Permission to Evolve

Brandon Thielk and Holly Deschenes
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Self-Improvement
  • 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. 2d ago

    Episode 85: Permission to Zoom Out

    In this episode of Permission to Evolve, host Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes discuss “permission to zoom out” as a coaching frame for reducing day-to-day stress by tracing recurring patterns back to their origins, often in childhood. Brandon explains that fixation on present problems—like difficult coworkers—often mirrors unresolved dynamics with parents, and that healing the root can create foundational shifts rather than endlessly addressing surface situations. They explore how to “fall in love with friction” by viewing challenges as growth opportunities tied to expansion/contraction cycles, increasing capacity, and dismantling limiting beliefs. The conversation covers victimhood and extreme self-reliance as survival strategies, the role of overthinking as a stress response, and using embodiment, breathing, depersonalization, and better questions to gain perspective. Brandon shares ways to connect for coaching via brandonthielk.com and his newsletter and social channels. 00:00 Welcome and Setup 00:08 Permission to Zoom Out 01:06 Relationships as Mirrors 03:01 Love the Friction 08:21 Patterns and Energies 11:24 Root Work Over Strategy 12:32 False Self and Enneagram 17:10 Spiraling and Victimhood 24:25 Rock Bottom and Healing 28:06 Self Reliance Trap 32:35 Overthinking to Embodiment 40:35 Key Takeaways 44:36 Where to Find Brandon 45:57 Closing 🔗 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/

  2. Oct 26

    Episode 84: Permission to Embody

    Kona Broke Them… Here’s What It Revealed About Embodiment, Ego & 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

  3. Oct 12

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

    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

  4. Oct 8 ·  Bonus

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

    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

  5. Oct 5

    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

  6. 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/

  7. 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

  8. 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?
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Ratings & Reviews

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
    90
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Permission to Evolve

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