Hey everyone, I just want to make a quick announcement. This is our final episode of

2024. We're going to take a couple weeks off, so we'll be dark for two weeks, but we'll be back

with the new episode on January 5th, 2025. Our Patreon supporters at the Madness Producer

level will still get their December Patreon exclusive episode somewhere around

the end of December. So from everyone here at Team Madness, we want to wish you a safe and happy

holiday season. We'll see you in the new year. Follow the Minds of Madness on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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We've got links in our show notes.

The opinions expressed in the following episode do not necessarily reflect those of the minds of madness podcast.

Listener discretion is advised. There are many euphemisms to describe the act of forgiveness, bearing the hatchet, wiping

the slate clean, turning over a new leaf.

We like to believe that once granted forgiveness is the first step toward a new beginning, a fresh start.

But that's not always the case.

Sometimes forgiveness can be a mask that hides something far more insidious, a calculated decision

to punish someone slowly and methodically under the guise of

reconciliation. Mental health professionals have long observed this phenomenon in some

relationships scarred by infidelity. The betrayed partner might outwardly accept the apology, but inwardly they maintain a ledger of pain,

one they intend to collect on day after day.

What makes this form of retaliation particularly devastating is its ability to wear the clothes of virtue.

The aggressor can point to their patience in working through the betrayal,

...