Leadership Under Fire: NAS Pensacola CO Shares Crisis Response, Mental Health & Forgotten Naval Heroes

In Leadership Under Fire, The Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast welcomes Captain Tim “Lucky” Kinsella, U.S. Navy (Ret.), whose tenure as Commanding Officer of NAS Pensacola tested every dimension of leadership. From the 2019 active shooter tragedy and Hurricane Sally’s devastation to the COVID-19 shutdown that paralyzed Navy training pipelines, Capt. Kinsella recounts a relentless series of crises that demanded clarity, compassion, and conviction. He describes the moment he received the first call on the morning of the shooting, his decision to lead with calm under global scrutiny, and how his team’s unity became their lifeline through consecutive disasters. The conversation expands beyond crisis management into mental health and self-care. Through his “Bucket of Joy” philosophy, Kinsella underscores the importance of refilling emotional reserves before the next crisis strikes — a lesson for every leader in uniform or out. With candor and humility, Capt. Kinsella also reflects on the unheralded resilience of his team and the enduring bonds that form when leadership means facing the unimaginable — together. What You’ll Learn: How Capt. Kinsella led NAS Pensacola through the 2019 active shooter incident The principles of “crisis composure” and why slowing down saves lives How to represent your organization with integrity and calm during media scrutiny The leadership mindset required when responsibility outpaces control The “Bucket of Joy” philosophy — a practical model for leader self-care How transparent communication builds trust during ongoing crises Lessons from tragedy that shape future generations of military leadership Captain Tim “Lucky” Kinsella, U.S. Navy (Ret.), served as Commanding Officer of NAS Pensacola from 2019 to 2022. His command coincided with some of the Navy’s most challenging years, including the 2019 active shooter attack, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Hurricane Sally. A native of Ireland and U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Kinsella’s career spanned over three decades as a naval aviator, operations leader, and crisis commander. Known for his steady leadership, humor, and humility, Kinsella became a symbol of composure under fire and an advocate for mental health in leadership. Today, he continues to share lessons on resilience, decision-making, and the unseen costs of command with organizations across the country. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here . Highlights and YouTube Chapters: [00:00] Introduction [01:30] From Ireland to the U.S. Navy [08:48] Active Shooter — First Call and Immediate Response [20:29] Facing the Press and Representing the Navy [28:10] Navigating COVID and Community Tensions [31:29] Hurricane Sally — Leading Through Natural Disaster [45:32] The “Bucket of Joy” Philosophy on Mental Health [49:40] Forgotten Naval Heroes and Legacy of Service The Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so