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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.

government

All Episodes

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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02:15:12

[Reflash] Episode 47 | "The One About Acronyms (Feat....

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/03/24

**PTSF Fam! Check out this special "Reflash" episode! This one was originally released on 15 August 2022 and is one of our favorite conversations.**About our Guest: Virginia Cruse is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor specializing in Military Issues and Combat-Related Trauma. She provides crisis intervention and evidence-based treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Moral Injury, Depression, Combat Operational Stress, and other diagnoses. Virginia is a

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02:16:00

Episode 140 | "How Did We Get Here?"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/03/17

The cast begins with a conversation about the Navy’s new media engagement policy. The episode quickly pivots to a celebratory moment as Damo and Damon reflect on their recent selection as Command Master Chiefs (CMDCMs). They share their reactions, the impact of mentorship, and the challenges they’ve faced in their careers. Much of the conversation revolves around work-life balance, particularly the sacrifices involved in choosing orders and moving families. Damon shares an emotional story about

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02:26:56

Episode 139 | "Leave With Something" (Feat. David...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/03/10

In this episode of Permission to Speak Freely, Damon, Damo, and Tisha sit down with retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CWO5) David Sledge to discuss his 33-year military career. Sledge shares insights into his journey from an E-1 to CWO5, the challenges of transitioning from enlisted to officer, and the mentorship that shaped his leadership style. He also dives into writing books, having a sense of purpose, and raising a family of entrepreneurs. The conversation covers military transitions, leadership

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02:02:07

[Bonus] "You Must Be on Your Period" (Feat. Alana...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/03/07

In this special episode of Permission to Speak Freely, host Tisha is joined by Retired LCDR Alana Abernethy, YNCS Ashley Williams, and LCDR Joi Dillard-Houston for a powerful discussion on women’s health in the military. Despite its importance, women’s health remains a taboo topic, often leading to misinformation, dismissal, and a lack of support. The panel dives into why education on women’s health is lacking, sharing personal struggles with uterine fibroids, miscarriages, and dismissive healthcare

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01:54:12

Episode 138 | "What Did You Do Last Week?"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/03/03

Damon and Damo are back with another packed episode, diving into some of the biggest stories making waves. They kick things off with a moment of respect for Angie Stone before jumping into the controversial outcome of Gervonta “Tank” Davis’ latest fight. Was it really a loss? The guys break down the fight, the backlash, and what it means for Tank’s future—especially with retirement talk already in the mix. On the military front, leadership transparency takes center stage. Are top military officials

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02:34:13

Episode 137 | "No Time To Waste" (Feat. Coby Turner)

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/02/24

Damon’s back. Coby pops in. We start with the firing of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. We also discuss the DoD letting go of 5,400 probationary employees and share thoughts on the story of a veteran with four tours who got laid off—real situations with real impact. Plus, we’re breaking down the Deferred Resignation Program and what that means for those still serving. We switch gears to discuss the EMPLOY Program for Sailors who can’t deploy but

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02:35:50

Episode 136 | Heartbreak Songs and Underways (Feat....

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/02/14

RS3 Kendrick Wright, better known as 2K Kenny, checks into the show with Damo and Tisha. He discusses life as a young Retail Services Specialist (RS) stationed in 6th on a Fleet Forward-Deployed Naval Forces ship. He speaks on developing in his role as a barber on the ship and what rate he would have if he weren’t an RS. 2K Kenny talks about the inspiration behind his latest EP, “Pretty Brown Eyes.” He discusses why he decided to join the Navy and what made him choose his rate. Kenny reminisces

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208 results

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