Soul Sessions
🎙️ Soul Sessions: Real talk. Raw journeys. Radical belonging.
Soul Sessions is where you come to be seen, heard, and empowered. Each episode dives deep into the unspoken challenges of navigating career, identity, and success when you're the first to do it all.
From candid conversations with like minded souls, to solo reflections on self-worth, burnout, and belonging — we go beyond the highlight reel to share the soul behind the success.
This is your space to:
- Hear stories that sound like yours
- Learn tools to build a career and life on your terms
- Stay rooted while rising
Soul Sessions dives deep into the unspoken side of work — from navigating tech careers to leading teams and building systems that scale, all without losing your humanity.
We explore ambition, pressure, belonging, and leadership through candid conversations and personal reflection — revealing the soul behind success.
Hosted by Damon, this is where career wisdom meets honest connection.
Brought to you by joinsoulsessions.com
Episodes
26 episodes
There Is No Mountaintop | Soul Sessions with Imran Syed
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 u...
The Nervous System Nobody Told You About
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 spe...
From Cheesecake Factory to Tech Sales in One Year (While Raising a Baby)
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 rej...
Paradise, Then the ER
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 ho...
His Wife Asked Him to Prove They Weren't Okay. He Had No Answer.
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 Workaholic Dad | A Sales Pro on Paternity Leave, Presence, and Redirecting Your Drive
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 wh...
21 Days vs. 13 Weeks: What Paternity Leave Is Actually Costing Fathers
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...
Why 25 Million Dads Are Quietly Rewriting the Rules of Fatherhood
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 fat...
Why One CEO is Changing the Rules of Parental Leave: Will It Work?
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, indust...
Parental Leave in a Quota role : Kevin Reed's Path to Fatherhood
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 practic...
Hidden Benefits of Disconnecting During Paternity Leave
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 fath...
Holiday Boundaries with Family
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.
Breaking into Tech Sales: Timothy Altman's Journey from College to Startup Success
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 dis...
Understanding the Power of Vulnerability in Leadership with Mark Mangal
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 tak...
Navigating Paternity Leave: A Father's Perspective
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 ...
Lessons learned from being a 9 week old dad (Letting a Baby Be a Baby)
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...
Understanding Paternity Leave in America: A Personal Journey
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 wi...
Authentic Leadership and Staying Grounded with Desiree Bailey
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 menta...
Navigating Core Values Amid Rapid Change
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 adherin...
You Are Enough: From Prison to Purpose with Summer de Leon
Finding fulfillment beyond the paycheckThe 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...
Romanticizing the Struggle
In this soul session, the Damon and Charis, both originally from Jamaica, explore the pressures of living up to parental expectations and the journey of transitioning from traditional fields to new careers. Charis shares her story of studying e...
The Hidden Costs of Compromise
In this episode we dive into the topic compromise and what it takes to achieve personal growth and success. While celebrating achievements, we explores the often-overlooked sacrifices made along the way, whether they are cultural adjustments, p...
Embracing Change: Mario McNaughton's Journey of Adaptability and Growth
In this episode, Mario McNaughton, Assistant Vice President at Citi, shares his unique journey of moving from Jamaica to Costa Rica and the personal and professional growth that came with it. Mario discusses how stepping out of his comfort zone...
Navigating Uncertainty: A Post-Graduation Journey
In this episode, Angel, a recent Princeton University graduate, shares her journey of grappling with the uncertainty and emotional challenges of life after graduation. Once perceived as the responsible and organized one, she now faces the daunt...
Embracing the Unknown: Dharini's Quest for Stability and Creativity
Navigating Career Transitions and Self-Discovery with Dani VenaIn this episode of Soul Sessions, we engage in a heartfelt conversation with Dharini, who shares her journey from sales and marketing to facing layoffs and finding...