Why doesn’t shaming actually work?

In this episode, Dr. John Ortberg explores two powerful reasons why condemnation and public shaming often backfire and what they do to both the person being judged and the one doing the judging.

Drawing from The Scarlet Letter, John shows:

- why we never truly know someone else’s story
- how shame distorts both identity and relationships
- why condemnation corrodes the soul of the one who carries it
- how modern culture reinforces division and estrangement
- what Jesus offers instead

Then he introduces a different calling:
The ministry of reconciliation.

You’ll learn:
- why reconciliation is central to the life of Jesus
- how to begin moving away from resentment
- what to do when relationships feel broken
- why prayer is often the first step
- how to live without keeping score

Because the goal isn’t just to avoid condemnation.
It’s to become someone who brings people back together.

SAVE THE DATE: FORMATIONPODCAST.com launches April 22!

📚 Today's Resources:
Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter
David Litt, “Is It Time to Stop Snubbing Your Right-Wing Family?” New York Times, 13 July 2025

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