Blue Angels, Combat, and Leadership Under Pressure | Scott “Intake” Kartvedt
Download MP3What can fighter pilots teach us about leadership, trust, accountability, and high-performance teams?
In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Angela Gill Nelms sits down with former Blue Angels pilot, Navy fighter pilot, combat commander, and Top Gun: Maverick stunt pilot Scott “Intake” Kartvedt for a conversation about elite performance under pressure and the leadership lessons that apply far beyond aviation.
Scott shares stories from combat deployments, the Blue Angels, Hollywood film sets, and military leadership to break down how high-performing teams operate when mistakes carry real consequences. Together, Angela and Scott explore the importance of preparation, honest feedback, psychological safety, resilience, communication, and building cultures rooted in trust and accountability.
The conversation also dives into leadership development, decision-making under stress, learning from failure, surrounding yourself with the right people, and why many organizations struggle to create environments where people feel safe admitting mistakes.
From leading combat squadrons to working alongside Tom Cruise on Top Gun: Maverick and Mission Impossible, Scott reveals what elite teams understand about performance, discipline, and teamwork that every leader can apply.
Learn More About Scott Kartvedt:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottkartvedt/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kartvedt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottKartvedt/
- Website: https://scottkartvedt.com/
- Scott’s book, Full Throttle: From the Blue Angels to Hollywood Stunt Pilot: https://www.amazon.com/Full-Throttle-Angels-Hollywood-Stunt/dp/B0C9S7HD3V
Mentioned in this Episode:
- Top Gun: Maverick: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13907124/
- Blue Angels: https://www.blueangels.navy.mil/
- Lake Placid Ironman: https://www.ironman.com/races/im-lake-placid
Similar Episodes
- Brandon Williams (fighter pilot & business leader): https://youtu.be/okCk8B_UEUE
- Andrew Dingee (fighter pilot and BP executive): https://youtu.be/7eR-ui05Or0
The discussion also tackles questions…
What separates people who succeed in elite environments from those who quit?
- How do fighter pilots stay calm under extreme pressure?
- What can businesses learn from Blue Angels debrief culture?
- Why do high-performing teams struggle with accountability?
- How do great leaders create trust inside organizations?
- What does “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” actually mean?
- How can leaders give and receive feedback more effectively?
- What leadership lessons apply from combat aviation to corporate teams?
- How do elite performers train for high-stakes decision-making?
- What can organizations learn from military leadership and culture?
- How do you build resilient teams that perform under pressure?
- Why is admitting mistakes critical to leadership success?
- What challenges do veterans face transitioning into civilian life?
- How do you know when to say yes to opportunities?
- What does Top Gun get right about fighter pilot culture?
Themes:
- Leadership under pressure
- Elite performance culture
- Accountability and ownership
- Team trust and communication
- High-performance teams
- Psychological safety
- Feedback and debrief culture
- Resilience and perseverance
- Decision-making under stress
- Fighter pilot mindset
- Blue Angels leadership lessons
- Military leadership
- Risk management and safety
- Purpose and identity
- Veteran transition to civilian life
- Mentorship and surrounding yourself with the right people
- Growth mindset and continuous improvement
- Strategic communication
- Training and preparation
- Leadership development
Production
Produced by: The AGN Group
Host: Angela Gill Nelms
Producer: Katie Hart
Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.
Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com
About The AGN Group:
At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.
Social Media Channels:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/
Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2
Want to be a Podcast Guest?
If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, read more here: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/be-our-guest/
Creators and Guests
Host
Angela Gill Nelms
Angela Gill Nelms is a founder, board leader, podcaster, and award-winning entrepreneur with a career spanning SaaS, medical devices, biotech, and clinical research. She builds high-impact teams and organizations rooted in culture, resilience, and strategic execution—helping innovators move ideas from lab to market and leaders grow with intention. She hosts three podcasts that reflect her mission to elevate leadership and accelerate biomedical innovation: Badass Leaders Podcast, Holy Shift! Biomedical Breakthroughs Shaping Tomorrow, and Recovery Advocate Network: Coffee & Conversation. Across each show, Angela creates space for honest conversations that drive impact, reduce stigma, and shape the future of leadership and health. A Georgia Tech Academy of Distinguished Alumni honoree and INC 500 award recipient, Angela serves on multiple boards across innovation and mental health ecosystems. Outside of work, she’s beekeeping, blacksmithing, turning wood, or training—6× IRONMAN and lifelong advocate for humans being human.
Producer
Katie Hart
Katie Hart is the Senior Client Relations Manager and Executive Podcast Producer at The AGN Group, where she leads podcast production, brand strategy, and client experience from concept to launch. Equal parts creative and operational powerhouse, she guides clients through branding, recording, and distribution while ensuring every detail runs seamlessly. Known as a customer experience magician, Katie is passionate about making every client and guest feel seen, supported, and celebrated—delivering a five-star experience that amplifies bold stories and builds meaningful impact.
