The Calm Cockpit Podcast

Say Again: Communication,CRM, and Cockpit Safety with Brian Schiff

Season 2 Episode 8
 
In this episode we sit down with Brian Schiff to break down what Crew Resource Management (CRM) really looks like in practice—and why it matters for every pilot. From the cockpit of a student pilot to a major airline flight deck, CRM is about using all available resources—people, tools, procedures, and mindset—to operate safely and effectively.
Brian shares a powerful guiding principle about how to pace a flight for optimum safety, how communication failures often come from assumptions, and why a message isn’t complete until it’s clearly read back and confirmed. We’ll also explore practical strategies for managing task saturation, buying time when things feel rushed, and staying mentally ahead of the airplane.
You’ll hear actionable techniques like using plain English when needed, requesting delay or vectors without hesitation, and recognizing your stress level before it impacts performance. Whether flying solo or with a crew, this episode reinforces the importance of clear briefings, assertiveness, and taking full ownership as pilot in command.
 
About Brian SchiffBrian Schiff is a seasoned captain for a major US airline with over 21,000 hours of flight time and experience in more than 100 aircraft types. A 40-year Gold Seal flight instructor and FAA Safety Team Representative, he has also served as an FAA-designated examiner. Brian is widely respected in the aviation community for his engaging, practical approach to teaching and his commitment to advancing aviation safety for pilots at every level.
 
Links:
The Schiff Show TV: a live aviation safety program by Brian Schiff that breaks down real-world accidents into practical lessons for pilots. It blends case studies, procedures, and interactive elements to improve decision-making and promote safer flying. Games, prizes, and FAA WINGS credit available, as well!
Brian Schiff's Website, Captain Schiff.com: all of his writing, many podcasts, shows, and tons of resources applicable to all pilots
 
"Final Approach to Tragedy: Checklist and Discipline Gone Wrong": Schiff Show episode featuring John Niehaus

Monday Briefing: Career Conundrum

Season 2: Bonus Episode
Morning Briefing 5
 
In this Monday Briefing, John talks about his observations representing his company at a career fair talking to pilots in training about the amazing career they have ahead of them. So many times we are asked to pick a lane in aviation and stick with it, which seems to drive anxiety higher during a time where students have enough to worry about already. Goals and visions can change, remember it's ok to pick something, and it's also ok to then pick something different later. Finding a path that makes you happy, makes you a safer pilot!

If a(I) can do it....

Season 2 Episode 7
 
The origin story of all things April 1 and the classic shenanigans that occur on this prank-ish day. 

Monday Briefing: The Five Point Reset

Season 2: Bonus Episode
Morning Briefing 4
In this Monday Briefing we explore how something as simple—and often overlooked—as posture can directly influence pilot performance, energy, and mental clarity. Poor alignment creates unnecessary tension that inhibits breathing, circulation, and neurological signaling, while the body’s natural state of alignment supports focus, mood regulation, and efficient movement. 
 
The Five-Point Reset offers a quick, practical way to return to that state by bringing awareness to the feet, hips, spine, shoulders, and head—releasing tension instead of forcing rigidity—so the body can function as it was designed. This short, repeatable reset fits seamlessly into a pilot’s day, whether in the cockpit or between tasks, and with consistent use becomes a reliable tool for managing stress, sharpening attention, and maintaining steady, high-level performance when it matters most.
 
Links:
Calm Cockpit Podcast Website
Literary Aviatrix: Liz Booker

The Career Multiplier: Liz Booker on Writing and Aviation Leadership

Season 2 Episode 6
 
In this episode we explore the powerful intersection of literacy, storytelling, and resilience in aviation through the insights of Liz Booker, a retired U.S. Coast Guard commander, helicopter pilot, and diplomat whose career demonstrates that writing is far more than a secondary skill—it is a true force multiplier. In a profession that often emphasizes technical precision, the ability to communicate clearly and think deeply becomes a defining edge, opening doors to leadership opportunities, strengthening decision-making, and shaping the broader aviation conversation. Writing sharpens thought, and sharp thinking translates directly to calm, confident communication in high-stakes environments, making it an essential tool for pilots who want to elevate both their performance and their influence.
Beyond professional advancement, this conversation highlights how writing and long-form reading create the “mental white space” pilots need to process stress, manage complexity, and build lasting resilience in a high-demand environment. From journaling as a way to offload mental pressure and reduce cognitive looping, to storytelling as a means of sharing real, unfiltered experiences, these practices foster clarity, emotional regulation, and stronger community connection. Just as importantly, the episode underscores the role of diverse aviation stories in shaping the future of the industry—because seeing someone who looks like you succeed makes the path forward feel possible. The takeaway is simple but profound: developing literacy is not separate from becoming a better pilot—it is a direct pathway to safer flights, stronger leadership, and a more grounded, resilient cockpit.
 
Links:
Literary Aviatrix-Liz Booker's amazing website
 
Air Facts Journal : share your story!
 

Monday Briefing: Hydration Strategies for Clear Thinking and Steady Energy

Season 2: Bonus Episode Morning Briefing 3
This episode explores why effective hydration is not simply about drinking more water but about understanding how fluids, electrolytes, glucose, and micronutrients work together to support cognitive clarity, emotional stability, and sustained energy in demanding environments like the cockpit. 
 
We’ll break down the physiology behind fluid absorption—including the sodium-glucose transport system in the small intestine that allows water to move rapidly into the bloodstream—and translate the science into practical strategies such as morning hydration with a small amount of salt and natural sugar, relying on nutrient-dense whole foods rather than high-sugar sports drinks, and using simple indicators and tracking to fine-tune your personal hydration strategy so that your body and mind remain steady, alert, and ready for high-performance decision making.
Links:
 
Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence - PMC
 
Electrolytes: Types, Purpose & Normal Levels
 
Subjective thirst moderates changes in speed of responding associated with water consumption
 
A drink of water can improve or impair mental performance depending on small differences in thirst
 
Effects of drinking supplementary water at school on cognitive performance in children
 
Effects of Changes in Water Intake on Mood of High and Low Drinkers
 
Paleovalley Essential Electrolytes
 
Literary Aviatrix-Liz Booker
 
LMNT | Zero Sugar Electrolytes | Paleo-Keto Friendly Hydration
Midlife Pilot Podcast
 

Under Pressure: Optimizing Performance in Recurrent Training

Season 2 Episode 5
 
Recurrent training isn’t a judgment of your identity as a pilot—it’s a sharpening of your craft.It can feel like a high-stakes verdict on your abilities but in this episode we reframe it for what it truly is; a training event. Whether you’re heading into a stage check in general aviation, a flight review, or a full professional recurrent training, it helps to remember that the goal isn’t perfection; it’s refinement. We'll explore the critical mindset shift from perfectionism to excellence. When pilots release the “death grip” and allow stress to become a performance enhancer rather than a threat, they access adaptability, clearer communication, and even enter into a flow state.
We break down the four pillars of optimized recurrent performance: mindset, psychological regulation, strategic preparation, and recovery rituals.
Instructors are watching your decision-making; they aren’t looking for flawless maneuvers, they want to see where your brain goes under pressure.
 
We discuss practical study strategies that prevent burnout, including paced preparation, personalized memory tools, and identifying your unique knowledge gaps well in advance. Most importantly, we examine how over-control diminishes performance—and how surrendering to the training process paradoxically gives you more command.
Finally, we address what happens after the training event. Sustainable performance requires intentional recovery: cognitive closure at the end of each day, physical release to metabolize stress, and realistic expectations that not every session will feel great. When approached with curiosity, humility, and strategy, it becomes one of the most powerful tools for flying smarter and stressing less.

Monday Briefing: Sunlight, Gratitude, and the Flight Ahead

Season 2: Bonus Episode Morning Briefing 2
 
Key Highlights:
 
• The "I Get To" Mindset: John reframes the challenges of being away from home and family. Instead of viewing the job as a burden, he encourages pilots to see their badge swipe as an entry into another day of adventure and responsibility.
 
• The 1% Perspective: A reminder that less than 1% of humanity has ever experienced flight. John urges aviators to look out the window during their next trip—no matter how routine—and reconnect with the "why" behind their journey.
 
• Physiological Prep for Night Flights: Drawing from his research on fatigue, John discusses the importance of natural sunlight absorption through the eyes and skin (safely) to awaken the brain and prepare for evening operations.
 
• Combatting Fatigue and SAD: For those stuck in offices or dark sim centers, John suggests using natural blue light devices (not your phone) for approximately 20 minutes to improve mood, retention, and confidence while reducing stress.
 
• Fueling the Brain: A quick look at John’s pre-flight nutrition, including a "Gita-approved" avocado smoothie and a protein-rich sandwich to engage the brain for the duty day ahead.
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Actionable Takeaways:
 
1. Seek the Sun: Before a night flight or a long shift, spend time in natural light to regulate your nervous system.
 
2. Blue Light Therapy: If natural sunlight isn't available, utilize a blue light source to help with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and general fatigue.
 
3. Practice Gratitude: Shift your internal dialogue from "I have to" to "I get to" to sustain long-term excellence.
 
Closing Thought "Taking care of yourself is not stepping back from excellence—it's how elite performers sustain it."

From Army Helicopter Pilot to Elite Trainer: Your Blueprint for Flight Crew Fitness with Lashae Bacon

Season 2 Episode 4
Flight crews operate in one of the most physiologically demanding environments out there: long sedentary stretches, high cognitive load, circadian disruption, and unpredictable schedules. In this episode, we break down how to move away from all-or-nothing fitness thinking and toward a flexible, data-informed strategy that actually works in aviation. 
We explore why modern exercise science favors strength training and progressive overload over steady-state cardio for building resiliency, cardiac efficiency, and long-term metabolic health—especially for aging aviators who need to preserve explosive strength for operational readiness. We also talk about the “learning phase” of training, how neurological adaptation builds muscle memory, and why consistency—not intensity—is the real game changer.
On the nutrition side, we frame fueling like flight planning: fat loss requires a calorie deficit, protein intake matters (0.7–1.2g per pound of body weight for active adults), and fiber is often the missing piece. We discuss evidence-based supplements like creatine, why collagen is frequently misunderstood, and how tools like wearables from Garmin, Apple, Oura Health, and WHOOP can reduce friction in tracking. 
 
Most importantly, we emphasize strategic flexibility: pre-planning workouts around your duty schedule, letting operational chaos dictate rest days, and remembering that your health routine must bend with aviation life—not break because of it.
 
Helpful Links:
Mile High Health Club: Your hub for all of Lashae's offerings: workouts, nutrition advice, flight crew health courses, membership information and more!

Monday Briefing: What the Winter Olympics Can Teach Pilots About Performance

Season 2: Bonus Episode 
New series from The Calm Cockpit designed to help you start off your week on a positive note!
High performance in aviation is evolving. In this Monday Briefing, we explore the growing recognition—seen clearly in this year's Winter Olympics—that peak performance and mental well-being are not opposing forces, but complementary systems. The old “rise and grind” mindset is giving way to a model of sustainable excellence, where visualization, deliberate rest, and active recovery are treated as professional requirements, not indulgences. 
We examine lessons from Olympic figure skater Gracie Gold, whose public success masked significant private struggle. Her story highlights how high-pressure cultures can normalize unnecessary suffering—and why world-class performance systems are now changing from the inside out. The International Olympic Committee’s introduction of “Calm Zones,” recovery spaces, and neutral welfare officers offers a compelling blueprint for how high-stakes professions like aviation can better support mental performance without lowering standards.
The takeaway for aviators is clear: small, intentional choices matter. Prioritizing rest, nutrition, movement, and mental training helps prime the brain for better habits under stress—and allows less helpful patterns to fall away. These Monday Briefings are designed to be a steady nudge, a reset between flights or duty days, reminding you that taking care of yourself is not stepping back from excellence—it’s how elite performers sustain it. Have a great week, and fly safe.
 
Mentioned in the show:
Boston Globe Article on Grace Gold and Olympics Mental Health Initiatives
 
Outofshapeworthlessloser: A Memoir of Figure Skating, F*cking Up, and Figuring It Out 
by Gracie Gold