PROJECT 24 - The Table

Dominic Michael
  • 5.0 (30)
  • Self-Improvement

Project 24 | The Table is where real conversations happen. Hosted by Dominic Michael, a military veteran and former federal leader, this podcast challenges you to stop surviving and start living intentionally. We tackle identity, relationships, discipline, accountability, confidence, healing, purpose, and rebuilding your life through honest, direct conversations. No fluff. No filters. Just truth, growth, and the courage to become who you're meant to be. Pull up a chair. The conversation starts here.

THE TABLE

The Table Is Open. Pull Up a Chair.

$7.99/mo or $79.99/yr after trial

  1. 19h ago · Subscribers Only

    When They’re Finally Trying, but We’re Not Sure We Want to Stay.

    When They’re Finally Trying, but We’re Not Sure We Want to Stay. Dominic Michael takes the conversation beyond late effort and into the decision that follows: do we genuinely want to rebuild, or are we staying because we feel guilty leaving? This extended episode explores what happens when a partner’s change may be sincere, but our feelings have already changed. We discuss the difference between relief and renewed connection, pressure from friends and family, affection that shouldn’t become repayment, and being honest about what another chance actually means. Both people deserve a truthful answer—not a reluctant yes offered to keep somebody from hurting. They might actually mean it this time. They’re listening. Following through. Making changes we spent years asking for. But we’re still sitting there wondering whether we want the relationship anymore. That’s where this conversation begins. Not with another list of everything our partner did wrong. With the harder question: Do we want a future with them—or do we feel bad being the person who says it’s over? In this extended premium conversation, Dominic Michael gets into what happens after the apology, the flowers, and the promise to do better. Some of us learned to live differently while waiting for our partner to care. We stopped asking. Made our own plans. Found ways to enjoy the day without expecting them to become interested. Now they want back into a life that changed while they weren’t paying attention. We talk about why genuine effort doesn’t automatically bring old feelings back, why a calm week isn’t necessarily the same as renewed closeness, and why being grateful for kindness does not mean we owe affection, sex, or another chance. Then there’s everybody else. Friends and family see someone trying and want a happy ending. But they may be hearing about the latest apology without knowing the years that made it necessary. Their hope for the relationship cannot make the decision for the people living in it. We also have an honest conversation about our own responsibility. If we agree to try again, is there genuinely room for new behavior to count? Or do we already know our answer and keep postponing it because saying it feels cruel? This isn’t an instruction to leave. It isn’t pressure to stay. It’s about recognizing the difference between wanting the relationship, needing time to decide, and remaining because we can’t bear someone else’s disappointment. Their effort belongs in the conversation. So does our honest answer. The extended companion to “Now That I’m Done, You Want to Try?” Project 24 — The Table · Spotify and Apple Podcasts Pull up a chair.

    When They’re Finally Trying, but We’re Not Sure We Want to Stay.

  2. 1d ago

    NOW THAT I’M DONE, YOU WANT TO TRY?

    When Their Effort Arrives After Our Feelings Have Changed. Dominic Michael talks about the complicated feelings that show up when a partner finally makes the effort we spent years asking for—but we’re no longer sure we want to continue. This conversation explores anger, disappointment, outside pressure, and the guilt of not feeling excited about something we once wanted badly. We discuss why late effort doesn’t erase earlier neglect, why both people’s feelings deserve consideration, and the importance of being honest about whether we want another chance or already feel finished. They’re finally making time. They’re listening. Planning dinner. Doing the things we spent years asking for. So why aren’t we happy? A year ago, we might have been thrilled. Now we’re wondering why it took us saying we were done before the relationship became something they wanted to work on. In this free conversation, Dominic Michael gets into the uncomfortable part of receiving effort late in a relationship: we can believe someone means it and still not know whether we want to stay. We talk about the anger that can sit beside appreciation, the disappointment that doesn’t disappear after one good evening, and the pressure to respond enthusiastically because our partner is finally trying. Then come the opinions from outside the relationship. “At least they’re making an effort.” “You need to give them a chance.” But how many chances happened before this became the one everyone else heard about? This conversation isn’t about declaring every late effort fake or deciding that a relationship cannot improve. It’s about giving both people room to tell the truth—including the person who has spent years asking for something to change. Real effort needs to leave room for an honest response—not just the response somebody hoped their effort would earn. We can appreciate what our partner is doing without pretending our feelings have returned. We can care what happens to them and still recognize that we may not want to continue. And if we already know our answer, keeping someone trying because we feel guilty doesn’t give either person much clarity. They’re allowed to want another chance. We’re allowed to be honest about whether we want to give one.

    NOW THAT I’M DONE, YOU WANT TO TRY?

  3. 5d ago · Subscribers Only

    NEW RELATIONSHIP. SAME OLD FIGHT.

    The Impact of Past Hurts on Love Dominic Michael gets into what happens when someone starts a new relationship but keeps expecting the new person to behave like the last one. This extended conversation explores accusations, reassurance, suspicion, and how constantly defending ourselves can change the way affection feels. We discuss taking time for individual healing, recognizing old patterns, and making room for both partners’ needs. The conversation also examines apologies, genuine change, and the difference between understanding someone’s past and accepting unfair treatment in the present. We’re excited to see somebody. But before dinner even starts, we’re defending ourselves against something their ex did. We were busy. They assumed we were pulling away. We had plans. They wondered who we were really seeing. We can explain. We can reassure. We can keep our word. But what happens when none of that seems to count the next time they’re worried? In this extended premium conversation, Dominic Michael talks straight about bringing old relationship hurts into a new relationship—and what it feels like to be the person continually answering for someone else. We get into the difference between asking for reassurance and making reassurance a constant demand. How suspicion can turn an affectionate phone call into something we make to avoid an argument. And why both people deserve room to speak about what being in the relationship actually feels like. We also discuss taking time single, getting support, understanding our own needs, and recognizing patterns before expecting another person to keep living with their consequences. This isn’t about calling someone broken because they’ve been hurt. It’s about caring enough about the new relationship to take responsibility for how we’re treating the person in it. We can understand someone’s history and still need our own experience to matter. And when an accusation turns out to be unfair, the apology matters—but so does what happens afterward. We can appreciate someone saying they’re sorry and still need time. Genuine effort needs somewhere to show up beyond the conversation about changing. We’re not asking anyone to forget their last marriage. We’re asking for a chance to have a relationship that isn’t continually answering for it. The extended companion to “Healing Before Love.” Listen to Project 24 — The Table on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Pull up a chair.

    NEW RELATIONSHIP. SAME OLD FIGHT.

  4. 6d ago

    HEALING BEFORE LOVE

    Dominic Michael talks about starting a new relationship while still carrying hurt from the last one—and what happens when the new person keeps having to answer for someone else’s behavior. This conversation explores trust, patience, loneliness, and the value of taking time to understand ourselves before rushing into another relationship. We discuss getting support for what still hurts, being honest about what we’re bringing into dating, and remembering that both people deserve fairness, consideration, and a chance to be known for who they actually are. We’re trying to get to know somebody. But somehow, we keep having to prove we’re not the person who hurt them before. Someone else lied. Someone else broke their trust. Now an ordinary conversation with us gets pulled back into a relationship we were never part of. We can care about what happened to somebody and still have a problem with how they’re treating us. In this free conversation, Dominic Michael gets into what happens when past relationship hurts follow people into new dating experiences—and the new person becomes responsible for providing reassurance that never seems to be enough. We talk about taking time before rushing into another relationship, learning what we want our own life to look like, and admitting when we’re lonely without making somebody else responsible for removing that feeling every day. The conversation also explores counseling and support, honest communication, and giving trust time to develop rather than expecting a new partner to make up for everything someone else did. This isn’t about shaming people for having a difficult past. It’s about taking that hurt seriously while recognizing that both people in the current relationship have feelings, histories, and needs that matter. We can ask for patience. We can get help with what we’ve been carrying. And we can give the person in front of us a fair chance to show us who they are. We shouldn’t have to keep proving we’re not someone else’s mistake. “New Relationship. Same Old Fight.” Tomorrow’s premium episode goes deeper into repeated accusations, the pressure to provide constant reassurance, taking time single, and the difference between genuine effort and expecting another person to keep accepting the same treatment. Find Project 24 — The Table on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue the conversation in premium tomorrow. Pull up a chair.

    HEALING BEFORE LOVE

  5. Oct 30

    DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING THAT LOOKS SUCCESSFUL.

    Unmasking the Illusion of Success Dominic Michael talks about the difference between the life someone presents and the life they actually live. From social media success stories to dating and friendships, this conversation examines how an impressive image can create trust before we know much about the person behind it. We question what “fake it till you make it” really means, the difference between confidence and misrepresentation, and why someone else’s presentation shouldn’t make us ashamed of our own reality. The house looks good. The car looks good. The person knows exactly how to talk about success. But what are we actually being shown? In this free conversation, Dominic Michael gets into the difference between looking successful and being someone we can believe. We see the pictures, hear the confident introduction, and sometimes discover later that important parts of the story weren’t quite what we were told. That matters when somebody is asking for our trust—not just our attention. We talk about “fake it till you make it,” the impression people create on social media, and what happens when that performance follows us into dating, relationships, and friendships. Someone can look established without being honest about their situation. A relationship can photograph beautifully without telling us what it feels like at home. And somebody’s public image doesn’t answer whether they keep their word when nobody is watching. This isn’t about assuming everyone with nice things is dishonest. It’s about remembering that nice things aren’t proof of honesty—and a polished introduction isn’t the same as knowing a person. We can appreciate someone’s success and still ask reasonable questions. We can enjoy a good picture without treating it as the whole story. And we don’t need to let someone else’s carefully presented life convince us that our ordinary, honest life isn’t enough. We don’t need everybody to reveal everything. We need them not to lie about the things they’re asking us to trust. “Fake It Till You Make It—At Whose Expense?” The premium conversation goes deeper into who carries the cost when somebody else’s image depends on a story that isn’t true. Project 24 — The Table · Spotify and Apple Podcasts Pull up a chair.

    DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING THAT LOOKS SUCCESSFUL.

  6. Oct 28 · Subscribers Only

    THE POWER OF KEEPING PROMISES TO OURSELVES

    Dominic Michael opens with gratitude for the people supporting Project 24, then turns the conversation toward the promises we make—and break—to ourselves. He explores how following through affects self-trust, why confidence needs action rather than intention alone, and how small decisions can become a starting point for personal growth. The conversation also invites listeners to engage, speak openly about their struggles, and be part of a community built around meaningful support.We notice when somebody else doesn’t keep their word. We remember what they promised. We notice what didn’t happen. But what about the promises we keep making to ourselves? In this bonus conversation, Dominic Michael thanks the people who support Project 24 and asks us to take an honest look at our own commitments. We can mean what we say when we promise ourselves something. But what happens when we repeatedly don’t follow through? How does that affect whether we believe ourselves the next time? This conversation brings integrity into our relationship with ourselves—not just the way we treat other people. We talk about the connection between promises and self-trust, the difference between intending to change and taking action, and the small decisions that can help us begin believing our own word again. Confidence isn’t only something we talk ourselves into. We need something we’ve actually done to stand behind. Dominic also invites listeners to be part of the conversation: share what we’re facing, engage with the community, and connect with the support and resources available through Project 24. Every member matters. Every person contributes to the mission. This is about personal growth, but it is also about having somewhere to speak honestly and find support along the way. “This is our table.” Project 24 — The Table · Spotify and Apple Podcasts Pull up a chair.

    THE POWER OF KEEPING PROMISES TO OURSELVES

  7. Oct 26

    Integrity Is Easy Until It Costs You

    Dominic Michael examines integrity as the alignment between what we promise and what we repeatedly do—especially after the motivation and excitement disappear. He explains why our patterns carry more weight than our declarations across relationships, family, friendship, and business. Compassion can help us understand why someone struggles, but it does not require us to ignore the damage caused by repeated inconsistency. Integrity may require an uncomfortable truth, an honest no, a commitment kept without applause, or the strength to walk away from an opportunity that conflicts with who we claim to be. Credibility is not rebuilt through better explanations. It returns when people consistently experience something different. The free episode introduces the truth. The extended conversation at Project 24: The Table goes deeper into what integrity can cost us—and what we must be willing to lose to do what is right.

    Integrity Is Easy Until It Costs You

  8. Oct 26 · Subscribers Only

    What Are You Willing to Lose to Do What’s Right?

    SUMMARY Integrity sounds simple until doing the right thing threatens something we want to keep. In this extended conversation, Dominic Michael examines what integrity can cost us: approval, money, friendships, relationships, opportunities, comfort, and sometimes our place inside a familiar circle. Dominic explores why loyalty does not mean helping someone hide bad behavior, why neutrality can become a choice for comfort over truth, and why honest communication gives people the information they need to make their own decisions. The conversation moves through dating, family, friendship, business, leadership, gossip, and life after a relationship ends. It also examines why integrity does not require perfection—but does require us to stop transferring the consequences of our choices onto other people. The central question is direct: What are we willing to lose to do what is right—and who pays the price when we refuse? KEY TOPICS Integrity becomes real when doing what is right carries a personal cost. Neutrality can become a way of choosing comfort over truth. Real loyalty does not require us to lie, cover bad behavior, or become somebody’s accomplice. Values cannot change depending on who benefits from the answer. Honesty in dating means giving people enough truth to make their own decisions. Integrity does not expire after a relationship ends. Private information should not become ammunition simply because love ended. Business integrity may require losing a sale, issuing a refund, or admitting a mistake. Leadership means accepting responsibility instead of transferring blame to somebody with less power. Gossip tests whether we value somebody’s privacy more than possessing an interesting story. Honesty does not require cruelty, humiliation, or saying everything that enters our minds. Living by our values may cost approval and create periods of loneliness. When we refuse to pay the cost of integrity, that cost is usually transferred to somebody else. KEY FRAMEWORKS The Integrity Cost Test Ask what doing the right thing could cost: Money Approval Comfort An opportunity A friendship A relationship Our place inside a group The Fairness Test Ask whether we would apply the same standard if the names, relationships, or political sides were reversed. The Full-Truth Test Ask whether we are withholding information because another person might make a different decision if they knew everything. The Silence Test Ask: Who benefits if I remain silent? Who pays for that silence? Am I protecting someone’s privacy—or protecting harmful behavior? The Exposure Test Ask whether we could explain our decision without changing the story if everyone involved knew exactly what we had done. The Transferred-Cost Test If we refuse to pay the cost of doing what is right, identify the person who will be forced to pay instead. RESOURCES Project 24: https://Project-24.org Visit the website for support resources, the Project 24 Reality Check, books, the Healing Journal, individual coaching, and additional ways to continue the conversation. If there is a specific subject that could help you through what you are currently facing, contact Dominic through Project-24.org, social media, or the episode comments. MEMBER QUESTION Tell us about a time when doing the right thing cost you something. What did you lose—and would you make the same decision again?

    What Are You Willing to Lose to Do What’s Right?
See All (104)

5
out of 5
30 Ratings

About

Project 24 | The Table is where real conversations happen. Hosted by Dominic Michael, a military veteran and former federal leader, this podcast challenges you to stop surviving and start living intentionally. We tackle identity, relationships, discipline, accountability, confidence, healing, purpose, and rebuilding your life through honest, direct conversations. No fluff. No filters. Just truth, growth, and the courage to become who you're meant to be. Pull up a chair. The conversation starts here.

Information

  • Creator
    Dominic Michael
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    105
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dominic Michael
  • Show Website
    PROJECT 24 - The Table
  • Provider
    Dominic Michael Group

You Might Also Like