Ep 143. How to Listen Like a US Navy Nuclear Submariner

I didn’t expect a conversation about submarines to change how I think about leadership — but that’s exactly what happened.

Matt DiGeronimo spent years submerged beneath the surface as a nuclear submarine officer in the US Navy.

Tight quarters. High stakes. Zero room for ego.
Now, he brings that same level of clarity and pressure-tested insight into his work as a writer, executive, and leadership voice.

In this conversation, Matt and I talk about what leadership really looks like when you strip away the buzzwords.

We explore how identity, communication, and motivation show up under pressure — and how the words we choose (and how we use them) matter more than we think.

Inside the episode:

• The surprising leadership lessons from submarine life
• Why conversations are never just about the topic — they're about identity
• How writing became Matt’s personal path to reflection and growth
• The problem with trying to "win" in communication
• Why focusing on strengths beats fixing weaknesses
• How to use language that actually motivates your team
• What AI still can’t capture about the human voice
• The ripple effect of leadership on people you may never meet
• And why authenticity is still the most underrated leadership skill

If you’ve ever wanted to be a better leader, communicator, or writer — this is the conversation to start with.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and now on YouTube.

CONNECT WITH MONICA KADE

Follow on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/monicakadeWebsite – www.monicakade.comLeaders Lane on YouTube – youtube.com/channel/UCmMz5gF55YIizWH_pJJxiowInstagram – www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast

CONNECT WITH MATT DIGERONIMO

Follow on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjdigeronimo/
Substack — beyondplatitudes.substack.comYouTube – youtube.com/@mjdigeronimo

Buy Matt’s books:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Matt-DiGeronimo/author/B08YWZ6CYZ