The TALK4 Podcast with Louis Skupien

In episode 159 of the Talk4 Podcast, Louis Skupien welcomes Russ “Puck” Quinn — former USAF Thunderbird solo pilot, F-16 Weapons School graduate, and now Chief Growth Officer at Top Aces, the world’s only commercial operator of the F-16 fighter jet.From flying inches apart at Mach speeds to leading a fleet of privately operated fighter jets training next-gen F-35 and F-22 pilots — Russ shares one of the most unique careers in military and aviation history.⸻🚀 What did we explore in this episode?In this high-impact conversation, Russ reflects on his 30-year Air Force journey — from flying the Viper in combat and test, to performing worldwide with the Thunderbirds, and finally pivoting to the private sector.We break down:• The mental and physical demands of being a Thunderbird solo pilot• His leadership lessons from weapons school, command, and combat• How Top Aces is using AI-controlled wingmen and F-16s to train the world’s most elite pilots• What it takes to build trust with the U.S. government and fly military-grade jets commercially• How to recruit, lead, and retain top talent in high-stakes environments• The future of air combat training and adversary air as 6th-gen jets come online🎧 A masterclass in leadership, trust, aviation innovation, and flying on the razor’s edge — from one of the greats.⸻⏱️ Enhance Your Style with AVI-8’s Aviation-Inspired Watches!AVI-8 is offering a 20% discount with code: LOUISSKUPIEN20🔗 Shop here: https://www.avi-8.com/talk4💰 Launch Your Business for Just £1 with Shopify!Build your online store today with this exclusive offer.🔗 Get started: https://shopify.pxf.io/TALK4🎥 FREE Content from TALK4!Collaborate or share clips from this episode using our creator-friendly packs.🔗 Download here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1o6sjJuP9Qn7la5y8LQ2pWvKGPnskopOT?usp=drive_link⸻👉🏻 Who Is Russ “Puck” Quinn?A 30-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Russ Quinn served as a solo demonstration pilot for the Thunderbirds, graduated from the F-16 Weapons School, and commanded test and combat aviation units. Today, he’s Chief Growth Officer at Top Aces, overseeing their U.S. operations, innovation, and training missions using privately operated F-16s to prepare elite military pilots around the world.⸻⭐️ Love the Talk4 Podcast? Leave a Review!👉🏻 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/talk4-podcast/id1591476875👉🏻 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DxcH2DxGbn0MVZUBqV1Gv🎥 Watch More Elite Aviation & Leadership Episodes on TALK4:✅ Col “Phantom” Merrell | MQ-9 Reaper Global Ops | EP 153🎥 https://youtu.be/[INSERT]✅ Gen Bussiere | Global Strike Commander | EP 151🎥 https://youtu.be/979F4oP7Vmo✅ Col Beaker Wickert | USAF Test Wing Commander | EP 147🎥 https://youtu.be/P4UBzD458FA✅ Col Nathan “Sheik” Malafa | USAF Thunderbirds | EP 150🎥 https://youtu.be/fVNl5xcKhxo⸻✅ Subscribe for elite aviation and leadership content:🔗 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg0INsEySnXei_cS3lZceqg⸻✅ Stay Connected With Louis Skupien:👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisskupien👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/louisskupien👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/louis.skupien👉 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@louisskupien👉 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/louisskupien👉 Website: https://louisskupien.com👉 Talk4 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/talk4podcast✅ Business Enquiries: louis@louisskupien.com⸻🔥 This episode covers topics such as:• Flying with the USAF Thunderbirds• Training F-35/F-22 pilots with private F-16s• Leadership in combat, test, and commercial aviation• AI and the future of adversary air• Building high-trust teams in high-risk environments• The future of aerial warfare & 6th-gen fighter training#Talk4Podcast #RussQuinn #TopAces #Thunderbirds #F16Viper #FighterPilot #AIaviation #MilitaryLeadership #AdversaryAir #LeadershipUnderPressure #TacticalTraining #USAirForce #Podcast

In Episode 158 of the Talk4 Podcast, Louis Skupien sits down with Rick Walker — a serial entrepreneur, leadership strategist, and author of "Nine Steps to Build a Life of Meaning." In this captivating conversation, Rick shares how he scaled multiple businesses across 50+ countries, battled through personal and health crises, and developed a deep appreciation for ancient philosophy, service, and personal discipline. Rick discusses how to cultivate competence and integrity, why suffering can be a blessing, and what wisdom from the ancients still holds up today. From brain surgery to building nonprofits and crafting his life’s work, this episode is a masterclass in mindset, leadership, and meaning. Tune in for a transformative talk on growth, responsibility, and becoming the kind of leader the world truly needs.

In episode 157 of the Talk4 Podcast, Louis Skupien welcomes Retired Brigadier General Max Stitzer, a veteran U.S. Air Force leader with over 30 years of service spanning combat deployments, Pentagon leadership, and cutting-edge defense innovation. In this episode, Max shares his unlikely journey from enlisting with only a high school diploma to becoming a general officer. He discusses the challenges of military bureaucracy, the role of leadership in building effective teams, and how the U.S. can strengthen its defense industrial base by collaborating more efficiently with the private sector. Listeners will hear Max’s insights on innovation, integrity, mentorship, and the power of saying yes to difficult tasks. This conversation is packed with wisdom for current and aspiring leaders in military, business, or public service.

In episode 156 of the Talk4 Podcast, Louis Skupien sits down with Colonel Jason Herring, outgoing Wing Commander of the 621st Contingency Response Wing — the U.S. Air Force’s only wing solely focused on rapidly deploying teams to open airbases and respond to global crises. With 26 years of service, Jason’s career has spanned from combat operations as a C-130 pilot to strategic leadership in irregular warfare at the Pentagon, culminating in command of one of the Air Force’s most agile and operationally critical units. In this fascinating episode, Jason breaks down the mission of the 621st, the unique mindset needed for contingency response operations, and how his diverse leadership experiences have shaped his command philosophy. We explore the critical role of teamwork, trust, adaptability, and how to develop future leaders in an ever-changing world. Packed with real-world lessons, inspiring stories, and practical takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in high-performance leadership, rapid mobility operations, and building resilient teams. 🎧 Listen now to discover how Colonel Herring’s approach to leadership and mission success can inspire you — whether you’re in the military, business, or facing life’s toughest challenges.

In episode 155 of the Talk4 Podcast, Louis Skupien sits down with Dr. Luis Luarca—an organizational psychologist, leadership expert, and former CFO with over 25 years of experience transforming businesses. Luis blends his unique background in finance, human behaviour, and leadership psychology to reveal how ego, poor communication, and ignoring employees often hold businesses back. He shares actionable lessons from his consulting work with companies ranging from $5 million startups to $300 million giants, showing how empowering teams, listening to staff, and breaking outdated leadership mindsets lead to real results. We dive into the modern leadership crisis, the misunderstood role of AI, why so many employees hate Mondays, and how to build resilient, high-performing organizations. Whether you’re a business owner, aspiring leader, or someone trying to improve workplace culture, this episode is packed with eye-opening takeaways you can apply today. 🎧 Listen now for a raw, practical guide to becoming a better leader—and building an organization your people actually want to work for.