Casual Space

Welcome to the first episode in our new series, “Summaries” (Summer-ease) where host Beth Mund provides a shortened, easy- going, “summary” for your listening enjoyment.  Every week, you’ll find themes within space exploration of course, and related topics.  Guests will occasionally stop by, and we’ll keep the conversation light and non-technical (we always do).  Like a cool and refreshing iced tea, these mini masterclass conversat...

Sean Wilson is a strategic communications and crisis communications expert who has worked extensively within the space industry. Sean currently works as the Director of Communications for the Aerospace Corporation and has also worked as the Director of Media and Public Relations for Northrop Grumman and the Director of Strategic Communications for Orbital ATK. *Whew!* AND, that’s not even all of it- she’s served in the United State...

Returning guest Danny Jaques has taken students to Space Camps for the past 32 years!

He’s been a certified space geek since he watched the last flight of Project Mercury with Gordon Cooper in Faith 7 on May 15, 1963, with his Dad.

Danny started his career in education teaching science and was invited to tour the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He was so impressed with the programs, facilities, and people that ...

Dr. Kirby Runyon is completely qualified to be your outer space lifestyle guide and science consultant.  What makes him qualified, you ask? He’s a Planetary Geologist at The Planetary Science Institute, a Creative Space Science Consultant, his research has flown on a recent Zero-G flight(s), he hosts tours of the Kennedy Space Center, offers astrogeology tours for educators, and, well, you can read all of his formal qu...

40 years ago, the six surviving Mercury 7 Astronauts (Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Walter Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton), Betty Grissom, William Douglas, M.D., and Henri Landwirth established the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF). Since its inception, the ASF had the mission of retaining the United States' world leadership in technology and innovation to support the best and brightest STEM...

Stephen Matier is the President and CEO of Maritime Launch Services. He is also the visionary behind Spaceport Nova Scotia, a world-class commercial space complex that will launch Canada into the global space industry. Steve and his team at Maritime Launch will carry the next set of stories about space INTO space later this summer (Mission 03, currently open for story submissions) through the STORIES of Space non-profi...

Are you ready for the April 8 solar eclipse? Don’t worry, Tyler Nordgren is THE perfect guide, and he’s here to walk us through what to expect on the upcoming solar eclipse, along with other celestial events- Tyler is an artist, astronomer, and night sky ambassador. So tune in, and get ready for this incredible event with our friend and returning guest expert and guide, Tyler Nordgren! 

More about Dr. Tyle...

Maureen Gibbons, MD, (known on social media as Dr. Moe), is a practicing physician, sports nutritionist and life coach who also held athletic trainer and triathlon coach credentials for many years. Her board certification is in emergency medicine, obesity medicine and lifestyle medicine. Dr. Moe founded and runs a remote lifestyle medicine practice called Active Medical Solutions. 

As an author and speaker Maureen seeks to spread t...

Why is space agriculture important, possible, and necessary? Daniel Tompkins believes the present and future of agriculture can be reimagined. 

Daniel Tompkins is an expert in plant medicine and agriculture, with a unique doctorate from the University of Florida that combines practical problem-solving with a focus on agriculture- a perfect mixture to explore sustainable agricultural practices for future sp...

Can we settle space, should we settle space, and have we really thought this through?

Kelly and Zach Weinersmith make their triumphant return to Casual Space sharing their new book, “A City on Mars.”

Beth asks Kelly and Zach to spill the beans about everything they’ve learned and extensively researched regarding space settlements. In      doing their research Kelly attended numerous space conf...

Dr. Karen Nyberg is an engineer, astronaut, and artist who, through nearly thirty years of experience in human spaceflight, has gained an appreciation for the value of working within and across diverse political ideologies, cultural values, and world views to advance critical missions.

In this episode of Casual Space, Beth and Karen delve into Karen's journey from learning how to sew by her mother, to crea...

Our future in space is going to be radically different with the implementation of space solar power.  According to John Mankins, space solar power is an energy application that’s going to happen in the coming decade(s); the only question is, who will build it?

John Mankins has made his case. It’s a case for space solar power. John’s more than qualified to make this case, too. He’s a leading international e...

We’re talking tacos on the shuttle. Pizza on the ISS. And we’re washing it down with a big glass (that’s not made of glass, but rather, a well-engineered pouch) of Tang on this episode of Casual Space with NASA food scientist Vickie Kloeris! 

What I enjoyed most about talking with Vickie was her career journey that she’s shared in her book, “Space Bites.”  What started as an “impulsive decision” her senior...

Jan Spacek is an explorer both on Earth and beyond. He has worked in the fields of astrobiology, electrochemistry, nanoscience, genomics, and proteomics searching for life within our solar system. Jan is an astrobiologist working with renowned scientist Steven Benner on expanding the genetic alphabet.  In this episode of Casual Space, Jan discusses his transition to astrobiology, his work on projects related to the sea...

Astronomer and friend of the show John Read is back for our first episode of 2024! 

John may be working on a capstone course for his Master’s Degree, but John joins us for what John does best- helping space explorers of ALL AGES learn and be easily inspired! Have you seen his latest YouTube Channel video, “How to use ANY telescope?” Discover John’s new books, new videos and more at https://learntostargaze.com/  

Today, John wal...

Whenever we talk about UFO’s, there’s a lot we can unpack. An entire UFO culture, really. And we’ve got just the expert journalist and author to help us better understand why we see saucers. 

Returning guest and friend of the show Sarah Scoles is back to discuss her new book, “They Are Already Here.” Join us and let’s unpack Sarah’s trip out to Area 51, attending UFO conferences, alien pet parades and what surprises Sarah most when...

Ron Rosano recently flew into space with Virgin Galactic on the #Galactic04 mission!  But commercial space flight with Virgin Galactic is just the beginning for Ron. He’s got plans to fly with Blue Origin, Space Perspective, and World View in the near future, and believes OUR time in space is just around the corner… 

Listen as Ron describes his recent space flight experience and his family’s reaction to ge...

Isaac Arthur is the creator of the wildly successful “Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur,” an award-winning weekly science education and entertainment show with over 700,000 subscribers and over 400 episodes on YouTube. His show covers a wide range of futuristic concepts including space technology, development, and exploration, and focuses on how humanity or other hypothetical advanced civilizations may behave logist...