Permission Slips

Jillian DeBritz

Welcome to Permission Slips, a space for you to practice paying compassionate attention to your life in order to experience the wholeness, purpose, and joy you’re made for. I’m Jillian DeBritz, a life and leadership coach—and recovering perfectionist—who is learning with you how to give myself permission to be human. These conversations are meant to spark curiosity about where in your own life you might need permission to be a little kinder to yourself, so you can embrace more of who you’re made to be in a world that desperately needs you to show up as only you can. As we journey together through content related to identity, purpose, and pursuing greater health and wholeness, I hope these episodes will leave you feeling a little braver and a little less alone. Because, after all, we’re not meant to navigate the world by ourselves—we need one another. Our conversations will cover topics like: building self-compassion and gentleness as tools to combat shame; examining faith through the lens of interpersonal neurobiology; honoring the connection between our emotions, bodies, and spiritual lives; learning to cultivate courage through vulnerability; exploring the kindness and compassion of God; discovering the unique design and God-given purpose we each carry; and building awareness about our current reality so we can move toward our ideal future. We'll lean on the powerful work of people like Curt Thompson, MD, Aundi Kolber, Brené Brown, Dane Ortlund, and others who offer insights and resources to guide us along the journey toward wholeness. Let’s get curious, practice vulnerability, and learn to be gentle with ourselves as explore how to move forward with greater confidence, clarity, and courage. I’m so glad you’re here.

  1. 5D AGO

    31: Paying Compassionate Attention to Your Mind, Body & Soul | Aundi Kolber

    “Learning to try softer is the work of learning to pay compassionate attention to our mind, body, and soul.” —Aundi Kolber When I think about the people whose work in the world has most impacted my life, Aundi Kolber is at the top of my list! Her writing has provided me with compassionate language that allowed me to participate in my own healing with greater courage.  But here's the thing—Aundi doesn't just know about healing, she is living proof that it's possible, and that wholeness is worth fighting for. I'm honored to share this conversation about what it means to try softer, honor our stories, and keep practicing the work of giving and receiving compassion. Join us as we talk about things like: Aundi's story of trauma, white-knuckling, and her unexpected path to healingRecognizing the impact of our culture, even if we don't experience big "T" traumaLearning to try softer—and why we will never graduateWays that our faith experiences might influence our sense of safetyHow our window of tolerance helps us to stay with ourselvesPractical ideas for interrupting shame with compassion   Aundi Kolber is a licensed professional counselor (MA, LPC) and the best-selling author of the critically acclaimed books Try Softer,™️ Strong like Water, and Take What You Need. She has received additional training in her specialization of trauma- and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology. Aundi has appeared on Good Morning America, regularly speaks at national events, and is a frequent podcast guest. As a survivor of trauma, Aundi brings hard-won knowledge about the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God with us in our pain.   Resources from this episode:   Aundi's books: Try Softer - https://a.co/d/0gVPhVGdTry Softer Guided Journey -  https://a.co/d/02oU9eXFStrong Like Water - v=https://a.co/d/09yYsSonStrong Like Water Guided Journey - https://a.co/d/0i8f8A4FTake What You Need - https://a.co/d/0i6F5OKIConnect with Aundi on her website - https://aundikolber.com/ or on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/aundikolber/       * * *   STAY CONNECTED Connect with Jillian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jilliandebritz/Want to reach out to Jillian about speaking or coaching? Learn more on her website: https://jilliandebritz.com/Sign up for the monthly Permission Slips email newsletter: https://jilliandebritz.myflodesk.com/subscribeSubscribe to Permission Slips on Substack: https://substack.com/@jilliandebritzBe sure to subscribe to Permission Slips so you never miss an episode, and please share or review this podcast to help others find it!

    47 min
  2. MAR 11

    30: Finding Friends Who Help You Find Yourself | Kandice Halferty

    Kandice and I have been friends for over 15 years, and it’s no exaggeration to say that our friendship has changed the trajectory of my life. Along with our other dear friend, Stephanie, we learned to practice vulnerability together as we created intentional spaces to explore who each of us was made to be. Join us for a conversation about our friendship journey as we discovered how to name the gifts we saw in each other, hold one another’s pain, and help each other see ourselves more clearly. We talk about how Kandice's pursuit helped our friendship to grow, the book that brought us together, and the creative ways we used our gifts together for the good of others—even when it came at a high cost. Our hope is that as you listen, you’ll begin to imagine how you might be able to cultivate deeper, more intentional friendships in your own life. The world needs what only you can give—and you’re not meant to do it alone!    RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:   Connect with Kandice on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kandicehalferty/   Anchor School - https://anchortacoma.org/anchorschool   Spiritual Formation Cohort - https://anchortacoma.org/spiritual-formation-cohort   Episode 20: Delight, Unraveling, and the Stages of Faith | Susan Bouterse - https://www.podcastics.com/episode/387596/link/   Rebekah Lyons, Freefall to Fly: A Breathtaking Journey Toward a Life of Meaning  - https://a.co/d/07y20ThH   Bryan Halferty, Terrible Beauty: A Story of Calling, Breaking, and the Unmaking that Made Me  - https://a.co/d/0iqgzeTq   Interested in the Made for More Mastermind? Join the waitlist to get more info! https://jilliandebritz.myflodesk.com/madeformoreinfo   * * *   STAY CONNECTED Connect with Jillian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jilliandebritz/Want to reach out to Jillian about speaking or coaching? Learn more on her website: https://jilliandebritz.com/Sign up for the monthly Permission Slips email newsletter: https://jilliandebritz.myflodesk.com/subscribeSubscribe to Permission Slips on Substack: https://substack.com/@jilliandebritzBe sure to subscribe to Permission Slips so you never miss an episode, and please share or review this podcast to help others find it!

    44 min
  3. FEB 25

    29: Chartering Planes & Chasing Dreams Together | Corey DeBritz

    Of all the amazing guests I’ve hosted on the podcast, this one is my all-time favorite! Corey DeBritz is a brilliant strategist, innovative dreamer, and servant-hearted leader—who also happens to be my husband. I invited Corey to join me for a conversation about friendship and teamwork in marriage, and the brave man said yes! Starting when we first met, we traced the threads of our story from friendship to “hanging out intentionally” and eventually marriage. We talk about what it looked like to dream and partner together before kids, what we learned the hard way about setting boundaries, and how our roles have shifted in different seasons of life. We even share about one of our proudest, most challenging, and most costly accomplishments in our lives—and how it impacted both our physical and mental health. I hope this conversation expands your imagination for what it could look like to support the people in your life as they become the fullest, most authentic versions of themselves!  Listen as we talk about things like: How Corey fell in love with me (and why it took him so long)How we learned the hard way about the need to set boundariesThe impact of stress on both our physical and mental healthMy identity crisis that came from becoming a stay-at-home-momThoughts about who does what in marriage—and why our values matterRedefining what we each need in different seasonsSupporting each other’s dreams, even when it’s costlyGod’s design for mutual submission and sacrificial loveHow we want to respond when—not if—things go sideways  RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:   Washington Family Ranch - A Young Life Camp https://washingtonfamilyranch.younglife.org/   Learn about coaching with Jillian at https://jilliandebritz.com/coaching/   * * *   STAY CONNECTED Connect with Jillian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jilliandebritz/Want to reach out to Jillian about speaking or coaching? Learn more on her website: https://jilliandebritz.com/Sign up for the monthly Permission Slips email newsletter: https://jilliandebritz.myflodesk.com/subscribeSubscribe to Permission Slips on Substack: https://substack.com/@jilliandebritzBe sure to subscribe to Permission Slips so you never miss an episode, and please share or review this podcast to help others find it!

    48 min
  4. FEB 11

    28: How to Build Friendships that Make Us Braver | Michélle Konson & Jenni LaBrie

    "I wouldn’t have become who I am right now without you guys." —Michélle Konson I met Jenni LaBrie and Michélle Konson only a year and a half ago at the Write to Publish conference, where we all showed up alone with the hope of finding direction in each of our writing lives. We came with the dream of getting published, and left with something even better—dear friends who help us imagine more beauty than we could ever create on our own. Almost exactly one year into launching this podcast, I'm thrilled to bring these treasured friends back to talk about how we cultivated such a meaningful friendship, what it looks like to continually choose vulnerability, and how our belief in one another expands our capacity to dream about what's possible for each one of us. I hope this conversation with Michélle and Jenni will help you imagine how you might be able to nourish deeper friendships in your life. Because if we're going to create anything brave or beautiful in the world, we can't do it alone. Join us for this vulnerable conversation about friendship, including: Why building friendship requires risk and intentionalityCreative ideas for connecting with friends, even during busy seasonsHow vulnerability has played a pivotal role in deepening our connectionThe role we've played in one another's creative journeys—and the joy of holding each other's dreamsHonest confessions about the messiness that comes with raw, real friendshipHow practicing vulnerability together allows us to become our true selves  Michélle Konson is a writer, speaker, and Story Work guide who helps people explore how their past shapes the way they show up in their lives and relationships. She is the creator of the Untangling Your Story journal, and her work is deeply shaped by the belief that creativity and healing are rarely formed alone. Vulnerable and intentional friendships have been central to her own creative journey and to the way she lives a more fully connected life.  Reach out to Michélle Konson about speaking at your event on her website at https://www.michellekonson.com/ Get your copy of Michélle's powerful Untangling Your Story journal https://www.michellekonson.com/journal Connect with Michelle on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/michellekonson/    Jenni LaBrie is a visual synthesist, writer, and speaker helping messages stick with powerful words, visuals, & voice. She has a gift for distilling thoughts to their purest essence—and then making them visible and shareable. Former teacher turned creative entrepreneur, Jenni lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and three kids, where soft pants reign supreme and washing her hair once a week feels like a win. Connect with Jenni LaBrie or get more info about speaking on her website at https://www.jennilabrie.com/ Grab one of Jenni’s freebies to learn how to sketchnote! https://www.jennilabrie.com/freebies Find Jenni on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jennilabrie/     Previous episodes of Permission Slips with Michélle and Jenni: Listen to Episode 2: Embracing Your Story with Kindness | Michélle Konson https://www.podcastics.com/episode/350621/link/   Episode 3: Finding Space to Dream Again | Jenni LaBrie https://www.podcastics.com/episode/350766/link/       * * *   STAY CONNECTED Connect with Jillian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jilliandebritz/Want to reach out to Jillian about speaking or coaching? Learn more on her website: https://jilliandebritz.com/Sign up for the monthly Permission Slips email newsletter: https://jilliandebritz.myflodesk.com/subscribeSubscribe to Permission Slips on Substack: https://substack.com/@jilliandebritzBe sure to subscribe to Permission Slips so you never miss an episode, and please share or review this podcast to help others find it!

    53 min
  5. JAN 23

    27: Discover Your Calling—and Your True Identity | Araya Williams

    This conversation with my friend—and the founder and visionary of Sonshine Interpreting—Araya Williams, came at just the right time for me personally.  We talk about calling, identity, and taking brave steps even when you don't know how it's going to work out. Araya shares how her work with the Deaf community and the creation of Sunshine Interpreting grew out of paying attention to what moved her heart and what she couldn’t shake. Again and again, we come back to the courage it takes to listen—to God, to ourselves, and to the quieter invitations in our lives. We also name the hard reality of what's required to walk in your calling, including self-doubt, shame, and the internal voices that tell us we’re behind or not enough. This conversation felt like a gentle reminder that our worth isn’t something we earn through productivity or success, and that clarity often comes slowly. If you’re holding questions about purpose, feeling tender around your identity, or needing permission to be honest about your struggle, I hope this episode feels like an exhale—and an invitation to listen to the One who wants to tell you who you really are. A few things we talk about: Why self-compassion matters more than we thinkHow paying attention to what moves us can point us toward purposeThe courage it takes to follow a calling without guaranteesNaming the voices of shame and self-doubt (and not letting them lead)What it looks like to listen for God’s voice in real lifeWhy our worth was never meant to be measured by productivityLetting ourselves be seen—and why that can be healingLiving with more freedom by accepting who we are  RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Living Fearless by Jamie Winship - https://a.co/d/ekDyKzxSonshine Interpreting - https://sonshineinterpreting.com/ or connect on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sonshineterpsChristian Interpreters Conference - https://www.christianinterpretersconference.org/Learn about coaching - https://jilliandebritz.com/coaching/    * * *   STAY CONNECTED Connect with Jillian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jilliandebritz/Want to reach out to Jillian about speaking or coaching? Learn more on her website: https://jilliandebritz.com/Sign up for the monthly Permission Slips email newsletter: https://jilliandebritz.myflodesk.com/subscribeSubscribe to Permission Slips on Substack: https://substack.com/@jilliandebritzBe sure to subscribe to Permission Slips so you never miss an episode, and please share or review this podcast to help others find it!

    39 min
  6. JAN 7

    26: What Worked & What Didn't in 2025

    "January is the new week between Christmas and the new year." —Emily P. Freeman Join me as I make space to reflect on 2025 by sharing my list of what worked and what didn't over the past year. I hope these honest, in-process thoughts give you permission to ask yourself the same questions, and in so doing, offer you clarity about how you want to move forward into 2026 with greater wholeness and courage.   Learn more about coaching - https://jilliandebritz.com/coaching/   Other resources from this episode: 20 // Delight, Unraveling, and the Stages of Faith // Susan Bouterse https://www.podcastics.com/episode/387596/link/ 21: How to Practice Being Known in a Confessional Community | Rachel Miller https://www.podcastics.com/episode/389719/link/ Center for Being Known (Confessional Communities) - https://www.thecbk.org/5: Rejecting Diet Culture & Body Shame | Rachel Kulcsarhttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/352666/link/   * * *   STAY CONNECTED Connect with Jillian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jilliandebritz/Want to reach out to Jillian about speaking or coaching? Learn more on her website: https://jilliandebritz.com/Sign up for the monthly Permission Slips email newsletter: https://jilliandebritz.myflodesk.com/subscribeSubscribe to Permission Slips on Substack: https://substack.com/@jilliandebritzBe sure to subscribe to Permission Slips so you never miss an episode, and please share or review this podcast to help others find it!

    36 min
  7. 12/22/2025

    25: Friendship, Jealousy, & Cheerleading Others in Ministry // Lee Nienhuis & Katie M. Reid

    "As women in ministry, we need cheerleaders." —Lee Nienhuis I met Katie and Lee at a conference for writers and speakers, and we connected instantly. Something unique about their friendship struck me right away: There was not a lick of competition between the two of them—only genuine belief in one another and the work each was doing in the world. It overflowed to everyone they met (including me) like streams of encouragement, watering the parched writers and speakers around them so seeds of hope could grow. In this episode, Katie and Lee share about their friendship and the ways it has strengthened each of them in their individual callings. We talk about the jealousy that can crop up—even in ministry—and how to untangle ourselves from it, as well as the importance of having cheerleaders in our lives who will help us stay the course. Listen in as we discuss: The power of friends who believe in one another's callingsHow to navigate jealousy in friendship by remembering which team we're onChoosing collaboration and cheerleading instead of competition in ministryWhat it looks like to be a "ladder-holding leader" Finding our identity in Christ, rather than in the opportunities we're given (or not)When God's definition of good may differ from our expectations  CONNECT WITH LEE & KATIE: Katie M. Reid - https://www.katiemreid.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katie_m_reid/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KatieMReidWriterFREE INTRO LESSON (from God, What Do I Do?) - https://katiemreid.myflodesk.com/biblestudyfreebie1Link to Bible Study and more resources:  https://www.katiemreid.com/judges/  Lee Nienhuis - https://leenienhuis.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leenienhuis/Counter Cultural Parenting - https://leenienhuis.com/counter-cultural-parenting/Comparison Girl for Teens - https://leenienhuis.com/comparison-girl-for-teens/Brave Moms, Brave Kids - https://leenienhuis.com/brave-moms-brave-kids/  CONNECT WITH JILLIAN Coaching info - https://jilliandebritz.com/coaching/    * * *   STAY CONNECTED Connect with Jillian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jilliandebritz/Want to reach out to Jillian about speaking or coaching? Learn more on her website: https://jilliandebritz.com/Sign up for the monthly Permission Slips email newsletter: https://jilliandebritz.myflodesk.com/subscribeSubscribe to Permission Slips on Substack: https://substack.com/@jilliandebritzBe sure to subscribe to Permission Slips so you never miss an episode, and please share or review this podcast to help others find it!

    44 min
  8. 12/10/2025

    24: Honest Prayers for Low Seasons // Justin McRoberts

    "We enter into relationship—we enter into meaning—through the doorway of feeling, and specifically negative feelings. To eliminate those would be to eliminate...the sweetness of actual relationship." —Justin McRoberts, author, spiritual director, and creative consultant In this episode, author Justin McRoberts and I explore the complexities of human emotions, including the importance of embracing imperfection, the beauty of connecting with pain—both our own and others'—and the role of curiosity in our healing. Justin shares insights from his latest book, In the Low, reminding us that our seasons of darkness and depression are not evidence that we're broken, but an essential, beautiful part of being human. We talk about things like: Disappointing people so that you can become who you are meant to beEmbracing pain as a way to know ourselves—and connect with others—more deeplyWhy sitting with hard emotions takes practice How curiosity can help us learn from our emotionsReminders that our current situation is not our final destination; there is hope beyond the lowThe beauty of acquainting ourselves with our shortcomings and imperfections How there are depths of human relationships that we don't get to experience without painThe importance of inviting others to help learn about yourself (rather than fix you)Justin McRoberts is an author, coach, speaker, and songwriter. When he’s not writing, speaking, or coaching, you can find him as the host of the At Sea Podcast. He just released his 8th book (and the 3rd he’s written with Scot Erickson), In the Low: Honest Prayers for Dark Seasons. He lives in the East San Francisco Bay Area, and he calls his mom every day.   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: In the Low: Honest Prayers for Dark Seasons - https://a.co/d/h9t7RKn Connect with Justin: Coaching and more - https://www.justinmcroberts.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinmcroberts/At Sea Podcast - https://www.justinmcroberts.com/podcast    * * *   STAY CONNECTED Connect with Jillian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jilliandebritz/Want to reach out to Jillian about speaking or coaching? Learn more on her website: https://jilliandebritz.com/Sign up for the monthly Permission Slips email newsletter: https://jilliandebritz.myflodesk.com/subscribeSubscribe to Permission Slips on Substack: https://substack.com/@jilliandebritzBe sure to subscribe to Permission Slips so you never miss an episode, and please share or review this podcast to help others find it!

    42 min
5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Welcome to Permission Slips, a space for you to practice paying compassionate attention to your life in order to experience the wholeness, purpose, and joy you’re made for. I’m Jillian DeBritz, a life and leadership coach—and recovering perfectionist—who is learning with you how to give myself permission to be human. These conversations are meant to spark curiosity about where in your own life you might need permission to be a little kinder to yourself, so you can embrace more of who you’re made to be in a world that desperately needs you to show up as only you can. As we journey together through content related to identity, purpose, and pursuing greater health and wholeness, I hope these episodes will leave you feeling a little braver and a little less alone. Because, after all, we’re not meant to navigate the world by ourselves—we need one another. Our conversations will cover topics like: building self-compassion and gentleness as tools to combat shame; examining faith through the lens of interpersonal neurobiology; honoring the connection between our emotions, bodies, and spiritual lives; learning to cultivate courage through vulnerability; exploring the kindness and compassion of God; discovering the unique design and God-given purpose we each carry; and building awareness about our current reality so we can move toward our ideal future. We'll lean on the powerful work of people like Curt Thompson, MD, Aundi Kolber, Brené Brown, Dane Ortlund, and others who offer insights and resources to guide us along the journey toward wholeness. Let’s get curious, practice vulnerability, and learn to be gentle with ourselves as explore how to move forward with greater confidence, clarity, and courage. I’m so glad you’re here.

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