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The Legacy Project Podcast
Welcome to The Legacy Project Podcast with Don Fessenden, your guide to preserving and sharing your story. Whether you're just beginning to document your life’s journey or refining a narrative you've already started, this podcast is here to inspire, educate, and empower you to craft a legacy that will endure for generations.
Each episode dives deep into the art and impact of storytelling, offering practical tips, heartfelt reflections, and creative tools drawn from Don’s book, The Legacy Project: A Guide to Sharing Your Story. Together, we’ll explore how your experiences, values, and lessons learned can become a gift for future generations.
Your story matters, and this podcast will show you how to honor your past, embrace your present, and inspire your future—one chapter at a time. Tune in for short, actionable episodes that help you start writing, start sharing, and leave your mark on the world.
"Start writing. Start sharing. Leave your legacy."
The Legacy Project Podcast
How to Forgive Yourself in Your Story Featuring Don Fessenden and Harper Smith
"Welcome back to The Legacy Project Podcast, the space where life stories become legacies and everyday reflection becomes timeless wisdom. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and I’m excited to introduce someone new who’ll be joining us from now on—Harper Smith, our thoughtful and curious intern who’ll be asking the kinds of questions many of you are probably thinking as you listen. Welcome to the podcast, Harper."
TheLegacyProject.me
Purchase copies of The Legacy Project book at Amazon.com
You can also get a copy of Service Before Self my autobiography at Amazon.com
#TheLegacyProject #Autobiographies #ThePowerofLegacy #Legacy #YourWhy #Storytelling #StructureinWriting #Youtube #X #Instagram #ServiceBeforeSelf #Ancestry #WritingforPosterity
"Start writing. Start sharing. Leave your legacy."
"Welcome back to The Legacy Project Podcast, the space where life stories become legacies and everyday reflection becomes timeless wisdom. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and I’m excited to introduce someone new who’ll be joining us from now on: Harper, our thoughtful and curious intern who’ll be asking the kinds of questions many of you are probably thinking as you listen. Welcome to the podcast, Harper."
Elizabeth:"Thanks so much, Don. I’m really honored to be part of this project. I’m here to learn: and to help listeners like me feel a little less alone as they go through their own storytelling journey."
Don:"That’s exactly the goal. And your presence is going to bring a fresh perspective to each conversation. Speaking of which, let’s jump into today’s topic: How to Forgive Yourself in Your Story. It’s one that takes courage and care.""Many people struggle with one question as they begin telling their story: How do I write about the mistakes I’ve made? The regrets, the shame, the parts I’m not proud of. Harper, let me ask you: what comes to mind when you think of telling the whole truth in a legacy story?"
Elizabeth:"I think it’s scary, honestly. Like… if I admit the things I regret, will it make the rest of my story feel less valuable?"
Don:"And that’s such a common fear. But here’s the truth: your story doesn’t lose value when you’re honest: it gains it. Self-forgiveness isn’t about pretending you were perfect. It’s about showing that you were human, you grew, and you learned."
Elizabeth:"So, the vulnerability actually makes the story stronger?"
Don:"Exactly. By including your mistakes and how you found grace for yourself, you model resilience. You give others permission to forgive themselves too.""Forgiveness begins by naming what you’re still holding onto. That could be a broken relationship, a missed opportunity, a decision you now see differently. Ask yourself: What part of my story still makes me wince? What would I tell a friend who went through this same thing? What am I ready to release so it doesn’t define me anymore?"
Elizabeth:"I really like that idea of talking to yourself the way you’d talk to a friend. We’re often so much more compassionate to others than we are to ourselves."
Don:"You’re spot on, Harper. And that’s the kind of inner kindness that becomes part of your storytelling voice. When you write from that place, the page becomes a space of healing.""When you’re ready to write about a moment that requires self-forgiveness, start with the facts. Tell what happened without exaggeration or justification. Then: this part is vital: add reflection. What have you learned? How have you changed?"
Elizabeth:"Would it help to write like it’s a letter to yourself first? I think that might make it feel safer."
Don:"Absolutely. That’s a great strategy. If you’re not ready to make it part of your formal story yet, a private letter gives you space to process. Forgiveness often begins in private, with honesty."
Elizabeth:"And you don’t have to write everything all at once, right? It’s okay to take it slow?"
Don:"More than okay. It’s necessary. Forgiveness takes time: and writing through it should be gentle. You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin.""When you forgive yourself in your story, you create something powerful: a bridge. A way for future readers: your kids, grandkids, or even strangers: to walk through their own mistakes with a little more light."
Elizabeth:"That reminds me of a story I read where someone wrote about dropping out of school and the guilt they carried for years. But their reflection gave the story so much hope. It felt… real."
Don:"That’s exactly what makes legacy stories meaningful. Not the picture-perfect parts: but the ones that say,‘I’ve been there too. And I kept going.’"
Elizabeth:"So the forgiveness isn’t just for the writer: it becomes a gift to the reader."
Don:"Yes. A legacy of grace passed down.""As we close today’s episode, I encourage you to take one moment from your past: one you’ve struggled to forgive: and sit with it. Not to judge it, but to understand it. Write it down, if you’re ready. Then, try writing a second version: one where you speak to yourself with empathy, not shame. That small act can begin to change everything."
Elizabeth:"Thank you, Don. That makes the idea of writing about hard things feel a little less intimidating: and a lot more meaningful."
Don:"And thank you, Harper, for joining us. I think your questions today helped a lot of people feel heard."
Elizabeth:"I’m so glad. I can’t wait for what’s next."
Don:"If you’re looking for more guidance on healing through storytelling, check out my book The Legacy Project: A Guide to Sharing Your Story. It’s filled with prompts, reflection tools, and support to help you through even the hardest parts. This is The Legacy Project Podcast. Keep writing. Keep forgiving. And as always—keep leaving your mark. We’ll see you next time."
