The Valor Flight Crew

Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider
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  • Aviation
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Produced in partnership with ECHO (Every Coast Helicopter Operations), the Valor Flight Crew Podcast promotes the personnel and life-saving equipment behind helicopter air ambulance services. Join hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider for in-depth interviews and expert insights from air medical personnel, pilots, communication specialists, and maintenance crews who play critical roles in airborne emergency response. Both members of the ECHO team, Mike and Blake, have diverse backgrounds in public safety aviation and leadership, allowing them to bring unique perspectives and expertise to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast. 

  1. 9 hr ago ·  Video

    The Weight We Carry: Trauma, Resiliency and Mental Health part 1 | Ep 76

    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 flight paramedic and mental health advocate James Boomhower for an important conversation about mental health, resiliency, and peer support within the healthcare world. Drawing from his experience in the field, James shares insight into the realities of working in high-stress environments and the lasting impact those experiences can have on first responders and healthcare professionals.  James pursued higher education and is now a mental health practitioner, helping others grow and navigate the world of repeated trauma exposure and achieving work-life balance.  Together, we discuss the importance of self-awareness, accountability, and recognizing when the weight of the job begins to take a toll. We also explore practical approaches to managing trauma, strengthening resiliency, improving access to mental health resources, and creating an industry culture where taking care of ourselves, and each other, is an essential part of our world.  Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Coptersafety and Precision Aviation Group.

    The Weight We Carry: Trauma, Resiliency and Mental Health part 1 | Ep 76

  2. 26 Aug ·  Video

    Tactical Labs, Zero Ego, Real Training: Why ECHO 2026 Is a Must-Attend | Ep 75

    Welcome to this special joint episode of the Hangar Z Podcast and the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this special episode, Jon Gray of Hangar Z and Blake Shrider and Mike Fadale of the Valor Flight Crew, preview the 2026 ECHO Public Safety Aviation Conference. High-quality public safety aviation training doesn’t need a massive price tag. The 2026 ECHO Public Safety Aviation Conference is heading to Philadelphia Sept. 20 to 23 at the Sheraton Downtown. ECHO covers the full mission spectrum law enforcement aviation, helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), search-and-rescue, and aerial firefighting. This year features over 50 breakout sessions, hands-on workshops like underwater egress and cadaver labs, and a dedicated 16-hour Airborne Tactical Solutions course jointly taught by Clay Lacey and Jack Schonely for aircrews and ground teams. It’s practical, high-impact training—built by operators, for operators, and delivered at a price point agencies can support. This conversation breaks down why ECHO stands apart: Operator-built training, real-world relevance, and a rare chance to learn across every mission set under one roof. From law enforcement aviation and search-and-rescue to aerial firefighting, EMS, and tactical operations, ECHO is designed for crews who want practical skills they can use back home. You’ll discover: What makes the Clay Lacey and Jack Shonely airborne tactical solutions course such a can't-miss opportunity;How the breakout sessions expand into law enforcement, SAR, radio ops, human performance, leadership, and more;Why the Future Flight Crew and Future Flight Leaders programs are becoming a pipeline for the next generation of aviation professionals; andHow FAST and the Safety Team are changing the way the industry supports crew wellness, resilience, and operational safety. The conversation also covers the social side of ECHO in Philadelphia, including the welcome party, the 5K fundraiser, the down-for-weather bash, and why the city itself is worth an extra day or two. If you've never been to Philly, you'll get a few solid reasons to plan for more than conference hours—and maybe a cheesesteak or two. Just as important, this episode makes the stakes clear: Public safety aviation is evolving fast, leadership gaps are real, and the industry needs better training, better mentorship, and better ways to take care of its people. ECHO is one of the few places where all of that comes together in a single week. Essential listening if you're deciding whether to attend, bringing your team, or just want a clear picture of why so many crews call ECHO their favorite conference of the year. Thank you to our sponsors Global Medical Response Air, Precision Aviation Group and Technisonic Industries.

    Tactical Labs, Zero Ego, Real Training: Why ECHO 2026 Is a Must-Attend | Ep 75

  3. 19 Aug ·  Video

    Finding Purpose Every Day: The Key to Staying Motivated in EMS and Aviation | Ep 74

    Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus. Most of us remember what it felt like when we first entered emergency medical services (EMS) or stepped into a flight suit—the excitement, the nerves, and the drive to learn everything we possibly could. But as experience grows and the job becomes familiar, something can quietly begin to change. Confidence can turn into comfort, comfort can become complacency, and the passion that once pushed us forward can start to fade. In this episode, Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider sit down with flight paramedic and motivational content creator Mark Fowler to talk about what it takes to keep that from happening. From discipline and personal accountability to education, team culture, work-life balance, and finding purpose both inside and outside the aircraft, Mark challenges us to stop waiting for motivation and start making deliberate choices about who we want to become. Because excellence isn't something we achieve once. It's a decision we make every day—to stay curious, remain a student, serve the person in front of us, and continue becoming better than we were yesterday. So strap in as we take an honest look at complacency, motivation, and what it takes to keep moving forward when the excitement of the job becomes routine. Thank you to our sponsors Global Medical Response Air, Metro Aviation and Spectrum Aeromed.

    Finding Purpose Every Day: The Key to Staying Motivated in EMS and Aviation | Ep 74

  4. 12 Aug ·  Video

    Leading while carrying: The weight of public safety aviation Part 2 | Ep 73

    Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.   Today’s public safety aviation leaders face challenges unlike any before. Staffing shortages, aging aircraft, limited resources, and a new generation of clinicians stepping into leadership roles earlier than ever have transformed the profession. Clinical excellence alone is no longer enough — the ability to lead, mentor, and develop others has become just as essential as providing exceptional patient care.   In this episode, we sit down with Terence Sheehy, operations deputy chief for Dare County EMS, to explore what it truly means to lead while carrying the weight of responsibility. From overcoming self-doubt and resisting the trap of comparison to building the next generation of leaders through mentorship, education, and intentional development, this conversation is filled with practical insights for anyone who influences others — whether you hold a formal leadership position or simply lead by example.   Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about having the courage to keep learning, the humility to ask questions, and the commitment to leave your team stronger than you found it. So buckle in as we explore how today’s leaders can help shape the future of public safety aviation. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.

    Leading while carrying: The weight of public safety aviation Part 2 | Ep 73

  5. 5 Aug ·  Video

    Leading while carrying: The weight of public safety aviation Part 1 | Ep 72

    Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.   Today’s public safety aviation leaders face challenges unlike any before. Staffing shortages, aging aircraft, limited resources, and a new generation of clinicians stepping into leadership roles earlier than ever have transformed the profession. Clinical excellence alone is no longer enough — the ability to lead, mentor, and develop others has become just as essential as providing exceptional patient care.   In this episode, we sit down with Terence Sheehy, operations deputy chief for Dare County EMS, to explore what it truly means to lead while carrying the weight of responsibility. From overcoming self-doubt and resisting the trap of comparison to building the next generation of leaders through mentorship, education, and intentional development, this conversation is filled with practical insights for anyone who influences others — whether you hold a formal leadership position or simply lead by example.   Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about having the courage to keep learning, the humility to ask questions, and the commitment to leave your team stronger than you found it. So buckle in as we explore how today’s leaders can help shape the future of public safety aviation. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Spectrum Aeromed and Technisonic Industries.

    Leading while carrying: The weight of public safety aviation Part 1 | Ep 72

  6. 22 Jul ·  Video

    Safety deviation: The drift you don’t see coming part 2 | Ep 71

    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, hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider sit down with Bryan Evans, an experienced aviation and emergency medical services (EMS) leader, to explore what truly shapes a resilient safety culture.  From the subtle drift of normalized deviations to the power of accountability, mindfulness, and open communication, this conversation examines how both organizations and frontline crew members contribute to safer operations. Bryan shares powerful real-world stories that highlight the impact of transparency, psychological safety, and deliberate leadership. Together, the team discusses practical strategies for reinforcing positive behaviors, identifying cultural blind spots, and bridging the gap between written policies and day-to-day practice. Safety isn't built by a policy manual, a checklist, or a single leadership decision. It's built every day through the choices we make, the conversations we have, and the standards we're willing to uphold—even when no one is watching. Whether you're a pilot, clinician, mechanic, communicator, or leader, safety culture belongs to all of us. The question isn't whether you influence it—it's how. So join us and we look at safety from a different perspective and explore what it takes to cultivate a stronger, more resilient culture of safety in HEMS. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.

    Safety deviation: The drift you don’t see coming part 2 | Ep 71

  7. 15 Jul ·  Video

    Safety deviation: The drift you don’t see coming part 1 | Ep 70

    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, hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider sit down with Bryan Evans, an experienced aviation and emergency medical services (EMS) leader, to explore what truly shapes a resilient safety culture.  From the subtle drift of normalized deviations to the power of accountability, mindfulness, and open communication, this conversation examines how both organizations and frontline crew members contribute to safer operations. Bryan shares powerful real-world stories that highlight the impact of transparency, psychological safety, and deliberate leadership. Together, the team discusses practical strategies for reinforcing positive behaviors, identifying cultural blind spots, and bridging the gap between written policies and day-to-day practice. Safety isn't built by a policy manual, a checklist, or a single leadership decision. It's built every day through the choices we make, the conversations we have, and the standards we're willing to uphold—even when no one is watching. Whether you're a pilot, clinician, mechanic, communicator, or leader, safety culture belongs to all of us. The question isn't whether you influence it—it's how. So join us and we look at safety from a different perspective and explore what it takes to cultivate a stronger, more resilient culture of safety in HEMS. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.

    Safety deviation: The drift you don’t see coming part 1 | Ep 70

  8. 8 Jul ·  Video

    The Fatigue Factor: How Tired Crews Make Dangerous Decisions Part 2 | Ep 69

    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 Coptersafety , Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.

    The Fatigue Factor: How Tired Crews Make Dangerous Decisions Part 2 | Ep 69
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About

Produced in partnership with ECHO (Every Coast Helicopter Operations), the Valor Flight Crew Podcast promotes the personnel and life-saving equipment behind helicopter air ambulance services. Join hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider for in-depth interviews and expert insights from air medical personnel, pilots, communication specialists, and maintenance crews who play critical roles in airborne emergency response. Both members of the ECHO team, Mike and Blake, have diverse backgrounds in public safety aviation and leadership, allowing them to bring unique perspectives and expertise to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast. 

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Valor Flight Crew
  • Show Website
    The Valor Flight Crew

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