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What an amazing guest. That’s the first female fast jet pilot I have heard interviewed. Absolute proof that merit is everything and the best are simply, the best. Well done with this interview Phil.
Thankyou Mandy & Phil, this was wonderful! I was going to watch the first ten minutes, & the rest tomorrow. It is now 4am as I watched the the whole thing! I was a rebel & left school with very poor grades, "She has the ability, but will not use it" was on my school reports. I'd open them & change minuses into plus. After years of dead end boring job after boring job, my father's sudden death gave me a huge kick up the arse. At aged twenty three, I went to college , did A levels (despite no decent GCSEs) then Uni where i got a degree in medicine. It was bloody hard work, but if I could do it, anybody could. Don't give up on your dreams, go for them! If it doesn't work out, at least you tried & nobody will condemn you for that.
Spot on...with a very 'working class' (I hate that term!) background I left school with nothing, quite a poor learner, still am...but I'm now a teacher in an FE college...for the last 18 years. My mantra has always been 'have a go'....if nothing comes of it you can always pull your shoulders back and say 'I had a go'...its better to have tried and failed than not try at all...that way you at least get to keep your self respect.
Every time I hear Mandy Hickson speak, I’m blown away by her skill, and her ability to inspire. I’m not looking to change career at my age, but I try take her enthusiasm forward and inspire young people to go out and do the things they dream of. Mandy, you’re an incredible person and a true inspiration.
Absolutely brilliant podcast documentary with Big Phil, top Geezer. This girl is such an incredible woman and ambassador for women and equality within the forces and particularly in the Royal Air Force.
1:07:00 This is one of my favourite things about humanity. They'll be talking away then mention something that's so important and joyous to them. It's in that moment, I love. The smile, eyes and warmth, love and importance all so apparent in that microsecond.
Mandy, a wonderful interview. My daughter has been through all the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides clubs and is now a Young Leader for our local group. She is also into her second year at our local Air Cadets. A visit/talk from you would be amazing for the many girls there are in 341 City of Preston squadron. ❤
Phil & Mandy thank you for one of the best hour and half of my life. Amazing story. Such inspiring people need to get into schools youth clubs!! Please keep them coming you’re all bloody brilliant!!
This interview is one of the best interviews, of any subject, of all time! Mandy is one of humanity's inspirational people, a golden soul. Phil is the service person's person. This is remarkable stuff! Truly, this is how it should be done!!!!
I love this Podcast. Great range of guests and topics. Phil is brilliant and has such an open and honest nature to his questions that puts the guest at ease and they probably tell Phil more than they usually tell other interviewer's. Phil could easily transition to being a TV chat show host.
What a great interview and such an inspiration to others, Phil you were awesome as always and Mandy, you are genuinely a true inspiration to everyone who wants to achieve their goals
Awesome stuff as usaul phil. I can only imagine how inspiring hearing mandy's talk must be for young women & girls aiming to do something outside of the norm. Thanks as always to phil & of course mandy.
Great guest, and a real trailblazer. I’m now in my 60’s but when I was in school there was minimal careers advice, and it’s great to see younger women breaking through the barriers into traditional male dominated roles. I’m so glad there’s more possibility for young women now.
Great Programme. I did the aptitude tests at Biggin Hill but for the RN -tough but passed for Pilot somehow but failed the more brainier test of observer.... glad she did get through with determination. Thank you for your service Mandy!
Great interview. Love your approach and excitement at the beginning. Your style is great as it's you just being you and wanting to ask the questions we all would 👍🏻
I laughed when she said she was the taxi driver ! Many moons ago we were shown around a squadron of Tornados prior to take off ! that's exactly what the navigator said to me and my oppo! Great interview too . Stay safe out there .
Hi Mandy, You are a Motivator .... I served in the R.A.F. as Ground Crew after being called up for N.S. in 1954 but refusing to go in the Army or Navy and only wanting to join the R.A.F., so after my Medical I was told I was Medically fir to go home and I would receive a letter telling me which service I was allocated to...I told them they had not been listening as I was NOT going in the Army or Navy Good Bye. Someone pulled me aside and said I would go where I was told as this was not my Choice as I was called up for N.S.... Again I said Good Bye. and the bloke said if you are determined to go in the R.A.F. there was a way round it ,,,Oh Yes... Yes Sign on as a Regular and more money... That sounds Good...Cut a long story short I had an R.A.F. interview and aptitude test that day and in April 1955 Basic and Trade Training over I was posted to H.K. but was off loaded in Singapore and posted to 81 (PR) Sqdn and absolutely loved it so much so that 2 years into my two and a half years posting I signed on for a further 6 months so completing 3 years on Active service on an operational Squadron and got round the Far East on many deniables being where we should not have been. When I returned to the U.K. with an M.i.D. the R.A.F. did not care and was in one of their restructuring modes...I had a lot to offer But Careers were dead Shits....So I left got married and in 1982 we Migrated to Aus and we have never looked back. Once I was retired after some 58 years in the work force, I had the opportunity to visit Schools/Colleges Pre Anzac and Remembrance days doing presentations to both buys and Girls, my approach was always Motivational particularly regarding Girls but in General assuring them that there was only one person who had the Authority to tell them what to do and that was Themselves. I was astounded at the number of those Pupils, particularly Girls, used to thank me for helping them both after my presentations and in the streets regularly telling me they had learnt more about Motivation and Employment opportunities together with them finally realising that Education made the the path ahead via Apprenticeships/College/Uni.... One 17 year old College student came to me one day and told me she was not a good student...I looked at her and before I could say anything....She corrected herself and said "Well I was not a good student....But after you spoke to us at the College we and I in particular decided that if I want something out of life the it is up to ME to put more effort into to achieving what ever I want"....I looked at her and complimented her saying she had made me very Happy and reminded her that she should always set her sights a little bit higher that she felt she could comfortably achieve and never stop challenging. It is a really satisfying feeling to be able to motivate Young Ones. I had to give the School presentations away when Wife was diagnosed with Dementia and Alzheimers and passed away last Feb, in Oct we would have been Married 64 years I am so pleased you have carved your own future and in doing so improved the potential of so many Young ones...You are an inspiration
Just watched this, fantastic and inspiring. I am going to make sure my daughter watches the last 20 minutes of this at least. The Gen Z do need to get their head out of their phones and understand school is an enabler. Great interview Phil. Good variety of guests on your show. John Nicol would make a great guest (PoW on OP GRANBY, thats Gulf War 1 to the spams)😉
Really amazing thank you Mandy and Phill! Schools need to keep the "victim " attitude going as there is a whole industry supported by it. I'm ex RAF (low ranker in the 1970s). The Forces and Blue light services (in my opinion) have all bought into the civvie "management " style, and the trainers set the mindset which stifles the individual. As with many other jobs all the peripheral non essential elements slow and absorb time drawing away from the core task. (Just my opinion).
You have to Remember, the trouble with the Spitfire was sorted by a Women, Not Biggles. Also the Maths for the M/ C guns was worked out by a Father and DAUGHTER. ..
Phil: Just some polite feedback that I’ve noticed… Just slow down a little bit. And listen a bit longer before chirping-in. You’re cutting your guests off here and there I’ve noticed. Love you though. Just a little feedback.
Another great interview. I would be interested to understand the inflexibility in the RAF appointing cycle that led such a valuable person to leave. I assume with the RAF’s drive to recruit more women that this has been addressed. I hate to appear cynical, but I shan’t hold my breath.
I think that education in State Schools in the UK is aimed at producing an homogenised human being with a minimum of education in order to fit them in to the basic 'peasant' working environment. Fortunately for me, I spent a lot of time in libraries and reading and learning from books.
@@madzangelsBut he's right? Phil IS amazing but does need to pause more before interrupting. I'm sure he's broad enough to take constructive criticism. Why the hostile response?
He doesn't need to slow down. He's interested and engaging with the guest and really makes it feel like these two are having a private conversation and we're listening to it. It's not boring and robotic like a lot of millitary podcasts.
Mandy's recollections would have been so interesting IF ONLY YOU COULD HAVE KEPT YOUR MOUTH SHUT and STOPPED INTERRUPTING AND LAUGHING OUT LOUD!!!! Sorry Mandy but at 5:59 I bailed out because of the Loud Mouthed Yobbo who kept over talking you.
Absolutely fantastic interview!! Well done Mandy for sharing your life story to us and thankyou Phil for getting this inspirational lady onto your show.
Grate to see a top top video there Phil with a top top top female topGun from us in the UK an R.A.F.! GRATE work up on channel..!! 😊😊 keep this up n rolling out mucker!! 😊😊
I just love we've ticked the box on this. Let's not think she wasn't pushed through. Glad in a way she didn't lose her life because of this. I suppose the modern point is to encourage others. Let's hope this is not a potential failing.
What a brilliant career, and proof that women have to be at least as good as the men. Great decision to invite MH on to share her insights and experience. We are so fortunate to have the service of these great people. Thank you.
That was a top notch vid Phil. I've been "edging" it for a while because of the length. I live in middle east but grew up in NE Sweaty. We had the Jets from RAF Lossie doing fly by's all the time in the summer. They had big steel yellow targets of the coast from Rosehearty. Mandy you're a SuperStar BTW.
