Professional Confessionals

"Have that crazy, larger than life goal, pursue it with a vengeance, and know that it's going to end up being an amazing experience regardless of whether you achieve that one vaunted goal or not."

Military aviator, aerospace engineer, flight instructor, computer scientist, West Point professor, licensed commercial pilot, Colonel Tanya Estes was part of the first wave of women in combat aviation, and only the 3rd woman instructor pilot of the legendary $35 million Apache AH-64A, considered the Maserati of helicopters. She shares how her early love of flying and lifelong pursuit to become an astronaut influenced her decisions.

"I think the biggest challenge is trusting your own core and your own instinct to do the right thing. There are a lot of influences. There are a lot of people that want to tell you what to do and how to do it."

Involved in public service since her youth, Nancy Montgomery considers it a part of the fabric of who she is as a person. As the only Democratic party member among 8 Republican legislators in New York's Putnam County, she finds herself in somewhat familiar territory having been raised in a family of all Republicans. Nancy describes how love for her community and a family legacy of public service led to her current role, and she gives us an insider's look at some of the challenges, issues, and rewards, plus offers advice for those considering working in politics and public service.

"My big obstacle on a daily basis is getting people who actually care about working; getting employees. I think everybody should be like me…I put my pride into it, and a lot of people do not feel the pride about what they're doing."

From learning set carpentry while working as an actor, to becoming an actual carpenter and eventually a builder focused on climate-friendly, energy efficient structures, Michael Robinson gives us an insider's perspective. He also shares the project he’s currently passionate about that keeps him wanting to do more.

"It's really hard to hear so many painful stories, but it's particularly hard to know that people have experienced such awful things and the magnitude of that, like how many people have. I know everybody that does this work has that experience."

Founding Partner and Director of Programs at New York Creative Arts Therapists, Drena Fagen is a licensed clinical social worker and creative arts therapist. She details what led to her migration from graphic designer to therapist, revealing what it’s really like to provide mental health services within a creative platform.

- PODCAST EXTRA -

“The opposite of division is not unity. It’s collaboration.”

Dar Williams discusses what led her to author 3 books, plus how she came to develop the songwriting workshop retreat “Writing a Song that Matters”.

Don't miss Dar's episode on her primary career

"I tell lab students 'that tube of blood has a person behind it. It could be your mother or your father, and treat it as such. They depend on you doing your best for an accurate diagnosis'."

A former hospital lab director, these days Ribhia Abdelhady can be found applying her expertise and passion to help people as a consultant to medical laboratories. She believes medical technology, or any of the many jobs in medicine, offer some of the best career opportunities for young people. She shares her story of emigrating from Palestine, talks of her determination to attain a college education while caring for her family, and recounts her path and experiences working in medical technology at hospitals.

"Leaving my job and becoming a teacher was the best and hardest decision I've made in my life."

Joe Patrick is a career changer who left a lucrative career as a project manager to pursue his youthful dream of teaching. He details the challenges and obstacles inherent in a mid life change as well as the joy and fulfillment of doing the work he loves.

"There's all sorts of numbers you'll encounter when you put yourself out there, like your age, your weight, your audience size, how much you're selling, how many clicks you're getting. I call them 'the numbers', and they're all toxic."

Dar Williams, whom The New Yorker describes as 'one of America’s very best singer-songwriters', shares her thoughtful views on the changing landscape of the music industry, recounts her personal musical journey, and offers advice for folks considering a similar career in this insightful and engaging interview.

"Comedy allows people to hear things that they normally can't comprehend. To listen to people they normally fear. To change their opinion about something they hate. Because when you get people laughing, you open their hearts."

Comedian and actress Maysoon Zayid tells us about her path to becoming a successful stand-up comedienne and how she recently fulfilled a lifelong dream to appear on General Hospital. In addition to focusing on writing and producing her new TV series for TNT, she says advocacy will now play a bigger part in her life.

"To be a good journalist, you have to care about what's going on in the world."

Investigative Reporter, Journal News Columnist, freelance journalist and photographer David McKay Wilson talks to us about his colorful career path, his love of writing, the economics of journalism, and its power to truly change the world.