Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hi, friend, welcome
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(01:06):
Together, let's keep theencouragement going, one
highlight at a time.
Good morning, my friends.
Today we're diving into a storythat spanned just over 10
minutes but actually madehistory.
Now I'm talking about yesterday, on April 14th 2025, when an
all-female crew embarked on asuborbital space flight aboard
(01:27):
Blue Origin's New Shepard rocketNow.
It was marking the first suchmission since Valentina
Tereshkova's solo journey in1963.
Now among the crew was noneother than one of my personal
favorites to watch every morningas I get ready Miss Gayle King,
who is a renowned journalistand, of course, co-host of CBS
Mornings.
She recently turned 70 yearsold and she was embracing this
(01:49):
challenge with a mix ofexcitement and, of course, fear,
as we can all imagine.
She sought counsel from herchildren and her co-anchors, and
even her best friend, oprahWinfrey, before she decided to
participate in this adventure.
Now, I think this is one thingmentioned most about Gail during
this whole experience was herwillingness to be vulnerable
(02:09):
vulnerable with her feelings,her thoughts, her fears.
And, as Brene Brown hasencouraged, vulnerability is not
weakness, it's our greatestmeasure of courage.
Now joining Gail were fiveother women Lauren Sanchez, who
is an Emmy award-winningjournalist, helicopter pilot and
philanthropist, and as a fianceof Blue Origin founder, jeff
(02:31):
Bezos.
Lauren played a pivotal role inorganizing this entire mission.
She was aiming to inspirefuture generations by broadening
perspectives about Earth.
She also reminded us that beingmulti-passionate is a strength
about Earth.
She also reminded us that beingmulti-passionate is a strength.
Then, of course, there is globalpop superstar, katy Perry,
known for her powerful vocalsand philanthropic efforts.
(02:52):
And during the flight, perrysang a rendition of what a
Wonderful World, honoring Earthand emphasizing the mission's
message of love and unity.
Now Katy brought art, joy andheart to what could have been
seen as just another scientificmission.
Then, of course, there wasAisha Bowe, a bohemian American
(03:12):
aerospace engineer, former NASArocket scientist and CEO of STEM
Board.
Now Aisha's journey fromcommunity college to space
serves as an inspiration foryoung people worldwide to pursue
their dreams in STEM fields.
She showed the brilliance thatcomes from non-traditional
routes.
And, of course, amanda Wynn,civil rights activist, nobel
(03:34):
Peace Prize nominee and founderof RISE, which is a nonprofit
organization advocating forsurvivors of sexual violence.
Stemming from her ownexperience.
Now, amanda's participationhighlighted the importance of
representation and empowermentin all spheres.
On this flight, she proved thatadvocacy belongs everywhere.
And last but certainly notleast, carrie Ann Flynn.
(03:58):
She's an accomplished filmproducer with a background in a
nonprofit work, includingcontributions to the Allen
Stevenson School, the High Lineand Hudson River Park.
Carrie Ann's involvementunderscored the intersection of
art, philanthropy andexploration.
She showed the power of workingbehind the scenes and showing
(04:18):
up on stage.
Now, the mission, designatedNS-31, launched from Blue
Origins facility in West Texasat about 9.30 Eastern time.
The 10 minute 21 second flighttook the crew just past the
Karman line, which is theinternationally recognized
boundary of space.
Before then it safely returnedhere back to Earth.
Now, at 62 miles above Earth,the crew experienced
(04:40):
weightlessness.
They floated.
They saw Earth's thin blue line.
In the videos you can even hearGail pointing out the moon.
They floated.
They saw Earth's thin blue line.
In the videos you can even hearGail pointing out the moon.
They looked into the blacknessof space and they felt something
most of us will only imagine.
And then, just like that, theycame back 10 minutes.
Now, this wasn't a sciencefiction story.
It was, as Gail referred to,after landing, a bona fide
(05:03):
freaking flight.
But surely this moment hasrevealings to us, regular folks,
showing us that legacy,leadership and limitlessness can
all sit in the same seat.
This mission was more than atechnological feat, though.
It was actually a powerfulstatement.
Three things stand out.
One that representation mattersstatement.
(05:27):
Three things stand out.
One that representation matters.
Here we had an all-female crewshowcased the evolving landscape
of space exploration,emphasizing inclusivity and
diversity.
Inclusive teams bring variedperspectives, just as this group
did, and they can fostercreativity and progress.
As leaders, you don't have tofit the mold to make a mark.
Great leaders bring their full,authentic, genuine selves.
(05:49):
So whatever room you're walkinginto the boardroom, the
classroom or even a spacecapsule show up and represent
the second thing breakingbarriers.
The participants hailed fromvarious backgrounds journalism,
music, science, activism andfilm demonstrating that space is
accessible to all, not justcareer astronauts.
(06:12):
I think Gayle King showed usthat you can be 70 and still
just getting started.
Curiosity, capability andopportunity they don't expire
with age.
And third, inspiration forfuture generations.
By sharing their experiences,these women aim to inspire young
girls and underrepresentedcommunities to pursue careers in
(06:33):
STEM and beyond.
Well, great leaders understandtheir impact.
They aren't only thinking aboutthe moment or the opportunity.
They're thinking about themessage and they choose to lead
in a way that lifts, inspiresand encourages others.
Even in brief moments, you cancreate a lasting ripple effect.
(06:55):
Now let's talk about what thisflight symbolized.
Once again.
There's three of them Boldreinvention Gail King is known
for the newsroom, not NASA, butshe said yes to adventure, and
we can too.
There are times in life we mustreinvent ourselves in a way.
Career reinvention, whetherthat's pivoting industries,
(07:15):
upskilling or reskilling thanksto new creations such as AI and
digital tools, even reenteringthe workforce after raising
children or caring for elderlyparents or perhaps a disability,
even post-retirement.
Then there's personalreinvention, like moving to a
new job or a new home, a newstate, perhaps letting go of
(07:36):
relationships or even realigningwith your values by building
new habits and routines, maybeeven spiritual or emotional
reinvention, like discoveringwhat your purpose is or working
on your emotional intelligenceBold reinvention.
Second one is the modern women'snarrative.
(07:56):
We are not one thing.
We can lead, learn, explore andevolve at any age.
So often, as women, we arelabeled mom, daughter, wife,
employee.
We aren't just one thing,though.
We can emerge from those labelsthat no longer fit and embrace
a new chapter.
We can reframe our story oreven add to it that modern
(08:20):
women's narrative.
And the third the value ofpresence.
Even 10 minutes in space canreframe a lifetime on earth.
This mission reminded us thatsymbolic acts can shake
something awake in thecollective imagination and that
matters.
We can often associate ourvalue with doing.
You know, having the best idea,making the best decision, being
(08:42):
the best at this or that, butso often the most transformative
moments are from simply showingup.
Fully, authentically andvisibly.
Doing so can signalpossibilities, build trust,
create a safe space and evenreflect a form of advocacy.
You don't need a title a trust,create a safe space and even
reflect a form of advocacy.
You don't need a title, a micor a spotlight, even a podcast.
(09:05):
You can simply be there in theroom in the moment.
Oh, the value of presence.
So here's what you can takefrom just this simple 10-minute
space journey.
First off, say yes to theunfamiliar.
You don't need to be ready, youneed to be willing.
If Gail had waited for theperfect time, she'd still be
(09:27):
earthbound.
Stepping out of your comfortzone can lead you to
transformative experiences.
So embrace those new challengesby simply saying yes Now.
I've shared before how, on myand my sister's girls trips, we
always say yes to what the otherwants to do.
This has gotten by simplysaying yes Now.
I've shared before how, on myand my sister's girls trips, we
always say yes to what the otherwants to do.
This has gotten both of us outof our comfort zones and
resulted in some really coolexperiences.
(09:49):
You don't need to be ready, youneed to be willing.
Say yes to the unfamiliar.
Second, rethink your timeline.
Who told you?
Adventure has a deadline,passion doesn't expire, my
friend, and purpose doesn't ageout.
So dream wildly at any stage.
It's never too late to dosomething for the first time.
(10:10):
You know, my brother retiredfrom his 25 plus year career
just barely two years ago, andhe was a young age of 47.
So some people thought he wascrazy, saying that people aren't
supposed to retire untilthey're about 65, and here he
was, doing so way too young.
Well, he went ahead andrethought his own timeline and
(10:30):
pursued a dream of his to travelthe entire USA by RV, and he
did it.
The memories he made, theplaces he ventured, save my RV,
and he did it.
The memories he made, theplaces he ventured, the rest he
experienced all because herethought his timeline.
So don't let anyone else tellyou what your timeline has to
(10:50):
look like.
Rethink your timeline.
And third, share your story.
Representation is a ripple.
If you've done something bold,share it.
You never know who you've givenpermission to in doing so, your
journey can inspire others toreach for the stars, both
literally and figuratively.
In this case, sharing yourstory can open minds, and not
only for the younger generations, but for those watching us, be
(11:13):
it our co-workers, our family,our neighbors, you name it.
When I followed through on notonly keeping my word to my
mother in writing my bookFacelift Embracing Hope Through
your Heartaches, but then even,by the grace of God, getting it
published in 2023, it was scary.
But in sharing my story, I haveheard from a number of people
how sharing my story helpedencourage them, inspire them,
(11:35):
even equip them to step up andlive their own life full of
purpose.
My own brother-in-law tookaction as a result of my book
being published and followedGod's, prompting him in a new
season of his life through a jobchange.
My friend, step up and shareyour story.
Overall, these six womenembracing a 10 minute and 21
second flight can challenge usto expand our own mindset of
(11:59):
what's possible for women, forolder generations, for the
single woman or man, for anyonewho thinks their chance to leap
has passed.
Whether you're launching into anew career or venture, leaving
behind old narratives,advocating for change, dreaming
big or simply taking a risk onyourself for the first time, you
(12:20):
don't need 10 years.
You need 10 seconds of courage.
Or, as my friend and fellowauthor, garrett Graveson so
perfectly titled his book, 10seconds of insane courage.
Shameless plug for you there,garrett.
Now, with that said, I fullybelieve, as Warren Wiersbe has
always said, the best way to bein the center of God's will
tomorrow is to be in the centerof God's will today.
(12:42):
Of course, more on that inPurpose on your Path, season 2,
episode 13,.
Here on Holly's Highlights.
Until next time, my friend.
I hope this has provided yousome food for thought and
although your next launch mightnot be to space, it might be.
Your next big, bold launchmight not be to space, it might
be your next big, bold,beautiful chapter.
So take that leap, trust thatmoment and remember the altitude
(13:03):
doesn't matter as much as theintention.
Whether you're rising 62 milesabove the earth or just one step
above your old self, you'restill ascending.
So keep going, keep growing and, as always, I'll be right here
cheering you on.
Keep growing and as always, Iit a great day for a great day.