Formidable Podcast

Alaska Airlines Base Chief Pilot Julie Ann Thiele had to overcome some significant challenges on her way to the cockpit — including a serious case of motion sickness. She also faced sexism in the industry. Now, Thiele is a leader among pilots and is working to encourage more women and people of color to join her doing what she describes as a "dream job." We also talk about what she thinks of Boein...

Former NASA astronaut and retired Air Force Colonel Cady Coleman has been to space three times and spent nearly six months on the International Space Station, an experience most people will never have. But Cady is more grounded than you'd think. In this episode she shares insights into leadership in a crisis, building a team you can trust with your life, and what happens when an organization's eco...

Shelly Lombard had a highly successful career in a very challenging industry, working in distressed debt for the big banks. But when she wanted to transition away from that, she found out her network wasn't as strong as she'd hoped. So she started Schmooze, offering master classes and events for women who want to learn how to develop and engage their networks. She offers tips of her own, advice on...

In this episode, we hear from Provail Interim CEO Emily Cantrell, who shares her perspective on the best ways to support people with disabilities and create a DEI policy that is truly inclusive. She also shares her experience with racism and her own racial identity, and her story of recovery after surviving the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in Las Vegas, and how those experiences have shaped...

Connie Collingsworth spent 22 years at the Gates Foundation as the chief legal officer and chief operations officer. She also serves on a variety of corporate and nonprofit boards. In this episode she shares what it was like to work with larger than life personalities, including Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates and Warren Buffett, why she thinks imposter syndrome is made up, and how to speak with...

In this first episode of the Formidable Podcast, we sit down with Seattle Chocolate CEO Jean Thompson to discuss the crisis facing chocolate makers as cocoa bean prices soar and climate change decimates prime cocoa-growing regions.