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Artwork for Permission To Speak Freely

Permission To Speak Freely

Damon Leggins and Andamo McCullough
Leadership
Mental Health
Navy
U.S. Navy
Military Life
United States Navy
Military Service
Mentorship
Social Media
Military Culture
Military Leadership
Education
Transitioning To Civilian Life
Music
Covid-19
Department Of Defense
Accountability
Chief's Mess
Lumberton
Work-Life Balance

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes235Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Permission To Speak Freely

Latest Episodes

Damon, Damo, and Aaron are joined by LCDR Jeff “Migs” Migdal. Jeff is a Cryptologic Warfare Officer, prior-enlisted Sailor, and longtime commissioning mentor who has helped countless Sailors navigate the path from enlisted service to the officer rank... more

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Damon is out this week, but the show rolls on as Damo, Aaron, and CS1 Burns sit down for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from Navy policy changes and leadership lessons to deployment experiences, career growth, and why Seafood Newburg... more

YouTube

The guys are back with no guest and plenty to discuss. Damo recaps his recent trip and shares a few new Navy terms he picked up along the way before the conversation shifts to television, film, social media, and the impact online culture is having on... more

YouTube

This episode of Permission to Speak Freely Podcast is dedicated to retired Command Master Chief Shay Robbie Farnsworth. Her influence helped shape careers, strengthen Sailors, and remind people what real leadership looks like. She poured into others,... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Hudson Burns
CS1, Navy enlisted leader showcased in episode title
U.S. Navy
Episode: Episode 191 | "Seafood Newburg" (Feat. CS1 Hudson Burns)
Nikki Lozano
Guest, veteran, author of Grit and Grind, A Veteran's Journey to Healing
Episode: Episode 188 | "You Were Never There" (Feat. Nikki Lozano)
Desmond Walker
Commander, Navy
United States Navy
Episode: Episode 187 | "Out The Mud" (Feat. CDR Desmond Walker & CDR Frank "Siri" Bonner)
Frank Siri Bonner
Commander, Navy
United States Navy
Episode: Episode 187 | "Out The Mud" (Feat. CDR Desmond Walker & CDR Frank "Siri" Bonner)
Captain Charles R. Harmon
Branch head of Enlisted Plans and Policy Opnav N132
U.S. Navy
Episode: Episode 186 | "Submit an ETP" (Feat. Capt. Charles Harmon & NCC Joey Sawyer)
NCC Joey Sawyer
Career counselor and naval leader discussed in context of CA2P/SEM BBA
U.S. Navy
Episode: Episode 186 | "Submit an ETP" (Feat. Capt. Charles Harmon & NCC Joey Sawyer)
Jacob Green
CMDCM, Submarine Force
United States Navy
Episode: Episode 185 | "Submariner or Submariner?" (Feat. CMDCM Jacob Green)
Alquin Parker
ABCM Parker, retired, former guest on the board story
Navy
Episode: [Reflash] FLTMPS Stalkers x "Press 100 Now!" (Feat. ABCM [Ret.] Alquin Parker)
Aaron Paul
Formerly a board participant; later mentioned as co-host
Military
Episode: [Reflash] FLTMPS Stalkers x "Press 100 Now!" (Feat. ABCM [Ret.] Alquin Parker)

Hosts

Damon
Host of the show, senior naval leader, frequently co-host with a focus on policy, leadership, and culture.
Damo
Co-host with a background in Navy leadership conversations and mentoring, often steering discussions on crew welfare and accountability.
Aaron
Host/regular contributor, adds real-time engagement and questions from sailors and stakeholders.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 125 ratings
  • Real World Convos from Real Leaders

    The Permission to Speak Freely podcast stands out because it doesn’t feel like a podcast. It feels like you pulled up a chair in the middle of a real conversation that was going to happen whether microphones were present or not. That authenticity is what separates Damo, Dame, and Aaron from most shows in the space.

    The flow between the three of them is the strongest part of the podcast. There’s no forced structure, no awkward waiting for someone’s turn, and no sense that anyone is trying to per... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Doc Mackey
    United States4 months ago
  • Perfect for everyone

    I can’t even begin to express how much I adore this podcast as a veteran and now as an embedded integrated prevention coordinator! Your content and ability to connect to everyone is unmatched by any podcast. I love sharing your podcast with sailors and engaging in conversations with them after. Thank you for all that you do and for the confidence in leadership you are giving to sailors everywhere! ♥️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pbell86
    United States10 months ago
  • Keep going!

    Great podcast an open space where leaders and future leaders, especially junior Sailors, can gain a clear perspective on what genuine leadership looks and sounds like. I look forward to the content every week keep it coming!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    “Cleve”
    United States10 months ago
  • Moral Booster for sure 😭

    Thank you for being so consistent with your episodes. We are going through tougher times right now and we are all trying to navigate the climate of the works while also navigating the navy. It’s hard but thank yall for showing up for us and putting quality content. Even the domo solo episodes! It’s nice to hear your thoughts free range. Maybe it’s helps you as well. This podcast needs to blow up more and I tell everyone I know about it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CynthiaT367
    United Statesa year ago
  • Mandatory Listen

    This is the only podcast I listen to! The conversations these three have are great! This podcast is fire hands down! Everyone should tune into this podcast. I don’t even listen to music anymore I only tune in for the podcast. I hope this podcast last for years to come!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    McNasty904
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show blends humor with hard topics, making complex issues approachable.
Listeners appreciate the authentic, unfiltered conversations among seasoned Navy leaders.
Audience values practical leadership lessons and real-world naval insights.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#178
United States/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 187 | "Out The Mud" (Feat. CDR Desmond Walker & CDR Frank "Siri" Bonner)
Q: What makes leadership work under pressure in a deployed environment?
Leaders must balance mission urgency with people care, communicate clearly across all channels, and provide space for teams to adapt, learn, and own their problems while maintaining accountability.
Episode 179 | "Cleared"
Q: When you decided to re-analyze what factors did you consider?
The hosts discussed their personal motivations for re-enlisting and the importance of aligning one's goals with personal fulfillment.
Episode 174 | "You Can't Make This Shit Up" (Feat. Marc Tinaz, CDR, USN, Ret)
Q: So, Marc, you brought up that you did 33 years, right? What are some of the major changes that you've seen?
Three significant changes: when I came in, after a few years we were doing retirement ceremonies for Vietnam veterans; 9/11 changed training dynamics; in the last ten years of service, missions and the nature of sailors changed greatly.
Episode 160 | "Fishing Trip"
Q: What happens when we as leaders make feedback wrong?
We get to a point where as military service members, no matter what position and leadership you are, you're better seen and not heard.
"Reality is Reality" | Bonus Episode
Q: How this ever happened to you before?
Damo reflects on instances of experiencing slurs and racism during online gaming.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Permission To Speak Freely

What is Permission To Speak Freely about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Uncompromising, freewheeling conversations with senior service members that mix sea stories, leadership lessons, and current events shaping military life. Episodes regularly unpack real-world leadership challenges, policy changes, and culture shifts inside the armed forces, often through candid debates, personal anecdotes, and practical guidance for sailors and veterans navigating duty, family, and career progression. Noteworthy is the willingness to tackle tough topics—discipline, mental health, diversity, and the human side of command—without pretense, making it a compelling listen for those evaluating leadership dynamics, defense policy, or a Navy-focused perspective.

What stands out is the approachable, journalistically informal format ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Permission To Speak Freely?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Permission To Speak Freely:

1. The Breakfast Club
2. Club Shay Shay
3. Nightcap
4. Julian Dorey Podcast
5. Pivot Podcast

How many episodes of Permission To Speak Freely are there?

Permission To Speak Freely launched 6 years ago and published 235 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Permission To Speak Freely?

Recent guests on Permission To Speak Freely include:

1. Hudson Burns
2. Nikki Lozano
3. Desmond Walker
4. Frank Siri Bonner
5. Captain Charles R. Harmon
6. NCC Joey Sawyer
7. Jacob Green
8. Alquin Parker

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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