When Women Fly

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...

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 all certified pilots, and Carole is one of them. 

Carole’s story is one of inspiration, bravery, chasing dreams, and taking risks...

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 1953...

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 competitor, thinker, strategist, and advocate for women in sport...

In this companion episode, we explore the life of Bessie Coleman – the first black woman in the world to earn a pilot's license.

Bessie's story is one of grit and determination. Being barred from flight school in the US because of her race and gender, Bessie made her way to France to learn to fly.

During her training, she witnessed a fellow student crash and lose their life, but even this would not deter her...

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...

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 determination fuels a dream, and how a drive for adventure can evolve...

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 us to embrace difficulties and challenges, and how our brains learn through effort and persistence...

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...

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...