Miles To Go

About Miles To Go

Join Emmy award-winning journalist, PBS collaborator, and CNN analyst Miles O'Brien as he explores the biggest stories in science, technology, aviation, space, and the environment. With each episode of Miles Ahead, Miles brings his unique perspective, signature clarity, and a lifetime of curiosity to each episode, striving to make the future accessible, understandable, and fascinating. For even more of Miles's insights, subscribe to his Substack: https://milesobrien.substack.com/

Publisher

Miles O'Brien

Category

science · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Nov 2017

Latest episode

20 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

2 of 52 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   20 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Episode 52: The Hunt for the White Bird, part 3

   In the final chapter of this three-part series, Miles O'Brien and aviation historian Ric Gillespie examine the physical evidence suggesting that the lost French aircraft L'Oiseau Blanc may lie beneath a remote pond in Newfoundland. From chemically analyzed engine fragments to newly understood magnetic anomalies, the case for Gull Pond comes into focus—along with a clear path forward to finally solve the mystery before the centennial of Lindbergh's flight in 2027.

2. 

   12 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT

   The Hunt for the White Bird — Part 2

   Did the first transatlantic flight nearly happen two weeks before Lindbergh? In Part 2 of this special Miles Ahead series, Miles O'Brien follows the trail of eyewitnesses in Newfoundland who reported seeing a white aircraft on May 9, 1927 — the day after French aviators Charles Nungesser and François Coli vanished while attempting to fly nonstop from Paris to New York. Sworn affidavits, eyewitness accounts, and decades-old clues suggest the aircraft may have reached North America — and possibly crash-landed in a remote pond. Aviation historian Ric Gillespie explains why the mystery of the White Bird may be closer to being solved than ever before.

3. 

   7 Mar 2026

   The Hunt for the White Bird - Part 1

   Miles Ahead: The Hunt for the White Bird is a three-part investigative podcast exploring one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in aviation history: the disappearance of French aviators Charles Nungesser and François Coli during their 1927 attempt to fly nonstop from Paris to New York. Hosted by Miles O'Brien and featuring aviation historian Ric Gillespie, the series traces the evidence suggesting the aircraft may have reached Newfoundland — and examines the ongoing effort to locate its wreckage before the centennial of Lindbergh's flight in 2027.

Inside a recent episode

Episode 52: The Hunt for the White Bird, part 3

Published 20 Mar 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] In 1927, all American aircraft were lubricated with petroleum because America had petroleum. But Europe was still using castor oil like they did during World War I. So we've got this thing that was clearly once part of a machine that had castor oil on it. It shouldn't be there. How were you able to be sure it was castor oil and why do you think it would still be there? We're quite sure it's castor oil because we had it chemically tested. The interior stuff has what are called metal carboxylates. It's a type of acid that only occurs if you have organic compound like castor oil in the presence of intense heat. and moisture, water, and you get these metal carboxylates. […]

Who has been a guest on Miles To Go

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Leroy Chiao
• Harold Coghlan
• Jared Isaacman
• Alex Halderman
• Melissa Ostroff

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

339,037

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

75 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 48 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

42

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

51

Contact Miles To Go

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Miles To Go