BACKSEAT
STORIES
CONVERSATIONS
IN THE SKY
Backseat Stories is a cinematic video series told from the sky—where we take flight with extraordinary people over the places that matter most to them. From action-sports icons and professional athletes to artists, innovators, and well-known personalities, each episode blends an honest conversation with a visually rich flight over landscapes loaded with personal meaning.
By weaving together real people, nostalgic places, and unfiltered storytelling, Backseat Stories uncovers something rare—a connection that surfaces naturally when you’re in motion, far from the noise and expectations on the ground. Nothing scripted, nothing forced. Just genuine dialogue and unforgettable views.
Each flight becomes a one-of-a-kind piece of content that honors who someone is, where they’ve been, and what drives them forward. There are plenty of studio podcasts out there—but capturing real conversations in the air, above the places that built us, is something only this format can do.
WHO WE FLY WITH
Real people with real stories — from action-sports legends and pro athletes to artists, innovators, celebrities, and other cultural changemakers.
LIVE
EPISODES
Magical Moments
By Sippy
From piano and ballet to dubstep stages around the world, Sippy talks music, life, and perspective from the sky.
From Punk To The Paranormal
By Joe Escalante
Joe revisits his punk roots—from The Vandals and Sublime to law, TV writing, and the mystery of Giant Rock and the Integratron.
Inside The Artist's Mind
By Greg "Craola" Simkins
Greg reflects on his graffiti roots, the journey from Torrance streets to pop surrealism, and the family-inspired world of The Outside.
Free To Fly
By Caitlyn Jenner
Caitlyn Jenner reflects on five decades of flying, the highs of Olympic glory, and the freedom found in living authentically.
Carried By Whitewater
By Scott Lindgren
Scott Lindgren reflects on a life shaped by whitewater, tracing his journey through struggle, resilience, and the river that carried him home.
Checking In From Above
By Bucky Lasek
Bucky Lasek takes to the sky to revisit legendary backyard ramps and reflect on a lifetime of skate, style, and flight.
Pushing Past the Line
By Lex Nelson
Lex Nelson shares her journey from firefighter to innovator, flying high while reflecting on grit, leadership, and happiness.
Life in the Line of Fire
By Brandon Jenner
Mike and Singer-songwriter Brandon Jenner take flight over Malibu, sharing stories of family, resilience, and wildfire recovery.
Moments That Shaped the Journey
By Trent Palmer
YouTube sensation Trent Palmer reflects on his youth, selling his Kitfox, and future aircraft plans during a scenic flight.
Where The Dream Started
By Lynn Rippelmeyer
Captain Lynn Rippelmeyer soars over her hometown, Valmeyer, Illinois, reflecting on her trailblazing journey and love for aviation.
Bruised Skater, Happy Angler
By David Gravette
Professional skateboarder David Gravette takes to the skies to showcase what "fly" fishing truly means.
Outshining The Dark on Lake Tahoe
By Roy Tuscany
Athlete and High Fives Foundation Founder Roy Tuscany takes flight to discuss injury, recovery, and the new surf programs launching on Lake Tahoe.
Humor and Heart
By Jason “Wee Man” Acuna
In this Backseat Story, Jason Acuña joins Pilot Mike Daniel over California to discuss skateboarding, his career, and making a difference.
Riding The Waves Of Insight
By Grant Washburn
Pilot Mike Daniel and big wave legend Grant Washburn fly over Northern California, discussing technology for tracking Mavericks' massive waves.
The Half Brain Project
By Jim Zellers
Jim Zellers shares his story of the first and only known snowboard descent of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.
HOW IT WORKS
Each Backseat Story begins by identifying a guest—someone with a unique perspective, an inspiring journey, or an idea worth sharing. Together, we shape the narrative and choose a flight route that holds personal meaning, whether it’s tied to a past milestone, a current project, or something they’re working toward.
Before we ever leave the ground, we walk through a full safety briefing, talk through the aircraft, and set expectations for the flight. The goal is simple: make the experience as comfortable, relaxed, and enjoyable as possible so the conversation can unfold naturally.
Once in the air, the cameras roll and the dialogue finds its own rhythm. The setting does most of the work—flying over places that matter to someone has a way of opening them up, helping memories surface, and grounding the story in a real sense of place.
After the flight, we build the episode through a cinematic edit—combining in-flight audio, sweeping aerial shots, and any additional visuals needed to bring the story to life. From there, we work with the guest and partners to launch the content in a way that feels natural, timely, and meaningful across social, web, and media platforms.
All flights are captured in a 2022 CubCrafters FX3—modern avionics, a clean and comfortable cabin, and the kind of visibility that makes the backseat feel like a front-row seat to the world below. It’s the perfect platform for storytelling from the sky.
WHY IT WORKS
What makes Backseat Stories unique isn’t just the sky—it’s the format itself. Nobody else is doing this: getting people off the ground, into a safe and comfortable space, and giving them a new perspective over the places that shaped their story. Something shifts up there. The noise drops away, the nostalgia kicks in, and people open up in a way you can’t recreate on the ground.
It’s a mix of real voices, meaningful landscapes, and moments that surface naturally when you’re in motion. That combination creates a type of honesty and connection that feels human, grounded, and visually transportive—something only this format can deliver.
MEET YOUR HOST: MIKE DANIEL
Mike Daniel, known by his tail number N665CC, is a backcountry pilot, designer, husband, and dad who sees flying as more than a way to get from A to B — it’s a way to connect people, places, and stories. With a background in action sports and a lifelong pull toward creativity, Mike brings a perspective to aviation that blends adventure with design thinking and a genuine love for the outdoors.
He lives in Truckee with his wife and two incredible daughters, and he’s at his best when he’s meeting new people, learning what moves them, and finding the thread that ties their stories to the landscapes below. Backseat Stories has given a deeper purpose to his flying — a way to combine aviation, people, creativity, and storytelling into something that lasts long after the wheels touch down. It’s flight with meaning, and it’s exactly what keeps him in the sky.
BRAND AND DESTINATION PARTNERSHIPS
Each Backseat Story offers built-in alignment for brands and destination marketing organizations (DMOs) looking to connect through authentic, story-driven content.
We’ve partnered with lifestyle brands like Melin to create compelling content that reflects both brand values and personal storytelling. Similarly, DMOs can be woven into the journey—organically celebrating a destination by flying over it, filming within it, and grounding the story in its culture, character, and visual identity.
Whether it’s encouraging overnight stays, highlighting hidden gems, or simply creating shareable, cinematic content, Backseat Stories offers a storytelling format that elevates both people and places—with true authenticity and unmatched perspective.