In this packed episode, Phil and Dan pull back the curtain on growing up in Hardin County, the unspoken realities of life on the farm, and what it’s really like behind the wheel of a big rig. Joined by special guest Calvin Coomes, the guys tackle everything from hilarious childhood memories and sketchy moments on the road to the biggest misconceptions about truck drivers today.

Plus, we get real on the big questions:

• The Generation Gap: What older generations get dead wrong about young people today—and what young people misunderstand about the past.
• The American Dream: Is it still alive, what worries us most about the future, and where we still find hope.
• Life Lessons & Legacy: The wisdom learned in the fields, the dream of owning land, and the legacy Calvin hopes to leave behind.

Stick around until the end for a fast-paced Rapid-Fire Round covering favorite trucks, worst jobs, top country songs, and the ultimate hunting debate!

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 rebuilding discarded trash-can computers with Linux in Wisconsin to hacking in-orbit satellites, Bryan Torielli’s path in tech is anything but traditional.

In this episode of Catalyst Comms, Phil and Dan sit down with Bryan, founder of Null-SAT, to trace his journey through high school boredom, military base relocations, reverse-engineering defense networks, and building Silent Shield at Deloitte. Now, he’s taking on "dead" satellites and converting them into live orbital cyber ranges for DARPA and the Space Development Agency. Tune in for a masterclass on leaning into the problems everyone else thinks are "too tough."

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