Guess Who’s Bizack? Fresh from being “on standby to shock the world,” Damon is fresh from his tour on the USS Nimitz and preparing for his first tour as a Command Master Chief. He discusses his feelings about going on deployment, knowing that he had another job waiting for him. Damo reflects on his first tour as a Senior Enlisted Leader. Is 5 years on a ship even necessary? Damon doubles down on “Leadership Discussions.” Damo addresses comments regarding accusations about past guests. Damon gives his ultimate “Post Carrier Tour Do Better.” Damo adds a few of his own. Damon salutes the pod for keeping it going while he’s been gone. This leads Damo to cover a personal story about his family and how pivotal timing can be. The guys discuss the weaponization of the CO’s Suggestion box. Damon drops some jewels on not creating “barriers.” These and more topics are covered in this episode.

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 social media and YouTube - https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

Book of the Week:

How to Navy (James Cross) - https://www.amazon.com/How-Navy-Lessons-Leadership-Deckplates/dp/B0F85ZXR8C

Movie Review:

Warfare (Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31434639/

Additional Credits:

PTSF “Theme Music” - Produced by Lim0

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 talk about:

• The boot camp lesson that rewired his understanding of leadership
• How Warrior-Scholar restored his identity and gave him academic confidence
• The importance of veterans having space to be students, not just survivors
• Why he now helps other vets sit where he once sat: broken, angry, but not done

This one’s for anyone who thought their story peaked in uniform. It didn’t. It starts where you think it’s over.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

🌐 Warrior-Scholar Project (Homepage)

📚 Explore WSP Programs

📝 Apply as a Scholar

💡 Support or Donate

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 social media and YouTube - https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

Additional Credits:

PTSF “Theme Music” - Produced by Lim0

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 on — sparks a bigger conversation about responsibility, communication, and culture. These and more topics are covered on this episode.

Book of the Week:

Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography by Staci Robinson

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 social media and YouTube - https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

Additional Credits:

PTSF “Theme Music” - Produced by Lim0

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 twist ending and discuss how the film handles grief, breakdowns, and trauma. The crew reflects on time spent in New Orleans, the weight of anniversaries, and moments that still linger. They congratulate James Sandifer on being elected mayor of Lumberton. Then the conversation shifts to the Army’s 250th birthday celebration and questions around military spending, followed by VADM Cheeseman’s retirement, a first look at the new CPO eval, and a photo of a Master Chief that sparked questions about standards and image. They also touch on the renaming of military bases, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s recent appearance before Congress, and the challenge of applying today’s mindset to past decisions. Tisha closes by sharing thoughts on working in a job that doesn’t align with your values — and what it means to try to make a difference anyway. These and more topics are covered on this episode.

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 social media and YouTube - https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

Keep up with our guest, Courtney, at the following:

https://www.unapologeticallyfavored.net/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafezGfvmmk6Mr1InJrOdUCu8-cL5gaWJrkq1VWvvw1xaNuKS_AyIv6iPGR4WA_aem_t5d4HRHe3ZOpRYNvOTTalw

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/unapologeticallyfavored/?ref=_xav_ig_profile_page_web_0515#

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unapologeticallycak?igsh=bW5nY3U5ODAzaDhn

Additional Credits:

PTSF “Theme Music” - Produced by Lim0

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 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 the CO might be the father. Yeah… it gets there fast. And no, we’re not making any of that up.

From there, the conversation pivots into the serious stuff: leadership, accountability, and the fallout from yet another high-profile scandal in the Navy. The crew breaks down what happens when people at the top forget who they’re supposed to be—and what it means when everyone below them sees it happening. Guest, CMDCM Frank Jackson brings the heat with talk of Bathsheba Syndrome, Fat Leonard comparisons, and the quiet rot that builds when no one speaks up.

We also unpack a Reddit post that calls out toxic command climates, and instead of brushing it off, the crew actually leans in and listens. Add in a “do better” submission about LPO drama, some hard truths about the Chief season grind, and a little command identity crisis (spoiler: quarterdecks don’t belong in office buildings), and this episode covers it all.

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 social media and YouTube - https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

Additional Credits:

PTSF “Theme Music” - Produced by Lim0

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 journey is rooted in faith, mentorship, and resilience. Now back home and running for mayor of Lumberton, Sandifer’s “Choose to Change” campaign is focused on unity, youth empowerment, infrastructure reform, and restoring pride in the community.

About This Episode:

In this episode, Damo, Tisha, and Aaron sit down with retired Navy Lieutenant Commander James Sandifer—Lumberton, Mississippi native and current mayoral candidate—for a candid and inspiring conversation about leadership, legacy, and choosing to change your community from the inside out. James reflects on his upbringing in a small Southern town, the values he inherited working hayfields and watermelon farms, and how that foundation set the tone for a 30-year career in the U.S. Navy. He opens up about early career missteps, nearly getting derailed during his first tour in Puerto Rico, and the life-altering mentorship that set him on a new trajectory. From rising through the ranks to Chief and ultimately retiring as a Lieutenant Commander, James shares the hard lessons he learned about leadership, ego, humility, and faith. He talks about earning respect in the air traffic control community despite being told he wouldn’t make it, and how mentorship from both Black and white leaders helped mold his character. The episode also explores Sandifer’s return home to a town that’s seen population decline, economic challenges, and systemic neglect. He breaks down his “Choose to Change” campaign platform, highlighting issues like school district failures, sewage infrastructure, poverty, and racial division. But more importantly, he speaks on unity, youth empowerment, and what it truly means to serve after service. We also get lighter moments: push-up competitions on the campaign trail, his Waffle House order, and why Cuevas Fish House will always outrank Ruth’s Chris in his book. These and more topics are explored in this episode.

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 social media and YouTube - https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

James’ Book Recommendation:

Chop Wood Carry Water (Joshua Medcalf) https://www.amazon.com/Chop-Wood-Carry-Water-audiobook/dp/B01MS3QS8K

Follow James Sandifer and his campaign for Mayor of Lumberton:

@voteforsandifer (Linktree) https://linktr.ee/voteforsandifer?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Additional Credits:

PTSF “Theme Music” - Produced by Lim0

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 stuff—miscarriage, fertility, career identity—and still find time to roast the Chiefs Mess, crack jokes about uniform shortages, and break news about a raccoon in Ohio caught with a meth pipe. (You read that right.)

It’s honest, layered, and just the right amount of petty. A love letter to the women holding it all down, and a reminder that you’re allowed to walk away even when you’re great at what you do.

What We Talk About:

•Life at N17 and what Sailors don’t see behind policy

•Deploying every year for 9 straight years

•Why she’s walking away at 20 years—and what comes next

•Fertility fears, freezing eggs, and making space for motherhood

•The realities of military pregnancy and miscarriage

•Chiefs Mess culture—who’s in it, and who’s missing

•What it means to “complete your mission” and still want more

•And yes… a raccoon with a meth pipe in Ohio

About CTRCS Candace Esquivel:

A Cleveland native and a member of the 9/11 generation, CTRCS Esquivel enlisted in the Navy in 2005. Her career spans deployments aboard the USS BUNKER HILL and USS BOXER, elite service with Naval Special Warfare Development Group, and cyber ops with Joint Cyber Operations Group. In 2022, she served as a DoD Congressional Fellow advising on cyber and defense policy. A graduate of the Navy and Joint Special Operations Senior Enlisted Academies, she holds a bachelor’s in Management Studies and serves as a board member of The Valkyrie Project, championing female service members across the force.

Connect With Candace & The Valkyrie Project:

•The Valkyrie Project

•YouTube: Military Women’s Symposiums

•LinkedIn: Candace Esquivel

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 social media and YouTube - https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

Additional Credits:

PTSF “Theme Music” - Produced by Lim0

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 creating space for real conversations with Sailors about well-being. Damo’s hype, because he has his first mentee in years. He opens up about working on his End of Tour award and questioning whether it’s necessary. The two reflect on award culture, personal recognition, and the moments where impact matters more than accolades. That conversation bleeds into a funny but honest admission: ChatGPT might be making Damo a worse writer, at least when putting pen to paper. Damo shares a personal story of a shipmate who was isolated by leadership after an alleged incident. They also touch on recent inspections at the barracks, emphasizing the need for genuine accountability and not just cleaning up when leadership visits. What’s the Navy’s policy on bracelets? Aaron asks a real one: how do you correct a Chief with a jacked-up uniform? The guys answer a few questions from listeners: from whether the culture can change, to who would win a war between Snipes and Supply, and how the Navy applies (or ignores) the idea of “One Team, One Fight.” A few recent headlines are discussed: SECDEF’s “No More Walking on Eggshells” policy, removal of transgender servicemembers, and DoD efforts to reduce the number of flag officers. They also discuss reports of fighter jets lost from USS Truman and troops allegedly detained during a DEA nightclub raid in Colorado. Damo blames Aaron for the cliffhanger, and the episode closes with Aaron’s “Do Better” reminder: don’t just go through the motions when it comes to training because your people deserve more than that. These and more topics are covered in this episode.

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 social media and YouTube - https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

Books of the Week:

Damo - Fight (Jonathan Allen) https://www.harpercollins.com/products/fight-jonathan-allenamie-parnes?variant=43464319860770

Aaron - Shoot The Women First (Eileen MacDonald), Immortal Valor (Robert Child) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6817549-shoot-the-women-first

Additional Credits:

PTSF “Theme Music” - Produced by Lim0