This compilation episode is for mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, and women everywhere who are challenged by work, life, and everything in between. It’s for women pushing to make a difference amid pressure and self-doubt and for those who need support along the way. It’s for anyone who has felt vulnerable but still found the courage to push for…

Our culture repeatedly tells us that the goal is to be the best, and to be the best you need talent or perseverance... but this message could be misleading. What if success isn't found in being the best but in becoming the best? What if becoming the best led to talent, perseverance, and hope instead of the other way around? In this short solo episo…

Welcome to Episode 100 of When Women Fly! To celebrate we go back to where it all began, Episode 1 with skydiver, life coach and writer - the amazing Melanie Curtis. True success—the kind you can sustain over time—demands a different relationship with ambition and action. Mel takes a deep dive into serving a higher purpose and how that gives meanin…

This is an episode for all women everywhere. If you are finding motherhood hard, this episode is for you. If you are finding it hard to mother yourself, this episode is for you. If you aren't sure motherhood is right for you, this episode is for you too. In this special compilation, we are featuring five rockstar guests who tell their stories of be…

Archetypes. Fleeing. Freedom. Flight. And the roles we play. How do we break out of the limiting versions? And why has it always been important for women to express authentic and uncut versions of themselves. Let's take a deeper look at women who fly, modern feminism, and how adventurous women are stitched into a narrative about freedom and control…

Shannon Huffman Polson is continuously challenging herself to move out of her comfort zone, whether it’s by flying attack helicopters, climbing the tallest mountain in North America, or speaking in front of hundreds of people. This time, it’s by moving with her family from Washington state to a village nobody’s ever heard of in the mountains of Fra…

In this episode, Sylvia talks with pilot, visionary, and strategist Ivy McIver, the Director of the SR Product Line at Cirrus Aircraft. Ivy talks about parachutes in airplanes, where planes can go and how they can change your life, why training is so critical, the importance of collaboration in the design process, and bringing outrageous innovation…

After discovering her passion at an early age, Jan was determined to put her heart, mind, and soul into riding. She knew that riding was her calling and had no doubts that she would become one of the best in the sport. Everything came into question, however, after a riding accident and subsequent stroke that left Jan unable to speak. Jan was quick …

What happens when you have two very big but different dreams vying for your focus? Do you choose one? Or do you risk pursuing both and stretching yourself thin? Meet Kimmy Fasani — Snowboarder. Voice for female athletes. Mother. Mountain Baker. Author. Director of Storytelling @andmother_org. And so much more. Kimmy Fasani has been a pioneer in wom…

In this solo episode, Sylvia shares what prompted her to move her family and three kids across the ocean to Switzerland. She digs into the challenges they've faced, her house rules for change, and three strategies she's developed for a happier, healthier, and more grounded approach to change. Sylvia also responds to listener questions about her pas…

Shaesta Waiz is an American pilot, the first female certified civilian pilot born in Afghanistan and the youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a single-engine aircraft (new records being set every year). This is a fascinating and unfolding story about rising from adversity and discovering what is possible. Flying is closely linked to freed…

Mandy’s hope of becoming a fast jet pilot in the Royal Air Force was once an impossible dream. When Mandy first became interested in flying, women were not permitted to fly in the military. But the tides turned for Mandy when the rules were finally changed to allow women to fly on the front lines. Her dream was now within reach, but the challenges …

When Nikki Stone injured her back in 1996, the pain was so excruciating that she couldn't stand for more than 15 minutes at a time. Bedridden by her spine injury, Nikki was advised by 10 different doctors to give up on her dreams of Olympic gold as it was unlikely she would ever ski again. Two years later at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japa…

Join Sylvia in her first ask me anything episode of Season 3 as she responds to audience questions about her life, flying, and the metaphor of flight. In this episode, Sylvia shares what it was like growing up in the Midwest. She shares how the seed was planted early in her life to eventually live in a French-speaking country, what it was like trav…

Today's guest is Eliza Kerr from Yosemite, California. Eliza has been leading people on adventures in the outdoors for more than 30 years in Tibet, Nepal, Alaska, Colorado, and Yosemite. She is a leading light, climber, surfer, yogi, guide, mom, and just an awesome soul. Her story is about a connection with the outdoors in both body and mind. Eliza…

Sonya Looney is a professional mountain biker and racing cyclist who has competed in over 20 countries and has over 25 career wins including a World Championship, UCI Wins, and USA National Championships. With such an impressive resumé, you may be surprised to hear Sonya say that achievements don't lead to happiness, and that the validation she sou…

Today's episode features Shannon Switzer Swanson, a National Geographic Explorer, marine social ecologist, and surfer who explores the intersection of storytelling, research, art, and science. As part of Season III, we are revisiting some of our favorite episodes that grapple with big life themes, break down the components of change, and dive into …

Amelia Rose’s parents wanted her to have an aspirational name — one that she could live up to. So, with her dad’s surname, she was given the name Amelia Rose Earhart. Growing up, her name often prompted questions. Is she related to the Amelia Earhart? Will she become a pilot? Finally, after a genealogy test and a newfound inspiration for flight, Am…

Today's episode features dance ethnologist, flying trapeze artist, and executive coach Dr. Edy Greenblatt. As part of Season III, we are revisiting some of our favorite episodes that grapple with big life themes, break down the components of change, and dive into strategies that are relevant and applicable to you today. Sylvia and Edy discuss what …

What makes one an icon, an idol, an exemplar? What defines our heroes? What does honor and greatness teach us—and why does it matter? Amy Spowart is the president and CEO of the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF), where she has worked for over 20 years. Amy grew up in a rural town in Pennsylvania with dreams of traveling the world. At age 21, sh…

How can we break through our perceived limitations and pursue our ambitions and dreams? As part of Season III, we are revisiting some of our favorite episodes that grapple with big life themes, break down the components of change, and dive into strategies that are relevant and applicable to you today. In today's episode, we are featuring Jessica Co…

In this short companion episode, Dawn Cook joins us to go deeper on the topics of mindset, motherhood, and slowing down to speed up. Dawn shares the essentials of what she calls the aviatrix mindset, and how asking for help empowers us to be the strongest, boldest versions of ourselves. Topics Include: - The Aviatrix Mindset - Creating a plan of ac…

As part of Season III, we are revisiting some of our favorite episodes that grapple with big life themes, break down the components of change, and dive into strategies that are relevant and applicable to you today. Today's episode features Sarah Halas, a flight instructor and mountain guide from Truckee, California. Sarah shares her story of findin…

Today we continue an exploration of the ways in which we "fly". The facts of our experiences of flight are different. But so many of the emotions we experience along our journeys are remarkably similar. Meet Linda Leary. Entrepreneur. Outdoorswoman. Angler. She learned to fly fish as a child in Maine with her father, an avid fly fisherman. But, Lin…

As part of Season III, we are revisiting some of our favorite episodes that grapple with big life themes, break down the components of change, and dive into strategies that are relevant and applicable to you today. Today's episode features Nathania Stambouli, Founder of Yogi Flight School and a devotee of transformation. Nathania is in the business…

In this short solo episode, Sylvia connects with listeners on the topic of perceived limitations. With a little investigation, we often find these limitations are nothing more than a figment of our imagination. But how can we see this for ourselves? What role does yoga practice play? Why do we need to overcome mental blocks? This episode 077 is a p…

Dawn Cook was introduced to the world of flight by her mother, a flight attendant. Dawn loved flying and wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps. But, when Dawn told her mother she wanted to become a flight attendant, her response was, “No. Be a pilot.” And that's just what Dawn did. Dawn's path to becoming a pilot was not easy. As a double mino…

In this companion episode, Sylvia and Tenille Hoogland discuss training essentials for female athletes. They discuss how unrealistic expectations of female bodies hurt our health and performance, and what we can do to train smarter. Topics Include: - Misconceptions around women's health - Peri menopause and beyond - Avoiding injuries as an athlete …

Tenille Hoogland has always been an athlete. Her journey started as a young girl with dreams of being a synchronized swimmer in the Olympics. After years of intense training, Tenille hit bottom and left the world of competitive swimming altogether. Despite early setbacks, the drive to compete stayed alive for Tenille. She would later lead Age Group…

As part of our Season III relaunch this month, we are revisiting a few of our favorite episodes that grapple with big life themes, break down the components of change, and dive into strategies that are relevant and applicable to you today. When Michelle Snow was young, there was no professional basketball league for women in the United States. Desp…

How do you show up in an uncertain world? Show up for yourself. This episode about preparation, presence, and presentation. As our lives are unpredictable, we see over and over how showing up moves us closer to our dreams and breaks the girdle of paralysis. This week, Sylvia talks to Vanessa Blakeley, a certified pilot by 17 and one who was enthral…

In this companion episode, we explore the topic of growth – specifically, the growth mindset. Growth can be scary, and yet, it is so necessary for us to achieve our dreams! The growth mindset concept seems to be everywhere these days, from the boardroom to the classroom and beyond. In this episode, we discuss how cultivating a growth mindset allows…

As part of our Season III relaunch this week, we are revisiting a few of our favorite episodes that grapple with big life themes, break down the components of change, and dive into strategies that are relevant and applicable to you today. This is the story of an athletic prodigy. It’s also the story of how setbacks become catalysts for change, how …

Merryl Tengesdal is one of aviation's most fascinating women. With accomplished careers in both the Navy and the Air Force, Merryl’s perhaps most notable achievement is being the only African American woman to fly the United States Air Force's U-2 aircraft, a spy plane used for specialized high-altitude reconnaissance missions. Flying the U-2 requi…

By Sylvia Winter

As part of our Season III relaunch this week, we are revisiting a few of our favorite episodes that grapple with big life themes, break down the components of change, and dive into strategies that are relevant and applicable to you today. In this episode, Sylvia is joined by Linda Lindquist-Bishop a World Champion Sailor. She is a tireless competit…

Michelle “Mace” Curran is known for her impressive thirteen-year career as a fighter pilot flying F-16s. She went on to serve three years as the only female pilot for Air Force's elite demonstration squadron, the Thunderbirds, where she was only the second woman to fly as the Lead Solo in the Thunderbird demonstration since the team’s creation in 1…

As a child, Carole Hopson spent hours lying on the grass in her grandparents’ backyard watching the planes arrive at Philadelphia International Airport. However, it took decades for Carole to pursue her dream of becoming a pilot. Today, Carole flies a Boeing 737 for United Airlines as a First Officer. Black women make up less than one percent of al…

Every woman harbors the spirit of flight. We talk about it, one story at a time. Our guests include superstar athletes, world champions, aviators, and women who chart their own courses. Join us each week and connect with women who dare to pursue their dreams and fly. Welcome to our third season of When Women Fly! Stay Connected Signup for AIR BORN,…

In 2011, award-winning executive creative director Libby DeLana challenged herself to walk every day for 30 days. It has now been ten years since Libby took on this challenge, and she hasn't missed a day! Libby has walked 25,000+ miles, which equates to walking around the circumference of the earth and then some. These daily walks have transformed …

In this end-of-the-year bonus episode, Sylvia shares why she took her first break in publishing new episodes this December. She discusses what listeners can expect in 2022, the difficulty of balancing child-rearing with aging parents, and more. Want to connect? Visit us online and signup for the monthly WWF newsletter! Website – https://www.whenwom…

In this short solo episode, host Sylvia Winter connects with listeners on the topic of perceived limitations. With a little investigation, we often find these limitations are nothing more than a figment of our imagination. But how can we see this for ourselves? Sylvia also discusses the healing power of Yoga and invites you to join her and Nathania…

In today’s short episode, Sylvia discusses balancing productivity and wellness. She discusses the story of the golden goose, pacing yourself on life’s journey, and the transformative power of story. Stay tuned for our lineup of new guest episodes, coming soon! In the meantime, take a moment to revisit your old favorites and to catch up on missed ep…

Where is your growth edge? What action can you take today to push yourself outside of your comfort zone? Sylvia takes questions from When Women Fly listeners in this first installment of the Ask Me Anything series. She explores finding your growth edge, stepping outside our comfort zone, and how committing to a practice that challenges us can push …

Shaesta Waiz is an American pilot, the first female certified civilian pilot born in Afghanistan and the youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a single-engine aircraft. This is a fascinating and unfolding story about rising from adversity and discovering what is possible. Flying is closely linked to freedom and opportunity. If you could ci…

This is the story of an athletic prodigy. It’s also the story of how setbacks become catalysts for change, how determination fuels a dream, and how a drive for adventure can evolve. And it is a story of risk-taking, mountain life, and personal reflection that characterize what it takes to ski and fly in the backcountry. For pro-skier Caite Zeliff, …

A heartfelt and honest conversation with Ashleigh Thompson - a Red Lake Ojibwe tribal member, avid trail runner, rock climber, snowboarder, scholar and archaeologist - about aligning values and advocating. Ashleigh shares her stories about the problematic myths of the land and Indigenous people, intergenerational trauma, and systemic mindsets conne…

What happens when you have two very big but different dreams vying for your focus? Do you choose one? Or do you risk pursuing both and in doing so commit to a bigger conversation? This was the dilemma faced by today’s guest—a woman who knows a thing or two about what it takes to face the odds, execute physical comebacks and establish herself as a l…

Mandy Hoffman seems to do it all. Balancing being a flight attendant, business owner, and mother of two children may seem like an impossible task. Her secret? Put your oxygen mask on first! In this episode, Sylvia and Mandy discuss finding the courage to stand up for what you believe in and pursue your dreams. They discuss the complicated balance o…

In this episode, we talk to Olga Custodio about finding success in a male-dominated profession, balancing family and professional life when pursuing career goals, why accessibility is the key to mentorship, and much more. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Olga Custodio didn’t give up on her dream of serving her country when she was repeatedly blocked from…