Truth in the Barrel - Episode: Devil's Cut | In Conversation With Nicole Malachowski

Release Date: June 3, 2025

1. Introduction of Guest and Background (00:00 - 01:00)

Amy McGrath welcomes listeners to the episode, introducing Nicole Malachowski as the first woman Thunderbird pilot in the United States Air Force. Amy expresses her admiration for Nicole's remarkable career and her eagerness to delve deeper into Nicole's experiences.

Notable Quote:

"Nicole, it's just an honor to get to meet you and talk with you... it's just wonderful to get a chance to get to know you a little bit more."
— Amy McGrath [00:37]

2. Career Highlights and Flight Experience (01:00 - 02:52)

Amy highlights Nicole's impressive military background, emphasizing her top-tier achievements such as being top of her class at the Air Force Academy, flying both F-15E Strike Eagles and F-16s, commanding roles, and her time as a White House fellow. The discussion underscores the significance of flying two different fighter jets, a testament to her versatility and skill.

Notable Quote:

"Top in her class at the Air Force Academy, flew not only F15s but also F16s... it's a big deal to fly two different types of fighter planes."
— Amy McGrath [01:12]

3. Personal Anecdotes and Call Signs (02:45 - 06:17)

Nicole shares personal stories from her flight career, including her preference for the F-15E Strike Eagle over the F-16, which she flew primarily during air shows with the Thunderbirds. She recounts meeting her husband in her first fighter squadron and an amusing incident where she failed a flight test by going supersonic over Land's End.

Notable Quotes:

"My call sign... was Fifi. And I'll be honest, the full story is certainly not safe for work."
— Nicole Malachowski [05:05]

"I remember looking at his last name and I couldn't pronounce it. I couldn't say it right, but I took that name."
— Nicole Malachowski [04:22]

4. Book Project on Women Air Force Service Pilots (06:17 - 07:36)

Nicole discusses her ongoing project to write a book about the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II and their pursuit of the Congressional Gold Medal. She emphasizes the importance of preserving their legacy, especially in an era where there is a trend towards censorship and erasure of significant historical stories.

Notable Quote:

"It's about the women Air Force service pilots of World War II... especially just to keep the WASP memory alive."
— Nicole Malachowski [06:20]

5. Discussion on Censorship and DEI in the Department of Defense (12:34 - 28:24)

A substantial portion of the conversation centers on the Department of Defense's approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Nicole criticizes the current administration for whitewashing history by removing stories of trailblazers like herself, which she argues undermines meritocracy and stifles inspiration for future generations. Both hosts express frustration over the censorship, highlighting its negative impact on recruitment and the broader morale within the military.

Notable Quotes:

"It's completely shameful... taking away stories of facts based honorable service."
— Nicole Malachowski [13:11]

"DEI is not stopping meritocracy. Dei, when done well and when executed as intended, is what enables meritocracy."
— Nicole Malachowski [22:45]

"We're not going to... promote individual initiative, excellence, and hard work, as if we haven't been promoting excellence and hard work altogether."
— Amy McGrath [14:46]

6. Impact on Recruitment and Retention (25:44 - 32:31)

Nicole elaborates on how the Department of Defense's censorship and shifting DEI policies are detrimental to military recruitment and retention. She shares anecdotes of potential recruits questioning the Air Force's commitment to honoring diverse service members, leading to decreased interest in joining the military.

Notable Quotes:

"If you look at the memoir that is being passed on... it's like a modern day electronic book burning. It's ridiculous."
— Nicole Malachowski [28:29]

"If you look at who is interested and looking up to trailblazers like you, we're going to have more people saying, 'I want to join because of that.'"
— Denver Riggleman [25:04]

7. Personal Health Challenges and Retirement (32:31 - 35:52)

Nicole shares a deeply personal story about her abrupt career end due to a severe tick-borne illness. She details the impact of a brain infection that left her bedridden for nine months, leading to her medical retirement. This life-altering event prompted her to reinvent herself as a leadership consultant and professional speaker, focusing on elite team performance and resilience.

Notable Quotes:

"I went from this really kind of elite, high performing... to just completely broken overnight."
— Nicole Malachowski [33:45]

"It was a game changer... now I have to reinvent myself."
— Nicole Malachowski [34:05]

8. Advocacy and Current Work (35:52 - 40:04)

Transitioning from her military career, Nicole discusses her advocacy work, particularly focusing on tick-borne illnesses. She highlights the challenges veterans face in receiving appropriate medical care and the bureaucratic hurdles within the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Through her role with the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, Nicole actively mentors and supports affected service members.

Notable Quotes:

"There is absolutely no excuse for the Department of Veterans affairs and the Department of Defense to not be leaders in this space."
— Nicole Malachowski [38:35]

"America's promise... if we don't follow through on America's promise, we have no moral standing or ethical standing."
— Nicole Malachowski [40:04]

9. Concluding Remarks and Future Outlook (40:45 - 43:00)

In the closing segment, Amy and Denver express their admiration for Nicole's resilience and leadership. They discuss the importance of recognizing and supporting trailblazers like Nicole to inspire future generations. Nicole hints at potential future endeavors, including the possibility of running for office, while emphasizing her ongoing commitment to healing and advocacy.

Notable Quotes:

"Country, our country needs better leaders. You're one of them."
— Amy McGrath [42:15]

"With my chronic illness... I have belief that I'm going to continue to heal and get better. And so maybe running for office is an opportunity in the future."
— Nicole Malachowski [42:39]

Key Takeaways

• Trailblazing Leadership: Nicole Malachowski's career as the first woman Thunderbird pilot exemplifies exceptional leadership and pioneering spirit within the military.

• Impact of Censorship: Current DEI-driven policies in the Department of Defense are criticized for erasing crucial historical narratives, which negatively affects military recruitment and the morale of service members.

• Advocacy for Veterans: Nicole's transition from military service to advocacy highlights the ongoing struggles veterans face, especially regarding medical care for conditions like tick-borne illnesses.

• Inspiration for Future Generations: The importance of representation and recognizing diverse service members is emphasized as a source of inspiration for young women and minorities aspiring to serve.

For more insights and discussions, visit www.TruthintheBarrel.com.