What does it take to fly a helicopter off a Navy ship in the middle of the night? Not bravery alone. Not luck. It takes training, teamwork, and the courage to make calculated decisions when everything is on the line.

In this episode of Books That Build Skills, retired Navy helicopter pilot and commander Julie Vida shares the real skills behind one of the most demanding careers in the world — and how those same skills start developing long before adulthood.

This conversation connects the skills inside the Charms books with the real-world skills used in high-stakes careers. Julie Vida served 24 years in the U.S. Navy, flying helicopters on missions ranging from supply delivery to search-and-rescue and submarine hunting. She explains how students today can develop the same core skills used by pilots, leaders, and innovators.

You’ll hear how teamwork, geography, physics, decision-making, confidence, and trust play a role in both aviation and everyday life. And you’ll discover why the skills you’re learning right now may lead to careers you haven’t even imagined yet.

🎙 Guest Info

Name: Julie Vida

Title: Helicopter Pilot & Commander

Company: Navy, Retired

What she really does: Julie Vida is a retired U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and commander who served for 24 years. Today she leads the growth team at a government contracting company that supports the federal government and Department of Defense by delivering advanced engineering and technology systems. Her job involves building partnerships, identifying mission-critical opportunities, and helping teams win projects that support national security.

🔧 Skills Highlighted in This Episode

⛭ Courage and calculated risk

⛭ Leadership and decision-making

⛭ Teamwork under pressure

⛭ STEM skills in aviation (physics, geography, aerodynamics)

⛭ Trust and crew communication

⛭ Time management in demanding careers

⛭ Budgeting and resource planning

⛭ Networking and connecting people

⛭ Confidence building

⛭ Following curiosity to discover your path

📘 EXPLORE MORE

📖 Buy the books: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Shop

❤️ Donate to our literacy programs: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Donate

📚Participate in the 31-day Reading Challenge: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/middle-grade-march

🎯 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianavida

📚 About the Books Behind This Podcast

The Charms Book Series isn’t just a set of stories—it’s the foundation of everything you see on the Books That Build Skills podcast.Each book follows a curious teen inventor navigating real-world challenges using the same skills our podcast guests talk about—problem-solving, communication, leadership, resilience, and STEM thinking. The podcast shows kids who uses these skills in real life. The books let them practice those skills through story.

📘 Explore the books, read along, and turn every episode into a real-life learning adventure.

📚 What Is Books That Build Skills Podcast?

Short Episodes. Real People. Real Careers. Real Skills. Zero Boring Adult Talk.

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