Podcast appearances and mentions of Nick Hague

From combat missions in the F-22 Raptor to more than five months aboard the International Space Station, Lt. Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers '11 has seen it all. SUMMARY In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Col. Ayers reflects on mentorship, teamwork and building the next generation of warriors and astronauts.   SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN  |  FACEBOOK     TOP 10 TAKEAWAYS 1. Leadership is fluid: sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow. On Dragon and the ISS, command shifted between Anne McClain and Takuya Onishi. Everyone alternated between being commander and flight engineer, showing that strong teams normalize moving between leading and supporting roles. 2. Team care starts with self‑care. Vapor repeatedly links sleep, rest, hydration, and health to leadership performance. You can't be present for others if you're exhausted or burned out; taking care of yourself is a leadership duty, not a luxury. 3. People first, mission second (to enable mission success). Whether on deployment with 300 personnel or in space with 7, she focuses on taking care of the human—family issues, logistics, burnout, and emotions—trusting that performance and mission execution follow from that. 4. Trust is built long before the crisis. ISS emergency training with all seven crew, plus years of joint training in multiple countries, builds shared understanding and trust. When emergencies happen, the crew isn't figuring each other out for the first time. 5. Quiet, thoughtful leadership can be incredibly powerful. Takuya Onishi's style—observant, calm, speaks only when it matters, and brings thoughtful items for others—shows that you don't need to be loud to command respect. When he spoke, everyone listened. 6. Leadership means being fully present, especially on others' hard days. In both combat and space, you can't “hide” when someone's struggling. Being reachable, attentive, and emotionally available is a core leadership behavior, not a soft add‑on. 7. Normalize mistakes and share lessons learned. From F‑22 sorties to NASA operations, it's expected that you openly admit errors and pass on lessons so others don't repeat them. A culture where “experience is what you get right after you need it” only works if people share that experience. 8. Plan for “seasons” of intensity, not permanent balance. She frames life as seasons: some are sprints (deployments, intense training, big trips); others are for recovery. Wise leaders anticipate these cycles, push hard when needed, then deliberately create room to reset afterward. 9. Model the behavior you want your team to adopt. If the commander is always first in, last out, everyone else feels pressure to match that. By visibly protecting her own rest and home life, she gives permission for others to do the same and avoid burnout. 10. Lean on—and be—a support system. Her twin sister, long‑term friends, and professional peers form a lifelong support network she turns to when she fails, doubts herself, or hits something “insurmountable.” Great leaders both rely on and serve as those trusted people for others.     CHAPTERS 0:00:00 – Introduction & Vapor's Journey (Academy, F‑22, NASA) 0:00:38 – Launch Scrub, Second Attempt & What a Rocket Launch Feels Like 0:03:33 – First Moments in Space, Floating & Seeing Earth (Overview Effect) 0:06:11 – Leadership & Teamwork in Space: Roles, Trust, and Small-Crew Dynamics 0:10:19 – Multinational Crews & Leadership Lessons from Other Cultures 0:14:47 – No‑Notice F‑22 Deployment & Leading a Squadron in Combat 0:18:14 – Managing Burnout: Scheduling, Human Factors & “Crew‑10 Can Do Hard Things” 0:19:46 – Self‑Care as Team Care: Seasons of Life, Rest, and Being Present 0:26:02 – Family, Being an Aunt, and Balancing a Demanding Career 0:28:14 – Life After Space: Mentoring New Astronauts & Evolving as a Leader     ABOUT NICHOLE BIO U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Nichole "Vapor" Ayers is a trailblazing pilot, leader and astronaut whose journey began at the United States Air Force Academy, where she graduated in 2011 with a degree in mathematics. An accomplished F-22 Raptor pilot, Ayers is one of the few women ever to fly the world's most advanced stealth fighter — and she's one of even fewer to command them in formation for combat training missions. Col. Ayers earned her wings through years of training and operational excellence, logging over 200 flight hours in combat and playing a critical role in advancing tactical aviation. Her exceptional performance led to her selection in 2021 by NASA as a member of Astronaut Group 23, an elite class of 10 chosen from among 12,000 applicants. As a NASA astronaut candidate, Col. Ayers completed intensive training at Johnson Space Center, which included spacewalk preparation, robotics, survival training, systems operations and Russian language. Now qualified for spaceflight, she stands on the threshold of a new chapter that led her to the International Space Station. Throughout her career, Col. Ayers has exemplified the Academy's core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do. Her journey from cadet to combat aviator to astronaut is a testament to resilience, determination and a passion for pushing boundaries.   LEARN MORE ABOUT NICHOLE NASA Astronaut Nichole Ayers   CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LINE PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Ted Robertson | Producer and Editor:  Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org Send your feedback or nominate a guest: socialmedia@usafa.org   Ryan Hall | Director:  Ryan.Hall@USAFA.org  Bryan Grossman | Copy Editor:  Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org Wyatt Hornsby | Executive Producer:  Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org     ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS     FULL TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS Host: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99 Guest: Lt. Col. Nichole "Vapor" Ayers '11   Col. Naviere Walkewicz 0:00 Vapor, welcome to Long Blue Leadership. We are so thrilled you're here. Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 0:11 Thank you. Thanks for having me. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 0:12 Absolutely. So the cadets get to spend some time with you at NCLS. Here the Long Blue Line is going to get to hear from you. And you know, we can actually go through the list. You know, F-22 pilot, USAFA 2011 graduate, you've been in combat, you're a NASA pilot. The list is probably shorter what you haven't done. But, frankly, I'm just excited that you're here on Earth with us, because the last time we spoke, you called me from outer space. Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 0:35 Yeah, that was a lot of fun. That was a lot of chat with you then too. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 0:38 So let's just jump right in. So if we can just kind of catapult you, and let's do it in the way that they that NASA does, into space, maybe starting with the countdown, and then the Gs you take, what is that experience like? And maybe, what are some things you were thinking about in those moments? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 0:53 Oh, yeah. So, you know, we launched on March 14. First attempt was March 12, and we actually scrubbed the first launch. So we got all the way down to T minus 42 minutes right before we armed the launch escape system. So that's kind of a big milestone on the countdown. We were having issues with some hydraulics in the clamp that actually holds on to the rocket wall and then let's go. We weren't quite sure whether it was gonna let go, so they scrubbed the launch then, and it was a fascinating — you don't feel like you've got a ton of adrenaline going, but, you know, you feel kind of like you're in a sim. We do some really phenomenal training. And so when you're sitting on top of the rocket, it feels like you're in a simulator, except it's breathing and living, and the valves are moving, and you can hear the propellant being loaded and all of that. And so there's a very real portion to launch date. But then, coming down off of that adrenaline, we got a day off, thankfully. We could just kind of rest and relax and then go again. So everything went smoother the second try. Of course, you know, everybody's nerves are a little less, and everything was — it just felt calmer the whole way out. But, yeah, when that countdown hits zero, I like to say you're being slingshotted off the Earth. That's how it felt. You know, in that moment, you're going. There's over a million pounds of thrust, and it's going. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 2:10 I mean, that sounds like a lot. I can't really fathom in my mind what that feels like. Can you describe it? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 2:17 You know, so I talked about in an F-22 and an afterburner takeoff, which is the most thrust that we have basically in any airplane on Earth. You know, you get set back in your seat really far. And, if you think of an airliner takeoff, you kind of get set back in your seat a little bit. Multiply that by, like, 10 or 20, and then that happened for nine minutes straight on a rocket. You're just being forcefully set back in your seat for nine minutes straight and just thrown off of the Earth, and in nine minutes, you're in orbit. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 2:49 So when you had your practice, did you experience that level for that long as well? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 2:54 For the simulators? So they can't that. We can't necessarily simulate the Gs in the sim. So that's like the one part that, you know, we go through the whole launch, but you're sitting at one G the whole time, and throughout the launch, you know, the Gs build, then we back off the thrust and the Gs build again, and then you have an engine cut off. And I like to explain, like, if you could visualize, like an old cartoon, and everybody's in the car driving, and Dad slams on the brakes, and everybody hits the windshield. And then he slams on the gas again, and everybody goes back to their seats. Like, that's what it felt like when the engine cut off and, you know, main engine cuts off, and then within a few seconds, the second engine lights, and you're set back in your seat again. So I like to give that visual. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 3:33 That's really helpful, actually. Wow. OK, so you're there, you're in space. And I guess my first question would be, what's something that, in that moment, you're either thinking or you're just, are you still just orienting yourself? What is that like? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 3:45 Oh, man, you know, we're still in the seats for the first few moments in space, and we have to open the nose cone. There's some other things that are happening on the spacecraft, and getting ready for a burn, for a phasing burn, to get up to and catch up with the International Space Station. But, you know, then eventually you get to unbuckle and get out of your seat and floating for the first time. I got out of my seat and I'm floating there. It felt like, you know, Captain Marvel when she's, like, hanging out. Yeah, that's, that's how I felt. And, you know, I like to give the visual, because it's like, it's just nothing you've ever experienced in your life, you know. And then you look out the window and the view is something, it's indescribable. You know, I don't think we have the right words in the English language to describe what it feels like to look back at Earth from space. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 4:35 Was there a moment when you're looking out at Earth — did you kind of play back just different things in your life? Did you think about, you know, significance of things, or, like, scope of things, or even just the vantage point? Did it kind of just change things or were you just in awe at the moment? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 4:49 No, I think, you know, we talked about the overview effect, when astronauts specifically look back at Earth, and it hits everybody kind of differently. And for me, I think the biggest thing you know, when you look at a map of the states or a map of the world, you know, every country is a different color, or every state's a different color, and there are lines that describe the borders, right? And those don't exist in in space. Those don't exist like when you can't see different colored states, right? But you can see the Grand Canyon, and you can see the mountains, and you can see the Amazon, and you can see the desert in Africa. And you get to, you know, you get to learn the world geography by colors and terrain. And it's just a really good reminder that, you know, we're all humans, and we're all on this little fragile marble, just trying to take care of each other and trying to take care of Earth. And so I think that's what hit me the most, was just there are no borders, and we're all the same. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 5:44 Gosh, well, it's a unique and probably highly impressive team that you're with. I mean, we know the road to get to becoming a NASA astronaut is certainly one that is very difficult. Starts from many, many, in the 1000s, down to 10. And so, you know, when we think about leadership, and I've heard you share this before with others, you talk about teamwork and leadership, maybe explain a little bit what that's like in space when you're all so highly effective leaders. You know, what does that look like? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 6:12 That's a great question. You know, I think for us, it is a very fluid movement, right? You lead one day; you follow the next. And you know, I'll give you an example. So Anne McClain was the commander of SpaceX Crew-10 for NASA. So she was in charge of Crew-10 is our ride up to the space station, and our ride home, right? It's the capsule, the rocket and the capsule. And then we were on Expedition 73 aboard the International Space Station, where Takuya, who it was, Takuya Onishi, who was our mission specialist on Dragon, soon as we crossed into the hatch and he took command. He is now the commander of the Space Station, and Anne and I are flight engineers, and so it's a pretty fluid movement in terms of leading and following. But ultimately, you know, it's just about being a good team and taking care of each other. And I think that being a good leader is taking care of other people. And, you know, we talk about team care — self-care, and team care are like the huge parts that we actually train and learn about at NASA as we go through our training, because you're on this really small space in the vacuum of space for five-plus months at a time, and it's — there are only seven people up there and everybody's going to have a bad day. We're all humans, and you can't, there's no hiding.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz 7:30 What's a bad day like in space?   Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 7:32 People make mistakes, right? We're all human. You might make a mistake on something, you might mess up a procedure. You hope that it's not something that causes a safety incident, right? The main goal for me, at least, was, I know I'm going to make mistakes. As long as I'm not unsafe, I'll be happy. And I think that a lot of us have that conscious decision-making process. But I think that we're also humans and have Earth lives, and your Earth life doesn't stop when you go to space. And so bad days could be something going on at home. Bad days could be something going on in space. Could be an interaction that you had with somebody on the ground that, you know, there's a lot of communication that happens between us on the ground. There are thousands of humans on the Earth that keep the Space Station running. So that day could be anything but it's tough to hide up there. Here, you can kind of like, duck and cover and maybe you just spend the day in an office. But it doesn't happen up there. We have to continue to work and continue to function. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 8:32 So you mentioned that there are seven of you in this tight space. Now, when you go up there, your crew, is it the same seven?   Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 8:38 For the majority of the time. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 8:42 OK, excellent. So one of the things we think about whenever we're leading or we're working with teams is trust, and obviously you have a great amount of trust with the crew that you're going up there with. But then you mentioned you went on to the ISS and you're working with others. What does that look like when it's someone maybe you haven't worked as closely with in a really important mission? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 9:03 So for the seven expedition members, we actually do train together for a little bit of it, not nearly as closely as, you know, the four of us training for Dragon mission. But because the most dynamic parts are launch and landing, we do a lot of training together, just as the four of us, but we train all over the world. So we go to Japan and Germany and Canada, and we go to, you know, Hawthorne, California, and we go to Russia, and we train with them, and we learn about the Russian segment, and we train with our fellow cosmonauts there. And we do emergency training specifically all together, because it takes all seven of us in an emergency doing the right thing and knowing everybody's roles. And so we train that together as well. And then anytime you're in the same country or same city together, then you get to spend the time outside of the training to get to know each other. And so you actually know your crew fairly well. But obviously, everybody's from a different nation. And we had Americans, we had a Japanese astronaut, we had Russians, so you learn everybody's culture, and it's actually, you know, to your point on being in that small — and not necessarily knowing everybody. There's also a cultural aspect; we get to know each other. We get to learn about other people's cultures and figure out how to communicate and live and work, even across the whole world. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 10:19 What was something that you learned from another culture of astronaut, maybe in the leadership realm, or just something that you took away, that's really something that surprised me, or like to emulate? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 10:30 I love Taku's leadership style. So Takuya Onishi — he's one of those more quiet humans, and he's super kind, but he is the most intelligent human I've ever met, and he is super-efficient with everything he does, and he pays attention to all of the little things. And so he only speaks up when he thinks something needs to be changed, or when he thinks that, like, we need to go in a different direction, otherwise, he's pretty happy to let you go, like, let you go as far as you want to go on something. And then when he thinks you're gonna run off a cliff, he pulls you back. So when he speaks, everybody listens. And I love that. I think some of that is cultural, obviously, him being from Japan, but I think it's also just his personal leadership style, but I learned a ton from him in terms of how to interact with people, how to let people be themselves, but also how to run a ship, and everybody knew exactly who was running the ship. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 11:22 Wow. And it shows that respect lens that you're just kind of talking about when he spoke. Everybody listens. Is that something that you feel you already had that kind of leadership style or is that something that you've kind of evolved in yourself? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 11:37 I like to think that that's the way that I lead. That's kind of how I try to be a leader. But we're not perfect, right? Nobody's perfect. And watching him, you know, taking notes from how he interacted with everybody, the things that he thought of, the things that he brought with him for us on station, you know, we get a very limited amount of stuff, personal things that we get to bring with us. And he brought things for the crew that were like, huge milestones for professional careers. You know, just the attention to detail on the human beings around him was pretty phenomenal. So it's one of the things I'm working on to be better at, because I like to think I'm good at it. But I saw the master work. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 12:18 I love that. And something you said about him, he always has attention to detail, and he saw the little things. He paid attention to the little things. I remember a past conversation we had. You had a little nugget from Col. Nick Hague, also USAFA — '98 I believe. And I think he said to you, something about, you know, “Nicole, don't forget that you're squishy,” or something like that. And so have you had more of those moments in there where they're like little nuggets or little moments that actually give you a big return or big lessons in your life? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 12:46 Oh, definitely, yeah, that one's a funny one, because the space station is metal. Everything is metal, and it's hard and so we still have weight, well, mass. We still have mass. We don't have weight, right, because we're in microgravity. But if you're cooking around a corner and you run into a handrail, it's gonna hurt, you know, if you imagine going 10 or 15 mph into something metal, it's gonna hurt — you're squishy. So that was a great lesson in slowing down and making sure you're watching your surroundings. But one of the things that Anne McClain says that cracks me up, but every time it happens, like, “Yep, this is definitely—," she says, “Experience is that thing you learn right after you need it.” And so we had a lot of those moments where you learn a lesson and you're like, “Ah, I wish I knew that five minutes ago.” And so that's something that applies everywhere. Experience is that thing you always needed right before that happened. But we also like to say Crew-10 can do hard things. That's another thing that was just kind of our motto, whether it's training — some of the training can be really physically demanding. It's really mentally demanding. And it's a lot of travel. When you get assigned to a mission, it's probably a year and a half to two years of training, and then you're gone for six months. So out of that two to two and a half years, you're not home for over a year. So you're all over the world, traveling to train and work. And like I said, we're all humans. We have Earth lives, we have homes, you get situations back home. And so navigating personal lives, navigating professional lives, navigating tough training. Crew-10 can do hard things. We like to say that. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 14:22 I like that. It also talks a bit about your grit. Crew-10 grit. So, talking about hard things, I'd like to take us to the time when you've been piloting the F-22 and you've seen combat. I heard you speaking a little bit before about a no-notice deployment. Let's visit that time in your life. What were you doing? What was your role, and what was something you experienced? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 14:47 Sure. So I was actually flying the day that we got notified. And, you know, just a standard training sortie — had landed, and some of the maintainers were like, “Hey, have you heard what's happening?” And I was like, “No, what's happening?” And then we had a big squadron meeting, and that's when we got notified, like, “Hey, we're deploying.” We were on the GRF, is what it was called at the time, Global Response Force, and I think some of that structure has changed since I left that squadron, but we knew that once we were on the GRF, there was a chance that we would get activated and get moved somewhere. Didn't necessarily expect it to be quite that quick. I think it was like the next week we got this deployment. So we got notified on a Thursday, I think, and then on Monday, I was taking off.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz 15:31 Oh, really no notice.   Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 15:33 Yeah, so, four days later, we were taking off, and then seven days later, we were flying missions from — we were stationed at Al Udeid Air Base, so we're flying out of Al Udeid within a week. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 15:45 How many with you?   Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 15:47 So when we deploy, we actually deploy with our maintenance squadrons, 300 people. Twenty to 30 of them are the pilots, and then the rest are the maintainers. And so it's the entire squadron. We morph into an expeditionary squadron. And so there are 300 people that head out. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 16:03 So I imagine, you know, on top of the fact that it was such a rapid movement, there's probably things that people had to obviously work through family. This needs to happen. But what were some things that you experienced in that deployment, or even in just that transition? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 16:21 Again, I go back to taking care of people. I was a flight commander at the time. We had two flight commanders, so I'm in charge of basically half the squadron, and we had a really wonderful commander who gave us the authority and the autonomy to leave the squadron. So, you know, it's about saying, like, “How are you guys doing at home?” Half our squadron didn't even have tan flight suits. You know, we're trying, we're working with logistics. We're trying to get everything ready. Like, does everybody have a go bag? Does everybody even know what a go bag is? Do you have the things you need? So working all of that. And then do you have the childcare figured out? Do you have the — how is all your family doing? Are you ready for this? And then we had to do a bunch of last-minute training before we left. And so it's a really busy time, but it was one of the first times where I felt like I had an influence on the people that were under me, that I had supervised. And so it was a really great experience to solve those problems, figure it out and help people get off the ground in four days successfully, and leaving something, some semblance of structure at home. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 17:24 So you said it was the first time where you kind of really felt that you had that impact. What would you say kind of maybe crystallized within yourself in learning that? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 17:36 I think it really solidified. I think I said, “I try to lead by taking care of people,” right? I truly believe if you take care of the human, they're going to do a really great job. You don't have to ask much of people at work and in their professional life, if their personal and the human side of them is taken care of and so that's kind of what I mean when I say that solidified it for me, like, make sure that the humans are good to go, and they'll go do anything you want to do. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 18:04 Wow. So while on that deployment, you're leading half of that squadron. What were some of the challenges maybe that you experienced, and how did you grow as a leader during that timeframe? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 18:14 Scheduling is definitely a tough one. So we flew daytime and nighttime. We basically had an F-22 airborne for almost 24 hours a day for the entire six months, six and a half months. We left and we were told it might be two- or three-month deployment, and then it turned into six months. And then we got delayed up coming home. And so then we stayed through Christmas. And those are the things that really are tough for people. But we have a limited number of jets that we took. We have a limited number of pilots; we have a limited number of maintainers and parts. And so I think for us, managing a schedule between me and the other flight commander, managing a schedule, managing quality of life for everybody, and make sure that we're not burning people out, or that they're not —we're flying eight-, nine-, 10-hour sorties, right? And that's exhausting. It's just you and that airplane with your wingman and a different airplane. And so you have to manage, again, that human factor. The human capital is probably the toughest thing to manage. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 19:15 Wow, and you talked about how the deployment kind of got extended. What were some things, because many of our listeners and our viewers are leaders, and at different levels of leadership and different times in their lives where they're doing that. When you were leading, and you had some of those subordinates, or those that were working with you that really experienced some troubles, through emotions, through some of that. How did you help navigate them through that when you were all in that as well? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 19:46 Right. You know, I think at NASA especially, we talk about self-care being a huge part of team care. And so making sure I do this in my regular life too, but, you know, making sure that you're getting enough rest, making sure that you're taking care of yourself and your personal life, so that you can truly be present for the other people that need you. And I think being present for others is one of the biggest things that you can do. You know, they may not need a ton of help, or they may not need the solution, but being there, being available and being present for people is really important. But you can't do that unless you're good to go yourself. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 20:18 Did you see that from someone? Did you learn that from someone you saw doing that? Or just, how did, I mean NASA's — you said, NASA, but did you see that at the Academy? Or where did you kind of gather that? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 20:28 You know, I think one of the things that hit me hard about showing up and being present was actually more professional. I kind of skated through the Academy on minimal sleep, and I was able to manage everything. But I wasn't flying a $143 million airplane. And so, in pilot training, we started to talk about crew rest and pilot rest. That's the first time that I had heard this concept of, “You need to go home and get rest so that you can be on your game.” Because flying airplanes, your decisions have real consequences, right? And you have to be present and available, and you have to be on your game to fly airplanes and do well in airplanes. And then the faster and the higher and the better the airplane gets, the more on your game you have to be. So I think it's something that has just kind of evolved in me. And then, as a leader, I realized, if you don't have any gas in the tank, you cannot help somebody else. And so for me, it's just kind of been, over the last decade and a half, of, wow, I need my sleep. I need to make sure I'm good to go. I need to make sure my human is good, so that way I can help other humans. And yeah, when your decisions have real consequences, it's important that you're present and you're ready to go. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 21:43 Have you seen some of the fact that you prioritize that for yourself, for you as your own human? Have you seen others kind of like see that, view that, and actually take that on as well themselves. Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 21:53 Yeah, I think they do. And I think, as a leader, it's really important to set that example. The commander cannot be the first one in last one out. Like, you just can't do that, because everybody's going to stay until you leave. So setting the example, setting the example of having a good home-life balance as well. Like, home and work have to be balanced. Sleep has to be balanced. Again, self-care is the biggest part of team care, I think. And if you model that, people start to realize it's important. You know, the younger people that might burn themselves out trying to get somewhere, trying to get to the next step, or trying to impress somebody, or whatever the case may be, if they see you taking a step back and they see your success, maybe then they can start worrying about themselves too. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 22:34 I think that's a great lesson, leading by example. For sure. There are probably moments that you experience both at the Academy, while flying the F-22 or as an astronaut, where you don't have the luxury of balance. How do you navigate that and how do you help others get to that space maybe quicker? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 22:53 I think of everything as a season in life. It might just be a busy season, and you might just have to put some time in but making sure that you are planning ahead and know that you're gonna be able to take some time and reset. And that could be anything, right? That could be personal life, professional life. That could be the four-week training trip that we've got is going to be rough, and its multiple time zones, and it's a ton of training, it's a ton of information. You just have to get through it. But then, that week, when we got home, I made sure my schedule was a little lighter. Whatever the balance is, I think of things in seasons. Crew-10 can do hard things, right? And that came from — you can get through this next training session, right? But we're gonna do a mask-to-suit transition, which is like in a fire, you've got a mask on. You have to get from that mask into your spacesuit. It's a significant physical event. And there's limited oxygen; there's limited ability to breathe in the suit when in that specific environment. And so how do you slow down, take the breaths you need to get in there to not then get to a point where you're panicking, right? Or that you're too exhausted or too hot or overdid, or whatever it is, right? So I think even just that, that is a season. We're going to do two hours of this. That's my season, and then we'll get out of the simulator, we'll take a break, right? And if it happened on orbit, it would be like, “We're going to get through this. We're going to solve the problem. We're going to manage the emergency, and then once things are set, we'll have a moment to breathe.” So that's kind of how I think of it. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 24:21 Did seasons come something, a term that you kind of realized maybe at the Academy, you were a volleyball athlete at the Academy, and so volleyball has a season. But my question is, like, how did you come to that realization? Like, “Oh, I can get through this, and I put it in a bucket of time.” Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 24:35 You learn a lot of time management at the Academy, and when you're in the fall, you're really busy, spring season is less busy, and so you kind of learn early how to manage. Like, “OK, I've got to run. I gotta sprint,” right? “And then I can jog later, or I can walk later.” So, I think you learn that growing up in school, and you know, if you play sports or you do extracurricular activities or other things like that, or even just seasons in life at home, life ebbs and flows. I don't even know when I started saying it, but my sister and I started saying “seasons of life” to each other a long time ago. You know, she's got three kiddos, so she's been in all sorts of seasons. But, yeah, it's just, you know, I think I started to time block things, or block things off and just, and that's the only way you're going to get through life, is if you focus on what you need to do right now, be good at it, and then move to the next thing. You can have an idea of what's coming next, but you have to be present and do what you're doing there. Yes, so, yeah, seasons, time, blocks, whatever you want to call it. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 25:39 I like that. Well, you brought up your sister, and so you're an auntie of three. Let's talk about your personal life and leadership, some experiences you've had navigating your schedule. You're on the road so much. How do you prioritize? I guess the things that are important to you when you have such a heavy schedule, yeah, being on the road and the people that are important to you, right? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 26:03 Man, I think that for me, my family has been a huge support system my whole life. My twin sister — built in best friend.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz 26:13 And who is older? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 26:14 She is. She's got me by a minute. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 26:18 OK. Does she hold that over you?   Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 26:20 Yes, of course she does. We've just always supported each other 100% and everything. She's been my biggest cheerleader through all of my life, and I've been her biggest cheerleader through all of her life. And you know, my main goal in life is to be the coolest auntie, like the best auntie, and I would die happy. And they're a huge priority to me. I see them every couple two to three months — since my oldest has was born. So for the last 14 years, just made it a priority, even if it's like, leave late on a Friday night and then get home late Sunday night, I make the effort to go see them and to interact with them. And you know, to help foster them. You know they're growing up. And I love watching kids grow up and experience the world and see what can be done. Their dad's a Marine, their mom's this really successful real estate agent, their auntie' a pilot-slash-astronaut. You know, they've got, like, all these no family that's really not doing very much. Yeah, you know, they've got all these really great role models. And my goal is to just show them that it doesn't matter who you are, like they only ever know me as auntie. Like they know I'm an astronaut, and they love that. Their friends know that I'm an astronaut. Anti vapor, no, no, yeah. But, you know, like, they're always gonna get a big hug from auntie, like, that's, that's what's important to me. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 27:36 Well, you mentioned, going into space, being an auntie. So, would you describe your time and space is, it's probably out of this world. I mean, that's, wow, that's terrible. That's terrible I said it that way. But I think you've mentioned it is kind of the best time in your life. Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 27:52 Yeah. Best five months my life. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 27:56 Best five months of your life, and it's passed. Now, when we think about our evolution, whether personally, professionally, as leaders, etc., we have these ideas in our mind, like, this is the pinnacle. How do you navigate what's next after you've experienced that pinnacle? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 28:14 Yeah, that's a great question, and I think it's something that a lot of us struggle with when we come home. What's next? We get six months, some time to think and kind of get reintegrated. And you don't necessarily have to go back to work right away. I was able to spend a ton of time with my sister and her kiddos. Yeah, what's next. And I think for me, like the drive out to the launch pad, I was like, “Man, I've made it.” You know, the first time I looked out the window from Dragon, “I've made it.” First time we crossed the hatch, and I went and looked out the glass like, “Wow. The hard work paid off.” And I still feel like that to this day. I would have spent four more months in space if they had asked me to, and I would have turned around and launched right back then the day that we landed, and it was because of the crewmates that I spent it with and the fulfillment that I got from the mission. But I think you can find fulfillment in a lot of ways. And you know, my job, now that I've been back, I'm going to be working with the new class of astronauts and their training for spacewalk. So in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, our big pool, like, my job is to be their mentor as they go through the spacewalk training. And you know, like, I cannot wait. I'm so excited. I cannot wait to have an impact and try to help teach this next generation of spacewalkers, this next generation of astronauts, to be better than us. I find a lot of fulfillment in making the next generation better. So I think, however the fulfillment shows up for people, I think as long as you can find something, there you'll be happy. Going to space was great, but teaching and instructing and mentoring is also really fulfilling for me. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 29:54 And that will be 10 of them? How many will that be? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 29:55 Ten.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz 29:56 Ten. So then you'll have 13. You'll be auntie to 13. Oh, that's wonderful. What have you learned about yourself since then? You know, you've evolved as a leader through different situations, high threat, high risk. Safety is paramount. All of those different experiences. And now you're back on Earth and you're about to, you know, mentor. How have you evolved your leadership, and where would you say you're trying to go? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 30:23 Where am I trying to go? I think, for me, leadership is also about being vulnerable and being open and honest with people about failures or hardships and so, you know, like in the flying community, if you make a mistake, you're immediately like, “Hey, I messed this up. Here's how we fix it.” And that's something that we do at NASA as well, especially on a grand scale, right? Thousands of employees and everybody like, that's the only way that we get to space is by admitting when we've made mistakes, talking to each other about how we fix it and sharing those lessons learned. And so I think that especially when you get into the higher roles of leadership, it's important to go, “Hey, I messed up,” or, “Hey, I don't know the answer.” And being transparent with the people that you're working with. And if you don't know it, but you know where to go find it, like, “I'll get that answer for you,” instead of making up an answer, trying to figure out how to look like you're in charge, right? It's really important to me to also show that we don't know everything. We're human. We make mistakes, and it's OK to make mistakes, as long as you share it, and you share the lessons learned, and you make the next person better. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 31:32 Did you experience that personally? Did you have a moment in which you had to say, “Hey, I made a mistake,” and that's helped you realize that being vulnerable is really important or is that just something you've seen done really well? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 31:40 Oh, I've admitted a lot of mistakes. You know, I made a couple pretty big mistakes in the Raptor. Everybody's gonna make a big mistake at some point in their life. And, you know, I think that that was something that was modeled really well in the flying community early on. And it's something that's not tolerated if you're not willing to share your lessons learned. It's not tolerated in that community. That's a really good thing. I learned that in pilot training, right? If your buddy in your class makes the same mistake the next day that you made, you get in trouble because you didn't tell them how to how to prepare. And so it's fostered early on, especially in the flying community. I can't speak to any other community because I grew up there, but it's fostered early on, and so it's just something that comes naturally. I think eventually, because you just, you've seen it done so many times, and if you want other people to succeed, you're going to do it. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 32:29 All right. Well, we have two questions left. The first one is, what's something you do every day to be a better leader? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 32:37 That's a good one. This is gonna sound silly, but I sleep. Like, I'll go back to the self-care thing, right? Like, I put a lot of attention into being healthy, being hydrated, sleeping well. Like, if you take care of your body, your mind is going to do way more for you. And so I think you can show up as a better leader if you show up, rested, hydrated, fed, worked out whatever you need to do to be the best human you can be. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 33:09 That's what I try to do. OK. I like that a lot, and I think that's a good indication for me that six hours is probably not enough. Naviere needs a little bit more. And it's truth, because you told me, though I'm gonna do that. The second one is, if you could go back in time, maybe what's something you would have told yourself — your younger self — or maybe, as our cadets are listening, that you've learned and what they can be doing now to be a better leader down the road. Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 33:34 If you run into a hardship or you fail at something, or something feels insurmountable, or you don't feel like you're ready, good enough, or whatever the case may be, doubt starts to seep in, right? I would say, rely on the support system that you have. Rely on the people around you. Talk about it. Figure out, you know, “Hey, I failed this GR, like, man, this kind of sucks.” And you know, maybe you just need to hear me say it out loud, and maybe I just need to get it off my chest, or maybe I need help trying to figure out the solution for whatever the case may be. So, you know, I had a built-in team on the volleyball team. I had a built-in friends and teammates that I could lean on. Maybe that's your squadronmates or your classmates, or whoever it is, right? And I think finding the friends that you can rely on for the rest of your life. Professionally, I've got a friend here that I met in the F-22 community. We've been friends for almost a decade now, and he's still one of the first people that I call when something happens, like, “Oh, I messed this up today. Help.” So, you know, finding a support system. My sister's the other person that I call first off. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 34:38 She probably knows you're gonna call when you call. Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 34:39 Yeah, we talk way too much. But, you know, having that support system around you and finding people that really bolster you and get you across that line and help you find the courage to take the next step, I think that's really important. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 34:54 I know I said there was only two, but as I've listened to you, I just think you're just you're just remarkable, and maybe what's something that you're proud about yourself as a leader. I would really love to hear that in your, you know— Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 35:05 I think the thing that makes me the most proud as a leader is when somebody succeeds and it's something that I helped them do. I've had somebody come back and say, “Thanks for saying that.” That pushed me out the edge, you know, like, I'm really into building the next generation and make them better than us. And so if I see somebody succeeding, that's good. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 35:27 Well, this has been incredible. Is there anything that we didn't cover that you would love to share with the Long Blue Line in our community? Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 35:33 Oh, man, the community is great. I think I would just say thank you to the community. I've gotten so much love and support from Coloradans, but also the Long Blue Line and the Air Force in general. You know, I love the community that we have. It goes right back to what I just said, right, finding a community that supports you and pushes you to do better and be better. And this is that community. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 35:55 Well, Vapor, I promise I'm gonna get more sleep, and I just want to thank you for being such an incredible leader and guest here on Long Blue Leadership. Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers 36:03 Thanks for having me back. Absolutely.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz 36:05 Thanks. You know, this conversation was really incredible with Vapor. I think some of the things that really stood out to me is just how incredible as a human she is. She brings humanity into leadership. She puts people first. She thinks about the team. She works hard. Don't forget to prioritize sleep. But I think really, some of the lessons that we can all take away can hit us all personally, because if you think about people first and taking care of them, and the fact that you have to take care of yourself too, you can go really far in leadership. So I really appreciate her today on Long Blue Leadership. And I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of '99. Until next time.   KEYWORDS Joel Neeb, Long Blue Leadership, Air Force Academy leadership, USAFA leadership, military leadership podcast, leadership development, leadership lessons, character-based leadership, leadership under pressure, leading with integrity, decision making in leadership, mentorship and leadership, values-based leadership, service before self, leadership mindset, leadership podcast interview, military leadership stories, leadership for professionals, leadership for entrepreneurs, how to be a better leader, leadership growth.       The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation        

What if the secret to breakthrough performance wasn't a dramatic overhaul, but a series of small, consistently applied changes? In this episode of World's Greatest Business Thinkers, host Nick Hague speaks with Damian Hughes, author of Micro Habits, co-host of the High Performance podcast, and England rugby coach, about the power of small, consistent actions in building extraordinary results. Drawing on insights from over 500 elite performers, from Formula 1 champion Lando Norris to Michelin-starred chef Will Guidara, Hughes explains why culture, identity, and purpose outperform dramatic reinvention. He unpacks the Job-Career-Calling framework, the "Best Friend Test," and the "Batman Effect," revealing how micro habits shape resilience, engagement, and high-performing teams. Success, he argues, is engineered daily, one deliberate choice at a time. What You Will Learn: How to reframe any task to unlock higher engagement and effectiveness The "Best Friend Test" method for discovering your authentic purpose Why "we not me" cultures outperform ego-driven organizations The psychology of not "sweating the small stuff." The Batman Effect: how an aspirational identity shifts you from reactive panic to strategic response How to establish micro habits despite resistance   If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.   Damian Hughes Bio Damian Hughes is a bestselling author, speaker, and visiting Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Change at Manchester Metropolitan University. Blending sport, psychology, and organisational development, he helps teams build high-performing cultures. He has written eight business books, including High Performance, a Sunday Times number one bestseller, with his work translated into twelve languages. Co-host of The High Performance Podcast, with over 250 million downloads, Damian has coached elite international teams and founded The School Coat Charity, supporting children in poverty.   Quotes: "They're all small to do, they're all really quick to understand, and they're really simple to be able to get your head around. So I started going back through the archive of 500 guests, and in every one of them, you would find at least one or two ideas that were central to it. The more I looked at it through that lens of what are the small things that these people are doing that any of us could adopt, that's where the micro habits idea came from." "When you meet people who have achieved incredible things, you think it's about talent or money or connections, but what you realize when you look closest is it's boring stuff, the boring stuff of showing up every day and doing these habits that bring a reward. It's not about big leaps or great shows of courage; it's often done in really small, simple, but consistently applied habits." "Every task you do can either be viewed as just a job, just a career, or just a calling. If you view it as a calling, you do it because you love it and it fits your identity. It's the same task you're doing, but the way you choose to interpret it makes your levels of happiness, effectiveness, and ability to engage with others increase." "The real answer to 'why are you my mate' almost doesn't have words, it's the emotional part of the brain. You have to keep pushing because what we often try to do is put words to emotions that don't have a vocabulary. Eventually, they will articulate something that is an emotion you evoke, and then you think about how to structure your life around that."   Keywords: Primary Keywords (Core Themes): micro habits, high performance culture, personal development, business leadership, habit formation, consistency and momentum, performance psychology, elite sports coaching, organizational behavior, self-improvement strategies Secondary Keywords (Related Subtopics): job crafting, calling versus career, purpose-driven work, team dynamics, we versus me mentality, customer experience, hospitality culture, resilience in adversity, responding versus reacting, identity-based habits   Episode Resources: Damian Hughes on LinkedIn Nick Hague on LinkedIn World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Apple Podcasts World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Spotify World's Greatest Business Thinkers on YouTube  

What if the secret to building world-class brands isn't about outsmarting your customers, but understanding the hidden biases that drive their decisions? In this episode of World's Greatest Business Thinkers, host Nick Hague is joined by behavioural scientist and author of three bestsellers,  Richard Shotton, to unpack why the world's most successful brands win by working with human nature, not against it. Drawing on examples from Five Guys, Snickers, Guinness, Amazon Prime, and more, Richard explains how cognitive biases like the gold dilution effect, charm pricing, and the pratfall effect quietly shape everyday decisions. The conversation reveals how humour builds credibility, why focus often beats choice, and how small design or pricing tweaks can unlock disproportionate growth.  What You Will Learn: How to leverage the Gold Dilution Effect to strengthen your brand positioning  Why humor is your most credible marketing tool How to create trigger moments that convert intention into action  The power of leaning into perceived flaws through the Pratfall Effect  How to break unfavorable price comparisons through design differentiation  Why revealing product improvements secretly outperforms marketing claims  How charm pricing (prices ending in 9) compounds customer decisions at scale  Why focus on unchanging human nature, not fleeting trends  How to think in terms of habit formation, not loyalty, when facing low switching costs   If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.   Richard Shotton Bio: Richard Shotton is the founder of Astroten and a leading expert in applying behavioural science to marketing. He advises brands including Google, Mondelez, BrewDog, and Santander through consultancy, copywriting, and training. Richard is the bestselling author of The Choice Factory, winner of the 2019 Business Book Award, and The Illusion of Choice. His latest book, Hacking the Human Mind, is scheduled for release in September. He is an honorary IPA fellow and co-hosts Behavioral Science for Brands with Michael Aaron Flicker on the podcast.   Quotes: "If you have one really strong argument, adding on slightly suboptimal arguments tends to dilute it, and tends to weaken people's belief. So the point here is that because it's a reasonable assumption in life that those who specialize become better, people take that rule of thumb and then they apply it even when it isn't relevant." "As a species, we have evolved to rationalize that deep, considered thought and most decisions, like which burger joint to go to, most decisions are made in a quick snap, reflexive way. And the way that we make those super quick decisions is to use what psychologists call rules of thumb or heuristics. And what's interesting for us as marketers is that those rules of thumb are prone to biases." "Humor is something that you can demonstrate in an ad rather than just claim. And demonstrations are always more powerful than claims. Only someone who has the genuine skills actually does it, so a viewer will always give greater credibility to a demonstration than a vague claim." "Motivation or appeal is a necessary but not sufficient condition for behavior change. What you need to do is combine appeal with a clear trigger moment. Creating this trigger moment converts vague desire into action and essentially acts as a catalyst."   Episode Resources: Richard Shotton on LinkedIn Astroten Website  Nick Hague on LinkedIn World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Apple Podcasts World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Spotify World's Greatest Business Thinkers on YouTube

What if success isn't about how you get in, but what you do once you're there? And what if saying "yes" matters more than having the perfect résumé? In this episode of World's Greatest Business Thinkers, host Nick Hague sits down with Guy Kawasaki, Chief Evangelist at Canva and former Apple evangelist, for a masterclass in career serendipity and mission-driven leadership. Drawing on five decades in Silicon Valley, Guy explains why execution beats credentials, how authentic evangelism cuts through noise, and why he once turned down a billion-dollar CEO role. From Steve Jobs' uncompromising standards to spotting transformational talent early, the conversation explores design as a competitive moat, saying yes to unexpected opportunities, and building influence by helping others succeed. Packed with practical wisdom, this episode is a guide to leading with integrity and leaving a lasting impact. What You Will Learn: How to leverage serendipity strategically Why design is your competitive moat The distinction between mission-driven and ego-driven assholes How to apply the law of large numbers to innovation and opportunity Why true evangelism flips the incentive structure How to build a sustainable career by staying open to unexpected paths If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here. Guy Kawasaki Bio: Guy Kawasaki is Chief Evangelist at Canva and host of the acclaimed podcast *Remarkable People*, bringing nearly five decades of Silicon Valley experience to his work in design, innovation, and digital transformation. A former Apple evangelist and venture capitalist, Kawasaki has authored 18 books and served in leadership roles at iconic companies including Google, Wikipedia, and Mercedes-Benz, making him uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between technology innovation and human-centered business strategy. His expertise spans brand evangelism, product design, and organizational culture, areas directly relevant to ambitious professionals seeking to build loyal audiences and create meaningful impact.   Quotes: "The overarching lesson that I learned from Apple is that design truly matters. Apple is Apple because of its design. I would make the case that Apple has proven that enough people care about design so that you can be a successful company." "The lesson is that it is not how you get your job. It's what you do once you get the job. Once you get into the company, nobody gives a shit about your degree, about who you know. You either are delivering or you're not." "One of my philosophies is you should always say yes. If you say no, you stop right there. But if you say yes, at least you gain the optionality to see more and more." "I believe that a book is a work of art, and it is an end in itself. You don't write a book to get to another point. You should write a book only when you have something to say."   Episode Resources: Guy Kawasaki on LinkedIn Canva Website  Nick Hague on LinkedIn World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Apple Podcasts World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Spotify World's Greatest Business Thinkers on YouTube

What if the career you carefully planned at 20 looks nothing like the life you're living at 50, and yet, that's actually a good thing?  In this episode of World's Greatest Business Thinkers, host Nick Hague sits down with bestselling author Daniel Pink to unpack why curiosity beats certainty, and why rigid career plans often fail us in a fast-changing world. Pink shares how autonomy, mastery, and purpose still define meaningful work in the AI age, and why paying attention to weak signals can reveal your next opportunity before it's obvious. They also delve into an unexpected topic: how regret, when handled with self-compassion, can become one of the most powerful tools for making better decisions. Whether you're facing a career pivot, leading a team, or rethinking past choices, this conversation offers practical insights for building a career that truly matters. What You Will Learn: Why excessive planning often backfires How to recognize weak signals before they become obvious trends The evolution of autonomy in work Two overlooked types of purpose that actually motivate How information asymmetry shaped selling, and why it's dead The three-step framework to transform regret into better decisions If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.   Daniel Pink Bio: Daniel Pink is a bestselling author and business thinker renowned for his expertise in motivation, decision-making, and the future of work. With a background spanning law, politics, and speechwriting, including a tenure as Chief Speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore, Daniel has spent decades studying why people do what they do and how organizations can unlock human potential. His groundbreaking books, including 'Free Agent Nation', 'Drive', 'To Sell Is Human', and 'The Power of Regret', have shaped how millions approach work, leadership, and life decisions.     Quotes: "I'm not 100% against planning, but I think there's a danger in planning too much because life is so unpredictable, we don't know what the world is gonna be like in five years or ten years, and we don't know what we're gonna be like either. If you'd told me when I was in university that I'd be sitting in a garage by myself writing books, I would have said that doesn't sound that fun, but that's what I ended up doing, and it is fun." "I've always had a decent amount of confidence, but it's a strange kind of confidence. I don't look around and say I'm so much better than all these people, nor do I say these people are all better than me. I look around and think, okay, these people are good, and I can hold my own with them. Working in politics taught me that when you walk through the Senate or House office buildings and see the people making policy for America, you realize I kinda belong here. "There wasn't any epiphany; I simply looked around and saw other people doing what I was doing, and nobody was talking about it. There were businesses popping up to serve these people, and new forms of engagement emerging. It's really a case of just looking around and being curious, extrapolating from your own experience because most people are like most people." "Don't take a fully remote job straight out of university, I don't think that's a good idea. Look for a place that gives you autonomy, maybe four days in the office and one day on your own, because proximity to people who can guide your career enhances mastery. We're moving to a world that's permanently hybrid, but the word 'hybrid' itself is becoming less relevant; it's just called work now."   Episode Resources: Daniel Pink on LinkedIn Daniel Pink Website  Nick Hague on LinkedIn World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Apple Podcasts World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Spotify World's Greatest Business Thinkers on YouTube

What if everything you thought about branding was missing the real asset underneath? What if the most powerful driver of growth in your business isn't your product, your pricing, or your marketing spend? In this episode of World's Greatest Business Thinkers, Nick Hague speaks with David Aaker, widely regarded as the father of modern branding, to unpack why brand equity and not awareness is the real strategic asset behind sustainable growth. David explains how the Five B's framework elevates branding from a cost centre to a core business discipline, why relevance beats visibility in crowded markets, and how leaders can resist short-term thinking while navigating AI-driven disruption. David makes his points with real-world examples from Uniqlo to Dove, to highlight how brand building creates a lasting competitive advantage. What You Will Learn: How to shift brand thinking from expense to asset The Five B's Framework for modern brand building Why brand relevance trumps brand awareness in today's crowded marketplace How to use cognitive anchors to cut through communication clutter The critical role of branding in disruptive innovation How to avoid the purpose-washing trap and build authentic brand energizers   If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.   David Aaker Bio David Aaker, called the "Father of Modern Branding" by Philip Kotler, is Vice Chairman at Prophet, a global growth consultancy, and one of the world's foremost authorities on brand strategy. A Professor Emeritus at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, he created foundational models, including the Aaker Brand Vision Model. Inducted into the American Marketing Association Hall of Fame, Aaker has authored 18 bestselling books translated into 18 languages and continues to advise, teach, and speak globally on building strong brands.   Quotes: "Everybody was trying to increase market share, and never mind how you did it, never mind how you damaged brands, but that's what you did. They destroyed brands. They achieved no growth, and they destroyed profits. So at the end of the eighties, people kind of were looking around the strategies, the top managers were saying, it's not working, and we need something else." "What I did was to add brand loyalty to the concept of brand equity, and that really changed everything because brand loyalty involves the whole customer journey. It involves all the R and D and so forth. It involves segmentation, and it involves all elements of business strategy. So that meant that there was now a seat at the executive table for marketing." "The first B is the fact that brands are equity. It's not something that is a communication task. You're building up an asset that you will use to leverage to build future growth. Brand relevance is a much more strategic concept because you no longer have to just be visible; you have to be visible in a certain context and be credible as well." "Virtually the only way to grow is with disruptive innovation. It's the most extreme form of differentiation, which we know has been a driver forever. Branding is absolutely essential for disruptive innovation to prosper and succeed, and it has four jobs to do. The first job is to position the new disruptive innovation and tell customers why they should go to this disruption instead of what they used to do."   Episode Resources: David Aaker on LinkedIn Prophet Website  Nick Hague on LinkedIn World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Apple Podcasts World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Spotify World's Greatest Business Thinkers on YouTube

What if a billion-dollar brand could be built not through hype, but through relentless craftsmanship and purpose-driven focus? In this episode of World's Greatest Business Thinkers, Nick Hague speaks with Will Butler-Adams, CEO of Brompton Bicycles, to unpack how a quirky folding bike became a global icon. Will reveals why engineering excellence beats marketing spend, how disciplined focus fuels sustainable growth, and why manufacturing in London is a strategic advantage, not a sentimental choice. The conversation explores balancing legacy with innovation, maintaining brand integrity under pressure, and treating profit as fuel rather than the finish line. It's a masterclass in building a mission-led brand that customers trust because the product earns it every day. What You Will Learn: How to recognize and seize opportunities that float past you Why obsessing over product quality builds brands more effectively than marketing  The counterintuitive advantage of staying lean and focused in growth How to balance legacy with innovation when inheriting a founder-led business Why manufacturing in the UK costs less than you'd think  The framework for aligning profitability with purpose without sacrificing either   If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.   Will Butler-Adams Bio Will Butler-Adams is CEO of Brompton Bicycles, the iconic London-based folding bike manufacturer renowned for its innovative engineering and commitment to sustainable urban mobility. With a background in chemical engineering and lean manufacturing, Butler-Adams has transformed Brompton from a niche operation of 30 people into a global brand producing over 1.2 million bikes, with 80% exported worldwide. Under his leadership, he has pioneered vertically integrated manufacturing in the UK, launched Brompton Electric in collaboration with Williams F1 Advanced Engineering, and positioned the company as a masterclass in purpose-driven business that balances profitability with social and environmental impact.   Quotes: "Opportunities float past us all the time. All of us. It doesn't matter who you are. It's whether you wanna get out there and grab them. And it might be prickly, and it might hurt, but you've gotta do something to make things happen. I thought, no, I'm actually going to contact him, and reorganise three months later to get a train all the way down to London, meet this random person who made these bikes I never heard of." "You only have to think about things you own. Forget the trendy YouTube videos or Instagram posts and forget the cool collaborations and all of that fluffy stuff, the stuff you really, really love. You love it because it works. It's bloody good. If it delivers value, if it makes your life better, if it lasts, if it does go wrong, somebody's there to look after you." "If you really obsess about what you're delivering to the customer and their experience for the entire life of the product, they will do your marketing for you. The average consumer's expectations are quite low because they've been burned so many times with overpromised, over-delivered rubbish. So when you're not shit, they're like, wow, these guys are good." "Our mission isn't to make bicycles. It's to create urban freedom for happier lives. That's our purpose. The bike just helps us get there. Our purpose is what we're here for. I'm not gonna get out of bed to make a shareholder rich. If we don't make a profit, we can't innovate, we can't grow, we can't communicate."   Episode Resources: Will Butler-Adams on LinkedIn Brompton Bicycle Website  Nick Hague on LinkedIn World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Apple Podcasts World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Spotify World's Greatest Business Thinkers on YouTube

Is modern marketing broken, and are you missing the fundamental frameworks that are relevant today? In this episode of World's Greatest Business Thinkers, host Nick Hague welcomes back Mark Ritson, founder of the Mini MBA, to unpack why marketing has regressed despite unprecedented access to data, tools, and talent. Mark breaks down the misconceptions and differences behind "strategies with long and short impact," why the 95/5 rule should guide budget allocation, and how most CMOs are dangerously undertrained. He exposes the pitfalls of discounting, the power of friction in brand positioning, and the realities of growth that many leaders overlook. Packed with frameworks, brutal truths, and practical direction, this conversation equips marketers to build sustainable, profitable brands in a noisy landscape. What You Will Learn: Why advertising effectiveness has declined 10% over three decades despite AI and data abundance The critical difference between "Long and Short impact" and what brands actually need  How the 95/5 Rule reshapes budget allocation The profitability vs. revenue trap that derails most businesses Why price discounting is almost always a losing move, and how to reframe pricing  How to build distinctiveness into brand positioning through productive friction  If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here. Mark Ritson Bio: Mark Ritson is a PhD marketer, celebrated professor, and founder of the Mini MBA. Over 25 years he taught at London Business School, MIT, Melbourne Business School, and Minnesota, earning multiple top-teaching awards. A former in-house consultant to LVMH, he has advised brands from Subaru to Sephora. His pricing research was cited during a Nobel Prize speech, and his prolific journalism has earned seven PPA Columnist of the Year awards. Now based in Tasmania, he focuses on the Mini MBA, writes for major publications, and continues skewering marketing nonsense with trademark wit. Quotes: "I think it's slightly worse than it was thirty years ago; we're certainly not improving. For all the talk of data and AI and everything else, when you see the occasional longitudinal data point, advertising is less effective than it used to be. We've slipped a little, not too much, but we certainly haven't made a lot of progress." "Retailers are selling the same stuff to the same people at the same time in the same place. Their obsession with price is because over the road, there's a competitor with 80% the same stock in the same places, going after the same customers. Price becomes this golden lever, and it's just something I never thought of before until I actually went in and started seeing it from the retail point of view." "All of the campaigns which are extraordinarily good at long-term brand building are also, with almost without exception, really good at immediately selling product. Long delivers short. You run a great TV campaign, it's gonna instantly start shifting product the next day as well as creating long-term changes in memory structures that might last for years." "There are 19 times more consumers outside the market than inside it. You want to spend 60-70% of your budget on the 95% so you're ready for when they come in later. The key lesson is it's usually too late to go after the 5% when they come into market, you need salience established beforehand." Episode Resources: Mark Ritson on LinkedIn MiniMBA Website  Nick Hague on LinkedIn World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Apple Podcasts World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Spotify World's Greatest Business Thinkers on YouTube

Conflict isn't the enemy; it's the path to stronger relationships.  In this episode of World's Greatest Business Thinkers, host Nick Hague sits down with Amy Gallo, Global Speaker, Author, and Contributing Editor at Harvard Business Review, to explore how to handle even the most difficult colleagues. Amy reveals the eight archetypes of toxic coworkers, why emotional regulation outperforms empathy, and how psychological safety fuels high-performing teams. Discover practical tools to navigate tension, transform workplace dynamics, and turn conflict into connection. Whether you manage teams or work within one, this conversation will reshape how you see disagreement and yourself. What You Will Learn: Why emotional regulation trumps empathy in conflict resolution The eight archetypes of difficult coworkers and how to neutralize each one How to maintain trust and collaboration in remote and hybrid environments Why 82% of new managers fail without formal training The psychological safety framework that distinguishes healthy cultures from toxic ones How to reframe difficult conversations as relationship investments, not relationship threats The practical tactic for managing passive-aggressive behavior without escalation  Why getting sleep before a difficult conversation matters more than resolving it How to identify if you're the difficult person in the conflict The strategic value of buying coffee for the colleague who irritates you  If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.   Amy Gallo Bio: Amy Gallo is an author, global speaker, and expert on workplace dynamics who helps professionals turn conflict into a force for good. She writes and speaks on communication, feedback, and gender dynamics, and is the author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People). A former co-host of HBR's award-winning Women at Work podcast, Amy has spoken at SXSW, the World Economic Forum, Google, Adobe, and more. Learn more at amyegallo.com. Quotes: "I really value the evidence and the research that shows what works and what doesn't. I also acknowledge that sometimes what works in research does not work in practice, in real life. But making that bridge is really what's important to me in everything I do." "Do I feel like I can speak up here? Do I feel like I can give feedback? For the most part, do you feel like you can speak up and say what's on your mind and offer new ideas and push back? To me, that's the most important thing when you're trying to determine the difference between a toxic culture and a healthy one." "I used to think the most important thing in dealing with conflict was empathy, but I've actually really come to believe it's emotional regulation. The more we can handle our own negative emotions and make good choices despite them, the more these conversations and relationships will grow stronger and the more resilient we will feel." "Promoting someone who doesn't have the skills to do the job and you're not gonna give them those skills creates a good amount of insecurity on their part. The research shows the exact opposite of what we assume—the more senior they get, the more insecure people feel. We are creating this gap, not just in skill, but also in confidence."   Episode Resources: Amy Gallo on LinkedIn Amy Gallo Website  Nick Hague on LinkedIn World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Apple Podcasts World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Spotify World's Greatest Business Thinkers on YouTube

What if innovation wasn't about having more resources, but about unleashing the creativity you already possess? In this episode of World's Greatest Business Thinkers, host Nick Hague sits down with Duncan Wardle, former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, to share actionable strategies for fostering innovation in any organization. From sending Buzz Lightyear to space to transforming slum lighting with water bottles, Duncan reveals practical tools, playful mindsets, and techniques like "Yes And" and "What If" to break conventional thinking. Leaders at any level will gain insights to unlock creativity, drive collaboration, and generate breakthrough ideas. What You Will Learn: How to overcome the "river of thinking" that limits creativity  The "Yes And" framework for building collaborative ideas instead of shutting them down with "No, Because" Encouraging playfulness and nurturing a creative thinking environment  The "What If" tool for breaking rules and generating breakthrough ideas How to use the "Stargazer" framework to select the most promising innovative ideas Why intuition and empathy will become increasingly valuable skills in an AI-dominated future The power of asking "Why" five times to uncover true consumer insights and innovation opportunities How to create effective innovation processes without massive resources or budgets If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.   Duncan Wardle Bio: Duncan Wardle is the former Head of Innovation & Creativity at Disney, where he led groundbreaking initiatives across Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Disney Parks. Today, he serves as an independent innovation consultant, helping organisations embed creativity and strategic innovation, and regularly contributes to Fast Company and Harvard Business Review. He teaches innovation masterclasses at Notre Dame, Stanford, and Yale, delivers inspirational keynotes worldwide, and runs workshops that combine creative ideation with actionable strategies, empowering teams to generate breakthrough ideas and measurable results.   Quotes: "Here's the problem - when you ask a room full of adults, 'hands up who's creative,' less than 3% of them put their hands up. I wanted to create a toolkit that had three principles: take the intimidation out of innovation and make it accessible to normal, hardworking, busy people, and make creativity tangible for people uncomfortable with ambiguity. Far more important, make it fun, give people tools they choose to use when you and I are not around." "When that door is shut, you're only working with your conscious brain. Do you know what percentage of your brain is conscious - 13% conscious, 87% subconscious. But when the door is shut, you don't have access to it." "Stop being scared. Stop chasing quarterly results - you could iterate up to 2020, but you don't get to iterate in the post-pandemic world, you innovate or you die. The challenge is this: innovation is hard, and nobody's made it tangible, easy, and fun." "Two very simple words from the world of improv that have the power to turn a small idea into a big one really quickly. You can always take a big idea and value engineer it down, but it's very hard to take a small one and turn it around the other way. Far more importantly, it transfers the power of my idea, which never goes anywhere inside an organization, to our idea and accelerates its opportunity to get done."   Episode Resources: Duncan Wardle on LinkedIn Ideate with Duncan Wardle Website  Nick Hague on LinkedIn World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Apple Podcasts World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Spotify World's Greatest Business Thinkers on YouTube

Short Summary: What if your company could change the world and deliver exceptional profits? In this episode of World's Greatest Business Thinkers, host Nick Hague speaks with Douglas Lamont, CEO of Tony's Chocolonely, about how purpose-led leadership can drive both impact and growth. Drawing from his journey leading Innocent Drinks and now Tony's global mission to end exploitation in the chocolate industry, Douglas reveals how transparency, ethical sourcing, and long-term thinking create lasting value. Listeners will learn practical strategies for scaling a mission-driven business, building an authentic culture, and proving that doing good and doing well truly go hand in hand. Long Summary: What if your company could change the world and deliver exceptional profits? In this episode of World's Greatest Business Thinkers, host Nick Hague speaks with Douglas Lamont, CEO of Tony's Chocolonely, about how purpose-led leadership can drive both impact and growth. Drawing from his journey leading Innocent Drinks and now Tony's global mission to end exploitation in the chocolate industry, Douglas reveals how transparency, ethical sourcing, and long-term thinking create lasting value. Listeners will learn practical strategies for scaling a mission-driven business, building an authentic culture, and proving that doing good and doing well truly go hand in hand. What You Will Learn: How to scale a mission-driven business without compromising core values The "Mission First" framework for making tough business decisions while maintaining ethical standards Why transparency in supply chain issues leads to faster industry-wide improvements How to build successful B2B partnerships that amplify social impact beyond the brand The data-driven approach to measuring and proving social impact Why investing in farmers and sustainable practices creates long-term resilience How to foster a mission-driven culture that attracts and retains top talent The Better Business Act principle for balancing profit, people, and planet If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here. Douglas Lamont Bio Douglas Lamont is the CEO of Tony's Chocolonely, leading the company's mission to eradicate exploitation in the cocoa industry while scaling a thriving global brand. Formerly CEO of Innocent Drinks, he helped grow the business to over €500 million in turnover. With a background in corporate finance and entrepreneurship, Lamont blends profit with purpose. As co-chair of the Better Business Act, he champions legislation that balances people, planet, and profit, making him a leading voice in purpose-driven, ethical business leadership. Quotes: "It was intoxicating. It was a melting pot of talented people inspired by the founder's vision of a different type of company with a vision about culture, sustainability, and winning. I always say Harvard's the second-best business school I went to because Innocent Drinks was the first." "In creativity and innovation, you've really gotta take away the fear of failure. When I look at some of the big companies, there's so much pressure - they put 20 million of marketing on day one, and it's gotta hit these thresholds otherwise it's a failure. At Tony's, what I try to do is create space where the bets you're taking aren't that big." "The job of a scale-up leadership team is to find the balance between how much structure and process you put in whilst continuing to allow the entrepreneurial gene to flow inside the business. You're not putting in process and structure because you like it or want control - you're doing it to allow you to keep moving at the same pace. If you don't do that, the old model breaks down really quickly." "I think it starts at the recruitment stage - you've gotta be really clear that people you hire care about your mission. You then have to show to those employees who care about what you're trying to do that you really mean it. Every presentation, my first slide every single time is our mission, our vision, and our values - that's the bedrock on which we built the company." Episode Resources: Douglas Lamont on LinkedIn Tony's Chocolonely Website Nick Hague on LinkedIn World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Apple Podcasts World's Greatest Business Thinkers on Spotify World's Greatest Business Thinkers on YouTube

The guys speak with Roman Josi about training camp, how Josi feels going into the year, Nick Hague, Brady Martin, and Juuse Saros. Listen to hear more. 

In hour two of the Chase and Big Joe Show, the guys speak with Roman Josi about training camp, how Josi feels going into the year, Nick Hague, Brady Martin, and Juuse Saros. The guys share their take on the Nashville Predators and discuss some of the needs for the team this year. The guys speak about Bill Bellicheck's off-field issues at North Carolina. 

In this episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine one of the most baffling underperformers of the 2024–25 season: the Nashville Predators.Coming off a year that began with high expectations after blockbuster free-agent signings, the Preds collapsed to a 30–44–8 record and were never competitive. Now, as they enter 2025–26 with virtually the same roster, hosts Neil and Vic ask the hard question: What exactly is Barry Trotz building?The team didn't win a playoff series since 2018, and despite shedding cap space and expectations, the front office made only marginal changes — none of which suggest a clear direction or uptick in performance. Is this just a mulligan for Trotz and Brunette? Or the beginning of a longer identity crisis?

Lt. Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers '11 joins us from orbit! SUMMARY From cadet to astronaut, she shares how the U.S. Air Force Academy prepared her for life aboard the International Space Station, the lessons space learned in the space program about leadership and how viewing Earth from 250 miles up re-shapes one's call to serve.   SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN  |  FACEBOOK   COL. AYERS' TOP 10 LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS  - Seeing Earth from space changes your perspective on leadership.  - The fragility of Earth inspires a desire to protect it.  - A lifelong dream of becoming an astronaut requires hard work and dedication.  - Teamwork at the Air Force Academy prepared me for life in space.  - Daily routines on the ISS are structured and focused on science and maintenance.  - Astronauts are normal humans, not just heroes in space.  - Quick thinking and calm leadership are crucial during space missions.  - Community support is vital for success in unconventional paths.  - Inspiring the next generation is a key part of my mission.  - Curiosity and exploration should be fostered in young people.   CHAPTERS 00:00 Journey to the Stars: Becoming an Astronaut 03:32 Life Aboard the ISS: Daily Routines and Responsibilities 07:23 Lessons in Leadership: Quick Thinking in Space 10:54 Observations from Above: Humanity and Resilience 12:10 Inspiring the Next Generation: A Sense of Purpose 13:17 The Long Blue Line: Community and Support     ABOUT NICHOLE BIO U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers is a trailblazing pilot, leader, and astronaut whose journey began at the United States Air Force Academy, where she graduated in 2011 with a degree in mathematics. An accomplished F-22 Raptor pilot, Ayers is one of the few women ever to fly the world's most advanced stealth fighter—and she's one of even fewer to command them in formation for combat training missions. Col. Ayers earned her wings through years of training and operational excellence, logging over 200 flight hours in combat and playing a critical role in advancing tactical aviation. Her exceptional performance led to her selection in 2021 by NASA as a member of Astronaut Group 23, an elite class of 10 chosen from among 12,000 applicants. As a NASA astronaut candidate, Col. Ayers completed intensive training at Johnson Space Center, which included spacewalk preparation, robotics, survival training, systems operations, and Russian language. Now qualified for spaceflight, she stands on the threshold of a new chapter that led her to the International Space Station. Throughout her career, Col. Ayers has exemplified the Academy's core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. Her journey from cadet to combat aviator to astronaut is a testament to resilience, determination, and a passion for pushing boundaries.   LEARN MORE ABOUT NICHOLE NASA Astronaut Nichole Ayers     ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS   TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS Guest, Lt. Col. Nichole "Vapor" Ayers '11  |  Host, Lt. Col. (ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99   NASA  00:00 Station, this is Houston. Are you ready for the event?   Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers  00:05 Houston, Station, I'm ready for the event.   NASA Air Force Academy, this is Mission Control, Houston. Please call Station for a voice check.   Naviere Walkewicz  00:13 Station, this is Lt. Col. Naviere Walkewicz. How do you hear me?   Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers  00:17 Hi, ma'am. I've got you loud and clear. Welcome to the International Space Station.   Naviere Walkewicz  00:20 Welcome to a special presentation of the US, Air Force Academy, Association and Foundation's, Long Blue Line Podcast Network. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of '99. I was honored recently to speak with a true pioneer, United States Air Force Academy graduate, accomplished fighter pilot, 2022 Young Alumni Excellence Award recipient and now NASA astronaut, Lieutenant Colonel Nicole “Vapor” Ayers, Class of 2011, Vapor joined us from the International Space Station orbiting about 250 miles above Earth. Her journey from Cadet to astronaut embodies the pursuit of excellence and the spirit of exploration that distinguishes the Long Blue Line. For this conversation Vapor and I explored what it means to be a human in the vastness of space, how one's perspective shifts when Earth shows up as a distant blue marble, and what her journey can tell us about courage, connection and the Future. Lieutenant Colonel Ayers, this is such an honor. So excited. Seeing Earth from space forever changes your perspective. How was the experience for you? And how has it changed the way you view your role as a leader?   Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers  01:32 Yeah, you know, I think for everybody, the experience is slightly different. For me, seeing the earth from the Dragon window for the first time was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. And then seeing the Earth every day from the cupola and then the lab window that we have here, you know, you don't see country or state lines on the Earth, right? There's not like each state has a different solid color, right? There's just geography and just terrain. And so you get to learn the world all over again in terms of colors and textures and geography and water. You know, there's so much water on this earth, and it's hard to put it into perspective until you're actually looking at the Earth, and it's, it's something that has really hit me, because the Earth is so fragile. You know, we see these beautiful auroras, we see thunderstorms, we see different natural disasters, and it's really kind of made me want to take better care of this earth. And you know, when I get home, I want to just do things a little bit better and just take that extra step, to take my make my part in taking good care of this earth.   Naviere Walkewicz  02:38 That makes amazing sense. And, you know, I think it takes us to kind of your path to becoming an astronaut. Can you walk us through what that was like?   Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers  02:47 Yeah, sure. So, you know, I was, I've been saying that I wanted to be an astronaut since I was little kid. And, you know, I always had an affinity for space and for the sky. And growing up in the Shuttle era, you know, as soon as I learned that you could fly the shuttle be the pilot. I was like, “Ooh, that's what I want to do.” And so, the very serious little Nichole set my goals really high and started working towards that path. And, you know, grew up right there in Colorado Springs, watched the Air Force Academy graduation, you know, and the Thunderbirds fly over every year. And it just kind of seemed like a natural path for me to go to the Air Force Academy, become a pilot and try to pursue the astronaut dream from the pilot's perspective. So you know, I worked really hard, set my goals really high, and never got bumped off that path and was able to apply and actually get selected. And now here I am talking to you from the International Space Station.   Naviere Walkewicz  03:36 And it's pretty incredible being able to see you weightless there, and you're here in its full glory. It's pretty amazing. Can you, talk about your time at the Air Force Academy? Specifically, what foundational experiences would you say have really kind of played a part with your life in space right now?   Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers  03:54 Yeah you know, I think the Air Force Academy, for me, the biggest part was just being on teams. You know, I played volleyball there. And, you know, I would say every Squadron is its own little team. And you know, as a four degree, you're there with all of your classmates, and you're going through training sessions together. And so being on these teams in different environments, and some austere environments and high pressure situations, and learning how to take care of other people in those moments, I think, has been huge in my path to getting here. You know, those, all those words speak truth here on the International Space Station, you know, we're in an austere environment. Sometimes we're under pressure situations, and it's just a few of us up here working together with the ground to make this International Space Station stay in orbit, to execute all of the science and the maintenance and keep it running and continue to learn everything we possibly can, both about space and about Earth in order to inform how we do life on Earth and how we get to the moon and Mars.   Naviere Walkewicz  04:47 Thank you. So maybe, can you share with us what your daily routine aboard the ISS is like...   Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers  04:53 Yeah, you know, it's not unlike yours. Potentially. You know, our schedule is pretty set to the ground team figures out about, you know, what science and what maintenance needs to be done, and who's going to go do it. We are scheduled from about 7:30 in the morning to 7:30 in the evening, and we get, you know, two to two and a half hours of exercise time so that we can maintain our bone and muscle and cardiovascular health up here. And then when we're not working out, we're, like, I said, executing science. You know, I'm surrounded just here in this module, every single rack has some sort of payload or science experiment going on, so we just kind of follow the schedule. We work with the ground team to figure out where the things are that we need, and the procedures and all of that. But it's not unlike life on Earth...   Naviere Walkewicz  05:37 Maybe a little bit different. What's the biggest misconception people have about life on the ISS, you think? And what's something that surprised you while you're being there?   Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers  05:48 Man, you know, I've been asked this question before. I'm not sure if I know the biggest misconception. You know, I think that often people kind of put astronauts up on a pedestal, but, you know, we're just humans who like to do, like the work that we do. We're really passionate about what we do. We're good teammates. So we're just normal humans, and it's not the most glamorous job, you know, we do, you know, often wear diapers, or we're working really hard, or things like that. So, you know, just normal humans up here. I think one of the things that surprised me the most, I'll see if I can do this without bumping the Astrobee off the wall here. But for me, it took my brain a while to, you know, get used to seeing people on the wall, or, you know, our treadmills on the wall, or seeing people upside down, and there's no up and down in space. And so it took a while for me to get used to that, and for my brain to kind of remap what I consider up, down, left and right in space. And you know that people are just floating, and we get a float every day, I can let go the mic and talk to you.   Naviere Walkewicz  06:46 So we have a lot of cadets and young officers that listen to us. What advice would you give them in the dream of following in your footsteps?   Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers  06:56 Yeah, that's a great question. You know, I love to preach hard work and teamwork. You know, find something that you really enjoy doing. You know, NASA needs, I studied math, right? I'm a pilot, but we need doctors. We need scientists, we need engineers. So figure out what you really enjoy doing, work really hard at that thing, and then go find a team you can be on, and figure out how to take care of other people, and figure out how, how you mesh in this world, and how you can and thrive in these small environments or austere environments with other people. So I love to just say, you know, work hard, be a good teammate, and everything will work out in your favor. I think.   Naviere Walkewicz  07:30 Can you share if you've received any valuable insights or advice from other Air Force Academy grads who were astronauts?   Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers  07:37 Oh, yeah, I think tons, is what I would say, you know, Eric Kjell, and specifically Nick and Roger, who just recently flew and came back, you know, I think that there's been a ton of advice just in terms of of how we do life here on the International Space Station and how, you know, we're going to continue to explore on the Moon and Mars, and how we can share our story, and how we can share all of the science that we're doing. But I think one of the most practical things that I got was from Nick during the handover, when we, we had a couple days up here together, and he said, “Don't forget, you're still squishy.” You know, we're surrounded by a bunch of metal up here. Nothing is very soft. And so if you, if you get moving too quick, or you get too confident, it's very easy to stub a toe or hit something. And so we're still just squishy humans. And you know, if you take that one step further metaphorically, I think, you know, we're still just humans, and we make mistakes, and that's okay, as long as you can bounce back, and as long as you're not going too fast when you hit a handrail too hard.   Naviere Walkewicz  08:31 Absolutely. Well, you talked a little bit about the austere environment. What do you hope your mission and your story inspiring the next generation of Academy grads, especially those who feel called to serve in bold and unconventional ways.   Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers  08:46 Yeah, you know, I think the bold and unconventional part really hits me, because, you know, growing up during the shuttle era, and then I was at the Air Force Academy when the last shuttle flight flew. And you know, as you grow up, you say you want to be an astronaut, people often say like, Wow, that's awesome. And then when you become an adult, sometimes you don't quite get the same response, you know, sometimes you get a laugh. And so, you know, I would say that even if people don't believe you, or they don't necessarily support what you want to do, if you've got a goal or a dream, just continue to, like I said, work hard at it, you know, put your nose to the grinder. Get really good at whatever it is that you want to go do, and don't let the naysayers get you. You know, there will always be someone there who thinks it's silly, but you will always find someone who supports you. My old commander, Robin, again, he was the one who supported me and got me here, and he said, “Are you silly?” Like, why would you ever think that's silly, or hesitate to tell me what you want to do? So, keep talking about your goals, keep working towards it. And yeah, like I said, maybe someday you could be up here with us.   Naviere Walkewicz  09:44 Absolutely bold and unconventional, for sure. And speaking of such space missions demand precision under pressure. Can you share a moment, whether in training or on the ISS where quick thinking and calm leadership made a difference for you?   Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers  09:57 Yeah, definitely. I think that I.... Actually, a great example is our space walk that Anne McClain and I did about a month and a half ago. You know, right in the middle of the space walk, the priorities changed and the game plan changed. And if you were just an onlooker watching, sitting at home watching, you may not have even noticed that. And I think that's a huge testament to our ground team and our flight director, Deanna Trujillo, for the day, you know, her ability to lead that ground team and change the game plan on the fly, and then get those words up to us through some calm loss and some other hardships that we were working through, and then for us, for Anna and I, to work together, both just the two of us out outside the space station and the vacuum of space, but also us with the ground to make that all look very seamless. We're very proud of how that space walk went, and our ability to kind of change the plan on the fly, execute, come up with new ways of doing things, and figuring out how we're going to leave the station in a good state, and also achieve all those objectives. So think that was we're actually really proud of the way that we, you know, manage all of those changes, and hopefully to the onlooker like yourself. It looks seamless.   Naviere Walkewicz  11:04 Absolutely and it kind of talks a little bit to what you said earlier about, you know, seeing Earth from a different vantage point and wanting to protect it. I'd like to actually ask you more about that. So can you share, from your vantage point what you've observed about humanity and the resilience as you, as you look on it, from us, from our perspective here on Earth, and you being up there,   Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers  11:24 Yeah, you know, I think that one of the biggest things that, you know, I mentioned the natural disasters that we see and, you know, and I feel a sense of duty to photograph and to try to document the things that just humans endure on a daily basis. You know, I talked about thunderstorms or landslides, forest fires, all sorts of things. You know, we see it from such a different vantage point up here. And, you know, knowing that there are people down there who are trying to survive, and knowing that those people will survive, and that we have an entire community that's going to rally around those people in those instances. And you know, just trying to do our part from up here and give, you know, that unique vantage point and give as much data and as much help as we possibly can. I think that's one of the biggest things that our world does well, is, you know, helping each other when we're in need.   Naviere Walkewicz  12:09 And Lieutenant Colonel Ayres, maybe you can share what's been the impact of this mission on your sense of purpose, and how do you think it will shape your next chapter when you come back on Earth?   Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers  12:22 This is a great question. I've done a lot of thinking about this, you know, you know, finally achieving your childhood dream. What's next? You know, what do you do next? And I think for me, the biggest thing that I want to continue to do is just inspire the next generation. You know, all those little kids who say they want to be astronauts, and then they get laughed at as adults. You know, I think that's it's so important to just foster that curiosity and foster that sense of exploration. And really, you know, encourage the next generation to go do what they're passionate about, because we will always need someone in that niche thing that you're passionate about. And so helping people get there is, is really what I want to do next. And, you know, helping the next youth get to their dreams and their goals and continue to just build this society that continues to explore and as you know, especially as we go to the moon and onto Mars and we commercialize low earth orbit, I think there's so much that we can do. And it's I feel, again, a sense of duty to help the next generation do that?   Naviere Walkewicz  13:21 Well, we talk about the next generation and the long blue line being enduring. Is there anything else you'd want to share with Air Force Academy grads in general?   Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers  13:30 Yeah, you know, I think it might be a dead horse that I'm beating at this point, but the teamwork is so important. You know, just, just take care of the people around you. Make sure that you're always looking out for each other. You know, the long blue line is a very special thing to be a part of. And, you know, like yourself, you know, I met you a couple years ago, and it feels like I could just go, you know, hang out with you, have dinner, and we could pick up like old friends. And that's what the long blue line is all about. You know, having friends all over the world who can help you. You know, I got to hang out with Nick Hague in space, another member of the long blue line who told me I was going to be squishy. You know, things like that are just the unique moments that we have as Academy grads. You know, there's always going to be someone there who supports you and who loves you and who wants to see you be successful,   Naviere Walkewicz  14:15 Wonderful. Thank you so much for this time. There's probably so many more questions we could ask you, but I think the biggest one is just, you know, we would leave you with it's such an honor and a privilege to see you out there. We're proud of everything that you're doing, and we can't wait to see more of what you're able to accomplish while you're in space and when you come back.   Lt. Col. Nichole Ayers  14:34 Thank you so much. Like I said, so excited to talk to you today and to just share the experience and also, you know, have a have an influence on the AOG. I'm excited that the AOG is interested in space and interested in all of us who are out here. You know, again, the Long Blue Line is a really cherished and unique group to be a part of. So honored and proud to be a part of that group, and excited that I got to share a little bit of what we do up here with you guys today.   Naviere Walkewicz  15:02 Thank you so much for the time. Naviere Walkewicz  Well, before I close, I'd like to share what happened after the podcast. My cell phone rang, and I had a call from government, and I said, “Who could be calling me?” Well, I answered, and wouldn't you know 250 miles above the Earth, Vapor Ayers was calling me on my cell phone just to say what an amazing conversation we had. What technology we have, that she sounded like she was next door. It was an incredible opportunity for us to talk a little bit more about the podcast and highlight what you might hear in an upcoming Checkpoints article. So for now, I'll sign off. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of '99. Thank you for listening. This has been a special presentation of the US, Air Force Academy, Association and Foundation's Long Blue Line Podcast Network. You can listen to this and all our podcast network programming at LongBlueLinePodcast.org once more, that's LongBlueLinePodcast.org   NASA  16:03 Station, this is Houston. ACR, thank you. That concludes our event.   KEYWORDS NASA, astronaut, International Space Station, Air Force Academy, leadership, resilience, teamwork, space exploration, inspiration, Earth       The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation      

(June 17,2025)NASA Astronaut and Space Force Guardian Col. Nick Hague joins Bill in studio to talk about his 6 month mission at the International Space Station. ABC News tech reporter Mike Dobuski joins the show for ‘Tech Tuesday.' Today, Mike talks about  the Trump phone plan.

Amy King hosts your Tuesday Wake Up Call. ABC News correspondent Jordana Miller opens the show live from Jerusalem to discuss Netanyahu telling ABC he's not ruling out taking out Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Amy speaks with author Richard Simon about his latest book ‘Unplug: How to Break Up with Your Phone and Reclaim Your Life.' Bloomberg's Courtney Donohoe updates us on the latest in business and Wall Street NASA Astronaut and Space Force Guardian Col. Nick Hague joins Amy in studio to talk about his 6 month mission at the International Space Station.

NASA Astronaut and Space Force Guardian Col. Nick Hague joins Amy in studio to talk about his 6 month mission at the International Space Station.

NASA Astronaut and Space Force Guardian Col. Nick Hague joins Bill in studio to talk about his 6 month mission at the International Space Station.

Space is rapidly becoming a critical domain for so much of 21st-century living. Banking, transport across the sea and land, agriculture, and dozens of other things we take for granted all depend on satellites, and tracking them to avoid collisions. Nick Hague is a NASA astronaut and the first U.S. Space Force Guardian to launch to the International Space Station in that role, and we invited him to talk to us about the Space Force, living on the ISS, his frightening abort on a Soyuz rocket in 2018, how the Space Force tracks orbital objects, and much more. He's a very accomplished guy who makes it all sound routine—and we suspect, for him, it is. Join us for this very special interview. Headlines European Space Agency Programs Threatened by NASA Budget Cuts: The European Space Agency (ESA) reveals three key missions are significantly threatened by proposed NASA budget reductions, requiring "dramatic recovery actions." Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover in Jeopardy: The ESA's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover faces its second major setback as its U.S. launch partner is no longer included in the current budget, leaving the rover without a ride. U.S. as an "Unreliable Partner": Rod and Tariq discuss concerns about the U.S. being perceived as an unreliable partner due to repeated withdrawals from international space partnerships. National Solar Observatory Funding Cuts: The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, the most powerful solar observatory, faces drastic funding cuts that could prevent effective science operations. First Look at the Sun's Poles by Solar Orbiter: Scientists using the ESA's Solar Orbiter have obtained the first direct images of the sun's poles to study its cycle, weather, and magnetic field. Geomagnetic Storm & Auroras: Tariq notes a coronal mass ejection is expected to buffet Earth on Saturday, potentially causing visible auroras during the podcast recording. Who Will Lead NASA? Potential Administrator Candidates: Politico Space's newsletter highlights potential candidates for the next NASA administrator, sparking discussion on the agency's future leadership. Main Topic Colonel Nick Hague: Colonel Nick Hague, Space Force Guardian and NASA astronaut, joins the show to discuss his background, path to NASA, and recent ISS experiences. Nick Hague's Path to Space & Service: Colonel Hague shares his journey from stargazing in Kansas to his interwoven military and space exploration career, starting with the Air Force, joining NASA in 2013, and transferring to the Space Force in 2021. Test Pilot Training School & Astronaut Capabilities: Colonel Hague explains how test pilot school develops critical skills highly applicable to astronaut duties and space operations despite not being a direct requirement. Readaptation After Space Flight: Colonel Hague describes adapting to Earth's gravity after six months in space, noting challenges in regaining balance and strengthening muscles, requiring months of physical therapy. Subconscious Mind & Gravity: He shares that after prolonged zero gravity, the subconscious mind still expects that objects will float, making everyday actions on Earth feel strange. First Space Force Guardian to Launch Full Mission: Colonel Hague discusses the personal honor of being the first Space These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/165 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Nick Hague

This week, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the alarming impact of budget cuts on international space missions and crucial solar observatories, share exciting new solar discoveries, and welcome special guest Colonel Nick Hague, the first Space Force Guardian to launch a full mission, for an in-depth conversation about his experiences as an astronaut, the Space Force's vital role, and what it takes to join their elite ranks. Headlines European Space Agency Programs Threatened by NASA Budget Cuts: The European Space Agency (ESA) reveals three key missions are significantly threatened by proposed NASA budget reductions, requiring "dramatic recovery actions." Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover in Jeopardy: The ESA's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover faces its second major setback as its U.S. launch partner is no longer included in the current budget, leaving the rover without a ride. U.S. as an "Unreliable Partner": Rod and Tariq discuss concerns about the U.S. being perceived as an unreliable partner due to repeated withdrawals from international space partnerships. National Solar Observatory Funding Cuts: The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, the most powerful solar observatory, faces drastic funding cuts that could prevent effective science operations. First Look at the Sun's Poles by Solar Orbiter: Scientists using the ESA's Solar Orbiter have obtained the first direct images of the sun's poles to study its cycle, weather, and magnetic field. Geomagnetic Storm & Auroras: Tariq notes a coronal mass ejection is expected to buffet Earth on Saturday, potentially causing visible auroras during the podcast recording. Who Will Lead NASA? Potential Administrator Candidates: Politico Space's newsletter highlights potential candidates for the next NASA administrator, sparking discussion on the agency's future leadership. Main Topic Colonel Nick Hague: Colonel Nick Hague, Space Force Guardian and NASA astronaut, joins the show to discuss his background, path to NASA, and recent ISS experiences. Nick Hague's Path to Space & Service: Colonel Hague shares his journey from stargazing in Kansas to his interwoven military and space exploration career, starting with the Air Force, joining NASA in 2013, and transferring to the Space Force in 2021. Test Pilot Training School & Astronaut Capabilities: Colonel Hague explains how test pilot school develops critical skills highly applicable to astronaut duties and space operations despite not being a direct requirement. Readaptation After Space Flight: Colonel Hague describes adapting to Earth's gravity after six months in space, noting challenges in regaining balance and strengthening muscles, requiring months of physical therapy. Subconscious Mind & Gravity: He shares that after prolonged zero gravity, the subconscious mind still expects that objects will float, making everyday actions on Earth feel strange. First Space Force Guardian to Launch Full Mission: Colonel Hague discusses the personal honor of being the first Space Force Guardian to launch and complete an entire mission. Space Force's Critical Roles: Colonel Hague details vital Space Force functions, including maintaining GPS for financial systems and tracking over 50,000 objects in space to prevent collisions. Congestion in Low These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/165 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Nick Hague

This week, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the alarming impact of budget cuts on international space missions and crucial solar observatories, share exciting new solar discoveries, and welcome special guest Colonel Nick Hague, the first Space Force Guardian to launch a full mission, for an in-depth conversation about his experiences as an astronaut, the Space Force's vital role, and what it takes to join their elite ranks. Headlines European Space Agency Programs Threatened by NASA Budget Cuts: The European Space Agency (ESA) reveals three key missions are significantly threatened by proposed NASA budget reductions, requiring "dramatic recovery actions." Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover in Jeopardy: The ESA's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover faces its second major setback as its U.S. launch partner is no longer included in the current budget, leaving the rover without a ride. U.S. as an "Unreliable Partner": Rod and Tariq discuss concerns about the U.S. being perceived as an unreliable partner due to repeated withdrawals from international space partnerships. National Solar Observatory Funding Cuts: The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, the most powerful solar observatory, faces drastic funding cuts that could prevent effective science operations. First Look at the Sun's Poles by Solar Orbiter: Scientists using the ESA's Solar Orbiter have obtained the first direct images of the sun's poles to study its cycle, weather, and magnetic field. Geomagnetic Storm & Auroras: Tariq notes a coronal mass ejection is expected to buffet Earth on Saturday, potentially causing visible auroras during the podcast recording. Who Will Lead NASA? Potential Administrator Candidates: Politico Space's newsletter highlights potential candidates for the next NASA administrator, sparking discussion on the agency's future leadership. Main Topic Colonel Nick Hague: Colonel Nick Hague, Space Force Guardian and NASA astronaut, joins the show to discuss his background, path to NASA, and recent ISS experiences. Nick Hague's Path to Space & Service: Colonel Hague shares his journey from stargazing in Kansas to his interwoven military and space exploration career, starting with the Air Force, joining NASA in 2013, and transferring to the Space Force in 2021. Test Pilot Training School & Astronaut Capabilities: Colonel Hague explains how test pilot school develops critical skills highly applicable to astronaut duties and space operations despite not being a direct requirement. Readaptation After Space Flight: Colonel Hague describes adapting to Earth's gravity after six months in space, noting challenges in regaining balance and strengthening muscles, requiring months of physical therapy. Subconscious Mind & Gravity: He shares that after prolonged zero gravity, the subconscious mind still expects that objects will float, making everyday actions on Earth feel strange. First Space Force Guardian to Launch Full Mission: Colonel Hague discusses the personal honor of being the first Space Force Guardian to launch and complete an entire mission. Space Force's Critical Roles: Colonel Hague details vital Space Force functions, including maintaining GPS for financial systems and tracking over 50,000 objects in space to prevent collisions. Congestion in Low These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/165 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Nick Hague

Amy King hosts your Thursday Wake Up Call. ABC News White House correspondent Karen Travers starts the show talking about Trump pausing tariffs for 90 days for everyone except China. We ‘Get in Your Business' with Bloomberg's Courtney Donohoe discussing how the markets are reactions to the latest tariff news. The show closes with Amy talking with NASA astronaut and Space Force Guardian Col. Nick Hague in his first interview after returning from the 6 month  NASA SpaceX Crew-9 mission that returned astronauts Suni Williams and  Butch Wilmore.

Amy talks with NASA astronaut and Space Force Guardian Col. Nick Hague in his first interview after returning from the 6 month  NASA SpaceX Crew-9 mission that returned astronauts Suni Williams and  Butch Wilmore.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha SharmaToday is the 21st of March and here are the headlines.Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai was arrested by Chennai police on Monday morning, just before leading a protest against financial irregularities at TASMAC. Annamalai, who planned the demonstration outside TASMAC's headquarters in Egmore, was detained near his Akkarai residence while attempting to leave. Several senior BJP leaders, including Tamilisai Soundararajan, Vanathi Srinivasan, and Saraswathi, were also taken into custody at different locations across Chennai. The arrests came amid growing tensions over the state's liquor retailing practices.Intelligence leaders from the US, UK, New Zealand, and other nations met in New Delhi on Sunday to discuss security cooperation. The conference, hosted by India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, included Tulsi Gabbard (US), Jonathan Powell (UK), and Andrew Hampton (New Zealand), along with top intelligence officials from various countries. The meeting, organized by the National Security Council Secretariat, is part of the Raisina Dialogue, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi, with New Zealand's PM Christopher Luxon as the chief guest.The Cyberabad police in Telangana booked 25 people on Sunday, including Tollywood actors and social media influencers, for allegedly promoting illegal betting, gambling and casino apps, causing financial losses to the public. Among the 25 named in the FIR are actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Devarakonda, Manchu Lakshmi, Praneetha and Nidhi Agarwal. Named accused 1 and accused 2, Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj are alleged to have promoted Junglee Rummy through pop-up ads. Vijay Devarakonda is accused of promoting A23 Rummy, Manchu Lakshmi Yolo247, Praneetha Fairplay Live, and Nidhi Agarwal Jeet Win, all by way of pop-up ads, the police said.After spending nine months at the International Space Station, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov successfully return to Earth through Elon Musk's Space X Dragon capsule. Prime Minister Modi also welcomed back the NASA astronauts and lauded their grit and courage, calling their return a testament to the human spirit. PM Modi expressed pride in their perseverance and the dedication of those who ensured their safe return to Earth.Israel launched major airstrikes on Gaza early Tuesday, killing at least 326 Palestinians, including women and children, as reported by hospital officials. The airstrikes targeted Hamas positions, escalating tensions as ceasefire talks stalled. Israel's military vowed to continue its offensive against Hamas, accusing the group of rejecting multiple ceasefire proposals. Prime Minister Netanyahu's office stated that Israel would intensify its military response.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

(The Center Square) – The cost to bring home a pair of stranded astronauts that have spent most of a year in space aboard the International Space Station could be as much as $150 million. Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, along with Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, boarded a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and splashed down in the Gulf of America near the Big Bend region of Florida late Tuesday afternoon. Williams and Wilmore arrived on the Space Station on June 6 and had spent 286 days in space, stranded because of issues with the Boeing Dreamliner spacecraft, which later returned without them in September.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxxFull story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_c0d9606e-04c8-11f0-9fa1-cba34c98f87b.html

Crew-9 splashed down safely yesterday with NASA’s Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stranded astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams got an out-of-this-world greeting in space. On Sunday, March 16, the pair — who have been stranded in space for nine months — were surprised when Crew-9 commander Nick Hague greeted them wearing an alien costume as he docked with the SpaceX crew at the International Space Station. Now, if you have studied Bible prophecy for 5 minutes then you know exactly what you're looking at. That's the memo.“And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.” Revelation 12:3 (KJB)On this episode of the Prophecy News Podcast, the Bible talks in great detail about a flying Dragon in Outer Space, it talks in great detail about UFOs and aliens from outside of our solar system who come to Earth, in fact, the Bible has a lot to says about “wonders in heaven” in the time of the end. Our time. Don't get me wrong, I applaud Elon Musk sending up his SpaceX rocket to rescue the stranded astronauts, I think that's wonderful. He is doing what NASA in unable to do, and that's great. I mean that sincerely. But, come on, if reading how SpaceX – “X marks the spot” – is sending the Dragon to Outer Space where they greet their rescuees while wearing alien masks, if that doesn't raise any red flags for you then you've not been spending any time in your Bible. On this episode of the Prophecy News Podcast, we are going deep into the pages of your King James Bible to make some good, old-fashioned horse sense out of the headlines. The hour is later than you think, and you are living in the pages of Bible prophecy.

For NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, the long wait to return to Earth is almost over. They went to the International Space Station last June in a Boeing Starliner spacecraft. They were supposed to return a week later, but because of problems with the Starliner, they’ve stayed at the station for over 250 days. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Williams, Wilmore and crewmate Nick Hague. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, the long wait to return to Earth is almost over. They went to the International Space Station last June in a Boeing Starliner spacecraft. They were supposed to return a week later, but because of problems with the Starliner, they’ve stayed at the station for over 250 days. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Williams, Wilmore and crewmate Nick Hague. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The International Space Station, orbiting approximately 250 miles above Earth, is both a marvel of human creativity and engineering. Astronauts from around the world have called it home. Four Americans who do so currently are Expedition 72 Commander Suni Williams, and Flight Engineers Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Don Pettit. They joined The Excerpt to share what folks on the Earth should know about the science experiments they are conducting and the perspective gained from even just one lap around the planet. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amy King hosts your Thanksgiving Wake Up Call. On this special edition WUC, Amy revisits memorable interviews she is thankful for from 2024 including: Jody Cobb and her success story with the help from the Union Rescue Mission and NASA and Space Force Astronaut Col. Nick Hague. Amy closes the show talking with Owner of the Tallyrand Restaurant in Burbank Karen Ross about their Thanksgiving festivities.

Amy King re-cap: Speaking with expedition 72 flight engineer Nick Hague aboard the international space station this morning. Guest Dr. Jim Keany – Chief Medical Officer for Dignity St Mary Center in Long Beach talks E.coli/ listeria/ sleep apnea/ and Nationwide iv fluid shortage.

Jim Ryan joins the show to talk flying taxis that were just cleared for takeoff. Rich Demuro jumps on the show to talk apple's new ipad mini and the issues facing it. Amy is joined my austronaut Col. Nick Hague on the international space station live from space!

Amy is joined my austronaut Col. Nick Hague on the international space station live from space!

Amy King re-cap: Speaking with expedition 72 flight engineer Nick Hague aboard the international space station this morning.

Amy King hosts your Monday Wake Up Call. ABC News correspondent Jordana Miller joins the show live from Jerusalem to speak on the latest regarding the Israel/Hamas war: Israel strikes Hezbollah and Houthi targets. ABC News national reporter Jim Ryan talks about Hurricane Helene's damage and death toll. Amy and Traffic guru Nick relive their ‘Over the Edge' experience and the BIG drop. The show closes with Amy talking with Col. Nick Hague who will be on his way to space.  

NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov successfully arrive at the ISS, to bring home Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore.Plus, scientists at the University of Southampton are testing a new propulsion system which could allow far deeper space voyages, using metals collected and harvested from planets as fuel. Tech & Science Daily speak to lead scientist Dr Minkwan Kim.Also in this episode:Why do lizards blow bubbles underwater? with Dr Lindsey Swierk, lead researcher on the study. Watch here.London NFL 2024's Digital Athlete: we speak to Julie Souza, Global Head of Sports at Amazon Web Services'Weak' turtles washed up on UK shores released back into the sea by Royal Navy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On episode 354, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov of discuss their mission, personal life, and preparation ahead of their launch to the station. 

NASA has selected Intuitive Machines for a fourth Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative (CLPS) delivery award. Boeing's Starliner is set to depart the International Space Station no earlier than September 6. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov assigned to NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the ISS, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our weekly intelligence roundup, Signals and Space, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Elysia Segal from NASASpaceflight.com brings us the Space Traffic Report. Selected Reading NASA Awards Intuitive Machines Lunar South Pole Research Delivery Boeing's 1st crewed Starliner to return to Earth without astronauts on Sept. 6- Space NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 Changes Ahead of September Launch Jared Isaacman on X https://www.linkedin.com/posts/harry-o-hanley Valkyrie and Lonestar Data Holdings' AI Technology Is Taking One Giant Leap to the Moon, 55 Years After Apollo 11- Business Wire Verizon teams up with satellite service provider Skylo to launch direct-to-device messaging for customers Air Force Issues Draft RFP for $499M SSHINE Space Tech Development Contract - GovCon Wire NASA record holder can relate to astronauts stuck in space. He was, too- AP News NASA Discovers a Long-Sought Global Electric Field on Earth T-Minus Crew Survey We want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It'll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy talks with NASA Astronaut & Space Force Colonel Nick Hague sharing an update on their prep to launch to the International Space Station.

Amy King hosts your Thursday Wake Up Call. ABC News correspondent Steven Portnoy joins the show to discuss Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene officially filing her motion to oust Speaker Mike Johnson andthe Biden administration pausing weapons shipments to Israel. Amy talks about the kind of cars that are most likely to get tagged for speeding and a kitten found on a train now up for adoption. Amy takes us ‘Out and About' to the Butterfly Pavilion at the Natural History Museum and speaks with Lisa Gonzalez, the Program Manager of Living Invertebrates. The show closes with Space Force Guardian Col. Nick Hague.

Amy speaks with Space Force Guardian Col. Nick Hague about his upcoming launch to the International Space Station on NASA's Space X Crew-9 mission aboard the Dragon spacecraft along with his crewmates. 

U.S. Space Force Guardian Col. Nick Hague joins the show to talk about the next launch to the orbiting laboratory as he will be the pilot on NASA's Space X Crew-9 mission.

KAREN TRAVERS. AT THE WHITE HOUSE: “WE DON'T AGREE ON EVERYTHING”STEVE GREGORY COL. NICK HAGUE. SPACE FORCE GUARDIAN

Amy interviews Col. Nick Hague, who will be the first Space Force Guardian who will head to the International Space Station this summer.  

Welcome back to our discussion with the remarkable Nick Hague, who currently works as the Business Development Manager for Punters Finance. In this episode, Hague takes you on a thrilling roller coaster ride through the unpredictable terrain of his property development journey. Get ready for a journey defined by tenacity and determination, from overcoming a staggering $100,000 setback on one of his properties to navigating the tumultuous challenges of 2020—bushries, the relentless grip of COVID-19, and market uncertainties. Hague's remarkable ability to transform adversity into triumph is nothing short of extraordinary, and he unveils the secrets behind his unparalleled achievement. As he shares his incredible journey, Hague imparts insightful advice and knowledge that can benefit individuals, whether they;ve just entered the property world or have been a part of it for years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After dedicating the majority of his life to running a highly successful plumbing business, Nick Hague has set aside the toolbox and has recently shifted his sole focus to the thrilling and dynamic realm of property development. In this episode, Hague takes us on a thrilling journey through his property development endeavours, starting with a collaborative effort on their initial property venture with a tradesman friend. His trajectory has led him to ascend to the role of Business Development Manager at Punters Finance, illustrating how his journey serves as a testament to both experience and an unbridled passion for helping others, propelling him to new heights in his professional pursuits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2022-23 NHL season is around is upon us! Jeff and Elliotte discuss some players that were put on waivers (7:00) including Joey Daccord (7:15), Jordan Martinook (9:10), Nick Foligno (9:40) and Wayne Simmonds (10:10), Darryl Sutter extension in Calgary (14:20), Arizona claiming Juuso Valimaki (12:45), Jimmy Vesey signing with the Rangers (15:40), takeaways from Predators-Sharks (18:20), Nick Hague signing with Vegas (23:00) and the Oilers-Blues trade.The guys then preview the Eastern Conference with the help of a few players including Zach Werenski, Sebastian Aho, Cam Atkinson and many more --- they start in the Atlantic (30:00) and finish up in the Metropolitan (1:10:00).BOSTON (30:15), BUFFALO (35:00), DETROIT (39:40), FLORIDA (48:10), MONTREAL (40:50), OTTAWA (55:40), TAMPA BAY (58:30), TORONTO (1:03:00)CAROLINA (1:10:35), COLUMBUS (1:14:10), NEW JERSEY (1:20:30), ISLANDERS (1:23:30), RANGERS (1:26:30), PHILADELPHIA (1:30:30), PITTSBURGH (1:35:20), WASHINGTON (1:40:00)They also discuss the latest around Hockey Canada (00:01) and report the sexual abuse allegations against Ian Cole (5:40).Music Outro: THUS LOVE - Family ManListen to the full song hereThis podcast was produced and mixed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman.Audio Credits: 10 Tampa Bay, 105.9 The X, Arizona Sports and 98.7 FM.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Did you watch hockey this weekend? Jeff and Elliotte give some of their early takeaways from some of the games that took place this weekend around the NHL (1:20), discuss the Nick Hague (8:50) and Jakob Chychrun (11:25) situation, Mike Grier's comments regarding the season-opening visit to Prague (16:50), and what will see from players in their walkaway year (21:00) including McKenzie Weegar, Bo Horvat and David Pastrnak.They are also joined by the founder of RSG Hockey (a global hockey agency) and the new President of NRX Hockey, Allain Roy. Allain tells the guys why it was important for RSG to branch out and create this new division that would be dedicated to helping hockey players reach their greatest potential on and off the ice."NRX Hockey is bringing together agency, lifestyle and financial advisory services to empower hockey players to maximize their potential alongside global superstar athletes in other sports." - Allain RoyThe guys give a few thoughts on the 32 tour at the end of the podcast (1:03:30) and Elliotte tells us about his war against the rodents (23:55).Music Outro: City Park - RemedyListen to the full single hereThis podcast was produced and mixed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman. Editing support by Mike Rogerson.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.