Casual Space

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229: Is There Such a Thing as a "Bad" Space Movie? Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever been captivated by a moment from a space movie? Did that movement make you laugh, learn, or even lean in a little further into the science or story?

In this third summary (summer-ease) episode of Casual Space, Chad and I plunge into the whimsical world of space movies, from makeshift force fields to mutant monsters born from nuclear waste. But amidst the laughter and incredulity, we uncover a deeper truth about the power of storytelling to inspire wonder and curiosity about the cosmos.

So grab your popcorn and join us as we journey through the cosmos of cinema, celebrating the creativity and ingenuity of filmmakers who dare to dream beyond the stars.

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to share a space movie moment, I'd love to hear it! Please share it in the socials,

LinkedIn - @casualspacepodcast

Facebook - @casualspacepodcast

Instagram - @casualspacepodcast

YouTube - @casualspacepodcast83

or email me at beth@casualspacepodcast.com.

*Don't forget!!! You can send your story to space TODAY! The window for STORIES of Space Mission 03 is NOW OPEN! Send your story, for free, to www.storiesofspace.com

228: Casual Space Podcast SUMMER Series: Summaries (Summer-ease): Professional Grace May 31, 2024

Show notes

What does grace look like in a high-performance workplace like the space exploration industry?

Why is grace in the workspace important?

Can someone have professional grace if they don't necessarily have a lot of experience?

On this 2nd summaries (summer-ease) episode, Beth welcomes her colleague, media host and longtime Disney cast member Hannah Stanley discuss what professional grace looks like, and how each of us can aim to extend grace within our workspace.

Discussions, ideas & examples of grace from guests on previous episodes:

Going to space with grace- Chris and Erin Sembroski share how they work together (and give one another grace along the way : https://www.bethmund.com/casual-space-podcast/20211224/147-erin-sembroski

The Overview Effect- referencing "grace" and awe when seeing our planet Earth from space with Frank Whie: https://www.bethmund.com/casual-space-podcast/2021/0805/134-frank-white

Making space for young & curious space explorers with Janet Ivey from Janet's Planet: https://www.bethmund.com/casual-space-podcast/2020/10/01/91-janet-ivey

*Don't forget!!! You can send your story to space TODAY! The window for STORIES of Space Mission 03 is NOW OPEN! Send your story, for free, to www.storiesofspace.com

227: Casual Space Podcast SUMMER Series: Summaries (Summer-ease): Staying Curious May 25, 2024

Show notes

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 conversations are deliciously served to include the perfect mix of entertainment and education with a splash of cosmic fun!

So, listen in & relax! Let us do all the heavy lifting and bring the universe to you- one casual space summary at a time.

This week's Summer-ease theme: Staying Curious

When it comes to space exploration, what does it mean to stay curious? Beth reflects on some of her previous guests 'episodes and what it means to not only be curious, but how to stay curious by inviting others to join in.

Astronomer John Read invites us to look up and be curious about our night sky: https://www.bethmund.com/casual-space-podcast/20240129/211-john

Researchers/ writers/ comics Kelly and Zach Weinersmith are curious about how we might live on Mars https://www.bethmund.com/casual-space-podcast/20240229/217-kelly-zach-weinersmith

Curious about solar power? Physicist John Mankins explains it here: https://www.bethmund.com/casual-space-podcast/20240223/215-john-mankins

*Don't forget!!! You can send your story to space TODAY! The window for STORIES of Space Mission 03 is NOW OPEN! Send your story, for free, to www.storiesofspace.com

226: Congratulations, Explorers! May 10, 2024

Show notes

Last spring, Beth Mund delivered the commencement speech at her alma matter, Loras College. Here is the recording of her speech, never before released. It's one of life long exploration and curiosity- Beth draws examples from her own experiences and from her colleagues in the space industry to help inspire the next generation of explorers.

225: Open Your Binder and Work the Crisis. Featuring Communications Expert Sean Wilson May 04, 2024

Show notes

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 States Air Force, wrote a children's book about space adventures, and is a talented artist and "music junkie!"

On this episode, Sean and Beth discover their professional paths have crossed numerous times and that they unknowingly have both been witness to several events and adventures while working with NASA…. This conversation is full of surprises, some "insider" tales, career wisdom from lessons learned, and, of course- laughter looking back on it all (and a promise of more stories to come).

Find Sean on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanewilson/

And check out her space art on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/seanewilson/

Or get your copy of Princess Ava's excellent space adventure here: https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Avas-Great-Space-Adventure/dp/1494417987

And don't forget- Mission 03 is accepting your story about space RIGHT NOW at www.storiesofspace.com

224: You're Never Too Old to Chase Your Dreams- Just Ask Danny Jaques Apr 28, 2024

Show notes

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 he decided it would become his mission to share the opportunity with his students. Danny started organizing students in grades 4-12 to attend Space Camp, and since then, has chaperoned over 500 students, with plans to continue for many more years. Because of his work and dedication to so many students, Danny was inducted as a member of the Space Camp Hall of Fame in 2010.

YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO CHASE YOUR DREAMS!

Learn more about Danny and his work on an earlier episode here: https://www.bethmund.com/casual-space-podcast/20230505/194-space-salsa

Order Danny's coffee, Rocket Ranch Space Salsa, and more here:

Website: https://www.dannysrocketranch.com. Email: dannysrocketranch@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/DannysRocketRanch

https://www.instagram.com/dannysrocketranchspacesalsa

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannysrocketranch/

https://twitter.com/DRR_SpaceSalsa

And don't forget- Mission 03 is accepting your story about space RIGHT NOW at www.storiesofspace.com

223: How to Live an Outer Space Lifestyle with Dr. Kirby Runyon Apr 20, 2024

Show notes

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 qualifications at https://planex.space.

In the meantime, we're talking all about his space-themed zero-gravity flights (flinging colored chalk in microgravity), astrogeology adventure hikes (witnessing the most amazing colors within a sunset), seeing lava on the moon (!), and why kids make better Zero-G passengers than adults. It's all this and more fun with our friend and guide, Kirby Runyon!

Follow Dr. Kirby Runyon on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirby-runyon-1752467/

Catch up on all the things Kirby is doing at planex.space

And don't forget- Mission 03 is accepting your story about space RIGHT NOW at www.storiesofspace.com

222: Lisa, Karly, and the 40th Anniversary of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

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 scholars while commemorating the legacy of America's pioneering astronauts. From the original 7 scholarships in 1984, $8.3 million Astronaut Scholarships have been awarded to 790+ Astronaut Scholars from 48 universities nationwide to date.

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that annually provides more than 60 scholarships to the brightest and most talented college students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Learn more at: https://astronautscholarship.org/

Today on the show, Karly and Lisa join Beth and share how the ASF has helped impact their lives, and invite your support.

Karly Liebendorfer is a senior at Florida Institute of Technology, majoring in biomedical engineering with minors in nanotechnology and chemistry. She is a 2023 Astronaut Scholar. She is also the captain of Florida Tech's NCAA DII women's lacrosse team and is involved in multiple student organizations. She will pursue her Ph.D. and aspires to work in drug development for space applications.

221: Maritime Launch and Mission 03 with Stephen Matier Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

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-profit organization.

Today on the podcast, Steve explains how space exploration was always in his background AND backyard! Steve started as a mechanical engineer (Bachelor of Science, University of New Mexico) and worked at NASA's White Sands Test Facility. At Maritime Launch, Matier leads coordination and approval among provincial, federal, and international governing bodies, securing private financing, leading satellite sales, coordinating launch vehicle integration and selecting best-in-class commercial firms to support launch operations.

Want to know more about Maritime Launch? https://www.maritimelaunch.com/

Want to send your own story ABOUT space INTO space this summer? Submit your story TODAY at www.storiesofspace.com

Want to know more about Steve Matier? https://www.maritimelaunch.com/team

As part of Steve's work with Maritime Launch, he is driving the collaboration and partnerships to support the development of a safe and environmentally sustainable commercial space launch market in Canada. With satellite and launch vehicle clients within Canada and around the globe interested in launching from Spaceport Nova Scotia, Maritime Launch is joining a global industry that will exceed one trillion dollars annually within the next 20 years.

While Steve's day-to-day focus is squarely focused on developing Canada's first commercial spaceport, Matier's interest in space extends beyond the technology and the launch itself. Steve has a passion for teaching, which means he is never far from the classroom, whether guest lecturing at a local high school physics class in Canso or presenting to kids at summer programs in Antigonish. He has driven partnerships with St. Francis Xavier University and Cape Breton University and supports Dalhousie's CubeSat program. His passion for working with schools began in his early career in the Space Shuttle program, with the recognition that kids can look up into space and see opportunities for themselves on the ground.

Steve is a recipient of the prestigious Silver Snoopy Award, an honor for outstanding achievements related to human flight safety or mission success.

220: Get Ready for the Solar Eclipse with Astronomer & Artist Tyler Nordgren Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

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. Tyler Nordgren, from his website: https://www.tylernordgren.com/

"When I'm not creating and commissioning vintage space art, I'm a professional astronomer and lecturer with a Ph.D. in Astronomy.

For over a decade, I've worked with the National Park Service (NPS) to turn our nation's beautiful national parks into the single largest source for public science and astronomy education in the world. I've photographed our national parks at night with exquisite night sky photography, gave countless astronomical tours to the public, and advocated for us all to learn more about the astronomical wonders in the sky.

It's my personal goal to inform and educate the public through artwork.

Through my vintage space art, I educate and inspire the public about the wonders of the universe. My most popular space art campaign has been "See the Milky Way" for the NPS with the popular slogan, Half the Park is After Dark(TM), and it has become the unofficial motto of the NPS night sky program.

My vintage art style is inspired by the educational 1930s posters created by the WPA and CCC. I use this medium to educate people about space, conservation & light pollution—and to strike an emotional chord precisely the same way it was used way back in the day."

See Tyler's amazing artwork at: https://www.tylernordgren.com/ and get a poster or two for your walls to remember the eclipse! Be safe!

Don't forget your protective glasses and enjoy!

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