Take Off Talk with Angel Flight East

When you take to the skies, real impact is measured in lives changed. In this episode, we meet Kley Parkhurst, Angel Flight East's Pilot of the Year, whose volunteer flying has touched countless lives. Kley shares his journey from becoming a pilot in midlife to flying patients, pets, and supplies for causes like Hurricane Helene relief. Through heartfelt stories, he reveals how combining his love...

Jess Ames and Maddy Beck chat with Derek Ray, an AFE passenger, who looks back on how Angel Flight saved his life. He shares how taking the flight cut his travel time by a huge chunk, allowing him to get to his heart transplant surgery on time. Derek also expresses his desire to volunteer for Angel Flight after their services drastically transformed his overall outlook in life.

Jess Ames and Maddy Beck chat with Elizabeth Ameling, CEO and Founder of one of Angel Flight's partner organizations, Latisha's House . She shares how they provide safe housing and restorative care for victims of sex trafficking and exploitation, guiding them down the path of healing and recovery. Elizabeth presents the various methods they are using to help women deal with trauma and manage negat...

Jess Ames and Maddy Beck sit down with Michael Henricks, a husband and father who once tried Angel Flight's Compassion Flight. He recounts how they flew her daughter to Boston for a medical operation, significantly reducing their trip to just an hour and 45 minutes. Michael shares how Angel Flight saved them not just time but even the life of her beloved girl. He also celebrates the strength and r...

Traveling with a sick child can be daunting, but for Taylor Conner, mom to Kendall battling a rare disease, it was nearly impossible. Taylor joins Jess Ames and Maddy Beck to share her heartfelt appreciation for the Angel Flight experience. She discusses how this vital service helped Kendall, who battles mitochondrial disease, travel safely to receive necessary medical care without the stress and...

Have you ever considered opening your home to someone in need? In today's episode on Take Off Talk, Maddy and Jess chat with Cathy Davis , the heart and soul behind Host for Hospitals , a local non-profit providing a lifeline for patients and families facing medical challenges. Listen and discover how Host for Hospitals offers a unique alternative to traditional hospital housing, creating a warm a...

Ready to soar beyond the clouds? In this episode, Maddy Beck and Jess Ames welcome Volunteer Pilot Luis Quinones, an aviator with a heartwarming story and a love for the skies. With nearly a decade of flying under his belt, Luis shares his unique journey from helicopter beginnings to his current adventures in his upgraded Mooney M20J. But it's not just about the flying; it's about the lives he tou...

Have you ever been dismissed by a doctor and ended up having a serious medical condition? Erika Liess' story is all too common. She shares her experience with Chiari malformation, the frustrating journey to get diagnosed, and the amazing support she found online and with Angel Flight East. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt unheard by the medical establishment. Erika's stor...

Facing end-of-life care can be a daunting experience, but Jess Ames and Maddy Beck are here to shed light on the support available. Joining them today is Jonathan, a Mission Support Coordinator from Grace Healthcare Services , to discuss the comforting embrace of hospice care. Jonathan recounts the challenges of navigating the healthcare system to find a solution for the patient's transportation n...

The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA) is a leading organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The organization has served the HCM Spectrum Disorder Community since 1996. In this episode, Lisa Salberg, the Founder and CEO of HCMA, talks about the steps she takes to reach patients with misdiagnosis. She also shares how HCMA partnered...

In times of adversity, the strength of community emerges as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the significance of reaching out for help. In this heartfelt episode, we delve into the profound impact of Angel Flight with guest Shannon Sinico, who shares her personal journey battling a brain tumor and the invaluable support she received from the organization. Shannon recounts her experiences flying t...

In this heartwarming episode, hosts Jess Ames and Maddy Beck welcome Ashlyn Dugan , the founder of Love from Liam Foundation —the partner organization of Angel Flight East. Ashlyn shares her inspiring journey of creating the foundation when her son Liam was born with spina bifida. The conversation touches on the challenges these families face, the importance of community support, and Love from Lia...

Joining Jess Ames and Maddy Beck in this episode is volunteer pilot Doug Edenburn, who flies with  Angel Flight Soars . He shares how he started flying in late 2022 and works in a primary care office when not on his wings. Doug talks about his very first Angel Flight trip and the one time he took a four-week-old baby from Atlanta to Greensboro.

When caring for a loved one with a medical condition, the last thing you want to worry about is figuring out how to get to where you need to be. Angel Flight lifts this burden from families. In this heartwarming episode, join Maddy Beck and Jess Ames as they share an inspiring conversation with Beth Leduc, a dedicated mom navigating the complexities of her son's medical condition. Christian, diagn...

What better episode to have in this month of love than with a person we love so much? Join us today as we celebrate Valentine's Day and our very own Maddy Beck's birthday week with the incredible Linda Pizzi, our office mom. Linda, the driving force behind many of our projects, shares her journey with Angel Flight East—from her initial exposure at a gala to becoming an indispensable part of our te...

A different music takes flight into the silent corridors of hospitals where long shadows of illnesses are cast into the hall. The children's fight against cancer caused so much fear and uncertainty towards the kids and their loved ones, but the symphony of support will help them dance through the battle. In this episode, Rachel Krieger , the Co-founder of Ollie's Orchestra, talks about how the org...

In this heartfelt episode of Takeoff Talk with Angel Flight East, hosts Maddie and Jess welcome Mya Hostutler, a remarkable cancer survivor, to share her inspiring journey. Mya recounts her childhood battle with spinal cancer, detailing surgeries, radiation therapy, and the resilient spirit that kept her going. She expresses deep gratitude for Angel Flight East, which made her treatment more acces...

It's often very hard for many people to wrap their heads around the fact that organizations like Angel Flight East do exist. A lot of times, they are wary and skeptical. After all, who in their right minds would fly medical passengers for absolutely no cost at all? But you'd be surprised just how much volunteer pilots love what they do. Stephanie Ramos as been through this experience as she naviga...

Jess Ames and Maddy Beck are back after the holiday break! Today, they welcome the rookie of the year. In this episode, Jide Olusanya, a Volunteer Pilot, shares his flight journey and picks his favorite flight. He also explains what it's like to be a pilot and shares advice on becoming a volunteer pilot. Buckle your seatbelts because we will fly high with the rookie of the year today! Be an inspir...

Sometimes, life offers us an entirely new pathway to utilize even our dormant skills to help others. For Volunteer Pilot Rob Newman, Angel Flight became an amazing excuse to go fly again. From the Air Force to graduate school to volunteering at Angel Flight, Rob shares with us his amazing journey of helping others. He talks about what Angel Flight means to him and introduces us to public benefit f...

When you volunteer, you get more than you give. In this episode, Jess Ames and Maddy Beck welcome Rich Cohen, one of their dedicated volunteers at Angel Flight. Rich shares his journey into volunteering, explaining how he stumbled upon Angel Flight years ago and instantly felt connected to its mission. He then takes us inside the Wings & Wheels event, highlighting its growth and the positive impac...

At 44 years old, Christie Neeld was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer in September 2021. Because of Angel Flight, her medical journey was made possible, and her healing process progressed. She shares how the process of getting well from cancer is full-time work. Her attitude towards facing cancer is remarkably amazing because she finds the flip side of it. Be inspired by Christie Neeld as she t...

With Angel Flight, not only do you get the convenience of flying across states for your medical treatments, but you also build strong bonds with the staff who take you there. In this special episode, we witness that bond between the Founder of Angel Flight Northeast, Larry Camerlin, and passenger, Tim Kavanagh. Jess Ames and Maddy Beck speak with Larry and Tim about what Angel Flight means to them...

Today's guest loves anything with engines, one of the reasons he wants to become a pilot. Volunteer Pilot Tom Mellett sits with Jess and Maddy for an Angel Flight talk. He shared his challenging experience and how it pushed him to continue to fly. Tom urges everyone who wants to join Angel Flight because it is fulfilling as a pilot. Join Tom Mellett in this wonderful conversation. www.angelflighte...

Angel Flight: where compassion takes flight, and small planes create big miracles. In this episode, we soar through a heartfelt journey with special guest Bill Brown from Casa Volunteers , who shares his incredible experience with Angel Flight . Bill opens up about the practical aspects of flying in small planes, addressing the common fears and uncertainties that some passengers may have. Hosts Je...