This week, our hosts explore the inspiring journey of Heather 'Princess' Fox and her unique connection to Merryl. Heather shares powerful insights on leadership communication, offering practical strategies for guiding large teams toward ambitious goals—while staying authentic, approachable, and human every step of the way.

Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. All episodes are recorded with permission.

© 2025 All Fire No Smoke Podcast. All rights reserved. For media inquiries, guest submissions, or more information, visit https://shows.acast.com/all-fire-no-smoke-podcast

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered official advice or endorsement.

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In this episode of All Fire No Smoke, Dragon Lady Merryl Tengesdal sits down with CFI and business jet pilot, and entrepreneur Amber Brierly for a wide-ranging conversation about aviation, community, and the fundamentals of flying — recorded in the unique setting of a Falcon 7X cabin (because why not?)

Amber shares her journey from growing up in New Zealand to becoming a U.S. citizen and building a career in business aviation and general aviation. Together, Merryl and Amber explore the challenges of transitioning between different aircraft types, the critical importance of stick-and-rudder skills in the age of automation, and what it takes to navigate unconscious bias and find your confidence in the cockpit.

This episode is both a technical and emotional look at what it means to fly — and why community, mentorship, and emotional intelligence are as vital as flight hours.

Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. All episodes are recorded with permission.

© 2025 All Fire No Smoke Podcast. All rights reserved. For media inquiries, guest submissions, or more information, visit https://shows.acast.com/all-fire-no-smoke-podcast

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered official advice or endorsement.

Contact us: allfirenosmoke.podcast.com

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In our State-of-the-State Mid-Season Check-In, hosts Caroline "Blaze" Jensen and Merryl "Dragon Lady" Tengesdal share personal updates, discuss the challenges of navigating current events, and emphasize the importance of self-care and resilience. They reflect on their experiences in the military, the impact of small interactions, and the significance of personal growth.

Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. All episodes are recorded with permission.

© 2025 All Fire No Smoke Podcast. All rights reserved. For media inquiries, guest submissions, or more information, visit https://shows.acast.com/all-fire-no-smoke-podcast

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered official advice or endorsement.

Contact us: allfirenosmoke.podcast.com

Instagram: @allfirenosmoke.podcast

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Fighter Pilots on Merit, Mentorship, and the DEI Debate

In this episode, Ryan “Motor” Riley and Caroline “Blaze” Jensen—former Thunderbirds, combat pilots, and longtime wingmen—get real about diversity, equity, and inclusion in military aviation in their experiences flying together and the careers that followed. Drawing from deployments, flight training, and years in elite squadrons, they explore what truly matters in building a lethal, unified force: trust, mentorship, and performance under pressure. From challenging assumptions to advocating for a wide talent pipeline without lowering standards, Merryl, Motor, and Blaze offer an unfiltered take on what diversity should look like in high-stakes environments—and why it can't come at the cost of competence.

Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. All episodes are recorded with permission.

© 2025 All Fire No Smoke Podcast. All rights reserved. For media inquiries, guest submissions, or more information, visit https://shows.acast.com/all-fire-no-smoke-podcast

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered official advice or endorsement.

Contact us: allfirenosmoke.podcast.com

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Flying the F-16. Leading the Thunderbirds. Fighting for instructors.

Ryan “Motor” Riley pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to fly one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world and perform precision maneuvers with the Thunderbirds. But this episode goes beyond the stick and rudder. Riley talks about the weight of leadership, balancing egos and morale, and what it meant to be the guy who spoke up for instructors when others didn’t. From flying the F-16 and T-38 to championing the T-6 as a more capable training platform, Motor shares how every role—whether in combat, in the airshow circuit, or behind the scenes—shaped his view of service, teamwork, and what really moves the needle in military aviation. No fluff, just straight talk from a pilot who’s done it all.

Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. All episodes are recorded with permission.

© 2025 All Fire No Smoke Podcast. All rights reserved. For media inquiries, guest submissions, or more information, visit https://shows.acast.com/all-fire-no-smoke-podcast

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered official advice or endorsement.

Contact us: allfirenosmoke.podcast.com

Instagram: @allfirenosmoke.podcast

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Erasing History? Why the Military is Quietly Removing Stories of Trailblazing Women and People of Color

This episode confronts a disturbing trend: the quiet removal of pioneering service members’ stories—like that of Betty Preszler, the first woman to fly and eject from the F-16—from official military websites. We explore why these narratives matter, how they’ve inspired generations, and what’s at stake when they’re erased. Preszler and fellow voices argue that far from dividing units, these stories build pride, resilience, and a more inclusive force. From leadership struggles to recruiting impact, this discussion sheds light on a broader effort to rewrite history—and why pushing back matters now more than ever.

Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. All episodes are recorded with permission.

© 2025 All Fire No Smoke Podcast. All rights reserved. For media inquiries, guest submissions, or more information, visit https://shows.acast.com/all-fire-no-smoke-podcast

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered official advice or endorsement.

Contact us: allfirenosmoke.podcast.com

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In the flagship episode AFNS Season 2, we feature the first woman to fly the F-16: Sharon "Betty" Preszler.

Betty “Sharon” Preszler was one of the first three women selected to fly fighter jets in the U.S. Air Force in 1993, going to to set a number of other firsts in a massive career in aviation. In our interview with her, she shares what it was like to break some of the first barriers for women in the fighter community, facing intense scrutiny and pressure with every decision. Preszler reflects on the importance of real leadership, the support she received from her squadron commander, and how she developed a mindset to rise above the doubters in the 1990's.

She also recounts a harrowing emergency ejection from her F-16 and the psychological toll that followed, offering a rare look into the stakes of high-performance decision-making. Preszler emphasizes that in the fighter world, performance speaks louder than politics. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience, progress, and what it takes to thrive when the odds are stacked against you—making this episode essential listening for anyone interested in leadership, aviation, or overcoming adversity.

Also, how does one get such a standard-sounding call sign?

Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. All episodes are recorded with permission.

© 2025 All Fire No Smoke Podcast. All rights reserved. For media inquiries, guest submissions, or more information, visit https://shows.acast.com/all-fire-no-smoke-podcast

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered official advice or endorsement.

Contact us: allfirenosmoke.podcast.com

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[SKIP TO 1:15 TO SKIP INTRO]

Oh, you thought that was just a one-time thing? Ha! We're back! And, as is standard protocol, we're bringing the fire, but now this time with unfiltered, guest-driven episodes. Here's a fun, quick intro from our hosts to set the tone of SEASON 2 of All Fire No Smoke.

Stay tuned for our full-length episodes as we record guest interviews with the women and men who have paved the way for a stronger, QUALIFIED aviation industry today.

Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. All episodes are recorded with permission.

© 2025 All Fire No Smoke Podcast. All rights reserved. For media inquiries, guest submissions, or more information, visit https://shows.acast.com/all-fire-no-smoke-podcast

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered official advice or endorsement.

Contact us: allfirenosmoke.podcast.com

Instagram: @allfirenosmoke.podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.