Soul Sessions

High-achieving men, leaders, pro athletes, and founders often look great on the outside. But at home, many are struggling in silence. Therapist and coach Sulonda Smith joins the show to talk about the real cost of provider pressure, why men have a hard time asking for what they need, and how to build better communication without feeling weak. This one is for the man who wants peace at home as much...

Dan Smitley got laid off by someone he called a friend. Then he caught himself coaching her on how to do it better. This Soul Session is about the inflection point that does not come with a clean ending. Dan has been laid off twice, both times by people close to him. The second time, an accidental screen-share showed him what they really thought. We get into: - Why the layoff is the easy part, and...

At 21, Tiffany Chen turned down a six figure Wall Street offer on the spot, with no plan for what came next. Six years later, deep inside a fast moving AI startup that looked perfect on paper, she found herself asking the same quiet question: what are we all actually doing here? In this Soul Sessions, Tiffany walks Damon through two leaps of faith that shaped her life and the inner compass that ma...

You already know what's not working. The job, the habit, the relationship, the version of yourself you've outgrown. So why is it so hard to release it? In this episode of Soul Sessions, Damon sits down with Stephanie Coleman to unpack the uncomfortable truth most people miss: you don't hold onto things that have no value. If you can't let go, it's because something in ther...

There's a museum 15 minutes from my house. I told my wife I wanted to go for four years. This weekend, I finally went. It wasn't what I thought it would be. In this solo Soul Session, I'm sitting with something that's been on my mind. Why does the idea of a thing so often feel better than the actual thing? The relationship we imagine. The vacation we plan. The job in tech we ch...

Imran Syed sold a company that had been around for over a decade. He fought to keep the deal alive, became CEO to bring it back from the brink, and when it finally closed he turned to his wife, said "I did it," and cried. Then he looked up and saw the next mountain. In this episode of Soul Sessions, Imran takes us through the inflection points that shaped him. Switching five schools in f...

Most leadership advice tells you what good looks like. Almost none of it tells you how to access it when your body is in survival mode. In this Soul Sessions Live, I sit down with Ann De Passos and Kim, two leadership coaches who have spent over fifteen years working with leaders, teams, and organizations through change. We get into: Why frameworks like the Five Dysfunctions and psychological safe...

Crystal Beachum Salako got promoted in tech sales four months after coming back from maternity leave — while breastfeeding a ten-month-old between cold calls. This is how she did it, and what it cost. She spent six months getting rejected from customer success roles before a stranger named Penelope helped her see what she'd been missing: she'd been selling her whole life. Girl Scout cook...

Some people collect stories. Rio has survived them. In 1998, when he was barely old enough to walk, his parents hid him somewhere in their Jakarta apartment, a room, a box, they still can't agree on the detail, while Chinese-Indonesian homes and businesses were being destroyed in some of the worst racial riots in Southeast Asian history. His father, one of only four Chinese students ever admi...

Mitchell Phelps is a father of one (number two is weeks away), Cleveland-based community builder, and the man behind the Daddy's Trollers Social Club. In this episode, Mitchell gets real about the self-imposed pressure men carry into fatherhood, the financial stress they manufacture, the provider identity they inherit from society, and the moment his wife asked him to prove they weren't...

Sam is a loving husband, father of a three-year-old, and expecting baby number two this July.  He's a self proclaim workaholic  who has spent his career in sales and never really knew how to turn it off. So what happens when someone like that gets four months of paternity leave? In this episode of the Soul Sessions Fatherhood Series, Sam shares one of the most vivid descriptions of entering p...

Evan Coleman went back to work when his son was 21 days old. The second time around, he had 13 weeks — and it changed everything about how he thinks about fatherhood, work, and what companies still get wrong about paternity leave. In this conversation, Evan and Damon get into how to structure your leave strategically, how to build a support system when family isn't nearby, and the mindset shi...

Most dads want to be more involved and intentional, but the language around fatherhood is often negative or confusing. Paul Sullivan, founder of The Company of Dads, shares the empowering concept of “Lead Dad,” a term that reframes involved fatherhood as uplifting, progressive, and masculine, without stigma. Discover how shifting the narrative can unlock greater engagement at home and in the workp...

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of parental leave, especially for leaders and organizations aiming to foster a culture of support and loyalty. Derek Doblin, founder and CEO of Parento, shares his personal journey, industry insights, and actionable strategies to make parental leave a true asset for companies and employees alike. Key Topics Covered: The importance of modeling pa...

In this episode, Kevin Reed (a sales manager) shares his insights on navigating paternity leave, balancing work and fatherhood, and maintaining personal projects during early parenthood. Whether you're a new dad or planning for one, his practical advice and candid reflections offer valuable guidance. This episode offers a practical, honest look at what it takes to balance new fatherhood, work...

In this episode, Kenny Hill shares his personal experience with paternity leave, its impact on his family and career, and practical advice for new fathers and companies alike. Discover how intentional leave can redefine your approach to fatherhood, leadership, and work-life balance. Key Topics The significance of paternity leave for new dads How to mentally and emotionally prepare for leave Differ...

This episode delves into the complexities of setting and maintaining personal boundaries during the holiday season, especially with family. It explores the challenges and strategies for ensuring self-respect and healthy relationships.

In this episode, Timothy Altman shares his journey from graduating Chico State in December 2023 to landing a tech sales role at a startup within six months. Tim discusses his switch from civil engineering to marketing, the crucial moment of discovering his passion for sales, and the unconventional strategies he used to get hired. He emphasizes the importance of researching companies, cold emailing...

In this episode, we dive into the topic of vulnerability in leadership with guest Mark Mangal.  Mark shares insights from his career in sales development, highlighting the importance of showing up authentically and the courage it takes to be vulnerable. He reflects on the impact of leaders who have modeled this behavior, and discusses the challenges and benefits of leading with transparency. Mark...

In this conversation, Damon Mclean discusses the preparations and considerations surrounding paternity leave from a non-birthing parent's perspective. He shares insights on decision-making regarding childcare, communication with employers, and the emotional challenges of taking time off work. The conversation emphasizes the importance of planning and support for new parents, particularly fath...

In this episode, I reflect on the unexpected lessons and challenges of parenthood that I have encountered as a new father. I discuss my realization about the necessity of patience, understanding that newborns are experiencing everything for the first time and lack the ability to communicate their needs. I emphasize that babies cry because they can't convey what they need clearly, and I talk a...

In this introductory episode of Soul Sessions, Damon shares his personal experiences and insights about paternity leave in America. As a new father with 12 weeks of paid time off from his startup job, he reflects on the importance of bonding with his newborn, the challenges many fathers face in taking paternity leave, and the broader implications for family life and mental health. Damon explores t...

In this episode, Damon interviews Desiree Bailey, an SDR Manager, about her unique leadership approach and background.  Desiree shares insights from her upbringing in a Christian household, her transition from crisis mental health to tech, and the importance of living by one's values.  Highlights include her daily routines, motivational techniques, the significance of boundaries, and the prin...

In this episode, I cover three key topics: the importance of core values, the overwhelming pace of change in modern life, and the concept of performative vulnerability.  I emphasize the necessity of identifying and adhering to core values such as authenticity, courage, and curiosity to stay grounded amidst rapid changes. I also discuss strategies to handle overwhelming change by either increasing...

Finding fulfillment beyond the paycheck The Crossroads Moment Summer opens up about being "good in her role" but knowing there's something more. She's at that pivotal crossroads where comfort meets calling - a place many of us find ourselves when success doesn't equal fulfillment. Beyond the Transaction In tech sales, we sell widgets. But what happens when your soul craves...