From logging timber in the rugged mountains of western Virginia to navigating dual-military life in the wilds of Alaska and rising to Technical Division Director (GS-15), Mike Sherer’s path is a masterclass in resilience, deliberate preparation, and quiet grit.

In this episode of Catalyst Comms, Phil and Dan sit down with Mike to unpack the pivotal chapters that built his no-excuses mindset:

• Roots & Early Lessons: Growing up rural with no military background, earning his first paycheck logging in the mountains, and the grounding influence of his grandfather.
• The Air Force & Alaska: Trading the East Coast for the frontier of Alaska, navigating dual-military family dynamics, and balancing service with raising kids.
• Bouncing Back from Pink Slips: Facing layoffs head-on, stepping out independently as an instructor, and transforming career uncertainty into a blueprint for resilience.
• The Federal Ascent: Transitioning from contractor back to civilian service, mapping out a direct target on GS-15 from day one, and the leadership philosophy driving his work in Information Technology.
• Discipline in the Field: Mike’s passion for hunting, his mindset on gear and calculated preparation, and how time in the backcountry parallels professional execution.
• Lighter Moments & Legacy: Dan puts Mike on the hot seat with a couple of inside-track questions (including the infamous rule of what happens after saying "STOP" three times), followed by the core philosophy that ties it all together: why every day is an interview.

Whether you are navigating a career pivot, climbing the federal or corporate ranks, or seeking grounded advice on handling setbacks, Mike shares candid takeaways on discipline, adaptability, and earning your seat at the table every single day.

🎙️ Catalyst Comms: Anything & Everything

Everybody has a story. We just give them a place to tell it.

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 catalystcomms26@gmail.com and let’s make it happen!

What happens when you combine corporate finance, international education, two research tours in Antarctica, and a full Spiderman suit? You get Kevin Parrett.

Rooted in Hardin County for generations, Kevin has spent the last two decades teaching business and IT at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, expanding his students’ horizons well beyond Kentucky borders. Having traveled to 76 countries, from the resilient streets of Havana soon to the ice shelves of the South Pole, Kevin joins Dan and Phil on the show to unpack the value of global perspective, the joy of bringing unlikely groups together, and why suiting up as the friendly neighborhood superhero is the best service work of all.

🎙️ Catalyst Comms: Anything & Everything

Everybody has a story. We just give them a place to tell it.

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 catalystcomms26@gmail.com and let’s make it happen!

From Brooklyn roots and early heartbreak to the pinnacle of military command and a second act under the spotlight, retired Marine Colonel Frank Cubillo’s life is anything but ordinary.

In this episode, Frank joins us to reflect on his remarkable 37-year journey from an enlisted Signals Operator—toting a powder-blue Samsonite suitcase aboard the USS Spruance—to rising through the ranks as a Warrant Officer, LDO, and eventually Colonel commanding the 3rd Intel Squadron in Okinawa. Alongside his Cold War reconnaissance missions and deckplate leadership lessons, Frank opens up about the personal milestones that shaped him: a four-year pen-pal courtship with his wife Cindy that led to a 50-year marriage, the perseverance required to build their family, and navigating the unexpected moments of parenthood with unconditional love.

Finally, Frank takes us inside his thrilling post-military reinvention. Tracing his path from civil service karaoke nights to center stage as a professional Frank Sinatra tribute artist, he shares what it’s like to swap the uniform for a tuxedo, perform alongside full symphony orchestras, and truly do it "His Way."

www.franksingsfrank.com

🎙️ Catalyst Comms: Anything & Everything

Everybody has a story. We just give them a place to tell it.

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 catalystcomms26@gmail.com and let’s make it happen! and let’s make it happen!