Loading...

PODCAST

The Calm Cockpit Podcast

Join John Niehaus, a professional pilot and flight instructor and Gita Brown, a yoga educator and student pilot as they share how the latest tools in stress reduction, well-being, and high performance mental training can improve your abilities as aviators. Through this podcast they will show how understanding these techniques can create a mindset of excellence not just in flying, but flight training, proficiency, and aviation safety.

leisure aviation

All Episodes

54:08

The Yips: Returning to Flow Under Pressure

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/05/27

Season 2 Episode 11 In this episode we explore the phenomenon known as “the yips” — the sudden breakdown of a deeply mastered skill under pressure. Whether it shows up in the cockpit, on a stage, on the golf course, the yips are not simply a matter of nerves or lack of talent. We unpack how anxiety, perfectionism, and over-control can interfere with procedural memory, causing the thinking brain to disrupt movements and decisions that normally happen automatically. The conversation examines why

en

16:03

Monday Briefing: A Pilot’s Most Portable Tool

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/05/18

Season 2: Bonus EpisodeMonday Briefing 8 In this Monday Briefing, you’ll learn how your breath can become one of the most effective tools for improving focus, reducing stress, and staying calm under pressure in the cockpit. You’ll discover why slowing the breath can help regulate the nervous system, reduce tunnel vision, and improve decision making during high-stress moments. The episode also explores the connection between breathing patterns, anxiety, and mental clarity; including why breath

en

78:25

The Future of Flight Training: Modern Lessons from...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/05/13

Season 2 Episode 10 In this episode we sit down with Nate Ehlers of Backseat Pilot to explore how flight instruction is evolving for the next generation of aviators. From his own in-flight emergency that sparked the idea for Backseat Pilot, Nate shares how the company grew from cockpit reference tools into a full-scale resource for CFI candidates. We discuss why so many aspiring instructors waste valuable time reinventing lesson plans, and how structured systems can help candidates focus on what

en

10:10

Monday Briefing: Rise, Grind, and Get Uncomfortable

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/05/04

Season 2: Bonus EpisodeMonday Briefing 7 This episode breaks down what it actually takes to build a mindset that drives consistent performance—not just temporary motivation. Instead of chasing positivity, the focus is on developing mental control, disciplined execution, and a system that makes outperforming others inevitable. Get Comfortable in the Uncomfortable, and be your best!

en

54:57

Failure Isn’t Final: How to Comeback from a Setback

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/04/29

Season 2 Episode 9 In this episode we explore how pilots can navigate failure, recover faster, and build the kind of resilience that supports long-term success in aviation. We’ll discuss check ride failures, perfectionism, and the myth of the flawless aviator. You’ll hear why one setback is rarely career-ending, how many top pilots have failed along the way, and why those struggles often create stronger instructors and safer professionals. Failure is reframed not as a personal flaw, but as the

en

24:53

Monday Briefing: The 3 Drivers of Motivation That Get...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/04/20

Season 2: Bonus EpisodeMonday Briefing 6 In this Monday Brief, we explore how motivation really works, and why so many high performers still find themselves feeling stuck. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), developed by psychologists Ryan and Deci, the conversation breaks down the three essential drivers of human performance: autonomy (feeling in control of your choices), competence (feeling capable and effective), and relatedness (feeling connected to others). When these needs are

en

68:34

Say Again: Communication,CRM, and Cockpit Safety with...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/04/15

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

en

8:24

Monday Briefing: Career Conundrum

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/04/06

Season 2: Bonus EpisodeMorning 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

en

40:37

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

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/04/01

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

en

20:03

Monday Briefing: The Five Point Reset

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/03/23

Season 2: Bonus EpisodeMorning 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

en

71:58

The Career Multiplier: Liz Booker on Writing and...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/03/18

Season 2 Episode 6In 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

en

19:40

Monday Briefing: Hydration Strategies for Clear...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/03/09

Season 2: Bonus Episode Morning Briefing 3This 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

en

55:55

Under Pressure: Optimizing Performance in Recurrent...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/03/04

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

en

7:26

Monday Briefing: Sunlight, Gratitude, and the Flight...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/02/23

Season 2: Bonus Episode Morning Briefing 2Key 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

en

77:28

From Army Helicopter Pilot to Elite Trainer: Your...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/02/18

Season 2 Episode 4Flight 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

en

12:09

Monday Briefing: What the Winter Olympics Can Teach...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/02/09

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

en

14:34

Fly Steady: A Guided Nervous System Reset for...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/02/06

Bonus EpisodeOptimize Your High Performance & Neurological Resiliency Do you need to compensate for lost sleep? Or maybe improve your brain’s ability to learn and retain information? Yoga Nidra is a practical and trainable recovery tool; allowing you to find deep relaxation and rejuvenation without that napping “groggy” feel. Rest isn’t always passive relaxation, it can be intentional neurological training that creates “mental white space” in the middle of demanding schedules. This practice

en

58:58

Try Softer, Fly Sharper: Managing Recovery Debt in...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/02/04

Season 2 Episode 3 Aviation demands sustained focus, emotional regulation, and high-quality decision-making—yet many of us carry a quiet “recovery debt” from constant task-loading, long duty days, and a grind mindset that treats rest as optional. That's why we are dedicating a whole episode to the concept of mental whitespace. We break down how skipping real downtime degrades executive function, narrows cognitive bandwidth, and keeps stress hormones elevated—conditions that erode safety margins

en

24:53

Pilot Fitness Playbook: Daily Training, Nutrition,...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/01/28

Bonus Episode (Season 2)Whether you’re living out of a suitcase or looking to future-proof your health, this episode delivers clear, actionable guidance to help you stay strong, focused, and mission-ready. In this bonus episode airline pilot, mentor, and author Jeffrey “JJ” Madison shares how he successfully returned to the cockpit at age 60 after a 14-year hiatus—and the specific approach that made it possible. Drawing from decades of experience, JJ outlines practical strategies for maintaining

en

64:25

Train Like an Athlete: Accountability, Wellness, and...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2026/01/21

Season 2 Episode 2 In this episode we welcome our first repeat guest, Jeffrey “JJ” Madison. A Harvard-educated flight instructor, mentor, airline pilot, aviation advocate, and author, JJ has accomplished something few pilots ever do—returning to the airlines at age 60 after a 14-year hiatus. His story, and the discipline behind it, underscores that personal accountability for our lifestyle choices is not optional in aviation—it’s a safety imperative. JJ reframes flying as an athletic

en

76 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

こねくと

TBS RADIO

The Shop Beers Podcast

KASL Customs

The Dropshot

The Dropshot, LLC

ゆなのみたい！しりたい！ききたい！

Drummer ユナ