Join us in the fascinating episode on the 'AVIATE with Shaesta' podcast, where we meet Julia Harrington, an aviation pioneer and devoted mother. Serving as the Lead Captain and Base Manager at Axis Jet in Chicago, Julia embodies the potential for women's success in aviation while balancing motherhood. She recounts her early fascination with Business Aviation at the renowned EAA AirVenture, her educational path at the University of Illinois, where she earned her wings, and her career as a professional pilot. Her story highlights the evolving role of women in the aviation sector who aspire to grow their families.

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 the family business in 2015, and reflected on her subsequent roles, including her leadership in the Florida Aviation Business Association. Despite not becoming a pilot herself, Jenny's passion for aviation shines through her extensive community work and her current venture, Showalter Business Aviation Career Coaching, where she supports aviation professionals in their career development.

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 everyday problems, Ezinne Uzo-Okoro has charted an extraordinary path. Her journey, marked by curiosity and resilience, led her from aspirations of being an inventor to the forefront of space exploration and policy-making. With a career that began at NASA in 2004, Ezinne has accumulated extensive expertise in space engineering systems and management. Her academic accomplishments are equally impressive, with three master's degrees and a historic doctorate in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT, making her the first and only Black woman to achieve this feat. In her current role as the assistant director of space policy in the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy, Uzo-Okoro is instrumental in shaping the nation's space priorities. Her days are filled with tackling challenges ranging from space debris to Earth’s climate monitoring, reflecting a diverse and impactful portfolio. Uzo-Okoro's vision extends beyond practical solutions; she envisions a future where space technology plays a critical role in advancing society and the global economy. Her dedication and pioneering spirit have not only led to significant contributions in the field of space exploration but also positioned her as a role model, inspiring others to pursue their dreams relentlessly.

This week on the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast, we invite Kodey Bogart, a Retired Army Aviator, Educator, Entrepreneur and Author. Her story is powerful as she shares how she turned adversity into triumph. Women in aviation have long soared past boundaries, yet the industry is still catching up on gender equality. Kodey's journey from a challenging Michigan childhood to earning military accolades and logging over 2,500 accident-free flight hours in helicopters on rescue missions is a narrative of resilience. Join us as Kodey shares her story of service, saving lives and inspiring the next generation. Her balance of motherhood, academia, and community service embodies the spirit of progress in aviation. Don't miss this high-flying conversation!

Welcome to Season Five of AVIATE with Shaesta podcast, sponsored by Atlantic Aviation! In this episode, we explore the developing world of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) with our esteemed guest, Elan Head. Elan is an award-winning journalist, a Commercial Helicopter Pilot, and an FAA Gold Seal flight instructor with helicopter and instrument helicopter ratings. She currently serves as the Senior Editor at The Air Current and has been at the forefront of covering AAM's latest developments and breaking news. Join us as we explore key features of the AAM sector in the introduction, including eVTOLs, Urban Air Mobility (UAM), decentralized infrastructure, and autonomous operations. Discover how AAM is set to reshape the aviation landscape, alleviate urban traffic congestion, and drive unprecedented growth in the industry. Following the intro, our guest Elan shares her unexpected journey into aviation and journalism, revealing how she combined her passion for flight and reporting to build a rewarding career in this dynamic industry. Tune in to AVIATE with Shaesta podcast and learn more about Elan and the Advanced Air Mobility sector!

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 understanding of the challenges faced by travelers, Joan recognized the need for specialized medical assistance and support in remote locations. In 1985, Joan established MedAire, a groundbreaking organization that provides comprehensive medical and travel safety services. Under her visionary guidance, MedAire quickly became a trailblazer in the field, setting new standards for medical support, emergency response, and crisis management in the aviation and maritime industries. Joan has been featured on TIME, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and BBC, among other notable networks, for her extraordinary work and contribution to the medical field. In our conversation, Joan talks about her childhood and the inspiration that launched MedAire. She also shares her entrepreneurship journey and the lessons learned in pursuit of turning her passion for saving people into a global business. Garrett also shares how she managed motherhood, her well-being, and her motivation to keep building her business and impacting the lives of millions of people.

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 Linda, and I am so grateful to him. Linda, a Kansas native, is a prominent public policy and government affairs figure. Daschle has served as a senior executive at several leading organizations and was actively involved in their government relations strategies. After 20 years of actively working in the aviation industry, Linda was nominated by President Bill Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Deputy Administrator to the FAA. Daschle became the first woman to serve as the FAA Acting Administrator three years later. In addition to her work in government affairs, Linda is also a sought-after speaker and has participated in numerous conferences and forums, sharing her insights and expertise on various policy issues. She is known for her ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and compellingly, making her a respected voice in the policy arena. Linda, welcome!

Each season, I intentionally dedicate an episode to discussing mental health in aviation. When I read about Tammy Jo Shults, a retired Navy fighter pilot and commercial airline pilot who grew up on a ranch in Texas, I immediately knew she would be an influential guest on this podcast. When I further learned Tammie Jo's story and how she gained national recognition for safely landing Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 after an engine failure in April 2018, I invited her to share her story and anchor our conversation around mental health. Shults was one of the first female fighter pilots in the U.S. Navy and flew the F/A-18 Hornet in combat operations during Operation Desert Storm. She later became a commercial airline pilot and joined Southwest Airlines in 1993, where she continued to fly until her retirement in 2020. Shults' skill and composure during the emergency landing of Flight 1380 were widely praised and credited with saving the lives of the passengers and crew on board.

Our guest on the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast this week is Lynda Tran. Tran serves as Director of Public Engagement and Senior Advisor to the Secretary. A longtime organizer and communicator with over two decades of experience in policy, advocacy, and campaigns, Lynda returns to DOT after co-founding 270 Strategies, where she developed public engagement strategies for clients across the globe. Lynda joins us to talk about her role in the Department of Transportation, share how women can better advocate for themselves on matters like maternity leave and equal pay, and share her thoughts on the history of Asian Americans in aviation. Lynda, welcome!

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 United States. Her company offers Silver Service for Corporate flight attendant training, EASA Cabin Crew training, and more. In our conversation, Rucsandra offers her international perspective on the flight attendant sector. She shares the biggest misconception about flight attendants, key takeaways from starting her own business, and her thoughts on the increasing episodes and assaults on flight attendants in commercial aviation.