25 - How a Good Apology Makes All the Difference (with Dr. Jennifer Thomas)
March 13, 2022
In this episode, Graham interviews psychologist, business consultant and author Dr. Jennifer Thomas about her book and work around the languages of apology. This is such an important topic for our families, as there is no family that doesn't need to offer and receive good apologies! We sin against each other; we break promises; we let each other down. Dr. Thomas give us incredibly valuable tools so we can handle these situations well, which she calls the Five Apology Languages.
In this episode, Graham interviews psychologist, business consultant and author Dr. Jennifer Thomas about her book and work around the languages of apology. This is such an important topic for our families, as there is no family that doesn't need to offer and receive good apologies! We sin against each other; we break promises; we let each other down. Dr. Thomas give us incredibly valuable tools so we can handle these situations well, which she calls the Five Apology Languages.
Points we cover:
Points we cover:
- The founding story for her work, which was a marriage conflict that ended as a gift.
- How she got connected with Dr. Gary Chapman.
- How unresolved wrongs can become a wall over time.
- How the research revealed five different groups -- and how we can think of these as steps to a complete apology.
- Being specific about what we're apologizing for.
- Bad apologies.
- How it's the STRONGER person who has learned to be humble and apologize when they've wronged someone
- Teaching kids about apologies.
- Examples of things we can actually say when apologizing.
- Why we as humans just don't WANT to apologize - and how this can come from our upbringing.
- Not over-apologizing, which cheapens our apologies.
- How we can model good apologies to our kids, not just teach it to them.
Scriptures referenced:
- James 3
Resources
- www.drjenthomas.com
- Dr. Thomas TEDx talk, Getting the Last Word with Apology
- The 5 Apology Languages, by Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas
- Follow Dr. Thomas on Instagram @theapologyexpert
- Find Dr. Thomas on Facebook @drjenthomas
About Dr. Thomas
- Jennifer Thomas is a motivational speaker specializing in the five love languages and communication. She is a business consultant and psychologist. She recently gave a TEDx talk on the two essentials for healthy relationships. Hint: They involve a love tank and forgiveness. She is the co-author of these books: The 5 Apology Languages and Making Things Right at Work. Her books have been translated into 15 foreign languages and have sold hundreds of thousands of copies around the world. Jennifer has a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Maryland. She earned a BA in psychology and religion from the University of Virginia. Visit her at www.drjenthomas.com.
Music:
- Intro: Life of a Traveler, by Black Rhomb (License #3565685)
- Outtro: Avocado Street, by Wes Hutchinson (Courtesy of YouTube Music)
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