Shows
Date with DestinyEyes on the Stars: Breaking Barriers and Reaching for SpaceIn this inspiring episode of Date with Destiny, Captain Behnam sits down with trailblazing U-2 pilot Colonel Merryl Tengesdal. From a seven-year-old girl in the Bronx dreaming of space to flying at 70,000 feet, Merryl shares her path to becoming the first Black woman to pilot the legendary U-2 Dragon Lady. They dive into overcoming fear, the mindset for success, cockpit challenges, leadership lessons, and balancing a demanding military career with family life. Merryl’s powerful story is a must-watch for anyone who dares to dream big and shatter limits.🎧 Full episode: CaptainBehnam.com/links#Leadership #Aviation #WomenInSTEM #Inspiration #Resilience #Podca...2025-07-021h 29
Date with DestinyFlying Through Limits: A Story of Grit, Growth, and GutsIn this powerful episode of Date with Destiny, Captain Behnam sits down with trailblazing United Airlines Captain Laura Savino. From discovering aviation by accident to flying the 747, Airbus, and mentoring young pilots, Laura shares her journey of resilience, motherhood, and becoming one of the few women captains in commercial aviation. They discuss leadership, overcoming stereotypes, surviving a broken neck, and the importance of chasing dreams without compromise. Her story is a must-listen for aspiring aviators and anyone needing inspiration to persevere.🔗 Learn more: CaptainBehnam.com/Links#Aviation #WomenInFlight #PilotLife #Leadership #Resilience2025-05-311h 27
Date with DestinyMastering the Lessons You Won’t Learn in Flight SchoolIn this powerful episode, Captain Chris Pohl joins Captain Christopher Behnam to share his evolution from bush pilot to senior airline captain. They dive into the true qualities that separate great pilots from good ones, the role of manifestation in a pilot’s mindset, and how social media is changing aviation storytelling. From crisis leadership to cultural differences in airline operations, this episode is packed with experience, insight, and heart.More at: CaptainBehnam.com/Links#AviationPodcast #ChrisPohl #PilotTalk #FlightDeckStories #AviationLeadership2025-05-051h 12
Date with DestinyLaughter, Identity & the Journey to Becoming YouIn this episode, Captain Christopher Behnam sits down with comedian Maz Jobrani to unpack a story that goes beyond punchlines.From nearly pursuing a PhD to becoming a global voice in stand-up comedy, Maz reflects on the immigrant experience, breaking cultural stereotypes, and staying authentic in a world of expectations. They discuss comedy’s role in healing, parenting, personal growth, and mental health, plus advice for those chasing purpose in a world that pushes conformity.🎧 Watch or listen the full episode, and don’t forget to subscribe for more stories that move, challenge, and inspire.🌐 Mo...2025-04-2558 min
Date with DestinyMore Than Flying: Lessons from the CockpitCaptain Christopher Behnam speaks with aviation storyteller and pilot Juan Browne (Blancolirio) in this inspiring deep dive into what it really takes to fly—and lead—under pressure.They discuss in-flight emergencies, the pilot mindset, automation, decision-making, and what aviation can teach us about confidence and calm in critical moments.Whether you fly planes or just want to level up in life, this conversation is for you.🎧 Listen now and follow for more.www.CaptainBehnam.com/links2025-04-181h 13
Date with DestinyBeyond the Cockpit: A Pilot’s Journey and ChallengesIn this engaging conversation, Captain Behnam interviews Peter Hornfield, a seasoned pilot and the creator of the popular YouTube channel @MentourPilot They discuss Peter's journey in aviation, the importance of education and mentorship in the field, and the cultural differences in pilot training across various regions. The conversation also delves into the United 1175 incident, emphasizing the significance of teamwork and the impact of experience on pilot training. Peter shares insights on the growth of his channel and the responsibility that comes with addressing aviation safety issues. In this conversation, Captain Behnam and Petter, the Mentour Pilot, delve into various as...2025-04-031h 18
Date with DestinyFlight 1175: The Untold Story & Lessons in Resilience with Captain BehnamIn this powerful episode, Captain Christopher Behnam shares the untold story of United Flight 1175, a flight that could have ended in disaster but instead became a testament to leadership, skill, and resilience. He reveals the critical moments of the emergency, the decisions that saved 381 lives, and the lessons learned from that life-changing experience. Beyond the cockpit, Captain Behnam dives into overcoming personal and professional challenges, proving that perseverance and a strong mindset can turn any obstacle into an opportunity. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will change the way you think about adversity.2025-03-281h 20
Date with DestinyWho Is Captain Behnam? A Journey of Resilience & TriumphIn the first episode of Date with Destiny, Captain Christopher Behnam shares his extraordinary journey from a young boy in Iran, dreaming of flight, to overcoming political turmoil, financial struggles, and countless obstacles on his path to becoming a United Airlines pilot.Joined by his close friend and aspiring pilot Jacob Narayan, Captain Behnam answers deep and personal questions about his life, the sacrifices he made, and the defining moments that shaped his career. From watching planes take off as a child to sitting in the cockpit of a Boeing 777, his story is a testament to resilience...2025-03-201h 30
LD Aviation PodcastFlight 1175: Captain Behnam’s Remarkable Journey of Resilience, Leadership, and Heroism in AviationIn this episode of the LD Aviation Podcast, we sit down with Captain Behnam, an accomplished airline pilot with a remarkable story of resilience and heroism. Captain Behnam is best known for his extraordinary handling of United Airlines Flight 1175, where he and his crew faced a catastrophic engine failure at 36,000 feet. His quick thinking and expert piloting not only saved the lives of everyone on board but also earned him widespread recognition, including the ALPA Superior Airmanship Award.Captain Behnam’s journey to becoming an airline pilot is one of perseverance and determination. As an...2024-09-131h 36
RoqeRoqe Ep. 289 - No Mystery in What Happened to Armita, Capt. Behnam, Roqe RoundupA new edition of Roqe that kicks off with an audio essay from Jian addressing the dire situation of Iranian teenager Armita Geravand, followed by a Roundup with Pegah discussing the latest inside Iran including Armita and the funny/sad spectre of the controversial football game that didn’t happen with a Saudi team in Iran. Plus a feature interview live in the Roqe Studio with pilot, aviation expert, motivational speaker, and Iranian human rights advocate, Captain Christopher Behnam. Captain Behnam joins Jian for a very moving and wide-ranging interview about his early life and his upcoming book entitled, “A Date...2023-10-061h 27
Most People Don't... But You Do!#98 The Heroics of Captain Behnam and Saving 381 LivesToday's podcast guest is a true hero. His name is Captain Christopher Behnam.
"On a fateful day in 2018, Captain Behnam was flying a 777 to Honolulu when it suffered catastrophic engine failure. Were it not for his amazing skills, the plane would easily have been lost."
Listen to his story of resilience, training, and discipline on this episode. It will enhance you life.
We discuss:
-At age 9 he knew he wanted to fly airplanes for a living
-He created an airplane simulator as a child with broom
sticks, shoe boxes...2023-07-211h 17
RoqeRoqe Ep#201 – Special Edition: The Uprising - Solidarity with IranA special edition of Roqe focused on how those in the diaspora can support the brave young women and men fighting for human rights and justice in Iran. Once again, we assemble prominent voices from across the diaspora, this time to discuss solidarity with Iran and actions that can be taken locally and internationally. Lawyer and activist Kaveh Shahrooz joins Jian in the Roqe Studio, Kurdish-Iranian lawyer and commentator Awin Tavakoli is in Zurich, Afghan rapper and activist Sonita Alizadeh joins from New York, broadcaster Kambiz Hosseini grants a rare interview to speak his mind, artist and singer Gelareh Sheibani...2022-09-272h 44
RoqeRoqe Ep#177 - Captain Christopher (Borzu) Behnam, Real Estate AgentsRoqe 177 - A feature interview with pilot, aviation expert, motivational speaker, and Iranian human rights advocate, Captain Christopher Behnam. Captain Behnam joins Jian from San Francisco to recount the harrowing tale of saving 381 lives aboard United Airlines 1175 en route to Hawaii in 2018, and his personal story of facing mortality and building resilience since childhood. Plus the Roqe Team discuss the fear of flying and the promotional practices of Iranian real estate agents in the diaspora.2022-05-031h 47