Chasing Earhart

“I think for women she was a symbol of freedom and independence and her fame made her larger than life. Her story and her disappearance live on as the ultimate historical mystery. That idea keeps her alive in people’s minds in a way that a lot of figures from history aren’t.” Of all the missing persons cases in history, perhaps no other has captured the world like that of Amelia Earhart & Fred Noonan. Continuing to captivate the planet now for over eight decades, their disappearance over the Pacific Ocean on the morning of July the 2nd 1937 made worldwide headlines then as well as now. Headline after headline were featured newspapers and radio all over the world as the general public waited on the edge of their seats for any news regarding the iconic pair’s vanishing. In 2018, the headlines continue to haunt us with new and often polarizing information making its way forward to fuel the fire with of the world’s obsession with finding a resolution to this iconic mystery. Tonight, season two of the Chasing E

“She was one of those first women to push through those mail dominate field barriers; she inspired women to go into these male-dominated fields, go into aviation. She was a big start in this whole idea; getting into schools and telling her story. She continues to have that impact on girls. This is something that you can do if you really want it”. Back in the 1930’s when women were breaking through the clouds and into aviation history, the world marveled at their ability to do the things that men could do with poise, professionalism, and grace. It’s only natural that aviation would become the gateway to aerospace for a group of remarkable people that would be forever known as the Mars Generation. Alyssa Carson carries within her the fire, spirit, and determination that made Amelia Earhart an icon over 80 years ago. Breaking through barriers and pre-conceived notions, Alyssa has set her soul on a place that she calls…home. Tonight, on the 62nd episode of the Chasing Earhart podcast, Alyssa joins us via Zo

“There’s no doubt in my mind that because of the status that Earhart had in her lifetime; she opened people’s minds. People that probably had never had anyone encourage them to have a career outside of the home. She was able to do that for women. People still pick up on that love she had for empowering other women. This is why we get two-year-old girls in the archives with pilot’s outfits who already have Amelia Earhart as their hero.” Of all the aspects of her storied career, perhaps the one that Amelia Earhart coveted most was her relationship with Purdue University. Lasting only a precious short time, Amelia saw her role with Purdue as the second chapter in her already historic aviation career. Poised to make a monumental impact on women in the early days of what would become the STEM movement, Amelia built relationships and made an impact that still resonates through the halls of Purdue to this very day. Known as the largest Amelia Earhart archival collection on the planet, the Purdue archives has been

“I think the fact that she along with the other women had the foresight to put together a group of women that would let the world know that women fly and let them know what women can do. I think she’ll go down in history forever for having done that.” I can’t stress this enough. Bee Haydu is a legend. Over ten years ago when doing pre-research for what would become Chasing Earhart, Bee’s story came to my attention and I haven’t been able to shake it sense. At 97 years old, Bee continues to inspire women all over the world with the WASP story and she does it with a sense of humor, humility, and poise that we at the project have never seen before. Knocking down barrier after barrier, Bee and the other women of the WASP program faced trials, criticism and doubt along their journey. But that never deterred them from fighting for their right to serve their country by flying. Tonight, on the landmark 60th episode of the Chasing Earhart podcast, and in season 2’s first episode of its “ICON” series, Bee joins us v

“Sally Ride once said, “you can’t be what you can’t see”. Amelia and women of that era got up in an airplane and flew and landed and got out and people went “wow that’s a girl!” It’s the same with Shaesta stepping out of the airplane and people asking, “where’s the pilot?” You just need to make it known that you really can be anything you want to be if you work hard.” Jill Meyers has made a career out of passion. Through her work with Dreams Soar and Shaesta Waiz, Jill has been pushing the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math by mentoring young women and extending all of herself for a cause she so passionately believes in. Tonight, on the 59th episode of the Chasing Earhart podcast, Jill joins us via Zoom to give us her thoughts on a multitude of topics including the importance of STEM in the 21st century, keeping the STEM movement alive, her work with Dreams Soar and why Amelia Earhart may have inadvertently started a revolution for women in STEM over 80 years ago.

"You’re not gonna be happy when you know what really happened to her. It’s not going to feel better; knowing she crashed in the ocean or got captured and tortured by the Japanese. I know it feels bad now that it’s a mystery but half the solutions this mystery has are terrible. Be prepared for a sad, sad ending to this story. " David Avallone is never shy about expressing his feelings. Considered by all that know him as a passionate thinker, David has a unique way of expression that cause his readers to think about their own feelings in a brand-new way. Tonight, on the 58th episode of the Chasing Earhart podcast, David joins us via Zoom to break down and discuss his story “Doc Savage: Ring of Fire” why he chose Amelia Earhart to star opposite Doc in that adventure and why Amelia’s actions in the 1930’s continues to make a stand for women in the 21st century.

“That’s where I first had that connection where I had read about Amelia Earhart; that moment was when I realized the opportunity she gave to a lot of women and the empowerment that she was able to give a lot of women to follow their dreams in STEM.” A member of Forbes prestigious “30 under 30” Paige Kasselen has spent her career in uncharted waters. At 22 years old, Paige made worldwide headlines as the youngest American on the ground crew for the historic record breaking solar impulse flight; a feat that would thrust her into the spotlight and make her the poster woman for STEM; shining the spotlight on the field of electrical engineering. Paige has parlayed that notoriety into a formative speaking career, always being mindful of her responsibility to young women wherever she’s featured. Tonight, on the 57th episode of the Chasing Earhart podcast, Paige joins us via Zoom do discuss her role on Solar Impulse, the responsibility that comes with being a rock star of STEM and why the memory and legacy of Amel

“When you find the airplane; no matter where it is. You now have an obligation to explain what happened. How did it get there and to explain the last moments of Amelia Earhart; her story is unfinished at this point, and we need to finish it.” Part of our original 25, project guest Tom Dettweiler has lived a life on the ocean. Taking part in some of the biggest nautical finds in history, including the discovery of the Titanic, Tom has built a career out of becoming a historical biographer for those cases that have no ending; often finding himself on the other side of history in the modern era. Tonight, on the 56th episode of the Chasing Earhart podcast, Tom makes his podcast debut via Zoom to discuss the crash and sink hypothesis, excavating the Electra in a variety of nautical environments, and his personal thoughts on why the case of Amelia Earhart Fred Noonan and their Lockheed Electra 10E may in fact be, the holy grail of aviation.

"It seems that Japan would never admit to their role in the capture of Amelia Earhart. The records are gone; you're not gonna find them" ​Les Kinney has been researching the Amelia Earhart case for over a decade. Part of what is now known as our original twenty-five, Les has been on the Chasing Earhart radar equally as long. After finding what is now known in the public as the Jaluiet dock photo in the National Archives, Les has become the go-to investigator and is at the center of the whirlwind that is known as the Japanese capture hypothesis. ​Tonight, on the 55th episode of the Chasing Earhart podcast, Les makes his debut as a project guest via Zoom from Seattle to break down and discuss Amelia Earhart & Fred Noonan in the Marshall Islands, his personal thoughts on the Nikumaroro Bones and Post Loss Radio messages, his investigative work on one of the most important missing person’s cases of all time, and why the United States Government may know much more about the fate of Amelia Earhart & Fred Noonan

In 1926, there were countless ways to die in an airplane. Propeller blades snapped and broke, and planes went down. Wings failed, folding backward or tearing away completely. Control sticks got stuck, sending airships hurtling toward crowds or hangars. And all too often, engines just stopped in mid-flight, forcing pilots to scan the ground below for a farmer’s field or a cow pasture—anyplace where they might land in a hurry. “In such a crisis, there is no time to think,” said one early pilot. “You either automatically do the right thing or you die.”  Tonight, on a special midweek release for the 54th episode of the Chasing Earhart podcast and on the night of his book’s release, author and project guest Keith O’Brien joins us via Zoom right before the kick off of his tour to talk the lives and careers of aviation icons, Ruth Elder, Ruth Nichols, Louise Thaden, Florence Klingensmith and Amelia Earhart. Individually, these women have some of the most incredible aviation stories of all time. They are legends, ic

If you’ve been following the Amelia Earhart case at all in the past thirty years you will know the name Ric Gillespie. A little over one year ago we spoke with Ric for a little over two hours about the work that TIGHAR had done to that point on the island if Nikumaroro. It was a big show for us back then as we started out the podcast. Over the course of the last year a lot of developments have been made in the Earhart case on multiple fronts. Tonight on the 53rd episode of the Chasing Earhart podcast, Ric joins us via Zoom from TIGHAR HQ to discuss Betty Klenck’s notebook the radio distress signals report that TIGHAR released just a few days ago on what would have been Amelia Earhart’s 121st birthday and the reasons why he believes that the case of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan is closed.

The said it couldn't be done. They were wrong. "Chasing Earhart: The Discussion Panel" was a resounding success! From those in attendance to the over 21,000 of you that watched it online via YouTube live, you were part of the largest discussion panel on the life and disappearance of Amelia Earhart of all time. Now relive that day in episode fifty-two of the Chasing Earhart podcast! Season two of the podcast continues with the podcast version of this historic panel. Join panelists Gary LaPook, Doug Westfall, Bill Snavely, Larry Inman, Sammie Morris, Chris Williamson, Lisa Cotham, Kate Jerome, Ann Holtgren Pellegreno, Shaesta Waiz, Dr. Tom King, Astronaut Abby, Scott Philbrook, Jessica Cox, Forrest Burgess & Dick Spink as moderated by Dr. Joshua Wolf. Relive all of the discussion as we discuss Amelia's impact, legacy and disappearance in front of a live crowd during the 2018 Amelia Earhart festival in Atchison Kansas!

What really happened to Amelia Earhart? Since Earhart and her navigator disappeared during their around-the-world flight attempt in 1937, the world has searched in vain for an answer to this question. The culmination of thirteen years of research into this tantalizing mystery, The Earhart Enigma: Retracing Amelia's Last Flight brings to life Earhart's final days in an attempt to reconstruct what exactly took place. Offering candid assessments of prevailing theories about Earhart's fate, author Dave Horner marshals evidence from a variety of sources, proving that Earhart was neither lost at sea nor wrecked on Nikumaroro. Integrating information garnered from numerous interviews, Pacific Islander folklore, and US and Japanese military documents, Horner argues instead that Earhart ventured north of her intended destination in search of a place to land her Lockheed Electra. Blending drama, mystery and shocking revelations with the steady balance of an objective investigator, Horner's findings provide a defin

Just seven days out from "Chasing Earhart: The Discussion Panel" Chris Williamson sits down with Kaye McIntyre to discuss next weeks' landmark event, the Amelia Earhart disappearance case and his personal thoughts on the Chasing Earhart project thus far.

A special announcement from Chris Williamson & Chasing Earhart.

“Hopefully I can motivate kids to go out and try new things. Here I am at sixty-three, in a single engine aircraft, flying around the world. You can go out and do something amazing, too.” -Brian Lloyd ​Brian Lloyd is the first solo aviator to complete the historic Earhart equatorial route. Spirit has endured fierce winds, blasting sandstorms, and severe tropical weather along the equator. It has not been an easy flight, due to the long flight hours and complex logistics. On July 14th, Spirit’s engine failed momentarily at 21,000 feet over the Pacific ocean, forcing Brian Lloyd to land in New Zealand for repairs. Everywhere he went, he invited ground crew and friends to sign the airplane with a marker pen. It became a mission of outreach and goodwill. The plane’s fuselage and wings are now covered in signatures that bear witness to the huge network of support that it takes to fly around the world. At the

Sarah Stewart Taylor is a fiction writer and journalist who lives with her family on a farm in Vermont. Her non-fiction has been published in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and many other publications. She is the author of the Sweeney St. George mystery series, from St. Martin’s Minotaur. The first book in the series, O’ Artful Death, was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel. As S. S. Taylor, Sarah writes The Expeditioners series of adventure novels for middle grade readers. Tonight on the 48th episode of the Chasing Earhart podcast, Sarah joins us via Zoom from her home in Vermont to break down and discuss her Eisner Award-nominated graphic novel "Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean" Amelia's impact and legacy and why she believes that the younger generation continue to be inspired by Amelia's courage.

Michele Albion was raised in Maine and was a history nerd from a very young age. Her first job, at fourteen, was as a docent at a 1754 fort in Augusta called Fort Western. She later worked at the Maine State Museum and attended college at the University of Maine. While earning her Master’s Degree in Museum Studies at The George Washington University, she worked in the curatorial department of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. In 1992, Albion was hired as Curator at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Florida. She became fascinated with how very active Thomas and Mina Edison were in their Florida community. After moving to New Hampshire she wrote The Florida Life of Thomas Edison, which was published in 2008. Her second, The Quotable Edison, was released in February 2011. Her third book, The Quotable Henry Ford won the Henry Ford Heritage Association Book Award at sesquicentennial of Henry Ford’s birth. The Quotable Eleanor Roosevelt released in September 2013. Tonight on the 47th ep

Von Hardesty is a former curator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. He has written widely on aerospace history. His books include Great Aviators and Epic Flights; Lindbergh: Flight's Enigmatic Hero; Air Force One: The Aircraft that Shaped the Modern Presidency; and Epic Rivalry: The Inside Story of the Soviet and American Space Race. On the 46th episode of the Chasing Earhart podcast, Von joins us via Zoom to discuss Amelia Earhart's impact and legacy and the role that the Smithsonian plays in keeping that legacy alive 80 years after she disappeared.

Jay Faerber is a critically-acclaimed writer of comic books and television. He has co-created and written such titles as Elsewhere, Copperhead, Noble Causes, Dynamo 5, and Near Death at Image Comics, and has worked on such iconic titles as Green Lantern, X-Men, and Superman. He has also written for the TV series Zoo, Ringer and Star-Crossed, and the animated series Avengers Assemble. On the 45th episode of the Chasing Earhart podcast, Jay joins us via Zoom to break down and discuss his critically-acclaimed and wildly popular Elsewhere Series starring Amelia Earhart. In this conversation, we discuss why Amelia was a perfect fit to be the star of this story, and get Jay's thoughts on Amelia's legacy and impact on pop culture in the 21st century.