Podcasts about fighter pilots

Think Like a Fighter Pilot – Part XXXI: The 6th Generation Fighter Pilot. As we begin to build and deploy the 6th generation fighter aircraft, Captain Smith answers the following question: Shouldn’t we also consider how to create the 6th generation fighter pilot? Check out all of Captain Smith’s content at TheSonicWarrior.com.

Captain Rock Veilleux shares how a passion for flying led to fast jets - and how a dramatic ejection forced him to rebuild both his career and confidence. A gripping Canadian military aviation story about resilience, identity, and staying in the fight. 

Think Like a Fighter Pilot – Part XXX: The Angry Sea Event – Part V. Captain Smith explains how this amazing occurrence puts a spotlight on mission critical concerns that are within the cognitive/intellectual domain. You can find all of Captain Smith’s podcasts, books, and videos at TheSonicWarrior.com, as well as a link to his Substack articles.

IN EPISODE 261:In this episode, Joe Hirsch speaks with Christian "Boo" Boucousis, a former fighter pilot and CEO of Afterburner, about the principles of flawless leadership. Boo shares insights on how the fighter pilot mindset can be applied to business, emphasizing the importance of having a clear destination, valuing mistakes as learning opportunities, and the necessity of debriefing to foster growth and accountability within teams. The conversation highlights how leaders can normalize accountability and create a culture of continuous improvement. ABOUT BOO BOUCOUSIS:Christian “Boo” Boucousis is a former fighter pilot and the CEO of Afterburner, a global leadership company that has worked with over 3,500 organizations and 2 million professionals. Known for bringing fighter pilot precision to business, Boo helps leaders navigate complexity, drive execution, and perform under pressure, and he's the author of The Afterburner Advantage.

Think Like a Fighter Pilot – Part XXIX: The Angry Sea Event – Part IV. The “angry sea event” represents a situation space that is at once amazing and totally unexpected. Captain Smith explains why understanding this occurrence is so important as we consider “how to think”. You can find links to all of Captain Smith’s podcasts, videos and books on his website, TheSonicWarrior.com.

Did you know Chris wants to be like Maverick? 

Think Like a Fighter Pilot – Part XXVIII: The Angry Sea Event – Part III. As Captain Smith continues his discussion of the “angry sea event”, he describes the challenges he faces in the telling of the amazing story. Be sure to check out all of Captain Smith’s books, podcasts and videos found at TheSonicWarrior.com.

My Ex Wife Mocked Me on the Plane — Until I Used My Fighter Pilot Skills to Save 300 LivesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-cheating-wives-and-girlfriends-stories-2026-true-cheating-stories-podcast--5689182/support.

My Ex Wife Mocked Me on the Plane — Until I Used My Fighter Pilot Skills to Save 300 LivesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-cheating-wives-and-girlfriends-stories-2026-true-cheating-stories-podcast--5689182/support.

In this episode of Aerospace Unplugged, our host Adam Kress is joined by special guest, Ben Hutchins, Senior Director of Government Relations for Defense & Space at Honeywell Aerospace.They discuss the journey involved when transitioning from military service to civilian life and into a successful career in the aerospace industry.Episode Highlights:Pilot's Experience in the Military: Learn about our guest's journey during his service, including what it was like flying an F-35 fighter jet, what prompted his new step in career, and more. The Transition into Civilian Life: Explore the lessons and challenges learned moving from military service to the private sector, and how his expertise continues to be leveraged to support Honeywell's defense programs, inclduing the F-35 PTMS. Reflection on Career Journey & Outlook for the Future: Dive into advice our guest has for veterans considering a similar military transition journey to civilian life, and what he looks forward to for the future of defense and space.Explore more about our Honeywell Defense & Space solutions.   

Friend of the show Coco Kennedy did just that AND she tells us how THAT turned out a few months in the relationship

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: Washington says military options against Iran remain firmly on the table. Retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot Ryan Bodenheimer joins us to walk through what a potential U.S. strike on Iran could actually look like, from air superiority to target selection—and the risks involved. Later in the show—political shockwaves out of Venezuela. President Trump meets with opposition leader María Corina Machado as the country enters a dramatic new phase that could reshape politics across the Western Hemisphere. NTD TV correspondent and Venezuela analyst Luis Martinez joins us to explain what's happening on the ground—and what may come next. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Glorify: Feel closer to God this year with Glorify—get full access for just $29.99 when you download the app now at https://glorify-app.com/PDB.  Mando: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code PDB at https://shopmando.com! #mandopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think Like a Fighter Pilot – Part XXVII: The Angry Sea Event – Part II. Captain Smith describes an actual extraordinary event from his life: landing on a carrier in a hurricane. He explains for his audience the circumstances surrounding the event and its significance in understanding military training and service. Go to TheSonicWarrior.com to find all of Captain Smith’s written, video and audio material. Be sure to check it out!

In this episode of The Jordan Syatt Podcast I speak with former US Fighter Pilot and current pilot for one of the biggest airlines in the world, Mike Thompson (@Mach2Mike).We discuss:- How he decided to join The US Air Force- What his missions looked like overseas- Transitioning to civilian life- What is turbulence (and will the plane crash from it)?- What is the likelihood of dying in a plane crash?- How to stay fit while traveling all the time- And more...I hope you enjoy this episode and, if you do, please leave a review on iTunes or Spotify (huge thank you to everyone who has written one so far).Finally, if you've been thinking about joining The Inner Circle but haven't yet... we have hundreds of home and bodyweight workouts for you and you can get them all here: https://www.sfinnercircle.com/

Think Like a Fighter Pilot – Part XXVI: Power Projection. Captain Smith discusses “power projection” that we recently witnessed as conducted by the United States military. He explains what it means. You can find all of Captain Smith’s written, video and audio material at TheSonicWarrior.com. Be sure to check it out!

Today's wisdom comes from Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot by James Stockdale.   If you're loving Heroic Wisdom Daily, imagine unlocking access to the distilled wisdom from 700+ of the greatest books ever written.   That's what Heroic Premium offers: Unlimited access to every Philosopher's Note. Daily inspiration and actionable tools to optimize your energy, work, and love. Personalized coaching features to help you stay consistent and focused   Upgrade to Heroic Premium →   Know someone who'd love this? Share Heroic Wisdom Daily with them, and let's grow together in 2026!   Share Heroic Wisdom Daily →

Today's discourse navigates the intricate intersections of military experience and the enigmatic realm of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). Our distinguished guest, Michael Selig, a decorated former U.S. Marine Corps combat jet attack pilot, shares his profound insights regarding the covert operations he encountered during Operation Desert Storm. He elucidates the dissonance between the intelligence he received as the squadron intelligence officer and the narratives presented to the public, igniting a critical examination of governmental transparency and the manipulation of information. This episode delves into the broader implications of such experiences, suggesting a looming contact event with extraterrestrial entities by 2027, a prospect that beckons both curiosity and apprehension. As we unravel these complex themes, we invite our listeners to contemplate the profound ramifications of these revelations for humanity and our understanding of our place within the cosmos.

#243: Dave Berke is a retired US Marine Corps Officer, TOPGUN Instructor, and now a leadership instructor and speaker with Echelon Front, where he serves as Chief Development Officer. As a F/A-18 pilot, he deployed twice from the USS John C Stennis in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He spent three years as an Instructor Pilot at TOPGUN, where he served as the Training Officer and the senior staff pilot responsible for the conduct of the TOPGUN course.  He then served as an ANGLICO Forward Air Controller supporting the Army's 1st Armored Division during extensive urban combat operations on the ground in Ramadi, Iraq in 2006. Dave led his supporting arms liaison team on scores of combat missions into the most dangerous neighborhoods and accompanied SEAL Task Unit Bruiser on virtually every major operation in the Battle of Ramadi.He was the only Marine selected to fly the F-22 Raptor, having served as an exchange officer at the Air Force's 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron as the Division Commander. He became the first operational pilot ever to fly and be qualified in the F-35B, serving as the Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps' first F-35 squadron from 2012-2014.Dave holds both a Master's in International Public Policy and an MBA from The John Hopkins University.Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps, Dave joined Echelon Front providing unmatched experience and a unique perspective on combat leadership, analytical decision making, risk mitigation, and creating winning teams.He serves as Echelon Front's Chief Development Officer, as well as a leadership instructor, speaker, and strategic advisor.Book: https://www.amazon.com/Need-Lead-Instructors-Leadership-Challenge/dp/125036163X  

This is a show that first ran on October 18, 2025. Think Like a Fighter Pilot – Part XX: A Warrior’s Journey – Part V. Captain Smith shares his personal journey to becoming a naval aviator, sonic warrior, and squadron commander. You can find all of Captain Smith’s written, video and audio content at TheSonicWarrior.com. Check it out!

Fighter Pilot Survival: Kegan Gill's Battle Beyond the Battlefield In this extraordinary episode, Marcus and Melanie meet with retired U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot Kegan Gill, whose story is nothing short of miraculous. Kegan survived a catastrophic ejection from his aircraft during a training mission over the Atlantic Ocean, where he ejected directly into the sound barrier. The injuries he sustained in that moment were severe enough to kill most people – his limbs torn apart and a traumatic brain injury among them. But Kegan's ordeal was only beginning. Plunged into the icy waters of the Atlantic with his parachute still attached, his wetsuit torn, and his arms unable to move, Kegan was forced to endure a two-hour battle with hypothermia as rescue teams raced to find him. Miraculously, his hypothermic state prevented fatal blood loss. Following this harrowing experience, Kegan faced months of grueling recovery, eventually achieving a perfect Physical Fitness Test score and returning to flight duty. However, Kegan's journey didn't end with physical recovery. He began experiencing severe psychotic episodes due to his brain injury, leading to a stint in a VA Mental Health Facility. Pharmaceutical treatments only worsened his symptoms, and he endured dehumanizing treatment from caregivers who misunderstood his unique needs. Now, Kegan is finding renewed hope through alternative treatments for brain health. Through the Warrior Angels Foundation, he has discovered the power of nutraceutical and hormonal interventions, offering a glimmer of healing. Beyond his personal health battles, Kegan is a dedicated father and husband, working tirelessly to support his young family. Join us as Kegan opens up about his incredible journey of survival, resilience, and healing. His story is as inspiring as it is shocking – a testament to human strength and the will to overcome even the darkest of circumstances. Tune in to hear a story of grit, determination, and the relentless pursuit of healing against all odds.  In This Episode You Will Hear: • When I was about 10 years old, my family had a friend that had a Cessna, and he took me up on this lawnmower with wings, and we went buzzing around, and it felt like a freakin' rocket ship. I absolutely loved being above the earth, and I felt so free. (6:36) • In May of 2012, I graduated as a winged aviator, and I got those wings pinned on my chest. (23:40) • [Marcus] It's an absolute transition into a different human being the minute those wings touch your chest. (24:02) • [In flight school] you showed up there, and you had your wings, and you thought you made it. They made it very clear you have not made anything yet. (26:40) • It just so happened on this day there was a 16 foot, 3,500 pound Great White Shark named Mary Lee directly under my airspace, and my buddy pointed out,  “Hey man, Today would be a terrible day to eject,” and an hour after having that conversation, I found myself out on what turned into a pretty freaking wild experience. (36:23) • [Melanie] Q: Is it common to eject?”  [Keegan] A: It happens more than you hear about in the news. We lose a few naval fighter jets every year to mishaps. (37:16) • When you show up at flight school, they say “Look to your left and look to your right. One of you is gonna have a serious mishap or be dead choosing this job. Are you sure you wanna be here?” (37:49) • You think you're invincible, and you don't really think anything of it. (38:04) • Keegan tells the detailed story of that fateful day. (Starting at 41:21) • When I punched out, I got the initial blast from the ejection seat, and then immediately impacted the sound barrier with my body. At that speed, the human body is not aerodynamic. (50:58) • The aircraft impacted the water so fast, it just vaporized. (52:50) • They ended up wheeling me in, and treated me for severe hyperthermia. They took my core body temperature. I was at 87 degrees. [Marcus] “That should've killed you.” (60:13) • One of the more senior guys takes me into his office and he goes: “Congratulations, Lieutenant Gill. If you can figure out how to get your body working again, we'll get you back in a Super Hornet. (68:14) • My brain was just not working the way it was supposed to from TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). (75:04) • I had a deep sense of betrayal from all that thought I had served. To see the treatment, it seemed like everything I was fighting for was a joke. (89:53) • I've had a number of psychedelic-assisted therapies that have been really helpful. (95:54) • Ibogaine has been studied pretty thoroughly at this point. It's showing that it triggers neuro-regeneration. (102:21) Support Kegan: -  IG: kegansmurfgill - https://kegangill.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabtNw03Fww-lVt1LHf5b2iWrga-lLxSr_uJYqbNYUMN_NKoEMDqtfBd-Cw_aem_v5m2wI-nx5AKPUoeOA77pA Order His Book Here --> https://ballastbooks.com/purchase/phoenix-revival/ - IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13 -  https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit Support TNQ   - IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13   -  https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit Sponsors:   - Tractorsupply.com/hometownheroes   - Navyfederal.org        - mizzenandmain.com   [Promo code: TNQ20]    - masterclass.com/TNQ - Dripdrop.com/TNQ   - ShopMando.com [Promo code: TNQ]   - meetfabiric.com/TNQ   - Prizepicks (TNQ)   -  cargurus.com/TNQ    - armslist.com/TNQ    -  PXGapparel.com/TNQ   - bruntworkwear.com/TNQ    - shipsticks.com/TNQ    - stopboxusa.com {TNQ}    - ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]   -  kalshi.com/TNQ   -  joinbilt.com/TNQ    - Tonal.com [TNQ]   - greenlight.com/TNQ   - drinkAG1.com/TNQ   - Hims.com/TNQ   - Shopify.com/TNQ

Colonel Peterburs is a highly decorated, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and legendary P-51 Mustang fighter pilot whose extraordinary service spans three wars. During WWII, serving with the 20th Fighter Group, 55th Fighter Squadron, he achieved the remarkable feat of shooting down German jet ace Walter Schuck. Later shot down himself, Col. Peterburs was captured and became a prisoner of war—only to orchestrate a daring escape. After linking up with Russian forces, he fought alongside them until V.E. Day. His distinguished career continued through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, cementing his legacy as a true hero of the Greatest Generation. Recently celebrated at his 100th birthday, Col. Peterburs' story is one of courage, resilience, and unwavering service to his country. In 1945, Lt. Col. Joe Peterburs flew his final mission over Europe. His wingman, Lt. Kenneth Pettit, never made it home. Eighty years later, Joe is returning to England to honor Kenneth and the men of the 20th Fighter Group with a permanent memorial at their former base. This Afterburn episode tells their story of courage, loss, and brotherhood and a promise that even time can't erase. Their mission isn't over. Listen now and help carry it forward: gofund.me/57e9ed76

TISS is a weekly podcast where Varun, Kautuk, Neville & Aadar discuss crazy "facts" they find on the internet. Come learn with them... or something like that.This week, the boys are wrapping up this brilliant year with 'The best of 2025'To support TISS, check out our Instamojo: www.instamojo.com/@TISSOPFollow #TISS Shorts where we put out videos: https://bit.ly/3tUdLTCYou can also check out the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify and Google podcast!https://shorturl.at/hfQZXhttp://apple.co/3neTO62http://spoti.fi/3blYG79http://bit.ly/3oh0BxkCheck out the TISS Sub-Reddit: https://bit.ly/2IEi0QsCheck out the TISS Discord: / discord  Buy Varun Thakur's 420 Merch - http://bit.ly/2oDkhRVSubscribe To Our YT Channels:Varun - https://bit.ly/2HgGwqcAadar - https://bit.ly/37m49J2Kautuk - https://bit.ly/3jcpKGaNeville - https://bit.ly/2HfYlWyFollow Us on Instagram:Varun -   / varunthakur  Aadar -   / theaadarguy  Kautak -  / cowtuk  Neville -  / nevilleshahChapters:  00:00 Cold Open 00:23 Intro Packaging 00:32 Intro 00:48 Sad Aadar 01:33 Personal Recaps 01:57 Time Flying Faster 02:52 Varun's Life-Changing Year 03:12 Banksy Chronicles 06:27 Aadar's Yearly Recap 07:56 Kautuk's Yearly Recap 13:13 Bawa's Recap 13:48 Wild Maa Kasam Shows 16:00 The Boys & Ponds 18:25 Global Yearly Recap 19:45 L&T Founder & 72-Hour Workweek 21:23 Ragebait: Word of the Year 22:31 Dhruv Rathee & Dhurandhar 24:49 Weaponized Ragebait 27:07 Apology Trend 28:05 Slow Internet Content 28:45 Jan: Saif Stabbing 31:45 Feb: Latent Controversy 35:20 Mar: India Wins ICC Trophy 38:06 Apr–May: Pahalgam & Operation Sindoor 41:50 May: Gokhale Bridge & Mumbai Roads 45:54 June: Air India Plane Crash 47:54 July: Tariff Wars 50:48 Aug: Nothing Much 51:12 Sept: Nepali Gen-Z Protests 53:18 Oct: Diwali 53:30 Nov: Women's World Cup Win 55:04 Dec: AQI Trouble 58:01 Dec: Indigo Fiasco 59:42 Katy Perry in Space 01:00:29 Dec: The Messy Tour 01:00:54 Movies of 2025 Recap 01:01:08 Loving Dhurandhar 01:01:50 2025 Re-Releases 01:02:29 Top 10 Movies (India) 01:04:10 Sujeet Cinematic Universe 01:05:32 The Saiyara Sadness 01:10:02 Top-Grossing Hollywood Film 01:11:16 The Minesweeper Movie 01:11:56 #1 Movie: Ne Zha 2 01:14:10 Best Hollywood Movies 01:15:16 Aadar's Movie Taste 01:17:21 Top 10 Hollywood Films 01:18:29 OG Spy Catching Trick 01:20:59 Labubu Craze 01:21:48 Recession & Being Broke 01:23:14 Dubai Chocolate Trend 01:25:06 Short Trend Lifecycles 01:25:47 Matcha Obsession 01:26:50 Varun Loves Tofu 01:27:44 Mamdani in New York 01:28:41 Ozempic Trend 01:32:24 Power of Manifestation 01:35:12 Coldplay Kiss Cam 01:39:06 Taylor Swift Engaged 01:40:16 Psychedelic Mushroom Testing 01:42:46 Airport Betting on Venice 01:43:45 The Fighter Pilot 01:45:16 Travel Stories 01:48:25 Unstoppable Fart Machine 01:50:53 Outro 01:52:53 Post-Credit with BawaThumbnail - Anjali Handa

In this riveting episode host Myrna Young sits down with Michelle "Mace" Curran, a distinguished fighter pilot for the USAF Thunderbirds, to discuss transforming fear into a powerhouse for personal and professional growth. Michelle shares her inspiring journey from overcoming self-doubt and gender bias to becoming a role model in a predominately male-dominated field. Her narrative is filled with lessons on leadership, resilience, and the importance of confronting fear to reach new heights. As she navigates through tales of near blackout experiences and the obstacles of gender expectations, Michelle offers valuable insights into harnessing fear as a tool for empowerment.Throughout the episode, Michelle emphasizes the importance of reframing perspectives toward fear, sharing the mental strategies she employed to tackle imposter syndrome and self-doubt. She delves deep into her personal experiences, revealing how moments of fear and embarrassment redirected her to embrace vulnerability and cultivate mental toughness. Beyond her unique experiences in the cockpit, Michelle's narrative is a universal blueprint for anyone facing self-doubt, illustrating the profound impact of perseverance and courage.  This episode is a must-listen for those eager to unlock their full potential and lead authentically in every arena of life.Key Takeaways:Fear as Data: Michelle emphasizes that fear should be viewed as a data point rather than a stop signal. Courage in Vulnerability: Embracing vulnerability is a powerful catalyst for growth.  Strategic Action: Before making significant changes, such as career shifts, it's essential to examine financial and skills gaps, leveraging network resources for support.Empowering Women: Michelle encourages more women to step into roles traditionally dominated by men, providing inspiration to break barriers.Michelle Mace Koren's Website: Home - Michelle MACE CurranThis Episode is Sponsored by:AuraFramesFor a limited time, visit AuraFrames.com and get $35 off Aura's best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code TRANSFORM at checkout.GoDaddyWith GoDaddy Airo, you can build a business without having to know a thing about starting a business. Just visit GoDaddy.com to get started. To advertise on our podcast, visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TransformyourMindor email kriti@youngandprofiting.com See this video on The Transform Your Mind YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@MyhelpsUs/videosTo see a transcripts of this audio as well as links to all the advertisers on the show page https://myhelps.us/Follow Transform Your Mind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/myrnamyoung/Follow Transform Your mind on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063738390977Please leave a rating and review on iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/transform-your-mind/id1144973094 https://podcast.feedspot.com/personal_development_podcasts/

Think Like a Fighter Pilot – Part XXV. The Angry Sea Event. As the Commander of a forward deployed combat unit embarked aboard the USS Constellation, Captain Smith describes for his audience the “angry sea event”. You can find all of Captain Smith’s podcasts, books, films, and Substack link at TheSonicWarrior.com.

In this episode of Rugpull Radio, GMoney sits down with Lt. Col. Kevin “Puncher” Kelly, a retired Air Force fighter pilot, to walk through his military career, combat experience, and the realities of modern air warfare. Puncher shares firsthand insight into pilot training, rules of engagement, command structure, and how decision-making actually works inside the U.S. military, contrasting public perception with operational reality. The conversation explores leadership, discipline, morale, and the psychological demands placed on pilots, as well as broader reflections on readiness, bureaucracy, and the evolution of warfare. Grounded in lived experience rather than theory, the episode offers a candid look at life inside the cockpit and the mindset required to operate in high-risk, high-accountability environments.

Chris "Snooze" Kurek, Rob “Trip” Raymond, and Erik“EZ” Brine chat with Mike “Pako” Benitez on all things fighter pilot culture—toast, roast, and lore.Better known as Dos Gringos, Snooze, and Trip put out 4albums of fighter pilot songs that are famous (and infamous) in squadrons around the world. EZ joined the duo to form Operation Encore in 2012, a non-profit that helps veterans get their music into the world.We dig into a century of fighter pilot history and traditions, from the origins of Dos Gringos, the squadron culture, roll call,Jermiah Weed, the ribbing and roasting, and all the camaraderie associated with military aviation.They recently brought all of that into their latest venture, Winglore Spirits, and are doing it in a unique way that brings you into the fold. Links• Sign up for the ⁠newsletter⁠⁠! • Support us on ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠!• ⁠Winglore Spirits⁠ • ⁠Winglore Spirits⁠ investing• ⁠Dos Gringos⁠ YouTube channel  ---- Follow us on...• ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠• Instagram⁠⁠• ⁠⁠X⁠⁠• ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠• ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ ---- 00:0001:47 Dos Gringos17:22 Operation Encore24:03 AI music27:27 The culture and bar origins34:27 Jermiah Weed38:13 Winglore Spirits42:03 Bogey Dope43:16 Nickel on the Grass45:29 Winglore squadron50:42 the Nellis Club52:02 Dos Gringos concert?54:45 outro55:04 Carlos jumps in56:23 I wish I had a gun like the A-10

In this week's episode of the LiberatED Podcast, Kerry McDonald interviews Ali Ghaffari, founder of Divine Mercy Academy, a K–8 classical Catholic school in Pasadena, Maryland, and now Executive Director of the St. John Henry Newman Institute, an organization dedicated to accelerating the renewal of Catholic education worldwide. Ali's path to school founding is anything but ordinary. After graduating from Colby College, he spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy as an F/A-18 fighter pilot before teaching leadership and ethics at the U.S. Naval Academy. Raised without religious belief, Ali experienced a dramatic conversion sparked by reading the Great Books—an encounter that convinced him of the importance of deep intellectual and moral formation. When he couldn't find a classical Catholic school nearby for his children, he joined with other families to start one. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org. Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, is available now wherever books are sold!

My Ex Wife Mocked Me on the Plane — Until I Used My Fighter Pilot Skills to Save 300 LivesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-cheating-wives-and-girlfriends-stories-2025-true-cheating-stories-podcast--5689182/support.

Matt Gardner had to rebuild his entire life after a major health setback pushed him out of the military. Starting over meant learning new skills, trying different paths, and figuring out how to make real estate work from the ground up. Nothing came easy, but each step gave him a clearer sense of what actually moves the needle.In this episode, Matt walks through how he used time money and knowledge to get into his first deals, partner with the right people, and build momentum in mobile home parks, RV parks, and larger projects. He shares the early mistakes, what he would do differently, and the simple criteria he follows before committing to any opportunity.Anyone looking to grow in real estate will get a straightforward look at how steady decisions and clear frameworks can build something meaningful. Matt's journey is a strong reminder that you don't need a perfect background to scale — just a plan you stick with long enough to let it work.Create your FREE account AND get 100 FREE credits NOW here: http://LeadDeck.AI

My Ex Wife Mocked Me on the Plane — Until I Used My Fighter Pilot Skills to Save 300 LivesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-cheating-wives-and-girlfriends-stories-2025-true-cheating-stories-podcast--5689182/support.

Chris "Snooze" Kurek, Rob “Trip” Raymond, and Erik“EZ” Brine chat with Mike “Pako” Benitez on all things fighter pilot culture—toast, roast, and lore.Better known as Dos Gringos, Snooze and Trip put out 4 albums of fighter pilot songs that are famous (and infamous) in squadrons around the world. EZ joined the duo to form Operation Encore in 2012, a non-profit that helps veterans get their music into the world.We dig into a century of fighter pilot history and traditions, from the origins of Dos Gringos, the squadron culture, roll call, Jermiah Weed, the ribbing and roasting, and all the camaraderie associated with military aviation.They recently brought all of that into their latest venture, Winglore Spirits, and are doing it in a unique way that brings you into the fold. Links• Sign up for the newsletter⁠! • Support us on ⁠Patreon⁠!• Winglore Spirits • Winglore Spirits investing• Dos Gringos YouTube channel  ---- Follow us on...• LinkedIn• Instagram⁠• ⁠X⁠• ⁠Facebook⁠• ⁠Website⁠ ---- 00:0001:47 Dos Gringos17:22 Operation Encore24:03 AI music27:27 The culture and bar origins34:27 Jermiah Weed38:13 Winglore Spirits42:03 Bogey Dope43:16 Nickel on the Grass45:29 Winglore squadron50:42 the Nellis Club52:02 Dos Gringos concert?54:45 outro55:04 Carlos jumps in56:23 I wish I had a gun like the A-10

What if failure isn't the opposite of success but the fuel for it? Mike Weasner's initials were written in the stars before he could spell them—and his path to those stars included medical disqualifications, career pivots, and his unheeded warnings about Challenger. From keeping private astronomy logs for 35 years to building one of the world's largest amateur astronomy websites, Mike reveals how craving the cosmos taught him to get back up when life knocked him down—and why sharing that craving matters more than keeping it to yourself. Sometimes the universe you trust is literally the universe itself.

A heartbreaking tragedy has brought the country together. Tejas, India's light combat aircraft fighter jet and heart of its self-reliance in the skies, crashed at the Dubai Air show Friday. The pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal, couldn't eject, and lost his life. He is survived by his wife, also an air force officer, and a 6-year-old daughter. Tejas has an excellent safety record, with only one crash last March in Jaisalmer due to engine failure. At that time, the pilot ejected safely. But this year's tragedy is heart-wrenching at so many levels—a national loss, a reputational loss and an irrecoverable loss of a qualified, experienced and skilled fighter pilot. For this episode of 'Worldview with Swasti', former fighter pilot Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat and I will break down many more layers of this unfortunate incident, its technical issues, the reputational damage to the Indian Air Force at a time when India's squadron strength is lowest, and its geopolitical impact amid a worsening security situation. Not to forget that while India lost an excellent fighter at Dubai, the Pakistan-China co-developed JF 17 got fresh orders at the same venue. How to analyse it best, keeping disinformation at bay and yet adding more constructive measures for strengthening India's politico-military culture.

#thePOZcast is proudly brought to you by Fountain - the leading enterprise platform for workforce management. Our platform enables companies to support their frontline workers from job application to departure. Fountain elevates the hiring, management, and retention of frontline workers at scale.To learn more, please visit: https://www.fountain.com/?utm_source=shrm-2024&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=shrm-2024-podcast-adam-posner.Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcastFor all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com SummaryIn this engaging conversation, Michelle "MACE" Curran, a combat veteran and former fighter pilot, shares her journey from a small town in Wisconsin to becoming one of the few women to fly with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. She discusses the challenges of overcoming fear, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome, particularly as a woman in a male-dominated field. Michelle emphasizes the importance of accountability, resilience, and the power of perspective in achieving success. Her new book, 'Flipside,' aims to help others turn fear into fuel and embrace their potential. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Michelle Mays-Corinne02:22 Early Life and Influences04:46 The Journey to Becoming a Fighter Pilot08:10 Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt09:08 The Rigorous Path to Flight School11:49 First Solo Flight Experience12:57 Challenges of Being a Female Fighter Pilot15:42 Navigating Gender Dynamics in the Military18:32 Imposter Syndrome and Identity Crisis20:00 The Origin of the Call Sign 'MACE'28:03 Experiencing Active Combat29:49 Joining the Thunderbirds35:59 The Importance of Accountability37:40 Transitioning from the Military to Civilian Life40:07 The Purpose of 'Flipside' Book43:33 Practical Tools for Overcoming Fear45:48 Evolving Relationship with Fear48:11 Defining Success in Life49:57 Conclusion and Future Endeavors 

Welcome back subscribers! We are flight deck ready in the studio today for my interview with Michelle 'Mace' Curran, the second woman in history to serve as lead solo pilot for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds! Courage and strength is the focus of our interview today - and with 2,000 hours of F-16 flying time, Michelle  knows what really leads up to that character trait of 'being brave' in her new book 'The Flipside'. We discuss how her book shows you how to convert fear into big time courage - even if you aren't a fighter pilot! We also talk about her biggest fears, how she got the call sign 'Mace' and much more. Join us!About the Spotlight Conversations podcast:Tune in as I invite friends inside my cozy linoleum free recording studio to talk about all things media - radio, television, music, film, voiceovers, audiobooks, publishing - if guests are in the spotlight, we're talkin'! Refreshingly unscripted and unusually entertaining, listen in as each guest gets real about their careers in the entertainment biz, from where they started to how it's going. Settle into my swanky studio where drinks are on ice and the conversation starters are music + media - always a deal breaker for the rock and roll homemaker! Listen to Donna every night starting at 9 on Houston Radio Platinum, along with a special program she hosts every Tuesday and Thursday night at 10 called 'Late Night Music Stories'. Love the conversations? Follow @donnareedvo @spotlightconversations @rockandrollhomemaker New episodes drop every Tuesday. Social media links, website and more hereFollow and subscribe to my podcast hereBooth Announcer: Joe Szymanski ('Joe The Voice Guy')Theme Song Composer: Mark Sparrow, SongBird Studios...

In today's episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Michelle “Mace” Curran—a combat veteran, former fighter pilot, author, and only the second woman ever to fly Lead Solo for the Thunderbirds—to unpack how humor, perspective, and playfulness can transform the way we work and live.From high-stakes cockpit lessons to everyday team dynamics, Michelle shares why the stakes are usually not as high as we think, how finding humor in our mistakes turns them into fuel instead of fear, and why seeking silver linings is a leadership superpower. Together, Erin and Michelle explore the joy of incorporating playfulness into work, the underrated brilliance of cohesive personal branding, and yes—Michelle's unapologetic love for true crime podcasts.If you've ever taken yourself way too seriously at work, wished you could see challenges through a lighter lens, or wanted to bring more authenticity and courage into your leadership, this episode flips your perspective.Inside This Episode:High Stakes, Big Perspective: What flying fighter jets teaches you about pressure, perception, and courage.Humor as a Power Tool: How laughing at mistakes transforms them into memorable, growth-filled stories.Silver Linings 101: Why reframing setbacks builds resilience and joy.Playfulness at Work: How small moments of levity can boost morale, creativity, and productivity.True Crime & Branding: What Michelle's personal passions teach us about cohesive, authentic personal branding.The Flipside in Action: How to invert your perspective and turn fear into your superpower.Who This Episode Is For:Leaders craving lightness, resilience, and more human connection.Professionals looking to integrate play, humor, and authenticity into their workday.Anyone eager to learn from a world-class pilot about courage, perspective, and storytelling.Listeners seeking practical tools for reframing fear and finding joy at work.You've outlined your slides, practiced your intro, and told yourself this time you won't wing it—but when it's go time, your nerves still take the mic.Enter The 3-Step Presentation Guide: your go-to roadmap for crafting, practicing, and delivering a talk that lands. With this simple system, you'll calm your nerves, sharpen your message, and step on stage (or into that conference room) with real confidence.Download it now and turn “I hope this goes well” into “I nailed that.”No, You Hang Up First (Let's Keep Connecting)Did today's episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we'll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader's Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we'll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don't want to miss another episode? If you're a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you're an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you're trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you've had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here.Connect with Michelle "Mace" CurranMichelle's websiteMichelle's LinkedInMichelle's InstagramConnect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Erin's websiteErin's InstagramErin's TikTokErin's LinkedInimprove it!'s websiteimprove it!'s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former Air Force F-15 pilot Roy “Deacon” Qualls shares incredible stories from a 38-year aviation career that includes scrambling to intercept Air Force One on 9/11, crash-landing a burning OV-10 at McCarran Airport, and taking NFL legend Drew Brees for the ride of his life.In this episode, Deacon reveals:• How watching Top Gun literally changed his life in four days—from graduate student to Air Force recruit• Landing a flaming OV-10 off-runway in Las Vegas after being given the wrong winds• The Vice President's authorization to shoot down aircraft on 9/11 and what it was like scrambling to intercept Air Force One• Transitioning from F-15s to Boeing 777s—his first landing of anything bigger than a fighter was a triple seven at Charles de Gaulle with 290 passengers• Why Drew Brees asked to pull MORE Gs and what made him such an incredible person to fly withDeacon just released his book “Pilot's Edge: Think, Train, and Fly Like a Pro” with 25% of profits funding aviation scholarships for the next generation.Happy Flying,Justin

In this episode, you'll step inside a world few of us ever see—one where every decision carries weight, pressure is constant, and clarity is non-negotiable. Last week, I spent a day learning from a retired Air Force fighter pilot, and what struck me wasn't the complexity of the cockpit or the intensity of the mission. It was how much their world mirrors ours. Because while we may not be flying at 500 knots, many practice owners feel like they're in a dogfight every single day—reacting, scrambling, and hoping things don't fall apart. This episode is about what happens when you stop reacting and start leading with intention. You'll hear how fighter pilots plan, communicate, execute, and learn with a level of focus that turns chaos into clarity. And more importantly, you'll discover how those same tools can bring direction, confidence, and momentum back into your practice. Follow our Podcast on All Available Platforms Follow our Podcast on Instagram Follow IDOC on Facebook Follow IDOC on LinkedIn Watch our Podcast Video on YouTube

BONUS: Flawless Execution — Translating Fighter Pilot Precision to Business Results In this powerful conversation, former fighter pilot Christian "Boo" Boucousis reveals how military precision translates into agile business leadership. We explore the FLEX model (Plan-Brief-Execute-Debrief), the critical difference between control-based and awareness-based leadership, and why most organizations fail to truly embrace iterative thinking. From Cockpit to Boardroom: An Unexpected Journey "I learned over time that it doesn't matter what you do if you're always curious, and you're always intentional, and you're always asking questions." — Christian "Boo" Boucousis   Christian's path from fighter pilot to leadership consultant wasn't planned—it was driven by necessity and curiosity. After 11 years as a fighter pilot (7 in Australia, 4 in the UK), an autoimmune condition ended his flying career at age 30. Rather than accepting a comfy job flying politicians around, he chose entrepreneurship. He moved to Afghanistan with a friend and built a reconstruction company that grew to a quarter billion dollars in four years. The secret? The debrief skills he learned as a fighter pilot. By constantly asking "What are you trying to achieve? How's it going? Why is there a gap?" he approached business with an agile mindset before he even knew what agile was. This curiosity-driven, question-focused approach became the foundation for everything that followed. The FLEX Model: Plan-Brief-Execute-Debrief "Agile and scrum were co-created by John Sutherland, who was a fighter pilot, and its origins sit in the OODA loop and iteration. Which is why it's a circle." — Christian "Boo" Boucousis   The FLEX model isn't new—fighter pilots have used this Plan-Brief-Execute-Debrief cycle for 60 years. It's the ultimate simple agile model, designed to help teams accelerate toward goals using the same accelerated learning curve the Air Force uses to train fighter pilots. The key insight: everything in this model is iterative, not linear. Every mission has a start, middle, and end, and every stage involves constant adaptation. Afterburner (the company Christian now leads as CEO) has worked with nearly 3,800 companies and 2.8 million people over 30 years, teaching this model. What's fascinating is that the DNA of agile is baked into fighter pilot thinking—John Sutherland, co-creator of Scrum, wrote the foreword for Christian's book "The Afterburner Advantage" because they share the same roots in the OODA loop and iterative thinking. Why Iterative Thinking Doesn't Come Naturally "Iterative thinking is not a natural human model. Most of the time we learn from mistakes. We don't learn as a habit." — Christian "Boo" Boucousis   Here's the hard truth: agile as a way of working is very different from the way human beings naturally think. Business leadership models still hark back to Frederick Winslow Taylor's 1911 book on scientific management—industrial era leadership designed for building buildings, not creating software. Time is always linear (foundation, then structure, then finishing), and this shapes how we think about planning. Humans also tend to organize like villages with chiefs, warriors, and gatherers—hierarchical and political. Fighter pilots created a parallel system where politics exist outside missions, but during execution, personality clashes can't interfere. The challenge for business isn't the method—it's getting human minds to embrace iteration as a habit, not just a process they follow when forced. Planning: Building Collective Consciousness, Not Task Lists "Planning isn't all about sequencing actions—that's not planning. That's the byproduct of planning, which is collectively agreeing what good looks like at the end." — Christian "Boo" Boucousis   Most people plan in their head or in front of a spreadsheet by themselves. That's not planning—that's collecting thoughts. Real planning means bringing everyone on the team together to build collective consciousness about what's possible. The plan is always "the best idea based on what we know now." Once airborne, everything changes because the enemy doesn't cooperate with your plan. Planning is about the destination, not the work to get there. Think about airline pilots: they don't tell you about traffic delays on their commute or maintenance issues. They say "Welcome aboard, our destination is Amsterdam, there's weather on the way, we'll land 5 minutes early." That's a brief—just the effect on you based on all their work. Most business meetings waste 55 minutes on backstory and 5 minutes deciding to have another meeting. Fighter pilots focus entirely on: What are we trying to achieve? What might get in the way? Let's go. Briefing: The 25-Minute Focus Window "You need 25 minutes of focus before your brain really focuses on the task. You program your brain for the mission at hand." — Christian "Boo" Boucousis   The brief is the moment between planning and execution when the plan is as accurate as it'll ever get. It's called "brief" for a reason—it's really short. The team checks that everyone understands the plan in today's context, accounting for last-minute changes (broken equipment, weather, personnel changes). Then comes the critical part: creating the mission bubble. From the brief until mission end, there are no distractions, no notifications. If someone tries to interrupt a fighter pilot walking to the jet, the response is clear: "I'm in my mission bubble. No distractions." This isn't optional—research shows it takes 25 minutes of uninterrupted focus before your brain truly locks onto a task. Yet most business leaders expect constant availability, with notifications pinging every few minutes. If you need everyone to have notifications on to run your business, you're doing a really bad job at planning. Execution: Awareness-Based Leadership vs. Control-Based Leadership "The reason we have so many meetings is because the leader is trying to control the situation and own all the awareness. It's not humanly possible to do that." — Christian "Boo" Boucousis   During execution, fighter pilots fly the plan until it doesn't work anymore—then they adapt. A mission commander might lead 70 airplanes, but can't possibly track all 69 others. Instead, they create "gates"—checkpoints where everyone confirms they're in the right place within 10 seconds. They plan for chaos, creating awareness points where the team is generally on track or not. The key shift: from control-based leadership (the leader tries to control everything) to awareness-based leadership (the leader facilitates and listens for divergences). This includes "subordinated leadership"—any of the four pilots in a formation can take the lead if they have better awareness. If a wingman calls out a threat the leader doesn't see, the immediate response is "Press! You take the lead." This works because they planned for it and have criteria. Business teams profess to want this kind of agile collaboration, but struggle because they haven't invested in the planning and shared understanding that makes fluid leadership transitions possible. Abort Criteria: Knowing When to Stop "We have this concept called abort criteria. If certain criteria are hit, we abort the mission. I think that's a massive opportunity for business." — Christian "Boo" Boucousis   There are degrees of things going wrong: a little bit, a medium amount, and everything going wrong. When everything's going wrong, fighter pilots stop and turn around—they don't keep pressing a bad situation. This "abort criteria" concept is massively underutilized in business. Too often, teams press bad situations, transparency disappears, people stop talking, and everyone goes into survival mode (protect myself, blame others). This never happens with fighter pilots. If something goes wrong, they take accountability and make the best decision. The most potent team size is four people: a leader, deputy leader, and two wingmen. This small team size with clear roles and shared abort criteria creates psychological safety to call out problems and adapt quickly. The Retrospective Mindset: Not Just a Ritual "A retrospective isn't a ritual. It's actually a way of thinking. It's a cognitive model. If you approached everything as a retrospective—what are we trying to achieve? How's it going? Why is it not going where we want? What's the one action to get back on track?" — Christian "Boo" Boucousis   The debrief—the retrospective—is the most important part of fighter pilot culture translated into agile. It's not just a meeting you have at the end of a sprint. It's a mindset you apply to everything: projects, relationships, personal development. Christian introduces "Flawless Leadership" built on three M's: Method (agile practices), Mindset (growth mindset developed through acting iteratively), and Moments (understanding when to show up as a people leader vs. an impact leader). The biggest mistake in technology: teams do retrospectives internally but don't include the business. They get a brief from the business, build for two months, come back, and the business says "What is this? This isn't what I expected." If they'd had the business in every scrum, every iteration, trust would build naturally. Everyone involved in the mission must be part of the planning, briefing, executing, and debriefing. Leading in the Moment: Three Layers of Leadership "Your job as a scrum master, as a leader—it doesn't matter if you're leading a division of people—is to be aware. And you're only going to be aware by listening." — Christian "Boo" Boucousis   Christian breaks leadership into three layers: People Leadership (political, emotional, dealing with personalities and overwhelm), Impact Leadership (the agile layer, results-driven, scientific), and Leading Now (the reactive, amygdala-driven panic response when things go wrong). The mistake: mixing these layers. Don't try to be a people leader during execution—that's not the time. But if you're really good at impact leadership (planning, breaking epics into stories, getting work done), you become high trust and high credibility. People leadership becomes easier because success eliminates excuses. During execution, watch for individual traits and blind spots. Use one-on-ones with a retrospective mindset: "What does good look like for you? How do we get to where you're not frustrated?" When leaders aren't present—checking phones and watches during meetings—they lose people. Your job as a leader is to turn your ears on, facilitate (not direct), and listen for divergences others don't see. The Technology-Business Disconnect "Every time you're having a scrum, every time you're coming together to talk about the product, just have the business there with you. It's easy." — Christian "Boo" Boucousis   One of the biggest packages of work Afterburner does: technology teams ask them to help build trust with the business. The solution is shockingly simple—include the business in every scrum, every planning session, every retrospective. Agile is a tech-driven approach, creating a disconnect. Technology brings overwhelming information about how hard they're working and problems they've solved, but business doesn't care about the past. They care about the future: what are you delivering and when? During the Gulf War, the military scaled this fighter pilot model to large-scale planning. Fighter pilots work with marines, special forces, navy, CIA agents—everyone is part of the plan. If one person is missing from planning, execution falls apart. If someone on the ground doesn't know how an F-18 works, the jet is just expensive decoration. Planning is about learning what everyone else does and how to support them best—not announcing what you'll do and how you'll do it. High-Definition Destinations: Beyond Goals "Planning is all about the destination, not the work to get there. Think about when you hop on an airplane—the pilot doesn't tell you the whole backstory. They say 'Welcome aboard, our destination is Amsterdam, there's weather on the way, we'll land 5 minutes early.' All you want is the effect on you." — Christian "Boo" Boucousis   Christian uses the term "High-Definition Destinations" rather than goals. The difference is clarity and vividness. When you board a plane, you don't get the pilot's commute story or maintenance details—you get the destination, obstacles, and estimated arrival. That's communication focused on effect, not process. Most business communication does the opposite: overwhelming context, backstory, and detail, with the destination buried somewhere in the middle. The brief should always be: Here's where we're going. Here's what might get in the way. Let's go. This communication style—focused on outcomes and effects rather than processes and problems—transforms how teams align and execute. It eliminates the noise and centers everyone on what actually matters: the destination.   About Christian "Boo" Boucousis   Christian "Boo" Boucousis is a former fighter pilot who now helps leaders navigate today's fast-moving world. As CEO of Afterburner and author of The Afterburner Advantage, he shares practical, people-centered tools for turning chaos into clarity, building trust, and delivering results without burning out.   You can link with Christian "Boo" Boucousis on LinkedIn, visit Afterburner.com, check out his personal site at CallMeBoo.com, or interact with his AI tool at AIBoo.com.  

From the Skies Over Vietnam to the Power of Healing — The Story of Mike Penn  This week's Team Never Quit guest, Mike Penn, embodies courage, resilience, and grace under pressure. A Navy fighter pilot who served in Vietnam over 50 years ago, Penn's life took a dramatic turn on August 6, 1972, during his 85th combat mission off the USS Midway. Shot down and captured by enemy forces, he endured eight harrowing months as a POW in Hanoi, facing starvation, torture, and isolation. Losing 60 pounds and battling injuries from the crash, he survived where many did not. Upon returning home, Penn continued to serve his country before transitioning to a long and successful career as an airline pilot. Yet, his greatest battles weren't fought in the skies—they were fought within. Like countless Veterans, Penn wrestled with PTSD and alcoholism, learning that even the strongest warriors can't always go it alone. Penn credits his recovery and renewed purpose to sheer determination, the support of fellow Veterans, and the care he received through the Houston VA, which later discovered a life-threatening cancer during a routine scan—saving his life once again. Today, Penn continues to inspire others through motivational speaking, encouraging Veterans to seek help, share their stories, and lean on one another. His outlook remains deeply positive: despite his suffering, he still calls it “an honor to serve.” Join us as we hear Mike Penn's incredible journey—from fighter pilot to prisoner of war to survivor and mentor. His story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the healing power of community. Thank you, Mike Penn, for your honorable service—and for reminding us that healing begins when we choose to reach out. In this episode you will hear: • [Marcus] If you're struggling in college, get your butt in the military for4-6 years, come back, and you'll scream right through it. (6:54) • To get on the Blue Angels demo pilot team, they vote on you. It's a good ol' boy system. If any one guy says no, you're done. (9:30) • Out of nowhere this Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant shows up right in my face. And he starts yelling at me, and honestly, I thought I was in the wrong place. When he gets through yelling at me, he says “You got anything to say for yourself you smart ass college boy?” I put my hand on his shoulder, looked him in the eyes, and I called him “sarge,” I said “Sarge, I really think I'm in the wrong place, because I cam down here to be a Navy jet pilot.” Boom! He threw me on the ground. I've never done so many push ups in my life. (12:21) • He got me in such good officer shape; I ended up becoming the Regimental Commander.  (13:19) • Landing at night is so difficult, because in the daytime you have depth perception. You're looking at the “Meatball,” the optical landing system. Line up with the ship, and your air speed. At night you can't see anything. (19:00) • [When missiles are fired at you] you see it lift off, you see it coming at you. You build up speed. When it gets to be about ¾ of a mile away from you, you do a high G roll into it. It tries to track on you, but it's going so fast, it can't. (29:00) • They were firing 3 from behind that we never saw, so when I tried to get more speed, one from behind hit me. Boom. Engine quit. Stated shaking like crazy. Immediately 8I turned toward the beach. (29:26) • When I got hit, I knew it was over. (30:14) • I reached up to fire the ejection seat. I pulled it, and nothing happened. Never quit. (31:10) • Once I hit the ground, I was in about a foot of water, and the bullets were hitting the water all around me. (34:02) • [Melanie: Q: What happens to the plane?”] A: It blew up right after I ejected. (34:49) • At 36:22, Mike tells the story of his treatment when he was taken by the enemy. • When we got there, we were just beat up and tied up. We had about 3 weeks of that. (41:25) • We had 24” concrete slabs on either side. That's what we slept on. (42:57) • We got no rice. The Vietnamese ate it all. (43:35) • My grandfather, who was an Army vet in Japan, when I went to war, he told me 2 things: Take care of your men, and don't ever give up.(44:36) • [Melanie: Q: How long were you in there as a POW”] A: 8 months. (47:27) • When I got to Oakland, I made beer milkshakes. (55:03) • When I was at Clark, first thing I did – I sat in the shower for 2 hours. (55:28) • Guess where I git [a new car]? I won it on Hollywood Squares. (71:19) • If I can save 1 life from [writing] that book, it's worth it. (80:53) Support Mike:   - www.hopeandcourage.us Support TNQ   - IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13   -  https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit Sponsors:   - Tractorsupply.com/hometownheroes   - Navyfederal.org        - Dripdrop.com/TNQ   - ShopMando.com [Promo code: TNQ]   - mizzenandmain.com   [Promo code: TNQ20]   - meetfabiric.com/TNQ   - masterclass.com/TNQ   - Prizepicks (TNQ)   -  cargurus.com/TNQ    - armslist.com/TNQ    -  PXGapparel.com/TNQ   - bruntworkwear.com/TNQ    - Groundnews.com/TNQ    - shipsticks.com/TNQ    - stopboxusa.com {TNQ}    - ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]   -  kalshi.com/TNQ   -  joinbilt.com/TNQ    - Tonal.com [TNQ]   - greenlight.com/TNQ   - PDSDebt.com/TNQ   - drinkAG1.com/TNQ   - Hims.com/TNQ   - Shopify.com/TNQ

At just 27 years old, fighter pilot Kim Campbell was flying a combat mission over Baghdad when a barrage of anti-aircraft fire struck her A-10 Warthog. Her hydraulics failed instantly. Ground troops shifted from receiving air support to preparing a rescue. But instead of ejecting, Kim did the unthinkable—manually flying the crippled aircraft for 45 harrowing minutes before landing safely in southern Iraq.That flight earned her the nickname “Killer Chick.” But Kim joins me to share the deeper story, including what trauma taught her about resilience, the preciousness of human life, and the power of teams—lessons that apply far beyond the battlefield, from leadership to family life.Submit a question for or raise your hand join the Listeners Episode:https://forms.gle/yf9aRU7BokGUTAFj6 Learn more about Kim's journey and her book, Flying in the Face of Fear:https://kim-kc-campbell.comContact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.comCheck out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://silverliningshandbook.com/Check out our Patreon to support the show at:https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbookJoin our Facebook Group at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-storeVisit The True Crime Times Substack at:https://truecrimemessenger.substack.comThe Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this Live Greatly podcast episode, Kristel Bauer sits down with Michelle "Mace" Curran, the second woman in history to fly lead solo for the USAF Thunderbirds and the author of The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower.  Tune in now!  Key Takeaways From This Episode: Tips to reframe fear to support your personal and professional goals A look into Michelle's journey as a female fighter pilot and how she worked through her fears Insights into building confidence Tips to overcome imposter syndrome ABOUT MICHELLE "MACE" CURRAN: Michelle "Mace" Curran shattered barriers as a combat fighter pilot and only the second woman in history to fly as the Lead Solo Pilot for the USAF Thunderbirds—a role reserved for the best of the best. Now a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and LinkedIn Top Voice, she shares powerful lessons on confidence, leadership, and bold action with audiences worldwide. Michelle has worked with leading brands like Microsoft, SpaceX, Boeing, and PwC, and has been featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show, CBS Evening News, and Glamour. Through her upcoming book, The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower (Sept 9, 2025), she equips women with the mindset and strategies to push past self-doubt, embrace boldness, and lead authentically.   Connect with Michelle Order Michelle's book: https://a.co/d/63K0A9r  Website: https://macecurran.com/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/macecurran/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mace_curran/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/macecurran/  About the Host of the Live Greatly podcast, Kristel Bauer: Kristel Bauer is a corporate wellness and performance expert, keynote speaker and TEDx speaker supporting organizations and individuals on their journeys for more happiness and success. She is the author of Work-Life Tango: Finding Happiness, Harmony, and Peak Performance Wherever You Work (John Murray Business November 19, 2024). With Kristel's healthcare background, she provides data driven actionable strategies to leverage happiness and high-power habits to drive growth mindsets, peak performance, profitability, well-being and a culture of excellence. Kristel's keynotes provide insights to "Live Greatly" while promoting leadership development and team building.   Kristel is the creator and host of her global top self-improvement podcast, Live Greatly. She is a contributing writer for Entrepreneur, and she is an influencer in the business and wellness space having been recognized as a Top 10 Social Media Influencer of 2021 in Forbes. As an Integrative Medicine Fellow & Physician Assistant having practiced clinically in Integrative Psychiatry, Kristel has a unique perspective into attaining a mindset for more happiness and success. Kristel has presented to groups from the American Gas Association, Bank of America, bp, Commercial Metals Company, General Mills, Northwestern University, Santander Bank and many more. Kristel has been featured in Forbes, Forest & Bluff Magazine, Authority Magazine & Podcast Magazine and she has appeared on ABC 7 Chicago, WGN Daytime Chicago, Fox 4's WDAF-TV's Great Day KC, and Ticker News. Kristel lives in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area and she can be booked for speaking engagements worldwide. To Book Kristel as a speaker for your next event, click here. Website: www.livegreatly.co  Follow Kristel Bauer on: Instagram: @livegreatly_co  LinkedIn: Kristel Bauer Twitter: @livegreatly_co Facebook: @livegreatly.co Youtube: Live Greatly, Kristel Bauer To Watch Kristel Bauer's TEDx talk of Redefining Work/Life Balance in a COVID-19 World click here. Click HERE to check out Kristel's corporate wellness and leadership blog Click HERE to check out Kristel's Travel and Wellness Blog Disclaimer: The contents of this podcast are intended for informational and educational purposes only. Always seek the guidance of your physician for any recommendations specific to you or for any questions regarding your specific health, your sleep patterns changes to diet and exercise, or any medical conditions.  Always consult your physician before starting any supplements or new lifestyle programs. All information, views and statements shared on the Live Greatly podcast are purely the opinions of the authors, and are not medical advice or treatment recommendations.  They have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration.  Opinions of guests are their own and Kristel Bauer & this podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for statements made by guests.  Neither Kristel Bauer nor this podcast takes responsibility for possible health consequences of a person or persons following the information in this educational content.  Always consult your physician for recommendations specific to you.

How can you recognize and respond to spiritual warfare in everyday life? Find out in this eye-opening conversation with author and former fighter pilot Chuck Black!

In this episode 140 of The Afterburn Podcast, Rain sits down with retired US Marine Corps fighter pilot and Echelon Front leadership instructor Dave "Chip" Berke — the only Marine ever to fly the USAF F-22 and the first to operationally fly the F-35B. From deployment on the USS John C. Stennis and TOPGUN instructor duty, to commanding the Marines' first F-35B squadron and now helping build high-performing teams at Echelon Front, "Chip "brings unique stories and hard-earned leadership lessons. Find "The Need to Lead" here: https://amzn.to/4nlA67m “The Need to Lead” by Dave “Chip” Berke, with a contribution by Jocko Willink, explores what it truly means to lead under pressure — in combat, business, and life. Drawing on Berke's rare experience flying the F-18, F-16, F-22, and F-35B, the book distills the lessons learned from two decades of military service and years teaching leadership at Echelon Front. From the cockpits of the world's most advanced fighter jets to the classrooms where he now trains corporate teams, Berke breaks down how humility, accountability, and decisiveness shape effective leaders. His stories reveal how ego can sabotage performance and how embracing failure, listening, and empowering others are the real markers of command.

Dave Berke is a retired US Marine Corps Officer, TOPGUN Instructor, and now a leadership instructor and speaker with Echelon Front, where he serves as Chief Development Officer. As a F/A-18 pilot, he deployed twice from the USS John C Stennis in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He spent three years as an Instructor Pilot at TOPGUN where he served as the Training Officer, the senior staff pilot responsible for the conduct of the TOPGUN course. The Need to Lead: https://echelonfront.com/leadership-books/the-need-to-lead/   Today's Sponsors: Black Rifle Coffee: https://www.blackriflecoffee.com LMNT: https://www.drinklmnt.com/clearedhot  

From flying F-16s over Iraq to testing Virgin Galactic's spaceplanes, Keith “Coma” Colmer has lived one of the most diverse and impactful careers in modern aviation. Raised near John Wayne's ranch in rural Arizona, he rose from an Air Force ROTC cadet at MIT to a combat and test pilot shaping the future of flight. In this episode, Coma shares untold stories from flying GPS satellites during Desert Storm, developing the Litening and Sniper pods, pioneering electronic warfare systems like the ALQ-213, and leading Virgin Galactic's early spaceflight test team. He also opens up about leadership lessons from the Air National Guard, directing operations at Gulfstream Aerospace, and why he now flies floatplanes in the Pacific Northwest “just for the fun of it.” This is an incredible deep dive into flight testing, innovation, and the passion that keeps pilots in the sky long after the mission ends.

Self-doubt is just one of the 5 voices you can't afford to keep listening to. Former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot Michelle Curran and Ryan continue their conversation, breaking down the five inner critics that fuel fear, doubt, and perfectionism and show you how to rise above them. They talk about what people get wrong about courage, the myth of shortcuts, the illusion of importance, and how to push past the voices telling you you're not enough. Michelle “MACE” Curran is a former United States Air Force fighter pilot with nearly 2,000 hours of F-16 flying time. She flew combat missions in Afghanistan and honed her skills across the globe, becoming the second woman in history to serve as the Lead Solo Pilot for the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's elite demonstration team. Known for her signature upside-down maneuvers, Mace performed for millions, inspiring audiences at airshows and flyovers like the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, and Indy 500.You can follow her on Instagram @Mace_Curran and learn more about her work at https://macecurran.com/

When failure can mean life or death, you learn fast what ego and fear really cost. In today's episode, Ryan talks with Michelle “MACE” Curran about the brutal reality of fighter pilot training, how she battled imposter syndrome in a male-dominated world, the mistake that gave her a call sign for life, and why fear is an essential part of real courage.Michelle “MACE” Curran is a former United States Air Force fighter pilot with nearly 2,000 hours of F-16 flying time. She flew combat missions in Afghanistan and honed her skills across the globe, becoming the second woman in history to serve as the Lead Solo Pilot for the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's elite demonstration team. Known for her signature upside-down maneuvers, Mace performed for millions, inspiring audiences at airshows and flyovers like the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, and Indy 500.You can follow Michelle Curran on Instagram @Mace_Curran and learn more about her work at https://macecurran.com/

#872. From flying fighter jets to inspiring audiences worldwide, Michelle “MACE” Curran's story soars above and beyond. Once a shy small-town kid battling social anxiety, she went on to become the Lead Solo Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds—one of the most elite positions in aviation.In this episode, Mace shares what it really takes to become a fighter pilot, the near-catastrophic flight that earned her the call sign “Mace,” and the reality of often being the only woman in the room. She and Kaitlyn dive into her new book The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower, unpacking the tools she uses to turn fear into confidence and why boldness is built—not born.From high-G turns in the cockpit to captivating keynote stages, Mace proves that bravery isn't about being fearless—it's about showing up anyway.If you're LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals!Progressive: Visit Progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance.Better Help: Off the vine listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/vineWayfair: Cozify your space with Wayfair's curated collection of easy, affordable fall updates. That's WAYFAIR.com. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.Lady World: Come Join me for a fun weekend! Get your tickets now at LadyWorld.COEPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: (4:03)– The Moment She Knew She Wanted to Fly Fighter Jets(24:00) – The Story Behind the Call Sign “Mace”(29:30) – Becoming Only The 2nd Woman as Lead Solo Pilot(51:35) – How Mace Met Her Husband on Bumble(58:25) – Turning Fear Into a SuperpowerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.