Aerospace Executive Podcast
Hosted by Aerospace Executive
An executive recruiter interviews leaders, investors, and authors about the business of aerospace, defense, and space.
This is an insider's podcast for the aerospace and defense C-suite, viewed through the lens of an executive recruiter. Host Craig Picken uses his industry perch to dissect the strategic challenges facing the sector, from M&A and private equity pressures to procurement reform and talent shortages. The conversations are less about the hardware and more about the business models, leadership mindsets, and financial mechanics that drive the industry.
“Unlike shows focused on technology or military history, this podcast is explicitly about the business and career dynamics of the industry. The host's perspective as a top recruiter gives every conversation a unique angle on talent, leadership, and corporate strategy.”
Who hosts this show
Craig Picken is an executive recruiter and founder of CraigPicken.com, a search firm focused on the aerospace and aviation industries. A former decorated Naval Flight Officer with over 2,000 flight hours, he later worked in high-stakes sales roles at Gulfstream and Bombardier before starting his own firm. He has completed over 400 senior-level searches since 2008 and hosts the podcast to explore leadership trends within his industry.
Credentials & credits
- Founder, CraigPicken.com Executive Search
- Former Naval Flight Officer, US Navy
- Former Sales Executive, Gulfstream & Bombardier
- B.S. in International Trade, Texas Tech University
- ICF Trained Executive Coach
- Industry Speaker (Corporate Jet Investor, IAWA)
Other ventures
- CraigPicken.com (Executive Search Firm)
- Northstar Group (Co-founder, Managing Partner)
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United States
- Region
- usa
When new episodes drop
- 01
- 02
- 03The Pro Sports of Business: What PE Demands From Aerospace LeadersMay 28, 2026 · 44 min
- 04
- 05
- 06
- 07
- 08
Notable episodes
- 01The Pro Sports of Business: What PE Demands From Aerospace Leaders
A deep dive into the mindset and financial realities of the private equity world, explaining how it has become a dominant force in the aerospace industry.
- 02The New Defense Procurement Model: Faster, Smarter, More Investable
Explores the critical shift in how the Department of Defense is trying to acquire technology faster, and the implications for investors and defense contractors.
- 03The Aircraft, Engines, and Business Models That Built Business Aviation
A comprehensive history of business aviation, framed through a discussion with the authors of a key industry book, covering everything from Learjet to NetJets.
- 04Space Infrastructure…The New Logistics Opportunity
Provides a clear overview of the emerging 'space as infrastructure' thesis, detailing the business of satellite deployment and the future of in-orbit logistics.
What you'll be asked on this show
Craig Picken's interview style is that of a curious industry insider. He often opens by referencing a guest's recent accomplishment, media appearance, or new book, using it as a natural entry point. His questions are broad and strategic, designed to give guests a wide runway to explain complex topics like industry trends, business models, or strategic pivots. He actively listens and summarizes guest points before moving on, but rarely interrupts or pushes back, preferring to let the expert's perspective unfold. He closes interviews on a forward-looking note, often asking about future excitement or securing a promise for a return visit.
The host, Craig Picken, is an enthusiastic and well-prepared interviewer who often references a guest's recent work, like a book or media appearance, to anchor the conversation. He uses broad, open-ended questions, allowing experts to speak at length without interruption. The podcast serves as content marketing for his executive search firm, which is mentioned in every episode description.
Questions Aerospace Executive keeps coming back to
12 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when Aerospace Executive reaches for it.
future
2- Q.01
“What are the biggest trends shaping your sector right now?”
He often asks this as a broad, scene-setting question to get an industry overview from the guest's unique perspective.
- Q.02
“What are you most excited about for the future?”
A common closing question to end the conversation on a positive and forward-looking note.
origin
2- Q.01
“How did you get into this business/field?”
Picken uses this question to explore a guest's personal backstory and career trajectory.
- Q.02
“What compelled you to write this book/start this company?”
Asked at the beginning of interviews with authors or founders to understand their core motivation.
mindset
1- Q.01
“What's the mindset shift required to succeed in this environment?”
This question surfaces insights about the cultural and psychological adjustments needed for new roles, especially when moving into private equity.
advice
2- Q.01
“How should a company of [size] adapt to these changes?”
He tailors this question to get specific, actionable advice for different segments, from mid-market companies to large OEMs.
- Q.02
“What do you look for in the people who succeed in this industry?”
Leveraging his recruiting background, he asks this to get hiring criteria and talent management advice.
money
2- Q.01
“How are the business models and ways of making money changing?”
This question probes the financial mechanics of the industry, from procurement pricing to M&A valuations.
- Q.02
“Who is your typical customer?”
A direct question to understand a company's market and customer base.
process
1- Q.01
“From a process standpoint, how does [a specific operation] work?”
This is used to understand the operational details, whether it's a customer engagement timeline or a government procurement process.
history
1- Q.01
“What was the big turning point for the industry?”
He asks this to identify key historical moments or technological shifts that defined the sector.
craft
1- Q.01
“How is the supply chain holding up for you?”
This question explores the current operational and logistical challenges facing a guest's company.
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Guests are typically C-suite executives, investment bankers, private equity partners, and authors who are recognized experts on the business and financial side of the aerospace and defense industry.
- Kevin Michaelson The Aircraft, Engines, and Business Models That Built Business Aviation | Aerospace Executive
- Richard Aboulafiaon The Aircraft, Engines, and Business Models That Built Business Aviation | Aerospace Executive
- Megan Welchon The New Defense Procurement Model: Faster, Smarter, More Investable | Aerospace Executive
- Adam Coffeyon The Pro Sports of Business: What PE Demands From Aerospace Leaders
- Dr. Robert Sprowlson Space Infrastructure…The New Logistics Opportunity | Aerospace Executive w/ Craig Picken
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The podcast is a direct marketing channel for the host's own business, CraigPicken.com, an executive search firm for the aerospace industry. Each episode description includes his contact information and promotes his firm.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
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People also ask
- What is the host's real name?
- The host is Craig Picken.
- What is the format of the show?
- It is an interview-based podcast where host Craig Picken has in-depth conversations with a single guest or small group of experts from the aerospace industry.
- What is Craig Picken's background?
- He is an executive recruiter for the aerospace industry, a former Naval Flight Officer, and previously worked in sales for Gulfstream and Bombardier.
- Is the Aerospace Executive Podcast still active?
- Yes, based on the recent episode dates, the podcast releases new episodes regularly.
- Who is the podcast for?
- The podcast is aimed at executives, investors, and leaders within the aerospace, defense, and space industries.
- How can I pitch a guest for the show?
- The show's descriptions consistently provide the host's direct email ([email — gated]) and phone number for business inquiries.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]Craig Picken Executive Search - Biocraigpicken.com
- [02]Craig Picken Executive Search - Servicescraigpicken.com
- [03]Craig Picken's Journey From Naval Aviator to Big Billing Solo Recruiterrecruitmentcoach.com
- [04]The Aerospace Executive Podcast - Official Sitecraigpicken.com
- [05]Craig Picken - Professional Speaker Biocraigpicken.com
- [06]Contact - Craig Picken Executive Searchcraigpicken.com
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