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Don’t F*kn Shrink: Sustainable Performance for High-Achieving Women
Success shouldn't cost you your health.
For years, women have been taught to push through stress. But what if that's exactly what's holding you back?
Don't F*kn Shrink is the podcast for high-achieving women who want to perform at their best without sacrificing their health, relationships, or identity. Hosted by performance physiologist Daffney Allwein, each episode explores the science behind sustainable performance; from nervous system regulation and stress recovery to strength, longevity, leadership, and the psychology of ambition.
Whether you're leading a company, raising a family, building a career, or navigating midlife, you'll learn how to work with your body instead of against it so you can show up with more energy, confidence, and clarity
Because success isn't about shrinking yourself to fit your life. It's about building a life where you never have to.
Subscribe and join thousands of women who are redefining what success looks like - one grounded, sustainable step at a time. If an episode resonates with you, share it with a friend and leave a review. Your support helps more women discover the tools they need to lead, perform, and thrive.
Don’t F*kn Shrink: Sustainable Performance for High-Achieving Women
16: Deconstructing Faith and Letting Go of Fear with Brian Recker
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What happens when staying “acceptable” costs you your integrity? In this episode, Daffney talks with public theologian and bestselling author of Hell Bent, Brian Recker, for an honest conversation about faith, fear, and the moment you stop contorting yourself to belong. Brian unpacks his journey from growing up as a fundamentalist pastor’s kid to walking away from the pulpit when curiosity, conscience, and love could no longer fit inside rigid religious systems. Together, they discuss how fear has been used to control belief, why politics and religion became dangerously intertwined, and what it really takes to choose truth over approval. This episode is for anyone who’s ever swallowed their questions, softened their voice, or stayed silent just to remain palatable.
Connect with Brian Recker:
https://brianrecker.substack.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/berecker/
In This Episode:
- (01:10) Meet Brian Recker; growing up as a fundamentalist pastor’s kid
- (04:10) The political turning point that changed everything
- (08:40) Fear as the backbone of religious control
- (18:50) Queer affirmation as a line in the sand and the cost of crossing it
- (23:55) Hell as metaphor and how fear-based theology was weaponized
- (30:15) Reclaiming spirituality without fear of punishment
Connect with Daffney:
The Game-Changer Consult → This 60 min deep dive offers you clarity and insight into what’s possible for your next 60 days. Leave this consult feeling full of possibility and with the energy of purpose!