The Full Throttle Podcast with Louis Skupien

In episode 179 of the TALK4 Podcast, Louis Skupien welcomes back Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton — experimental fighter test pilot, bestselling author, former Chief of AI Test and Operations for the U.S. Air Force, and host of the Fighter Pilot Podcast.Since his first appearance on TALK4, Cinco has retired following more than two decades of service in the U.S. Air Force and entered a new chapter spanning AI, autonomy, national security, education and leadership. His remarkable aviation career included flying fighters, combat operations, F-35 developmental testing, commanding a major flight test organisation and helping lead the Air Force’s work in artificial intelligence.But this conversation goes beyond aviation.Following the release of his book, Unlocking the Last 20%: Rising to Greatness Through Discipline, Balance, and Resiliency, Cinco and Louis explore what it actually takes to reach your full potential.Why can getting to 80% be relatively straightforward, while the final 20% becomes so difficult? What separates elite performers from everyone else? And does reaching your potential really mean working harder — or becoming a more complete person?Cinco breaks down the importance of deliberate preparation, discipline, physical and mental performance, balance, resilience, character and purpose. He explains what fighter pilots and test pilots can teach us about performing under pressure, why failure must be debriefed rather than feared, and how the people around us influence who we ultimately become.They also discuss why blindly copying the routines of elite performers can lead to burnout, how young people can build the foundations for extraordinary careers, and why sustainable high performance must ultimately be connected to something bigger than achievement itself.🎧 Listen now for a fascinating conversation about fighter aviation, high performance, resilience and unlocking the final 20% of your potential.

In episode 178 of the Talk4 Podcast, Louis Skupien sits down with Chris Carter, technology entrepreneur, author, SAP expert, and leading voice in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and enterprise technology.Chris’ story begins far away from the successful companies, books, and international work that define his life today. Following the separation of his parents, Chris experienced homelessness and couch surfing as a young child, moving repeatedly between homes and schools while trying to understand how to survive and build a better future.His life began to change through education, mathematics, technology, and the support of people who believed in him. After receiving a Commodore VIC-20 in the 1980s, Chris became fascinated by computers and programming. That early passion eventually led him to Georgia Tech, enterprise technology, SAP, company building, international business, and the publication of 18 books.In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Chris explains what SAP and enterprise resource planning actually do, how businesses can bring fragmented systems and data together, and why AI should be treated as a tool for improving human capability rather than replacing it.We also explore entrepreneurship, overcoming adversity, raising resilient children without forcing them to experience the same hardship, the importance of faith and family, and the continuous learning required to remain relevant in a rapidly changing technological world.Chris also shares practical advice for anyone beginning to use AI: start a conversation, ask better questions, challenge the answers, provide context, and use the technology to become a more informed and capable decision-maker.This is an honest, entertaining, and inspiring conversation about technology, resilience, business, parenting, faith, and building an extraordinary life from a difficult beginning.🚗 This episode is sponsored by carVertical.A used vehicle may look perfect from the outside while hiding accident damage, mileage discrepancies, theft records, or other important history. carVertical gathers vehicle information from more than 900 sources across over 30 countries, helping buyers make better-informed decisions before handing over their money.Use code LOUIS20 for a discount on your vehicle history report.👉 https://www.carvertical.com/louis20

In episode 177 of the Talk4 Podcast, Louis Skupien sits down with Colonel Maryann “Yeti” Karlen, Commandant of the United States Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base.The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School is one of the most legendary institutions in aviation history, but as Yeti explains in this episode, its modern mission goes far beyond simply creating test pilots. Today, TPS develops test leaders across flight, space, engineering, analysis, cyber, enlisted, and operational domains.In this fascinating conversation, Yeti shares her journey from a high-energy child inspired by the space program, to earning an aeronautical engineering degree, flying the C-17, becoming a test pilot, serving internationally, and eventually leading the world-renowned Test Pilot School.We explore the history and future of Edwards AFB, what makes a great test leader, why attitude and work ethic matter alongside intelligence, the connection between flight and space testing, the role of X-62 VISTA, autonomy, AI, leadership, risk management, and why young people should never tell themselves no.This is a brilliant episode on aviation, space, leadership, high performance, and the people helping shape the future of military technology.This episode includes a paid sponsor integration from carVertical.Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force, Edwards Air Force Base, the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, or any U.S. Government entity.

In episode 176 of the Talk4 Podcast, Louis Skupien sits down with Lieutenant Colonel Charles “Maddog” Brantigan, Commander of the 416th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base.🚗 Check your next car with carVertical!Use my link and code for a discount:👉 https://www.carvertical.com/louis20Code: LOUIS20The 416th is one of the most exciting squadrons in modern military aviation, flying and testing the F-16 Viper, supporting the T-7 program, contributing to B-21 test operations, and leading work across emerging technologies, autonomy, counter-drone systems, and advanced warfighter capability.In this episode, Maddog explains what flight test really is, why Edwards Air Force Base remains the centre of aerospace testing, and how the 416th balances innovation, risk, secrecy, safety, and operational urgency. We also dive into his own journey from loving jets and rockets as a child, to the Air Force Academy, F-16 operations, Test Pilot School, and command of the 416th Flight Test Squadron.This is a brilliant conversation about aviation, leadership, risk management, the future of air power, and the people behind some of the most important military test programs in the world.This episode includes a paid sponsor integration from carVertical.Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force, Edwards Air Force Base, or any U.S. Government entity.

In episode 175 of the Talk4 Podcast, Louis Skupien sits down with Joshua Gould, CEO of thebigword, a global language technology company operating across more than 250 languages and over 80 countries.Joshua shares his incredible journey from leaving university after just two weeks, learning sales from the ground up, and working his way through the business world to leading one of the most important language access companies globally.In this episode, Joshua breaks down how thebigword supports critical environments including hospitals, courts, prisons, government departments and conflict zones, where language access can make a life-changing difference. He also explains how AI, automation and human expertise are transforming the future of translation, interpreting and communication.This conversation dives into sales, rejection, entrepreneurship, education, AI, leadership, building a business moat, and why access to market may now be more valuable than ever.🎧 Listen now for a powerful conversation on business, AI, communication and the future of work.