On Permission to Evolve, host performance and life coach Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes discuss “permission to rest” and why constant pushing can lead to burnout, injuries, and distorted decision-making. Brandon explains that rest is where integration, new perspective, and nervous system recovery happen, especially when rewiring patterns or doing deep emotional work, and notes tools like HRV that can guide recovery. In the question of the week, he describes how avoiding pain from unresolved past wounds (like rejection or abandonment) creates rigid strategies, overthinking, and repeated experiences of the very outcomes people fear, and argues healing requires feeling emotions in the body rather than intellectualizing them. They compare true rest with doom scrolling, share examples from athletics and a recent car accident, and emphasize boundaries, sustainable effort, and intelligent work supported by reflection.

00:00 Welcome and Setup

00:08 Why Rest Matters

02:22 Question of the Week

03:18 Avoidance Creates Pain

06:35 Feel It in the Body

09:36 Permission to Rest

10:44 Work Culture and Burnout

14:51 Rest Brings Perspective

18:28 Real Rest vs Scrolling

24:40 Injury Forced Downtime

28:40 Tradeoffs and Longevity

32:46 Hard Work vs Smart Work

37:21 Key Takeaways on Rest

42:44 Where to Find Brandon

43:41 Closing Goodbye

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

In a coaching session between Brandon and Holly, they explore how an “I’m lesser than” wound can unconsciously drive people to overwork, say yes to everything, and seek worth through proving themselves, yet never feel satisfied. They contrast this with an outward expression of the same insecurity that looks like confidence but is actually a facade of entitlement, image-protection, and sometimes manipulation. They discuss how these mirrored patterns show up in feedback, bosses, and relationships, one side internalizing shame, overthinking, and giving too much while shutting down receiving, the other defending ego with anger and taking more while giving less. They argue worth and value aren’t decided by others, must be generated within, and that the current situation is an opportunity to embody real value through selectivity, boundaries, and healthier receiving.

00:00 Proving Worth Trap

00:43 Boundaries And Selectivity

01:00 Entitlement Vs Confidence

02:13 Two Sides Same Wound

04:09 Giving And Receiving Imbalance

05:30 Mirrors At Work

06:06 Anger Sadness And Feedback

07:51 Healthy Receiving Opportunity

09:04 Trust The Lesson

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620

https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOn

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/630fe721-2342-490e-b3ef-1f143cacc88f/permission-to-evolve

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

The Hidden Cost of Overthinking (and What Your Body Knows)

In this episode of Permission to Evolve, host performance and life coach Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes explore “permission to question everything” as an ongoing, practical process for uncovering blind spots, shifting perception, and moving from negative emotion into a more neutral, objective state. Holly asks about people who over-intellectualize decisions with pros/cons lists, and Brandon explains this often reflects a lack of self-trust, fear of mistakes, and avoidance of emotions; he argues effective decisions blend logic with gut-level emotional information and require “cleaning up” past baggage that can distort what feels like facts. They discuss patterns, coping mechanisms, shame-based self-criticism versus self-compassionate curiosity, fixed mindset and all-or-none thinking, and how true peace shows up as reduced bodily tension and can unfold in layers over time. The episode closes with takeaways on asking the questions you avoid, releasing limiting identity stories, and how to connect with Brandon’s coaching, newsletter, social channels, and the Electric Wisdom clips.

00:00 Welcome and Setup

00:09 Question Everything Intro

01:35 Intellect vs Emotion

08:53 Listener Q Reminder

09:30 Blocks and Perception

11:54 Weaknesses and Inquiry

13:45 Humility and Growth

17:27 Patterns and Shame

22:24 Self Compassion Lens

26:34 Triathlon Learning Gaps

31:53 When Im Fine Isnt Fine

39:03 Key Takeaways Recap

43:22 Where to Find Brandon

44:47 Closing and Next Time

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes return to a looser format on Permission to Evolve, catching up after Brandon’s two-week trip through Amsterdam, Croatia (Split and Dubrovnik), Ibiza, London, and Boston, sharing standout experiences like museums, historic old towns, nightlife, and the blur of travel and jet lag, plus his upcoming first Kona trip in under two weeks. Holly recaps Ironman Wisconsin weekend, its iconic spectator support, and how watching the finish line reignited her desire to do another full Ironman in 2027 after questioning her future in the sport. They discuss detachment and identity, then pivot to listener questions about “the universe experiencing itself,” how nonjudgmental witnessing and holding space helps people heal, and how to tell feeling something deeply from thinking about it, emphasizing embodiment, surrendering to sensations, and releasing shame.

00:00 Welcome Back Updates

00:39 Amsterdam Highlights

02:48 Croatia Split To Dubrovnik

05:33 Dubrovnik Views And Adventures

08:40 Ibiza Nightlife Return

13:18 Beach Recovery And Farewell

14:25 London And Boston Reset

16:35 Time Flying Kona Ahead

18:16 Ironman Wisconsin Weekend

21:12 Reevaluating Triathlon Passion

22:25 Chasing Ironman Magic

23:25 Detachment and Identity

26:29 Why Ironman Hits Hard

28:50 World Champs Locations Shift

31:35 Universe Experiencing Itself

37:11 Healing Through Witnessing

42:08 Feeling vs Thinking Feelings

46:47 Surrender and Flow Wrap Up

49:36 Where to Find Brandon

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

Brandon explains that the fastest way to create better opportunities is to make peace with your current situation, because fighting your job, home, or circumstances builds resistance and keeps you fixated on what’s wrong. By aiming for a more neutral, open mindset, you shift into an “attractive mode” that helps you see a bigger picture, connect to vision, and notice new connections and possibilities.Brandon emphasizes that wherever you go, you bring your mindset with you, so training yourself to be okay no matter what creates flexibility and smoother transitions. Using examples like wanting to live in New York but being in Chicago or Madison, they argue that loving where you are doesn’t trap you it improves your energy, helps you enjoy the journey, shed what no longer fits, and carry the feeling of “home” wherever you live.

00:00 Peace Before Progress

01:03 Neutral Mindset Opens Doors

01:41 You Bring You Everywhere

02:25 From Chicago to New York

03:23 Settling Within Yourself

04:10 Use Your Job as Training

04:37 Chasing the Feeling of Home

05:20 Bring Home With You

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620

https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOn

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

Brandon shares a coaching-style reflection on how focusing on money as the primary concern creates hesitation, bargaining, and a “never enough” mindset that blocks action and fulfillment. He argues that desires must matter more than money not in a reckless way, but by getting more attached to the vision and resourcefulness than to current limitations because when attention shifts to “how do I make this happen,” support and solutions tend to align. Brandon explores how judgment of successful people (e.g., believing they screwed others over) can be a way to justify personal shortcomings and avoid self-examination. He describes building momentum by increasing alignment with desire (e.g., 90% aligned yields “10% level problems”), reducing internal conflict, trusting timing and intuition, avoiding forced moves or “convincing yourself,” and continuing to step forward until the path reveals itself.

00:00 Desire Over Money

01:55 Breaking Scarcity Bargains

02:47 Judgment And Stories

03:23 Build Desire Momentum

05:03 Alignment And Resistance

06:56 Intuition Reveals Steps

07:52 Avoid Forcing Timing

08:38 Choose And Step Forward

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620

https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOn

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

Detaching From Identity, Free Will vs Destiny, and “Electrician for the Soul” Explained

In the 80th episode of Permission to Evolve, host Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes run an Ask Me Anything focused on identity, growth, and Brandon’s coaching philosophy. Brandon discusses loosening identity ties to roles and labels, following excitement, taking healthy risks, and avoiding over-identifying with limitations like anxiety or ADHD. During a “this or that” segment, he shares personal preferences (e.g., skydiving over scuba, luxury hotels, dogs, window seats) and talks about enjoying roller coasters and re-watching Succession. Holly asks about free will versus a planned life path, and Brandon frames it as a mix of potential, mindset, and choice, referencing integrated timeline work. He revisits his “electrician for the soul” concept as clearing belief-based energy blocks in the nervous system, and closes by emphasizing play, creativity, and reconnecting to the heart-guided self.

00:00 Podcast Milestone Setup

01:17 Identity Beyond Roles

04:16 Follow Excitement Not Ego

06:31 Loosen Labels and Anxiety

10:20 This or That Begins

11:11 Travel and Comfort Picks

11:47 Astrology Deep Dive

14:40 Communication and Smarts

16:51 Lifestyle Preferences Round

19:13 Holidays Writing and Memes

22:04 Thrill Rides Finale

22:36 Roller Coaster Rush

23:38 Free Will Versus Fate

25:57 Potential And Life Path

29:26 What Are You Watching

31:34 Electrician For The Soul

33:05 Clearing Energy Blocks

38:55 Catching Songs And Downloads

44:03 Playful Closing Takeaways

46:30 Where To Find Brandon

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session

Newsletter Signup:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620

https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOn

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

(And Your Body Keeps the Score)

Brandon explains that avoiding difficult emotions numbs us temporarily but causes unprocessed stress to “stack up,” creating chronic stress that eventually resurfaces as illness when we finally slow down. He describes the body as the subconscious mind: when we tuck experiences away, we lose nervous-system “flow,” our mind becomes jumpy, focus drops, and survival-mode thinking dominates with a negativity bias that blocks higher-level problem solving. Financial anxiety is framed as a key driver of constant pushing forward, especially when young, but people often regret not slowing down and enjoying life later. The message is to consciously slow down, face and move emotions through the system, prioritize health over money, build faith and trust that things will work out, and confront mortality early to stay connected and maximize life.

00:00 Emotions Stored Become Illness

00:53 Nervous System Flow Blocks

01:19 Survival Mode And Money

02:09 Feel It Early Heal It

02:38 Negativity Bias And Workarounds

03:52 Reflect Before Its Too Late

04:23 Accept Aging And Mortality

04:49 Health First The Paradox

05:39 Body Signals And Disconnection

05:59 Faith Trust And Higher Thinking

06:23 Reconnect To What Matters

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

Why the Calmest Person Wins (and What You’re Blocking Without Realizing)

In this episode of Permission to Evolve, host Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes explore “permission to receive,” why many people struggle to accept support, money, opportunities, or compliments, and how imbalanced giving and receiving can create resentment, bitterness, and burnout. Brandon connects receiving to nervous system regulation and discusses “vagal authority” as the influence of calm presence—arguing the calmest, most centered person creates safety and better communication, unlike emotionally activated reactions that trigger fight-or-flight. They examine how childhood conditioning, manipulation, conditional love, shame, fear of attention, and loyalty to family beliefs can distort receiving, including difficulty accepting praise or asking for help. Brandon emphasizes building self-trust, examining internal conflicts, practicing clean acceptance (like simply saying “thank you”), and finding balanced agreements in work and relationships, then shares ways to work with him and follow the podcast.

00:00 Welcome and Topic

01:24 Travel Updates

04:32 Vagal Authority Explained

12:41 Giving Receiving Balance

14:39 Why Receiving Feels Unsafe

19:12 Compliments and Attention

27:57 Shame and Family Programming

36:36 Building Capacity to Receive

44:28 Final Takeaways

46:20 Where to Find Brandon

47:36 Wrap Up and Next Episode

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620

https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOn

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

Set an Intention, Not a Goal: The Hidden “Block” That Slows Everything Down

In this episode of Permission to Evolve, host Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes explore “permission to set intentions” as a looser, more surrendered alternative to goal setting, focused on meaning, energy, and openness to the unknown. Responding to Holly’s question about quantum physics and “shifting timelines,” Brandon discusses the observer effect, how expectations shape perception, and how identity work, meditation, and healing old wounds can soften rigid beliefs that create anxiety, control, and self-sabotage. Brandon shares personal examples of intention-led outcomes—meeting Holly in Milwaukee leading to corporate work and the podcast, unexpected travel opportunities through his girlfriend Lauren’s job, and long-held intentions like annual Europe trips. They close with takeaways on aligning actions with intentions, trusting timing, and where to find Brandon’s coaching resources and upcoming audio series Electric Wisdom.

00:00 Welcome and Hosts

00:10 Intentions vs Goals

01:07 Surrender and Timing

02:03 Quantum Timelines

03:44 Observer and Identity

07:09 Expectations and Wounds

11:52 Shifting Identity

13:41 Year of Intentions

15:16 Milwaukee Meeting Story

18:32 Lauren and Suit Synchronicity

20:44 Travel Intentions

23:29 Signs and Flow

25:49 What Blocks Intentions

29:41 Energy and Clean Mindset

34:39 Intentions with Others

39:38 Key Takeaways

44:05 Where to Find Brandon

45:44 Closing and Next Steps

LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620

https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOn

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

Host Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes open Permission to Evolve by sharing recent travel highlights, including Brandon’s Florida trip to St. Augustine and family time, and Holly’s Northern California trip for the first Redding IRONMAN 70.3, where she reflects on a difficult, unromantic comeback after a spring car accident and the role of gratitude. Holly then asks about judgment, and Brandon agrees it often masks emotions we won’t allow ourselves to feel, linking harsh judgment to unresolved shame, projection, and nervous system programming, and emphasizing self-compassion to reduce rigidity and disconnection. They transition into “permission to be you,” discussing how survival-based childhoods, family expectations, and societal pressures lead to self-betrayal and disconnection, and how reconnecting requires meeting basic needs, feeling emotions, processing the past, and building authentic, balanced self-expression rather than overcompensating or withdrawing. Brandon closes with ways to work with him via brandonthielk.com and social channels.

00:00 Show Intro

00:52 Travel Catch Up

01:54 Family Dynamics

02:58 California Race Trip

04:10 Ironman Course Notes

06:40 Comeback Mindset

08:52 Shasta And Spiritual Spots

11:04 Question On Judgment

11:36 Judgment As Projection

17:36 Permission To Be You

18:07 Survival And Conformity

20:52 Courage To Be Yourself

22:38 Family Expectations And Guilt

23:25 Finding Yourself Again

24:02 Conformity Versus Self

25:19 Reclaiming Lost Parts

27:27 Needs Without Compromise

28:07 Authenticity Misread

31:06 Wounded Overcompensation

33:35 Withdrawing And Balance

36:38 Healthy Anger And Emotions

39:11 Toxic Positivity Trap

41:10 Key Takeaways And Steps

47:30 Where To Find Brandon

48:35 Final Wrap Up

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620

https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOn

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

Why Your Identity Might Be Keeping You Stuck (and How to Unwind It)

Host Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes open by recapping Brandon’s LA trip, including visiting the Oppenheimer Group, the Urban Lights installation, and a Venice shop where he unexpectedly met the designer of sustainable brand One Golden Thread and saw a new women’s dress called “The Infinite” modeled in many ways. They then discuss “permission to have range,” warning against tying self-worth to a single role (job, parent, athlete) and the downsides of early specialization in sports and culture. In a listener Q&A, Brandon explains that when joy disappears it may mean pressure, misalignment, or unresolved disappointment, suggesting simplification, mindset cleanup, or moving on. They explore how identities often form from survival and others’ expectations, why diversification builds resilience, how to transition compassionately when others are invested, and offer takeaways on loosening labels, building psychological flexibility, and evolving over time, plus Brandon’s coaching and newsletter links.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:09 LA Trip Highlights

00:48 Meeting the Designer

03:42 Permission to Have Range

05:17 Kids and Specialization

07:21 Question of the Week

08:16 When Joy Fades

13:28 Identity Version One

17:08 Diversify Your Buckets

20:32 Generational Shift

26:16 Psychological Flexibility

33:33 Expectations and Others

37:35 Empty Nest and Retirement

40:11 Key Takeaways

46:31 Where to Find Brandon

47:31 Closing Goodbye

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620

https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOn

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

When Did You Stop Taking Risks? The Hidden Cost of Playing It Safe

Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes introduce Permission to Evolve with a focus on “permission to take risks,” emphasizing that the danger isn’t only failure but also staying stuck in dry, unfulfilling stability. They connect risk-taking to building self-trust by turning attention inward, detaching from shame-based stories, taking small manageable steps, and confronting discomfort to gather data and strengthen decision-making. Brandon explains how people often stop taking risks after struggle leads to security, which can become a prison, and argues for balancing certainty with needed uncertainty, variety, and renewal. Using triathlon and career examples, they discuss how once-exciting challenges can become routine, requiring new variables, neglected skills, fresh mindsets, or even new chapters. They close by encouraging reflection on future regret, choosing the right “dose” of uncertainty, and sharing ways to connect with Brandon’s coaching and content.

00:00 Welcome and Topic

00:15 Why Take Risks

01:46 Question of Week

02:08 Building Self Trust

08:48 When We Stop Risking

10:34 Stability Versus Variety

15:15 Regret and Perspective

16:34 When Risks Get Boring

18:23 Refreshing Motivation

24:32 Specific Ways to Mix It Up

25:21 Reinventing Training and Work

28:00 Identity Shifts and Chapters

33:34 Building a Runway

36:15 Avoiding the Hard Thing

39:41 Final Takeaways

43:41 Where to Find Brandon

44:32 Wrap Up and Goodbye

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

The Hidden Prep Behind Peak Performance (Boise 70.3 Lessons)

Host Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes discuss “permission to find your flow,” sparked by Brandon supporting clients at Boise 70.3 where his client Sam won by about five minutes amid uncertainty from rough swim conditions and nearby forest fires. They contrast the practice phase (conscious skill-building and preparation) with the performance phase (getting out of your own way, surrendering overthinking, and executing from alignment). Brandon explains flow as self-alignment built through daily emotional processing, self-trust, and resolving internal conflicts like fear, shame, perfectionism, and coping patterns; he shares tools such as journaling, meditation, nature, music, cold plunges, hard workouts, and flexible routines. They note flow can distort time and emphasize addressing life stress holistically, experimenting to find a personal “recipe,” and tracking what creates peak states. Brandon shares ways to connect via brandonthielk.com, his newsletter, and social channels, and mentions booking his first trip to Kona in October.

00:00 Show Intro

00:09 Boise 70.3 Win Story

00:47 Permission to Find Flow

02:12 Race Chaos and Adaptability

05:17 Personal Flow Routine

07:39 Flow as Self Trust

10:30 Ego Protection and Perfectionism

14:16 Time Distortion in Flow

16:20 Practical Flow Practices

23:02 Work Mode vs Flow Mode

25:32 Repairing Relationship Blocks

26:13 Holistic Stress and Performance

28:06 Playfulness Unlocks Flow

29:18 Inner Confidence Under Pressure

31:07 When to Push or Quit

37:39 Identity Shifts and Alignment

40:31 Key Takeaways on Flow

43:13 Practices and Personal Recipes

48:15 Where to Find Brandon

49:19 Closing and Next Steps

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620

https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOn

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

What Happens When You Stop Judging Your Feelings? (And Why They Keep Coming Back)

In this episode of Permission to Evolve, host Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes explore “permission to own what you feel,” arguing that emotions are temporary unless judged, suppressed, and “hammered” into the nervous system as limiting beliefs that shape identity and behavior. Brandon explains how unprocessed pain gets stored through survival responses, becomes reinforced by repeated stories and judgments, and can drive resentment, rigidity, burnout, and repeated life patterns until it is consciously re-experienced and updated with adult perspective. Holly shares a Lake Placid trip where her husband Aaron couldn’t race after collarbone surgery, highlighting grief over lost potential, and recounts a cold, rainy training ride that triggered fear and overwhelm tied to past and recent accidents. They emphasize short-term discomfort for long-term peace, resilience, and intentional living, and Brandon shares how to book a free strategy session and follow his content.

00:00 Welcome and Hosts

00:09 Why Own Feelings

01:32 Travel and Race Updates

01:57 Lake Placid Emotions

06:57 No Wrong Feelings

09:26 Embodiment and Patterns

12:35 Emotions in Nervous System

17:54 Unwinding Beliefs and Identity

23:59 What Blocks Feelings

30:31 Lake Placid Ride Breakdown

38:14 Safety and Overwhelm

49:02 Resilience Through Feeling

51:01 Coaching and Links

52:20 Closing Goodbye

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620

https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOn

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

Why “Escape” Stops Working (and What Your Pain Might Still Be Teaching You)

Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes return to Permission to Evolve after a week off to explore “permission to be lost” and “permission to stop pretending,” describing the uncomfortable gap that appears when you outgrow old habits, identities, and social expectations but don’t yet know what’s next. Holly shares that their annual Boulder, Colorado trip felt less like an escape, especially after her husband’s bike accident and broken collarbone, and Brandon connects this to nervous-system stability and building a life you don’t need to escape from. They discuss somatic work and recurring pain, emphasizing acceptance, refining beliefs about aging, and continuing to learn from discomfort. Brandon explains how getting lost helps shed a false self, reduce overthinking and validation-seeking, tolerate being misunderstood, and rebuild relationships with clearer boundaries, ultimately supporting more authentic, intentional living.

00:00 Welcome Back Hosts

00:17 Permission To Be Lost

01:02 Colorado Trip Recap

03:15 Life Without Escapes

05:18 Desires And Alignment

06:47 Somatic Pain Question

07:38 Pain Aging Acceptance

11:55 Getting Lost To Find Self

16:04 Stripping Ego In Gap

18:13 Being Misunderstood

20:09 Not Needing Validation

21:10 Self Focus Not Narcissism

23:54 Realign to Serve

24:56 Boundaries and Capacity

26:57 Stop Pretending

28:30 Shame and Vulnerability

31:08 Mentors and Maturity

33:17 Ego and Reality Distortion

36:57 Catalyst to Get Lost

39:19 Authenticity Self Correction

41:55 Recalibrate Relationships

43:22 Key Takeaways

46:24 Where to Find Brandon

47:41 Closing Goodbye

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620

https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOn

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

Independence vs. Hyper-Independence: When Freedom Quietly Becomes a Prison

In this episode of Permission to Evolve, host Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes discuss “permission to be independent” after the Fourth of July, clarifying the difference between healthy independence and hyper-independence. Brandon explains independence as living authentically in alignment with values, while hyper-independence often comes from wounds like betrayal, instability, or feeling misunderstood, leading to control, distrust, loneliness, micromanagement, and limited growth in business and relationships. They explore trade-offs between freedom and responsibility, how group validation can create codependence, and how interdependence—people staying in their strengths—requires humility and inner work. Brandon shares practical steps: identify what isn’t working, reconnect with what excites you, tolerate disappointing others, spend time alone (e.g., meditation), and curate supportive inputs and communities. He closes with ways to connect via his website and social channels.

00:00 Welcome and Theme

00:59 Independence vs Hyper

06:19 Scaling Needs Trust

09:41 Wounds Behind It

13:27 Groupthink and Freedom

18:59 Control and Vulnerability

20:14 Interdependence Explained

27:31 Freedom Means Responsibility

31:36 Redefining Freedom Over Time

36:22 Steps to Healthy Independence

44:00 Internal Freedom and Feelings

47:26 Where to Find Brandon

48:29 Closing Goodbye

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620

https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOn

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

In episode 70 of Permission to Evolve, host performance and life coach Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes do an Ask Me Anything where Brandon answers questions on ownership versus other people’s issues, explaining that triggers are “your work” and the goal is returning to neutral detachment, sometimes with space, inner processing, and occasional courageous conversations. He discusses how challenging relationships can reveal unresolved wounds linked to caregivers, how self-abandonment stems from seeking approval and avoiding guilt/shame, and why healthier dynamics require honoring yourself and letting others carry the weight of their expectations. Brandon unpacks the idea that each epiphany creates a new “rut” via expansion–contraction and mental reorganization, then explains non-duality as integrating opposites into heart-centered balance. He also shares travel plans to New York, evolving long-term plans, his favorite Miami restaurant, and how awakening felt like a gradual stripping away into presence and trust.

00:00 Welcome and AMA Setup

00:58 Owning Your Stuff

10:14 Epiphanies and Ruts

12:49 Non Duality Explained

18:57 Travel Plans New York

20:41 Living in New York

22:21 Why We Self Abandon

28:48 First Awakening Moments

41:17 Favorite Restaurant Story

43:24 Where to Find Brandon

45:06 Final Wrap Up

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

Why the “Other Shoe” Fear Keeps You Stuck (and How to Break It)

In this episode of Permission to Evolve, host performance and life coach Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes explore “permission to be happy now,” especially for driven people who delay happiness until goals are achieved. Brandon explains how gratitude, presence, and process-oriented thinking reduce resistance and help reframe challenges as growth, while automatic protective “programs” and unresolved past wounds fuel negativity, inflated expectations, and the anxiety that “the other shoe will drop.” Holly asks about memento mori, and Brandon says remembering death can broaden perspective, build courage, and counter a “someday” mindset. They discuss emotional maturity as stable emotions (contentment rather than dramatic highs/lows), using setbacks as data, detaching worth from outcomes, and healing past experiences through perspective shifts. Brandon shares how to connect via brandonthielk.com for a free strategy session, his newsletter, and social channels.

00:00 Welcome and Hosts

00:10 Permission to Be Happy

02:24 Memento Mori Mindset

04:51 Gratitude and Alignment

08:34 Best Is Now

10:35 Desires and Wounds

12:29 Challenges as Growth

18:28 Other Shoe Anxiety

29:29 Expectations and Reality

38:49 Stable Happiness Defined

42:50 Healing Past Emotions

47:27 Key Takeaways

50:37 Where to Find Brandon

51:47 Closing Goodbye

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

Everyone’s Making It Up—So What’s Stopping You?

Permission to Evolve on Creativity, Ego, and Confidence

In this episode of Permission to Evolve, Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes explore “permission to make it up,” arguing that many societal norms and personal habits are inherited programming that can limit creativity and fulfillment. Using the “ham ends” story and examples like Bezos, Musk, and Apple’s “Think Different,” they discuss how innovation comes from seeing beyond the handbook, risking social judgment, and treating life as trial-and-error rather than identity-driven success or failure. Brandon connects creativity to solution-mindedness, mastery, and leadership, emphasizing deprogramming, surrendering ego, and holding space for others in coaching by staying present and adaptable. They highlight reconnecting with childlike play, remodeling values and structures, and pursuing aligned desires for inner peace, then share ways to connect with Brandon via a free strategy session, newsletter, social channels, and Substack.

00:00 Welcome and Setup

00:11 Deprogramming Old Norms

01:50 Courage to Stand Out

05:18 Innovation and Making It Up

11:59 Solution Mindset and Mastery

17:49 Getting Started Beyond the Lines

26:22 Ego Surrender and Presence

33:51 Client Breakthrough Stories

38:29 Key Takeaways and Remodeling Life

44:57 Where to Find Brandon

🔗 LINKS:

Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/

Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielk

https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1?r=8jd80n&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620

https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOn

https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/