A life can harden long before it ends. Stephen grew up in chaos, violence at home, abandonment, and abuse, then stumbled into his own storm of crime, grief, and addiction. Facing a possible 30-year sentence, he met a pastor whose quiet authority and lived joy cracked something open. What followed wasn’t a neat turnaround; it was a rugged apprenticeship to grace that reshaped how he saw God, himself, and the people who had wounded him.

We walk through the moments that mattered: the courtroom mercy that no one expected, the late-night wrestle with Scripture that reframed God as a loving Father, and the hard, practical work of forgiveness. Stephen explains why forgiveness is a choice rather than a feeling, and how aiming anger at the real enemy can keep a heart from calcifying. He shares the “taproot” model he uses in counseling - naming root wounds, tracing their bitter fruit, and cutting unforgiveness at its source so new fruit can grow. He also opens up about reconciling with his father and the tender strength required to forgive abusers while still holding wise boundaries.

If you’ve ever felt trapped by your past, scanning every room for danger, this conversation offers a way forward. You’ll hear clear steps you can apply today: write the letter, pray for the one who harmed you, forgive again when anger resurfaces, and let trusted community hold your story without judgment. The result isn’t denial—it’s freedom. Share with someone who needs hope, and leave a review to let us know: what’s one root you’re ready to face this week?

Katie Hauck’s interview:
https://youtu.be/wdemK7h2APM?si=NToEamNJi6fo-400

https://generationstogenerations.com/podcast

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