All Fire No Smoke Podcast

Flying the F-16. Leading the Thunderbirds. Fighting for instructors.

Ryan “Motor” Riley pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to fly one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world and perform precision maneuvers with the Thunderbirds. But this episode goes beyond the stick and rudder. Riley talks about the weight of leadership, balancing egos and morale, and what it meant to be the guy who spoke up for instructors when...

Erasing History? Why the Military is Quietly Removing Stories of Trailblazing Women and People of Color

This episode confronts a disturbing trend: the quiet removal of pioneering service members’ stories—like that of Betty Preszler, the first woman to fly and eject from the F-16—from official military websites. We explore why these narratives matter, how they’ve inspired generations, and what’s at stake when they’re erased. Preszler...

In the flagship episode AFNS Season 2, we feature the first woman to fly the F-16: Sharon "Betty" Preszler. 

Betty “Sharon” Preszler was one of the first three women selected to fly fighter jets in the U.S. Air Force in 1993, going to to set a number of other firsts in a massive career in aviation. In our interview with her, she shares what it was like to break some of the first barriers for women in the fighter community, ...

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Oh, you thought that was just a one-time thing? Ha! We're back! And, as is standard protocol, we're bringing the fire, but now this time with unfiltered, guest-driven episodes. Here's a fun, quick intro from our hosts to set the tone of SEASON 2 of All Fire No Smoke.

Stay tuned for our full-length episodes as we record guest interviews with the women and men who have paved the way for a stronger,...

SEASON 1 FINALE

How does the right inspiration unlock your next move—no matter your age? Whether it’s a mentor, a movement, or a piece of media that sparks something inside you, the right fuel can change everything. In this episode, Blaze and The Dragon Lady talk about the power of surrounding yourself with the right influences, how to tap into relentless motivation, and --as ridiculous as it sounds--why the fire inside you is o...

How does routine set you free instead of holding you back? In a world full of expectations, outdated traditions, and external pressures, trusting your gut can feel like breaking the rules. But real performance—whether in the cockpit, in business, or in life—comes from optimizing your own system, not forcing yourself into someone else’s mold.

In episode 7, Blaze and The Dragon Lady unpack the power of structure, routine, and ment...

How does even the most experienced pilot get humbled in the cockpit? No matter how many flight hours or how many impossible maneuvers you’ve mastered, aviation has a way of keeping you on your toes. In episode 6 - Blaze and The Dragon Lady break down how even elite pilots can get schooled by the simplest training scenarios—and why, as women in aviation, the margin for error is razor-thin. From hard lessons in the sky to the relentl...

How do military aviators balance the high-stakes demands of their careers with the equally challenging responsibilities of parenthood? 

In episode 5: "Warfighter," our hosts dive head first into their simoltaneous experiences as military leaders and new mothers, sharing the wins and also the trials of navigating motherhood in the armed forces.

From timing the decision to have children to facing the cultural stigma around women in th...

How do compassion and adaptability shape the path to leadership in military aviation? In this powerful conversation, our hosts share their experiences from the cockpit to the command room, offering insight into what it takes to lead with empathy and humility.

In Episode 5 of All Fire No Smoke, “We Ride at Dawn,” Blaze and Dragon Lady reflect on their historic careers and the lessons they’ve learned as women leaders in the military. ...

How much does a post-flight debriefing with an F-16 Aggressor Squadron relate to parenting?

What can an eleven year old learn about integrity from a high-altitude reconnaissance pilot?

Quite a bit, it turns out.

Episode 3 - Knock It Off - reveals what lessons in the cockpit carry the most distance in day-to-day life. Our hosts discuss why honesty and accountability are CRUCIAL in personal progress and growth, and how lessons from mili...

How does a woman in the military put a stop to being called "sir" one too many times? And do the life-support systems in a fighter jet cater to both men and women's "plumbing?"

In Episode 2 - Don't Call Me Honey, our hosts discuss how they helped their male counterparts see things differently and become thought leaders in supporting both men and women in their squadrons. They also dive in on what it was like joining the first genera...

How did two women find themselves in some of the most prestigious and coveted flying roles in the United States Air Force? Whether flying inches apart from another fighter jet in close formation at 500mph, or taking reconnaissance images at 70,000 feet, our hosts spare no detail on their historic paths.

In Episode 1 of All Fire No Smoke, The Land of the Not Quite Right, Blaze and Dragon Lady dive into their backgrounds and childhood...