On this week’s Devil’s Cut episode, Amy and Denver have an incredible conversation with a Former White House Fellow that also happens to be the very first female Thunderbird Pilot Ret. Col. Nicole Malachowski. The interview covers everything from her incredible career to her thoughts on Trump’s D.E.I policies, Pete Hegseth and the scrubbing of her own military achievements from Government websites. *This episode was recorded on May 26, 2025 and aired on June 3, 2025 CHAPTERS: 00:00 Meet Nicole Malachowski 12:30 DOD Literally White History 26:00 The Fabled Malicious Compliance 35:00 Tickborn Diseases Another VA Failure About Truth in the Barrel: Amy and Denver are both military veterans, political junkies, and whiskey lovers who sit on opposite sides of the aisle but have one thing in common: they love the United States of America. Truth in the Barrel was born of Amy & Denver’s commitment to country, the Constitution, and a well-curated collection of the world’s finest bourbon. Join them weekly for deep dives into timely topics, interviews with recognizable guests, and a dose of call-in fun. Visit Our Website: www.TruthintheBarrel.com Subscribe to Truth in the Barrel: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthIntheBarrel Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JQcSj5mwVyGDJ8DcXwlu9?si=5f2bd1d1b0c64e6f Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-in-the-barrel/id1804092329 Instagram, BlueSky, Facebook, TikTok: @TruthintheBarrel
Chapter 1: Who is Nicole Malachowski?
Hi, everyone. Welcome to Truth in the Barrel. I'm Amy McGrath with my co-host, Denver Riggleman. And today we have the devil's cut episode with a very, very special guest, Nicole Malachowski, the first woman Thunderbird pilot in the United States Air Force, among many other amazing things she's done. I cannot wait to talk with her.
Chapter 2: What is the significance of DOD's white history?
Well, good morning, everybody. Thanks so much for having me. It's a joy to be here.
Chapter 3: What does malicious compliance mean in military context?
Good morning. We're so happy to see you.
Chapter 4: How does the VA handle tick-borne diseases?
Chapter 5: What challenges do women face in the military?
Chapter 6: How did Nicole Malachowski become a trailblazer?
Good morning. We're so happy to see you.
Chapter 7: What are the implications of DEI policies in the military?
Chapter 8: How does history influence current military policies?
Happy to see you too. Well, we have a lot to talk about today. And then first of all, Nicole, it's just an honor to get to meet you and talk with you. I've known about you and seen you for many, many years as somebody who was a woman in the armed forces. It's just wonderful to get a chance to get to know you a little bit more. Thank you.
Well, the same right back to you. I've been obviously following your career and I think our military careers were indeed were very parallel.
They were. And of course, you have a lot in common with Denver, who also was in the Air Force for many years. Indeed.
Yeah. I can't wait to talk to you about Seymour Johnson, too. That was our sister wing from Mountain Home Air Force Base when we were the air expeditionary ring. But I'm I think I'm older. I'm much older, I think, Nicole.
So I don't know about I don't know about much older Denver.
Well, before we jump into it, I do want to tell our listeners a little bit about you, Nicole, because, and I'm not going to go through the whole bio, but I want to let everybody know something about being in the military. For those of us that have been in the military, we sort of read bios and we look at them and we can tell almost immediately, is this person the real deal or not?
And I have to tell you, reading your bio, it is just incredible. Like my head exploded. You know, I was like, wow, this person is no kidding the real deal. Top in her class at the Air Force Academy, flew not only F-15s, but also F-16s. And for those of you who aren't fighter pilots, that's kind of a big deal to fly two different types of aircraft.
of fighter planes, and then to go on in your career to be a commander, to be a White House fellow, to be at the top of your class at the Naval War College. I mean, it is just incredible. And all of those things, I have to ask, because you have flown both the F-15 and the F-16, which at the time that you flew them were the best that the Air Force had. in terms of fighter planes, right? They were.
They definitely were at the time. Which one was better?
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