What if your inner critic wasn’t actually you?

In this episode, I’m diving into the foundations of self-worth — and how it quietly erodes under the weight of shame, comparison, and the desire to belong.

I share the story of how I met Colin — the imaginary voice that had been keeping me small — and how giving him a name helped me finally see the difference between truth and self-protection.

I’ll explore how shame convinces us to hide, how comparison robs us of joy, and how the longing to belong can lead us to abandon ourselves — and most importantly, how to gently come back to your real, whole, wonderful self.

If you’ve ever felt like you were too much or never enough, this one’s for you.

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https://beacons.ai/andyfranklin

All ideas discussed in this episode are subjective and subject to change over time. I am never saying my ideas are the only truth. Everyone has to make their own decisions on what they think and what they believe.

Any generalisations or nuance missed is never meant as a deliberate act of ill will towards any specific persons or groups.

It is my hope that my ideas will be just the catalyst for your own questions and journey around this subject.