Author and apologist Teasi Cannon chats to Taryn Hayes about her remarkable journey from growing up in a cult to finding freedom and confidence in Jesus, and how that journey eventually led her into more than fifteen years of studying apologetics. At the heart of the conversation is Teasi’s recent work on biblical forgiveness: why she believes the modern idea of forgiveness as a private, therapeutic act has departed from the biblical picture, how that understanding can place an unnecessary burden on victims, and why repentance matters. Teasi and Taryn explore spiritual abuse, church accountability, healing, vengeance, reconciliation, and the beauty of genuine repentance, while reflecting on the importance of knowing Scripture, thinking carefully about what we believe, and trusting God even when difficult questions remain.

***

RELATED CONTENT:

Teasi Cannon — official website

Biblical Forgiveness — Teasi Cannon’s resources on forgiveness

General Apologetics — Teasi Cannon’s recommended resources

Spiritual Abuse — Teasi Cannon’s resources on understanding and healing from spiritual abuse

BOOKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Counterfeit Forgiveness: How a Modern Myth Betrays Victims, Protects Abusers, and Corrupts the Gospel — Teasi Cannon

***

KEY THEMES

Christian testimony, conversion, apologetics, biblical forgiveness, repentance, reconciliation, spiritual abuse, victims, church accountability, biblical literacy, therapeutic forgiveness, emotional healing, vengeance, trusting God, church culture, restoration, mentoring, Scripture, grace, Christian relationships

***

A NOTE ON LINKS and CREATION & AI TOOLS:

Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Podcast episodes are predominantly recorded and edited on Riverside.com. All podcast and engagement artwork is created by Taryn in Canva. The intro and outro music, Jesus Loves Me, This I Know, was created by Taryn in collaboration with the AI music tool Suno. From time to time, AI is also used as a sounding board and editing aid for some scripts and/or show notes.

***

ABOUT THE PODCAST:

This I Know, hosted by Taryn Hayes, features informal, long-form conversations with Christians in Australia and around the world about faith, life, ministry, and the ways God is at work in and through his people.

The podcast began in 2016 as The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women, founded and hosted by Tori Walker, with Taryn co-hosting from 2018 to 2022. In September 2026, it was relaunched as This I Know, opening the conversation to both Christian men and women.

While Taryn comes from a Reformed evangelical theological background, guests may hold differing views on disputable or non-gospel matters. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.

CONNECT:

Follow This I Know on most social media platforms: @thisiknowshow