What Coachella Exposed About My Need for Control

I went into Coachella with a story already made up in my head. I thought it was too commercial, too curated, too soulless, and not my vibe. But the deeper lesson of the weekend had almost nothing to do with Coachella itself. It exposed how judgment, resistance, and my need for control were shaping what I was able to see, feel, and experience. In this solo episode of Keep Pushing, I break down the moment I realized I was not just observing my experience, I was helping create it. I talk about how my energy was closing me off, what shifted when I finally let go, and how a bizarre moment with the “Monks of Stoke” turned into a real lesson in trust and surrender. I also reflect on how this connects to childhood volatility, leadership, the way I grip for control when life feels uncertain, and why Justin Bieber’s performance unexpectedly reminded me of the power of softness. If you’ve ever caught yourself judging too early, resisting what is, or trying to control everything around you, this one’s for you. In this episode: * Why premature judgment limits both growth and experience * How your energy shapes what you notice in other people * The connection between chaos, control, and surrender * What Coachella taught me about trust and letting go * Why softness can be more powerful than performance * How releasing judgment creates more possibility Follow Keep Pushing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeppushingpodcast/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/64cslL1JuSdr3eIgwU8GRS?si=5806fa64af4b474f Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-pushing-with-brandon-desjarlais/id1884161960