AIR BORN 2.11

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Dear Reader,

How are you? I have this recurrent dream of puzzle pieces and working on multiple puzzles simultaneously with pieces that just won't fit. I awake with thoughts of when to surrender and switch puzzles and when to stay determined and focused. It is a nutty time we are all in, without any resolution or any clear vision about what the future will bring.

The last couple When Women Fly episodes have been short and pithy theme based essays, like experiments, that go deep into theme where we typically go wide with the diversity of guests. It is fun and also super challenging for me. Let me know what you think!
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Flying solo is both exhilarating and terrifying. Whether it is piloting a single engine aircraft, swimming across Walden Pond, or recording a solo episode, I always feel simultaneously attacted and nervous by being solo, "alone", and without the crutch of another. It flexes that 'believe in yourself' muscle that we need to flex in order to build.
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The stories of the elephant's tether and the goose's gold egg are about limits, desire, and so much more. I hope you begin to see the moments like these as opportunities for growth rather than signals to quit. These moments of "flight" are precisely what develop a sense of possibility, perspective and wonder in us. Perhaps if my dreams can include a solo flight where I see all the pieces from above and see a couple key moves, I could sort it all out. But the truth of being human is sitting with uncertainty. Happy Holidays!

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This Week

​Episode 061: The Imaginary Tethers That Hold Us Back

In this short solo episode, I connect with listeners on the topic of perceived limitations. With a little investigation, we often find these limitations are nothing more than a figment of our imagination. But how can we see this for ourselves?
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In India, the way they train baby elephants not to runoff by tying one of their legs to a sturdy tree. The baby elephant will struggle at first, straining against the rope and trying to escape. Eventually, the baby elephant gives up trying, and at that point the owner unties the rope. For the rest of its life, the elephant will never wonder farther than the distance of the original captive rope. They don’t ever realize that they are free, that they can walk a little farther, or even away from the tree that imprisoned them. It is possible to do many things through resistance and learned responses and assumptions, but it is only when we let go of preconceived ideas that life really begins a new type of journey.
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When you are learning to fly, the student flies with an instructor who serves as a guide and teacher whose role is seriously critical to your successful experience. But at some point, sooner than later, you will have learned all you need to know to fly - you will have the procedures and the checklists in a consistent flow sequence, you will know your target speeds, you will have rehearsed emergencies, you can navigate and communicate well on the radio, and you have spent long practice days getting more and more precise with your landings. Some of us are ready before we believe we are ready. What about that instructor is really about a sense of security and what is necessary? What does it take to be able to have the knowing that the elephant will never have, that today is not yesterday, and that we have the power to think new thoughts, unstick our old dependencies and know when the chance for a breakthrough is now?
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A big part of it – I believe is letting go of perfection. And that is for next week. Stick around!
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Encore Episode

​Episode 060: Be Your Own Golden Goose

In last week’s short episode, I discussed balancing productivity and wellness. Have you heard of the goose that laid a golden egg? The story about riches, greed and the lesson of patience and satiety. This episode hinges around theis tale to spotlight: what showing up for ourselves doesn't look like, knowing when life is full and enough, how short-sighted destruction of a valuable resource can kill and essentially about your wellbeing as precious resource.
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I talk about this fairytale because it came up in a mentoring session I had recently where I was working through strategies for avoiding burnout, and my mentor reminded me that any creative pursuit requires wellness and a wellbeing as the source of all creativitty. Without tending the goose (me), I cannot deliver. So, she said to me, “Be your own golden goose”. Remove the “simple man” from the tale and own yourself, your resources, and your wellbeing.
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Here is the fairy tale of the goose that laid a golden egg from Aesop: A simple man was gifted a goose that laid one gold egg a day. After some time, the man got greedy and wanted more than the goose could give. He wanted all the gold immediately. The tale's end varies here, but the goose is killed out of greed. My mentor said to me, “Is life a race or a journey?”. Take time friends. Take time. There is no rush. Be your own golden goose. One gold egg a day. Like a practice and a meditation. By wanting more we risk losing everything.
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Stay tuned for our lineup of new guest episodes, coming soon! In the meantime, take a moment to revisit your old favorites and to catch up on missed episodes. Enjoy the holiday season, and don’t forget to make time for yourself.

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Hot Off the Press

The National Aviation Hall of Fame as 5 new inductees just announced this week and 3 of them are women! Check this out and stay tuned for future interviews on WWF highlighting these legendary women and their impactful lives.

(The late) Willa Brown - First African American female to earn a pilot’s license in the U.S. first to run for Congress, first African American to become a Civil Air Patrol officer, and trainer of over 200 Tuskegee Airmen.
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Margaret Hamilton - Coined the term “Software Engineer” to describe her role in developing the in-flight systems software, and Priority Displays for the Apollo command module, lunar lander, and Skylab.
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(The late) Geraldine “Jerrie” Mock - First woman to fly solo around the world, fly around the world as pilot in command, fly across two oceans, and first to fly across the Pacific in a single-engine plane.

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Time...

Time. Take what you need to be more present. Read. Make. Rest. Collect and re-collect. Walk. Ski. Run. Fly. Your journey to become more inspired and connected to the deeper worlds starts where your feet are.

As usual, we really, really deeply appreciate you joining us on the When Women Fly journey. You’re the reason why we do this. WEithout this community of courageous, adventurous, imperfect, and open-minded humans, we would not be doing the work. So thank you, and I’ll see you next time.

Take a minute to leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. This helps distribute these conversations to more listeners and gives me great feedback.

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Be bold. Be brave. And FLY!

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See you next time,

Sylvia Winter, Founder & Podcast Host of When Women Fly

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LATEST EPISODES

​Ep. 060: Be Your Own Golden Goose with Sylvia Winter

​Ep. 059: Ask Me Anything with Sylvia Winter on Growth, Guests, and Gratitude

​Ep. 058: A Record Breaking Flight around the World, Overcoming Obstacles, and Inspiring the Next Generation of Kids in STEM with Shaesta Waiz - American, Afghan Refugee, and Mom

​Ep. 057: On Taking Risks and Personal Transformation with Caite Zeliff - Pro Skier, Paraglider, and Twice Queen

​Ep. 056: On Land, Contemporary Indigenous Identity, and Recreation with Ashleigh Thompson - Trail Runner, Rock Climber, and Archaeologist

​Ep. 055: On Fear, Motherhood and Mindfulness with Professional Snowboarder Kimmy Fasani - Advocate for Gender Parity in Sports

​Ep. 054: Secrets to Getting and Staying Strong with Mandy Hoffman - Flight Attendant, Fitness Coach, and Mom

​Ep. 053: Sacrificing for Success and Setting Priorities with Olga Custodio - First Female Hispanic US Military Pilot

​Ep. 052: Flying On and Off the Court with Michelle Snow - Baller, Orator and Entrepreneur

​Ep. 051: Trauma, Resilience and Flying with Amberly Brown - Skydiver, Surfer and Airborne Ballerina

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