Catalyst Comms: Anything & Everything

What does it take to go from an unhappy 17-year-old escaping a turbulent home life to becoming one of the first 45 women integrated onto a U.S. Navy warship? In this episode, we sit down with retired CWO3 Cryptologic Officer Kelly Soles for a raw, unflinching look at her historic naval career.

Kelly takes us inside the intense command climate of the USS Vella Gulf in 1996, the sting of having her hard-earned promotion to Chief Petty Officer questioned by male peers, and why she firmly believes modern DEI policies risk diluting the meritocracy she fought so hard to prove. We also explore the deeply personal decision to walk away from her dream of becoming the first female CWO5 to put family first. Finally, Kelly pulls back the curtain on her current work managing the critical CCTV links for the ongoing, decades-long legal proceedings at Guantanamo Bay for the 9/11 and USS Cole terrorist attacks. It’s a powerful conversation about survival, breaking barriers, leadership, and the slow wheels of American justice.

Got a killer story, a wild recommendation, or think you belong in the hot seat for an episode? Don’t hold back—hit us up at [email protected] and let’s make it happen! LETS GOOOO!

What happens when the uniform that defined you for decades finally comes off, and you have to meet the person underneath for the very first time?

In this episode, we sit down with retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Devi Novick to explore a life defined by grit, fierce accountability, and radical transformation. From surviving on her own as a teenager to navigating toxic command climates as a five-foot-tall female Culinary Specialist, Devi earned her anchors the hard way. She shares the raw reality of grueling 10-week Chief initiations, finding a sanctuary in the "5 AM Crew" bodybuilding culture while climbing the military ranks, and the relentless drive that kept her asking, "Then what?"

But the truest battle came after retirement. Devi opens up about shedding the "bulldog" persona required for survival, trading the high-stakes chaos of military leadership for an unfamiliar sense of calm, and the profound journey of discovering who she is when she’s just Devi.

Tune in for a powerful conversation on leadership, the evolution of military tradition, and the courage it takes to redefine yourself outside the uniform.

Got a killer story, a wild recommendation, or think you belong in the hot seat for an episode? Don’t hold back—hit us up at [email protected] and let’s make it happen!

From child stardom in The Mighty Ducks trilogy to sharing the screen with legends like Al Pacino and George Clooney, veteran character actor and screenwriter Matt Doherty has seen every side of Hollywood over his 25-year career.

In this episode, Matt sits down with us to pull back the curtain on the creative grind. He takes us from his roots on the South Side of Chicago to his time at Northwestern, detailing the humbling realities of re-entering the industry and the grit required to sustain a lifetime in the arts. We dive deep into his unique creative philosophy, why he aims to "speak truth to power," how a modern, "checked-out" society has lost its sense of the absurd, and how his brilliant rideshare blog, Step into my Backseat, serves as a front-row seat to human psychology. Plus, Matt shares what he learned using the narrative arts to help combat veterans process trauma, and how he balances the immense creative pressure of writing three screenplays under contract for an Academy Award-nominated director.

Whether you are an aspiring writer, a lifelong actor, or just someone looking to find meaning in a chaotic world, Matt’s raw honesty, sharp wit, and deep commitment to the craft offer a masterclass in staying grounded and staying hungry.

View Failed State at https://ohkeydoh.com/

Got a killer story, a wild recommendation, or think you belong in the hot seat for an episode? Don’t hold back, hit us up at [email protected] and let’s make it happen!

What a ride! Season 1 of Catalyst Comms: Anything & Everything comes to a spectacular close as hosts Dan Clark and Phil Petersen look back at a debut season defined by high stakes, masterclass strategies, and deeply moving human stories. From battlefield leadership to high-octane negotiation tables, this finale synthesizes the absolute best insights from our powerhouse guests:

• Salena Parent: We revisit the tactical mind of a true "Alpha" leader, breaking down what it takes to navigate and command respect in the most highly restricted corners of the military world.

• Lucas Ayers: The master class in negotiation. We dive back into Lucas’s jaw-dropping career trajectory, tracing his path from hunting down high-stakes leads with NCIS to orchestrating massive contracts for over 100 of the world’s elite athletes and celebrities.

• Mike Mack & Brad Coomes: Bringing decades of grit and hard-earned wisdom, we pull together their essential life frameworks on resilience, highlighting what it means to anchor yourself when the pressure mounts.

• Tom and Brenda Clark: Rounding out the season's emotional core, we reflect on their powerful perspective on legacy, partnership, and the fundamental communication styles that keep teams, and families, thriving through massive pivots.

Whether you are looking to sharpen your business edge or completely reset your personal trajectory, the Season 1 wrap-up weaves these diverse stories into a singular, actionable blueprint for success.

Thank you for listening, subscribing, and growing with us. Get ready, because we are just getting started! See you in Season 2!

Behind every legendary career in the Navy is a foundation that never wavers. In this episode, we shift the focus from the deckplates to the home front. Phil and Dan sit down with the true matriarch of the Clark family, Brenda Clark, to discuss the grit, grace, and resilience required to lead a military family through 26 years of service.

We explore what it means to be the "Command Master Chief of the Home," navigating decades of deployments, milestones met in solitude, and the art of building a family culture that survives the constant flux of military life.

Got a killer story, a wild recommendation, or think you belong in the hot seat for an episode? Don’t hold back—hit us up at [email protected] and let’s make it happen!

In this fun filled episode, we sit down with a true Navy legend to trace a career that spans from the hills of Kentucky to the inner circles of global military leadership. We’re joined by Master Chief Tom Clark, exploring a legacy built on the "deckplate hustle" and the "sailor-first" mentality.

From the high-stakes communication of a Signalman to the heavy responsibility of a Command Master Chief, we dive into the evolution of a leader who made Master Chief at a lightning-fast pace. This isn’t just a military history lesson; it’s a story of family, sacrifice, and the enduring bond of "sea brothers."

Got a killer story, a wild recommendation, or think you belong in the hot seat for an episode? Don’t hold back—hit us up at [email protected] and let’s make it happen!

From growing up in the DC suburbs to dodging coups, fighting fires on his wedding night, and playing a high-stakes "cat-and-mouse" game with Russian intelligence, Mike Mack has spent 65 years living directly in the friction points of modern history.

In this episode, Dan and Phil sit down with Mike for a sprawling, high-intensity conversation about a life lived on the edge. Mike takes us from his youth in Fairfax and a radical, six-month soul-searching journey, culminating in a terrifying encounter with St. Elmo’s Fire atop Mt. Whitney, to the front lines of global security. We trace his evolution from a local volunteer firefighter and Fairfax tactical SWAT sniper/medic into the elite diplomatic security world of the State Department.

Mike pulls back the curtain on protecting Princess Diana and Prince Charles, operating in the Mobile Security Division (MSD), witnessing the collapse of communism in Warsaw, and finding partnership amidst the horrors of civil war in Burundi. This isn't just a breakdown of high-level espionage and tactical operations; it’s a deeply human look at how a father, husband, and operator maintains his core while watching the world burn around him.

Got a killer story, a wild recommendation, or think you belong in the hot seat for an episode? Don’t hold back—hit us up at [email protected] and let’s make it happen!

From hunting down leads with NCIS to negotiating contracts for over 100 of the world’s top athletes and celebrities, Lucas Ayers has spent his career navigating high-stakes environments where the "human factor" is everything.

In this episode, Dan and Phil sit down with Lucas to deconstruct a masterclass in leadership, discipline, and scaling a business without losing your soul. Lucas opens up about his 11-year Navy career, the deeply personal reason he transitioned to civilian life, and the mindset behind turning down a hard-earned promotion on his way out the door.

We dive into his seamless but grueling transition into federal law enforcement support, what it really takes to lead at the GS-14 level, and how he manages a dual life: maintaining an analytical, mission-first career as a government contractor with American Systems while simultaneously running The Philadelphia Connection talent agency for nearly two decades.

Got a killer story, a wild recommendation, or think you belong in the hot seat for an episode? Don’t hold back—hit us up at [email protected] and let’s make it happen! Boom!

Get ready for Brad Coomes, a Kentucky-born welder, mechanic, volunteer policeman, and wrecker driver who embodies the true spirit of a "Jack of All Trades." But behind the heavy machinery, firearms, and rugged exterior lies a man widely described as a gentle "teddy bear."

In this heartwarming and gritty episode, hosts Dan and Phil sit down with Brad to unpack a life built on hard work, grit, and an unwavering commitment to fixing things, whether it's a broken engine or a broken spirit. Brad shares how his Southern upbringing shaped his relentless work ethic, what it really means to choose to be a "dad" rather than just a biological father, and how his wife, Melissa, has been the anchor through every career shift. From nostalgic memories of camouflage shirts and gold loop earrings to watching the next generation inherit his mechanical spark, this episode explores the legacy of a man who builds, protects, and loves with everything he's got.

Got a killer story, a wild recommendation, or think you belong in the hot seat for an episode? Don’t hold back—hit us up at [email protected] and let’s make it happen!

Part 2

What does it take to be the first? To be the woman in the room—or on the submarine, or "outside the wire" in Afghanistan—when the room wasn’t even built for you?

In this powerhouse episode, we sit down with Salena Parent, a true "Alpha" leader who has navigated the most restricted corners of the military world. From her early days as an Electronics Technician to serving as a Warrant Officer, Salena has spent her career operating at the "invisible edge."

Got a killer story, a wild recommendation, or think you belong in the hot seat for an episode? Don’t hold back—hit us up at [email protected] and let’s make it happen!