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PODCAST

Permission To Speak Freely

Damon Leggins and Andamo McCullough

Damon and Damo (active duty Command Master Chiefs) share sea stories and have unfiltered conversations about current events, policies, and everyday life as a service member.

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All Episodes

02:09:08

Episode 157 | "How Wicked Are These Wickets?"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/08/25

⚠️ Trigger WarningThis episode includes a discussion of suicide and loss within the military community. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling: Veterans & Service Members: Dial 988, then Press 1 (24/7 Veterans/Military Crisis Line) Text: 838255 (Veterans/Military Crisis Line) Chat: VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat Military OneSource (24/7 confidential support): 1-800-342-9647 | MilitaryOneSource.mil You are not alone. Reaching out is a sign of strength. Damon

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01:50:53

Episode 156 | "Sometimes U Gotta Bite the Billet"...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/08/11

The crew is joined by AMEC Sean Johnson, a Navy detailer whose viral TikTok videos are shaking up the conversation. Sean takes us from his beginnings in Germany to the realities of life as a detailer—debunking rumors, breaking down why billets can be “closed,” and explaining what it means to be “best and fully qualified.” We delve into the Senior Enlisted Marketplace, exploring whether San Diego still reigns supreme and whether applying for billets can hurt your chances. Damon seeks clarity on

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02:24:04

Episode 155 | "Did You Download Your OMPF?" (Feat....

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/08/04

HMC Josh Mackey joins Damon, Damo, and Tisha. We kick things off wondering if OMPF access is really gone for good, and with Chief results dropping this week—are y’all ready? Tisha’s back with another round of office drama (they’re calling her “Chief Bing” now), and Josh opens up about his time as a Navy Drug and Alcohol Counselor. Damo’s prepping for a Change of Command and asks a big question about where he should spend Chief Season—at his new command or current one? Josh has a season dilemma of

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02:15:48

Episode 154 | "Proceed Until Apprehended"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/07/26

Someone leaked the notes from FLTCM Lateef Compton’s “All CPO” All Hands. Why not talk about some of the notes? Damon stays at the “Deluxe NGIS Suite,” but it’s in Lemoore, so it’s not as “deluxe” as it sounds. A 3-mile run, really? The trio discusses the rumored “Joint Service PFA” and what they’ve heard so far. Why are those coyote brown boots so damn expensive? A few of our childhood icons passed away this week (Malcolm Jamal Warner, Ozzy Osbourne, and Hulk Hogan). Let’s take a trip down memory

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02:34:35

Episode 153 | "Footprints and Handprints" (Feat....

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/07/21

Shaun Murphy — Army Staff Sergeant, educator, artist, speaker, and author — joins the show to share a story that stretches from Brownsville, Brooklyn to standing beside Michelle Obama, with many pivotal stops along the way. We peel the layers back on his upbringing: growing up in a single-parent household, losing his father to gun violence at age six, and navigating life between hard lessons and harder streets. Murphy opens up about trauma, family, and growth in real time, using music like “Letter

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02:05:11

Episode 152: "Down to the North" (Feat. CWO2 Donald...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/07/14

Damo opens Episode 152 with a personal and emotional story about the tragic death of Azir Harris, who was shot and killed in Philadelphia over the Fourth of July weekend. That pain sets the tone for a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation with CWO2 Donald Banks—a discussion that spans grief, leadership, Detroit culture, chronic illness, and purpose. From gun violence in his hometown to navigating life with Multiple Sclerosis, CWO2 Banks brings insight, heart, and an unwavering sense of service to

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01:08:09

Episode 151 | "What Did I Miss?"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/07/08

Guess Who’s Bizack? Fresh from being “on standby to shock the world,” Damon is fresh from his tour on the USS Nimitz and preparing for his first tour as a Command Master Chief. He discusses his feelings about going on deployment, knowing that he had another job waiting for him. Damo reflects on his first tour as a Senior Enlisted Leader. Is 5 years on a ship even necessary? Damon doubles down on “Leadership Discussions.” Damo addresses comments regarding accusations about past guests. Damon gives

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01:55:44

Episode 150 | "Retreat, Hell" (Feat. Patrick Trujillo)

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/06/30

Marine Vet, Entrepreneur, and Marketing & Communications Manager, Patrick Trujillo opens up about the weight of five deployments, the silent damage of pride, and the night it all came crashing down. But this isn’t where the story ends — it’s where it finally starts to make sense.After the Marine Corps, Patrick found himself in a battle no one prepared him for: civilian life. And that’s when he found the Warrior-Scholar Project. He didn’t just get help — he got a mission. In this episode, we

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01:47:14

[Bonus] Q&A: Vol I - "Everything Ain't For Everybody"...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/06/23

YNCS Ashley Williams is back! This time, she’s joining us on a bonus episode. This episode is our first Q&A session, featuring questions submitted directly from listeners and pulled from the internet. Topics include what it means to buy into the CPO Creed, whether putting in an officer package is still worth it, and how to lead Sailors who make more money outside the Navy than they do in uniform. A Reddit post about a Sailor checking into a command on Juneteenth — without knowing anything going

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03:09:22

Episode 149 | "The Way Forward" (Feat. AZCM [Ret.]...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/06/16

This episode is dedicated to Angelina Resendiz.Your presence made an impact that will never be forgotten. This conversation is for you — and because of you. The crew is joined by AZCM (Ret.) Courtney Barber. The episode opens with a debate about The Carter III and whether or not it’s overrated. From there, the conversation turns to Tyler Perry’s Straw, Teyana Taylor’s performance, and whether streaming releases are in the same league as theatrical films. Spoiler alert — they also react to the

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02:31:01

Episode 148 | "Get Real, Get Better?" (Feat. CMDCM...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/06/02

Hosted by: Damon, Damon, & TishaGuest Hosts: CMDCM Aaron Paul & YNCS (Ret.) Coby Turner Featured Guest: CMDCM Frank Jackson In this week’s episode of Permission to Speak Freely, the crew jumps straight into chaos—because why ease into anything? We open with a wild Facebook post about a military divorce that involves a holiday party hookup, a surprise paternity reveal, and a woman wondering if she’s still entitled to half her retiring husband’s paycheck—even though the kid ain’t his and

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02:36:41

Episode 147 | "Choose To Change (Feat. LCDR [Ret.]...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/05/26

About our guest:Lieutenant Commander (Ret.) James Sandifer, a proud native of Lumberton, Mississippi, served 30 years in the United States Navy. Rising from E-1 to Lieutenant Commander, he built a decorated career in air traffic control and leadership across multiple global deployments and operational theaters. Sandifer is a combat-tested veteran who supported Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, with tours onboard CVNs like the USS George Washington and USS Harry S. Truman. His military

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02:10:53

Episode 146 | "Be Careful, Candace" (Feat. CTRCS...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/05/19

What happens when a high-speed, cyber-savvy Senior Chief finally puts it in park? CTRCS Candace Esquivel joins us fresh off two decades of doing all the things—deploying nonstop, supporting special warfare, shaping policy on the Hill, and holding it down at N17 like it’s the Pentagon’s group chat. Now she’s eyeing retirement and asking the real questions: Do I want a family? Should I adopt? Can I slow down without losing my mind? And why the hell do flowers die so fast?We get into the deep

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01:43:05

Episode 145 | "Habitual Line Steppers" (Feat. CMDCM...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/05/12

Damo officially welcomes Aaron to the team as a researcher. The guys discuss leadership tempo, mentorship, and the challenges of balancing personal fitness goals with operational commitments. Damo vents about his frustration with lunch meetings interfering with his only real chance to hit the gym, prompting a candid discussion about whether Sailors have enough time to PT at their own pace. What about “bad day chits”? The guys talk fitness standards, empathy in leadership, and the importance of

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01:33:39

Episode 144 | "Like a Tarantino Movie" (Feat. TShane...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/05/05

About our Guest:T. Shane Johnson is a United States Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, author, ultra-endurance athlete, and motivational speaker. After surviving extreme physical trauma and homelessness, he rebuilt his life through faith and purpose. Today, he owns a veteran-focused coffee shop with his daughter and travels the country teaching self-reliance, connection, and healing. He’s a Guinness World Record holder and national speaker dedicated to helping others repurpose pain into meaningful

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02:09:01

Episode 143 | "I Don't Look Like What I Been Through"...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/04/28

Disclaimer:This episode contains open discussions about personal trauma, including childhood sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised. We believe these conversations are vital to healing, leadership, and community care. Please prioritize your well-being and listen at your own pace. If you or someone you know needs help, confidential assistance is available: Your Local SAPR Office: Every military installation has a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) and SAPR Victim Advocates (VAs)

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01:43:40

Episode 142 | "Everybody's Got a Coin Guy" (Feat....

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/04/21

In this episode, Damo chops it up with retired ICCS and founder of Mandatory Fun Coins, Chris King, a real-deal conversation about Navy leadership, legacy, and the deeper meaning behind challenge coins.What starts with laughs about deployment rituals and command ball caps quickly becomes a powerful discussion on what it means to be a Chief in today’s Navy. Chris opens up about how a Sailor’s INSURV performance inspired his first coin, and how the Chief season should be more about self-awareness

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01:09:12

[Bonus Episode] "It's About We"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/04/12

Damo recounts the behind-the-scenes story of his Command Master Chief pinning ceremony. From delayed trains and venue changes to unexpected family emergencies and a heartwarming finish, he shares it all—frustrations, love, leadership, and legacy. The message remains clear through every twist: It’s not about me. It’s about we.To have your “Do Better” reviewed on a future episode, please get in touch with us at ptsfpodcast@gmail.com Keep up with the ‘Permission to Speak Freely’ podcast on our

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03:13:51

Episode 141 | "Built For Such a Time" (Feat. Raymond...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/04/07

Guest Bio: The Honorable Raymond D. Kemp Sr., FLTCM (Ret.) The Honorable Raymond D. Kemp Sr. is a 33-year veteran of the United States Navy and the first Black Fleet Master Chief of U.S. Naval Forces Europe & Africa. With 19 years of sea duty and 11 combat deployments, his leadership spanned every level—from the deckplates to the Pentagon. Following his retirement in 2019, he was appointed by President Joe Biden to serve on the American Battle Monuments Commission. Kemp is also a certified John

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01:44:56

[Reflash] Episode 68 | "The Outward Mindset" (Feat....

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/03/30

**PTSF Fam! Check out this special "Reflash" episode! This one was originally released on 24 March 2023 and is one of our favorite conversations.****TRIGGER WARNING** Depending on your life experiences, this episode may contain topics that emotionally affect you. We didn’t get too deep into details, but some of the conversations in this episode deal with domestic violence, abuse, and mental health conditions. Listen at your discretion. About Our Guest: Charles “Chip” Huth is a retired executive

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