Best Acknowledge The Hero Podcast Podcasts (2025)

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The Cost of Silence: DEI Rollbacks, Safety, and the Future of Aviation with Dr. Kimberly Perkins 31:02

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2M ago31:02

31:02

In this episode, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Dr. Kimberly Perkins—787 airline pilot, research scientist at the University of Washington, and fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society—about the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion in aviation and why it matters for safety, innovation, and the next generation. Kimberly shares how DEI was oft…

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Purpose-Driven Leadership: Lynda Coffman on DEI, Workforce, and the Future of Aviation 40:50

3M ago40:50

40:50

In this episode, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Lynda Coffman—CEO of Women in Aviation International, former United Airlines executive, and Northwestern adjunct professor— about sustaining a qualified aviation workforce while navigating the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Lynda shares her journey from being the first female engineer in…

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“Don’t Wait for the Invitation” — Aircraft Mechanic & Advocate Samantha T. Mitchell on Owning Your Path in Aviation 32:18

3M ago32:18

32:18

In this episode, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Samantha T. Mitchell—licensed A&P mechanic, author, and founder of Black Women in Aviation—about building a career where women are still drastically underrepresented, especially in maintenance. Samantha recounts finding aviation through a college brochure, nearly losing a dream role over citizenship st…

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A Business Case for DEI in Aviation with Jennifer Pickerel 39:23

4M ago39:23

39:23

In this episode, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Jennifer Pickerel—President of Aviation Personnel International and a veteran executive search consultant—about the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in aviation and its real-world impacts. Drawing on over two decades of experience in recruitment, leadership development, and or…

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If the Space Won’t Hold You, Move: Leadership and Well-Being with Captain Reyné O'Shaughnessy 26:16

4M ago26:16

26:16

In this candid conversation, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Captain Reyné O'Shaughnessy—veteran FedEx pilot, human-performance specialist, and author of This Is Your Captain Speaking: What You Should Know About Your Pilot’s Mental Health. Together they unpack the realities of high-stakes aviation work for women: chronic stress that accumulates unnot…

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Why Ignoring DEI Is Aviation’s Biggest Safety Risk with Kathryn Creedy 34:09

4M ago34:09

34:09

In this episode, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Kathryn Creedy—veteran aviation journalist and advocate for workforce equity—about the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in aviation and its consequences. Creedy draws on decades of reporting and personal experience to challenge misconceptions about DEI, highlight the business case for…

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What Mervat Sultan Teaches Us About Building Equity and Opportunity for Women in Middle-East Aviation 36:56

5M ago36:56

36:56

In this episode, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Mervat Sultan—founder of Ramjet Aviation Services and President of the Women in Aviation Middle East Chapter—about how intentional leadership, structured mentorship, and policy support have transformed a handful of members into a 1,000-strong network and the largest women-in-aviation conference in the …

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What the First Latina U.S. Air Force Pilot, Olga Custodio, Teaches Us About Building a Stronger Industry 34:17

5M ago34:17

34:17

In this powerful conversation, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Retired Lt. Col. Olga E. Custodio, the first Latina to fly for the United States Air Force and later, the first Latina commercial airline captain in the U.S. Olga shares the deeply personal and professional journey behind her groundbreaking aviation career—one that began after starting a …

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Capt. Lynn Rippelmeyer on Flying the 747, Mentorship, and Moving the Industry Forward 30:14

5M ago30:14

30:14

In this wide-ranging conversation, Capt. Lynn Rippelmeyer—first woman to fly the Boeing 747—joins host Shaesta Waiz to dismantle the myth that equity and excellence are mutually exclusive. Rippelmeyer traces her unlikely climb from TWA flight attendant to 747 captain during an era when women “weren’t just under-represented—they were reminded they d…

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Jessica Ruttenber Exposes How DEI Rollbacks Threaten Aviation 26:58

6M ago26:58

26:58

Military veteran and advocate Jessica Ruttenber—retired Air Force officer, founder of Level Up Aviation joins host Shaesta Waiz to explain why dismantling diversity, equity & inclusion programs threatens aviation safety, talent pipelines, and hard‑won policy gains such as the removal of a height restriction that once barred 44 % of U.S. women from …

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Sharon Preszler: 1st Woman in Combat talks Fighter Jets, DEI, & Women's Future in Military Aviation 38:06

6M ago38:06

38:06

This is Aviate with Shaesta, and we’re opening Season 7 with a force of clarity, grit, and hard-earned wisdom. Sharon Preszler—trailblazer, retired Air Force fighter pilot, and advocate—joins us for a rare and brutally honest conversation on gender, performance, and the cost of systemic resistance in aviation today. As the first woman to become com…

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Advocating for Mental Health in Aviation with Capt. Renée O’Shaughnessy. 43:31

10M ago43:31

43:31

In this episode of the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast, we sit down with Capt. Reyne O’Shaughnessy, an airline veteran with 35 years of flying experience and the author of This Is Your Captain Speaking: What You Should Know About Your Pilot’s Mental Health. Reyne shares her inspiring journey from summer typist and flight attendant to the cockpit of the…

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A Fresh Perspective: Breaking Barriers and Building Success in Aviation with Reneta Johnson 35:43

11M ago35:43

35:43

In this episode of the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast, we’re joined by Reneta Johnson, a trailblazer in global commerce and aviation. Reneta’s unique journey—from aerospace engineering to leading international business development and strategy—offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities for women in aviation. Reneta shares her power…

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#00128 What Is An Enemy? 24:48

12M ago24:48

24:48

Yesterday, I delivered my first sermon in an actual house of worship. It was an exciting and bizarre moment for me, and turned out to be quite beautiful. Exciting because I see myself as a priest, and giving a sermon is a very priestly honor. Bizarre because I never thought I'd ever write a sentence like that last one! I've been marrying people for…

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Charting New Paths in Aviation Law with Lauren Lacey Haertlein 39:37

12M ago39:37

39:37

In this episode of the AVIATE Podcast, Shaesta Waiz sits down with Lauren Lacey Haertlein, Deputy General Counsel for Policy and Regulatory at Joby Aviation. Lauren shares her unique journey from healthcare law to aviation, a career shift that stemmed from her passion for flight and a determination to follow her interests. This inspiring conversati…

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#00127 How To Create Political Hatred 19:37

1y ago19:37

19:37

Earlier this week I spoke with renowned mediator Ken Cloke. Ken is a living breathing apostle of the philosophy of practical nonviolence that Gandhi and MLK took to such a high level. Because we were on a call with a group of professional mediators, I asked Ken what the recent US election might mean for mediators in the US. I'm sharing his answer m…

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#00126 It's Worse Than You Think: We Too Must Grow! 12:01

1y ago12:01

12:01

Happy USA Election Day 2024, denizens of the world. May it be, in fact, happy and harmless. I have an election-day message for you. We Too Must Grow. It's a combination of my thoughts on the opportunities the election presents us with "It's Worse Than You Think" and my explication of a song that I think is INCREDIBLY RELEVANT to this moment. The so…

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EP 7 - Stephanie Goetz on Healing from Loss, Embracing Change, and Finding Aviation Later in Life 46:08

1y ago46:08

46:08

In this episode of the AVIATE with Shaesta, we sit down with Stephanie Goetz, a powerhouse of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. Stephanie’s journey is one of courage and transformation, navigating profound personal loss, redefining her path, and ultimately finding her passion for aviation later in life. From her beginnings as a news anchor to h…

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#00125 How to Win a Democracy 18:01

1y ago18:01

18:01

This episode is based on a speech/sermon I wrote in October 2024 and delivered at a March for Democracy in a small town. I used the opportunity to share what conflict mediation has taught me about winning. Part I: Definitions of winning and losing Part II: What's really standing in our way Part III: The pearl of wisdom and what we can do about it T…

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EP 6 - From Combat to Creativity: Dr. Eileen A. Bjorkman’s Military Aviation Journey and Writing Legacy 45:19

1y ago45:19

45:19

In this episode of AVIATE with Shaesta, host Shaesta Waiz welcomes Dr. Eileen A. Bjorkman, a pioneer in aviation who has flown over 700 hours in more than 25 different aircraft, led groundbreaking flight test programs, and authored books highlighting the untold stories of women in aviation. Dr. Bjorkman shares her fascinating journey, from growing …

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#00124 Move Slowly and Heal Things: A Muslim-Jewish partnership conversation 1:10:41

1y ago1:10:41

1:10:41

This episode is about Muslim-Jewish relations. It's about whats been going on in Israel and Palestine for the last year. It's about what's possible in the next year. It's about what happens when we expand the circle of concern. And it's about what is happening, all over the world, in small communities, unreported by most of the news, when people op…

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EP 5 - Bobbi Wells: Creating a Pathway for Women in Aviation 53:24

1y ago53:24

53:24

In this podcast episode, aviation leader Bobbi Wells shares her experiences and insights, reflecting on her childhood in Wyoming, where her fondest memory was singing Christmas carols on a horse-drawn sleigh. Bobbi describes how her curiosity led her from logistics into aviation and emphasizes the importance of asking questions in aviation safety. …

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EP 4 - Dorothy Cochrane: The Evolution of Women’s Roles in Aviation 53:01

1y ago53:01

53:01

Today, we have the distinct honor of speaking with Dorothy Cochrane, a true pioneer in aviation history and one of the most highly regarded curators at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Since joining the Smithsonian in 1977, Dorothy has been a driving force behind the preservation, research, and exhibition of aviation’s rich legacy. He…

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EP 3 - Becky Lutte: The Need for More Research on Aviation Workforce Data and Workplace Culture 47:38

1y ago47:38

47:38

Dr. Rebecca Lutte, an aviation education and research expert, discusses the barriers facing women in aviation and the importance of data-driven solutions. She emphasizes the need to address negative workplace culture, including bias and harassment, as a primary barrier to recruiting, retaining, and advancing women in the industry. Dr. Lutte also hi…

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Kelly Jost on Gender Equality in Aviation 34:52

1y ago34:52

34:52

Today on the AVIATE podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Kelly Jost, a civil engineer and principal at C&S Companies, who shares her journey and insights in the aviation industry. Kelly's passion for engineering began in her childhood in Michigan, inspired by her father's construction projects. Her fascination with aviation was sparked by a fifth-gr…

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Season Six Kickoff: Cathyrine "Lilo" Armandie on Inclusion and Motherhood in Military Aviation 56:26

1y ago56:26

56:26

In the highly anticipated launch of Season Six of the AVIATE Podcast, we’re honored to feature Lieutenant Colonel Cathyrine “Lilo” Armandie, a distinguished leader in the United States Air Force with over 1,600 flight hours and a remarkable career. Cathyrine shares her incredible journey, from her early days as an ROTC cadet to becoming a seasoned …

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Meet Megha Bhatia: JSSI's Chief Strategy Officer Who's Shaping A Comprehensive Business Growth Strategy 40:37

1+ y ago40:37

40:37

What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 00:01 Welcoming Megha Bhatia to the podcast 03:17 Megha’s upbringing in Dubai and a cherished childhood memory 08:48 The spark that ignited Megha's passion for aviation 11:01 Challenges faced by international students and professionals in aviation 18:54 Megha’s educational journey at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University…

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Shelly Simi: A Legacy of Innovation and Leadership in Aviation 43:14

1+ y ago43:14

43:14

‍What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 03:17 Introduction of Shelly Simi, a leader in aviation innovation and strategic initiatives. 10:55 Shelly’s early life in the Mississippi Delta and inspiration from crop dusters. 12:58 Transition from flight coordination at FedEx to strategic roles in aviation. 17:35 Shelly's leadership style and her contributions to …

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Caroline "Blaze" Jensen: Lessons in Military Aviation, Leadership, Motherhood and Resilience 49:07

1+ y ago49:07

49:07

‍What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 03:17 Introduction of Caroline "Blaze" Jensen, trailblazer in military aviation and leadership. 10:55 Blaze's early life in Wisconsin and inspiration from her family's military background. 12:58 Transition from active duty to the civilian sector and corporate roles. 17:35 Climbing the ranks and breaking barriers in a m…

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#00123 Pacific Northwest Sea Gardens and What We Owe Our Descendants (with Nicole Norris) 1:02:28

1+ y ago1:02:28

1:02:28

Two years ago I overheard a conversation at a local farmers' market about Clam Gardens. Being a nosy podcast host, I eavesdropped, eventually inserted myself, and got some contact information. Today I caught up with Ala̱g̱a̱mił Nicole Norris, of Halalt First Nation on what's now known as Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia…

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#00122 The Third Side 27:52

1+ y ago27:52

27:52

In this episode I present what I learned from William Ury's The Third Side. The basic idea is that our communities and societies are the most important element in developing an effective conflict management system, and that the essence of being effect is to exert peer pressure on resolving the conflict instead of taking the "side" of any of the par…

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#00121 Civic Engineering V1 Plan (How to Prevent a Civil War) 21:19

1+ y ago21:19

21:19

For the last few months I've been reflecting on How to Prevent a Civil War. Here's why I think we need to act: - It is in the avowed interests of multiple powerful actors -- both inside and outside of the US -- to foment widespread discord, confusion, and animosity. - The logical conclusion of widespread discord, confusion, and animosity is civil w…

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#00120 The Six Dimensions of Conflict Transformation 24:08

1+ y ago24:08

24:08

The concept I want to present today is the Six Dimensions of Conflict, which comes up in Chapters 2 and 3 of The Crossroads of Conflict by Ken Cloke. Ken has a model where he breaks down conflict and how we approach it into six areas, and then looks at that sextet from 4 different angles: - Orders of Resolution - Math/Geometry - Location in the bod…

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#00119 Three examples of slow dialogue 19:11

1+ y ago19:11

19:11

As part of my journey towards understanding what brings us together and what keeps us apart, today I want to share three examples of social dialogue I learned about in the past couple of weeks. I will resist the temptation to draw conclusions prematurely, but just let us all ruminate together with these three examples. The first is from Nelson Mand…

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#00118 A Sober Roadmap to Nuclear Disarmament (with Ward Hayes Wilson) 1:03:04

1+ y ago1:03:04

1:03:04

As Lao Tzu used to say: "Do the hard thing while it is still easy." According to my guest, Ward Hayes Wilson, it's a pretty good time to work on nuclear disarmament. This is precisely the opposite of all my reflections on the issues, which usually end in hopeless shrugging and attempts to resign myself towards guaranteed nuclear annihilation. (Much…

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#00117 Every Conflict Hides a Story, with Somia Sadiq 1:08:26

1+ y ago1:08:26

1:08:26

Somia Sadiq is a peacebuilder and entrepreneur focused on Conflict Transformation. Our conversation was so wide-ranging I thought it would be worth a brief rundown of what we covered: - Resilience and Fasting - Definitions: Settler and Newcomer - Identity politics - Ancestral guilt and shame - How to approach history (and history of oppression) wit…

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#00116 Atheism, Spirituality, and Civil War with Casper ter Kuile 1:10:21

1+ y ago1:10:21

1:10:21

Casper ter Kuile is like a better version of myself. He's on a mission to rescue spiritual truths from religious dogma to fill the voids in modern life. We talk about what atheism and spirituality mean to us, gain inspiration from a John O'Donahue essay on "The Priestliness of the Human Heart," discuss the current struggles in El Salvador (and how …

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#00115 A meditation on Pain, Drugs, and Gratitude with Wolf Sherman 57:52

1+ y ago57:52

57:52

Wolf Sherman has dealt with excruciating pain 24/7 since being hit by a car a couple of years ago. The relationships he has developed between pain, drugs, and gratitude struck me as something every single one of us can learn from. We also get into modern masculinity and communication with whales. Yeah, You heard me right. 🐋 🦸‍♀️🦸🏾🦸🏼‍♂️🦸🏽‍♀️🦸🏿🦸 ♥️ I…

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#00114 John Giuliano on Justice, Revenge, and the situation in El Salvador 56:09

1+ y ago56:09

56:09

In this episode, I talk with one of my greatest mentors, John Giuliano, about how the Régimen de excepción is affecting his small community. Specifically, we discuss the situation of the co-director of the Tamarindo Foundation, Santos, who was arrested 54 days ago (as of March 6, 2024). The second half of the show (@ 16:02) covers John's response t…

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Cat Clay Wren's Rise in Business Aviation 42:58

2y ago42:58

42:58

Meet Cat Clay Wren, a remarkable leader in the business aviation sector and the Chief Experience Officer at Business Jets in Dallas, Texas. Originating from a small town in southwest New Mexico, Cat's journey from a rural upbringing to a prominent role in aviation is a testament to her resilience and adaptability. Transitioning from college basketb…

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Shattering the Sky: Retired Col. Merryl Tengesdal, the First and Only Black Female U-2 Pilot 52:21

2y ago52:21

52:21

Introduction: Introduction of Col. Merryl Tengesdal (Retired), author of "Shatter the Sky: What Going to the Stratosphere Taught Me about Self-worth, Sacrifice, and Discipline." Brief overview of her unique achievement as the first and only African American woman to fly the U-2 spy plane. Background: Merryl's upbringing in the Bronx and her early f…

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From PR and Sales to the Corner Office: Emily Deaton's Climb to CEO of JetAVIVA 52:22

2y ago52:22

52:22

In this episode of the 'AVIATE with Shaesta' podcast, we're joined by Emily Deaton, an influential leader in the aviation industry. Born and raised on Florida's Space Coast, Emily shares stories from her childhood, describing her childhood memories as a 'river rat' kid amidst rocket launches. She delves into her academic journey, highlighting her s…

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Flight and Family: Julia Harrington's Aviation and Motherhood Journey 50:34

2y ago50:34

50:34

About Julia Harrington: Lead Captain and Base Manager at Axis Jet in Chicago. Known for her pioneering role as a woman in the aviation industry. Balances her professional career with motherhood. Early Interests and Influences: Julia shares her initial fascination with Business Aviation. Recounts her experiences at the EAA AirVenture, sparking her i…

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From Family Legacy to Aviation Leadership: Jenny Showalter's Journey 44:10

2y ago44:10

44:10

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 …

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#00113 Thanksgiving Sourdough Bread Recipe (Depth-First Search) 12:46

2y ago12:46

12:46

Here's a gratitude-forward recipe for Sourdough Bread. I go through the 4 main ingredients that go into the bread, and then go into the ingredients that go into those, and then the ingredients that go into those… It's a gratitude practice. Try it out on literally anything in your life and see where you end up. If you're actually looking for my reci…

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#00112 Abby Carl: Composting Trauma into Healing 1:02:17

2y ago1:02:17

1:02:17

If what I'm trying to do with this podcast is: Go deep immediately without any fluff, and Help us all understand how purpose shows itself empirically, even when things look horribly gnarly, Then I give this conversation ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. It's deep. It deals with horrible things (sexual trauma). It's hopeful. And Abby Carl is an absolute hero for turning all h…

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From NASA to the White House: Ezinne Uzo-Okoro's Journey and AVIATE Principles in Space Policy 44:02

2y ago44:02

44:02

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 ev…

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#00111 Jason Taylor: Five Elements Acupuncture and The Seasons of Life 1:01:41

2y ago1:01:41

1:01:41

Jason Taylor runs deep. He's an ecologist and Five Elements acupuncturist with a lot to share about living a healthy and balanced life. But what I liked best is how deeply he engaged with the questions. That's part of what I love about this show – it's not just Information handed down from On High, but a mutual exploration, where we're all learning…

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Kodey Bogart, Retired Army Aviator, Educator, Entrepreneur, & Author: turning adversity into her superpower. 53:29

2y ago53:29

53:29

Kodey Bogart, Retired Army Aviator, Educator, Entrepreneur, & Author: turning adversity into her superpower. As many of us are familiar, adversity is a universal and inevitable part of life that most of us face through challenges like illness, loss, financial hardship, and the growing pains of life. Adversity is non-discriminatory, affecting all in…

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#00110 Crystal Beasley: Making Decisions with the Heart and A Finishing School For Men 1:08:06

2y ago1:08:06

1:08:06

Crystal Beasley is a trip. She's a high priestess of the heart and listening to her journey is the auditory equivalent of getting tickled (for me) at least. At one point she tells me she is here to protect the place of women. Then she mentions a finishing school she runs, to turn Men into Gentlemen. And then she reveals the How: Teaching them to As…