Episode Details

Thank you Rev. Evelyn Bourne (Ambilike), The One Minute Daily Boost, An Advocate for Spirit, Brandon Ellrich, Richard Hogan, MD, PhD(2), DBALaMakhosi (La Mar), Kyra Faison-Gardner, EG, Giuliana and many others for tuning into my live video with Michelle Wadleigh! Join me for my next live video in the app.

Michelle Wadleigh: The Power of Forgiveness in Leadership

As leaders and humans, our greatest growth often comes from letting go of old hurts. Michelle Wadleigh stands out for her actionable, compassionate approach to forgiveness, blending metaphysical wisdom and practical discipline. She reminds us: “Forgiveness isn’t about forgetting what happened. It’s about setting yourself free” (Wadleigh, 2025).

As Dr. Wadleigh writes, “Forgiveness saved my life.” This is not just a lofty sentiment—it’s a lived truth guiding those ready to release resentment and embrace authentic leadership (Wadleigh, 2025). Her own journey, described in both her Substack and books, frames forgiveness as a “life-saving necessity”—essential not only for personal healing, but for unlocking creativity, progress, and peace (Wadleigh, 2025).

Contemporary research validates her perspective. Forgiveness therapy has been linked to increased hope and decreased anxiety and depression (Lin et al., 2004). In fact, practicing forgiveness over five weeks can substantially reduce perceived stress and improve psychological well-being (Toussaint et al., 2016). According to Mayo Clinic (2022), forgiving others can improve heart health and lower blood pressure.

Michelle’s books, Forgiveness: A Workbook for Emotional and Spiritual Freedom and Forgiveness: A Path, a Promise, a Way of Life, offer practical steps, journal prompts, and motivational guidance for both leaders and teams.

Michelle Wadleigh authored “40 Days to Freedom: A Lenten Practice for the Modern Mind,” published by Xlibris Corporation in 2011. This book, co-written with Alice Reid, serves as a spiritual guide for anyone seeking transformation through a focused period of reflection and release.

About the Book

Purpose: “40 Days to Freedom” is designed to lead readers through a 40-day journey of personal growth, healing, and liberation from destructive or unproductive habitual thinking.

Approach: Drawing on the tradition of Lent, Michelle reframes the practice for modern spiritual seekers, offering daily prompts and exercises intended to support deeper self-awareness and emotional freedom.

Content: Readers engage in daily reflections, journaling, and transformative practices, making forgiveness and personal release accessible, practical, and relevant to everyday life.

Integration: The book is both useful for group study and individual practice, emphasizing empowered choice and spiritual awakening.

Motivational insight is woven through her work and public writing:“You are more powerful as WHOLE. Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom.” (Wadleigh, 2025)

Other leadership voices un