A Heart for Space: the Origin Story

In this debut episode of A Heart for Space, Dr. Eiman Jahangir introduces the story behind his book and subsequent podcast—and the journey that led him here. A cardiologist by profession and the 704th individual to travel to space, Dr. Jahangir has spent his life navigating two very different paths: one defined by structure, the other by uncertainty. In this opening conversation, he reflects on what it meant to pursue a lifelong dream without a clear roadmap, and the resilience required to keep moving forward in the face of setbacks, near-misses, and self-doubt. Dr. Jahangir also shares the pivotal moments that shaped the trajectory of his life—from his family’s immigration journey during the Iran-Iraq War to the experiences that followed his spaceflight, where conversations with audiences around the world revealed a common thread: many people are quietly pursuing ambitious goals of their own. This realization became the foundation for A Heart for Space, and the resulting exploration of the stories and mindsets of those who have pushed beyond conventional limits. This episode is both an introduction and an invitation into a series of conversations about perseverance and courage, revealing what it truly takes to pursue something extraordinary. (00:00) Opening Hook and Welcome to the Podcast (01:16) Cardiologist, Astronaut, Father, and Author (02:03) Chasing Two Difficult Dreams (02:47) Why He Started A Heart for Space (03:54) Why the Book Matters Too (05:05) The Astronauts Featured in the Book (06:12) Reading from Chapter One: From Iran to Tennessee (09:09) Final Thoughts and Invitation to Follow the Journey Discover more about Dr. Eiman Jahangir, and preorder your own copy of A Heart for Space, now at https://aheartforspace.com/