The Calm Cockpit Podcast

calmcockpit
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Aviation
  • Updated Biweekly

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.

  1. 4d ago ·  Bonus

    Monday Briefing: Why the Zone 2 Cardio Trend Is Actually Worth Your Attention

    Season 2 Briefing 18   Zone 2 cardio is everywhere right now—but is it actually worth the hype? In this Monday Briefing, we look at cardio through a different lens: not just for heart health or longevity, but as a practical tool for stress relief, mood support, and mental performance. Drawing on research from Johns Hopkins, a peer-reviewed study on aerobic exercise and mood, and Andrew Huberman’s explanation of Zone 2 training, this episode explores why even a small, realistic dose of steady movement may help you feel more energized, regulated, and ready to handle the demands of flying—and life. You’ll come away with a simple way to think about cardio as a mental-performance tool, plus a few low-pressure ideas for adding more movement to your week without turning it into one more thing you have to “get right.”   Links: The effects of a single aerobic exercise session on mood and neural emotional reactivity in depressed and healthy young adults: A late positive potential study The Truth Behind ‘Runner’s High’ and Other Mental Benefits of Running | Johns Hopkins Medicine How & Why to Get Weekly "Zone 2" Cardio Workouts Dr. Andrew Huberman

  2. Sep 30

    Say Yes: Building an Aviation Career That Fits Your Life with John Niehaus

    Season 2 Episode 20 Aviation careers rarely follow a straight line. In this episode, corporate pilot and flight instructor John Niehaus shares the unexpected turns in his own aviation journey—from graduating into the 2008 financial crisis and building hours as a CFI, to flying for the airlines, charter operations, and ultimately corporate aviation. Along the way, he learned that adaptability, relationships, and a willingness to say “yes” to unexpected opportunities can matter just as much as having a carefully mapped-out career plan.   You’ll learn how to think about short-term sacrifice versus long-term sustainability, why quality of life belongs in your “compensation package,” and how to build an aviation career that fits your actual life—not someone else’s definition of success. John also shares lessons on mentorship, networking, leaving jobs without burning bridges, and staying open when the path ahead looks nothing like the one you originally planned.

  3. Sep 21 ·  Bonus

    Monday Briefing: Task Completion, and Permission to Rest

    Season 2 Monday Briefing 17   In today's busy world, it is easy to forget that one of our daily tasks, is to allow for rest and play. We get caught up in all the things we need to accomplish, and then proceed to lather, rinse, repeat. So consider this your permission to reward yourself with some time off, and we think you will find, your skills, your brain, and your nervous system will thank you.

  4. Sep 18 ·  Bonus

    Bonus Episode: A Moment to Reset with Guided Meditation and Avi Gordon

    Season 2 Bonus Episode   Take a few minutes to pause, breathe, and reset with this guided meditation from Avi Gordon, originally featured in Season 2, Episode 19  Whether you’re preparing to fly, coming down after a demanding day, or simply need a moment to reconnect, this short practice offers a chance to step out of the mental noise and return to the present moment.   Links: Avi Gordon Wellness: guided meditations, courses, and coaching

  5. Sep 16

    The Pilot Is the System: Training the Mind with Avi Gordon

    Season 2 Episode 19 (corrected issue after 45 min)   What if meditation could function like a simulator for the mind? Meditation teacher, coach, and author Avi Gordon joins us to explore how a simple meditation practice can help pilots train attention, recover from mistakes, regulate emotions, and respond more skillfully when things don’t go according to plan.   From bounced landings and checkride pressure to perfectionism, breathing techniques, and the power of a five-minute daily practice, you’ll learn practical ways to recognize when your mind has wandered, interrupt unhelpful mental spirals, reset after a mistake, and bring greater focus and self-awareness into the cockpit.   Avi is a coach, meditation teacher, author, and professional interviewer who has spent decades exploring awareness and presence. His background spans international and special education across four countries, and he previously served as Director of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association and host of the Integral Yoga Podcast.   Today, his coaching and teaching combine meditation, self-inquiry, and thoughtful conversation to help people bridge practical achievement with inner well-being—not as an escape from reality, but as a way of meeting reality more skillfully.   Links: Avi Gordon Wellness: Personal coaching, meditation courses, and library of guided meditation practices for enhanced well-being, confidence, relationships, forgiveness, healthy eating and a wide variety of goals.

  6. Sep 7 ·  Bonus

    Monday Briefing: Three Must Listens for Pilots This Fall

    Season 2 Bonus Episode Monday Briefing 16 The first days of a new season or school year come with energy and pep. But eventually the enthusiasm wanes, the days blur together, and even another trip around the pattern can start to feel like a grind. This Monday Briefing explores a little side hustle of performance training: intentional things we can listen to that help break up the log jam when we feel stuck, re-energize our brains, and keep us moving toward our performance goals. You’ll discover three unexpected must-listens for pilots this fall — neuroscience and performance strategies, humor and storytelling, and music for cognitive cross-training — plus one powerful recommendation that involves listening to absolutely nothing!   Links: Huberman Lab : Neuroscience, learning, focus, sleep, stress, neuroplasticity and science-based tools for everyday life.    Cabin Pressure : John Finnemore’s BBC radio comedy about MJN Air.   Blue Rondo à la Turk : Dave Brubeck Quartet, from Time Out   Calm Cockpit Website: Submit feedback here!

  7. Sep 2

    Flashback: Back to School

    Season 2 Episode 18 (sort of)   As a new school year gets underway, we’re bringing back this conversation about succeeding in aviation training without losing sight of why you started flying. Whether you’re heading back to the classroom, flight school, or pursuing your next rating, these reminders about mindset, pressure, resilience, and finding joy still apply. It originally aired during Season 1 in September 2025 and has been one of our most popular episodes. Enjoy!  Show Notes:  Aviation 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 self-awareness, building a strong support network, and embracing mentorship. Practical strategies for self-care, professionalism, and decision-making are shared—reminders that today’s choices shape the career opportunities of tomorrow. We’ll discuss how students can broaden their horizons beyond airline careers, noting the vast opportunities in corporate and other aviation sectors. Above all, we’ll remind students–and ourselves–about the importance of joy: amidst the stress and challenges, the ultimate goal is to have fun and find fulfillment in flying. This episode is a must-listen for student pilots, aviation program participants, and anyone pursuing further ratings who wants actionable tools for success—without losing sight of why they started flying in the first place.   Links: Is Collegiate Flight for You?  Episode of the More Right Rudder Podcast with Kyle Jehnzen, collegiate faculty instructor at Western Michigan University. We talk about the differences between collegiate 141 and other types of flight schools and what might make that route the right thing for a perspective pilot. We also chat about the benefits of working for a college as a flight instructor and what led Kyle to a career as a academic instructor in aviation and how to follow in his footsteps if you feel it might be right for you.

  8. Aug 24 ·  Bonus

    Monday Briefing: Change Management

    Season 2 Bonus Episode Monday Briefing 15   As we enter into fall, we start to see a season of change. School starts again, jobs change, people move in and out of our lives. I urge you to take a second, and a breath, and realize that change can be for the good. No matter if it is purposeful, or through circumstance, change can be hard, but it can make you into the next great version of yourself.

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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    calmcockpit
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Calm Cockpit Podcast

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