FLY with Richard De Crespigny

On this episode of Fly, Richard is joined by one of Australia’s most experienced public relations professionals, John Connolly. With more than 30 years' experience working with some of the world’s largest companies and organisations, he's helped CEOs, boards, and companies navigate various challenging events, including mergers, hostile takeovers, and environmental disasters. In this episode, John and Richard discuss leadership during crises, lessons from global incidents, and what true resilience looks like in both corporate and national contexts. LINKS More on John Connolly Follow Richard Richard De Crespigny on Instagram and Linkedin Buy Richard's book 'Fly! The Elements Of Resilience' Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHost: Richard De CrespignyEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producer: Damien Haffenden Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jake Bailey was just like any other Year 12 student in 2015, until a persistent toothache lead to a devastating diagnosis. What doctors initially thought was Jake's wisdom teeth was actually an aggressive form of cancer invading his jaw and spreading throughout his body. Initially given just two weeks to live, an aggressive treatment plan and Jake's positive attitude saw him soon in remission and on a path to understand the psychology of resilience.  LINKS Get a copy of Jake's book 'The Comeback Code'  Follow Jake on Instagram Watch Jake's viral school speech Follow Richard Richard De Crespigny on Instagram and Linkedin Buy Richard's book 'Fly! The Elements Of Resilience' Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHost: Richard De CrespignyEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producer: Damien Haffenden Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Ben Pettingill was just 16 years old, he lost 98% of his eyesight overnight thanks to a hereditary disease that had laid dormant up until that point. His resilience was quickly tested when Ben was forced to comprehend a new reality without his sight. Not allowing his disability to get in the way of life, Ben has gone on to waterski, compete in Spartan obstacle course races, hike the famed Kokoda Track. When not at home with his wife and two daughters, Ben is travelling around the country speaking with children and companies, advocating for better mental health, and even hosting his own podcast. In this raw and honest conversation, Ben opens up about the day he lost his sight, the drive to rebuild his life and finding his purpose in disability awareness and advocacy.  SUPPORT For immediate help in a crisis, contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue LINKS For more information on Ben and his speaking, check out his website Follow Ben on Instagram Check out Ben's podcast Talkin' Tough Follow Richard Richard De Crespigny on Instagram and Linkedin Buy Richard's book 'Fly! The Elements Of Resilience' Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHost: Richard De CrespignyEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producer: Damien Haffenden Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Wright is an experience military and commercial pilot, who spent many years specialising in human factors and safety management with Qantas. It's a role that saw him teaching and testing the next generation of pilots in aviation best practice, developing and facilitating the courses to get the certified and in the air. In this episode, Steve and Richard discuss pathways for up-and-coming pilots, the skills required to succeed and how the industry has changed over the years. LINKS Follow Richard Richard De Crespigny on Instagram and Linkedin Buy Richard's book 'Fly! The Elements Of Resilience' Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Howard is Australia's second-longest serving Prime Minister, responsible for revolutionary gun law reform and the introduction of the controversial goods and services tax (GST). From humble beginnings working for free at his father's petrol station, Mr Howard became a lawyer before moving into politics. Steadily moving up the Liberal Party ranks, he took on roles as Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs and Treasurer, before being elected party leader in 1985. In 1996, Australia voted Mr Howard in as the nation's 25th Prime Minister - a title he would hold for close to 12 years.  In this candid and wide-ranging interview, John Howard discusses the resilience he gained from his modest childhood, his thoughts on the politics of the past and the current political landscape, and the importance of building a strong and dedicated team. LINKS Follow Richard Richard De Crespigny on Instagram and Linkedin Buy Richard's book 'Fly! The Elements Of Resilience' Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Swedish-born Petter Hörnfeldt was bitten by the aviation bug as a teenager, eventually securing his place in a government sponsored training course at just 17. Following his military service, Petter was soon in the cockpit of the mighty Boeing 737-800, eventually clocking up more than 10,000 hours in command of the iconic aircraft. After a number of years as an instructor, Petter found a niche but passionate audience online, and now shares his wisdom and analysis on aviation incidents through his popular MentourPilot social media channels. In this episode, Richard and Petter discuss a number of issues currently at the forefront within the aviation industry, including pilot mental health, passenger safety, and the impact of technology. LINKS Subscribe to MentourPilot on YouTube Follow Petter on Instagram Follow Richard Richard De Crespigny on Instagram and Linkedin Buy Richard's book 'Fly! The Elements Of Resilience' Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a world that's always vying for our attention and connections are harder to find, it's easy for our internal battery to quickly drain. After a friend took his life, Tim Jack Adams was determined to go back to the drawing board and rethink how we communicate about mental health. The result was GreenX7 and the 'Battery Check' as an easy way to check in with yourself and share the results.  After working with a number of corporate and business clients to improve the resilience of their leaders, Tim has released the book 'Energised', designed to provide a simple framework to improve eight everyday aspects of your life. In this episode, Tim takes Richard through the battery check and the strategies to improve your mindset, or have a conversation with someone who may be struggling. SUPPORT For immediate help with anxiety or depression, contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue LINKS Get a copy of Tim's book 'Energised' Check your battery with GreenX7 For immediate help with anxiety or depression, contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue Follow Richard Richard De Crespigny on Instagram and Linkedin Buy Richard's book 'Fly! The Elements Of Resilience' Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Blackburn AO retired from the Royal Australian Air Force in 2008 as the deputy chief of the Air Force, following a distinguished career as an F 18 fighter pilot, a test pilot and strategic planner. Now the Chair of the Institute for Integrated Economic Research Australia and a respected consultant in the field of defence and national security, John joins Richard for a robust discussion about the threats facing Australia's national resilience. LINKS October 2021 report: Australia - A Complacent Nation 2021 National Resilience Project overview report Watch John's full March 2025 presentation on National Resilience Follow Richard Richard De Crespigny on Instagram and Linkedin Buy Richard's book 'Fly! The Elements Of Resilience' Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHost: Richard De CrespignyEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producer: Damien Haffenden Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Entrepreneur Dick Smith is best known for his groundbreaking chain of electronics stores that grew to humble beginnings in the late 1960s to a billion-dollar empire. His love of electronics was rivalled only by his passion for adventure, which saw him complete the first solo helicopter flight around the world in 1983. A renowned philanthropist, he's also active in politics and public affairs. In this episode, Dick discusses the many highs and lows of his career, the life lessons he's taken away, and his keys to personal, corporate and national resilience.  LINKS Dick Smith's latest book is 'My Adventurous Life' Follow Richard Richard De Crespigny on Instagram and Linkedin Buy Richard's book 'Fly! The Elements Of Resilience' Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHost: Richard De CrespignyEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producer: Damien Haffenden Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just four minutes after QF32 took off from Singapore’s Changi Airport, an explosion rocked the cabin, damaging vital flight controls on the Airbus A380. As Captain Richard de Crespigny and his crew of experienced pilots battled to control and land the stricken aircraft, the lives of 440 passengers were on the line. One of those passengers was Ulf Waschbusch, taking his first ever trip to Australia. The tech enthusiast was documenting his trip on camera when disaster struck. With a clear view of the damage to the wing from his seat, Ulf's footage has been used in documentaries and as part of the ATSB investigation. He was also the first passenger to speak to international media about his experience on QF32.  In this episode, Ulf Waschbusch recounts what it was like in the cabin that day, and the aftermath navigating the misinformation and rumours surrounding the flight. LINKS Follow Richard Richard De Crespigny on Instagram and Linkedin Buy Richard's book 'Fly! The Elements Of Resilience' Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHost: Richard De CrespignyEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producer: Damien Haffenden Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When an explosion rocked a seemingly routine flight between Singapore and Sydney on November 4, 2020, the Captain of QF32 Richard De Crespigny leapt into action. Decades of knowledge and experience helped him make critical decisions under pressure to safely land the crippled Airbus A380, saving more than 400 passengers and crew from the unthinkable. Now Richard is sharing his lessons in resilience, leadership, crisis management and more in the podcast series Fly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.