Mastering Chaos

This season I'll be talking to instructors who keep me honest. And to start it off, I'm bringing Cosmo and Dwight to talk about their journeys and what they feel are the most important lessons for flying students and instructors. Note: The paper lives on Intelink, here: https://go.intelink.gov/aksteR7

In this last episode, Notebook LM debates whether the idea of Truth over Ego is practical in a cynical, bureaucratic world. I wasn't sure what to expect when I asked the AI to debate this, but I loved the outcome. It's really a very challenging look at integrity and what it means in an imperfect world. Thanks for listening, I hope the material this season helped. I recommend going back an reviewin...

What's more important, learning skills or affects? Today, Notebook LM will debate which one matters more to starting your journey to become a wise instructor. Let me know in the episode 10 poll if you like or hate this style of presentation! This episode was produced with AI assistance. Voices provided by NotebookLM; content curated and edited by Data. The paper lives on Intelink, here: https://go...

In this episode we'll discuss the things that come to mind when thinking of "good" instructors, the kinds of things we're trying to emulate in our pursuit of mastery and wisdom. This material was originally written by LtCol "Count" Magnuson and Maj "Whiskers" Whitfield, thank you for your thoughtful inputs. This episode was produced with AI assistance. Voices provided by NotebookLM; content curate...

In this episode, NotebookLM presents the last material as a Debate-Team might, what is more important: Ownership or Aircrew Discipline. Let me know in the episode 10 poll if you liked this format or not! This episode was produced with AI assistance. Voices provided by NotebookLM; content curated and edited by Data. The paper lives on Intelink, here: https://go.intelink.gov/aksteR7

This episode reviews the mindsets that matter to Aviators, with a capital "A." There is nothing more important to becoming a master instructor than these things...but they're hard to learn. There are three ways to learn these: Pay attention and hang out with people who walk the talk, Recite/create helpful mantras Read/Listen to material on the subject (like this episode), then introspect on how yo...

This episode is an extra that may not be for everyone. Here, Notebook LM uses the material in the last episode to debate whether it's more important to start with a good mindset or a good system. It's a fascinating (and sometimes confusing) way to look at the same material as AI demonstrates how a debate-team might present the material. I'd love to know if this episode was helpful, or just confusi...

This episode includes a quick overview of the kinds of principles that you can find when you look into relevant, credible, peer-reviewed science. Listen and see if this material challenges any assumptions you have. If it does, look it up on Google Scholar and see what you have to learn! This episode was produced with AI assistance. Voices provided by NotebookLM; content curated and edited by Data....

Today we'll talk about the idea that instructor cadre need to work together. We'll talk about why it's so important to think and act as a team, as a standardized but diverse group working together to create a coherent, amazing student experience. This episode was produced with AI assistance. Voices provided by NotebookLM; content curated and edited by Data. The paper lives on Intelink, here: https...

Today we'll talk about the idea of "mental models," and why improving the model will never result in a perfect replica of reality. They're helpful, but always more simple. Enjoy! This episode was produced with AI assistance. Voices provided by NotebookLM; content curated and edited by Data. The paper lives on Intelink, here: https://go.intelink.gov/aksteR7

Video Episode. This episode uses video to help illustrate the difference between learning and teaching different things: Knowledge, Skills, and Mindsets. If you mix them up, you'll muddy everything. This is the episode most folks struggle with, because we've been conditioned our whole lives to think that all learning is alike...but that's not what the science says. Buckle up and don't pair this wi...

Cognitive bias can kill self-development. We all suffer from them, but we can't SEE them affecting us. Today we'll talk about how you can defeat those biases without needing to memorize hundreds of specific biases, and without infinite willpower. The system is your friend. Truth > Ego. This episode was produced with AI assistance. Voices provided by NotebookLM; content curated and edited by Dat...

This episode talks about what I (Data) learned when I had my first "perfect" brief...that the brief matters a whole lot less than the student who is trying to learn from it. This episode talks about a subtle perspective that can drive incredibly impactful growth if you are humble enough to really learn to listen to your student. This episode was produced with AI assistance. Voices provided by Note...

This is the episode that inspired the cover art. When bad ideas come back up over and again, they kill progress. That's called "Collective Stupidity" as opposed to "Collective Intelligence." This episode talks about how we can be part of creating a collectively intelligent community, and avoid being part of that cycle of stupidity. This episode was produced with AI assistance. Voices provided by N...

In this episode we look at 100 years of Air Force history, and 11 of our the biggest takeaways. Pick one or two and think on them, and they're sure to help you learn something about yourself and something you can work on. This episode was produced with AI assistance. Voices provided by NotebookLM; content curated and edited by Data. The paper lives on Intelink, here: https://go.intelink.gov/aksteR...

In this episode we talk about the six most common errors that Data has seen in 12 years of teaching instructors. These ones pop up all the time, and knowing them can save you a great deal of pain. This episode was produced with AI assistance. Voices provided by NotebookLM; content curated and edited by Data. The paper lives on Intelink, here: https://go.intelink.gov/aksteR7

In this episode we discuss what mindsets are key to improving in the first place, especially if you want to be a wise instructor or leader. This is the difference between a "Know-it-all" (who I used to be) and a person who actually helps (who I hope I am now). Enjoy! This episode was produced with AI assistance. Voices provided by NotebookLM; content curated and edited by Data. The paper lives on...

This is an introduction to the Podcast. This podcast does not represent the views or policies of the US Air Force, it is the product of the author's experience, others like him, and the peer reviewed science that informed those opinion. The paper lives on Intelink, here: Learning: https://go.intelink.gov/fs-4X Instruction: https://go.intelink.gov/aksteR7