Shows / Ready 4 Pushback
Ready 4 Pushback
If you're looking to enter the commercial aviation industry, we've got the right podcast for you! With pilot and interview coach Nik Fialka as your host, we will deliver exceptional and insightful content to help you understand the landscape of professional aviation. We will help you organize your thoughts, score interview points, and ace the aviation recruitment process. You will get a deep dive into all the facets of the aviation industry by hearing directly from leaders and recruiters…
Episodes
Ready 4 PushbackEp 336 From Dream to Done: The Power of Systems
You need a system. Nik breaks down why simply chasing the finish line is the biggest mistake holding people back from reaching their aviation goals, and why…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 335 From Side Hustles to CFI Sky Hustle: Gonzalo Zulueta's Path from Acting to Aviation
In this episode, Nik sits down with Instagram aviation influencer Gonzalo Zulueta as he shares his journey from acting and driving for Uber to aviation…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 334 Fueling Latino Dreams in Aerospace with Claudia Zapata-Cardone
In this episode, Nik sits down with Claudia Zapata Cardone, President of Latino Professionals in Aerospace (LPA), to unpack how a small community has grown…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 333 To 1,500 Hours, and Beyond! Elan's Journey to the Airlines
Papa Nik goes full mentor-mode with young and aspiring airline pilot, Elan. As Elan nears the 1,500-hour milestone, Nik offers practical career coaching on the…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 332 Anagoge: Turning the Struggle-Bus into a Climb
The "struggle bus." Maybe you've been there before. Maybe you're there right now. In this episode, Nik explores how setbacks in training and progression can…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 331 Flight Attendant to the Flight Deck: Jimmy's Just in Time Interview Prep on the NGPA Floor
Nik puts on his interview coaching hat to help "Jimmy," a United Airlines flight attendant and aspiring pilot, as he prepares for a last-minute interview with…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 330 Solo Part 3 Get Home From Boston
In this final episode of the "Let's Go to Boston" series, Nik shares story of the most chaotic final leg of his career, beginning with a frozen Minneapolis…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 329 Mission Briefs, Interview Rooms and Shark Tanks
In this episode, Nik sits down with Tommy Prestella—retired Air Force C-130 pilot, R4P producer, and Shark Tank contestant—to break down the military-to–Part…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 328 Fuel Limits, Duty Limits, and Personal Limits: Let's Go to Boston Pt. 2
In this second installment of the "Let's Go to Boston" solo series, Nik recounts how a simple Boston–Atlanta–Orlando day turns into a CRM decathlon as he and…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 327 Rethinking Pilot Headsets with Bill Waterman and Clarity Aloft
Is fatigue from that bulky, active noise-canceling headset wearing you down? Tired of ear cups that don't work well with your sunglasses? Ready 4 Pushback has…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 326 A Masterclass on Professional Aviation. Let's Go to Boston Pt. 1
In this three-part solo series, Nik recounts a challenging trip to Boston Logan International after being away from one of the country's most complex and…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 325 Learn the Secrets from the Other Side of the Interview Table with Angie Marshall
Beyond Hours and Handshakes: In this episode, Nik sits down with HR specialist and aviation interview legend Angie Marshall of Cage Marshall Consulting, to…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 324 When Preparation Pays Off: A Real-World CRM Save
Solo episode alert! Nik shares a powerful real-world story of a crew that turned a serious in-flight generator failure into a calm, controlled divert through…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 323 Pretty Pink Pilots: Shaniya Marshall's Flight Path to Success
In this episode Nik sits down with fellow pilot influencer Shaniya Marshall as she shares her inspiring path from aviator to founder of Pretty Pink Pilots…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 322 No Shoes, No Shirt, No Job Offer
In this solo episode, Nik goes head to toe discussing interview attire that gets you hired, and getups that get you sent home before you even enter the…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 321 Bridging the College to Cockpit Interview Gap with Top Rudder Consulting
Nik welcomes back Travis Koch, founder of Top Rudder Consulting, to discuss the critical role of interview preparation for college students pursuing aviation…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 320 The Hiring Team at American Airlines: To Disclose or Not to Disclose? There's No Question
Nik breaks down how American Airlines views failures in your record and why late disclosure is a major red flag. Learn how to fully disclose busts, match your…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 319 From Professional Poker to the Cockpit: Matt Affleck's High-Stakes Career Shift
Pilot Matt Affleck takes Nik through his remarkable transition from professional poker to the world of aviation. Drawing on his poker background, Matt explains…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 318 Hiring Team at American Airlines: What's Important and What's Not Important in Your Logbooks
What is your logbook saying about you? In this solo episode, Nik deep dives into the critical role logbooks play in the airline hiring process, featuring…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 317 Hidden Hours: Why Aerial Survey Might Be Your Next Aviation Move
Join Nik as he sits down with aerial survey pilot Joe Foster to demystify the world of aerial surveying and explain why this under-the-radar flying job can be…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 316 How to Crush 2026 Webinar
In this special episode of R4P, Nik teams up with Jaron Roux of Spitfire Consulting for a candid conversation on how to land your dream flying job in 2026…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 315 Family, Podcast, Flying: Justin Seims' Pilot to Pilot Podcast Journey
Nik sits down with the "OG" pilot podcaster, Justin Seims, for a candid discussion about his journey from growing up surrounded by aviation to discovering his…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 314 Frosty Runways & Hot Tips: Flying Through Winter's Chill
In this solo episode, Nik shares his biggest lessons learned flying through the heart of winter. From Detroit chills to Minneapolis snow, he unpacks how pilots…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 313 Aviation's Hidden Superpower: Emotional Intelligence Unveiled
In this episode, Nik explores why emotional intelligence is a game-changer for pilots and aviation safety. Dr. James Roesler reveals research showing pilots…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 312 Crisis, Communication, and Command: When Flying Gets Fishy
In this podcast episode, Nik recounts two real-world aviation challenges: 1) Maneuvering a large aircraft during an unexpected gate change in Miami, 2) Solving…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 311 Leading the Future of Airports: AAAE & Airport Ops with Samantha Spencer
Today we're stepping out of the cockpit and into the nerve center of the airport itself. Nik sits down with Samantha Spencer, Operations Manager at South Bend…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 310 Designing the Pilot You'll Be in 2026
Nik reflects on an incredible 2025—family, flying, and the continued growth of the Ready 4 Pushback community—and turns the focus toward meaningful New Year's…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 309 Breaking Barriers: Benson Truong and the Mission of PAPA
In this episode of Ready 4 Pushback, Nik sits down with Benson Truong, president of the Professional Asian Pilots Association (PAPA), to unpack what it really…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 308 Chasing the Major… Without Losing What Matters Most
As 2025 comes to a close, Nik delivers a powerful solo episode about the part of the aviation journey no one warns you about — the impact your pursuit of the…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 307 Supporting Pilots Through the HIMS Pathway
Today's Monday interview takes us into one of the heaviest, most important conversations in professional aviation. Nik sits down with Scott Whittington, an…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 306 When Success Shows Up, So Does Jealousy
Welcome back, Pilot. Today, Nik brings a straight-from-the-heart solo episode built around a hard truth in aviation and life: People are jealous of your…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 305 Mentorship That Moves the Needle: Inside Professional Pilots of Tomorrow
Hey, pilot — welcome back to Ready for Pushback. In today's interview, Nik sits down with Joseph Schmidt, the president of Professional Pilots of Tomorrow, for…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 304 The Conference Struggle is Real -- And You're Not Alone
Aviation conferences look shiny, exciting, and full of opportunity—but for most pilots, especially those still chasing their next job, they can be stressful…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 303 From Pro Ball to the Flight Deck with Curtiss Pomeroy
In this episode, Nik sits down with Curtis Pomeroy, a former professional baseball player who traded the mound for the flight deck. Curtis walks through his…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 302 If You Wait Until the Interview Call . . . You're Already Late
In this solo episode, Nik breaks down why procrastination is the enemy of every pilot's career and why interview prep must start long before the call comes. He…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 301 The Underdog Revolution at Spitfire Elite with Tron Williams
Three hundred episodes. Wild. Absolutely wild. We made it here together—and it's all thanks to you, our Ready 4 Pushback family! To mark this incredible…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 300 "You'll Never Guess What I Heard..."
In this solo episode, Nik dives into the culture of rumors in aviation--how they spread, why we love them, and the toll they can take on your focus and…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 298-2 Crop Duster Life, Part 2: Wires, Wind, and What's Next
Crop duster life, part 2. Davis Darnell returns to unpack wires, MET towers, $2.5M airplanes, insurance realities, drones, and what he and his wife Emily…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 299 When Your Base Shuts Down
From Spirit's closure in Atlantic City to JetBlue's Miami shakeup and Southwest's reductions in Atlanta, Nik explores the ripple effects that come when…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 298-1 The Brown Angel: Crop Dusting with Davis Darnell (Part 1)
In this first half of a two-part interview, host Nik Fialka sits down with Davis Darnell, a third-generation crop duster from the Mississippi Delta…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 297 Gratitude on the Flight Deck: Tiny Acts. Big Impact.
After a long, stressful day, one unexpected pay-it-forward moment at an airport burrito line sent Nik down a rabbit hole: why does gratitude feel so good—and…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 296 Building The Pilot Network with Adam Uhan: Connection, Community and TPNx 2026
In this episode, Nik welcomes back Adam Uhan, President and CEO of The Pilot Network (TPN), for an inside look at what's ahead for pilots in 2026 and beyond…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 295 The Career-Saving Skill of Not Interrupting
In this solo episode, Nik unpacks why interrupting kills momentum, damages first impressions, and can quietly cost you opportunities--especially at…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 294 Picking the Perfect Flight School. What They Don't Tell You!
Former flight school owner and current major-airline pilot Joe Theis joins Nik for a practical, in depth guide to picking a flight school. From Part 61 vs Part…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 293 Commuting: The Hidden Pilot Lifestyle Costs
In this solo episode, Nik dives deep into one of the most debated topics in an airline pilot's career—commuting vs. living in base. With personal stories of…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 292 Flying 18 Inches Apart: Inside the Blue Angels with Brandon Cordill
In this extended deep-dive, Nik sits down with former Blue Angel and Marine Corps F/A-18 pilot Brandon Cordill for a fascinating look into the world of one of…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 291 Fly Higher with Dream Builders
In this motivational solo show, Nik Fialka lays down a critical truth for every pilot and dream-chaser: who you surround yourself with will make or break your…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 290 Pilot Wellness Takes Flight: Building Mental Fitness for Pilots
What happens when a professional counselor trades the therapy couch for the flight deck? In this episode, Nik sits down with Jason Pogue, a regional airline…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 289 Paperwork Perfection: The Checklist to Organize Your Pilot Documents for Success
When the interview invite finally lands in your inbox, excitement quickly turns into stress: "What documents do I actually need to bring?" In this episode, Nik…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 288 Flying, Finances & Finding the Right Mortgage with Marty Medve
In this episode Nik welcomes back Marty Medve, Delta Captain and President/CEO of Trident Home Loans. Marty shares his incredible journey of recovering from a…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 287 Cracking the Code on Airline Assessment Tests
If you're on the path to the airlines, there's a good chance you'll face an assessment test along the way. These tests aren't just about checking your flying…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 286 The Long Way Back: Man Phung on Persistence in Aviation
This week, Nik sits down with his friend Man Phung for a two-part conversation that's as real as it gets. Man's path through aviation is full of twists…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 285 Pilot Resume' Masterclass. Learn How to Get the Interview
Every pilot dreams of that moment when the wheels lift off, the earth falls away, and the sky becomes home. But when it comes to landing your dream aviation…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 284 From Cabin to Cockpit: Diversity in Aviation
In this episode, Nik sits down with Michael Nixon, a flight attendant who is now preparing to begin his flight training to become a pilot. Michael's path…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 283 Grit: The Secret Fuel for Aviation Success
Welcome back, pilots! Today, Nik is flying solo and diving deep into one of the most powerful qualities a pilot — or any leader — can have: GRIT. This episode…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 282 Surviving the Crash: CDR AJ Edwards on Mishaps, Investigations, and Bouncing Back
What happens when the unthinkable happens—and you crash an aircraft? For most pilots, it's the nightmare scenario we hope we'll never face. But for CDR AJ…
Ready 4 PushbackEpisode 281 Beyond the Cockpit: What Defines You Outside the Flight Deck
In this solo episode, Nik shifts the focus from flying skills to life outside the cockpit. Too often, pilots struggle when asked to share something about…
Ready 4 PushbackFrom Backcountry to Gunship: Jared Butler's Wild Flight Path
In this episode, Nik sits down with Air Force pilot Jared Butler, who shares his remarkable journey from flying in the backcountry of Idaho to operating the…
Ready 4 PushbackLead with Empathy, Land with Truth: How to give and receive constructive criticism
In this solo episode Nik takes on an essential skill every pilot and leader must master: giving and receiving feedback. Drawing inspiration from a listener…
Ready 4 PushbackInside RTAG 2025: Joshua Lee on the Convention, Community and Careers
In this episode, Nik Fialka sits down with Joshua Lee, founder of RTAG (Rotary to Airline Group), about how the organization has grown to the point where it…