Hey everyone, it’s Jonathan Knaul here, and welcome to another episode of Final Approach. In this very special conversation, I’m reconnecting with Dr. Cinde Lock—an inspiring leader, educator, and friend who’s currently the Head of Pickering College. For all our listeners curious about leadership, innovation in education, and the real-world challenges of caregiving, this episode is packed with insights and authentic stories that will resonate with you.

In this episode, I have the privilege of catching up with Dr. Cinde Lock about her journey from international educator to becoming the first female head of Pickering College. We delve into her extensive background in global education, touching on her leadership roles in countries like South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the Ivory Coast. Dr. Lock shares how these experiences shaped her perspective and fueled her passion for helping students find purpose and confidence.

We reflect on the unique values at the heart of Pickering College—rooted in Quaker traditions, simplicity, inclusion, innovation, and integrity—and discuss how these values shape the school’s community and drive its educational vision. The episode also opens up a deeply personal space as we talk about the challenges and emotional journey of family caregiving, sharing our personal stories about supporting loved ones through chronic illness. Dr. Lock provides heartfelt insight into how caregiving shaped her family dynamic, offering wisdom for balancing personal aspirations with the responsibilities we face at home.

As always, we tie it all together by exploring the role vulnerability and presence play in leadership and education, arguing that being truly present—for students, staff, and family—is key to making a real impact. Plus, we touch on the innovative approaches now being championed at Pickering College, from project-based learning to reimagining the student experience.

Key Takeaways

1. Pickering College’s rich history and commitment to vision-driven, inclusive education is paving the way for future innovators.
2. Dr. Cinde Lock’s global experience brings a unique perspective to leadership, blending international best practices with the heart of Canadian independent schools.
3. Vulnerability and authentic presence are crucial for effective leadership, especially when supporting diverse communities.
4. Being a caregiver—whether for a family member or within a school community—can be emotionally taxing, but it also fosters resilience, empathy, and strengthens relationships.
5. Innovation in education starts with the individual student, tackling real-world problems and fostering mentorship, rather than rigid curriculum-first models.
6. The values of diversity, equity, and inclusion must be protected and championed, especially in challenging times.
7. Storytelling, both in writing and through personal connection, has the power to give hope and understanding to caregivers and those navigating life’s difficult journeys.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more about innovative leadership and education, or if you’re navigating your own caregiving journey, I invite you to check out my book, which is written for caregivers searching for hope and connection, at finalapproachbook.com. For listeners interested in Pickering College, visit their website at PickeringCollege.ca and be sure to tune in to their radio station, CHOP FM 102.7, to get a taste of the vibrant school and local community.

If this conversation resonated with you, please share it on your favorite social channels, leave us a review, and reach out with your own stories—we’d love to hear from you!

Thank you for joining us on Final Approach. Until next time, let’s keep building community, fostering innovation, and supporting one another through the challenges and joys of life.

Best in care,

Jonathan

Welcome to another episode of Final Approach. I’m your host, Jonathan Knaul, and this week’s episode is a heartfelt journey through aviation achievement, family bonds, and the realities of caregiving, all told through the story of my good friend and colleague, Steve Rainey (call sign “Hooter”). We sit down at my home in Palmdale, CA, to talk about the high-flying world of test pilots, but more importantly, the grounded challenges of caring for loved ones.

In this episode, I introduce Steve, whose legendary aviation resume includes serving as the lead and chief test pilot on the F-22 Raptor for Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and the U.S. Air Force. We discuss his storied career, including his beginnings in rural Illinois, first flight experiences, and transitions through the Air Force Academy, Naval Test Pilot School, and flying the world’s largest wingspan aircraft at Stratolaunch.

But our conversation takes a much more personal turn as Steve opens up about his recent journey as a caregiver to his father. He shares the emotional, logistical, and financial challenges faced when caring for aging parents, from remote monitoring, securing home caregivers, and navigating the health system, to the heartbreak of loss and the importance of community support.

We reflect on the family environment at National Test Pilot School (NTPS), the power of having a strong support system—both at work and in personal life—and how being part of a caring team makes all the difference, especially during life’s toughest moments.

1. From Cockpits to Caring: Even the most accomplished professionals, including test pilots, face vulnerable moments—like those spent caring for aging parents. Sharing these stories helps normalize them and makes us stronger.
2. Value of Family & Support: Having a “family” at work, and a strong network of friends and colleagues, is invaluable when dealing with personal challenges.
3. Caregiving Realities: The transition to caregiving often comes with complex emotions, guilt, and logistical struggles, especially when negotiating between independence, dignity, and safety for loved ones.
4. Finding Good Help: Sometimes, the best caregiving resources come from personal connections, not just online searches or formal channels.
5. Cherish the Present: Spend time with your loved ones—don’t wait for “next time.” Those moments are precious and finite.
6. Aviation Community Lessons: The test pilot community’s emphasis on collaboration, safety, and mutual support has valuable lessons for caregiving—don’t try to do it alone.
7. Emotional Honesty Matters: Embracing and expressing emotion, even in traditionally stoic professions, is a form of true strength.

If you’re moved by Steve Rainey’s story or facing your own caregiving journey, I encourage you to visit finalapproachbook.com. There, you can join our caregiving community, sign up for our newsletter packed with support and tips, and learn more about my book, Final Approach: A Test Pilot Story of Caring for Loved Ones, available in print, audio, and ebook formats.

If you’re a caregiver, know that you are not alone. Reach out, share your experiences, and build your support network—just...

Welcome back to Final Approach. In today’s special episode, I’m thrilled to interview Julie Broad, the dynamic CEO and founder of BookLaunchers. Julie and her talented team helped me produce my own book, Final Approach: A Test Pilot’s Story of Caring for Loved Ones, and I’m excited to dive deep into what makes their work so impactful for nonfiction authors, the real stories behind publishing, and how meaningful books can truly change lives.

BookLaunchers is a powerhouse in the nonfiction publishing world that prides itself on producing “no boring books.” We discuss how Julie’s philosophy—that every book should be written for the reader, not the author—has helped more than 800 authors launch books that make a difference. Julie shares the holistic approach her company takes to guide authors through book creation, editing, design, marketing, and positioning, ensuring their stories have maximum impact.

We also get real about the challenges and successes of running a business in today’s fast-changing publishing landscape, including shifts brought on by artificial intelligence and online scammers. Julie opens up about her transition from Canada to Las Vegas, balancing entrepreneurship with family life, and her resilience through the 2008 economic downturn. She highlights memorable stories from authors whose books have helped communities and inspired change—like Dr. Cynthia Pan's book on end-of-life strategies and Jonathan Stanley's viral journey sharing heart-centered leadership in the corporate world.

Julie wraps up the conversation with practical advice for anyone wanting to write a nonfiction book, urging writers to focus on a specific reader and their hook, and emphasizing the power of self-publishing to produce books that look and feel traditionally published, but remain entirely yours. We close with actionable resources and how listeners can connect with Book Launchers to get started.

• No Boring Books: Nonfiction doesn’t have to be dull; impactful stories must engage and serve readers—not just the author.
• Write for the Reader: The book may be about you, but it’s written for a specific person with a problem or need; targeting your audience is key.
• Holistic Publishing Approach: Success comes from alignment throughout editing, design, and marketing, with a clear vision of the target reader.
• Self-Publishing Power: Today’s authors can publish professional, widely distributed books without storing copies in their garage—self-publishing is legitimate and accessible.
• Resilience in Business: Being adaptable and facing challenges head-on, like the 2008 recession and recent shifts in the market, is essential for entrepreneurship.
• Family and Business Balance: Parenting and launching a business in a new country requires determination, planning, and support.
• Author Impact Stories: Books like Dr. Cynthia Pan’s Exit Strategies and Jonathan Stanley’s Purposeful Performance have changed lives—and even gone viral—by connecting authentically with readers.
• Book Launchers Resources: Practical guides, a thriving YouTube channel, and hands-on help are available for anyone looking to write and publish nonfiction.

Feeling inspired to share your own story in a nonfiction book? Visit booklaunchers.com/sevensteps to grab Julie’s free guide, "7 Steps to Write a Book That’s Set Up to Sell." Dive into BookLaunchers’ YouTube channel for expert insights and connect with Julie’s team for dedicated support. Let’s keep making no boring books, telling real stories, and helping readers on their final approach.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and...

Welcome back to Final Approach, the podcast where we explore the story of caring for loved ones from the cockpit and beyond. I’m Jonathan Knaul, your host and author of the book Final Approach: Test Pilot’s Story of Caring for Loved Ones. Today’s episode is one you don’t want to miss: I’m joined by my friend, fellow test pilot, astronaut, and family man, Andy Edgell, who brings a unique perspective from high-risk aviation and personal caregiving.

In our conversation, Andy and I talk candidly about his extraordinary career as a British Royal Air Force pilot, F-35 flight tester, instructor at top test pilot schools, and now an experimental test pilot and astronaut for Virgin Galactic. We go deep into what it’s like to care for loved ones across continents. Andy opens up about supporting his parents from afar—his father, a retired British Airways pilot, is living with Alzheimer’s in the UK, while Andy raises his own family in California.

We tackle the emotional realities of being a caregiver while holding down a high-pressure career, the struggles of communicating with loved ones affected by dementia, and the tension between our “fix-it” mentality as pilots and the true needs of those we care for. We touch on the power of music therapy, the importance of vulnerability, and the need for honest, open communication when family is spread across the globe.

Key Takeaways

1. Balancing High-Pressure Careers and Family Caregiving: Andy shares the realities of being both a test pilot/astronaut and a caregiver to family members living abroad.
2. Long-Distance Caregiving: Learn strategies for supporting loved ones from afar, including the importance of regular communication and emotional connection.
3. Military Mindset and Caregiving: How the "problem-solving" approach instilled in test pilots can help—and sometimes hinder—when applied to real-life family relationships.
4. Communicating with Family Members with Dementia: Andy’s touching accounts of connecting with his father through shared passion—especially aviation and music.
5. Vulnerability in High-Stakes Professions: Why it’s crucial for test pilots, astronauts, and anyone in demanding careers to embrace vulnerability and open up about personal struggles.
6. Role of Music Therapy: We discuss the potential benefits and limitations of using music to support cognitive health in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.
7. Importance of Honest Communication: Having trusted family members who provide candid feedback is essential for maintaining healthy relationships.

If you enjoyed today’s discussion, visit FinalApproachBook.com to download your free caregiver plan, sign up for my newsletter, and learn more about my book, Final Approach. Join our community and remind yourself: you are never alone in your caregiving journey.

Share this episode with fellow caregivers, aviators, and anyone who needs support balancing career and family. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for more candid conversations about resilience, aviation, and the power of caring for those you love.

Best in care,

Jonathan

Welcome to the very first episode of Final Approach: Human Stories From High-Stress Professions, a podcast dedicated to the untold stories behind caregiving, family, and high-paced careers. I’m Jonathan Knaul, your host, and for this debut episode, I’m joined by my incredible sister, Dr. Felicia Knaul, a world-renowned public health leader. Together, we open up about our journey as caregivers for our parents, blending the extraordinary and the ordinary with stories of love, vulnerability, and resilience.

Felicia’s impressive career—from her influential work with street children in Colombia to her advocacy for cancer and palliative care—is the backdrop to our conversation. But the heart of the episode is my motivation to write a book about caregiving, triggered by our shared experience caring for our mother as she declined from dementia, and our father’s earlier battle with cancer.

We explore how my background as a military pilot and test pilot shaped my approach to caregiving, especially during the isolating days of COVID-19. Felicia brings to light her own perspective, sharing how pandemic restrictions separated her from our mother and how remote tools became lifelines for connection and therapy. We talk candidly about the burnout, emotional vulnerability, mistakes, and ultimately the love that kept us going.

By weaving together the wartime survival stories of our parents, the stress of caregiving through the pandemic, and the practical wisdom of checklists and compassion, we share not just a guide for others—but a testament to family. This episode is for anyone suddenly thrust into caregiving, searching for support, or needing reassurance that the “final approach” can be met with strength and heart.

• Caregiving often arrives unannounced: We rarely plan for it, but when it happens, the experience is both challenging and life-changing.
• Checklists and structure help: My military and test pilot training instilled a discipline and process that translated into practical guidance for caregiving—especially during critical moments.
• Emotional vulnerability is not weakness: Opening up about the hard days, mistakes, and burnout empowers others and builds connection.
• COVID-19 changed everything: The pandemic complicated every aspect of caregiving—from isolation to securing help—and revealed the need for creativity and resilience.
• Personalized care is vital: To truly care for someone, you must know them—what comforts them, what bothers them, and what makes their life meaningful.
• Remote support matters: Virtual therapy, music, and art sessions became essential for maintaining connection and well-being during the pandemic.
• Love drives the process: Beyond procedures and organization, it’s the love for our mother (and for each other as siblings) that fueled us through difficult times.
• Resources and guides are essential: The book I wrote, and this podcast, aim to fill gaps for caregivers—especially when dealing with administrative and emotional hurdles after loss.

If this episode resonated with you—if you’re a caregiver, a family member facing tough times, or someone navigating high-paced professional and personal demands—I invite you to stay tuned and join our community. Subscribe to the Final Approach podcast, check out my book and audiobook at finalapproachbook.com, and sign up for our newsletter for tips, guidance, and shared stories. Reach out and let us know your caregiving experiences. Remember: you’re not alone.

Thank you so much for joining us on this journey. Best in care,

Jonathan