Permission To Speak Freely

Hosted by: Damon, Damon, & Tisha

Guest 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 holi...

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 Freed...

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 los...

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”? ...

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 Wo...

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:

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 perf...

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 g...

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 Preside...

**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 condi...

**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, ...

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 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 ...

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, sharin...

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 mili...

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....

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 h...

We are joined by “The People SUPPO,” LCDR James Ball. Damo opens up by admitting a mistake he made in our previous episode. Are sneakers the key to leadership? Damo vents a bit about frustrations stemming from recent events and why he doesn’t talk about politics. Politics vs. Humanity becomes a topic of the conversation. Damo shares his thoughts about Elon Musk. Congratulations to NSA Annapolis for winning the Regiona...