What do you get when you combine a glider that aims to fly at 90,000 feet, a strategist who shaped aerospace communications for Airbus and the U.S. military, and a camera lens pointed out the door of a chopper over the Andes?
You get James Darcy—and one of the most gripping episodes of the Talk4 Podcast yet.
In Episode 142, I had the absolute honour of sitting down with James Darcy, Principal of Darcy Strategic and one of the most respected minds in aerospace communications and strategy. James has served in key leadership positions across the defence and commercial aerospace world, including a high-level role at Airbus and time embedded with U.S. Naval Aviation. On top of that? He’s a world-class air-to-air photographer who literally hangs out of helicopters for the perfect shot.
But what truly blew my mind was his involvement with the Perlan Project—an audacious attempt to soar to the edge of space in a pressurised glider using stratospheric mountain waves. And yes, it’s as insane (and inspiring) as it sounds.
🚀 What We Explored in This Episode
🎯 James’ wild transition from a PhD dropout to U.S. military photojournalist
📷 The near-death moment that changed how he approaches aviation and crisis comms
🛰️ Why the Perlan Project’s mission to fly higher than the SR-71 Blackbird matters
📉 How he led Airbus comms through intense internal reorgs and crisis scenarios
📡 Why every aviation company MUST have a crisis communications plan in place
💼 How to develop a powerful comms strategy that actually aligns with business goals
🔥 And his brutally honest take on leadership, fear, and leaving “comfortable” jobs behind
🧠 Lessons for Entrepreneurs, Aviators & Future Leaders
James dropped serious wisdom on how to handle high-stakes moments—not just in aerospace, but in life and business too. Whether you’re leading a company, flying a mission, or trying to balance your personal and professional goals, there’s a masterclass in leadership and clarity waiting in this episode.
He also broke down what it takes to craft compelling stories, navigate complex PR disasters, and build long-term trust with both the media and your own team.
🎧 Listen Now
🔗 Spotify
💥 Final Thoughts
This episode is for anyone chasing excellence. For the leaders who don’t shy away from discomfort. For the storytellers who want to change the world. For the dreamers flying gliders at altitudes where the sky turns black.
James Darcy’s story is one of courage, clarity, and calculated risk-taking—and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with the world.
➡️ Make sure to tune in, subscribe, and share this one—it’s one for the history books.
