Military Aviatrix

The Resilient Journey of U.S. Coast Guard Flight Mechanic Ashlee Leppert

Liz Booker welcomes fellow Coast Guard aviator Ashley Leppert to share her powerful journey of resilience, healing, and purpose. Ashley, a former flight mechanic, opens up about her service during Hurricane Harvey, her battles with PTSD and autoimmune disease, and how her faith and writing became beacons of recovery and inspiration. Through candid storytelling and deep reflection, Ashley discusses the complexities of military life, the often-overlooked challenges faced by women in uniform, and her path to personal growth after leaving the service. Her memoir, The Hurricane Within [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y8RZLRP], captures the emotional turbulence of her journey and the unwavering strength she discovered along the way. What You'll Hear in This Episode: * 🚁 Ashley’s harrowing experiences during Hurricane Harvey * 💥 Confronting PTSD and navigating life with an autoimmune disease * 💬 The challenges and rewards of serving as a woman in the Coast Guard * 🛫 Transitioning from military to civilian life with grace and grit * ✝️ How Ashley’s faith became a cornerstone of her healing * 📖 The story behind The Hurricane Within and her writing journey * 🎤 Ashley’s new chapter as a speaker, life coach, and advocate for resilience

Helo Girls with Combat Search and Rescue Pilot and Aviation Safety Expert Kodey Bogart

In this inspiring episode, host Liz Booker sits down with Kodey Bogart, decorated combat veteran and former Blackhawk pilot, to talk about her debut children’s book, The Firefighting Pilot, [https://www.amazon.com/Helo-Girls-Firefighting-Kodey-Bogart/dp/1962202011]part of the Helo Girls series. With a rich background in medevac missions, aviation safety, and helicopter operations, Kodey brings her real-life experiences to life through storytelling aimed at young readers. ✨ Kodey shares: * Her path from military aviator to children’s author * What inspired her to create The Firefighting Pilot * The value of representation in children’s literature * How her experiences in aviation and combat shaped the narrative * Why it's important to introduce kids to careers in STEM and aviation Whether you're a fan of aviation, passionate about children’s books, or simply love hearing from women breaking barriers, this episode offers a powerful look at how lived experiences can fuel creative storytelling and inspire the next generation. 📚 Learn more about Helo Girls and how Kodey is empowering young readers—one helicopter mission at a time.

U.S. Navy combat jet pilot Loree _Rowdy_ Draude

In this episode of the Military Aviatrix podcast, host Liz Booker sits down with author and trailblazing former Navy pilot Loree “Rowdy” Draude. Together, they honor the remarkable milestones women have achieved in naval aviation and discuss the lessons that come from breaking barriers. Loree shares stories from her memoir, She's Just Another Navy Pilot [https://www.amazon.com/Shes-Just-Another-Navy-Pilot/dp/1557503354], offering a candid look at her time in the cockpit and the challenges she overcame. She also dives into her latest self-help book, Soar into Joy [https://www.amazon.com/SOAR-Into-Joy-Loree-Draude/dp/1957013958/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19Z28Q1PBCJBX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZX5h1rqJN_Phc5HAlYwDyA_rKRzY3RdVKPUqMHFEKYqgRErjY6wQZwqMNdEtJn5UoxHrGX11PqYvKwNw08D5bJkS7YsZiLUzL9ksTaBNI3aCb0oVfAAp00OkEjhPne6M3d3pa8A8lQ9WGxg53pZgZ9Mcde-nKlWuRUiPokMg73pTm79Ik0mZMKWrlikiLtsZNHiMDC_MgpWz2hEX55W1NLl2lQd7JryCOCsGYQl345A.xf3srr_3JAeB4ZighvkDMKUujpmWgZGuDPpoinevo6w&dib_tag=se&keywords=Soar+into+Joy&qid=1745348135&s=books&sprefix=soar+into+joy%2Cstripbooks%2C132&sr=1-1], which delves into the importance of self-awareness, openness, appreciation, and responsibility — the pillars of personal growth and authentic leadership. Whether you're a fellow veteran, aspiring aviator, or simply someone seeking inspiration, this episode is a must-listen. Discover how Loree's journey continues to uplift and empower others, and why leadership isn’t just about rank — it’s about rising to your own potential.

AH-64 Apache Helicopter Pilots Laura Pangallo Fryar and Morgan Samuels on Army Flying and encouraging girls to Be Something Epic

In this episode of the Military Aviatrix podcast, host Liz Booker welcomes former Army Apache helicopter pilots Laura Pangallo Fryer and Morgan Samuels. These two trailblazing aviators share their journey from military aviation to becoming authors and illustrators of the empowering children's book, Be Something Epic. Laura and Morgan discuss their experiences serving as women in a male-dominated field, the challenges they faced, and the lessons they learned along the way. They also dive into the creative process behind their book, which aims to inspire young girls to explore careers in aviation and beyond. Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, representation, and the power of storytelling to shape future generations. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * Laura and Morgan’s path to becoming Apache helicopter pilots * The challenges and triumphs of being women in military aviation * How Be Something Epic was born and what it means for young readers * The impact of storytelling in inspiring the next generation Subscribe to Military Aviatrix and leave us a review!

U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers, Women in Military Leadership, and Old Glory, with Captain Martha LaGuardia Kotite, USCG, (ret.)

🚁✈️ In this interview, Liz sits down with author and retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain Martha LaGuardia-Kotite to talk about her incredible career, culminating in her role as the Commandant’s Press Secretary. They dive into her inspiring books: 📖 So Others May Live: Saving Lives, Defying Death 📖 Changing the Rules of Engagement: Inspiring Stories of Courage and Leadership from Women in the Military 📖 My Name is Old Glory: A Celebration of the Star-Spangled Banner Her work highlights trailblazing women in aviation and the military, including Kelly Mogk Larsen, the Coast Guard’s first female rescue swimmer, Vice Admiral Vivien Crea, the first female Vice Commandant of any U.S. military service, and Nichole Malachowski, the first woman Thunderbird pilot. Plus, the inspiring stories of Senator Tammy Duckworth and NASA Commander Pam Melroy. Don't miss this deep dive into courage, leadership, and history! 🇺🇸✨ #WomenInAviation #MilitaryLeadership #InspiringStories