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Permission Slips

Permission Slips

Written by: Jillian DeBritz
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About this listen

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.

Jillian DeBritz Christianity Hygiene & Healthy Living Ministry & Evangelism Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Self-Help Spirituality Success
Episodes
  • 27: Discovering Your Calling—and Your True Identity // Araya Williams

    27: Discovering Your Calling—and Your True Identity // Araya Williams
    Jan 23 2026

    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 think
    • How paying attention to what moves us can point us toward purpose
    • The courage it takes to follow a calling without guarantees
    • Naming the voices of shame and self-doubt (and not letting them lead)
    • What it looks like to listen for God’s voice in real life
    • Why our worth was never meant to be measured by productivity
    • Letting ourselves be seen—and why that can be healing
    • Living with more freedom by accepting who we are

    RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:

    • Living Fearless by Jamie Winship - https://a.co/d/ekDyKzx
    • Sonshine Interpreting - https://sonshineinterpreting.com/ or connect on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sonshineterps
    • Christian 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/subscribe
    • Subscribe to Permission Slips on Substack: https://substack.com/@jilliandebritz
    • Be sure to subscribe to Permission Slips so you never miss an episode, and please share or review this podcast to help others find it!
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • 26: What Worked & What Didn't in 2025

    26: What Worked & What Didn't in 2025
    Jan 7 2026

    "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/

    • For local women: Becoming Formation Group - https://jilliandebritz.myflodesk.com/becoming

    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 //

      https://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/subscribe
    • Subscribe to Permission Slips on Substack: https://substack.com/@jilliandebritz
    • Be sure to subscribe to Permission Slips so you never miss an episode, and please share or review this podcast to help others find it!
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • 25: Friendship, Jealousy, & Cheerleading Others in Ministry // Lee Nienhuis & Katie M. Reid

    25: Friendship, Jealousy, & Cheerleading Others in Ministry // Lee Nienhuis & Katie M. Reid
    Dec 22 2025
    "As women in ministry, we need cheerleaders." —Lee NienhuisI 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 JILLIANCoaching info - https://jilliandebritz.com/coaching/ * * * STAY CONNECTEDConnect 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!
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
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