Welcome to the first episode of the Purpose @ Work podcast! I met Matt Domyancic at Awaken, Illuman's annual men's gathering. I was there participating and leading embodiment practices, and Matt was on a panel talking about the Warrior archetype. By almost any conventional measure, Matt knows that archetype well. He was a high-achieving athlete, played college football,became a police officer and SWAT operator, and built a career helping people perform in high-stress environments. I recognized a lotof myself in that part of his story. But what really caught my attention was the way Matt talked about his parents - particularly his dad. In a room where a lot of menwere exploring the wounds they carried from their fathers, Matt spoke with deep love and reverence for the discipline, honor and respect his father had modeled for him. In our conversation, Matt explores what happens when the qualities that helped us succeed - discipline, intelligence, willpower and work ethic - can no longer solve the problem in front of us.As Matt says, "you cannot outwork the problem."Sometimes the courageous thing isn't pushing harder. It's taking your foot off the gas. Becoming present enough to notice what is happening in your body. Asking for help. Caring for yourself. Allowing someone else to hold up the mirror.The Courage to Slow Down.Matt's story isn't about leaving the warrior behind. It's about discovering what the warrior becomes when strength makes room for presence, relationship and love. About Matt Domyancic Matt Domyancic, known as The Tactical Chaplain, is a medically retired police officer with patrol, SWAT, peer-support and academyinstructor experience. He has also worked as a Division I strength coach at Yale and Georgetown and now serves as a chaplain, spiritual director and wellness advocate for first responders. His work brings together lived experience, performance, contemplative practice, nervous-system regulation and the power of safe relationships. Connect with Matt• The Tactical Chaplain• Matt Domyancic on LinkedIn• The Tactical Chaplain on Instagram• Thin Blue Line Spirituality on Instagram Themes in the conversation• What happens when hard work, discipline and intelligence can no longer solve the problem.• Why slowing down can become the harder practice.• Presence, self-regulation and co-regulation.• Caring for ourselves so we can be more present for other people.• Trust, safe relationships and psychological safety.• Building habits and relationships before the next storm arrives. Mentioned in the conversation• Illuman / Awaken men's gathering• Richard Rohr - Falling Upward• Oura Ring Connect with Jerry and IMPOWERU• IMPOWERU• Jerry Thompson on LinkedIn• IMPOWERU on LinkedIn• Purpose @ Work - follow / listenEnjoyed this conversation? Follow Purpose @ Work and share this episode with someone you'd love to have a deeperconversation with. If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, share and subscribe so you never miss an episode.- Jerry, Sanaa, Austin and the Purpose at Work podcast team Connect with us:Jerry’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrythompson1/Sanaa’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanaa-darif-383000141/Website: https://www.impoweru.io/ Listen on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033MsMfw5YrPgWLrExSyF2Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/purpose-work/id6789121339 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c879f167-f562-4609-a62a-3f82d1ed6e24/purpose-a-work Purpose at Work by IMPOWERU is a podcast and conversation platform exploring leadership, culture, transformation, and the human side of meaningful work.Hosted by members of the IMPOWERU team, including Jerry Thompson, Sanaa Darif, Austin Barnhart, and special guests, the platform features a range of conversation styles and formats, from long-form interviews and leadership dialogue to short-form Roadies and everyday reflections from life on the go.Some episodes focus on executive leadership, organizational change, and the future of work. Others explore purpose, identity, connection, creativity, resilience, and what it means to be fully human in the way we live and work.Rooted in IMPOWERU's belief that transformation happens from the inside out, these conversations bring together strategy and soul, practical insight and lived experience, personal growth and collective evolution.This is a space for honest dialogue, meaningful questions, and voices that help us navigate work, life, and leadership with greater clarity, courage, and purpose. #purposeatwork #leadershipdevelopment #futureofwork #organizationalculture #humancenteredleadership #executivecoaching #workplacetransformation #adaptiveleadership #businesstransformation #leadershipconversations #personalgrowth #organizationalchange #cultureandleadership #meaningfulwork #consciousleadership
