Adult Child of Dysfunction](https://stenobird.com/podcast/adult-child-of-dysfunction-6619234)
Published: 2026-04-06T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://adult-child-of-dysfunction.captivate.fm/episode/e289-forgiveness-as-radical-self-liberation-guest-paul-drugan
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/4e16f38b-b908-4560-8d5b-ba4429dbb9aa.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/adult-child-of-dysfunction-6619234/episodes/e291-forgiveness-as-radical-self-liberation-guest-paul-drugan
Duration seconds: 2599

## Resource

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Chicago-based memoirist and men’s mental health advocate Paul Drugan , author of Forgiving Dr. Jekyll: From Hyde to Healing . Through raw storytelling and thoughtful insight, Paul explores childhood trauma, addiction, recovery, and the transformative power of forgiveness. Raised in a silent, controlled Irish Catholic family rooted in stoicism, Paul endured physical and emotional abuse from his father — a respected physician and community leader — as he struggled with his developing sexual identity. The shame, silence, and anger followed him into adulthood, shaping years of addiction, lost love, and internal conflict. But Paul’s story is not one of victimhood. It’s one of reclamation. In this conversation, we unpack what forgiveness really means — especially in the context of men’s mental health. Paul challenges the common belief that forgiveness equals excusing harm or letting someone “off the hook.” Instead, he reframes forgiveness as an act of radical self-liberation — taking the hook out of yourself so the past no longer dictates your identity or future. We explore: • What forgiveness truly means for men navigating trauma and silence • How forgiveness can coexist with accountability • Why forgiveness may be the ultimate act of self-love Paul reminds us that healing isn’t a single breakthrough moment — it’s a daily practice of awareness, acceptance, and action. And no matter how deep the wound or how early the damage, your dignity and worth were never destroyed. They are still there, waiting to be reclaimed. This episode is for anyone who has carried shame in silence, struggled with identity, or wondered whether true freedom from the past is possible. 🔗 Connect with Paul Drugan: Instagram: https://www.ins…

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## Transcript

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