Episodes
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and partnered with Valor Plus.
Today's episode is a special collaboration with our friends from the Hangar Z Podcast, and we're tackling a topic that impacts every one of us in aviation — fatigue.
Joining us for this outstanding panel discussion is Hangar Z Podcast host Jack Schonely, along with highly respected aviator and former HEMS pilot Woody McClendon, whose decades of operational experience bring valuable insight to this important conversation.
Fatigue is truly the danger you can't see. Unlike weather, mechanical issues, or other operational hazards, fatigue can quietly affect our judgment, decision-making, situational awareness, and overall performance long before we recognize its impact.
Whether you're a pilot, tactical flight officer, medical crew member, mechanic, dispatcher, or supervisor, fatigue affects all of us differently — and it becomes an even greater challenge in the shift-work environments common throughout public safety aviation.
The reality is that fatigue is not a possibility — it is an inevitability. The question is not if fatigue will contribute to an incident or accident in public safety aviation, but when. That is why open and honest conversations like this one are so important.
In this episode, we'll discuss fatigue mitigation strategies, flight risk assessment tools, crew readiness, organizational responsibility, and personal accountability. Most importantly, our guests share real-world experiences and lessons learned from careers spent operating in demanding environments where fatigue was often a constant factor.
This is a candid, informative, and thought-provoking discussion that every aviation professional should hear.
So settle in and join us as we explore one of the most significant — and often overlooked — threats to aviation safety. This is the Valor Flight Crew Podcast in collaboration with the Hangar Z Podcast, and the conversation starts right now.Read the related article by Tania Glenn - Sleep Under Stress (in the Spring 2026 issue of Valor Plus.
Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Coptersafety and Precision Aviation Group.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
In today’s episode, we are joined again by researcher, educator, and seasoned flight paramedic Russell Griffin for a thought-provoking conversation about the powerful connection between identity, culture, and safety, in the air medical world.
Together, we explore what really shapes safety culture inside high-risk organizations—from the policies written on paper to the behaviors crews live out every day. We dive into how personal identity, professional background, and organizational expectations influence decision-making, communication, and crew dynamics in both aviation and healthcare environments.
This episode takes an honest look at the challenges of blending aviation and medical cultures, the critical role of crew resource management, and why humility, vulnerability, and open dialogue, are essential for building strong teams and safer operations. It’s a conversation about leadership, accountability, and understanding how the culture we create directly impacts the care we provide and the risks we accept.
So strap in, check your gauges, and join us as we lift into another conversation focused on safety, culture, and the people behind the mission.Thank you to our sponsors Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
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Missing episodes?
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
In today’s episode, we are joined again by researcher, educator, and seasoned flight paramedic Russell Griffin for a thought-provoking conversation about the powerful connection between identity, culture, and safety, in the air medical world.
Together, we explore what really shapes safety culture inside high-risk organizations—from the policies written on paper to the behaviors crews live out every day. We dive into how personal identity, professional background, and organizational expectations influence decision-making, communication, and crew dynamics in both aviation and healthcare environments.
This episode takes an honest look at the challenges of blending aviation and medical cultures, the critical role of crew resource management, and why humility, vulnerability, and open dialogue, are essential for building strong teams and safer operations. It’s a conversation about leadership, accountability, and understanding how the culture we create directly impacts the care we provide and the risks we accept.
So strap in, check your gauges, and join us as we lift into another conversation focused on safety, culture, and the people behind the mission.Thank you to our sponsors Metro Aviation, Precision Aviation Group and Technisonic Industries.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
In today’s episode, we are joined again by researcher, educator, and seasoned flight paramedic Russell Griffin for a thought-provoking conversation about the powerful connection between identity, culture, and safety, in the air medical world.
Together, we explore what really shapes safety culture inside high-risk organizations—from the policies written on paper to the behaviors crews live out every day. We dive into how personal identity, professional background, and organizational expectations influence decision-making, communication, and crew dynamics in both aviation and healthcare environments.
This episode takes an honest look at the challenges of blending aviation and medical cultures, the critical role of crew resource management, and why humility, vulnerability, and open dialogue, are essential for building strong teams and safer operations. It’s a conversation about leadership, accountability, and understanding how the culture we create directly impacts the care we provide and the risks we accept.
So strap in, check your gauges, and join us as we lift into another conversation focused on safety, culture, and the people behind the mission.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Spectrum Aeromed.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast — hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
In this episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, we sit down with Ashley Barnes for an honest and educational conversation about the realities of entering the world of flight medicine. Together, we explore the transition from ground emergency medical services (EMS) into critical care air medical transport, the steep learning curve many new providers experience, and the emotional and professional challenges that come with working in high-acuity environments.
Ashley shares her personal journey into flight medicine, offering insight into the onboarding process, the pressure many clinicians place on themselves, and the importance of mentorship and peer support in developing confidence and competence. This discussion dives into topics like imposter syndrome, quality assurance and feedback processes, burnout prevention, and the need for healthier conversations around mental health in EMS and air medical transport.
The episode also highlights the importance of self-awareness, continuous learning, and building a supportive culture within the industry—especially for newer providers navigating high-stakes patient care for the first time. Through candid stories and practical perspectives, this conversation serves as both encouragement and education for clinicians at every stage of their careers.
Whether you're considering a future in flight medicine, onboarding into critical care transport, or simply looking to become a stronger teammate and clinician, this episode offers valuable insight into resiliency, growth, and the power of mentorship in high acuity patient care environments.Thank you to our sponsors Precision Aviation Group, Spectrum Aeromed and Technisonic Industries.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast — hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
In this episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, we sit down with Ashley Barnes for an honest and educational conversation about the realities of entering the world of flight medicine. Together, we explore the transition from ground emergency medical services (EMS) into critical care air medical transport, the steep learning curve many new providers experience, and the emotional and professional challenges that come with working in high-acuity environments.
Ashley shares her personal journey into flight medicine, offering insight into the onboarding process, the pressure many clinicians place on themselves, and the importance of mentorship and peer support in developing confidence and competence. This discussion dives into topics like imposter syndrome, quality assurance and feedback processes, burnout prevention, and the need for healthier conversations around mental health in EMS and air medical transport.
The episode also highlights the importance of self-awareness, continuous learning, and building a supportive culture within the industry—especially for newer providers navigating high-stakes patient care for the first time. Through candid stories and practical perspectives, this conversation serves as both encouragement and education for clinicians at every stage of their careers.
Whether you're considering a future in flight medicine, onboarding into critical care transport, or simply looking to become a stronger teammate and clinician, this episode offers valuable insight into resiliency, growth, and the power of mentorship in high acuity patient care environments.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast — hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
In this episode, we take a deep dive into a program that’s helping develop the next generation of leaders in our industry — the Future Flight Leaders initiative.
Leadership in air medical transport goes far beyond clinical expertise or flight experience. It requires strong communication, mentorship, emotional intelligence, and the ability to guide teams through some of the most challenging roles in healthcare and aviation.
Throughout this conversation, we’re joined by Christian Greengrass, John Hamilton and Mike Cohen--the three masterminds who helped build and shape the Future Flight Leaders program. Together, we explore how the initiative was created, the importance of developing soft skills in leadership, and why structured mentorship and training are essential for the continued growth of the air medical community.
From building strong teams to creating a culture of support and professional development, this episode highlights how investing in leadership today creates a ripple effect that strengthens our entire industry.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast — hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
In this episode, we take a deep dive into a program that’s helping develop the next generation of leaders in our industry — the Future Flight Leaders initiative.
Leadership in air medical transport goes far beyond clinical expertise or flight experience. It requires strong communication, mentorship, emotional intelligence, and the ability to guide teams through some of the most challenging roles in healthcare and aviation.
Throughout this conversation, we’re joined by Christian Greengrass, John Hamilton and Mike Cohen--the three masterminds who helped build and shape the Future Flight Leaders program. Together, we explore how the initiative was created, the importance of developing soft skills in leadership, and why structured mentorship and training are essential for the continued growth of the air medical community.
From building strong teams to creating a culture of support and professional development, this episode highlights how investing in leadership today creates a ripple effect that strengthens our entire industry.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
In this episode, we’re joined by Chelsea Sibold ([email protected]) from Carilion Clinic Life-Guard to talk about a critical piece of aviation safety that often happens long before a mission ever launches—HEAT, or Helicopter Emergency Accident Training.
Chelsea shares how realistic, hands-on training helps prepare aviation crews and first responders for the moments we all hope never happen—aircraft emergencies on the ground. From aircraft shutdown and door operations to coordinated rescue and extrication, HEAT focuses on building the muscle memory and communication that matter when seconds count.
We also dive into the power of interagency training, simple but effective ways to create realistic scenarios, and how strong partnerships between aviation programs, fire departments, and EMS crews can make the difference between chaos and coordination.
Because in public safety aviation, safety isn’t just about flying the mission—it’s about preparing for the unexpected.
So strap in, check your gauges, and join us as we lift into a conversation about training, teamwork, and building a stronger safety culture for the crews behind the mission.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
In this episode, we’re joined by Chelsea Sibold ([email protected]) from Carilion Clinic Life-Guard to talk about a critical piece of aviation safety that often happens long before a mission ever launches—HEAT, or Helicopter Emergency Accident Training.
Chelsea shares how realistic, hands-on training helps prepare aviation crews and first responders for the moments we all hope never happen—aircraft emergencies on the ground. From aircraft shutdown and door operations to coordinated rescue and extrication, HEAT focuses on building the muscle memory and communication that matter when seconds count.
We also dive into the power of interagency training, simple but effective ways to create realistic scenarios, and how strong partnerships between aviation programs, fire departments, and EMS crews can make the difference between chaos and coordination.
Because in public safety aviation, safety isn’t just about flying the mission—it’s about preparing for the unexpected.
So strap in, check your gauges, and join us as we lift into a conversation about training, teamwork, and building a stronger safety culture for the crews behind the mission.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast — hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
In this episode, we’re talking about something that continues to impact healthcare providers across every setting — from the emergency department to ground EMS, and especially in the air medical environment — and that’s violence against healthcare workers.
We’re joined by Jamie Moran and Jonna Meyer for an honest and powerful conversation about what providers are experiencing in the field right now. We dive into personal stories, how the landscape of healthcare changed after COVID, and why reporting, awareness, and education are critical if we want to create safer working environments.
This discussion goes beyond statistics. We talk about the emotional toll these encounters take, the cumulative effects of stress and trauma, and the importance of peer support, communication, and de-escalation skills — especially in high-risk, high-acuity environments like HEMS.
This episode isn’t just about identifying the problem — it’s about starting conversations, building resilience, and supporting the people who show up every day to care for others.Thank you to our sponsors Metro Aviation, Precision Aviation Group and Spectrum Aeromed.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast — hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
In this episode, we’re talking about something that continues to impact healthcare providers across every setting — from the emergency department to ground EMS, and especially in the air medical environment — and that’s violence against healthcare workers.
We’re joined by Jamie Moran and Jonna Meyer for an honest and powerful conversation about what providers are experiencing in the field right now. We dive into personal stories, how the landscape of healthcare changed after COVID, and why reporting, awareness, and education are critical if we want to create safer working environments.
This discussion goes beyond statistics. We talk about the emotional toll these encounters take, the cumulative effects of stress and trauma, and the importance of peer support, communication, and de-escalation skills — especially in high-risk, high-acuity environments like HEMS.
This episode isn’t just about identifying the problem — it’s about starting conversations, building resilience, and supporting the people who show up every day to care for others.Thank you to our sponsors Metro Aviation, Precision Aviation Group and Spectrum Aeromed.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast — hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
In today’s episode, we sit down with Zane Atencio for a candid, practical conversation about what leadership really looks like on the front lines of emergency medical services. From the back of the ambulance to the flight deck, Zane shares his journey from fire medic to flight medic—and the lessons he’s learned about communication, accountability, and the responsibility that comes with leading from wherever you stand.
Together, we dig into the realities of team dynamics, generational differences in the workforce, and the challenge of orienting new providers in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment. We talk about the power of self-reflection, the importance of recognizing good work, and why a supportive culture—one that allows people to learn from mistakes—can make all the difference for crews and patients alike.
This is a conversation about trust, growth, and the everyday leadership moments that shape the culture of an organization.
So strap in, check your gauges, and join us as we lift into another episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast—where leadership isn’t just a title … it’s a mindset carried on every mission.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast — hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
In today’s episode, we sit down with Zane Atencio for a candid, practical conversation about what leadership really looks like on the front lines of emergency medical services. From the back of the ambulance to the flight deck, Zane shares his journey from fire medic to flight medic—and the lessons he’s learned about communication, accountability, and the responsibility that comes with leading from wherever you stand.
Together, we dig into the realities of team dynamics, generational differences in the workforce, and the challenge of orienting new providers in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment. We talk about the power of self-reflection, the importance of recognizing good work, and why a supportive culture—one that allows people to learn from mistakes—can make all the difference for crews and patients alike.
This is a conversation about trust, growth, and the everyday leadership moments that shape the culture of an organization.
So strap in, check your gauges, and join us as we lift into another episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast—where leadership isn’t just a title … it’s a mindset carried on every mission.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
In this episode, we sit down with Ken Fox from Big Bear Fire Department for a grounded, real-world conversation about emergency medical services (EMS), aviation, and the communities we serve. From the challenges of aircraft operations in a small, seasonal, tourist town to the life-saving impact of air medical partnerships, Ken shares the realities of delivering critical care where resources are limited but expectations are high.
We talk about the importance of strong relationships between ground and air crews, the evolving balance between scene responses and inter-facility transfers, and how innovations like prehospital blood products are changing patient outcomes. Ken also opens up about the ongoing struggles with retention and burnout in EMS—and why community connection, outreach, and education are more important than ever.
It’s a conversation about teamwork, trust, and the constant push to move patients faster, safer, and smarter—without losing sight of the people behind the mission.
So strap in, check your gauges, and join us as we lift off into another story from the front lines of public safety aviation.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
In this episode, we sit down with Ken Fox from Big Bear Fire Department for a grounded, real-world conversation about emergency medical services (EMS), aviation, and the communities we serve. From the challenges of aircraft operations in a small, seasonal, tourist town to the life-saving impact of air medical partnerships, Ken shares the realities of delivering critical care where resources are limited but expectations are high.
We talk about the importance of strong relationships between ground and air crews, the evolving balance between scene responses and inter-facility transfers, and how innovations like prehospital blood products are changing patient outcomes. Ken also opens up about the ongoing struggles with retention and burnout in EMS—and why community connection, outreach, and education are more important than ever.
It’s a conversation about teamwork, trust, and the constant push to move patients faster, safer, and smarter—without losing sight of the people behind the mission.
So strap in, check your gauges, and join us as we lift off into another story from the front lines of public safety aviation.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast — hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
Today’s episode is different. It’s personal. It’s honest. And it’s one that so many in our community need to hear.
Today, we sit down for a two-part episode with Kacee Griffin, a fellow flight nurse, as she shares her deeply courageous story about battling post-traumatic stress disorder, facing suicidal thoughts, and navigating the difficult road toward healing. This is a conversation about realities that often go unspoken in public safety aviation — the emotional weight we carry long after the rotors stop turning.
We talk about the power of therapy, the role of medication, the importance of support systems, and what it really looks like to ask for help when you’re the one everyone else counts on. This episode is about resilience, vulnerability, and the reminder that strength sometimes means saying, “I’m not okay.”
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by this job, by life, or by the expectations we place on ourselves, you are not alone — and this conversation is for you.
So strap in and lower those visors as you join us for a heartfelt and important discussion that we hope brings light to a topic our industry we can no longer afford to keep in the shadows.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast — hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.
Today’s episode is different. It’s personal. It’s honest. And it’s one that so many in our community need to hear.
Today, we sit down for a two-part episode with Kacee Griffin, a fellow flight nurse, as she shares her deeply courageous story about battling post-traumatic stress disorder, facing suicidal thoughts, and navigating the difficult road toward healing.This is a conversation about realities that often go unspoken in public safety aviation — the emotional weight we carry long after the rotors stop turning.
We talk about the power of therapy, the role of medication, the importance of support systems, and what it really looks like to ask for help when you’re the one everyone else counts on. This episode is about resilience, vulnerability, and the reminder that strength sometimes means saying, “I’m not okay.”
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by this job, by life, or by the expectations we place on ourselves, you are not alone — and this conversation is for you.
So strap in and lower those visors as you join us for a heartfelt and important discussion that we hope brings light to a topic our industry we can no longer afford to keep in the shadows.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Precision Aviation Group and Spectrum Aeromed.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast — hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine.
Today, we’re joined by Michael and Linda Benton from VyClimb for an honest, thoughtful, and incredibly relevant discussion on safety culture, organizational values, and leadership in aviation—especially in the air medical world.
We dig into the real factors that shape safe operations every day: From psychological safety and communication, to fatigue and training realism, to how organizations can align their stated values with what employees actually experience on the line.
We also explore generational shifts in work expectations, the challenge of “speaking up” in high-pressure environments, and why a truly effective safety management system has to be more than a binder on a shelf—it has to be lived, practiced, and supported from the top down that fosters a safety culture where people truly feel empowered to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.
This is a conversation about building trust, developing leaders, and creating a culture where safety isn’t reactive—it’s intentional.
So buckle up—because this one is packed with perspective, experience, and takeaways we hope every one of you bring back to your bases.
Let’s get into it.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Spectrum Aeromed.
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Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast — hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine.
Today, we’re joined by Michael and Linda Benton from VyClimb for an honest, thoughtful, and incredibly relevant discussion on safety culture, organizational values, and leadership in aviation—especially in the air medical world.
We dig into the real factors that shape safe operations every day: From psychological safety and communication, to fatigue and training realism, to how organizations can align their stated values with what employees actually experience on the line.
We also explore generational shifts in work expectations, the challenge of “speaking up” in high-pressure environments, and why a truly effective safety management system has to be more than a binder on a shelf—it has to be lived, practiced, and supported from the top down that fosters a safety culture where people truly feel empowered to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.
This is a conversation about building trust, developing leaders, and creating a culture where safety isn’t reactive—it’s intentional.
So buckle up—because this one is packed with perspective, experience, and takeaways we hope every one of you bring back to your bases.
Let’s get into it.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
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