Permission to Evolve

Brandon Thielk and Holly Deschenes
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 82: Permission to Question Everything

    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

  2. Sep 28

    Episode 81: Jet-Setting Journeys and Ironman Dreams

    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/

  3. Sep 24 ·  Bonus

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

    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/

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

  4. Sep 17 ·  Bonus

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

    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?

  5. Sep 14

    Episode 80: Ask Me Anything

    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/

  6. Sep 10 ·  Bonus

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

    (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

  7. Sep 7

    Episode 79: Permission to Receive

    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/

  8. Aug 31

    Episode 78: Permission to Set Intentions

    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/

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5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Brandon Thielk and Holly Deschenes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    86
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Permission to Evolve

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