Welcome back to Final Approach! I’m Jonathan Knaul, your host, and in this very special episode, I’m joined by two incredible guests: Lisa Brown and legendary test pilot Jim JB Brown. Together, we dive deep into the unique intersection of high-performance careers, family life, and the profound challenges—and rewards—of caregiving for aging loved ones.

This episode shines a light on the personal and professional journeys of Lisa and JB, from Lisa’s work in educational publishing and the Flight Test Historical Foundation, to JB’s storied career as the highest-time F-117 pilot and past president of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. We explore their transitions, including JB’s retirement and their move to North Carolina, and most importantly, their candid experiences as caregivers for their parents.

We discuss the realities of living with and caring for family members with dementia, the emotional impact of difficult decisions like moving a loved one to a care facility, and how the aerospace community rallies around each other through adversity. You’ll hear both practical advice and heartfelt reflections on guilt, grief, and resilience.

1. Lisa’s educational and museum leadership, and JB’s diverse flying and test pilot experiences.
2. The significance of the Antelope Valley in aerospace history; firsts like breaking the speed of sound and commercial spaceflight.
3. How Lisa supported her mom during years of progressive dementia.
4. JB’s story of losing his father and caring for his mother through decades of grief.
5. The emotional toll of caregiving, including guilt, anger, and finding ways to cope.
6. Financial and logistical challenges of elder care in the U.S. and Canada.
7. The critical importance of seeking professional help, support groups, and honoring your own life alongside caring for family.

1. Caregiving Isn’t a Solo Flight: Admitting you can’t do it alone—and seeking help—is vital for everyone’s wellbeing.
2. Emotions Are Signposts: Guilt, grief, and anger are normal; learning to manage them is part of the caregiving journey.
3. Never Give Up: Perseverance is a recurring theme, whether in the cockpit or at home caring for loved ones.
4. Prioritize Self-Care: You can’t be an effective caregiver if you neglect your own health and happiness.
5. Professional Care Has Its Place: Sometimes the best care comes from trained experts; making this choice honors your loved one’s dignity and your own limits.
6. The Aerospace Community is Supportive: Careers spent in high-stress environments can foster resilience and support networks that help in personal life.
7. Financial Reality of Elder Care: Costs are steep, and planning ahead is critical—especially in systems with limited government support.

If you’re moved by our conversation, please visit finalapproachbook.com for more resources, to read my story, or to sign up for our newsletter. Share this episode with anyone navigating caregiving—your story matters, and you are not alone. Reach out through the website. And remember, if you’re struggling, seek out community, conversation, and support—it can make all the difference.

Thanks for joining me on Final Approach. Until next time, take care of yourselves—and each other.

Best in care,

JK

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 like we do in aviation. And if this episode resonated with you, please share it, leave a review, and stay tuned for more candid conversations about flying, family, and finding your way through life’s final approaches.

Best in care,

Jonathan