Kathy Sullivan Explores

Latest Episodes:

Carrots vs Sticks (John's Story) Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

You’ve probably encountered a variety of leadership styles in your life. Which ones brought out the best in you? Which ones produced excellent results for your team? Many people believe that the way to get outstanding results from people and projects is to use the competitive and antagonistic style of leadership—the style that involves hand-to-hand combat if not verbal sparring. John, a fellow oceanographer and longtime friend of mine, used to think so. For a period of time in his life as a scientist on research ships, he figured that a competitive atmosphere was crucial for exceptional results—until a radical change in leadership shifted his perspective on what brings out excellence.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear John’s story about leadership styles and gain insight into his life on research ships as an oceanographer. I describe how multiple studies typically share a research ship and how each group of researchers aboard plan and negotiate the ship’s cruise. I discuss the difference between the combative/antagonistic and collaborative/appreciative styles of leadership. You’ll also learn why competition is not the only way to achieve greatness in a team and how to create the sweet spot for optimal learning and performance.

“A radically different style of leadership could produce results as good as, if not better than, the combative style of leadership.” - Kathy Sullivan

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

● The life of an oceanographer and why research ships are essentially timeshare facilities

● My friend John and his experience with cruise planning on research ships

● How John’s perspective on leadership changed

● Why the competitive style of leadership doesn’t bring the best out of everyone

● The sweet spot between challenge and pressure

Our Favorite Quotes:

● “‘Just scared enough’ is a sweet spot for learning and performance, with enough stimulus and stress to get all our mental circuits firing, on high alert, ready to engage and respond.” - Kathy Sullivan

● “Competition is one way to get the best out of people, but it is far from the only way. It is often—and sometimes—exactly the wrong way if you want the best your people can offer.” - Kathy Sullivan

● 083 | The Role of Universities in Creating Social Good with Nancy Zimpher

● 080 | Charlie Bolden on Pathways to Space

● 061 | The Life of a Visionary with Charlie Bolden Part 1

● 062 | The Birth of the New Space Age with Charlie Bolden Part 2

● 054 | Let\'s Talk Leadership

● 053 | The Honor of Measuring Time with Omega CEO, Raynald Aeschlimann (Part 2)

● 052 | The Cooperative Model of Business with Omega CEO, Raynald Aeschlimann (Part 1)

● 036 | Kathy Sullivan Explores...Well Oiled Machinery and Teams

● 017 | Life\'s Fabulous Lessons with Dayna Steele

Spaceship Not Required

I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.

I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.

In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.

Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.

Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!

Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music.

Becoming Bill Nye the Science Guy Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

Bill Nye “the Science Guy” is an American science educator, engineer, comedian, television presenter, author, and inventor with a mission to help foster a scientifically literate society and to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work. Making science entertaining and accessible is something Bill has been passionate about his entire life. Bill is a seven time Emmy Award winner and was involved in placing the first sundial on Mars.

Today, Bill joins me to share his story. We talk about the young Bill Nye and the people and events that acted as his greatest influences. He talks about his experience doing stand up and his life during the war in Vietnam. He discusses the different categories of science and the importance of its advancement. He discusses the role of Congress in this advancement and offers his solutions for political problems. He discusses the exploration of Europa and fields a series of rapid-fire questions.

“By the time somebody’s eight years old, his or her ability to reason is pretty good. It’s the life experience that you’re missing.”

- Bill Nye

“Bravery is when you’ve actually assessed the danger.”

- Bill Nye

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

● Bill Nye and the sundial on Mars

● Bill’s experience as an engineer

● The role of dancing in Bill’s life

● Political discussion

● The importance of the advancement of science

Mentioned Resources:

● The Planetary Society

● The Science Rules Podcast

Spaceship Not Required

I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.

I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.

Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.

Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth, and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!

Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music

The Night I Wore a Baked Potato Jan 05, 2023

Show notes

One of my favorite stories from my career as a NASA astronaut is about the night I attended a formal Air Force dinner in 1987. A fellow NASA astronaut, Joe Engle, had been invited to give a talk at the dinner but couldn’t go and suggested that I stand in for him—I did. What started as a night where I gave a talk about my career as an astronaut ended in a hilarious moment—me, wearing a baked potato. But here’s the thing about stories: people have different versions of them. While I can retell the events that led to my wearing a baked potato in vivid detail, Ray Belz—the pilot who flung the baked potato in question—remembers it differently.

In this episode, you’ll hear about the talk at the 1987 Air Force dine-in that led to my dress getting accessorized with a roll of potato, sour cream, butter, and bacon. I share Ray’s version of the scene and how he became the recipient of a “Couth Award.” I also offer some public speaking advice from the night and highlight the value of being intentional, connecting with your audience, and not taking yourself seriously.

“If you want to have an impact, don’t just say your lines—adapt your message to connect with the audience where they are, in the moment. Whatever you do, don’t take yourself too seriously.” - Kathy Sullivan

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

● What a “dining-in” means in the military

● Why I chose to move away from my standard talk and ad-libbed in a formal Air Force dine-in

● Food tricks you can do in space and how to start a food fight with a gravity-bound audience

● The night I wore a baked potato—from Ray’s perspective

● The first recipient of the brand-new Couth Award

Our Favorite Quotes:

● “If you plan to speak in public, it’s crucial to understand your audience and read the room. Be intentional about whether it’s best to match that or upend expectations.” - Kathy Sullivan

● “If you’d like to use this podcast as inspiration to start a food fight, I’d be honored. You have my blessing.” - Kathy Sullivan

Spaceship Not Required

I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.

I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.

Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.

Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music.

From Analog Astronaut to Spacecraft Pilot with Astronaut Sian Proctor Dec 29, 2022

Show notes

Dr. Sian Proctor is a geoscientist, explorer, space artist and poet, and astronaut. She was a finalist for the 2009 NASA Astronaut Selection Program and, in 2021, served as the mission pilot for the SpaceX-operated, all-civilian orbital mission, Inspiration4. She is an analog astronaut who has completed four analog missions and was one of the all-women participants of the SENSORIA Mars 2020 analog mission at the Hawai’i Space Exploration Analog Simulation Habitat. An esteemed science communicator and educator, Sian worked as a geology professor for over 21 years before her career as an astronaut, teaching sustainability and planetary science at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Arizona. She is also a continuing NASA Solar System Ambassador and currently serves as the Open Educations Resource Coordinator for the Maricopa Community College District, as well as a member of the Explore Mars Board of Directors and the National Science Teaching Association’s Aerospace Advisory Board.

Sian joins me today to share her journey from teaching geology at a community college and being an analog astronaut to becoming a spacecraft pilot for SpaceX’s Inspiration4. You’ll hear about her early life and how her interests as a child shaped her path to being a pilot and astronaut. She explains how working as a geology professor in a community college led her to become a finalist in NASA’s 2009 astronaut selection program. She also shares her vision for the future of commercial spaceflight and underscores what it means to live life through an explorer’s lens.

“I didn’t need to discover something new for humanity—as long as I was discovering something new for myself, I was an explorer.” - Sian Proctor

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

● What it was like for Sian to watch SpaceX’s launch of Crew-5

● Sian’s upbringing and early life in Guam

● Why Neil Armstrong stopped signing autographs

● Where Sian’s early passion for flight and aviation came from

● Her experience studying Environmental Science at Edinboro University and why she decided to go to graduate school

● Sian’s journey to Arizona State University for graduate school

● What an “analog” astronaut is and Sian’s path to becoming one

● What meals on Mars would look like

● Becoming a space artist and poet and the story behind Sian’s selection into SpaceX’s Inspiration4

● How Sian trained for Inspiration4 and her responsibilities as a mission pilot

● The future of private spaceflight and what will drive commercial space exploration

Our Favorite Quotes:

● “Women working together—to talk about exploration and how you can do amazing things right here on earth—make a difference for themselves, the people around them, and the planet.”- Sian Proctor

● “In my entire life, I felt like I was chasing space. It was no formal plan, but more like exploring here and there until, one day, I flipped one rock and finally found it.” - Sian Proctor

Connect with Sian Proctor:

● Dr. Sian Proctor Website

● Email: meals4mars@gmail.com

● Dr. Sian Proctor on Instagram

● Dr. Sian Proctor on Facebook

● Dr. Sian Proctor on Twitter

Spaceship Not Required

I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.

I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.

Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.

Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music.

Exploring the High Arctic: An Audio Adventure Dec 22, 2022

Show notes

My latest grand expedition was back in September in the Arctic. I spent most of the month with Lindblad-National Geographic exploring several of my favorite places: Norway, Greenland, and Iceland. Oddly enough, although I grew up in Southern California, I’ve always been drawn to higher latitudes—the Arctic in the north and Antarctica in the south—and my expedition with Lindblad-National Geographic was a great opportunity to go far north again and get back to some of those favorite places.

In this episode, you’ll hear about my voyage in the High Arctic with Lindblad-National Geographic. I describe our voyage through the far north of Norway and the volcanic Jan Mayen island. I discuss the spikiest summits I’ve ever seen and explain how frost-shattering weather rocks into jaggy mountains. I describe my fellow passengers on the expedition—including bestselling thriller novelist Lisa Gardner—and their fascinating, diverse backgrounds. You’ll also learn how I conducted an experiment inspired by this podcast’s theme—Spaceship not required—and the characteristics that make an explorer.

“Spaceship not required—nor a certain job title, nor a certain percentage of your working hours; if you’re curious, going, testing, and learning, you’re legitimately an explorer.” - Kathy Sullivan

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

● Sailing among witches’ hats: our voyage through the far north of Norway

● The awe-inspiring Jan Mayen island

● Our time at the Northeast Greenland National Park

● The spikiest summits and craziest mountainside I’ve ever seen

● Iceland—a true marine geologist’s paradise

● The site of the first democratic parliament in the world

● My fellow passengers, their diverse backgrounds, and my mini experiment

● “Doing” versus “being,” and the things that make an explorer

Our Favorite Quotes:

● “The peaks are the result of frost shattering the rock into tiny little bits, so you get absolutely jagged 6,000-foot-tall mountains right above.” - Kathy Sullivan

● “I think you’re exploring if you’re tuning in to this podcast, even a little bit, and I hope you keep exploring.” - Kathy Sullivan

Spaceship Not Required

I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.

I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.

Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.

Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music.

Family Afloat: Life Lessons of 2-Year Sailing Adventure with Jim Toomey Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

Jim Toomey is an American cartoonist. His daily comic strip, Sherman’s Lagoon, combines his lifelong passion for art and the sea and has been syndicated to over 150 newspapers in 20 countries and six languages. In partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme, Jim has repurposed his cartooning skills into animation and created a series of short films on ocean conservation. He is the author of Family Afloat: Two Years Sailing the World with Two Kids and Two Captains, which chronicles the 22-month sailing odyssey he took with his wife, Valerie, visiting 32 countries, crossing an ocean, and homeschooling their two children along the way.

Jim joins me today to describe the two-year sailing adventure he had with his family and the unique joys of self-determined travel. You’ll hear how the adventure brought his family closer together and changed his children. He recounts his experience diving in the Gulf of Mexico in an Alvin submersible and the wonderful sights he has seen underwater. You’ll also learn the value of boredom and how to tackle the challenge of “going before you know.”

“Your whole life revolves around setting your anchor well when you live in a sailboat, and we learned the hard way that it wasn’t an easy thing to do.” - Jim Toomey

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

● The event that led to Jim and his family going on their two-year sailing adventure

● Lining up and anchoring boats and the difference between day sailing and extended cruising

● How the two-year sailing adventure changed Jim’s children and brought the family together

● Being bored and being forced to be resourceful

● Weathering weather changes and storms over the Mediterranean Sea

● The value of having a better Plan B

● Avoiding crises by recognizing—and avoiding—the start of a cascade of problems

● The bosun’s chair and the value of developing mastery in the real world

● Jim’s experience diving with an Alvin submersible

● How flying over the Bahamas inspired Jim to create Sherman’s Lagoon

● The two ways to fail a procedure

● The watchkeeping system and Jim’s next adventures

Our Favorite Quotes:

● “The learning curve in sailing is long and shallow: you can learn the basics in a day, but, like a lot of things, it takes a lifetime to learn the subtleties.” - Jim Toomey

● “You\'ll always feel like you’re climbing a summit and you’ll never feel like you’re at the top. If you wait until you’re at the top, you will never go—you have to make the decision to make this voyage.” - Jim Toomey

● 015 | Kathy Sullivan Explores… Mid-Ocean Ridges and Interesting Deep Sea Creatures with Cindy Van Dover

Connect with Jim Toomey:

● Jim Toomey Website

● Sherman’s Lagoon

● Book: Family Afloat: Two Years Sailing the World with Two Kids and Two Captains

Spaceship Not Required

I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.

I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.

Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.

Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music.

Pathways to Space: Becoming an Astronaut in the New Space Age with Dave Leestma Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

David Cornell Leestma is a retired Captain of the U.S. Navy and former astronaut. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy first in his class in 1971 and completed his flight training in 1973. In 1980, Dave was selected by NASA to become an astronaut and would go on to log a total of 532.7 hours in space. He served as a mission specialist on STS-41-G (1984), STS-28 (1989), and STS-45 (1992)—in the STS-41-G and STS-45 missions, he was aboard with Kathy Sullivan. Dave currently serves as the Manager for the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Today, you’ll hear Dave and I discuss his experience with the NASA astronaut selection process and why he thinks he got selected by the board. He shares insight into the growth of private space companies and what they mean for aspiring astronauts. He highlights the value of diplomatic skills and foreign language proficiency in organizations like NASA. You’ll also learn what it takes to become an astronaut in the new space age and receive advice for carving an educational path toward the space industry.

“In my selection process, I think my flying background helped—but it isn’t just about flying; it’s also about having an adventurous spirit and a willingness to be independent and do uncomfortable things.” - Dave Leestma

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

● Dave’s journey in the 1980 NASA selection pool and what he thinks put him at the top

● The value of having discipline, independence, and an adventurous spirit in the NASA application process

● The importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion

● How the criteria for the NASA selection process has changed

● Dave’s thoughts on being part of NASA’s astronaut selection board

● Why diplomacy and foreign language skills are an asset

● How the growth of private space companies is changing the paradigm in space exploration and science

● How private space companies might select and recruit talent for their organizations

● Skills, trades, and talents NASA would look for beyond Artemis

● Dave’s take on space tourism and his advice to young people who want to join the space industry

Our Favorite Quotes:

● “If you can be disciplined in the little things like making your bed, you can be disciplined in other things. That leads to a desire to succeed.” - Dave Leestma

● “Being an astronaut means being uncomfortable with some parts of it.” - Dave Leestma

● “Astronauts, in general, are jacks of all trades and not necessarily masters of one. You may have a degree in Geology, but you can also do an EVA and all kinds of things.” - Dave Leestma

Related Content:

● At the Oscars with George Lucas

Connect with Dave Leestma:

● Dave Leestma on LinkedIn

Spaceship Not Required

I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.

I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.

Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.

Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music.

The Hadal Zone with Alan Jamieson Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

Dr. Alan Jamieson is a Scottish marine biologist, engineer, author, and explorer known for studying life in the furthest depths of the oceans. Through the extensive use of landers—a combination of ship-mounted echo sounders and unmanned camera systems—Alan’s research focuses on discovering new species, establishing the true depth ranges of marine animals, and highlighting anthropogenic impacts at full ocean depths. He was the Chief Scientist at Victor Vescovo’s Five Deeps Expedition, a project aimed at mapping and exploring the deepest points of the world’s five oceans. Today, Alan serves as CEO of Armatus Oceanic, an organization he co-founded in 2019 for R&D in marine tech, expeditions, and science dissemination. Through Armatus, Alan co-hosts the Deep-Sea Podcast with Dr. Thomas Linley. In addition to his work as CEO at Armatus, Alan currently serves as a professor at the University of Australia and is the Founding Director of the Deep-Sea Research Centre.

Alan joins me today to discuss how serendipity shaped his life’s path toward marine biology and ocean exploration. He explains how he pioneered the design and construction of deep-sea robots and shares the discoveries he has made along the way. He highlights the difference between adventurism, exploration, and science. He also discusses why society needs to democratize access to scientific experience and underscores what it will take to create a meaningful relationship between the general public and the deep sea.

“EVERYTHING IN THE DEEP SEA—AND MOST OF THE PLANET IS DEEP SEA—IS DRIVEN BY WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE SURFACE: PHOTOSYNTHESIS, WARMING, CO2 ABSORPTION. EVERYTHING HAS CONTROL ON WHAT HAPPENS BELOW IT.”

- ALAN JAMIESON

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

● The young Alan Jamieson: his interests and life as a student

● What made him study industrial design at university and how it continues to serve him in his career as a marine biologist

● Alan’s work experience after college and his journey to becoming a mechanical technician for the Oceanlab at the University of Aberdeen

● Working on his thesis, Autonomous lander technology for biological research at mid-water, abyssal, and hadal depths

● What encouraged Alan to go deep into marine science and what persuaded him to pursue a Ph.D. in Zoology

● The hadal zone, where it is, and how deep its depths are

● Why it’s essential to understand and study the hadal zone

● How the ocean’s trenches are formed

● The psychological problem of getting people engaged with the deep-sea

● How culture and metaphors perpetuate biases about deep-sea exploration

● Alan’s role in Victor Vescovo’s Five Deeps Expedition

● Seeing anthropogenic litter at the bottom of the ocean

● The strangest and most amazing things Alan has seen in the deepest depths of the ocean

● The difference between adventurism, exploration, and science

● Why experiencing the deep sea in person matters

● Science tourism and the value of democratizing science exploration

Our Favorite Quotes:

● “You say you love the top 50 meters of the ocean because that’s where you scuba dive and fish, but think the deep sea is none of your concern. It actually should be—most of your planet is deep sea.” - Alan Jamieson

● “If society’s going to develop a relationship with the deep sea on an almost unimaginable scale, it shouldn’t be an elitist endeavor where you can only experience it as a scientist.” - Alan Jamieson

● The Ocean’s Deep Regions with Tim MacDonald

Connect with Alan Jamieson:

● Armatus Oceanic

● Book: The Hadal Zone: Life in the Deepest Oceans

● The Deep-Sea Podcast

● Armatus Oceanic on LinkedIn

● The Deep-Sea Podcast on Twitter

● Alan Jamieson on Twitter

● Email: alan.j.jamieson@uwa.edu.au

Spaceship Not Required

I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.

I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.

Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.

Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music.

Paths to the New Age of Spaceflight with Janet Kavandi Nov 24, 2022

Show notes

Dr. Janet L. Kavandi is an American scientist and NASA astronaut. She is a veteran of three Space Shuttle missions who has logged more than 33 days in space and traveled more than 13.1 million miles in 535 Earth orbits. During her time in the Astronaut Office, Janet supported ISS payload integration, capsule communications, and robotics. She was later the Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office and served as the Center Director at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland from 2016 until her retirement in 2019. Today, Janet serves as the President of Sierra Space in Louisville, Colorado, where she is responsible for the Sierra Space Human Spaceflight Center and Astronaut Training Academy. She is the recipient of a Presidential Rank Award, two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals, two Exceptional Service Medals, and three NASA Space Flight Medals.

Today, you’ll hear Janet and me discuss her journey to the NASA Astronaut Corps and what the future might hold for the new commercial era of space. She explains why she thinks NASA selected her for the Astronaut Corps and describes the qualities she looked for in a candidate when she became a part of the astronaut selection panel. She highlights the value of curiosity and learning when aiming to become an astronaut. You’ll also learn why learning to follow is as important as learning to lead in NASA and how Sierra Space is making space travel accessible not only to future professional astronauts but also to industry customers and experiential customers.

“I tried to find people who loved adventure, who loved being givers and helpers, who weren’t trying to be in control but could step into leadership when called upon.” - Janet Kavandi

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

● Qualities NASA looked for from astronaut candidates when Janet applied for the Corps

● What Janet thinks made her qualified for the NASA Astronaut Corps

● How NASA’s criteria for astronaut candidates changed when Janet joined the selection panel

● Why learning to follow is as important as learning to lead in the Astronaut Corps

● What Sierra Space and other space companies look for in people who man their space vehicles

● How Sierra Space is collaborating with other companies to make spaceflight accessible to more people

● How trained professionals and scientists will soon be able to go to space for research and commercial projects

Our Favorite Quotes:

● “After you do an interview with NASA, you assume you’re not going to make it, because there are lots of immensely qualified, great human beings. When you do get the call, you get into shock.” - Janet Kavandi

● “You have all these incredibly educated people among NASA candidates, but, even with all those talents, it all comes down to whether you could spend a year in space with them or personally entrust your life to that person.” - Janet Kavandi

Connect with Janet Kavandi:

● Sierra Space

● Sierra Space on LinkedIn

● Sierra Space on Instagram

● Sierra Space on Facebook

● Sierra Space on Twitter

● Janet Kavandi on LinkedIn

Spaceship Not Required

I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.

I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.

Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.

Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music.

Two Funny Astronauts with Mike Massimino and Garrett Reisman Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

Mike Massimino is a former NASA astronaut, professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University, and the Senior Advisor for Space Programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum. Selected as an astronaut in 1996, Mike is the veteran of two space flights—the fourth and fifth Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions in 2002 and 2009. He is the recipient of two NASA Space Flight Medals—the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the American Astronaut Society’s Flight Achievement Award. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Technology & Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he also received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. He is the author of Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe and Spaceman: The True Story of a Young Boy’s Journey to Becoming an Astronaut.

Garrett Reisman is a former NASA astronaut and professor of astronautical engineering at USC’s Viterbi School. Garrett was selected as a mission specialist astronaut in 1998 and was aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2008, a mission that dropped him off for a 95-day stay aboard the International Space Station. His second mission was aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2010, during which he performed three spacewalks and operated the Space Station Robot Arm as a flight engineer. In 2011, Garrett left NASA and joined SpaceX, serving in multiple roles, including Director of Space Operations. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology.

Together, Mike and Garrett are the creators of 2 Funny Astronauts, a podcast where they explore the bizarre, crazy, and astonishing lives of astronauts.

Mike and Garrett join me today to describe their lives as astronauts. They discuss how they became interested in spaceflight, their educational experiences at MIT and Caltech, and their paths to becoming selected as NASA astronauts. They share their thoughts on NASA’s astronaut selection program and why having interpersonal skills is necessary for an aspiring astronaut. They recount their appearances on TV and their lives after NASA. They also highlight the importance of being surrounded by like-minded people and underscore the value of representation.

“Don’t think they’re looking for somebody who’s not you. If you try to be somebody else, it’s going to come off as artificial and it’s not going to work.” - Garrett Reisman

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

● The life of the young Garett Reisman and his journey to becoming an astronaut
● How the moon landing got Mike Massimino interested in spaceflight
● Their experiences studying at MIT and Caltech and their career path to joining NASA’s space
program
● Mike and Garrett’s secret sauce to passing the NASA astronaut selection program
● Mike’s appearance on The Big Bang Theory and Garett’s show with American comedian, Stephen
Colbert
● What being the first Jewish crewmember of the ISS meant for Garrett
● Moving beyond being an astronaut, Garrett’s move to SpaceX, and Mike’s life after NASA
● What it was like to be a part of the first group of women in space
● The value of authenticity and the importance of representation
● My journey through foreign languages, STEM, and becoming a NASA astronaut
● Why Mike and Garrett created the 2 Funny Astronauts podcast
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “It’s good to be surrounded by like-minded people. It doesn’t seem as crazy, and you get to share information and dreams with each other—that’s what was helpful at MIT.” - Mike Massimino
● “Everybody on paper is qualified to become an astronaut—in the end, it’s more like picking people you’d want to go on a camping trip with rather than a job interview.” - Garrett Reisman

Resources Mentioned:

● 2 Funny Astronauts Podcast

Connect with Mike Massimino:

● Mike Massimino Website
● Mike Massimino on LinkedIn
● Mike Massimino on Instagram
● Mike Massimino on Facebook
● Mike Massimino on Twitter
● Mike Massimino on YouTube

Connect with Garrett Reisman:

● Garrett Reisman Website
● Garrett Reisman on LinkedIn
● Garrett Reisman on Instagram
● Garrett Reisman on Facebook
● Garrett Reisman on Twitter

Spaceship Not Required

I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.

I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.

Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.

Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!

Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected