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October 4, 2025 14 mins

Remember when every kid wanted to be an astronaut? Not so much anymore. Today, Ryan talks with former NASA astronaut Terry Virts about why that dream has faded, how we can get kids excited about adventure again, and why critical thinking might be the most important skill for the next generation. 


At 17, Terry Virts joined the Air Force and went on to become an F-16 fighter pilot and test pilot. He has flown combat missions over Iraq, tested the world’s fastest jets and commanded the International Space Station. He’s orbited Earth 3,400 times and has spent 213 days in space total. His military decorations include the NASA Space Flight Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, et al. He retired from NASA in August 2016 and is currently running for U.S. Senate from Texas. 


Follow Terry on Instagram @Astro_Terry and you can learn more about his campaign at https://www.terryvirts.com/


🎥 Watch Terry Virts' full episode on The Daily Stoic Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DulrZh0wdA0


🎙️ Listen to Terry Virts' full episode on The Daily Stoic Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts


📕 Grab signed copies of How to Astronaut: An Insider’s Guide To Leaving Planet Earth by Terry Virts at The Painted Porch: https://www.thepaintedporch.com/


📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work


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