Lessons from a NASA Scientist on Curiosity, Failure, and Staying the Course

“So much of what’s meaningful about science is the process of discovering something that nobody else knew.”

What can the universe teach us about being human? For astrophysicist and NASA program scientist Joshua Pepper, the answer lies in curiosity, contribution, and learning to sit with the unknown. In this episode of the Bountifull Podcast, we talk about exoplanets, randomness, and the emotional realities of life in science—from funding cycles and impostor syndrome to the joy of a good spreadsheet. Joshua reflects on the long arc of discovery, the privilege of asking big questions, and why we should make time to look up.

This is an episode about wonder and meaning, but also one about endurance. Because sometimes a bountiful life isn’t about answers—it’s about the people you meet, the questions that stay with you, and the quiet courage it takes to keep going.

✨ Episode Highlights

🌍 How Randomness Shapes Our Paths – From unplanned encounters to last-minute applications, Joshua talks about the role of luck, openness, and decision-making in his life and career.

🛰️ What a NASA Program Scientist Actually Does – A behind-the-scenes look at Joshua’s role supporting researchers, managing grants, and helping guide missions like KELT and LEAP.

🪐 Exoplanets, Time, and Big Questions – Why the search for planets beyond our solar system isn’t just scientific—it’s philosophical. Joshua explains what these distant worlds can teach us about scale, meaning, and hope.

💭 The Emotional Reality of Science – We talk about mental health in academia, impostor syndrome, and what it takes to stay committed to long-term research that may not be recognised for decades.

🧠 What Curiosity Feels Like – Joshua shares what lights him up about spreadsheets, problem-solving, and the joy of discovering something truly new.

⏳ Living on a Longer Timeline – Reflections on working in a field where timelines stretch across generations—and why it’s still worth it.

Guest Bio:
Dr. Joshua Pepper is a NASA Program Scientist and Associate Professor of Physics at Lehigh University. He supports several major space science initiatives, including the TESS mission (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite), the Exoplanet Exploration Program, and NASA’s Open-Source Science Initiative. Josh co-founded the Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope (KELT) project, which has discovered more than two dozen exoplanets, and helped build the TESS Input Catalog guiding NASA’s search for new worlds. His work blends curiosity, discovery, and a deep commitment to exploring the universe through science.

About Bountifull Podcast

The Bountifull Podcast explores how to live a more purposeful and joyful life through meaningful conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds. This week, Joshua Pepper, a NASA Program Scientist and astrophysicist, joins us to explore the intersection of curiosity, discovery, and resilience. From exoplanets to impostor syndrome, Joshua reflects on the emotional realities of life in science, the endurance it takes to keep asking big questions, and why sometimes a bountiful life isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about embracing the unknown and continuing the journey. This episode reminds us that meaning can be found in the questions we ask, the people we meet, and the quiet courage it takes to keep going.