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.

🗳 YOUR VOTE MATTERS

If this topic resonated, vote by:

👍 Liking the video

💬 Leaving a comment

📤 Sharing it with someone curious about this path

🔔 ABOUT SUBSCRIBING (NO PRESSURE, PROMISE)

If this channel consistently shows up with conversations you’d actually want in your feed—subscribe.

juvenile fiction series, books for ages

What if the future of space exploration started on a farm?What if crop rotation was once considered radical?What if preserving history was actually protecting tomorrow’s breakthroughs?

Welcome to Mount Vernon — and yes, it matters to space.

In this Middle Grade March special, Sara Marie Massee from George Washington’s Mount Vernon connects 18th-century farming innovation to modern sustainability and scientific thinking. We explore crop rotation, soil health, civic duty, and the women who saved Mount Vernon from collapse. This episode shows how research, leadership, and systems thinking build nations — and careers.

🎙 Guest Info

Name: Sara Marie Massee

Title: Manager, Historic Trades Department

Company: Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association

What she really does: She leads the living history team at Mount Vernon, managing demonstrations like blacksmithing and farming while overseeing research, preservation projects, and public programs. She blends leadership, research, communication, and historical analysis every single day.

🛠️ Skills Highlighted in This Episode

⛭ Systems thinking

⛭ Scientific experimentation

⛭ Crop rotation & sustainability

⛭ Research & documentation

⛭ Leadership without formal power

⛭ Civic responsibility

⛭ Project management

⛭ Preservation science

⛭ Analytical thinking

⛭ Passion-driven career paths

📘 EXPLORE MORE

📖 Buy the books: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Shop

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

🎯 Guest Website: MountVernon.org

🎯 Guest LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/company/MountVernon

🎯 Guest Facebook: Facebook.com/HistoricMountVernon/

🎯 Guest Instagram: Instagram.com/mount_vernon

🎯 Guest Youtube: youtube.com/c/mountvernon

📚 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.

When kids read the books and watch the podcast together, learning sticks. Characters make choices, face consequences, and solve problems—just like the professionals you’re meeting in this episode. That’s why we say these are books that don’t just entertain… they build skills.📘

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.

Every episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how incredible careers are built—(industries relevant to this guest)—plus the mistakes, risks, and skills learned along the way. From “I kinda like this…” → “Whoa… I really DID THAT.”

🗳 YOUR VOTE MATTERS

If this topic resonated, vote by:

👍 Liking the video

💬 Leaving a comment

📤 Sharing it with someone curious about this path

When certain topics light up, I invite guests back for longer, deeper-dive episodes—walking kids through the full path from middle school → college → career, step by step.

Your engagement helps decide

What does it actually take to work at NASA?

Not as an astronaut.

Not as an engineer.

But as the person responsible for capturing history as it happens.

In this Space Week special episode of Books That Build Skills, Loxley Browne sits down with Eric Galler, a television producer and director who has worked behind the scenes filming rocket launches, astronaut interviews, and high-stakes NASA missions—including launches tied to the Artemis era of space exploration.Eric’s story is not a straight line.

It’s a layered, skill-stacked journey that starts in a Brooklyn high school focused on oceanography, winds through Hollywood film sets, Discovery Channel and Smithsonian documentaries, and ultimately lands at NASA Headquarters—after four years of persistence, rejection, and trying again .In this episode, you’ll discover:

• What it feels like to stand on site during a rocket launch—when the ground vibrates, the sound arrives late, and history has no rewind button
• How Eric went from marine biology labs and chemistry classes to producing space content seen around the world
• Why storytelling, communication, time management, and project planning are just as critical to NASA missions as science and engineering
• How creative skills learned in high school—band, photography, writing, building things—quietly became career-defining tools
• What persistence really looks like when breaking into one of the most competitive organizations on Earth

Eric also shares what most people never see:the daily NASA meetings with 200+ people across multiple space centers, the pressure of filming missions with zero margin for error, and the mindset required when you’re trusted to document moments that will be studied for decades .This episode is especially for:

• Students ages 8–14 exploring future careers
• Teens who love space, film, storytelling, or building things
• Parents who want to understand how skills grow over time
• Educators showing students that careers are built, not discovered

📘 EXPLORE MORE

📖 Buy the books: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Shop

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

🎯 Guest Website: https://www.ericgaller.com

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

📚 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.

When kids read the books and watch the podcast together, learning sticks. Characters make choices, face consequences, and solve problems—just like the professionals you’re meeting in this episode. That’s why we say these are books that don’t just entertain… they build skills.📘

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

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Humans are going back to the Moon — and in this episode, you meet the people helping make that future real.

Before the Artemis mission sends astronauts around the Moon and back to Earth, this show gives you a rare, behind-the-scenes look at real space careers, NASA teamwork, and the human skills behind modern space exploration.

What does it actually take to work in space?

Not just rocket science — but resilience, communication, problem-solving, creativity, and the ability to work on high-stakes teams where every decision matters.

As NASA’s Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft stand vertical at Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center, the next giant leap in human spaceflight is underway. This mission will send Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen on a journey around the Moon — a historic step toward humans living and working beyond Earth.

In this episode, you hear directly from:

🚀 A rocket scientist who calculates how spacecraft escape Earth’s gravity 🛰 A NASA engineer working at the heart of America’s space program 🌍 The “Astronaut Wrangler,” who has worked alongside Buzz Aldrin and astronauts from around the world

You’ll discover:

• How rockets actually reach space

• What working at NASA is really like

• Why grades aren’t the only path into STEM careers

• The traits astronauts and space professionals share

• Future jobs that will exist when humans live on the Moon

Whether you’re a student dreaming of NASA, a parent raising a future engineer, or simply fascinated by space exploration, aerospace engineering, and Artemis, this episode pulls back the curtain on the people building humanity’s future beyond Earth.

This isn’t science fiction. This is the Artemis generation — and the door to space careers is open wider than ever.

📘 EXPLORE MORE

📖 Buy the books: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Shop

❤️ Support literacy programs: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Donate

🎙 Guest Info

Adam Laackmann

Ballistician (Rocket Scientist)

Aerojet Rocketdyne

He helps calculate how rockets escape Earth’s gravity and reach their exact destination in space.

James Parks

Rocket Scientist

NASA

Works on real NASA missions where teamwork and hard work turn ideas into spacecraft that travel millions of miles.

Christina Korp

“The Astronaut Wrangler”

Space industry leader & event producer

Works with astronauts like Buzz Aldrin, helping share their stories, organize global events, and connect humanity to space exploration.

🔧 Skills Highlighted in This Episode

• Grit

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Resourcefulness

• Resilience

• Emotional intelligence

• Humility

• Hard work

• Creativity

• Problem-solving

📚 What Is Books That Build Skills Podcast?

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

Every episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how incredible careers are built—(industries relevant to this guest)—plus the mistakes, risks, and skills learned along the way.

🗳 YOUR VOTE MATTERS

If this topic resonated, vote by:

👍 Liking the video

💬 Leaving a comment

📤 Sharing it with someone curious about this path

juvenile fic

What if your job was to ask why—and not stop until the answer actually works? Meet an Existential Detective who helps turn wild ideas into real vehicles that can fly, drive, or even go to space. From custom cars to spacecraft, Josh Hundley proves that curiosity isn’t a hobby—it’s a superpower. And yes… this episode starts with imagination and ends with making your bed.

This episode is about how big ideas become real—and why listening, curiosity, and hands-on thinking matter more than having all the answers. Josh shares how skills from acting, metalworking, and asking better questions shaped his career in engineering and aerospace. It’s a masterclass in turning curiosity into capability—and small habits into long-term success.

🎙 Guest Info

Name: Josh Hundley

Title: Existential Detective

What he really does: Josh helps people turn ideas—like cars, planes, or spacecraft—into real, working machines. He figures out why things work (or don’t), makes them safer, and helps teams solve problems by listening carefully and thinking hands-on. His job is part engineer, part investigator, part storyteller.

🔧 Skills Highlighted in This Episode

• Curiosity-driven problem solving

• Listening as a leadership skill

• Hands-on engineering & material mastery

• Translating imagination into reality

• Storytelling in technical careers

• Small habits that build long-term success

📘 EXPLORE MORE

📖 Buy the books: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Shop

❤️ Support literacy programs: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Donate

🎯 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-hundley-aero/

📚 What Is Books That Build Skills?

Short Episodes. Real People. Real Careers. Real Skills. Zero Boring Adult Talk. Every episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how incredible careers are built—(industries relevant to this guest)—plus the mistakes, risks, and skills learned along the way. From “I kinda like this…” → “Whoa… I really DID THAT.”

Stories + skills = power.

🗳 YOUR VOTE MATTERS

If this topic resonated, vote by:

👍 Liking the video

💬 Leaving a comment

📤 Sharing it with someone curious about this path

When certain topics light up, I invite guests back for longer, deeper-dive episodes—walking kids through the full path from middle school → college → career, step by step.

Your engagement helps decide what we build next.

🔔 ABOUT SUBSCRIBING (NO PRESSURE, PROMISE)

If this channel consistently shows up with conversations you’d actually want in your feed—subscribe. If not? A like on the episode you enjoyed is perfect. YouTube’s mysterious wizardry is very good at finding the right audience when we don’t strong-arm it. (No guilt-subscribes. We do not summon Aunt Betty.)

juvenile fiction series, books for ages 8–14, books for grades 6–9, books for tweens, Books for teens, podcast, podcast for students, podcast for teens, learning through stories, existential detective, engineering careers, aerospace engineering, hands-on learning, curiosity skills, listening skills, problem solving for kids, STEM careers, vehicle design, engineering mindset, life skills through stories

Ever wonder who saves the wedding when everything goes wrong? 💍 Broken zipper? Audio meltdown? Emotional chaos? Meet Ryann Doria—the non-traditional wedding planner who sews, fixes, calms, and makes it work. This episode proves careers aren’t always what you expect… and that unexpected skills can save the day.

This episode is about how real-world skills show up in surprising careers. Ryann shares how organization, people skills, listening, adaptability, and calm decision-making matter more than perfection. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at leadership, problem-solving, and why “perfect” isn’t the goal—better is.

🎙 Guest Info

Name: Ryann Doria

Title: Wedding & Event Planner (Non-Traditional)

Company: Ryann Christina Events

What she really does: Ryann plans weddings and big events—but her real job is solving problems under pressure. She manages people, budgets, timelines, and last-minute disasters (like broken zippers and failed microphones) so the event still feels magical. She uses creativity, organization, and calm leadership to make sure “the show must go on.”

🔧 SKILLS HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS EPISODE

• People & communication skills

• Organization & time management

• Listening before reacting

• Adaptability under pressure

• Calm leadership in chaos

• Budget awareness & planning

• Creative problem-solving

• Learning from mistakes

📘 EXPLORE MORE

📖 Buy the books: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Shop

❤️ Support literacy programs: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Donate

🎯 Ryann Doria’s LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/ryann-doria

🎯 Ryann Doria’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/ryannkristenaevents

🎯 Ryann Doria’s Website: www.ryannkristenaevents.com

📚 What Is Books That Build Skills?

Short Episodes. Real People. Real Careers. Real Skills. Zero Boring Adult Talk. Every episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how incredible careers are built—(industries relevant to this guest)—plus the mistakes, risks, and skills learned along the way. From “I kinda like this…” → “Whoa… I really DID THAT.”

Stories + skills = power.

🗳 YOUR VOTE MATTERS

If this topic resonated, vote by:

👍 Liking the video

💬 Leaving a comment

📤 Sharing it with someone curious about this path

When certain topics light up, I invite guests back for longer, deeper-dive episodes—walking kids through the full path from middle school → college → career, step by step.

Your engagement helps decide what we build next.

🔔 ABOUT SUBSCRIBING (NO PRESSURE, PROMISE)

If this channel consistently shows up with conversations you’d actually want in your feed—subscribe. If not? A like on the episode you enjoyed is perfect. YouTube’s mysterious wizardry is very good at finding the right audience when we don’t strong-arm it. (No guilt-subscribes. We do not summon Aunt Betty.)

juvenile fiction series, books for ages 8–14, books for grades 6–9, books for tweens, Books for teens, podcast, podcast for students, podcast for teens, learning through stories, wedding planner career, event planning skills, non traditional careers, people management skills, creative problem solving, calm under pressure, organization skills, budgeting skills, theater skills in real life, leadership skills for teens

What if speaking two languages could help companies grow across the world? 🌍 Meet the translator who doesn’t just swap words—she rewrites meaning. From soccer vs. baseball to culture, confidence, and business smarts, this skill is way bigger than people think.

This episode explores what it really means to be a professional translator—not just language, but culture, strategy, and communication. Mariana shares how curiosity, confidence, and computer skills turned a career setback into a global business. Kids and parents will see how language, technology, and creativity combine into a powerful future-ready skill. If you like languages, travel, or helping people understand each other—this one’s for you.

🎙 Guest Info

Name: Mariana Seiro

Title: Translator | CEO & Founder

Company: MS Translations

Skill: B2B Translator (Spanish ↔ English)

What she really does: Mariana helps companies talk to Spanish-speaking customers in a way that actually makes sense to them. She doesn’t just translate words—she changes examples, tone, and ideas so messages fit different cultures. Her work helps businesses grow in new countries and connect with more people.

🔧 Skills Highlighted in This Episode

• Cross-cultural communication

• Language fluency (Spanish & English)

• Strategic thinking

• Creative problem-solving

• Confidence & public speaking

• Business & money skills

• Computer and technology literacy

• Resilience after failure

📘 EXPLORE MORE

📖 Buy the books: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Shop

❤️ Support literacy programs: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Donate

📚 What Is Books That Build Skills?

Short Episodes. Real People. Real Careers. Real Skills. Zero Boring Adult Talk. Every episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how incredible careers are built—(industries relevant to this guest)—plus the mistakes, risks, and skills learned along the way.From “I kinda like this…” → “Whoa… I really DID THAT.”

Stories + skills = power.

🗳 YOUR VOTE MATTERS

If this topic resonated, vote by:

👍 Liking the video

💬 Leaving a comment

📤 Sharing it with someone curious about this path

When certain topics light up, I invite guests back for longer, deeper-dive episodes—walking kids through the full path from middle school → college → career, step by step.

Your engagement helps decide what we build next.

🔔 ABOUT SUBSCRIBING (NO PRESSURE, PROMISE)

If this channel consistently shows up with conversations you’d actually want in your feed—subscribe. If not? A like on the episode you enjoyed is perfect. YouTube’s mysterious wizardry is very good at finding the right audience when we don’t strong-arm it. (No guilt-subscribes. We do not summon Aunt Betty.)

juvenile fiction series, books for ages 8–14, books for grades 6–9, books for tweens, Books for teens, podcast, podcast for students, podcast for teens, learning through stories, translator career, translation jobs, Spanish to English translator, language careers, bilingual jobs, global business skills, cross cultural communication, language skills for kids, careers using languages

What if asking better questions could change your entire future? What if consistency—not talent—was the real superpower? In this episode, we talk podcasting, confidence, and why “just showing up” matters more than you think. If you’ve ever wanted to build your voice, your network, or your confidence—this one’s for you.

This episode breaks down what it really takes to be a podcast host—and a strong communicator. Hernan shares how podcasting became his fastest learning tool, why consistency beats motivation, and how recovering from mistakes builds confidence. It’s a conversation about communication, resilience, and learning to keep promises to yourself.

Name: Hernan Sias

Title: Podcast Host & Business Owner

Company: Business Bros Podcast

What he really does: Hernan hosts a podcast where he interviews entrepreneurs and business leaders to learn how they think, work, and solve problems. He teaches students and adults how communication, consistency, and confidence can open doors in business and life.

🔧 Skills Highlighted in This Episode

• Asking great questions

• Public speaking & communication

• Consistency & discipline

• Confidence building

• Time management & checklists

• Learning from mistakes

• Relationship building

📘 EXPLORE MORE

📖 Buy the books: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Shop

❤️ Support literacy programs: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Donate

📚 What Is Books That Build Skills?

Short Episodes. Real People. Real Careers. Real Skills. Zero Boring Adult Talk. Every episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how incredible careers are built— (industries relevant to this guest)—plus the mistakes, risks, and skills learned along the way. From “I kinda like this…” → “Whoa… I really DID THAT.”

Stories + skills = power.

🗳 YOUR VOTE MATTERS

If this topic resonated, vote by:

👍 Liking the video

💬 Leaving a comment

📤 Sharing it with someone curious about this path

When certain topics light up, I invite guests back for longer, deeper-dive episodes—walking kids through the full path from middle school → college → career, step by step.

Your engagement helps decide what we build next.

🔔 ABOUT SUBSCRIBING (NO PRESSURE, PROMISE)

If this channel consistently shows up with conversations you’d actually want in your feed—subscribe. If not? A like on the episode you enjoyed is perfect. YouTube’s mysterious wizardry is very good at finding the right audience when we don’t strong-arm it. (No guilt-subscribes. We do not summon Aunt Betty.)

juvenile fiction series, books for ages 8–14, books for grades 6–9, books for tweens, Books for teens, podcast, podcast for students, podcast for teens, learning through stories, podcast host skills, communication skills for students, public speaking for teens, confidence building skills, consistency habits, business podcast host, entrepreneurship skills