The Valor Flight Crew

Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider

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.

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72 episodes
Updated July 22

Episodes72

Newest first

February 25 · 54 min
Episode 51 - Mental Health Resilience with Kacee Griffin Part 1
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.
February 18 · 58 min
Episode 50 - Raising the Safety Bar with VyClimb Part 2
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.
February 11 · 59 min
Episode 49 - Raising the Safety Bar with VyClimb Part 1
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.
February 4 · 58 min
Episodes 48 - Beating All Odds: Aaron Hamm’s Journey from Patient to Pilot Part 2
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine. In this episode the rotors are turning, the banter is strong, and the stories remind us why this mission matters. Today, we’re joined by Aaron Hamm, a seasoned helicopter pilot with a truly unique aviation journey. Aaron has experienced this profession from both sides of the stretcher and the cockpit, and his story is one of resilience, grit, and purpose. We dive into his experiences in flight instruction, crew resource management in the helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) environment, and the realities of operating in high-pressure situations — balanced with the humor and camaraderie that keep crews grounded. Aaron shares how a life-changing accident reshaped his perspective on aviation, medicine, and teamwork, and how determination and community helped him beat the odds and follow his dream to flight. It’s an honest, uplifting conversation about dedication, following your dreams no matter what life throws at you, and never losing sight of the impact we have on the patients and teammates we serve. Listeners can dive even deeper into Aaron’s remarkable journey in an upcoming feature profile in the Winter issue of Valor, which expands on his path from patient to pilot and the lessons that continue to shape his approach to HEMS and teamwork. So, strap in and enjoy the ride on this episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Spectrum Aeromed.
January 28 · 56 min
Episodes 47 - Beating All Odds: Aaron Hamm’s Journey from Patient to Pilot Part 1
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine. In this episode the rotors are turning, the banter is strong, and the stories remind us why this mission matters. Today, we’re joined by Aaron Hamm, a seasoned helicopter pilot with a truly unique aviation journey. Aaron has experienced this profession from both sides of the stretcher and the cockpit, and his story is one of resilience, grit, and purpose. We dive into his experiences in flight instruction, crew resource management in the helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) environment, and the realities of operating in high-pressure situations — balanced with the humor and camaraderie that keep crews grounded. Aaron shares how a life-changing accident reshaped his perspective on aviation, medicine, and teamwork, and how determination and community helped him beat the odds and follow his dream to flight. It’s an honest, uplifting conversation about dedication, following your dreams no matter what life throws at you, and never losing sight of the impact we have on the patients and teammates we serve. Listeners can dive even deeper into Aaron’s remarkable journey in an upcoming feature profile in the Winter issue of Valor, which expands on his path from patient to pilot and the lessons that continue to shape his approach to HEMS and teamwork. So, strap in and enjoy the ride on this episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
January 21 · 1 hr 10 min
Episode 46 - Beyond the First Year: Technology, Innovation, and the Future of Public Safety Aviation
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine. Today… the keys have been temporarily handed over. In this special takeover episode, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely from the Hangar Z Podcast step into the cockpit for a fun, reflective, and forward-looking conversation as we mark one full year of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast. From the moments that defined our first year to the conversations that challenged, inspired, and connected our community, this episode is all about where we’ve been—and where we’re headed next. Listen in to this two-part episode as Jon and Jack take us hostage to dive into what’s on the horizon for the podcast, what we’re most excited about moving forward, and how emerging technology and innovation are shaping the future of public safety and air medical operations. It’s a relaxed, behind-the-scenes look at the mission, the momentum, and the ideas driving this industry forward. So strap in and celebrate the journey with us as we hover into the next phase of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast – the takeover starts now. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
January 14 · 1 hr 14 min
Episode 45 - Cleared for Takeover: Inside One Year of Valor Flight Crew Podcast
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine. Today… the keys have been temporarily handed over. In this special takeover episode, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely from the Hangar Z Podcast step into the cockpit for a fun, reflective, and forward-looking conversation as we mark one full year of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast. From the moments that defined our first year to the conversations that challenged, inspired, and connected our community, this episode is all about where we’ve been—and where we’re headed next. Listen in to this two-part episode as Jon and Jack take us hostage to dive into what’s on the horizon for the podcast, what we’re most excited about moving forward, and how emerging technology and innovation are shaping the future of public safety and air medical operations. It’s a relaxed, behind-the-scenes look at the mission, the momentum, and the ideas driving this industry forward. So strap in and celebrate the journey with us as we hover into the next phase of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast – the takeover starts now. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
January 7 · 47 min
Episode 44 - Prepared for the Worst: Inside Carilion Life-Guard’s Incapacitated Pilot Program Part 2
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor magazine. Today, we sit down with the team from Carilion Life-Guard for a groundbreaking conversation about one of the most forward-leaning safety initiatives in the industry: Their incapacitated pilot program. In this episode, we explore how this effort came to life—its origins, its challenges, and the meticulous procedures designed to protect crews when seconds matter. The Carilion team walks us through the training, communication strategies, and human factors that drive their approach, as well as the technological integrations that enhance situational awareness and safety in the cockpit. You’ll hear candid insights about overcoming resistance, strengthening crew resource management (CRM), and shaping protocols that crews can trust in high-stress environments. From checklist discipline to crew camaraderie, this conversation underscores the shared responsibility we all carry when it comes to safety. And as we look ahead, the team shares an exciting vision for the future—where emerging technologies and increased automation may one day transform how we respond when a pilot becomes incapacitated. So strap in as this forward-thinking episode blends innovation, teamwork, and mission-focused readiness at every level. Let’s get into it. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
Dec 24, 2025 · 51 min
Episode 43 - Prepared for the Worst: Inside Carilion Life-Guard’s Incapacitated Pilot Program Part 1
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor magazine. Today, we sit down with the team from Carilion Life-Guard for a groundbreaking conversation about one of the most forward-leaning safety initiatives in the industry: Their incapacitated pilot program. In this episode, we explore how this effort came to life—its origins, its challenges, and the meticulous procedures designed to protect crews when seconds matter. The Carilion team walks us through the training, communication strategies, and human factors that drive their approach, as well as the technological integrations that enhance situational awareness and safety in the cockpit. You’ll hear candid insights about overcoming resistance, strengthening crew resource management (CRM), and shaping protocols that crews can trust in high-stress environments. From checklist discipline to crew camaraderie, this conversation underscores the shared responsibility we all carry when it comes to safety. And as we look ahead, the team shares an exciting vision for the future—where emerging technologies and increased automation may one day transform how we respond when a pilot becomes incapacitated. So strap in as this forward-thinking episode blends innovation, teamwork, and mission-focused readiness at every level. Let’s get into it. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
Dec 17, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min
Episode 42 - Inside Safety Culture: Trust, Voice, and Vulnerability Part 2
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor magazine. In today’s episode, we sit down with researcher and industry expert Russell Griffin for an honest and eye-opening conversation about what truly drives safety culture. Together, we unpack the human side of aviation safety—exploring how communication, trust, and vulnerability influence the decisions crews make under pressure. Russell shares his personal journey and groundbreaking research on crew dynamics, leadership, and the powerful role of “safety voice” in keeping teams aligned and patients safe. From the realities of high-stress environments to the impact of organizational structures on well-being, this episode sheds light on the internal and external pressures that shape situational awareness and performance in critical moments. It’s a conversation about leadership, accountability, and recognizing the good—because building a positive safety culture isn’t just policy … it’s people. Buckle up. This is an episode you won’t want to miss. Thank you to our sponsors Coptersafety, Precision Aviation Group, and Spectrum Aeromed.
Dec 10, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
Episode 41 - Inside Safety Culture: Trust, Voice, and Vulnerability Part 1
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor magazine. In today’s episode, we sit down with researcher and industry expert Russell Griffin for an honest and eye-opening conversation about what truly drives safety culture. Together, we unpack the human side of aviation safety—exploring how communication, trust, and vulnerability influence the decisions crews make under pressure. Russell shares his personal journey and groundbreaking research on crew dynamics, leadership, and the powerful role of “safety voice” in keeping teams aligned and patients safe. From the realities of high-stress environments to the impact of organizational structures on well-being, this episode sheds light on the internal and external pressures that shape situational awareness and performance in critical moments. It’s a conversation about leadership, accountability, and recognizing the good—because building a positive safety culture isn’t just policy … it’s people. Buckle up. This is an episode you won’t want to miss. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Spectrum Aeromed.
Dec 3, 2025 · 59 min
Episode 40 - Owning the Process: Leading without Ego with Dave Weber Part 2
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical Helicasts and Vertical Valor Magazine. In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Weber, who opened the 2025 ECHO Conference with a powerful keynote on leadership and teamwork. We take a deeper look into his five core principles for building stronger teams — take ownership, lose your ego, keep it simple, stay focused, and empower your team. Dave reminds us that true leadership isn’t about titles or rank — it’s about trust, humility, and giving your people a voice. Whether you’re leading a flight crew, maintenance crew, a communications team, or a clinical operation, this conversation is packed with real, actionable takeaways you can put into practice today. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Precision Aviation Group and Coptersafety..
Nov 26, 2025 · 58 min
Episode 39 - Owning the Process: Leading without Ego with Dave Weber Part 1
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical Helicasts and Vertical Valor Magazine. In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Weber, who opened the 2025 ECHO Conference with a powerful keynote on leadership and teamwork. We take a deeper look into his five core principles for building stronger teams — take ownership, lose your ego, keep it simple, stay focused, and empower your team. Dave reminds us that true leadership isn’t about titles or rank — it’s about trust, humility, and giving your people a voice. Whether you’re leading a flight crew, maintenance crew, a communications team, or a clinical operation, this conversation is packed with real, actionable takeaways you can put into practice today. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Precision Aviation Group and Night Flight Concepts.
Nov 19, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min
Episode 38 Precision in the Air: The Joint Mission of NJ’s JEMSTAR Program
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor magazine. In this episode, we explore another non-traditional helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) program with an inside look at JEMSTAR in New Jersey. This unique program isn’t just any medevac team—these crews blend law enforcement precision with life-saving medical expertise to answer some of the state’s most critical calls. From high-stakes missions and cutting-edge aircraft operations to the teamwork and innovation that keep every patient safe, today’s conversation gives you an all-access pass to the stories, strategies, and people behind public safety aviation in New Jersey. So buckle up as we explore how JEMSTAR’s mission is serving and protecting in more ways than one! Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
Nov 12, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Episode 37 - Response Ready: Concepts for Effective Briefing/Debriefing
Welcome to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine. In this live episode from the ECHO Louisville 2025 conference, we sit down with US Army pilot and ECHO Safety Team member Sean Gavin from the New York Air National Guard. Together, we explore the art of briefing and debriefing — what makes them effective, how humility drives accountability, and why learning from every mission, win or loss, matters. There are so many lessons to be learned from each mission and it is important to have open and honest conversations about each flight. Being able to highlight the good, bad or indifferent can help flight crews continue to grow and create a safer environment. From military precision to civilian application, this episode dives into communication, culture, and the leadership mindset that keeps aircrews safe and growing. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Night Flight Concepts.
Nov 5, 2025 · 57 min
Episode 36 - Beyond the FRAT: Redefining Risk in Public Safety Aviation Part 2
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor magazine. In this episode, we sit down with Jack Schonely, co-host of The Hangar Z Podcast and respected voice in aviation and public safety, to explore one of the most vital aspects of our profession: Risk management. Together, we dive deep into the human factors that shape decision-making, the balance between leadership and ego, and the importance of a culture where every crew member feels empowered to speak up. Through personal stories and hard-earned lessons from Jack’s extensive law enforcement aviation career, this conversation uncovers the difference between simply managing risk—and truly understanding it. From accountability and communication to the continuous pursuit of improvement, this episode challenges us all to rethink what it means to fly safely, lead effectively, and to go beyond the FRAT. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Night Flight Concepts and Precision Aviation Group.
Oct 22, 2025 · 55 min
Episodes 35 Beyond the FRAT: Redefining Risk in Public Safety Aviation Part 1
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor magazine. In this episode, we sit down with Jack Schonely, co-host of The Hangar Z Podcast and respected voice in aviation and public safety, to explore one of the most vital aspects of our profession: Risk management. Together, we dive deep into the human factors that shape decision-making, the balance between leadership and ego, and the importance of a culture where every crew member feels empowered to speak up. Through personal stories and hard-earned lessons from Jack’s extensive law enforcement aviation career, this conversation uncovers the difference between simply managing risk—and truly understanding it. From accountability and communication to the continuous pursuit of improvement, this episode challenges us all to rethink what it means to fly safely, lead effectively, and to go beyond the FRAT. Thank you to our sponsors Coptersafety, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.
Oct 15, 2025 · 46 min
Episode 34 - Complex Care, Clear Skies: Behind Boston MedFlight’s Most Challenging Cases Part 2
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor magazine. In this episode, we sit down with two incredible clinicians from Boston MedFlight, Jamie Eastman and Widmac (Wid) Laterion. Together, they take us inside the daily mission and operations of one of the nation’s most respected critical care transport programs. From the challenges of neonatal and pediatric transports to the transition from military service into civilian medicine, Jamie and Wid share amazing insights from their unique journeys. You’ll hear about the training and preparation that keep their teams ready for the most complex cases, including high-fidelity simulation, rigorous onboarding, and the importance of crew resource management. We’ll also explore Boston MedFlight’s transition to the Airbus H145 D3 and how this advanced airframe helps them deliver safe, effective care to critically ill and injured patients. Along the way, our guests reflect on memorable missions, collaboration across Massachusetts healthcare systems, and what it means to be part of a program dedicated to the highest standards of patient care. Thanks for tuning in, let’s get into it! Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Coptersafety and Spectrum Aeromed.
Oct 8, 2025 · 45 min
Episode 33 - Complex Care, Clear Skies: Behind Boston MedFlight’s Most Challenging Cases Part 1
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor magazine. In this episode, we sit down with two incredible clinicians from Boston MedFlight, Jamie Eastman and Widmac (Wid) Laterion. Together, they take us inside the daily mission and operations of one of the nation’s most respected critical care transport programs. From the challenges of neonatal and pediatric transports to the transition from military service into civilian medicine, Jamie and Wid share amazing insights from their unique journeys. You’ll hear about the training and preparation that keep their teams ready for the most complex cases, including high-fidelity simulation, rigorous onboarding, and the importance of crew resource management. We’ll also explore Boston MedFlight’s transition to the Airbus H145 D3 and how this advanced airframe helps them deliver safe, effective care to critically ill and injured patients. Along the way, our guests reflect on memorable missions, collaboration across Massachusetts healthcare systems, and what it means to be part of a program dedicated to the highest standards of patient care. Thanks for tuning in, let’s get into it! Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Technisonic Industries.
Oct 1, 2025 · 1 hr 20 min
Episode 32 - Blades of Valor: Resilience and Recovery after Tragedy
Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor magazine. In this episode, we sit down with flight nurse Danica Mainridge—a clinician whose story is as inspiring as it is unforgettable. From her path into critical care to the day everything changed in the aftermath of her company’s helicopter crash, Danica takes us inside the split-second decisions, the raw emotions, and the long road of personal recovery that followed. Together, we explore the weight of trauma, the necessity of resilience, and the strength that comes from within. Danica opens up about grief, identity, and what it truly means to care for others while finding healing yourself. And stay tuned till the end as we share how Danica’s courage and dedication earned her the much deserved Blades of Valor Recognition of Service, Courage and Flight award. This is not just a story of survival—it’s a story of courage, purpose, and the unbreakable spirit of a flight clinician. Thank you to our sponsors Precision Aviation Group, Spectrum Aeromed and Technisonic Industries.