Best Earthrounding Podcasts (2024)

1
Meet Megha Bhatia: JSSI's Chief Strategy Officer Who's Shaping A Comprehensive Business Growth Strategy 40:37

8d ago40:37

40:37

What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 00:01 Welcoming Megha Bhatia to the podcast 03:17 Megha’s upbringing in Dubai and a cherished childhood memory 08:48 The spark that ignited Megha's passion for aviation 11:01 Challenges faced by international students and professionals in aviation 18:54 Megha’s educational journey at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University…

1
Shelly Simi: A Legacy of Innovation and Leadership in Aviation 43:14

1M ago43:14

43:14

‍What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 03:17 Introduction of Shelly Simi, a leader in aviation innovation and strategic initiatives. 10:55 Shelly’s early life in the Mississippi Delta and inspiration from crop dusters. 12:58 Transition from flight coordination at FedEx to strategic roles in aviation. 17:35 Shelly's leadership style and her contributions to …

1
Caroline "Blaze" Jensen: Lessons in Military Aviation, Leadership, Motherhood and Resilience 49:07

2M ago49:07

49:07

‍What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 03:17 Introduction of Caroline "Blaze" Jensen, trailblazer in military aviation and leadership. 10:55 Blaze's early life in Wisconsin and inspiration from her family's military background. 12:58 Transition from active duty to the civilian sector and corporate roles. 17:35 Climbing the ranks and breaking barriers in a m…

1
Cat Clay Wren's Rise in Business Aviation 42:58

7M ago42:58

42:58

Meet Cat Clay Wren, a remarkable leader in the business aviation sector and the Chief Experience Officer at Business Jets in Dallas, Texas. Originating from a small town in southwest New Mexico, Cat's journey from a rural upbringing to a prominent role in aviation is a testament to her resilience and adaptability. Transitioning from college basketb…

1
Shattering the Sky: Retired Col. Merryl Tengesdal, the First and Only Black Female U-2 Pilot 52:21

7M ago52:21

52:21

Introduction: Introduction of Col. Merryl Tengesdal (Retired), author of "Shatter the Sky: What Going to the Stratosphere Taught Me about Self-worth, Sacrifice, and Discipline." Brief overview of her unique achievement as the first and only African American woman to fly the U-2 spy plane. Background: Merryl's upbringing in the Bronx and her early f…

1
From PR and Sales to the Corner Office: Emily Deaton's Climb to CEO of JetAVIVA 52:22

8M ago52:22

52:22

In this episode of the 'AVIATE with Shaesta' podcast, we're joined by Emily Deaton, an influential leader in the aviation industry. Born and raised on Florida's Space Coast, Emily shares stories from her childhood, describing her childhood memories as a 'river rat' kid amidst rocket launches. She delves into her academic journey, highlighting her s…

1
Flight and Family: Julia Harrington's Aviation and Motherhood Journey 50:34

8M ago50:34

50:34

About Julia Harrington: Lead Captain and Base Manager at Axis Jet in Chicago. Known for her pioneering role as a woman in the aviation industry. Balances her professional career with motherhood. Early Interests and Influences: Julia shares her initial fascination with Business Aviation. Recounts her experiences at the EAA AirVenture, sparking her i…

1
From Family Legacy to Aviation Leadership: Jenny Showalter's Journey 44:10

8M ago44:10

44:10

This week on the "AVIATE with Shaetsa" podcast, Jenny Showalter delved into her family's aviation legacy and career trajectory. She reminisced about growing up in Orlando, the origins of Showalter Flying Service, and the family's deep connection to the Orlando Executive Airport. Jenny shared fond childhood memories, discussed the emotional sale of …

1
From NASA to the White House: Ezinne Uzo-Okoro's Journey and AVIATE Principles in Space Policy 44:02

9M ago44:02

44:02

This week on the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast, I speak to Ezinne Uzo-Okoro, Assistant Director of Space Policy for the White House. With her incredible career in aerospace, I asked Ezinne specific questions around the AVIATE (Acknowledge, Vocalize, Inclusion, Act, and Evolve) theme. From humble beginnings in Nigeria, where she sought solutions to ev…

1
Kodey Bogart, Retired Army Aviator, Educator, Entrepreneur, & Author: turning adversity into her superpower. 53:29

9M ago53:29

53:29

Kodey Bogart, Retired Army Aviator, Educator, Entrepreneur, & Author: turning adversity into her superpower. As many of us are familiar, adversity is a universal and inevitable part of life that most of us face through challenges like illness, loss, financial hardship, and the growing pains of life. Adversity is non-discriminatory, affecting all in…

1
Elevating the Future: A look into Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and the opportunities for women with Elan Head 47:15

9M ago47:15

47:15

In 2018, I was invited to be a speaker at a conference in the Midwest. Before I got on the stage to present my keynote, the session before me was talking about a new concept that I remember briefly hearing about as a student at Embry-Riddle, Advance Air Mobility (AAM). The speaker mentioned how AAM is the future of aviation, and that it will revolu…

1
Joan Sullivan Garrett on entrepreneurship and enhancing the safety and well-being of individuals traveling far from home. 51:44

1y ago51:44

51:44

Born with an innate curiosity and a passion for making a difference, Joan Sullivan Garrett embarked on her professional journey with a clear mission: to enhance the safety and well-being of individuals traveling far from home. As a 1979 graduate of the Mesa Community College nursing program, and her extensive background in healthcare and a deep und…

1
The first female to serve as the FAA Acting Administrator, Linda Hall Daschle 39:51

1y ago39:51

39:51

When I launched the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast, it was a priority to find women in government who could talk about their career journey and their impact on the industry. In my research, I came across the first female to serve as the FAA Acting Administrator, Linda Hall Daschle. Recently, a very kind and supportive aviation leader introduced me to …

1
Southwest Flight 1380 Captain, Tammie Jo Shults, reflects on her life and talks managing her mental health throughout her career | Tammie Jo Shults, retired commercial airline captain, author, and former ... 1:01:38

1y ago1:01:38

1:01:38

Mental health in aviation is a critical issue affecting pilots and the entire aviation ecosystem. The high-pressure environment, long hours, irregular schedules, and extended periods away from home can cause significant stress on pilots, leading to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and burnout. There is limited research on mental he…

1
'Somebody who has already walked that path, can help you get there faster—find yourself a mentor.' | Lynda Tran, Director of Public Engagement and Senior Advisor to the to the Secretary of the Department ... 31:33

1+ y ago31:33

31:33

A powerful statement on the UN Women website read, "A single moment can spark a revolution, collective actions can transform laws, creative expression can change attitudes, and an invention can alter the course of history. It's these threads that weave together to propel the women's movement — even in the face of obstacles." The history of women in…

1
'Do what you love, love what you do. Believe you can, and you'll be half way there.' | Rucsandra Magdalena Mihai, Founder and Managing Partner at Train Aviation offers her international perspective on ... 53:35

1+ y ago53:35

53:35

Joining us on the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast this week is Rucsandra Magdalena Mihai, Founder and Managing Partner at Train Aviation in Romania. Rucsandra also serves as the Vice President of Women in Corporate Aviation. Mahai has over 30 years of experience working as a Corporate Flight Attendant, flying predominately in Africa, Europe, and the Un…

1
'I'm doing a great job if the people around me are going to be able to pass me one day.' | Laura Heltebran, Chief Legal Officer, Wheels Up 44:21

1+ y ago44:21

44:21

"Every woman's success should be an inspiration to another. We're strongest when we cheer each other on." Our guest this week on the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast is Laura Heltebran. Laura received a Bachelor and Doctor of Law from George Mason University. She serves as a C-suit executive- the Chief Legal Officer at Wheels Up. During her free time, L…

1
'Global problem have local roots. By solving a problem within your community, you can solve a global one.' — Angelina Tsboui | Teen Software Developer Prodigy 42:34

1+ y ago42:34

42:34

According to We Are Tech Women, role models can be a vital influence on anyone's career, providing guidance, support, advice, and much more. This is especially true for women in technology, where it can be hard to establish yourself. This encouraged us to find an inspiring young woman who is paving her path in aviation and Tech. Our guest this week…

1
'Self awareness and your values will always guide you to where you need to be' — Madelyne Paulk | Marketing and Communications Manager, Jet It 44:04

1+ y ago44:04

44:04

Our guest this week is Madelyne Paulk, the Marketing and Communications Manager at Jet It. I recently met Madelyne at an aviation conference, and I was drawn to how genuine, professional, and personable she is. Moments after speaking with her, I immediately knew she would be a great guest to feature on this podcast, and her perspective on diversity…

1
'Financial literacy and women's empowerment go hand in hand' — Zahra Hirani | Chief Financial Officer, Boeing Capital 36:42

1+ y ago36:42

36:42

The launch of season four of the AVIATE with Shaesta is here. This week's special guest is Zahra Hirani, the Chief Financial Officer of Boeing Capital Corporation. Zahra has a compelling story that I resonate with. In 1972, Hirani and her family were expelled from their home in Uganda and were placed in a refugee camp in the United Kingdom. Eventua…

1
Vanessa Wyche is the 13th Director of the NASA Johnson Space Center. She just helped launch Artemis 1 47:28

1+ y ago47:28

47:28

Our guest in this episode is Director Vanessa Wyche from the NASA Johnson Space Center. Wyche is a dual alumna of Clemson University, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering. She began her career at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and eventually found her way to NASA in 1989. At NASA, Vanessa has served in differen…

1
Dr. Saralyn Mark, Founder and CEO of iGIANT: Gender diversity is not just 'Pink it and shrink it' 47:56

2y ago47:56

47:56

Dr. Saralyn Mark is a world-renowned leader in women's health and precision innovation. She founded SolaMed Solutions, LLC, a premier consulting firm, and iGIANT®, a nonprofit accelerator for gendered innovation, to provide scientific and strategic direction and public outreach for agencies, academia, industry, and professional and advocacy organiz…

1
Canadian Air Traffic Controller Kendra Kincade turned her life around and is now Elevating Women in Aviation. 49:01

2y ago49:01

49:01

Our guest today, Kendra Kincade, wears several hats, but she is most recognized as a celebrated Canadian Air Traffic Controller and Founder/Chair at Elevate Aviation. Kendra’s introduction to aviation came later in life at age 24. She was a single mother of four with no aviation background at the time. At age 13, Kendra ran away from home and event…

1
How Alina Nassar followed a career pathway in aviation law but is still charting her own course. 49:58

2y ago49:58

49:58

Our guest today is aviation attorney Alina Nassar. Alina was born and raised in Costa Rica. Her father, an attorney, also had a love for aviation that was passed along to Alina. As a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and the prestigious university in Belgium, KU Lueven, Alina practices Aviation and Competition Law as a partner in her ho…

1
How did Stephanie Espy go from being a chemical engineer to sucessful entrepreneur? 53:05

2y ago53:05

53:05

As a young girl growing up in Atlanta, chemistry and math were a passion for Stephanie Espy, our podcast guest, this week. This passion followed Stephanie to college, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from MIT. Upon earning her degree, Stephanie became one of the women who earned 19 percent of bachelor’s degrees in engi…

1
Disabilty doesn't mean inabilty. | Jessica Cox, world's first licensed armless pilot 38:16

2y ago38:16

38:16

Our guest today is the extraordinary Jessica Cox. Jessica is the world’s first licensed armless pilot, as well as the first armless black belt in Taekwondo and a certified Suba diver. Born with a rare birth defect, Jessica adapted to life without arms by using her feet to support her everyday activities. In my conversation with Jessica, we talked a…

1
How Do I Tell My Parents I Want to Focus on My Career and Not Get Married? | Lalitya Dhavala, Aerospace Engineer 1:02:40

2y ago1:02:40

1:02:40

Our guest today, to launch us into season three, is Lalitya Dhavala. Lalitya, who joined me from London, is an aviation consultant working for Ascend, the consultancy arm of the aviation analytics firm Cirium, aerospace engineer, and Board member of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Originally from India, Lalitya grew up in the United Arab Emirates i…

1
Colonel Nicole Malachowski was the first female pilot for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. A tick bite suddenly changed her life and career. 1:00:14

2y ago1:00:14

1:00:14

Our guest today, who will conclude season two of the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast, is Colonel Nicole Malachowski. At age 5, during a time when women were not permitted to fly for the military, Nicole knew that someday, she would fly a fighter jet. Finishing fourth in her class, Nicole graduated from pilot training at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, and w…

1
Vanessa Blacknall-Jamison was the first woman and non-pilot Chairwoman of OBAP. Mentorship has been her brand her entire career. 55:58

2y ago55:58

55:58

Vanessa Blacknall-Jamison is our podcast guest today. Some of you may be familiar with Vanessa’s leadership from OBAP (the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals) or her advocacy and hard work with the FAA. Vanessa grew up in Denver, Colorado, and was introduced to aviation by her mother, a Flight Attendant talent recruiter. Inspired by her …

1
Jessica Webster is a corporate pilot and Founder & President of Hera Aviation Group. She has a plan to change workforce rules for mothers and primary caregivers. 57:25

2+ y ago57:25

57:25

Today, our guest is a corporate pilot, Founder and President of the Hera Aviation Group, and mommy of two, Jessica Webster. As a Massachusetts native, Jessica attended airshows with her family and admired the aircraft from afar. It wasn't until the Commander of a P-3 Orion invited Jessica to sit on the aircraft's wing with the crew that she believe…

1
Amy Spowart, President & CEO of National Aviation Hall of Fame, plays a big role in shaping the narrative, from the past to future. 59:08

2+ y ago59:08

59:08

Joining me on this episode of the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast is the CEO and President of the National Aviation Hall of Fame, Amy Spowart. Amy grew up in central Pennsylvania and took a non-traditional route in aviation. Her first flight experience was when she was 19 years old on a TWA flight. Although Amy had her hesitations about flying for the …

1
Chief Executive Officer of The Registry of Aruba, Alexandria (Alex) Colindres, pivots from art to aviation. 42:34

2+ y ago42:34

42:34

Our guest today is the Chief Executive Officer of The Registry of Aruba, Alexandria (Alex) Colindres. Alex had fond childhood memories of spending her summers at The Registry of Aruba, which is a company founded by her dad. Although she was surrounded by business aviation, Alex had a soaring interest in the arts. After receiving a bachelor’s in fin…

1
Founder and CEO of Infinite Branches, Shelley Svoren, has worked in Finance for more than 30 years. She joins to talk about the importance of community. 56:30

2+ y ago56:30

56:30

Today, our guest, Shelley Svoren, is the Founder and CEO of Infinite Branches, which connects and transforms business aviation investments. With over 30 years of experience in finance, Shelley received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon in Finance, Economics, International Business, and Scandinavian Studies. Her interest in aviatio…

1
NTSB Investigator and Guyana’s first female pilot Beverly Drake talks about embracing unchartered territories 1:04:11

2+ y ago1:04:11

1:04:11

Our guest today is Guyanese American pilot Beverly Drake. In the 1970’s Beverley became one of Guyana’s first female pilots, flying both military for the Guyana Defense Force and commercial operations for Guyana Airways. By the end of the 1970s, Beverly left her country as a celebrated aviator, got married, had her first child while settling in Ame…

1
Aviation has a cognitive bias problem, and Kimberly Perkins, a Gulfstream G650 Captain & PhD candidate wants to fix it 54:31

2+ y ago54:31

54:31

Our guest today is Kimberly Perkins who is a Gulfstream 650 Captain, writer, researcher, and mother to two adorable girls. Discovering the possibility of an aviation career during a college campus tour, Kimberly was determined to earn her wings to fly. After building her flight time and finding unique ways to instruct pilots, Kimberly landed a job …

1
Airline Pilot & Author Carole Hopson writes her own script for her career, and Bessie Coleman 1:09:51

2+ y ago1:09:51

1:09:51

Carole Hopson, our guest today, is a New Jersey native who took notice of the airplanes flying above her in the sky at the young age of four. Although she admired flight because she didn't see other black women pilots, let alone pilots who wore glasses like her, Carole didn't consider an aviation career. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree fr…

1
President of the Drone Racing League, Rachel Jacobson, talks about drone racing, tech, and aviation. 30:28

2+ y ago30:28

30:28

Rachel Jacobson, President of the Drone Racing League, is our guest launching us into season two, centering our conversation on the Act theme in AVIATE.A New Jersey Native, Rachel graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor's in Hotel and Business Management. Rachel spent 21 years at the National Basketball Association (NBA), where her career…

1
Zara Rutherford, Youngest Woman to Fly Solo Around the World in A Single Engine Airplane, discusses her journey to take over my record. 44:50

2+ y ago44:50

44:50

Zara Rutherford, the Youngest Woman to Fly Solo Around the World, joins me in the exclusive conversation where we discuss her historic and inspiring trip around the world. On January 20, 2022, Zara broke my record of being the youngest woman to fly solo around the world at the young age of 19, capturing the hearts of so many who followed her flight…

1
Part 1: “We almost never got off the ground.” – Behind the scenes highlights & what MLK & Afghanistan have in common| with Executive Producer, Michael Wildes 27:06

2+ y ago27:06

27:06

Michael Wildes, our Executive Producer for Aviate with Shaesta, joins for a very special season one, three-part series recap. Michael stays busy. Outside of his role as Producer, Michael is the Business Editor for Flying Magazine and sits on the board of Dreams Soar. Michael is also a pilot, recently working at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University …

1
Part 2: Shaesta learns how to say “No”, a complete sentence. Favorite Moments, Mental Health, Pioneers, Motherhood, social media, & Self-Advocacy | with Executive Producer, Michael Wildes 21:14

2+ y ago21:14

21:14

Michael Wildes, Executive Producer for Aviate with Shaesta returns for this second episode of a three-part season one review. This time we discuss our favorite moments of the season. Did Michael answer fully? You decide. She reveals why it was important to lead off with Mental Health and we briefly outline our plans for more. Michael shares what he…

1
Part 3: Shaesta shares the Pressure women face to be perfect; Why we admire Patty Wagstaff; People are leaving their jobs, Nicole Stott, & Atlantic Aviation. 16:52

2+ y ago16:52

16:52

In this final of three-part season one review series, Michael Wildes, Executive Producer for Aviate with Shaesta returns. Michael joins to talk about why he’s a “superfan” of Patty Wagstaff: hint, she’s a 3-peat legend. Shaesta shares the pressure women face to be perfect, as we review Episode 7 with Erika Armstrong. Michael wants to know if Shaest…