The Calm Cockpit Podcast

Season 2

Briefing 18

Zone 2 cardio is everywhere right now—but is it actually worth the hype? In this Monday Briefing, we look at cardio through a different lens: not just for heart health or longevity, but as a practical tool for stress relief, mood support, and mental performance. Drawing on research from Johns Hopkins, a peer-reviewed study on aerobic exercise and mood, and Andrew Huberman’s explanation of Zone 2 training, this episode explores why even a small, realistic dose of steady movement may help you feel more energized, regulated, and ready to handle the demands of flying—and life. You’ll come away with a simple way to think about cardio as a mental-performance tool, plus a few low-pressure ideas for adding more movement to your week without turning it into one more thing you have to “get right.”

Links:

The effects of a single aerobic exercise session on mood and neural emotional reactivity in depressed and healthy young adults: A late positive potential study

Season 2 Episode 20

Aviation careers rarely follow a straight line. In this episode, corporate pilot and flight instructor John Niehaus shares the unexpected turns in his own aviation journey—from graduating into the 2008 financial crisis and building hours as a CFI, to flying for the airlines, charter operations, and ultimately corporate aviation. Along the way, he learned that adaptability, relationships, and a willingness to say “yes” to unexpected opportunities can matter just as much as having a carefully mapped-out career plan.

You’ll learn how to think about short-term sacrifice versus long-term sustainability, why quality of life belongs in your “compensation package,” and how to build an aviation career that fits your actual life—not someone else’s definition of success. John also shares lessons on mentorship, networking, leaving jobs without burning bridges, and staying open when the path ahead looks nothing like the one you originally planned.

Season 2

Monday Briefing 17

In today's busy world, it is easy to forget that one of our daily tasks, is to allow for rest and play. We get caught up in all the things we need to accomplish, and then proceed to lather, rinse, repeat. So consider this your permission to reward yourself with some time off, and we think you will find, your skills, your brain, and your nervous system will thank you.

Season 2

Bonus Episode

Take a few minutes to pause, breathe, and reset with this guided meditation from Avi Gordon, originally featured in Season 2, Episode 19 

Whether you’re preparing to fly, coming down after a demanding day, or simply need a moment to reconnect, this short practice offers a chance to step out of the mental noise and return to the present moment.

Links:

Avi Gordon Wellness: guided meditations, courses, and coaching 

Season 2 Episode 19 (corrected issue after 45 min)

What if meditation could function like a simulator for the mind? Meditation teacher, coach, and author Avi Gordon joins us to explore how a simple meditation practice can help pilots train attention, recover from mistakes, regulate emotions, and respond more skillfully when things don’t go according to plan.

From bounced landings and checkride pressure to perfectionism, breathing techniques, and the power of a five-minute daily practice, you’ll learn practical ways to recognize when your mind has wandered, interrupt unhelpful mental spirals, reset after a mistake, and bring greater focus and self-awareness into the cockpit.

Avi is a coach, meditation teacher, author, and professional interviewer who has spent decades exploring awareness and presence. His background spans international and special education across four countries, and he previously served as Director of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association and host of the Integral Yoga Podcast.

Today, his coaching and teaching combine meditation, self-inquiry, and thoughtful conversation to help people bridge practical achievement with inner well-being—not as an escape from reality, but as a way of meeting reality more skillfully.

Links:

Avi Gordon Wellness: Personal coaching, meditation courses, and library of guided meditation practices for enhanced well-being, confidence, relationships, forgiveness, healthy eating and a wide variety of goals. 

Season 2

Bonus Episode

Monday Briefing 16

The first days of a new season or school year come with energy and pep. But eventually the enthusiasm wanes, the days blur together, and even another trip around the pattern can start to feel like a grind. This Monday Briefing explores a little side hustle of performance training: intentional things we can listen to that help break up the log jam when we feel stuck, re-energize our brains, and keep us moving toward our performance goals.

You’ll discover three unexpected must-listens for pilots this fall — neuroscience and performance strategies, humor and storytelling, and music for cognitive cross-training — plus one powerful recommendation that involves listening to absolutely nothing!

Links:

Cabin Pressure : John Finnemore’s BBC radio comedy about MJN Air.

Blue Rondo à la Turk : Dave Brubeck Quartet, from Time Out

Calm Cockpit Website: Submit feedback here! 

Season 2 Episode 18 (sort of)

As a new school year gets underway, we’re bringing back this conversation about succeeding in aviation training without losing sight of why you started flying. Whether you’re heading back to the classroom, flight school, or pursuing your next rating, these reminders about mindset, pressure, resilience, and finding joy still apply. It originally aired during Season 1 in September 2025 and has been one of our most popular episodes. Enjoy! 

Show Notes: 

Aviation training is more than earning ratings—it’s a marathon of growth, resilience, and professionalism.This episode explores the mental framing, strategies, and support systems that help aviation students thrive, with special focus on our college aviators.

The discussion covers the unique “pressure cooker” environment of aviation training, from the high stakes of performance and peer influence to managing expectations and reframing failure. The conversation highlights the importance of self-awareness, building a strong support network, and embracing mentorship. Practical strategies for self-care, professionalism, and decision-making are shared—reminders that today’s choices shape the career opportunities of tomorrow.

We’ll discuss how students can broaden their horizons beyond airline careers, noting the vast opportunities in corporate and other aviation sectors. Above all, we’ll remind students–and ourselves–about the importance of joy: amidst the stress and challenges, the ultimate goal is to have fun and find fulfillment in flying.

This episode is a must-listen for student pilots, aviation program participants, and anyone pursuing further ratings who wants actionable tools for success—without losing sight of why they started flying in the first place.

Is Collegiate Flight for You? 

Episode of the More Right Rudder Podcast with Kyle Jehnzen, collegiate faculty instructor at Western Michigan University. We talk about the differences between collegiate 141 and other types of flight schools and what might make that route the right thing for a perspective pilot. We also chat about the benefits of working for a college as a flight instructor and what led Kyle to a career as a academic instructor in aviation and how to follow in his footsteps if you feel it might be right for you.

Season 2

Bonus Episode

Monday Briefing 15

As we enter into fall, we start to see a season of change. School starts again, jobs change, people move in and out of our lives. I urge you to take a second, and a breath, and realize that change can be for the good. No matter if it is purposeful, or through circumstance, change can be hard, but it can make you into the next great version of yourself.

Season 2 Episode 17

What happens when a student pilot stops accepting “that’s just the way it is” and starts looking for better solutions? In this episode, you’ll learn how entrepreneur and private pilot DeRonte Craig used his marketing expertise to creatively overcome the financial barriers of flight training, earning his private pilot certificate in just three months.

He shares why flying 5–6 days a week accelerated his learning, how “showing up” created an unexpected opportunity, and what aviation can learn from entrepreneurship about solving problems differently.

At its core, this is a conversation about preparing not just to know the answer, but to retrieve and communicate it when the pressure is on.

About DeRonte Craig: DeRonte is a private pilot, entrepreneur, educator, mentor, and international speaker. He earned his degree from Bowie State University and studied Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UC Irvine. He is the founder of Nine27 and the creator of Check Ride Coach, and he is the author of Life Lessons from the Left Seat: A Student Pilot’s Guide to Flying and Living Better.

DeRonte Craig: DeRonte Craig's website

Life Lessons from the Left Seat: DeRonte's free pilot guide

Season 2

Bonus Episode

Monday Briefing 14

In this Monday Briefing, you’ll discover three books that offer practical insights into managing self-interference, handling pressure and resistance, sharpening attention, and staying present in the cockpit.

The War of Art  by Steven Pressfield

Three books. Three lessons for pilots: get out of your own way, face the resistance, and come back to the present moment.

Links:

The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance by W. Timothy Gallwey 

“A Zen classic” (The Washington Post) about achieving the state of “relaxed concentration” that’s not only the key to peak performance in tennis but the secret to success in life itself—now in a 50th anniversary edition with an updated epilogue and a foreword by NFL coach Pete Carroll

A succinct, engaging, and practical guide for succeeding in any creative sphere, The War ofArt is nothing less than Sun-Tzu for the soul. What keeps so many of us from doing what we long to do? Why is there a naysayer within? How can we avoid the roadblocks of any creative endeavor—be it starting up a dream business venture, writing a novel, or painting a masterpiece?

Bestselling novelist Steven Pressfield identifies the enemy that every one of us must face, outlines a battle plan to conquer this internal foe, then pinpoints just how to achieve the greatest success. The War of Art emphasizes the resolve needed to recognize and overcome the obstacles of ambition and then effectively shows how to reach the highest level of creative discipline.

Think of it as tough love . . . for yourself.

Developed during a summer retreat at Plum Village, Thich Nhat Hanh's meditation center, these charming short verses were collected to help children and adults practice mindfulness throughout the day. The verses, or gathas, are designed to make everyday activities such as washing the dishes, driving the car, or turning on the television opportunities to return to a state of mindfulness. As exercises in both meditation and poetry, gathas are very much in keeping with the Zen tradition: the gatha helps readers become attuned to each action, and at its conclusion, even the most mundane activity is imbued with heightened awareness. Reciting these poetic yet practical verses helps readers slow down and savor every moment. Nhat Hanh’s warm, thoughtful commentary provides insight and inspiration.