JULIE ROLAND PT 1

From Navy Helicopter Pilot to TEDx Speaker: Julie Roland | It’s Not Black or White She started doing magic at five and grew up waiting for a Hogwarts letter. Then she found her way to the flight deck. Julie Roland spent 14 years in the Navy, flew helicopters as a naval aviator and deployed multiple times. While still on active duty, she earned a law degree and gave a TEDx talk. In this episode, hosts Tim Stevenson and Diane Blakeley talk with Julie about why creativity matters, even in an institution built on uniformity. She describes the backyard art show she started while on active duty and how it grew into a nonprofit. She also talks about honoring her late mother’s poetry in New York and helping pass what was then the strongest AI safety law in the country. Diane opens up about beating cancer and finding joy again through hip-hop dance in Tim’s class. The conversation ends on a big question: how do we get back to civility? ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 Welcome to It’s Not Black or White, meet Julie Roland 0:40 How Julie became a Navy helicopter pilot 1:40 Magic at five and waiting for a Hogwarts letter 2:40 An aircraft carrier summer that changed everything 4:58 Can you be creative in the military? 7:38 The backyard art show that became a nonprofit 8:59 Growing up with a poet mom 10:10 Flight school pushed her to start painting 12:20 A Tale of Two Sisters: her mother’s poetry in New York 15:08 Julie’s mission: be as useful as possible 16:34 Diane on cancer, hip-hop and finding joy again 18:32 Tim’s comedy days and MADtv 19:59 Her TEDx talk on the power of public art 21:41 The secret to public speaking: get a laugh early 23:06 Law school while on active duty 24:06 Helping pass New York’s AI safety law 25:28 Fighting for working families with IBEW 569 26:03 Will Julie run for office? 28:14 Russian bots and protecting our elections 💬 Who in your life has that rare mix of service and creativity? Tell us in the comments. 👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, like it, subscribe and share it with someone who needs a little inspiration. 🎙️ It’s Not Black or White is a podcast about world events and inspiring stories that can help other people. Follow, subscribe, all the things! #NavyPilot #Veteran #WomenInAviation #TEDx #PublicArt #Creativity #AISafety #CivicEngagement #Democracy #ItsNotBlackOrWhite #Podcast #JulieRoland