A Year of Yes with Melissa Williams

A Year of Yes with Melissa Williams

Author: Guy Crawford Macpherson December 2, 2025 Duration: 31:16
Melissa Williams is the creator of the YouTube channel Lostat50Something and the originator of the “Backwards Confession,” a powerful practice of entering a confessional not to seek absolution, but to name the harm caused by certain church doctrines and actions — and then to offer forgiveness as an act of reclaiming personal power and peace. 
This deeply personal ritual has become the foundation for a budding movement and online community, r/BackwardsConfession, where individuals are encouraged to engage in similar acts of active forgiveness and liberation from institutional harm.Through this work, Melissa offers a unique perspective on healing from religious trauma, challenging institutional power dynamics, reclaiming agency in the face of patriarchal structures, and transforming pain into empowerment. 
By sharing her own story and guiding others in this practice, she hopes to open new pathways for those navigating religious deconstruction and seeking healing beyond traditional frameworks.

In This Episode


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Guy Macpherson holds a space for conversations that go beyond textbook definitions of trauma. In The Trauma Therapist, he engages with practitioners from diverse fields-including mindfulness, addiction recovery, and yoga-to explore the nuanced reality of healing. Each episode is built around the personal journeys of these dedicated professionals, uncovering not just their clinical insights but the human experiences that shaped their approach. You’ll hear how they navigate the complexities of pain and resilience, offering a sense of connection and practical wisdom for anyone interested in the process of recovery. This podcast is sustained by its community, and some guest appearances are sponsored, with those segments always clearly identified for transparency. It’s a resource that honors the depth of its subject, providing listeners with authentic stories about the dedication required to support the human spirit through its most challenging moments.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Trauma Therapist
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