When Women Fly

When Michelle Snow was young, there was no professional basketball league for women in the United States. Despite no clear path to success, and despite her doubters, Michelle dreamed that she would one day realize her dream of making a career as a professional basketball player. And did she ever!On November 30, 2000, Michelle’s fate of making it to a professional league was sealed when she became the first woman to dunk in a nationally televised basketball game. She hasn’t slowed down f...

Amberly Brown is no stranger to flying her body thousands of feet above the ground. A skydiver, surfer, photographer, and native Alaskan, Amberly has spent her life finding the edge and pushing limits.In today's episode, Amberly speaks to the fragility of life and the resilience required to take on risks. She shares what she's learned from multiple near-death experiences, personal loss, taking action and chasing her dreams, and so much more. A big thanks to Amberly for sharing her story ...

What happens when we find the courage to follow our heart, pursue a dream, and fly? Nathania Stambouli may just have the answer for us.Our first episode of Season II features Nathania Stambouli, Founder of Yogi Flight School and a devotee of transformation. Nathania is in the business of changing lives as a yoga instructor, retreat leader, and small business coach. In this episode, Sylvia and Nathania debunk misconceptions about yoga and who yoga is for. They discuss why everything you’re loo...

Welcome to Season II of the When Women Fly podcast! As we transition from summer to fall and celebrate the autumn equinox, we acknowledge the persistence of transformation and change. Equal dark and equal light, the time when everything starts to shift and we let go. Through all the ruptures of the past year and more we have been given so much to learn and callings to live differently. But how to do that and how to begin?We have a rockstar lineup of shows in store for you. In this seaso...

Sylvia connects with listeners to close out Season I of the When Women Fly podcast, and to introduce Season II launching Tuesday, September 21st.In our nearly 50 episodes and 10,000 downloads, this project has continued to iterate and take on new meaning. A special thanks to each one of our guests, our listeners, and everyone who has shown up to make this project possible.Join us for Season II as we continue to share the stories of women who are shining examples of what’s possible When Women ...

Today, we highlight Sasha Gollish in the ninth installment of our Summer Series. Sasha is a professional runner, engineer, speaker, and educator. She was named female athlete of the year in 2015 and has given talks on subjects ranging from engineering to resilience. In this episode, Sylvia and Sasha discuss engineering performance as an athlete, adventure outdoors, mindset, courage, fear and measuring success. Sasha shares her passion for making fast turns on the track and on the slopes, what...

Today, we highlight Belinda Baggs in the eighth installment of our Summer Series. As a world-renowned Australian longboard surfer, mother, and surf ambassador for Patagonia, Belinda leverages her platform to fight for climate justice.In this episode, Belinda and Sylvia discuss the immediacy of the climate crisis. Belinda shares how her nonprofit Save Our Coast is working to inform, inspire, and empower local communities to care for the coastal ecosystem. Belinda provides listeners with insigh...

Today, we highlight Shannon Huffman Polson in the seventh installment of our Summer Series. Having gleaned insights from serving in one of the most male-dominated organizations in the world, Shannon has become a thought leader on the subject of grit. Shannon teaches how to cultivate grit and resilience through introspection and knowledge of self.Shannon was one of the first women to fly an Apache helicopter for the US Army, and has since gone on to become an author and keynote speaker.In this...

Today, we highlight Judy Kasiama in the sixth installment of our Summer Series. Judy is the founder of Colour the Trails, a Vancouver-based outdoor community that advocates for inclusive representation in outdoor spaces. Judy works with brand partners, businesses, and organizations to break barriers and create accessibility by subsidizing outdoor adventures and creating diverse content.Sylvia and Judy discuss intersectionality and the complexity of identity, rethinking the old profit/nonprofi...

Today, we highlight Melanie Curtis in the fifth installment of our Summer Series. Melanie is an a coach, speaker, author, entrepreneur and professional skydiver. She has jumped out of an airplane over 11,000 times and competed at the highest levels in the sport of skydiving, with numerous team world records. Melanie is a fierce champion for growth and inclusion. All of this has led Melanie to a powerful position of positive influence in her expanded career as a life coach, speaker and author....