Episode 13 Steven Cosentini
Everyone today is the first day of video for the podcast. It’s a fantastic transition for the podcast. We’re also in a new studio too. I hope you all enjoy the background. The camera we used had an error in focusing so it is a bit blurry. Rest assured we’ve fixed the issue by going to a different camera.
Throughout my time in air traffic control I’ve come across many different personalities. The spectrum is broad. Now, frankly speaking, there is nothing significant about a spectrum of personalities in any industry. It’s self evident people come from different backgrounds. As such, the type of individual personalities will vary. However, industries also produce cultures. Jobs produce cultures. Insofar as the industry, business, or job is successful, the culture will define the personalities which lead to the success of the individual.
When I received my first facility certification, I received a plaque stating, “To be an air traffic controller is to be proud, bold, courageous, and maybe a little arrogant, but I would not be anything else.” Air traffic controllers, by virtue of the job they must do, can be a hint of arrogant and a metric ton of cockiness. Is there utility there? Aboslutely!
My guest today does not come off as the embodiment of that line on the plaque. Instead he carries himself as a measured, stoic individual. Stoicism is the philosophy of measured strength made famous by Marcus Aurelius, categorized by simple rational statements which deliniate that which is significant from that which is most important. My guest’s name is Steven Cosentini. Steven’s genesis is set in the northeast—New Jersey to be more specific. Steven joined the air force and served in the medical field. He retrained a few short years later into air traffic control. Exiting the Air Force, he joined the Federal Aviation Administration. Steven is a husband and father. On the show we discuss his time in ATC as well ATC, itself.
We also get into Steven’s abrupt fight with cancer. Steven share’s his experience through a measured tone and with a calm that almost begs the question, “Do you understand you survived cancer?” By that I mean, he has a stoic view of the entire experience.
”Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears” —Marcus Aurelius
Steven’s story captivating. He’s found success as an air traffic controller while not transcending his is true self is. He’s a courageous, strong, noble man with priorities rigidly set. I have no doubt he can turn on his arrogance and cockiness to the job when it needs to be done. Yet, his self control and discipline about himself is where the true strength exists. I’m stoked to chat with Steven and I know you all will be too. Everyone please welcome, Steven Cosentini!