This week on So There I Was, we sit down with Dan from the Danger Close podcast—an active-duty ATC Tower Controller with a wealth of experience keeping the skies safe.

Dan takes us inside the tower, where every day is a mix of routine operations, high-pressure moments, and the occasional heart-stopping emergency. Ever wondered what really happens when pilots mess up on the radio? Or how controllers handle everything from student pilots to fast-moving military traffic? Dan shares the good, the bad, and the hilarious from behind the mic.

But that’s not all—Dan is also a Iraq War veteran with firsthand experience in high-stakes military operations. He talks about his time in service, the mindset required to make split-second decisions, and how those experiences shape the way he sees the world today.

It’s an episode packed with stories, insight, and the kind of no-BS perspective you can only get from someone who’s lived it. Don’t miss this one!