Episode 17·February 1, 2024

The Magic of Thriving

Bryant Michael Huether, the Thrival Guide, traces his path from a shy pastor's-kid upbringing in small-town South Dakota through coming out, his father's sudden death, and leaving his master's program. He shares how grief, self-acceptance, and self-trust shaped his calling to help people thrive.

It was like I had been gasping for air for years and I finally got to breathe again.Bryant Michael Huether

The Magic of Thriving, on The Ascension Podcast

Chapters 21

Show notes.

Show Notes

Growing up shy, perfectionist, and the oldest of five in a small conservative Christian town where everyone thinks they already know who you are
Grappling with sexuality intertwined with spirituality: shame, coming out to friends and sisters, and the vulnerability hangover
His father’s unexpected passing three weeks before a planned six-month trip, and grief as an underrecognized force in mental health
Withdrawing from his master’s program in Australia as his most empowering act of self-trust, and finding his calling as a thrival guide

Key Takeaways

Grief is not only about death: any life pivot, lost friendship, or chosen path-change carries grief, and unaddressed grief often surfaces as depression or anxiety.
Small-town life can freeze-frame a person’s identity in others’ minds; real friendship requires letting yourself be seen for who you actually are rather than keeping people at a distance.
Transformation gained while traveling fades without deliberate integration; without anchoring the new self, old environments and others’ perceptions pull you back into prior patterns.

Meet the guest · Soul Fam

The Thrival Guide

Founder · The Thrival Guide · Coming-Out & Self-Acceptance Coach

Bryant Michael Huether, the Thrival Guide, is a self-acceptance advocate, coming-out coach, and world traveler who has lived across 34 countries. Out of a shy, perfectionist, small-town upbringing, and the grief and self-trust that reshaped his life, he helps people move into a life that's genuinely their own.

Enter their world →