ABOUT THIS EPISODE
What does it really take to fly a fighter jet into combat—and keep going if something goes wrong? Not just bravery—but preparation, resilience, smart decision-making, and the ability to recover fast under pressure.
In this episode of Books That Build Skills, retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot Kim "KC" Campbell shares the real skills behind flying 100+ combat missions, landing a battle-damaged aircraft, and leading when the stakes are high. She breaks down how courage isn’t fearlessness—it’s action anyway.
This conversation explores what it actually takes to become a fighter pilot: resilience, preparation, decision-making under pressure, and learning from mistakes. Kim also shares how small habits—like checklists, debriefs, and preparation—build confidence for big moments, and how kids and teens can start practicing those same skills right now.
This isn’t a highlight reel or a history lesson. It’s career exploration without the boring part—real stories, real challenges, and real skills kids can use in school, sports, leadership, and future STEM careers.
No vague advice.
No boring lectures.
Just stories + skills = power.
🎙 Guest Info
Name: Kim “KC” Campbell
Title: Fighter Pilot
Company: U.S. Air Force Colonel (Retired)
What she really does:As a member of the United States Air Force for 24 years, Kim flew the A-10 Warthog protecting troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan and later in South and Central America. She led teams of up to 1,000 people, taught leadership and courage, and now helps kids (and adults) learn how to face fear and keep moving forward.
🔧 Skills Highlighted in This Episode
Resilience & recovery after failure
Decision-making under pressure
Preparation → confidence
Using checklists to reduce stress
Clear communication
Learning from mistakes (the fighter-pilot debrief)
▶️ Guest LinksBook: "Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot’s Lessons on Leading with Courage"Youtube: @kim-kc-campbellLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-kc-campbell/Website: https://kim-kc-campbell.com/
📚 What Is Books That Build Skills?
Short Episodes. Real People. Real Careers. Real Skills. Zero Boring Adult Talk.
Every episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how incredible careers are built—aviation, military leadership, teamwork, decision-making—plus the mistakes, risks, and skills learned along the way. From “I kinda like this…” → “Whoa… I really DID THAT.”
Stories + skills = power.
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When certain topics light up, guests return for deeper episodes—walking kids through the full path from middle school → college → career. Your engagement helps decide what we build next.
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