Permission To Speak Freely

**Listener Discretion** This episode contains discussions about suicide, mental health, prostitution, pornography, trauma, and religious faith that may be difficult for some listeners.

 

This week, the guys sit down with Army veteran and author Devin Fish, whose memoir, Answering the Hard Questions, takes readers through a life marked by poverty, constant change, broken relationships, self-hatred, and ultimately, redemption. Devin opens up about growing up in Rockford, Illinois, moving from school to school, joining the Army to escape his circumstances, and the experiences that forced him to confront some of the darkest moments of his life. The conversation explores mental health, loneliness, romance scams, pornography, prostitution, faith, identity, and what it really takes to rebuild yourself after believing you're beyond saving. The guys also dive into the creative process behind writing a deeply personal memoir, the discipline required to tell your story honestly, and why helping just one person can make sharing your story worth it. Whether you've ever struggled with purpose, questioned your faith, battled your own inner voice, or simply wondered how someone finds hope after years of self-destruction, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

 

 

 

Do you have “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at ptstpodcast@gmail.com

 

 

 

Stay connected with us: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

 

 

 

Stay connected with Devin Fish:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devin.fish.79

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@9d7fish

 

 

 

Picks of the Week:

Answering the Hard Questions (Devin Fish) - https://www.youtube.com/@9d7fish

A Man at Arms (Steven Pressfield) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0393540979?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

 

 

 

PTSF Theme music: Produced by Lim0

We were definitely UA last week, and we're sorry about that. This week, the guys are back—minus Damon—but joined by NCC Quintavious Nelson (aka Que Nels) to catch up on everything that's happened across the Navy over the past few weeks.

 

Damo kicks things off with his latest gripe: having to shave every single day. The conversation quickly shifts into the time Que got the pod in trouble around Christmas, which naturally leads into a discussion about his relationship with social media and life as an influencer.

 

The crew shares their Father's Day After-Action Reports before Damo asks what the big deal is about Love Island? That opens the door to a rabbit hole about the TV shows everyone's watching right now.

 

Aaron talks about launching his "Standard Bearer" run challenge and reflects on attending his final Corpsman Ball. The release of the E-5 and E-6 advancement results sparks another conversation as Sailors wonder where the BBA results are. That leads Damo to share his thoughts on why some Sailors feel they aren't given enough time to truly learn so many new Navy policies—and what could be done to fix it.

 

Since it's Men's Mental Health Month, the guys discuss whether it's actually being taken seriously. They also debate whether Barack Obama should have responded after an MMA fighter publicly insulted his wife. Que shares a personal sea story about an experience that completely changed his perspective on mental health.

 

Damo reminds everyone that Permission to Speak Freely has always been a lifestyle podcast—not just a leadership show. Que then dives deeper into his journey as a social media influencer and what he's learned along the way.

 

Other topics include:

Why some of y'all were way too excited about those tropical uniforms?

The tragic death of a 21-year-old woman who was thrown from a bungee jump attraction by staff, and whether it was truly an accident.

Questions surrounding the recent shooting death aboard the USS John F. Kennedy.

A Navy service member stationed in Virginia is being charged after a missing Louisiana teenager was found connected to him in Norfolk.

General Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. in this week's Highlighting Our Heroes segment.

NAVADMIN 140/26 and the Navy's updated guidance on religious accommodations for facial hair.

The Navy's new selection board feedback process, beginning with the latest Chief Petty Officer board, and whether the feedback will actually satisfy those who receive it.

Que is asking Aaron and Damo for their thoughts on Career Summary Letters.

Aaron discusses stereotypes often assigned to leaders who aren't married.

What's really going on with the growing popularity of run clubs?

This week's Do Better segment covers:

Stop underestimating senior leadership.

Establish an ETP task force.

Build morale within the Career Counselor community.

To wrap things up, Que gives a firsthand review of Project Compass and leaves listeners with an important message about the power of connection. All this and much more on this week's episode of Permission to Speak Freely.

 

 

 

Do you have “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at ptstpodcast@gmail.com

 

 

Stay connected with us: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

 

 

Stay connected with NCC Que Nelson:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@que_nels?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/que_nels?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qnelsonuint

 

 

 

 

Links and more from this Episode:

 

E5/E6 Advancement Results - chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Career/EnlistedCareerAdmin/Advancement/EnlistedResults/Cycle%20271%20AC%20E5_E6%20Quotas.pdf?ver=dyGNaH7uZFB10zh3DBMo3g%3D%3D

 

Men’s Mental Health - https://www.nami.org/stay-connected/events/awareness-events/mens-health-month/

 

Woman Dead after Bungee incident - https://www.nbcnews.com/world/south-america/three-instructors-charged-bridge-jumping-death-woman-not-secured-rope-rcna350192

 

Navy Tropical Uniforms - https://nara.getarchive.net/topics/tropical+white/navy+uniforms

 

Shooting Death Onboard USS JFK -  https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2026/06/08/navy-investigating-shooting-death-of-sailor-aboard-uss-john-f-kennedy/

 

Missing Louisana Teen Found - https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/norfolk/virginia-navy-norfolk-charged-teen-found-virginia-beach/291-d42d35b9-e7c9-4fa2-bf5e-e3394e760711

 

NAVADMIN 140/26 - chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Messages/NAVADMIN/NAV2026/NAV26140.pdf?ver=k-7zlZ6LnqhlJUb9A8mBjA%3d%3d

 

 

 

Hero of the Week:

General Daniel Chappie James Jr. - https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/106647/daniel-james-jr/

 

 

 

Pick of the Week:

Celestine Propechy (James Redfield) - https://miravalshop.com/products/the-celestine-prophecy

 

 

 

PTSF Theme music: Produced by Lim0

 

 

 

Stay connected with the PTSF Podcast: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

 

 

 

PTSF Theme Music: Produced by Lim0

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 ranks. The conversation begins with Jeff sharing his journey from joining the Navy as an undesignated Airman to eventually earning a commission after multiple application attempts. He discusses the lessons he learned along the way, including how setbacks, preparation, and persistence shaped his career. The group explores common misconceptions about officer programs and why being eligible does not necessarily make someone competitive. Jeff provides insight into the commissioning process, discussing OCS, LDO, STA-21, motivational statements, appraisal interviews, OAR scores, and the importance of understanding program authorizations before submitting a package. The hosts examine the role mentorship plays in professional development and discuss the difference between mentors who guide and individuals who expect others to do the work for them.

The discussion also turns to social media, information sharing, and how technology has changed the way Sailors seek career advice. Jeff explains why many applicants fail before their package ever reaches a selection board, while Damo reflects on lessons learned from his own experiences pursuing advancement and career opportunities. Later in the episode, the conversation broadens into leadership, standards, and accountability. The hosts discuss the importance of correcting Sailors, maintaining good order and discipline, and why seemingly small standards can have a larger impact on organizational culture. Damo introduces his “Get the Fries Right” analogy as the group explores the relationship between attention to detail and effective leadership. The episode closes with reflections on service, mentorship, and the responsibility leaders have to help others succeed. Jeff shares why he has dedicated so much time to helping future officers, while the hosts discuss the importance of preparation, ownership, and personal accountability. Jeff also shares the advice he would give any Sailor considering a commission and explains why, in the end, nobody is going to do it for you. These topics and more are covered in this episode.

 

 

 

 

Do you have a “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at ptsfpodcast@gmail.com

 

 

 

Stay connected with the PTSF Podcast: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

 

 

 

PTSF Theme Music: Produced by Lim0

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 somehow became part of the discussion. We discuss LTB reviews, Master Chief pay, recruiting concerns surrounding Genesis, the Murph, the new UFC event fitness requirements, PRT alternate cardio, bad day chits, the CNO's recent email on grooming standards, the absence of women selected for Admiral, the relief of an entire triad in Japan, the Warrior Toughness rollout, and changes to evaluations at terminal paygrades. CS1 Burns shares stories about growing up in Wilmington, North Carolina, dealing with the loss of a close friend in high school, his first deployment in Japan, how his views changed as he advanced in rank, and some of the most important leadership lessons he's learned throughout his career. The conversation wraps up with a discussion on radical candor, relationships between Chiefs and First Classes, why leaders should defer to expertise, why different doesn't mean wrong, why failure is sometimes necessary for growth, and this week's Do Better segment featuring a Sailor bypassing the process, a gas station "federal crime" investigation, and a few leadership lessons along the way. These and more topics are covered in this episode.

 

 

 

Resources & Links

No Women Promoted to Admiral
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-women-promotion-2026/

Entire Triad Relieved in Japan
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2026/06/04/navy-fires-leadership-trio-of-ship-repair-facility-in-japan/

Warrior Toughness Rollout (NAVADMIN 134/26)
https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Messages/NAVADMIN/NAV2026/NAV26134.pdf

Periodic Evaluation Changes / Terminal Paygrade (NAVADMIN 132/26)
https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Messages/NAVADMIN/NAV2026/NAV26132.pdf

 

 

 

Do you have a “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at ptsfpodcast@gmail.com

 

 

 

Stay connected with the PTSF Podcast: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

 

 

 

Picks of the Week:

The Checklist Manifesto – Atul Gawande
https://a.co/d/07S3X6hL

Leadership Strategy and Tactics – Jocko Willink
https://echelonfront.com/leadership-books/leadership-strategy-and-tactics/

 

 

 

PTSF Theme Music: Produced by Lim0

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 military leadership. They discuss Black cinema, mental health resources, Warrior Toughness, Human Performance Optimization, E-8 and E-9 results, Memorial Day plans, and the latest developments in Admiral Robert Burke’s bribery case. The episode also features a Do Better segment, Picks of the Week, and listener questions covering disconnected leadership, driving change within organizations, and investing energy where it matters most. To close things out, Damo puts Damon and Aaron in the hot seat with a series of personal questions that lead to honest conversations about buying into the Navy, career setbacks, staying beyond 20 years, life after service, family sacrifices, and the moments they wish they could get back.

 

 

 

Do you have a “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at ptsfpodcast@gmail.com

 

 

 

Stay connected with the PTSF Podcast: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

 

 

Picks of the Week:

Damo: Start with Yourself (Emma Grede) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/start-with-yourself-emma-grede/1148547712

Damon: Kobe Bryant & The Mamba Mentality  (Alex Karadzin) https://www.audible.com/pd/Kobe-Bryant-The-Mamba-Mentality-Audiobook/B0DJCJ6GGC

Aaron: Remi Adeleke | One54 Africa Podcast https://youtu.be/GZu-2l4V29k?si=Nt3jEt-b2ulGfW-s

 

 

 

PTSF Theme Music: Produced by Lim0