We all want to grow, but sometimes we get stuck. On this podcast, we delve into the areas of our lives where we feel blocked, explore the limiting beliefs holding us back, and uncover the &#34;old selves&#34; we need to let go of to make way for our evolved future.Join us as we navigate the uncomfortable process of self-discovery, challenge our assumptions, and ultimately grant ourselves &#34;permission to evolve&#34; into the best versions of ourselves.Listen now and start your journey of personal and professional growth.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/10/24/21/ac63804f-412f-48c1-92de-1d6180a5e9e9_pte_84_-_embody.m4a

Kona Broke Them… Here’s What It Revealed About Embodiment, Ego &amp; Peak Performance In this episode of Permission to Evolve, host Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes recap Brandon’s whirlwind travel from Europe to Hawaii, including attending the Ironman World Championships in Kona, comparing it to Nice, describing Kona’s brutal elements and dramatic pro race shifts, and highlighting breakthroughs for his client Sam Long (moving from 14th in Nice to 6th in Kona) and another client earning her 10th Kona finish with a healthier relationship to results. Brandon also shares visiting Kilauea (missing an eruption) and traveling to Oahu where he got engaged to Lauren via a North Shore proposal setup. The conversation then shifts to “permission to embody,” covering how presence, trust, internal validation, and dissolving ego reduce overthinking and self-sabotage, and how fear, shame, and ego narratives pull people back into old identities; Brandon closes with ways to connect and work with him. 00:00 Podcast Welcome00:09 Trip Recap Setup00:34 Jet Lag Reality01:47 Kona Versus Nice04:31 Why Kona Breaks Pros06:07 Sam Long Breakthrough11:25 Vincent Luis Storybook Win13:26 Taylor Knibb Redemption17:23 Another Client’s Mindset Shift21:19 Brutal Conditions Breakdown24:23 Volcano Adventure Miss25:50 Oahu Engagement Plans26:34 Proposal Planner Shortcut27:33 Beach Setup Reveal28:20 Photos Reel And Shoot29:41 Surprise And Celebration31:32 Hawaii Connections And Sunset32:16 Embodiment Over Overthinking35:26 Internal Validation Buffer39:45 Dissolving Ego Attachment46:49 Ego Self Sabotage Loops52:12 Where To Find Brandon53:15 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/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOnhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/630fe721-2342-490e-b3ef-1f143cacc88f/permission-to-evolvehttps://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

Kona Broke Them… Here’s What It Revealed About Embodiment, Ego &amp; Peak Performance



In this episode of Permission to Evolve, host Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes recap Brandon’s whirlwind travel from Europe to Hawaii, including attending the Ironman World Championships in Kona, comparing it to Nice, describing Kona’s brutal elements and dramatic pro race shifts, and highlighting breakthroughs for his client Sam Long (moving from 14th in Nice to 6th in Kona) and another client earning her 10th Kona finish with a healthier relationship to results. Brandon also shares visiting Kilauea (missing an eruption) and traveling to Oahu where he got engaged to Lauren via a North Shore proposal setup. The conversation then shifts to “permission to embody,” covering how presence, trust, internal validation, and dissolving ego reduce overthinking and self-sabotage, and how fear, shame, and ego narratives pull people back into old identities; Brandon closes with ways to connect and work with him.



00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:09 Trip Recap Setup

00:34 Jet Lag Reality

01:47 Kona Versus Nice

04:31 Why Kona Breaks Pros

06:07 Sam Long Breakthrough

11:25 Vincent Luis Storybook Win

13:26 Taylor Knibb Redemption

17:23 Another Client’s Mindset Shift

21:19 Brutal Conditions Breakdown

24:23 Volcano Adventure Miss

25:50 Oahu Engagement Plans

26:34 Proposal Planner Shortcut

27:33 Beach Setup Reveal

28:20 Photos Reel And Shoot

29:41 Surprise And Celebration

31:32 Hawaii Connections And Sunset

32:16 Embodiment Over Overthinking

35:26 Internal Validation Buffer

39:45 Dissolving Ego Attachment

46:49 Ego Self Sabotage Loops

52:12 Where To Find Brandon

53:15 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

 

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/

Episode 84: Permission to Embody

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/10/1/10/d0593f50-f39b-4fc1-9f1c-00db247431df_pte_83-_rest.m4a

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 Setup00:08 Why Rest Matters02:22 Question of the Week03:18 Avoidance Creates Pain06:35 Feel It in the Body09:36 Permission to Rest10:44 Work Culture and Burnout14:51 Rest Brings Perspective18:28 Real Rest vs Scrolling24:40 Injury Forced Downtime28:40 Tradeoffs and Longevity32:46 Hard Work vs Smart Work37:21 Key Takeaways on Rest42:44 Where to Find Brandon43:41 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/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

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

Episode 83: Permission to Rest: The Missing Piece That Makes Growth (and Training) Actually Stick?

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/10/3/19/228f7fa6-e3c1-408c-9709-f9145b4811ca_ew_4.m4a

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 Trap00:43 Boundaries And Selectivity01:00 Entitlement Vs Confidence02:13 Two Sides Same Wound04:09 Giving And Receiving Imbalance05:30 Mirrors At Work06:06 Anger Sadness And Feedback07:51 Healthy Receiving Opportunity09:04 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/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOnhttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/630fe721-2342-490e-b3ef-1f143cacc88f/permission-to-evolvehttps://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

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/

Electric Wisdom: The Confidence Trap: Why “Not Good Enough” Can Look Like Entitlement

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/28/1/3036e1c0-f152-4b36-83f7-ba92c1e74142_pte_82_-_question.m4a

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 Setup00:09 Question Everything Intro01:35 Intellect vs Emotion08:53 Listener Q Reminder09:30 Blocks and Perception11:54 Weaknesses and Inquiry13:45 Humility and Growth17:27 Patterns and Shame22:24 Self Compassion Lens26:34 Triathlon Learning Gaps31:53 When Im Fine Isnt Fine39:03 Key Takeaways Recap43:22 Where to Find Brandon44:47 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/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

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

Episode 82: Permission to Question Everything

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/24/23/9d50d5c6-c180-4ed3-aafa-239e3dd5de94_pte_81.m4a

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 Updates00:39 Amsterdam Highlights02:48 Croatia Split To Dubrovnik05:33 Dubrovnik Views And Adventures08:40 Ibiza Nightlife Return13:18 Beach Recovery And Farewell14:25 London And Boston Reset16:35 Time Flying Kona Ahead18:16 Ironman Wisconsin Weekend21:12 Reevaluating Triathlon Passion22:25 Chasing Ironman Magic23:25 Detachment and Identity26:29 Why Ironman Hits Hard28:50 World Champs Locations Shift31:35 Universe Experiencing Itself37:11 Healing Through Witnessing42:08 Feeling vs Thinking Feelings46:47 Surrender and Flow Wrap Up49:36 Where to Find Brandon🔗 LINKS: Free Strategy Session: <a href="https://brandonthielk.com/" rel="nofollow">https://brandonthielk.com/</a>Newsletter Signup: <a href="https://brandonthielk.com/" rel="nofollow">https://brandonthielk.com/</a>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1https://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

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/

Episode 81: Jet-Setting Journeys and Ironman Dreams

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/20/0/1b1ac68e-55b7-4588-840d-2c3ef801d724_ew_3.m4a

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 Progress01:03 Neutral Mindset Opens Doors01:41 You Bring You Everywhere02:25 From Chicago to New York03:23 Settling Within Yourself04:10 Use Your Job as Training04:37 Chasing the Feeling of Home05:20 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/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOnhttps://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.

🔗 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/

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

Electric Wisdom: The Counterintuitive Way to Get Unstuck: Why Making Peace With Where You Are Creates Faster Opportunities

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/6/22/1da088ad-8a4e-4298-b870-369bb7bef22d_ew_2.m4a

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 Money01:55 Breaking Scarcity Bargains02:47 Judgment And Stories03:23 Build Desire Momentum05:03 Alignment And Resistance06:56 Intuition Reveals Steps07:52 Avoid Forcing Timing08:38 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/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOnhttps://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/

Electric Wisdom: The Money Trap That Keeps You Stuck—What Happens When You Put Desire First?

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/5/13/77037942-bf75-4511-9623-50d56c9cfc07_pte_80_ama.mp3

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 Setup01:17 Identity Beyond Roles04:16 Follow Excitement Not Ego06:31 Loosen Labels and Anxiety10:20 This or That Begins11:11 Travel and Comfort Picks11:47 Astrology Deep Dive14:40 Communication and Smarts16:51 Lifestyle Preferences Round19:13 Holidays Writing and Memes22:04 Thrill Rides Finale22:36 Roller Coaster Rush23:38 Free Will Versus Fate25:57 Potential And Life Path29:26 What Are You Watching31:34 Electrician For The Soul33:05 Clearing Energy Blocks38:55 Catching Songs And Downloads44:03 Playful Closing Takeaways46:30 Where To Find Brandon 🔗 LINKS: <a href="https://brandonthielk.com" rel="nofollow">Free Strategy Session</a><a href="https://brandonthielk.com" rel="nofollow">Newsletter Signup:</a> Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOnhttps://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: 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/

Episode 80: Ask Me Anything

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/6/21/e6a35168-3b42-43bb-9f15-04baf1e18c3b_ew_1.mp3

(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 Illness00:53 Nervous System Flow Blocks01:19 Survival Mode And Money02:09 Feel It Early Heal It02:38 Negativity Bias And Workarounds03:52 Reflect Before Its Too Late04:23 Accept Aging And Mortality04:49 Health First The Paradox05:39 Body Signals And Disconnection05:59 Faith Trust And Higher Thinking06:23 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/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

(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

Electric Wisdom: The Stress You’re Ignoring Isn’t Gone. It’s Stacking Up

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/4/11/0c5bae07-bfee-414f-8dda-ace02a2d1ff3_pte_79_-_recieve.mp3

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 Topic01:24 Travel Updates04:32 Vagal Authority Explained12:41 Giving Receiving Balance14:39 Why Receiving Feels Unsafe19:12 Compliments and Attention27:57 Shame and Family Programming36:36 Building Capacity to Receive44:28 Final Takeaways46:20 Where to Find Brandon47:36 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/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOnhttps://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

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/

Episode 79: Permission to Receive

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/27/0/7e9fdaa4-8009-44c9-b22b-857e3c05e35c_pte_78__intentions_.mp3

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 Hosts00:10 Intentions vs Goals01:07 Surrender and Timing02:03 Quantum Timelines03:44 Observer and Identity07:09 Expectations and Wounds11:52 Shifting Identity13:41 Year of Intentions15:16 Milwaukee Meeting Story18:32 Lauren and Suit Synchronicity20:44 Travel Intentions23:29 Signs and Flow25:49 What Blocks Intentions29:41 Energy and Clean Mindset34:39 Intentions with Others39:38 Key Takeaways44:05 Where to Find Brandon45:44 Closing and Next Steps﻿LINKS: Free Strategy Session: https://brandonthielk.com/Newsletter Signup: https://brandonthielk.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonthielk/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOnhttps://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/

Episode 78: Permission to Set Intentions

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/22/1/b6c0dfc4-12c2-4953-9773-931aa34fcd6a_ermission_to_Be_You__Emotions_and_Authenticity_128k.mp3

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 Intro00:52 Travel Catch Up01:54 Family Dynamics02:58 California Race Trip04:10 Ironman Course Notes06:40 Comeback Mindset08:52 Shasta And Spiritual Spots11:04 Question On Judgment11:36 Judgment As Projection17:36 Permission To Be You18:07 Survival And Conformity20:52 Courage To Be Yourself22:38 Family Expectations And Guilt23:25 Finding Yourself Again24:02 Conformity Versus Self25:19 Reclaiming Lost Parts27:27 Needs Without Compromise28:07 Authenticity Misread31:06 Wounded Overcompensation33:35 Withdrawing And Balance36:38 Healthy Anger And Emotions39:11 Toxic Positivity Trap41:10 Key Takeaways And Steps47:30 Where To Find Brandon48:35 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/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOnhttps://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

Is Your Judgment Hiding a Feeling You Won’t Face?

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/

Episode 77: Permission to Be You

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/8/1/bb0cf268-d600-4326-89b4-62c339c7f5f7_pte_76_-_range.mp3

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&amp;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 Introductions00:09 LA Trip Highlights00:48 Meeting the Designer03:42 Permission to Have Range05:17 Kids and Specialization07:21 Question of the Week08:16 When Joy Fades13:28 Identity Version One17:08 Diversify Your Buckets20:32 Generational Shift26:16 Psychological Flexibility33:33 Expectations and Others37:35 Empty Nest and Retirement40:11 Key Takeaways46:31 Where to Find Brandon47:31 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/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOnhttps://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&amp;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/

Episode 76: Permission to Have Range:

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/1/21/461636f9-30f6-4cd0-8954-596c7fb10498_pte_75_-_risk.mp3

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 Topic00:15 Why Take Risks01:46 Question of Week02:08 Building Self Trust08:48 When We Stop Risking10:34 Stability Versus Variety15:15 Regret and Perspective16:34 When Risks Get Boring18:23 Refreshing Motivation24:32 Specific Ways to Mix It Up25:21 Reinventing Training and Work28:00 Identity Shifts and Chapters33:34 Building a Runway36:15 Avoiding the Hard Thing39:41 Final Takeaways43:41 Where to Find Brandon44:32 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/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

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

Episode 75: Permission to Take Risks

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/30/22/af6473ec-60ec-4ab8-9593-a57d64b0c427_pte_74_-_flow.mp3

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 Intro00:09 Boise 70.3 Win Story00:47 Permission to Find Flow02:12 Race Chaos and Adaptability05:17 Personal Flow Routine07:39 Flow as Self Trust10:30 Ego Protection and Perfectionism14:16 Time Distortion in Flow16:20 Practical Flow Practices23:02 Work Mode vs Flow Mode25:32 Repairing Relationship Blocks26:13 Holistic Stress and Performance28:06 Playfulness Unlocks Flow29:18 Inner Confidence Under Pressure31:07 When to Push or Quit37:39 Identity Shifts and Alignment40:31 Key Takeaways on Flow43:13 Practices and Personal Recipes48:15 Where to Find Brandon49:19 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/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOnhttps://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/

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/

Episode 74: Permission to Find Your Flow

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/24/1/6cf9bb50-3fdd-4cb3-a67c-62299b8c3c6b_pte_73.mp3

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 Hosts00:09 Why Own Feelings01:32 Travel and Race Updates01:57 Lake Placid Emotions06:57 No Wrong Feelings09:26 Embodiment and Patterns12:35 Emotions in Nervous System17:54 Unwinding Beliefs and Identity23:59 What Blocks Feelings30:31 Lake Placid Ride Breakdown38:14 Safety and Overwhelm49:02 Resilience Through Feeling51:01 Coaching and Links52:20 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/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOnhttps://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/





Episode 73: Permission to Own What You Feel

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/12/23/88e502a5-25f5-460a-b36d-018c2008788b_pte_72_permisson_to_be_lost.mp3

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 Hosts00:17 Permission To Be Lost01:02 Colorado Trip Recap03:15 Life Without Escapes05:18 Desires And Alignment06:47 Somatic Pain Question07:38 Pain Aging Acceptance11:55 Getting Lost To Find Self16:04 Stripping Ego In Gap18:13 Being Misunderstood20:09 Not Needing Validation21:10 Self Focus Not Narcissism23:54 Realign to Serve24:56 Boundaries and Capacity26:57 Stop Pretending28:30 Shame and Vulnerability31:08 Mentors and Maturity33:17 Ego and Reality Distortion36:57 Catalyst to Get Lost39:19 Authenticity Self Correction41:55 Recalibrate Relationships43:22 Key Takeaways46:24 Where to Find Brandon47:41 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/@bthielkhttps://substack.com/@brandonthielk1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-evolve/id1792609620https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOnhttps://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/

Episode 72: Permission to be Lost

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/6/27/20/6b42904e-be59-4b95-9dcd-5a772b73d27a_pte_71_-_independance.mp3

Independence vs. Hyper-Independence: When Freedom Quietly Becomes a PrisonIn 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 Theme00:59 Independence vs Hyper06:19 Scaling Needs Trust09:41 Wounds Behind It13:27 Groupthink and Freedom18:59 Control and Vulnerability20:14 Interdependence Explained27:31 Freedom Means Responsibility31:36 Redefining Freedom Over Time36:22 Steps to Healthy Independence44:00 Internal Freedom and Feelings47:26 Where to Find Brandon48:29 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/id1792609620https://open.spotify.com/show/6HMWcqqroohupXCbf3CxOnhttps://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. 

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/

Episode 71: Permission to Be Independent

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/6/24/11/1ef14bd4-0484-4c8c-9bc4-034d72960590_pte_70_ama.mp3

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 Setup00:58 Owning Your Stuff10:14 Epiphanies and Ruts12:49 Non Duality Explained18:57 Travel Plans New York20:41 Living in New York22:21 Why We Self Abandon28:48 First Awakening Moments41:17 Favorite Restaurant Story43:24 Where to Find Brandon45:06 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/@bthielk﻿https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1https://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/

Episode 70: Ask Me Anything: What’s Actually “Yours” in Conflict and Why Every Epiphany Creates a New Rut

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/6/17/1/6d9d5e36-ccc8-4e1e-b6b4-c8ad9fbff7c4_pte_69.mp3

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 Hosts00:10 Permission to Be Happy02:24 Memento Mori Mindset04:51 Gratitude and Alignment08:34 Best Is Now10:35 Desires and Wounds12:29 Challenges as Growth18:28 Other Shoe Anxiety29:29 Expectations and Reality38:49 Stable Happiness Defined42:50 Healing Past Emotions47:27 Key Takeaways50:37 Where to Find Brandon51:47 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/@bthielkhttps://www.instagram.com/permissiontoevolvepodcast/https://substack.com/@brandonthielk1

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

Episode 69: Permission to Be Happy Now

We all want to grow, but sometimes we get stuck. On this podcast, we delve into the areas of our lives where we feel blocked, explore the limiting beliefs holding us back, and uncover the "old selves" we need to let go of to make way for our evolved future.

Join us as we navigate the uncomfortable process of self-discovery, challenge our assumptions, and ultimately grant ourselves "permission to evolve" into the best versions of ourselves.

Listen now and start your journey of personal and professional growth.