
When Women Fly
Sylvia Winter
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Top 10 When Women Fly Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best When Women Fly episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to When Women Fly for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite When Women Fly episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

11/11/20 • 53 min
Sylvia connects with Enid Otun to discuss overcoming childhood trauma and learning to fly. Enid was the first female chief pilot in Nigeria, and hosts the podcast If Women Were Meant To Fly, The Sky Would Be Pink.
Topics Include:
- Being bold. Refusing to be a victim
- Addressing and working through past traumas
- Post-traumatic growth and resilience
- Learning how to accept praise
- Learning to accept success after years of trauma
- Taking responsibility for your life
- Doing the work required to become the person you aspire to be
- Reading Russian classics
- Being a role-model
- Finding new normals through the seasons of life
- And other topics
Resources Mentioned:
Instagram: @pinkskypodcast
Podcast: If Women Were Meant To Fly, The Sky Would Be Pink
Website: www.skyispink.co.uk
Want to connect with us? Get in touch by visiting our website @ whenwomenfly.com

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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 connected with the term “public land”. We dive into how the current discourse on land can directly work against creating inclusive and respectful spaces.
This conversation is about connecting with the past to understand identity, how a connection to the outdoors has deep therapeutic benefits, how running and flying can feel identical, why reckoning with our past and understanding the impact of intergenerational trauma is critical, what role challenging fear has in climbing, and the benefits of awareness and courage that go way beyond the rock wall.
Understanding contemporary Indigenous identity and the value of Indigenous sacred sites is fundamental to developing a holistic respect for Indigenous culture. Ashleigh is passionate about shifting a narrative about what respect for Indigenous people looks like and opening a conversation that is more complex than just the protection of a physical space with cultural significance.
As a Native woman, Ashleigh’s commitment to bringing justice for people and the environment is woven into her being. Stay curious, friends, and I hope this gives you reason and resources to acknowledge and honor the land in new and deeper ways.
Topics Include:
- Intergenerational trauma
- The connection between exercise and emotional health
- Building self-confidence through rock climbing
- Indigenous archaeology
- Traditional foodways
- Being a respectful visitor to indigenous lands
- Acknowledging indigenous environmental movements
- Offensive and racist attitudes
- Storytelling and connection
- And other topics...
Ashleigh Thompson is a Ph.D. candidate in anthropology at the University of Arizona where she studies traditional foodways and food sovereignty. She is a member of the Red Lake Ojibwe Nation. As an avid runner and rock climber, she is passionate about being a respectful visitor and acknowledging indigenous environmental movements while enjoying the land and sport.
Resources Mentioned:
Instagram: @ashanishinaabe
Twitter: @ashanishinaabe
LinkedIn: Ashleigh Thompson
A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgment: https://nativegov.org/news/a-guide-to-indigenous-land-acknowledgment/
Book: In My Own Moccasins: A Memoir of Resilience by Helen Knott (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZS2NGP4/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1)
Want to connect? Visit us online and signup for the monthly WWF newsletter!
Website – https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest – @whenwomenfly
Email – [email protected]

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 becoming moms.
Sonya Looney, professional mountain biker and entrepreneur, talks about shifting her perspective and finding out what's really important in life.
Kikkan Randall, Olympic Gold Medalist in nordic skiing and cancer survivor, on how having a child made her more in love with her sport, changed her body, and allowed her to come back stronger than ever.
Kimmy Fasani, pro snowboarder, entrepreneur, and cancer survivor, on the myths of motherhood and the realities of balancing work and family life.
Belinda Baggs, environmental surf activist and ambassador for Patagonia, discusses sharing her passion with her son and what it was like to go from never wanting kids to becoming a mom.
And Marissa Colclasure, first Officer Pilot, skydiver, and Wingwalker, talks about the power of doing something that sets your heart on fire while the kids are watching.
This is an episode about self-discovery and self-actualization. I hope this compilation raises questions and provides support for you, wherever you are on your journey.
Topics Include:
- Finding clarity on the important things in life
- Questioning the value of "achievements"
- Deciding to have kids or not
- Deciding when to have kids
- How pregnancy affects our bodies
- Myths of motherhood
- The realities of balancing work and family life
- Sharing your passions with your kids
- And other topics...
Resources Mentioned:
Episode 87: Sonya Looney
Episode 22: Kikkan Randall
Episode 55: Kimmy Fasani
Episode 8: Belinda Baggs
Episode 36: Marissa Colclasure
Stay Connected:
Drop Us A Message on PodInbox: https://podinbox.com/whenwomenfly
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
Socials: @whenwomenfly
Signup for AIR BORN, our monthly newsletter! A letter from Sylvia will show up in your inbox, with links to her latest conversations and insights.

Shaesta Waiz flew around the world in a small aircraft. With a message. If you could circumnavigate the globe in an aircraft with one message, what would it be? This is a fascinating and unfolding story about rising from adversity and discovering what is possible.
Flying is closely linked to freedom and opportunity.
This week we talk to Shaesta Waiz, the first certified civilian female pilot from Afghanistan who's global flight earned her a record the youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a single engine aircraft. Shaesta has a burning desire to help others like her – underserved as a youth - to work hard, never give up and follow their dreams. As an Earthrounder (a unique and rare breed of pilot, setting themselves apart from the more conventional modes of air travel, possessing one unifying achievement: piloting a light aircraft around the entire world), Shaesta's story is layered with grit and determination alongside a deep desire to serve.
This is conversation about overcoming obstacles, creating opportunities, and pursuing your passions. Shaesta shares some of the realities and perceived limitations, as well as sense of responsibility to her immigrant family and sisters and especially women in Afghanistan.
Hear about Shaesta’s journey, her grace and commitment to serve, and how she uses her platform to inspire and encourage young women around the world to seek education in STEM and pursue their passions.
You will be inspired by this conversation for reasons you may predict and others you will be surprised by. What is so compelling and fascinating about gaining new perspectives and reaching beyond the pull of gravity? Enjoy and thank you Shaesta!
Topics Include:
- Growing up as an Afghan refugee in the US
- Gender roles and what she saw possible as a young girl
- What sparked a love of flying
- Why and how she planned her trip around the world
- Highs, lows, endurance and lice
- Challenges and doubts, trusting intuition
- Mental health and aviation
- Working towards a goal
- Importance of STEM education and access for women
- And other topics...
Shaesta Waiz was born in Afghanistan at a refugee camp during the Soviet-Afghan War in 1987. Her family came to the United States and grew up in California. Although it wasn't until graduating high school that Sheasta dreamed of an aviation career, she accomplished a great deal in short order. She is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the first certified civilian female pilot from Afghanistan. She earned a record for being youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a single-engine aircraft. Shaesta is the founder of Dreams Soar, a woman’s ambassador program where young women interested in an education in aviation and engineering are mentored and supported.
Resources Mentioned:
Chicago Tribune Article: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-07-05-8702190664-story.html
Dreams Soar: http://dreamssoar.org/
Shaesta’s Podcast, “Aviate”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aviate-with-shaesta/id1577977608
Want to connect? Visit us online and signup for our weekly newsletter!
Website – https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest – @whenwomenfly
Email – [email protected]

040 Highlights with Airshow Pilot Patty Wagstaff and Who is Wally Funk? (Summer Series II)
When Women Fly
07/22/21 • 26 min

072 Show Up, Seize the Moment, Trust the Process, and Then, There is Motherhood with Vanessa Blakeley
When Women Fly
06/21/22 • 55 min
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 enthralled by flying from an early age. However, during her junior year of college, a family tragedy changed the trajectory of her life and career, and Vanessa diverted. Don't worry, this is not a sob story. We go deep navigating discipline, exploration, courage, and discomfort. The importance of personal values in adhering to your goals. Motherhood. And why your reaction to setbacks defines you.
Roughly a decade later, Vanessa rekindled her love for flying while teaching English in Spain. At that moment she decided to commit herself to a life in aviation. Her decision has taken her on the journey of a lifetime!
In this episode, Vanessa and Sylvia discuss following your passion, trusting the process, pivoting, inclusivity in aviation, flying cars, the importance of preparation, motherhood, and much more.
Topics Include:
- Seizing the moment
- Rekindling childhood dreams
- Why showing up is half the battle
- Flying cars and flight testing at Terrafugia
- AI and robotics in aviation
- Inclusivity in aviation
- Motherhood
- Female leadership
- Grit, perseverance, and the art of the pivot
- And other topics...
Vanessa Blakeley is the Director of Operations at Ascent AeroSystems and Advisor of Operations and Sustainability at Transcend Air Corporation. Vanessa was a finalist for Women and Drone’s 2021 Women to Watch Global Awards.
In 2013, Vanessa co-founded Pure Hearts Boston, a foundation that benefits pediatric cardiology research at Boston Children's Hospital. Vanessa volunteers as a UPOP Industry Advisor at MIT. She also has donated time to a number of sustainability initiatives around Boston and the world.
Vanessa soloed a Cessna 152 at age 16 and became a certified pilot by age 17. She received her B.A. of American History and a Masters’ Degree in Executive Leadership and Administration from Boston College.
Resources Mentioned:
Drop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu: http://tiffanydufu.com/drop-the-ball
Terrafugia: https://terrafugia.com/
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh: https://www.eaa.org/airventure
TRANSCEND AIR: https://transcend.aero/index.php
Ascent AeroSystems: https://ascentaerosystems.com/
Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessablakeley/
Stay Connected:
Signup for AIR BORN, our monthly newsletter! A letter from Sylvia will show up in your inbox, with links to her latest conversations and insights.
Website: https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest: @whenwomenfly
Write to us at: [email protected]

050 Why Everyone is Doing Handstands and You Should Too with Nathania Stambouli, Founder of Yogi Flight School
When Women Fly
09/21/21 • 61 min
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 looking for in life is on the otherside of fear, and how finding the courage to follow your heart and pursue your dreams is the key to unlocking your best life.
Topics Include:
How the early death of Nathania’s mother influenced her life’s trajectory. Why Nathania quit a 10-year career in marketing to pursue teaching yoga. What we learn when having the courage to do hard things. The tricky business of balance. Crafting a vision for your life, and keeping it in sight. Why Nathania focuses on handstands and inversions, and other topics...
Nathania Stambouli is the founder of Yogi Flight School, a transformational yoga program that teaches how to do hard things through the medium of yoga. With a focus on arm balances and inversions, Yogi Flight School helps us confront our perceived limitations by pushing us out of our comfort zone in a safe and supporting environment. Nathania is also the cofounder of SoulTribe Adventures which hosts yoga and fitness adventure retreats around the globe.
Resources Mentioned:
Handstands on the Fly Challenge - email hello@whenwomenfly for more information or just stick around for the updates!
Yogi Flight School – https://www.yogiflightschool.com/
SoulTribe Adventures – https://www.soultribeadventures.com/
Radical Honesty by Tara Brach – https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Honesty-Transform-Telling-Truth/dp/B00EAH6UH6/
Mastery of Love – https://www.amazon.com/The-Mastery-of-Love-don-Miguel-Ruiz-audio/dp/B0007RWWQG/
Want to connect? Visit us online and signup for the monthly WWF newsletter!
Website – https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest – @whenwomenfly
Email – [email protected]

03/25/21 • 59 min
In today's episode, Sylvia is joined by Melissa Lowe to talk about being a pioneer in the sport of skydiving. She shares openly how she has integrated entrepreneurship, skydiving, yoga and family with her history, personal struggles, lessons on what has worked and a unique perspective on role models, mentors and confronting angst and fear. They talk about comradery and loss in a tight-knit community, and much more. Melissa holds 23 skydiving world records and is a licensed pilot, yoga instructor, author, and mom.
The Sugar Alpha Chronicles are a series of books based on the life of the late skydiving pioneer and Melissa’s father, Roger Nelson's life as a drug smuggler, iconic figure in the sport of skydiving, family man, and eventually a convicted felon. He wrote these books while serving his 5 year prison sentence and smuggled them out of prison where after his death, Melissa was able to finish the project and get them published. A decade’s worth of research and finding out truths of her past as a drug smuggler's daughter this series brought the memoirs into fruition.
Topics Include:
- Growing up in a skydiving community drop zone
- Being a drug smuggler's daughter
- Breaking away from family mold
- Getting sober and resetting identity
- Influences from learning and practicing yoga
- Stability and instability as a young adult
- The experience of flying with your body
- Processing loss
- Wingsuit flying, Freestyle, Freefly and competition
- Highlight Pro Skydiving - the all-female demonstration jump team
- Mission and media
- World records, attempts and other successes
- Entrepreneurship and leadership
- And other topics...
Resources Mentioned:
https://melissa-lowe.com/about/
Melissa's Books:
Sugar Alpha: The Life and Times of Señor Huevos Grandes and
Charlie Bravo: Descent into Darkness and Danger
Originally written by Roger, the series were not published until years after his death when Melissa picked up the dusty manuscript and turned them into books. Melissa had to fill in some gaps through interviews of people involved in Roger’s life to finish up this true story of Roger’s adventures.
Book mentioned:
Eat Wheat: A Scientific and Clinically-Proven Approach to Safely Bringing Wheat and Dairy Back Into Your Diet by John Douillard
Want to connect with us? Visit us online!
Website: https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
IG: @whenwomenfly

What will it take to raise more women into leadership positions? How can men and women show up as allies to create meaningful and lasting change?
In this episode, Sylvia is joined by Linda Lindquist-Bishop to discuss how we can set up the women of today to be successful in leadership positions, what it means to choose love over fear in our relationships and in our lives, why racing sailboats is the best leadership development strategy, and much more.
Topics Include
- Innate versus learned leadership skills
- Why the best leaders focus on asking good questions
- The importance of clearly defined roles in sport and in business
- The value of diversity in leadership positions
- What it means to strive for excellence and live an extraordinary life
- Taking on life's second mountain
- The connection between voracious learning, acquiring expertise, and success
- Being present with fear
- Dynamic variables in sailing, flying, freedom and life
- The necessity of morning rituals
- Freedom and flight
- And other topics...
Linda Lindquist-Bishop is a world champion athlete, strategist, and president of Courageous Thinking Inc. In 1995, Linda made history as a member of America3, the first all-women's team to compete in the America’s Cup–the Super Bowl of sailing. Linda was awarded Glamour Magazine’s ‘Women of the Year’ in 1995 with America3, and was honored by Lifetime Television in 1997 as one of the ‘Top 100 Women of the Century.’
...
Resources Mentioned
Courageous Thinking Inc. – http://www.cgthink.com/
Rising Tide Leadership Institue – http://www.4risingtide.org/
Linda Lindquist-Bishop's TEDx Talk – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCtCYDQipM0
Books Mentioned
The Archer by Paulo Coelho
The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity by Edwene Gaines
Team of Teams by Stanley McChrystal, Tantum Collins. David Silverman, and Chris Fussell
The Clarity Field Guide by Benj Miller, and Chris White
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
The Daughters of Yalta by Catherine Grace Katz
Want to connect? Visit us online and signup for the monthly WWF newsletter!
Website: https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest: @whenwomenfly

054 Secrets to Getting and Staying Strong with Mandy Hoffman - Flight Attendant, Fitness Coach, and Mom
When Women Fly
10/19/21 • 53 min
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 of wellness, how Mandy’s online fitness program Strong Flight is helping people meet their fitness goals, body positivity and body shaming, why fitness needs to end its obsession with skinny, and much more.
Topics Include:
- Making career pivots after becoming a mother
- Turning a dream into a business
- Risk mitigation in aviation, and how we can use it in our lives
- How contingency planning can nurture resilience
- How to perform an emergency landing in your life
- Living a life of service
- Catalyzing change for others
- Goal setting
- How to use the “Five Whys” exercise to form a new habi.
- Mindfulness and the power of intention setting
- Navigating social media as a business owner
- And other topics ...
Mandy Hoffman is the owner of Strong Flight, an online home fitness service without sacrifice. Her passion is celebrating movement with people, whether through exercise classes or one-on-one personal training. She is also a part-time flight attendant and manages to balance these two occupations with the busy job of being a mother. Through her work in fitness and aviation, Mandy discovered that many of aviation's unique approaches to repetitive actions and system management could be applied and interwoven into other areas of life. She holds a degree in exercise science from Salem State University.
Resources Mentioned:
Instagram: @mandystrongflight
TikTok: @mandystrongflight
Website: https://www.strongflight.com/
Want to connect? Visit us online and signup for the monthly WWF newsletter!
Website – https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest – @whenwomenfly
Email – [email protected]
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FAQ
How many episodes does When Women Fly have?
When Women Fly currently has 106 episodes available.
What topics does When Women Fly cover?
The podcast is about Society & Culture, Resilience, Women, Empowerment, Performance, Mental Health, Adventure, Documentary, Podcasts, Self-Improvement and Education.
What is the most popular episode on When Women Fly?
The episode title '003 Growth & Wisdom with Enid Otun - First Female Chief Pilot in Nigeria' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on When Women Fly?
The average episode length on When Women Fly is 49 minutes.
How often are episodes of When Women Fly released?
Episodes of When Women Fly are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of When Women Fly?
The first episode of When Women Fly was released on Oct 28, 2020.
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