The Lounge by Sarah Kalmeta

In this inspiring episode of The Lounge, Sarah is joined by Jenny Showalter, Founder and Chief Motivational Officer of Showalter Business Aviation Career Coaching (SBACC). Together, they explore: Family Legacy to Aviation Leadership: How previous experiences can shape new beginnings. Secrets for Navigating Career Change: Tips to approach transitions at any stage in life. Mentorship in Aviation: In...

In this episode of The Lounge, Sarah sits down with Anthony Meyers, a dynamic Thought Innovator and Purpose Strategist, to uncover the keys to living a purposeful and impactful life. Together, they discuss: Success as a lifestyle choice: How to uncover your gifts and live with intention. Inspiring the next generation: The Red Tail Cadet Program and its mission to engage students in aviation. Seeki...

In this episode of The Lounge, Sarah sits down with the awe-inspiring Dr. Kirby Runyon, a planetary geologist and space enthusiast, to dive into the power of awe and how it shapes our lives. We discuss: Living an awe-inspired life: The what, why, and how of infusing awe into everyday moments. Geology is NOT boring: How to fall in love with the planet we live on and the magic of its landscapes. Zer...

In this episode of The Lounge, Sarah sits down with the incredibly smart and fun Dr. Graham Lau, an astrobiologist and science communicator, to discuss fascinating topics surrounding life, consciousness, and the future of civilisation. We dive deep into: Life, intelligence, and consciousness: What does it mean for civilisation longevity and the search for alien life? Astrobiology: What do astrobio...

On this episode of The Lounge, Sarah is joined by retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot, Kim “KC” Campbell, for an inspiring conversation about leading with courage and overcoming fear. Kim shares her journey from the cockpit to leadership, offering valuable insights on: Leading with courage and how to make decisions in the face of fear. Guilt vs. excitement: navigating these opposing forces...

On this episode of The Lounge, Sarah welcomes Army Colonel and Leadership Coach, Eric Kreitz, for a powerful conversation on leadership, healing, and personal growth. We’ll dive into: The journey of addiction and the healing process while being an Army leader. Pivoting negative events in life and turning them into sources of strength rather than shame. The power of vulnerability in building deeper...

On this episode of The Lounge, Sarah sits down with Erika Armstrong, author of A Chick in the Cockpit and a true aviation powerhouse. Together, they’ll explore Erika’s fascinating journey through the skies, from her first aviation job to becoming a captain of a commercial airliner. We’ll discuss: What it means to be a Zen Pilot—A sneak peek into her upcoming book, The Art of Being a Pilot. Opportu...

On this episode of The Lounge, Sarah is joined by retired Brigadier General Mark Towne, a leader with over 34 years of military service. Together, they explore the critical role trust plays in leadership, business, and national security, and how to cultivate trust readiness in an unpredictable world. We’ll discuss: Trust Readiness—Why it's a leadership imperative, not just an academic concept or m...

On this episode of The Lounge, Sarah interviews René Banglesdorf, an aviation entrepreneur, business strategist, and advocate for organisational health. Together, they dive deep into the importance of fostering healthy teams and creating environments where leadership isn’t just about power but about people. We’ll discuss: Organisational Health—What it is, why it matters, and why you should care. T...

On this episode of The Lounge, Sarah talks with Dr. Peggy DeLong, also known as The Gratitude Psychologist. Dr. Peggy is a therapist, author, speaker, and passionate advocate for the power of gratitude. She’s here to teach us how to integrate gratitude into our daily lives—even in the midst of chaos. We’ll discuss: The Power of Gratitude as a daily practice. How to Transform Grief into gratitude....

On this episode of The Lounge, Sarah interviews Cristina Star, the founder of Cosmic Citizen Trainings, physicist, Buddhist, and advocate for the intersection of environmentalism, human potential, and space exploration. Cristina has spent over a decade helping others navigate their inner space with proven, repeatable methods that deliver long-lasting results. We’ll explore how understanding and pr...

On this episode of The Lounge, Sarah sits down with Lisa Jaster, a woman of extraordinary mettle, drive, and a passion for helping others unlock their potential. Lisa is a self-mastery advocate, and her mission is to show that you are more than the labels people assign to you. We dive deep into the power of shedding those labels, exploring the challenges of being a female Army Ranger, and the crit...

On this episode of The Lounge, Sarah interviews Erin Miller, an attorney, author, pilot, and passionate advocate for women in aviation. Erin is also the granddaughter of Elaine Danforth Harmon, one of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during WWII. We discuss the legacy of the WASP, the trailblazing women who served during WWII, and Erin’s pivotal role in securing their recognition. Erin led...

What are Analog Missions—and why are they critical to the future of space exploration? On this episode of The Lounge by Pivot Point, Sarah interviews the remarkable Jas Purewal: Senior Scientist, Physicist, and Co-founder of the Analog Astronaut Community & Conference. With a passion for human space exploration, Jas shares how analog missions bridge the gap between Earth and the cosmos. Topics inc...

There is no direct translation for the beautiful French phrase Joie de Vivre, but the closest meaning is "Joy of Living.” In this episode of The Lounge by Pivot Point, Sarah interviews Sheryl Barden, President and CEO of Aviation Personnel International (API). As a veteran in aviation recruitment and talent identification, Sheryl has built an esteemed career focused on empowering individuals and o...

It’s time to SHAKE UP the status quo! In this episode of The Lounge by Pivot Point, Sarah interviews Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides—Founder Astronaut with Virgin Galactic and author of The New Right Stuff: Using Space to Bring Out the Best in You. Loretta is a visionary leader in the aerospace industry, driving forward the future of space exploration and leadership development. Topics include: What it...

Perseverance is the secret of all triumphs. In this episode of The Lounge by Pivot Point, Sarah interviews the officially bad@ss Tammy Barlette—Founder of Athena’s Voice and Mindset Performance Coach for Aviators. Tammy shares her invaluable insights on perseverance, a critical skill for navigating change, achieving success, and weathering the inevitable challenges of life. Topics include: Being w...

What do you do when your career or life hits an unexpected speed bump? You think, "MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH ME!" In this Star Wars-inspired episode of The Lounge by Pivot Point, Sarah sits down with Jill Meyers, a Driver of Good Things and recipient of the 2022 Katharine Wright Trophy. Together, they explore the powerful topic of change—both desired and unexpected. Topics covered include: How to han...

In this episode of The Lounge by Pivot Point, Sarah interviews Leeanna Tolles, Vice President of Aircraft Solutions at Elite Aircraft Services. Leeanna shares her journey from being an 18-year-old line technician to becoming a leader in aviation, while working on her Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) certification and studying for her A&P license.  Topics covered include: The power of being proud o...

In this episode of The Lounge by Pivot Point, Sarah sits down with her 7-figure business coach, former elite athlete, and unicorn enthusiast Nicole Cherie Hesse. Nicole shares how being upside down—literally—helped her gain clarity on life, business, and navigating daily turbulence.  Topics covered include: Handstands and their surprising impact on running a business. Growing to 7 figures in 13 mo...

Welcome to The Lounge by Pivot Point with Sarah the Pivoter, where we kick back, relax, and nourish the mind before jetting off to new destinations. In today’s episode, Sarah interviews Michelle “MACE” Curran, an inspiring friend and fellow female rockstar in the aviation industry. Michelle shares how inverting her jet helped her flip her perspective on life and its day-to-day turbulence. In this...

In this episode of The Lounge by Pivot Point, we dive into the concept of reality and how it shapes our lives. How do we define reality, and how does it differ from one person to another? Join us as we explore these philosophical questions and discuss strategies for bridging the gap between the reality you live in and the reality you desire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc...

The Lounge by Pivot Point is a sanctuary for personal and professional growth, offering conversations that inspire transformation and balance. Hosted by Sarah Kalmeta, an expert in navigating life’s pivotal moments, the podcast creates a relaxing yet empowering atmosphere where listeners can explore their journeys, recalibrate their paths, and emerge stronger. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...