Shows
The Ridiculously Human PodcastLiz McConaghy, RAF Chinook Crew Chick and Motivational SpeakerLiz McConaghy, is a special lady that has lived a unique life very unfamiliar to most. She joined the Royal Air Force on her 19th birthday and ended up as the longest serving female crewman on the RAF Chinook Fleet. At 21, she was the youngest aircrew to deploy to Iraq and was the only female crewman on the Chinook wing for 4 years. The toll of 2 deployments to Iraq and 10 deployments to Afghanistan, a messy divorce, and the isolation of Covid, came to a head in 2020 with Liz attempting to end her life. 2025-07-171h 10
Books Around the BlockChapter 16: A Mid-Year Recap & Best Books of 2025 So Far!We’re halfway through 2025, and Adrienne, Audrey, and Lindsay are recapping the best five books we’ve read so far—and the ones that missed the mark. We’re also diving into book sales stats and the top-selling titles of the year. Tune in for hot takes, hidden gems, and a mid-year bookish breakdown!Books Mentioned in this Episode:Don't Let Him in by Lisa JewellSummer Romance by Annabel MonaghanThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldAll The Colo...2025-07-1556 min
Bad On PaperDesert Island PicksThis week, we’re going to be sharing our desert island picks for categories from entertainment, to food, clothing, beauty, and more! Shoutout to Hillary Kerr’s newsletter for the episode inspo! Some of our picks Books to read for the rest of time: Becca - The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer The Wedding People by Alison Espach Olivia - Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, The God of The Woods by Liz Moore Books we like to recommend: B: TIOY Olivia - Pro...2025-07-091h 06
The Finance GirliesSummer reading list: The books we can’t stop recommending (part 2)Missing those childhood summers when you could read for hours without a care in the world? We're bringing back that magic with our favorite fiction, memoirs, and pure escapist reads for those lazy midsummer days.In part 2 of our summer reading series, we're diving into seven categories of books designed for pure enjoyment. We also get honest about how our reading habits have evolved over the years, share what's currently stacked on our summer TBR lists, and challenge each other with book picks we have to report back on.Whether you're craving light entertainment or...2025-06-1138 min
10 Things To Tell YouEp 266: Best Books LatelyMy favorite topic, any time of year.Join the SECRET STUFF BOOK CLUB where we're about to kick off the 5th annual STEPHEN KING SUMMER!FULL SHOW NOTES HEREBooks I'm Looking Forward To Reading:The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie BostwickPlayworld: A Novel by Adam RossBroken Country by Clare Leslie HallRun for the Hills by Kevin WilsonThree Biographies:Sister Sinner by Claire...2025-05-011h 05
RunPodLiz McConaghy - Chinook Crew ChickThis episode contains discussions about suicide and suicidal thoughts. Listener discretion is advised. In this powerful episode of RunPod, Jenni Falconer is joined by Liz McConaghy - the longest-serving female crew member on the RAF Chinook Fleet and author of Chinook Crew Chick. From flying combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan to battling PTSD and finding strength through running, Liz opens up about how movement became her lifeline. Her incredible story, marked by resilience, recovery, and reinvention, is a moving reminder that even in our darkest moments, there’s always a way forward.If you spo...2025-04-1855 min
Meagan's Book Club Podcast21: Chat with Saskia MaarleveldI've heard Saskia narrate many books to me so to finally get her on the podcast and learn more about her background was absolutely fascinating! With over 150 audiobook narrations under her belt, Saskia is one of the best in her field. I love her passion with her narrations! She is so talented and this chat was one of my favorites. Thanks for listening!Some of Saskia's work:The God of the Woods by Liz MooreWild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghymost of Kate Quinn's recent booksWhat the...2025-04-1744 min
Inspiring Leadership with Jonathan Bowman-Perks MBE362: Chinook Crew Chic Mental Health Advocate Liz McConaghyLiz McConaghy’s story is one of resilience, courage, and transformation. Originally from Northern Ireland, she joined the RAF on her 19th birthday, becoming the longest-serving female crewman on the Chinook Fleet. She was the youngest aircrew deployed to Iraq at just 21 and the only woman in her role for four years. Over a 17-year career, she completed multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, witnessing war from the skies.But after leaving the military in 2019, Liz faced her toughest battle yet—PTSD, trauma, and a fight for her own life. Her powerful memoir, Chinook Crew Chick...2025-04-081h 00
Les Éclaireurs de Dialogues - Des auteurs et des livresQue lire avec Dialogues ? Au cœur de la natureDans cet épisode, les libraires de Dialogues vous livrent 7 coups de cœur, des romans et des polars qui, tous, nous projettent au cœur de la nature, dans un environnement sauvage. Des espaces tantôt rassurants et régénérants, tantôt inquiétants, et bien souvent menacés.Voici la liste des titres présentés dans cet épisode :Darwyne, de Colin Niel (éd. Le Livre de poche) ;Le Prix de la victoire, de Karl Marlantes (éd. Calmann-Lévy) ;Je pleure encore la beauté du monde, de Charlot...2025-04-0223 minBad On PaperRunning a Bookstore with Maura CheeksHave you ever wondered how a bookstore runs? We think about it all the time, and we are so thrilled to get the scoop from the owner of Liz’s Book Bar in Brooklyn, and author of Acts of Forgiveness, Maura Cheeks! We chat with Maura about her dreams of opening a bookstore, what the opening process entails, how Liz’s Book Bar stands out, the book selection process, and how she published her first novel and opened Liz’s Book Bar in the same year. A book frequently purchased at Liz’s Bo...2025-04-0256 minBooks Around the BlockChapter Two: Our March Reads + April TBRIn this episode of Books Around the Block, Adrienne, Audrey, and Lindsay recap their March reads—discussing the hits, the misses, and the ones that left them with all the feelings. From gripping thrillers to best-selling romances, they cover a variety of genres and share their honest thoughts. Plus, they reveal their April TBR lists—what’s on their radar, what they’re excited to dive into, and which books might just end up in the DNF pile. Grab your favorite beverage and join the conversation!Follow us at @booksaroundtheblockpod on Instagram and TikTok for more fun content...2025-04-0142 min
The CAPB PodcastThe CAPB Podcast - Liz McConaghy "Chinook Crew Chick"Next up on The CAPB Podcast is best selling author and RAF Veteran, Liz McConaghy. We laughed for the whole time recording this episode, Liz is Veteran Royalty and her honesty and authenticity coupled with a wicked sense of humour made this one an absolute scream !!Liz McConaghy's remarkable journey encompasses a distinguished 17-year tenure as the longest-serving female crewmember on the Royal Air Force Chinook Fleet. Hailing from a small town in Co. Down, Northern Ireland, she embarked on her aviation career, commencing on her 19th birthday at RAF Cranwell, marking the inception of her remarkable...2025-03-2846 min10 Things To Tell YouEp 258: Best Books LatelyThis is a very special episode of Best Books Lately. Special because it's been awhile since we've had one, special because it's with my longtime internet friend and book twin Liz Hein, and special because we're weaving together some of the most important themes of 10 Things To Tell You: sharing your stuff, connection, and, of course, BOOKS.In this conversation, Liz and I are not only talking about the best books we've read lately (and we've both read some great things!), Liz is also sharing about the life of her father, legendary Chicago photographer Rich Hein, who...2025-02-271h 41
I'd Read That!Ep 36: Save Us 2025 Books!Welcome to 2025! *nervous laughter*In today's episode Liz & Jerry chat about their holidays and discuss the upcoming 2025 books they are most excited to read. Spoilers for the Hunger Games trilogy are included free of charge. Books MentionedOrbital by Samantha HarveySociopath by Patric Gagne, PhDMy Friends by Fredrik BackmanWild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghyThe Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel CanasSunrise of the Reaping by Suzanne CollinsEverything is Tuberculosis by John Green2025-02-0634 min
Matt Holman Talks Mental Health185. Liz (Chinook Crew Chick) McConaghy talks PTSD and Motivational SpeakingIn this episode I had the pleasure to chat with Liz about her personal experience with mental health.
Liz was the longest serving female crewman on the Royal Air Force Chinook Fleet spanning a 17 year career flying on the aircraft. But after her medical discharge in 2019 she struggled with the impact of PTSD and other life events. Thankfully one night when she was at her lowest point she made a phone call that saved her life.
You can find out more about Liz, her work sharing her story to help others and order a copy of her book here...2025-02-0330 min
Ordinary to Extraordinary - The Podcast2024 Recap and a Happy New Year!We are so grateful to the 18 extraordinary guests who have helped create our first year of this podcast. We sit down and reflect on a few of the human factors lessons learnt from these incredible people this year, and look forward to more in 2025.2024 Episodes:Introducing Ordinary To Extraordinary - The PodcastNeil LaughtonSupt. Adam GallopProf. Mark WilsonKev SuttonDr. Jason BrooksDr. Claire Park, MBEJames GeeringDr. Dale CarrisonNeil JeffersMartin Withers, DFCCapt. Hutch StilgenbauerDr. Aman HusseinMitchell DalyLiz McConaghyAlan Stein Jr.Capt. Sam SoderbergMandy HicksonDr. Mike AbernethyInstagram: @ordinary2xtraordinary...2024-12-2918 min
BFBS Radio SitrepThe Moment That Made Me – Liz McConaghyLiz McConaghy joined the RAF on her 19th Birthday and flew on Chinooks for seventeen years.She helped save hundreds of lives on MERT rescue missions for dangerously-wounded troops, during her ten tours of Afghanistan.But saving others lives left a big impact on Liz’s own, and months after leaving the RAF she attempted to end her life.Liz tells Kate Gerbeau why, the moment she woke up in hospital, she chose to live, how it made her into an author, designer and advocate working to inspire and help others through similar st...2024-12-2726 min
I'd Read That!Ep 34: 2024 Top Ten Books! Pt. 1Happy Holidays everyone!We're wrapping up 2024 with our favorite books we read in 2024...well just 10 thru 6.Enjoy a lively discussion and some great choices for your TBR!Liz's List:#10 Pallbearer's Club by Paul Trembly#9 Misery by Stephen King#8 The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley#7 Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy#6 Lone Women by Victor LavalleJerry's List:#10 Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung#9 Big Swiss by Jen Beagin#8 The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia#7 Nimona by ND Stevenson#6 You Made...2024-12-2626 min
Thoughts from a Page PodcastMary Webber O'Malley and Pamela Klinger Horn - First Quarter 2025 Recommended ReadsMary Webber O'Malley and Pamela Klinger-Horn join me to recommend their favorites reads of the first quarter of 2025.Pamela's selections:January:The Stolen Queen by Fiona DavisAll the Water in the World by Eiren CaffallMore or Less Maddy by Lisa GenovaToo Soon by Betty ShamiahThe Favorites by Layne FargoFebruary:A Long Time Gone by Joshua MoehlingTilda Is Visible by Jane TaraIsola by Allegra GoodmanMarch:Broken...2024-12-101h 11
Book BumbleBooks to Gift - Season 3, Episode 8Send us a textIn today's episode we have a HUGE gift-able stack! Books are one of our favorite items to give anytime of year. We hope you'll find something for every reader on your list...Happy Holidays! Featured Books:Series:The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden (LH)The Lost Queen Series by Signe Pike (LP) Horses of Fire, Daughters of Bronze by A.D. Rhine (LH)Brooklyn, Long Island by Colm Toibin (LP) Historical FictionBy...2024-12-041h 20
Land, Sea & Air - Stories from the Armed ForcesAfghanistan: Liz McConaghy, Royal Air Force - There at the Beginning of Op Herrick and There Until the Very EndLiz McConaghy “amassed 10 Op Herricks”, deployed three months at a time as part of the Chinook Force...“We were there at the beginning of Op Herrick…when Camp Bastion didn’t even exist… and we were there, pretty much at the end, when we turned the lights off and walked away. Because of that, we saw the whole campaign grow and develop. Lots of mixed emotions throughout the entire journey.”Liz joined the military to, “...have a purpose and do a job and it’s fair to say, Afghanistan gave me that in bucket loads. Ever...2024-11-101h 12
Saturday LiveSimon Reeve, Liz McConaghy, Lalage Snow, Adrian ChilesThe global explorer, TV presenter and author Simon Reeve makes programmes around the world which focus on people’s lives...and he’s been arrested by the KGB, chased by cheetahs and nearly died from malaria.Liz McConaghy spent seventeen years as a Chinook crewman with the RAF, the longest serving woman to do so, her deployments left scars on her soul but has now found a way to soothe them.Lalage Snow, photojournalist and filmmaker, has covered war and unrest in the in Gaza, The West Bank, Israel, Eastern Ukraine - but has now foun...2024-10-261h 00
Ordinary to Extraordinary - The PodcastLiz McConaghy: The Highs and The Lows from the Longest Serving Female RAF Chinook CrewmanLiz McConaghy was the longest serving female crewman on the Royal Air Force Chinook Fleet spanning a 17-year career flying on the aircraft.Originally from a small town in Co. Down Northern Ireland she attended RAF Cranwell on her 19th birthday to begin her exciting career thereafter on Chinook Helicopters. She was the youngest aircrew to deploy to Iraq aged just 21 and also the only female crewman on the Chinook wing for 4 years, so her story is completely unique. Her career saw her amass 2 deployments to Iraq and 10 deployments to Helmand Afghanistan in support of Operation...2024-09-251h 50
Military AviatrixHighs and Lows of Force Life from the Longest Serving Female Chinook Force CrewmemberWhat if you could step inside the mind and experiences of an incredible woman who bravely served as a helicopter crewman in the British Air Force? Would you be captivated by her tales of deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, or her journey as the only female crewman in her unit for five years? Join us in a powerful conversation with Liz McConaghy, author of the memoir "Chinook Crew Chick", as she pulls back the curtain on her extraordinary 17-year career.
Engage with us as we explore mental health, resilience, and the power of story-telling with Liz. This...2024-08-2452 min
BFBS Radio SitrepThe armed forces pay rise – what’s it really worth?Most servicemen and women are getting a 6% pay rise, twice the rate of inflation. The government says it’s the biggest increase for more than 20 years. But in real terms pay has been falling for a decade, and satisfaction with it is at a record low. Sitrep talks to the Defence Veterans and People Minister, Alistair Carns, to ask whether it’s really enough, and why accommodation costs are also rising despite numerous problems. Ukraine appears to have received the first of its long awaited F16 fighter jets. We explain the challeng...2024-08-0146 min
1 Mile 1 Veteran(Part 2) 5 Ways to Cultivate Unwavering Determination with Liz McConaghyPart 2: Join us on this episode of the 1 Mile 1 Veteran podcast as we delve into the remarkable journey of Liz McConaghy, a trailblazer in the Royal Air Force. Liz shares insights into her 17-year tenure as the longest-serving female crew member on the Chinook fleet, her experiences in war zones, overcoming PTSD, and becoming a mental health advocate. Discover how Liz's determination, resilience, and coping mechanisms have shaped her post-military life, offering valuable lessons on mental health and the power of authentic self-expression. Tune in to learn about the importance of community, identifying mental health struggles, and the impact...2024-07-3123 min1 Mile 1 Veteran(Part 1) 5 Ways to Cultivate Unwavering Determination with Liz McConaghyPart 1: Join us on this episode of the 1 Mile 1 Veteran podcast as we delve into the remarkable journey of Liz McConaghy, a trailblazer in the Royal Air Force. Liz shares insights into her 17-year tenure as the longest-serving female crew member on the Chinook fleet, her experiences in war zones, overcoming PTSD, and becoming a mental health advocate. Discover how Liz's determination, resilience, and coping mechanisms have shaped her post-military life, offering valuable lessons on mental health and the power of authentic self-expression. Tune in to learn about the importance of community, identifying mental health struggles, and the impact...2024-07-3122 min
Leadership at the edgeMilitary Leadership with Liz ‘Chinook Chick’ McConaghy.John Mark Williams is joined by Liz McConaghy, the longest-serving female crewman on the Royal Air Force Chinook Fleet, as they discuss military leadership, veteran mental health, and resilience with teamwork.
2024-06-2832 minI'd Read That!Ep 26: Travel, In This Economy?In this episode, Liz & Jerry elaborate on another reading challenge. Read a book you want to travel to.Reading a book set in a place you want to visit is certainly more affordable than the real thing. It also gets you motivated to plan that big trip.Where would you like to go?Books Mentioned:Heartsong by Tj KluneCarrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Comfort Book by Matt HaigA Memory Called Empire by Arkady MartineJust for the Summer by Abby JimenezEmily...2024-06-2036 min
The Old Paratrooper PodcastEpisode#13: Liz McConaghy chats to TOPP about her service in the RAF as a Chinook crew memberLiz McConaghy aka Chinook crew chick chats to The old paratrooper podcast about her service in the RAF as a Chinook crew member and being deployed on no less than 10 op Herrick tours in Afghanistan. Liz talks openly about her struggles with mental health brought on by seeing the horrors from inside a war zone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-05-2651 min
Forging Resilience28 Liz McConaghy: "You're not going to get more purpose than saving lives in Helmand".WARNING: Listener discretion is advised. This episode discusses a suicide attempt. Liz McConaghy was a former RAF loadmaster. Our latest episode unpacks raw and riveting transformation from ramps of a Chinook, to a beacon of hope as a mental health advocate. Her journey, detailed in "Chinook Crew Chick" and echoed in her keynote speeches, reveals the grueling reality of physical injuries, the specter of PTSD, and the pursuit of new purpose post-service. Liz's story isn't just about survival; it's a testimony to the power of vulnerability in overcoming life's darkest moments an...2024-05-0945 min