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PODCAST

Casual Space

Let"s talk SPACE, and let"s keep it casual. Nothing too technical. Stories that inspire. As a former NASA Public Affairs Officer, let be serve as your guide. I"ll provide conversations that are both interesting and fun. Each weekly episode brings a new, fresh discussion on a variety of space topics & stories. The universe is pretty big, so there"s always something new to discover! Join me and find YOUR inner space geek on Casual Space!

science natural sciences

All Episodes

40:13

259: Barry Matsumori, CEO of Skydweller Aero, on...

Casual Space ·

2025/03/20

Barry Matsumori is no stranger to space, but his latest mission takes flight in a whole new way. As CEO of Skydweller Aero, he leads the charge in developing an autonomous, solar-powered aircraft capable of perpetual flight. In this episode, Barry shares how his transition from satellites and rockets to high-altitude aircraft opened new possibilities for Earth observation, communication, and global connectivity. He explains how Skydweller Aero’s innovative aircraft operates in 'near space,' bridging

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01:07:57

258: Jay Galentine: Exploring the Legacy of John Cassani

Casual Space ·

2025/03/17

Author and space historian Jay Galentine embarks on a thrilling mission to capture the untold story of one of NASA’s most influential figures—John Cassani. In his latest book, Born to Explore, Jay takes readers on an exhilarating journey through Cassani’s remarkable career, from his unexpected entry into aerospace to his pivotal role in some of NASA’s most legendary planetary missions. Cassani wasn’t just another project manager—he was a force of nature who refused to accept dead ends, a master of

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54:44

257: Alex Reynolds: Founder & CEO of ATTX

Casual Space ·

2025/03/05

Alex Reynolds, Founder and CEO of ATTX, joins Casual Space to share his inspiring journey from a childhood fascination with flight to leading a company dedicated to democratizing access to space. Growing up in Missouri, Alex's creativity and curiosity were nurtured in a DIY workshop his mom set up in the family attic—an experience that ultimately inspired the name of his company. From building airplanes as a kid to shaping the future of space exploration, Alex's story is one of passion, persistence,

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53:20

256: Herb Baker

Casual Space ·

2024/12/21

Herb Baker, NASA veteran and author of From Apollo to Artemis: Stories From My 50 Years With NASA, takes us back to a time where growing up near NASA meant working near the “Manned Spacecraft Center,” and running films to the TV station for Apollo missions. Herb took what started as a “fun job” into an unforgettable 42-year career working on the Shuttle, Space Station, and Orion programs. Herb grew up surrounded by astronauts’ families, watched history happen right in his backyard, and even got to

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50:10

255: Hank Alewine: Crunching Numbers in the Cosmos

Casual Space ·

2024/12/10

Hank Alewine is the accountant boldly going where no CPA has gone before! A professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Hank isn’t just teaching spreadsheets and balance sheets—he’s pioneering space accounting (yes, that’s a thing). In this episode, Hank chats about his career journey, from studying biology to becoming a CPA, and eventually inventing a course that tackles the financial frontier of the space economy. Hank explores fascinating topics like how future Martian colonies might

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45:16

254: Ronak Dave, NASA Johnson Space Center Flight...

Casual Space ·

2024/11/27

Ronak Dave is a Flight Director at NASA’s Johnson Space Center who always knew he wanted to work in Human Spaceflight Operations. His journey from a curious engineer to one of NASA’s elite is inspiring. With a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University, his path to NASA was fueled by curiosity, determination, and a little networking ingenuity. From tinkering with appliances in his childhood home to orchestrating critical missions at NASA, Ronak talks

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38:28

253: Dr. Eiman Jahangir’s Journey to Space with Blue...

Casual Space ·

2024/11/21

Dr. Eiman Jahangir, a physician, analog astronaut, and lifelong space enthusiast, shares his remarkable journey to becoming an astronaut with Blue Origin’s New Shepard. With two previous NASA astronaut candidacies and years of dedication, Dr. Jahangir’s story is resilient. He is driven by a love for science and space and his unwavering commitment to the dream of exploring beyond Earth. Catch Dr. Jahangir as he shares stories from his recent Blue Origin flight and launches into his experiences with

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41:13

252: Anna (Hanna Sav) Harutyunyan: Armenia's First...

Casual Space ·

2024/11/09

Anna (Hanna Sav) Harutyunyan, is an Armenian engineer and robotics student who recently made history as Armenia’s first analog astronaut! In this episode, she joins host Beth Mund on the Casual Space Podcast to share her experiences in analog space missions, her academic journey, and her upcoming projects. Anna’s on a mission to inspire people in Armenia, and around the world, to explore space. As you listen in, you’ll hear how Anna first connected with the analog astronaut community through the

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30:54

251: Samantha Christensen: Opening the Marley...

Casual Space ·

2024/11/01

Samantha Christensen, a long-time team member at Lowell Observatory, shares the exciting news about the grand opening of the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center in Flagstaff, Arizona. As Northern Arizona’s first science center, the 40,000-square-foot facility offers a major upgrade with cutting-edge exhibits, interactive experiences, and an immersive space for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages. Samantha discusses the community’s excitement, especially among educators, and highlights how

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58:10

250: Corbett Hoenninger, General Manager of Argotec Inc.

Casual Space ·

2024/10/29

Corbett Hoenninger, General Manager of Argotec Inc., has quite the space career. From training astronauts at NASA to helping lead the Dream Chaser’s drop tests (including a memorable crash landing), Corbett shares what it’s really like behind the scenes of space exploration. Corbett talks about the recent NASA DART mission, (giving an asteroid a nudge), and how small satellites are changing the game in space. Corbett started working in the field of psychology, then shifted to aerospace engineering…

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48:44

249: Chris Quigg: Exploring Grace in All Simplicity

Casual Space ·

2024/10/19

Chris Quigg, the celebrated theoretical physicist and co-author of Grace in All Simplicity, whisks us away on a journey through the wonders of particle physics—served with a dash of poetry and a sprinkle of grace! With a talent for turning complex ideas into accessible stories, Chris shares insights from his new book and reveals the inspiration behind its intriguing title. Listen for unforgettable moments in the history of science and get a sneak peek into life at iconic research centers like CERN

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01:15:11

248: Scott Holcomb: From Space Camp to the Classroom

Casual Space ·

2024/10/12

Beth welcomes movie star and educator, Scott Holcomb! Scott shares his remarkable story from his surprise audition to his role in the industry CLASSIC film, Space Camp, and how it led him to a meaningful career in education. Through humorous anecdotes and heartfelt reflections, Scott discusses the impact Space Camp (the movie AND the experience) has had on his life and how he’s inspiring the next generation to dream big. Tune in for behind-the-scenes tales from Space Camp, the joy of rekindling

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01:06:50

247: Defending Space Through Storytelling with Stuart...

Casual Space ·

2024/10/04

Award-winning science fiction author and friend of the show Stuart Hardwick returns to share the story behind his latest work, Tales of the United States Space Force and his passion for space defense and storytelling. Happy WORLD SPACE WEEK! https://www.worldspaceweek.org/ We’re celebrating World Space Week with our partners, Cosmic Girls and their INCREDIBLE Space Competition announcement you DO NOT want to miss: https://www.cosmicgirls.org/ In this episode, Stuart & Beth discuss the critical

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44:53

246: From Space Camp to Space Force with Col. Heather...

Casual Space ·

2024/09/28

Welcome our first ever US Space Force guest Col. Heather Bogstie! Col. Heather Bogstie shares her journey from attending Space Camp as a young girl to becoming a key leader in the newly established United States Space Force. Together, Beth and Heather walk through Heather’s inspiring career path, her experiences as a missile operator, and her transition into the Space Force. Heather shares personal stories from her time at Space Camp, the critical role of the Space Force in national security, the

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01:00:41

245: Marc Hartzman

Casual Space ·

2024/09/20

Marc Hartzman, friend of the show and author of We Are Not Alone: The Extraordinary History of UFOs, Aliens, and Our Hopes, Fears, and Fantasies, returns to the Casual Space Podcast to dive into the intriguing world of UFOs! Marc’s new book goes way beyond the familiar stories of iconic UFO sightings, (Roswell and the Phoenix Lights). Marc discusses how these events have shaped both public perception and government disclosure over the decades. Children’s encounters with UFO’s? The government

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51:11

244: Unlocking the Secrets of Life in the Universe...

Casual Space ·

2024/09/14

Nathalie Cabrol is an astrobiologist and author of, “The Secret Life of the Universe.” She’s also the Director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute and holds the women’s WORLD record for free and scuba diving (at altitude)! Nathalie has spent decades studying the cosmos and searching for life in unexpected places—whether hidden in rocks here on Earth or waiting to be discovered on distant planets. Nathalie shares her career path as a trailblazer in planetary science, the sacrifices she’s

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45:05

243: Through These Doors - Abigail Harrison

Casual Space ·

2024/09/06

Ever wonder how a passion for space exploration can ignite a global movement? In this episode of Through These Doors, Chris Key, Josh Whitfield, and Beth Mund sit down with Abigail Harrison, better known as Astronaut Abby, the inspiring force behind The Mars Generation. Abby’s journey is one of vision and connection. From her first awe-inspiring visit to Space Camp at age 12 to founding a nonprofit that empowers young people to pursue their space dreams, Abby’s story is a testament to the power of

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30:17

242: Through These Doors - Kelley Wolfe

Casual Space ·

2024/09/06

Ever wondered what it takes to inspire the next generation of space enthusiasts? In this podcast episode of Through These Doors, Beth Mund and Chris Key sit down with Kelley Wolfe, an elementary science specialist at Randolph School in Huntsville, Alabama. Kelley has a deep passion for space and education, making her an ideal guest to share her unique experiences. Kelley, who never attended Space Camp as a child but worked there as a counselor, discusses how she found her dream job as a hands-on

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47:00

241: Through These Doors - Danny Jaques

Casual Space ·

2024/08/30

Ever wonder what it takes to inspire over 500 students to reach for the stars? In this episode of Through These Doors, Chris Key, Josh Whitfield, and Beth Mund sit down with Danny Jaques, a Space Camp Hall of Fame inductee and passionate educator dedicated to inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts. Danny’s journey is one of relentless determination. From bringing hundreds of students from Ignacio, Colorado, to Space Camp, to launching his own space-themed salsa company, Danny’s story is

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30:59

240: Through These Doors - Jennifer Heldmann

Casual Space ·

2024/08/30

What drives someone to pursue a lifelong career exploring the cosmos? In this episode of Through These Doors, Chris Key, Josh Whitfield, and Beth Mund sit down with Dr. Jennifer Heldmann, a NASA planetary scientist whose passion for space began at Space Camp and led to a groundbreaking career at NASA. Jennifer’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Jennifer's story is a testament to the power of following one's dreams, from her first plane ride to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, to earning a

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280 results

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