On this Erasing Shame conversation, Rev. Dr. Ken Fong explains the difference between toxic shame and healthy shame—how they’re two different things. Toxic shame carries the message that there’s something inherently wrong with oneself, leading individuals to either blame others or internalize the feeling and become worthless. Healthy shame, on the other hand, acknowledges mistakes and wrongdoings, allowing for growth and the reception of grace. He also shares insights into the cultural significance of shame in the Asian American community and the importance of authenticity and healthy connections in a chaotic world.
Show Notes
- Asian America: The Ken Fong Podcast asianamericapodcast.com
- In this Preaching Today article by Dr. Matthew D. Kim, Pastor Ken Fong described the differences this way: “Healthy shame is an intermittent, proper awareness of being a limited, flawed human being. It leads to the acknowledgement of your need for help from a higher power. It is the source of creativity. It is the core of true spirituality. Toxic shame, on the other hand, is the dark feeling that you are flawed as a human being. In spite of your efforts to change, deep inside, it feels hopeless because you do not believe that genuine change is truly possible. After all, you did not just make a mistake; you are the mistake.”
Intro & Outro Music via Vlog No Copyright Music.
• Song: TVARI – Tokyo Cafe
• Creative Commons—ShareAlike—Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)