#21 - The Black Box Approach

Uncovering The Aviation Mindset Podcast

🛫 Episode 21 With Captain Christo Hudson🛬
Christo joins me today for another very open and honest conversation relating to mental health, suicide prevention, and all things to do with self-development.
Christo is a very experienced airline and training captain with over twenty years in the industry. His life took a massive U-turn during the COVID pandemic as the world fell at his feet. As he explains so painfully, he lost not only his income-earning capacity but also his sense of identity when the airline he worked at folded.
In those months of financial struggles as a young father of four children, he sank into a dark mindset in what he calls his Bath, Beards, and Booze phase.
That was until a colleague reached out to him to ask him how he was.
During our conversation, Christo relates that his initial response was to do the typical male thing and pretend all was ok, but his friend insisted that he open himself up to his worrying mental state.
That was the turning point, and now Christo is on a mission to prevent suicide and help people with their mental health in The Black Box Approach.
Key Takeaways
✈️ Sit in discomfort and choose to take action
✈️ The ability to respond in any situation is a human freedom
✈️ Identity can be tied to a job title, but it's essential to separate it from self-worth
✈️ Reaching out to others and offering support can make a significant difference
✈️ Men's mental health is often influenced by societal constructs and the need to be seen as strong
✈️ Listening and holding space for others can help alleviate pain and prevent suicide
✈️ Loss and the ability to cope with it are not often taught, leading to challenges in dealing with difficult situations
✈️ Shame and the need to prove oneself can hinder open communication and empathy
✈️ Creating a safe space for vulnerability and open dialogue is crucial for mental well-being
✈️ Understanding the neurochemical processes behind emotions can help increase emotional intelligence - We all have different capacities for stress, and it's essential to understand and respond to our own stress levels.
✈️ Small actions, such as smiling at someone or asking if they're okay, can significantly impact others.
✈️ The Black Box approach encourages people to open up and share their experiences, even if they choose not to talk about it.
✈️ Choice, responsibility, and education play a crucial role in promoting mental well-being.
✈️ Taking active steps to support those affected by suicide can significantly reduce the time it takes for them to receive the help they need.
Chapters
00:00 Choosing Action in the Face of Discomfort
03:30 Navigating Identity and Mental Health
08:48 The Black Box Approach: Suicide Prevention and Support
16:29 Breaking Societal Barriers for Men's Mental Health
23:44 Learning to Cope with Loss and Difficult Situations
28:08 Shame, Vulnerability, and Open Communication
31:28 Promoting Emotional Intelligence and Well-being
37:11 Understanding and Responding to Stress
39:06 The Power of Small Actions
49:05 The Black Box Approach: Opening Up and Sharing
58:06 Choice, Responsibility, and Education in Mental Well-being
01:05:14Supporting Those Affected by Suicide
Christo can be found at the following links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christohudson/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/theblackboxapproach/
I hope you enjoy the podcast. I’d love to hear your comments and reviews, so please leave them in the comments box. 🙏.
In the meantime, I wish you all the best, and please remember to:
Keep It In The Greens 😊
✈️ Join my monthly newsletter https://www.benlefleming.com/monthly-flightpath
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