Welcome back to Final Approach, the podcast where we explore the story of caring for loved ones from the cockpit and beyond. I’m Jonathan Knaul, your host and author of the book Final Approach: Test Pilot’s Story of Caring for Loved Ones. Today’s episode is one you don’t want to miss: I’m joined by my friend, fellow test pilot, astronaut, and family man, Andy Edgell, who brings a unique perspective from high-risk aviation and personal caregiving.

In our conversation, Andy and I talk candidly about his extraordinary career as a British Royal Air Force pilot, F-35 flight tester, instructor at top test pilot schools, and now an experimental test pilot and astronaut for Virgin Galactic. We go deep into what it’s like to care for loved ones across continents. Andy opens up about supporting his parents from afar—his father, a retired British Airways pilot, is living with Alzheimer’s in the UK, while Andy raises his own family in California.

We tackle the emotional realities of being a caregiver while holding down a high-pressure career, the struggles of communicating with loved ones affected by dementia, and the tension between our “fix-it” mentality as pilots and the true needs of those we care for. We touch on the power of music therapy, the importance of vulnerability, and the need for honest, open communication when family is spread across the globe.

Key Takeaways

1. Balancing High-Pressure Careers and Family Caregiving: Andy shares the realities of being both a test pilot/astronaut and a caregiver to family members living abroad.
2. Long-Distance Caregiving: Learn strategies for supporting loved ones from afar, including the importance of regular communication and emotional connection.
3. Military Mindset and Caregiving: How the "problem-solving" approach instilled in test pilots can help—and sometimes hinder—when applied to real-life family relationships.
4. Communicating with Family Members with Dementia: Andy’s touching accounts of connecting with his father through shared passion—especially aviation and music.
5. Vulnerability in High-Stakes Professions: Why it’s crucial for test pilots, astronauts, and anyone in demanding careers to embrace vulnerability and open up about personal struggles.
6. Role of Music Therapy: We discuss the potential benefits and limitations of using music to support cognitive health in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.
7. Importance of Honest Communication: Having trusted family members who provide candid feedback is essential for maintaining healthy relationships.

If you enjoyed today’s discussion, visit FinalApproachBook.com to download your free caregiver plan, sign up for my newsletter, and learn more about my book, Final Approach. Join our community and remind yourself: you are never alone in your caregiving journey.

Share this episode with fellow caregivers, aviators, and anyone who needs support balancing career and family. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for more candid conversations about resilience, aviation, and the power of caring for those you love.

Best in care,

Jonathan

Welcome to the very first episode of Final Approach: Human Stories From High-Stress Professions, a podcast dedicated to the untold stories behind caregiving, family, and high-paced careers. I’m Jonathan Knaul, your host, and for this debut episode, I’m joined by my incredible sister, Dr. Felicia Knaul, a world-renowned public health leader. Together, we open up about our journey as caregivers for our parents, blending the extraordinary and the ordinary with stories of love, vulnerability, and resilience.

Felicia’s impressive career—from her influential work with street children in Colombia to her advocacy for cancer and palliative care—is the backdrop to our conversation. But the heart of the episode is my motivation to write a book about caregiving, triggered by our shared experience caring for our mother as she declined from dementia, and our father’s earlier battle with cancer.

We explore how my background as a military pilot and test pilot shaped my approach to caregiving, especially during the isolating days of COVID-19. Felicia brings to light her own perspective, sharing how pandemic restrictions separated her from our mother and how remote tools became lifelines for connection and therapy. We talk candidly about the burnout, emotional vulnerability, mistakes, and ultimately the love that kept us going.

By weaving together the wartime survival stories of our parents, the stress of caregiving through the pandemic, and the practical wisdom of checklists and compassion, we share not just a guide for others—but a testament to family. This episode is for anyone suddenly thrust into caregiving, searching for support, or needing reassurance that the “final approach” can be met with strength and heart.

• Caregiving often arrives unannounced: We rarely plan for it, but when it happens, the experience is both challenging and life-changing.
• Checklists and structure help: My military and test pilot training instilled a discipline and process that translated into practical guidance for caregiving—especially during critical moments.
• Emotional vulnerability is not weakness: Opening up about the hard days, mistakes, and burnout empowers others and builds connection.
• COVID-19 changed everything: The pandemic complicated every aspect of caregiving—from isolation to securing help—and revealed the need for creativity and resilience.
• Personalized care is vital: To truly care for someone, you must know them—what comforts them, what bothers them, and what makes their life meaningful.
• Remote support matters: Virtual therapy, music, and art sessions became essential for maintaining connection and well-being during the pandemic.
• Love drives the process: Beyond procedures and organization, it’s the love for our mother (and for each other as siblings) that fueled us through difficult times.
• Resources and guides are essential: The book I wrote, and this podcast, aim to fill gaps for caregivers—especially when dealing with administrative and emotional hurdles after loss.

If this episode resonated with you—if you’re a caregiver, a family member facing tough times, or someone navigating high-paced professional and personal demands—I invite you to stay tuned and join our community. Subscribe to the Final Approach podcast, check out my book and audiobook at finalapproachbook.com, and sign up for our newsletter for tips, guidance, and shared stories. Reach out and let us know your caregiving experiences. Remember: you’re not alone.

Thank you so much for joining us on this journey. Best in care,

Jonathan