Brandon... Are You Okay? | Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable | S1 E3
Ever since launching Coyle CHAOS, Brandon’s been getting one question more than any other: “Are you okay?” In this solo episode, he addresses the noise, shares why people get uncomfortable when you step outside the version of yourself they’ve always known, and reveals how getting comfortable being uncomfortable has completely changed his life.
Episode Overview
Brandon goes solo for episode 3 to tackle the elephant in the room—the concerned messages, the judgment, and the inevitable “what the hell is he doing?” comments that come with launching a podcast while juggling three kids, a thriving career, and everything else life throws at you.
Spoiler alert: Yes, Brandon is okay. But more importantly, he’s learned that discomfort isn’t a stop sign—it’s a starting line.
Key Topics Discussed
The Welfare Check Phenomenon
- Why people think Brandon’s having a midlife crisis just because he started a podcast
- The difference between genuine concern and judgment disguised as concern
- Why launching something new triggers unexpected reactions from people who know you
Growth Makes People Uncomfortable
- When you change from the “norm,” it disrupts other people’s perception of who you’re supposed to be
- People get comfortable with the version of you they know—and change threatens that
- Your growth doesn’t have to fit into someone else’s comfort zone
The Sales Job That Changed Everything
- Over a decade in sales taught Brandon to embrace discomfort as a skill, not a weakness
- Cold calls, constant rejection, role-playing exercises, and high-stakes sales meetings
- How repeatedly doing uncomfortable things makes the next uncomfortable thing less scary
The Banana Ball Story (The Evidence)
- 70,000+ people at the Caesar Superdome in New Orleans
- Brandon gets blindfolded and sent on all fours to find a rubber banana on the field
- Becomes the “longest banana ball finder ever” (according to the MC)
- A perfect example of what happens when you say “yes” to discomfort
Discomfort Shows Up Everywhere
- Professionally: Sales calls, pitches, public speaking, trying new things
- Socially: Networking, walking into rooms where you don’t know anyone
- Relationships: Every meaningful relationship has uncomfortable moments
- Parenthood: You never know what your kids are going to do next
- Personal projects: Starting a podcast and putting yourself online for the world to judge
What “Unfiltered” Actually Means
- Brandon clarifies: unfiltered ≠ intentionally pissing people off
- This won’t be a political or religious debate podcast
- Coyle CHAOS is about real conversations with real people
- Zero tolerance for anything involving harm, abuse, or taking advantage of anyone (especially women and children)
Notable Quotes & Insights
“You’ve got to get comfortable being uncomfortable.”
“Sometimes getting comfortable being uncomfortable means other people feel uncomfortable too. Not intentionally. What I mean is people get comfortable with the version that they know of you… You can’t let somebody else’s perception of who you’re supposed to be determine what you’re willing to try and what you’re willing to do.”
“Being uncomfortable doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. I’ve said that now twice so. Let that sink in. Sometimes you’re doing something you’ve never done, and that’s as simple as it is.”
“Not every uncomfortable thing turns into something amazing. Sometimes it sucks. Sometimes you fail and you embarrass yourself. But then you’ll learn and you survive hopefully, and you just get better and better.”
“Not everybody has to understand what you’re doing for it to be worth doing.”
“You just have to stop treating discomfort like it’s automatically a stop sign.”
The Takeaway
This episode isn’t about becoming fearless or pretending discomfort doesn’t exist. It’s about recognizing that discomfort is often a sign you’re doing something new, not something wrong.
Whether it’s starting a business, applying for a job, posting online, speaking up, or walking into a room full of strangers—the principle is the same: get comfortable being uncomfortable.
Why You Should Listen
- If you’ve ever hesitated to try something because you were afraid of failing, looking stupid, or being judged
- If you’re considering a big change but worried about what other people will think
- If you need permission to do something that makes you nervous (consider this it)
- If you just want to hear about the time Brandon found a rubber banana blindfolded in front of 70,000 people
Call to Action
What’s something YOU’VE always wanted to do but haven’t because it feels uncomfortable?
Drop it in the comments. Let’s normalize the discomfort together.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | [Your Podcast Platform]
Follow: @coylechaospodcast
#CoyleCHAOS #CoyleCHAOSPodcast #BrandonCoyle #GetComfortableBeingUncomfortable