x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

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

63:01

Mental Toughness: What Pilots Can Learn from a Police...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/10/29

Episode 21In this episode, we sit down with Jim Schilling—a 20-year law enforcement officer, Operations Lieutenant in a Major Crimes Unit, and commercially certificated pilot preparing for his CFI checkride. Jim bridges two high-stress worlds: policing and aviation. Through his experience as a detective and peer support leader, he reveals powerful lessons about resilience, performance, and proactive mental wellness that every pilot can use. Jim shares how his department built a systemic model

en

14:37

Bonus: Training the Mind; A Guided Meditation for...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/10/16

Bonus EpisodeTake a moment to shut off autopilot and use this guided meditation to train your ability to choose your focus, steady your mind, and carry calm clarity into your day. This meditation is designed to train one of the pilot’s most essential skills—the ability to choose and sustain focus. The 20-minute practice leads you through five progressive phases: physical and mental preparation, setting a clear intention, controlled breathing with the 4-7-8 method, a core focus exercise centered on

en

69:59

From Reactive to Ready: How Meditation Rewires a...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/10/15

Episode 20 Episode Summary In this episode of The Calm Cockpit, discover how meditation is a proven performance enhancement tool for pilots. Meditation is not an escape from the cockpit—it’s preparation for it. By training the mind to focus, recover, and reset, pilots build the same kind of precision and resilience internally that they rely on externally every time they take the controls. This episode explores meditation as a critical, science-backed performance enhancement tool—extending far

en

66:46

I'm Secure, Are You Secure? Aviation Security, and...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/10/01

Episode 19When we think of aviation safety, we often picture pilots running through checklists, complex regulations, and layers of technical redundancy. While all of that is essential, it’s just the visible tip of the iceberg. The real foundation of safety lives in something much deeper—a hidden architecture of human factors, evolving threats, and mental resilience. In this episode we move beyond the checklist to explore five surprising truths reshaping how we understand aviation security and

en

55:23

Back to School: Success in Aviation Training:...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/09/17

Episode 18Aviation 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

en

78:03

Yikes: Lessons Learned When Smart Pilots Do Dumb...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/09/03

Episode 17What do ‘smart pilots’ and their mistakes teach us about mindset, mentorship, and resilience in the cockpit? Author and pilot Jeffrey “JJ” Madison joins us to share lessons learned, stories lived, and how humor–when intelligently used–can be an asset that improves safety across all levels of aviation. Jeffrey is a Harvard-educated flight instructor, mentor pilot, author and airline pilot. He is also the author of Yikes: 100 Smart Pilots and the Dumb Things They Did Yet Lived to Tell

en

01:01:18

The Burnout Briefing

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/08/20

Episode 16Burnout isn’t just about being tired—it’s a chronic state of stress that can affect even the most resilient high-achievers. This episode examines the realities of burnout: what it is, how to recognize it, and what recovery truly requires. Burnout often shows up as more than exhaustion. Symptoms can include brain fog, cynicism, chronic fatigue that doesn’t respond to rest, emotional flatness, feeling guilty for relaxing, reduced performance, irritability, and even unhealthy coping

en

01:35:16

The Resilient Aviator w/Dr. Adrienne Adler-Neal

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/08/06

Episode 15In this episode we team up with holistic psychiatrist Dr. Adrienne Adler-Neal to explore why mental health is not just a personal concern—it’s a professional imperative in aviation. We have an honest and refreshing conversation about the challenges regarding the long-standing stigmas around mental health in aviation, advocating for a culture of openness, compassion, and mutual support. Dr. Adler-Neal also shares eye-opening insights into neuroplasticity, revealing how pilots can actively

en

12:12

Bonus: Vision Practice for Relaxation and Rest

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/07/25

This episode features a restorative vision and body exercise, emphasizing techniques to alleviate head, neck, shoulder, and eye strain. These are perfect for the end of a long day or for a quick recharge during busy days. We’ll cover tips for proper posture and relaxation, then transition into slow, deliberate head movements that are coordinated with eye movements to promote muscular release and improved blood flow. You’ll learn a gentle massage technique for the eyes, designed to recharge the

en

09:12

Bonus: Dynamic Vision Training for Depth Perception...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/07/25

These simple exercises are designed to improve depth perception and peripheral vision, which can be beneficial for tasks like spotting traffic or landing in challenging conditions. The exercise involves focusing on five progressively distant points; first with sharp, "eagle-eye" focus to discern details, and then with a soft, receptive gaze while introducing peripheral distractions (like waving hands) to stimulate the visual cortex. This practice, which can be performed sitting, standing, or even

en

18:23

Bonus: Daily Dose Exercises for Eye Health

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/07/24

In this episode, you’ll discover simple but powerful eye exercises and self-care techniques designed to boost your visual health and ease eye strain. We start with a focus on good posture and relaxation—because how you sit and breathe really does make a difference. From there, you'll be gently guided through several massage techniques for the eye area that promote blood flow and soothe your tired muscles. From everyday eyestrain to tension headaches, these simple practices make a big

en

10:52

Bonus: Vision Training for Acuity in Seeing Near,...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/07/24

This episode features a set of eye exercises that do more than just support your vision—they also help sharpen your mental focus. You’ll be guided through three different ways of seeing: a neutral gaze, a laser-sharp “eagle eye” focus, and a soft, open gaze that invites awareness from your entire visual field. These techniques are paired with a simple thumb exercise that shifts your focus between near and far points—helping train the eyes’ accommodative abilities. Along the way, we talk about how

en

01:25:30

The Trained Eye: Elevating Pilot Performance Through...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/07/23

Episode 14 This episode features both the science and practice of improving one of the most vital—yet often overlooked—tools in a pilot’s toolkit: vision. But this conversation goes far beyond just our eyesight. You’ll learn how the visual system connects to the brain and impacts everything from sleep cycles and mood to stress management and even pain perception. We’ll explore how eye health plays a direct role for in-flight performance, and the science behind how we see, process, and respond to

en

01:11:05

The Healthy Pilot: Nutrition, Exercise, and Cognitive...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/07/09

Episode 15In this episode of The Calm Cockpit, we’re joined by Lashae Bacon; former U.S. Army pilot, certified personal trainer, and founder of Mile High Health Club, a wellness company designed specifically for pilots. Lashae shares powerful insights into how fitness, nutrition, and sleep work together to support peak performance, long-term health, and flight safety. We dive into the unique challenges pilots face—irregular schedules, long hours sitting, and environmental stressors—and how small,

en

01:08:22

Tuning the Mind: Music’s Role in Improving Pilot...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/06/25

Episode 14 In this episode, we explore the powerful role that hearing and music play in an aviator's performance and well-being. From protecting your hearing to sharpening your listening skills for critical ATC communications, you’ll discover practical tools and protocols you can start using today.Learn how music—and even silence—can help you sharpen focus, steady the nervous system, and bring balance to both your flying career and home life. We’ll also explore how sound impacts your brain and

en

01:09:48

From Struggles to the Sky: Nick Smith’s Journey & the...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/06/11

Episode 13In this episode of The Calm Cockpit, we sit down with Nick Smith, founder of Part Time Pilot Ground School, to hear how his bumpy ride through flight training became the spark for building one of the most accessible online ground schools out there. Nick shares the highs, lows, and honest moments of his aviation journey—and how those experiences now help student pilots save time, money, and a whole lot of stress. We also dive into practical advice for navigating training with confidence;

en

01:07:42

A Green Shirt, Piles of Rocks, and Electric...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/05/28

Episode 12This episode explores the world of wellness “hacks” — the quick fixes, trending products, and biohacking promises often marketed as shortcuts to better health and reduced stress. Drawing on our unique expertise, we’ll critically examine which practices are truly effective, which are overhyped, and which may be doing more harm than good. John--ever in search of an advantage--prompts Gita, a yoga and meditation educator, to evaluate various trends like ashwagandha, adaptogens, grounding

en

14:23

Bonus Episode: Exhale Your Stress Breathing Exercise

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/05/15

Episode 11 In this special bonus episode, we’re joined by Sarah Gilbert, a Licensed Yoga for All Abilities Practitioner. Sarah guides us through a gentle, accessible breathing practice designed to sharpen focus, reduce stress, and ease anxiety.This simple yet powerful tool is most effective when practiced daily. Be sure to find a quiet, safe space before you begin—this practice is not intended for use while driving or operating heavy machinery. Take a few moments to settle in, and enjoy this

en

01:02:33

***Corrected***Quiet the Noise: Breathing Through...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/05/14

Episode 10 (This version is corrected from the original and now includes the breathing exercise within the episode) In this episode of the Calm Cockpit podcast, we sit down with Sarah Gilbert, a licensed Yoga for All Abilities® practitioner and experienced yoga teacher, who opens up about her personal journey of overcoming severe anxiety. We explore how pilots can recognize early signs of anxiety before it impacts performance, discuss when and how to seek community support, and learn a simple,

en

01:03:21

Fit to Fly: The Critical Role of Exercise for Pilot...

The Calm Cockpit Podcast ·

2025/04/30

Episode 11 In this episode, we examine the essential connection between physical fitness, cognitive performance, and long-term health for pilots. We’ll discuss the common barriers to maintaining an exercise routine, such as time constraints and motivational challenges, and present evidence-based solutions tailored to the unique demands of a pilot’s career.Key topics include the importance of incorporating brief and regular movement for metabolic health, the benefits of mind-body practices for

en

30 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

詭哭郎嚎

郎祖筠 & FMTaiwan製作團隊

Ron en Erik Podcast

Ron en Erik

Poor Man"s Pinball Podcast

Poor Men Ian and Drew

WeAreChange on Odysee

WeAreChange