AVIATE with Shaesta Podcast By Shaesta Waiz Michael Wildes cover art

AVIATE with Shaesta

AVIATE with Shaesta

By: Shaesta Waiz Michael Wildes
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 AVIATE with Shaesta brings some of the most interesting female aviators together- trailblazers, record-setters, mothers, adventurers, entrepreneurs- to have honest conversations about what it means to be a woman in aviation. Join Shaesta Waiz, the Youngest Woman to Fly Solo Around the World, as she goes around the world (via a podcast) and connects with the industry to have honest conversations about being a woman in aviation. AVIATE, which stands for Acknowledge, Vocalize, Inclusion, Act, Travel, and Evolve, are the themes guiding each conversation. AVIATE With Shaesta is sponsored by Atlantic Aviation.2021 Aviate with Shaesta Drama & Plays Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Jessica Ruttenber Exposes How DEI Rollbacks Threaten Aviation

    Jessica Ruttenber Exposes How DEI Rollbacks Threaten Aviation
    Jun 5 2025
    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 military cockpits. Politicized pushback against DEI is already shrinking grant dollars, sponsorships, and talent pools across aviation. Drawing on her work overturning the Air Force height standard and running Level Up Aviation scholarships, Ruttenber details how “trigger words” in funding applications are chilling support for nonprofits, why the FAA’s own data contradicts claims that standards were lowered, and what leaders can do—quietly or loudly—to interrupt bias and preserve equal access for future aviators. From the myth that DEI lowers standards to the hidden costs of outdated specifications, this conversation delivers hard data, candid stories, and a roadmap for leaders who refuse to roll back progress. Major Themes & Concepts ✅ DEI removes barriers—never qualifications ✅ FAA executive‑order rhetoric vs. actual safety data ✅ Height and anthropometric rules that excluded women & minorities ✅ Funding “trigger words” that chill nonprofit grants ✅ Change is a marathon: pacing advocacy to avoid burnout ✅ Leadership duty to interrupt bias in real time ✅ Inspiration + access: why representation still matters for recruitment ✅ Budget vigilance—protecting long‑horizon research ✅ Progress is nonlinear but defensible with facts and documentation Chapter Breakdown 00:00  | Cold‑open—misconceptions about DEI and safety 01:39  | Host introduction—Season focus on women in aviation 03:34  | Framing question: DEI politicization and nonprofit fallout 04:14  | Executive‑order language vs. aviation safety data 08:04  | Funding “trigger words” and scholarship impact 10:46  | Removing the 44 % height barrier; advocacy pacing 13:57  | Women pilots data; crypto‑linguist case study 19:11  | Inspiration vs. access; role‑model visibility 24:10  | Leadership advice: interrupt bias, protect inclusive R&D 26:26  | Closing gratitude and sign‑off Additional Resources Executive Order — “Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation” (Jan 2025) FAA Air‑Traffic‑Controller Shortage Coverage (CNN) Follow Jessica Ruttenber Website: levelupaviation.org LinkedIn: Jessica Ruttenber Follow Shaesta Waiz Website: shaestawaiz.com LinkedIn: Shaesta Waiz Instagram: @shaesta.waiz TikTok: @shaestawaiz Shaesta Waiz on YouTube YouTube (Aviate Platform) Production, Distribution, and Marketing By Massif Studio & Production & The Tallawah Group www.massifsp.com LinkedIn: Massif Studio & Production Website: www.TallawahWorldwide.com LinkedIn: The Tallawah Group For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email hello@MassifKroo.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 mins
  • Sharon Preszler: 1st Woman in Combat talks Fighter Jets, DEI, & Women's Future in Military Aviation

    Sharon Preszler: 1st Woman in Combat talks Fighter Jets, DEI, & Women's Future in Military Aviation
    May 29 2025
    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 combat-ready in the F-16, Sharon didn’t just break a barrier—she carried the weight of proving an entire generation’s worth. In this conversation, she opens up about the pressure, the skepticism, the “death by a thousand cuts” moments—and why we need to push back against the narrative that DEI lowers standards. We talk performance, bias, representation, and the reality facing women in uniform now, as DEI programs are pulled back, stories are erased, and long-earned progress is threatened. If you’ve ever been told you’re “just a diversity hire,” if you’ve felt the need to outperform just to be accepted, or if you care about building a military and aviation community that truly reflects the best this country has to offer—this episode is for you. Major Themes & Concepts ✅ Belonging must still be proven through performance ✅ DEI removes barriers—not qualifications ✅ Sharon’s journey from fighter pilot to advocate ✅ Being the “first” means constant scrutiny ✅ Inclusion is key to retention and trust ✅ DEI rollback is harming readiness and morale ✅ Legacy systems exclude qualified talent ✅ Systemic bias still shapes who advances ✅ We need facts—not fear—in these debates ✅ Leadership pipelines still favor familiarity ✅ Historic bias still shapes modern outcomes ✅ Progress is fragile—but worth defending Chapter Breakdown 00:00 – You must change the system yourself 01:27 – Why this conversation matters right now 04:46 – Flying the F-16 under pressure and protest 08:03 – What inclusion really looks like in uniform 10:19 – Who defines “qualified” in aviation today? 13:59 – DEI rollbacks and historical erasure 18:35 – Data reveals who’s truly advancing 22:46 – Is the system neutral—or just comfortable? 29:18 – Microaggressions and lasting emotional cost 36:44 – Advice: Define success, perform relentlessly Connect with Sharon Preszler Website: sharonpreszler.com LinkedIn: Sharon Preszler Follow Shaesta Waiz Website: shaestawaiz.com LinkedIn: Shaesta Waiz Instagram: @shaesta.waiz TikTok: @shaestawaiz Shaesta Waiz on YouTube YouTube (Aviate Platform) Production, Distribution, and Marketing By Massif Studio & Production & The Tallawah Group www.massifsp.com LinkedIn: Massif Studio & Production Website: www.TallawahWorldwide.com LinkedIn: The Tallawah Group For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email hello@MassifKroo.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Advocating for Mental Health in Aviation with Capt. Renée O’Shaughnessy.

    Advocating for Mental Health in Aviation with Capt. Renée O’Shaughnessy.
    Jan 16 2025
    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 Boeing 747, offering an inside look at the challenges and triumphs of life as a pilot. Reyne opens up about the mental health challenges unique to aviation, discussing how sleep disruption, fear of disclosure, and demanding schedules impact pilots’ well-being and performance. She also highlights her initiatives to support flight crews, including programs for Aviation Medical Examiners and peer volunteers, and provides actionable strategies for managing stress. This conversation is a must-listen for pilots, aspiring aviators, and anyone curious about the role mental health plays in aviation safety. Chapter Breakdown 00:00 – Introduction & Reyne’s Career Path Shaesta introduces Capt. Reyne O’Shaughnessy and explores her journey from summer typist and flight attendant to commanding a Boeing 747. 06:15 – Mental Health Challenges Unique to Aviation Reyne discusses the stigma pilots face when seeking help, how irregular schedules disrupt sleep and wellness, and the connection between chronic stress and flight safety. 14:30 – Overcoming the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Attitude Why honest conversations about mental health are essential for aviation safety, and how organizations can foster safer environments for disclosure. 21:50 – Practical Strategies for Well-Being Reyne shares tips for prioritizing health, including the importance of sleep routines, mindfulness techniques, and building a supportive community. 29:10 – Initiatives and Future Projects Highlights of Reyne’s work with Aviation Medical Examiners, peer volunteers, and collaborations with airlines to integrate mental health components into pilot training programs. 35:00 – Final Reflections & Next Steps Shaesta and Reyne recap key takeaways and discuss the future of mental health initiatives in aviation, leaving listeners with actionable advice for fostering well-being in high-stress environments. Whether you're in the aviation industry or simply interested in mental health and performance, this episode offers invaluable insights into how taking care of pilots' well-being is vital for a safer and healthier aviation landscape. Connect with Shaesta Website: ShaestaWaiz.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaestawaiz/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaesta.waiz/ Production, Distribution, and Marketing Produced and distributed by Massif Studio & Production and The Tallawah Group: Website: www.massifsp.com LinkedIn: Massif Studio & Production Website: www.TallawahWorldwide.com LinkedIn: The Tallawah Group Sponsorship & Inquiries For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast or to learn more, please email: hello@MassifKroo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
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