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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

130:25

Episode 175 | "BCA Challenged" (Feat. ITCS Troy Johnson)

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2026/01/19

ITCS Troy Johnson pulled up to check the temperature after Aaron’s comments about ATG. Aaron was around so the guys were able to get into a bunch of things. Why would we not open an episode out primary about fitness with recollections of “big back” activities? Is there any feeling better than getting plans cancelled on you? Time to get back on that couch and chill. Speaking of “chilling,” we have to tip our hats to ‘Stranger Things.’ A 10-year run as a culturally iconic show on a streaming platform

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172:15

Episode 174 | "You Can't Make This Shit Up" (Feat....

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2026/01/12

Joined by Marc Tinaz, retired Limited Duty Officer Commander, the guys sit down for a wide-ranging conversation shaped by 33 years of Navy service and leadership across multiple eras. Marc reflects on how often the Navy has changed during his career, from uniforms and culture to expectations placed on leaders. The discussion explores the stressors of the retirement process, how senior leaders cope with bad news, and what it means to understand your role as a Command Master Chief fully. Throughout

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173:52

Episode 173 | "When the Door Opens" (Feat. April...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2026/01/05

Happy New Year to all of our viewers, listeners, and supporters.The guys start the year off joined by April Beldo-Lilley, retired Fleet Master Chief of the U.S. Navy. April discusses her transition from uniformed service, her early upbringing, and the influence of her father. She discusses her decision to join the Navy, her early years in uniform, and key moments that shaped her career, including becoming Chief and realizing that the Navy would become a long-term profession. She reflects on

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102:28

Episode 172 | "The Quick and Dirty"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/12/25

We had to pull up on y’all this Christmas, but please don’t call this a Christmas special. Damo finds himself in yet another sticky situation, this time it’s with Aaron. Before the results came out, the quotas were released, leaving many Sailors pissed about the low numbers. The guys discuss the disgust and what Billet-Based Advancement has to do with all of this. The Navy recently announced “The Trump Class,” complete with rail guns and laser beams. President Trump was feeling generous this holiday

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91:56

Episode 171 | "That's When It Happened" (Feat. OSC...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/12/22

Damon and Aaron are joined by OSC Kenneth Batchler for a conversation centered on his firsthand experience aboard the USS John S. McCain during the 2017 collision. Ken walks through the environment leading up to the incident, including operational tempo, fatigue, and the conditions present in the hours before the collision. The discussion covers what the moment of impact felt like from the deckplate, the immediate emotional response onboard, and how training and watchstanding took over once it

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132:48

Bonus Episode | Generalization Vs Generalization

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/12/15

Aye, no long talk! Just check out this bonus episode. We love y'all and appreciate your continued support.Music featured: “Gotta Do It” by Big K.R.I.T. Courtesy of Big K.R.I.T. / Multi Alumni / EMPIRE All rights belong to the original artist.

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162:25

Episode 170 | "I'm Here to Double Down"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/12/08

The crew returns from the holiday break with a full plate of stories, starting with Thanksgiving hangovers and Aaron’s crockpot rebuttal that finally closes the loop from the last episode. The team moves into this week’s Do Better, covering everything from the need for a computer access POAM for CMCs to Damon’s latest run-in with the high-school system. They break down a recent article on the USS Truman and the importance of realistic observations in after-action reports before Damo steps in to

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175:25

Episode 169 | "I Will Break You!!"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/11/29

Fresh off Thanksgiving, the episode opens with a full holiday recap as Country Living releases its Top 10 Thanksgiving foods list. The team compares those dishes to what actually hit the table this year, talks about holiday routines, family visits, and what everyone watched over the break. The conversation expands into Thanksgiving vs. Christmas, holiday phone etiquette, and moments from the past year in the Navy that inspired gratitude. The hosts also share their “Win for the Week.” The episode

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140:13

Episode 168 | "The Greats Know The Greats" (Feat....

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/11/24

Damon, Damo, and Aaron are joined by AOCM (Ret.) Tyese ‘Ty’ Pressley, founder of the ‘Goat Locker Hall of Fame’ and ‘At Ease Podcast.’ The conversation starts with a follow-up to a listener regarding “elevating problems.” After Ty breaks down his history of assignments, the guys don’t hesitate to get into Ty’s organization, the ‘Goat Locker Hall of Fame,’ and some of the drama that has surrounded it as it gets more popular. Ty discusses the early days of the GLHOF and his inspiration behind the

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119:52

Episode 167 | "Apolitical?"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/11/17

The guys open by clearing up a discrepancy from the last show before getting into the recent Brooks Brothers cancellation and catching up on what’s been happening in their lives. They recognize the Marine Corps Birthday, welcome back a government employee returning after the shutdown, and show love for Damon’s birthday. The conversation shifts into how people battle personal demons and what leaders often miss when they only look at the surface. The team discusses whether commands should “roll out

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173:15

Episode 166 | "Somethin' To Say"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/11/11

The crew is back and covering everything from government shutdown rumors to backlash about the bump serum. Damo gives his two-week review of Charles Johnson’s “The Bump Serum,” and the team unveils their “Don’t Come to the All Hands” lists. The hosts catch up on life since the last episode and recognize Veterans Day before diving into the latest news on USS Nimitz and the questions surrounding extended deployments—including whether Sailors should get liberty back after standing holiday duty. They

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126:57

Episode 165 | "The Pursuit of Excellence"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/10/27

As I was prepping these episode notes, I got a call about a matter concerning my Sailors that I needed to address. With that said, enjoy these ChatGPT-generated notes and enjoy this episode. You'll see very early in the episode that we put our hearts into it.- Damo Episode Description: This episode kicks off with weather talk and Halloween banter before shifting into reflection as Damo asks, “When’s the last time you were let down?” The conversation evolves into leadership mode as he introduces

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165:07

Episode 164 | "What's a Vibe?" (Feat. Charles Johnson)

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/10/20

This episode starts with the epitome of locker room talk, as Damo questions whether his latest decision at the gym means he’s getting old. Damon recaps his experience listening to Episode 163, and the guys catch up on their weeks. Admiral Alvin Holsey recently announced his retirement in a story that swept across military social media circles. A recent dispute between Marc Lamont Hill and Queenzflip of the Joe Budden Podcast leads to a conversation about who “should” and “shouldn’t” be in certain

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190:00

Episode 163 | "Unapologetically Favored" [Feat. AZCM...

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/10/13

About Our Guest — Courtney A. BarberCourtney A. Barber is a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, motivational speaker, three-time published author, and certified life purpose coach with over 25 years of military leadership experience. A Fayetteville, North Carolina native, Courtney is the founder of Sapphire Veteran HR, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women veterans in Hampton Roads transition from service to civilian life with confidence and community. After a decorated

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149:11

Episode 162 | "Lapse of Appropriations"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/10/06

Damon and Damo catch up as Damon highlights his first week as a CMC. Damo had to shave his mustache and did not like it one bit. The guys discuss the impact of the current furlough on servicemembers and civilian teammates, along with available resources for anyone in need. Diddy was sentenced to four years in prison after a guilty verdict in a prostitution case, and Damon makes a plea against political violence and mass shootings. Earlier this week, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and President

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163:06

Episode 161 | "Say Again?"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/09/29

The guys open this episode with heartfelt farewells, showing love to Tisha and Denisse as they step away for personal reasons. Both sisters received flowers and well-wishes from the team. Congratulations go out to Captain Desmond K. Walker, honored with the FY26 Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Leadership Award, along with all other recipients. The crew also sends condolences to CMSAF David A. Flosi and family on the passing of his wife, Katy. Damon reflects on his experiences in Newport, Rhode

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167:52

Episode 160 | "Fishing Trip"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/09/20

This episode opens with a look at military history — why the United States shifted from the Department of War to the Department of Defense, and whether the language change reflected a broader shift in strategy. Damo tries his best to explain, while Aaron joins him in discussing the Navy’s latest beard announcement and the Army’s updated grooming standards. They also congratulate the newly pinned Chief Petty Officers and ask the hard question: Can Master Chiefs add too much pressure during initiation

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124:30

Episode 159 | "Blink Twice If You're Okay" (Feat....

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/09/15

Guest Bio:Captain Lacey Vestal, United States Navy, currently serves as a Commanding Officer in the Human Resources community. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, she began her career as a Surface Warfare Officer before transitioning to Human Resources, where she has held leadership roles across the Fleet, at the Pentagon, and on the staff of the Secretary of the Navy. Her career reflects a commitment to resilience, mentorship, and service at every level of the Navy. Beyond uniform, she is a

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61:50

"Reality is Reality" | Bonus Episode

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/09/07

Sailors, leave those streamers alone, they do this for a living. We break down how online actions can spill over into the real world. In this week’s catch-up, Damon talks getting ready for CMC school and football kick-off, plus we cover pulling the truth out of a Sailor at DRB, the Command Holiday Party, and what not to do during the festivities. We dive into the CNO’s first C-NOTE, “Sailors First,” and how far delegation travels when it comes to executing tasking. We also ask: can a Sailor make an

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102:37

Episode 158 | "You Talkin' To Me?"

Permission To Speak Freely ·

2025/09/01

Damon and Damo are back, calling an audible after a guest no-show (don’t worry — he’s safe and sound). The conversation kicks off with Damo asking how Chiefs really view CMCs, followed by his response to a negative Facebook comment about him. Fresh off an appearance on Theresa Carpenter’s Stories of Service podcast, Damo challenges Damon to reflect on how far he’s come. The guys tackle a listener’s suggestion to revamp the PFA with firefighting readiness tasks, react to the disappointing update in

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