Podcast
Miles Ahead
Hosted by Miles O'Brien · EN
Join Emmy award-winning journalist, PBS collaborator, and CNN analyst Miles O'Brien as he explores the biggest stories in science, technology, aviation, space, and the environment. With each episode of Miles Ahead, Miles brings his unique perspective, signature clarity, and a lifetime of curiosity to each episode, striving to make the future accessible, understandable, and fascinating.
For even more of Miles's insights, subscribe to his Substack: https://milesobrien.substack.com/
15episodes
Episodes
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Episode 42: Leroy Chiao on the perils of long-duration spaceflight
Apr 1, 202500:56:26Tap to summarizeIn this wide-ranging conversation, astronaut Leroy Chiao joins Miles to talk candidly about what it's really like to live and work in space — and inside NASA. From Cold War suspicion to Russian cooperation, and from toilet paper certification to Starliner delays, it's a journey full of humor, frustration, and hard-earned insight. Chiao also shares why he almost flew a year-long mission (spoiler: a very large space tourist), what happens when blood flows the wrong way in microgravity, and whether Jared Isaacman can actually fix what's broken at NASA.
Transcribe →Episode 41: Lars Perkins on the Mid-Air Collision over the Potomac
Feb 15, 202500:10:23Tap to summarizeIn this special edition of Miles to Go, I sit down with longtime friend and aviation expert Lars Perkins to analyze the NTSB's latest findings on the midair collision over the Potomac River. We discuss the altimeter discrepancy, the challenges of visual flight rules (VFR), and whether night vision goggles (NVGs) may have hindered rather than helped the helicopter crew. We also explore systemic issues in aviation safety, including the normalization of deviance—where repeated near misses create a false sense of security. Finally, we examine the political interference in the NTSB investigation and what the agency's next steps might reveal.
Transcribe →Episode 40: Harold Coghlan on the Mid-Air Collision near Reagan National Airport
Jan 31, 202500:50:13Tap to summarizeA tragic mid-air collision near Washington Reagan Airport has put a spotlight on the dangers of D.C.'s complex airspace. In this episode, veteran pilot Harold Coghlan joins Miles O'Brien to break down what happened, the risks of military and civilian aviation operating so closely, and what needs to change to prevent future disasters. 🔍 Key Topics Discussed: ✅ The unique dangers of flying in Washington D.C. airspace ✅ How military helicopters and airliners operate in the same congested airspace ✅ The 'see and avoid' problem—why night flying increases the risk ✅ What went wrong in this accident and how future crashes can be avoided ✅ The troubling rise in military aviation accidents ⏳ Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction & Overview of the Accident 04:20 - Meet Harold Coghlan: A Veteran Pilot's Perspective 08:15 - The Complex Architecture of D.C. Airspace 14:50 - The Role of Military 'White Tops' in VIP Transport 20:30 - See and Avoid: Why It's Risky at Night 26:40 - The Black Hawk's Maneuver—Was It a Mistake? 34:15 - Military Aviation's Safety Crisis 41:00 - How Airspace Rules and Safety Procedures Must Change 45:30 - Final Thoughts: Will This Accident Be a Wake-Up Call? 📢 Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! #AviationSafety #MilesToGo #MidAirCollision #WashingtonDC #PilotTalk #BlackHawk #FAA #MilitaryAviation
Transcribe →Episode 39: Jared Isaacman: From Entrepreneur to Space Pioneer and NASA's Next Leader?
Dec 23, 202400:46:18Tap to summarizeThis episode of Miles To Go features Jared Isaacman, serial entrepreneur, space explorer, and nominee for NASA Administrator. From founding Shift4 Payments to commanding groundbreaking space missions like Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn, Isaacman shares his extraordinary journey. We discuss his aviation roots, his leadership style, and the challenges and opportunities ahead as he prepares to lead NASA. A must-listen for anyone curious about the future of space exploration.
Transcribe →Episode 38: Not a Landslide, but too Big to Rig - with Alex Halderman
Dec 1, 202400:52:18Tap to summarizeIn this conversation, Miles O'Brien and J. Alex Halderman discuss the critical issues surrounding election security, focusing on the importance of trust, the vulnerabilities of local voting systems, and the impact of cybersecurity threats. They explore the implications of razor-thin margins in elections, the challenges of public discourse on election integrity, and the political dynamics that influence election security legislation. The discussion also touches on the effects of bomb threats on voter turnout, the need for better auditing processes, and the future of election technology, including the potential vulnerabilities introduced by systems like Starlink.
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