In this episode of the Dan & Can Podcast, we take a closer look at the verse “He must increase, but I must decrease”—and how it’s often taught in Christianity as a call to erase yourself in order to glorify God.We explore how this verse has been used to shame authenticity, suppress individuality, and keep people safely inside rigid religious and cultural boundaries. Instead of encouraging growth, curiosity, or self-trust, many of us were taught that becoming less—quieter, smaller, more compliant—was the goal.But what if “decreasing” was never about self-erasure?What if it was about releasing outdated systems, rigid laws, and old survival patterns—so that your true self could finally emerge?We also widen the lens beyond religion, looking at how any system—religious, cultural, or social—can discourage authenticity by labeling it unsafe or wrong. Stepping outside the familiar often activates the nervous system, because the body naturally resists the unknown. That doesn’t mean it’s dangerous—it means it’s new.In this conversation, we talk about:

• How self-erasure became confused with holiness
• Why authenticity often feels unsafe at first
• How the nervous system resists change before it learns safety
• Practical, gentle ways to build tolerance for discomfort
• Learning to question authority instead of automatically conforming
• Becoming more comfortable with being uncomfortable—without forcing or shaming yourself
  

This episode is for anyone navigating deconstruction, personal growth, or learning to trust themselves after years of being told who they should be.If this episode resonates and you’re learning how to reconnect with your authentic self after years of conditioning, you don’t have to do that work alone. You can learn more about working with Candace through Candid Hypnotherapy, where nervous-system-informed sessions help gently unwind old patterns and build internal safety.CandidCoachingCo.com🎧 Hashtags:#danandcanpodcast #candidconversations #candidcoaching #candidhypnotherapy #deconstruction #religiousdeconstruction #exchristian #faithdeconstruction #spiritualhealing #religioustrauma #authenticself #selferasure #nervoussystemhealing #questionauthority #healingjourney #spiritualgrowth #mindsetshift #selftrust #healingoutloud

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