Transforming Shame into Grace: Interview with author, Dawn Ward

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 What do you do when the life you imagined is shattered by addiction—and it’s your family caught in the storm?

In this raw and hope-filled episode of The Higher Pursuit Podcast, Cecily Lachapelle sits down with speaker, writer, and biblical life coach Dawn Ward to unpack the emotional whirlwind of parenting through addiction, the silent burden of shame, and how faith makes healing possible—one surrendered step at a time.

If you've ever whispered "Where did I go wrong?" or carried guilt that doesn’t belong to you, this episode will speak straight to your heart. Dawn shares the hard-won wisdom she gained from walking with her husband and children through addiction, and how God repurposed her deepest pain into a calling to support other women walking the same path.

You’ll hear how grace became her anchor, why shame loses power in the light, and what it really looks like to trust God when your child’s future is unclear.

💡 You don’t have to carry this alone. There is healing on the other side of surrender.

Grab your copy of Dawn’s book, ‘From Guilt to Grace’ here: https://amzn.to/42yz9Ay—and begin your own journey of repurposing pain into purpose.

🎧 After you listen: Share this episode with a friend who feels alone in their struggle. And take one moment today to invite God into your pain—you don't have to navigate it without Him.

🔑 Episode Takeaways:

• Dawn shares how her love for Jesus and His Word became the foundation for healing and hope.
• Many mothers lose themselves trying to rescue addicted loved ones—often at the cost of their own well-being.
• Shame runs deeper than guilt and quietly shapes how mothers view themselves and their worth.
• Boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re essential for survival and healing in the midst of addiction.
• Family dynamics and past wounds can distort our understanding of love, trust, and identity.
• Healing begins when we stop hiding and start surrendering our pain to God.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Repurposing Pain

05:00 Finding Purpose in Pain

10:02 Transforming Shame into Grace

25:11 The Impact of Family Dynamics on Shame

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