Among a select group of Air Force engineers admitted to the flight test program, Amy McCain was one of very few women to work on cutting edge airplanes and missile programs to include the F-22, the F-117 and helicopters as well as special operations aircraft.  An Air Force officer with over 32 years of service, she was also the first Colonel Program Manager to stand up the new presidential aircraft the VC25-B.  Amy shares insights from challenges she faced as a female engineer leading cutting edge technology and other adventures to include hiking Mt Kilimanjaro.

The youngest female pilot to fly solo around the world, Zara Rutherford, speaks to her inspiration, insights, and adventures circumnavigating the world in a microlight aircraft.  By understanding all that could go wrong, she made plans to prepare for challenges and was able to tackle issues along the way ranging from international restrictions, forest fires, extreme weather, and mechanical issues.  Zara shares what fuels her to pursue her dreams, how she overcomes doubts, and stays focused on what matters most.

Research has shown that girls and women who play sports have higher levels of confidence, self-esteem, and lower levels of depression. Yet, by age 14, many girls are dropping out of sports at two times the rate of boys. Former World Cup Skier and competitive mountain bike racer, Elke MacGregor is working to change this by coaching a girls mountain bike team and continuing to compete as an athlete herself.  Elke shares insights about how she inspires women and girls to overcome their fears to become more confident as bike racers while building habits to be resilient, lifelong athletes. Along the way, they also learn lessons that translate to building confidence beyond sport to have more happy and meaningful lives.

Courage Calls

Making courageous decisions may be the most important factor that defines personal satisfaction, good health, and even life success because sometimes it is the challenges rather than the achievements that define us best. 

Hello and welcome to Courage Calls.  I am your host, Susan Feland, and in this podcast I share interviews with amazing women who have helped debunk stereotypes and reshape our society, transforming what we believe is possible and how we can tackle our fears to have the lives we choose. 

In this podcast series, I interview women from diverse backgrounds who share their stories, challenges, and lessons they have learned.  Leaders talk to us about obstacles they have faced and what drives them to embrace adventure and defy stereotypes about their gender, age, sport, industry, or physical abilities to address their fears and live the lives they choose.

Episodes will spark personal reflection around your own values, dreams, perceived obstacles, decision-making processes, and opportunities, which I hope will lead you to new insights and  practical ways to be courageous when it matters most.

For Consideration:

Courage calls each of us differently - sometimes in moments and sometimes over time.  What motivates you to defy perceived limits or stereotypes about your gender, age, sport, industry, or physical abilities?  How do you manage and overcome fear? The Courage Calls Podcast shares stories to spark personal reflection around your own values, perceived obstacles, opportunities, and potential impact, which will lead to transformative learning of practical ways to be courageous when it matters most.