Thank you for your interest in appearing on the Pilot Life Podcast.
Pilot Life features thoughtful, long-form conversations with professional pilots and people whose work shapes aviation—from airline and military pilots to instructors, engineers, air traffic controllers, safety specialists, researchers, authors and others whose experiences or expertise have something meaningful to contribute.
Most guests are personally invited. However, if you believe you have a story, perspective or area of expertise that could serve the aviation community, you are welcome to submit an expression of interest.
This page explains the purpose of the podcast, how guests are selected, what participation involves and what you can expect before, during and after a recording.
How the guest process works
1 - Learn about the podcast
Please read this page before submitting an expression of interest. It will help you understand the style of the conversation, the preparation involved and what we ask of every guest.
2 - Submit an expression of interest
Tell me briefly who you are and what conversation you believe could contribute something meaningful to the aviation community. You may also recommend someone else whose story or expertise deserves to be heard.
3 - Personal review
Every expression of interest is reviewed personally. If the proposed conversation appears to be a good fit for Pilot Life, I’ll contact you privately with the next step. Submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee an invitation or recording.
4 - Private story questionnaire
Potential guests may be invited to complete a private Pilot Life Story questionnaire. This provides the background and context I need to research properly and consider how the conversation might be shaped.
5 - Formal invitation and preparation
Once a conversation is confirmed, you’ll receive the guest registration details, Podcast Guest Release and recording arrangements. A recording is not considered booked until these steps are complete and a date has been agreed.
Know someone who would make a great guest?
Not every great aviation story belongs to someone with a large public profile. Some of the most valuable conversations begin with a recommendation from a colleague, instructor or friend.
If you know someone whose experience or perspective deserves to be shared, or you believe you have a story of your own that would genuinely benefit the aviation community - I would be pleased to hear from you.
The purpose of the podcast
Every conversation on the Pilot Life Podcast is created with a simple purpose: to contribute something meaningful to the aviation community.
By sharing experiences, lessons learned and different perspectives, we hope each episode encourages thoughtful discussion, supports lifelong learning, and reminds us that there is always something we can learn from one another—regardless of where we are in our flying journey.
Each guest becomes part of a growing library of conversations designed to educate, inspire and preserve the stories that shape our profession.
A note about guest participation
Guest appearances on the Pilot Life Podcast are voluntary and unpaid. We do not offer appearance fees, honorariums or other payment for interviews. Guests participate because they wish to share their experiences, expertise or perspective for the benefit of the wider aviation community.
Editorial discretion
Recording an interview does not guarantee publication. The Pilot Life Podcast retains editorial discretion to decide whether, when and in what form a recording is published.
An interview may be withheld where, after review, it is not considered suitable for the podcast, or where editorial, legal, technical, safety, confidentiality or quality concerns arise.
If you've been invited
Firstly, thank you for accepting my invitation. I genuinely appreciate every guest who chooses to share their time and experience with the Pilot Life community.
My aim is simple: to create relaxed, thoughtful conversations that you'll enjoy being part of, and that pilots will genuinely enjoy listening to.
The following information outlines how I prepare for interviews, what you'll need on the day, and what you can expect throughout the process. My goal is to make the experience enjoyable, professional and as straightforward as possible from start to finish.
What to expect
The Pilot Life Podcast isn't an interview in the traditional sense.
It is simply a conversation.
We'll certainly have topics we'd like to explore, but I don't work from a rigid list of questions. Instead, I spend considerable time researching each guest so we can have a natural discussion that follows your story and experience. Most recordings run between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the guest and where the conversation naturally leads us.
A little about me
The Pilot Life Podcast is built on several years of experience hosting and producing long-form podcasts, including interviews recorded both remotely and in person across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Those conversations have reinforced one simple lesson:
The best interviews happen when guests feel comfortable.
My role is to make the technology disappear so we can simply enjoy a great conversation.
Conversations from around the world
Over the past several years I've been fortunate to record conversations both remotely and in person with guests across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Whether we're sitting around a table or recording from opposite sides of the world, my aim is always the same: to create a relaxed, enjoyable conversation where guests feel comfortable sharing their story.
Before the interview
Once your appearance has been formally confirmed, you’ll receive:
- Guest Registration
- Podcast Guest Release
- Recording and preparation details
If you were invited through the expression-of-interest process, your private Pilot Life Story questionnaire will already have provided the background needed to begin preparing for our conversation.
Your recording is not considered booked until the required guest information and release have been completed and a recording date has been agreed.
In-person interviews
Where travel schedules allow, I always enjoy recording face-to-face. I regularly travel throughout Australia and internationally and occasionally arrange recordings while away. If we're recording in person, I'll bring all professional recording equipment.
All you need to do is turn up.
Recording remotely
Remote interviews are recorded online using Riverside.
All you need is:
- A computer running Chrome or Safari
- A reliable internet connection
- An external USB microphone if available (recommended)
- Headphones
- A webcam (preferred but not essential)
Your webcam helps the conversation feel natural but is not recorded unless agreed beforehand.
Preparation
You don't need to rehearse. In fact, I'd rather you didn't. Simply think about your career, experiences and stories. The conversations listeners remember most are rarely the ones with perfect answers. They're the honest moments that couldn't have been scripted.
After the interview
Each episode is carefully edited, mixed and mastered before publication. Where appropriate, I'll also fact-check operational or technical details before the episode is released. I'll send you the publication date in advance, along with links and promotional material you can share with your own network if you'd like.
A note about accuracy
As many guests work within highly regulated aviation environments, I understand the importance of accuracy and context. While conversations are edited for clarity and length, care is always taken to preserve the meaning and intent of what was said. If there's a technical point that requires clarification or correction, we'll work through it together before publication where appropriate.
Questions?
If anything comes to mind before recording, please don't hesitate to contact me. I want every guest to feel informed, relaxed and genuinely excited about the conversation ahead.