PODCAST · science
Casual Space
by Beth Mund
Let's talk SPACE, and let's keep it casual. Nothing too technical. Stories that inspire. As a former NASA Public Affairs Officer, let me serve as your guide. I'll provide conversations that are both interesting and fun. Each weekly episode brings a new, fresh discussion on a variety of space topics & stories. The universe is pretty big, so there's always something new to discover! Join me and find YOUR inner space geek on Casual Space!
Episodes
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290: Back to the Moon Pool: Reuniting at Jules Undersea Lodge
Back to the Moon Pool: Reuniting at Jules Undersea Lodge This week on Casual Space, Beth heads back to familiar waters, and to some very familiar faces! Longtime listeners will remember the STORIES of Space crew lived and worked inside Jules' Undersea Lodge for MISSION 05. Now Beth checks in with...
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289: Frank White ("The Overview Effect") on Turning Research into Reality
What happens to your mind when you leave the planet? Frank White has spent decades asking astronauts, and now it's his turn to find out… On this episode of Casual Space, Beth welcomes back Frank White, the space philosopher and author who coined the term "the overview effect." Beth and Frank...
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288: FLIP-ing Out at Astrolab: A Moon Rover, a Clean Room, and Thousands of Your STORIES
This week on Casual Space, it's just Beth, a clean room, and one very real Moon rover. Beth takes you behind the scenes at Astrolab in Hawthorne, California, where she came face to face with FLIP, the rover getting ready to carry thousands of human stories to the lunar surface. Yes, she geeked…
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287: Drive Me to the Moon with Chris Lockett of Castrol
What keeps a Mars rover running after 14 years on another planet? What fixed a juddering solar array on the International Space Station? And what tiny robot — small enough to hold in your hand — recently hitched a ride to the lunar South Pole? The answer to all three: Castrol. And this week, Beth...
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286: Eyes to the Stars with Dr. Steve Hawley, NASA Shuttle Astronaut
What does it take to go from studying the universe… to flying through it? On this episode of Casual Space, Beth welcomes Dr. Steven A. Hawley—NASA astronaut, space shuttle veteran, and author of his new book, Eyes to the Stars, A Memoir for the Space Shuttle Generation. Listen to enjoy the...
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285: Did the "Project Hail Mary" Film Stick the Landing? / ft. Dr. Danny Jaques
An earlier version of this episode got corrupted on export, so the audio cut out part of the way into the episode. That has been fixed in this version. Apologies for the inconvenience! - Dr. Danny Jaques, a 36-year veteran science educator, Space Camp Hall of Famer, and founder of Danny's Rocket...
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284: Etched in Crystal: Putting 3,237 Stories Onto a Lunar Rover
Josh Hanes, whose work at Uplift Aerospace focuses on expanding access to space through student-centered education and immersive experiences, returns to the show with major updates on what's happened since STORIES of Space submitted its community database at the end of 2025....
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283: How Will Project Hail Mary Make the Leap from Book to Silver Screen?
Have you read "Project Hail Mary," by Andy Weir? No spoilers in this episode, as Beth reviews three of the main characters, and wonders how they will make the leap from page to the silver screen. Project Hail Mary on Amazon
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282: Five STORIES Going to the Moon
The deadline for submitting stories to the Moon on MISSION 06 with STORIES of Space has been extended to December 28! In this episode, Beth selects & shares five recently submitted stories that will be sent to the Moon. Hundreds more will be sent to the moon along with these inspiring stories.…
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281: STORIES of Space is Going to the Moon with Uplift Aerospace
This week on Casual Space, Beth is joined by two extraordinary guests: Josh Hanes, CEO of Uplift Aerospace and Dr. Sian Proctor, astronaut, artist, educator, and founder of Space2Inspire to share an announcement that's truly out of this world. Josh, whose background spans physics, advanced...
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280: The View from the Launch Pad: Steve Matier on Building Canada's Spaceport
This week on Casual Space, Beth welcomes back a very special guest: Stephen Matier, President & CEO of Maritime Launch Services, to celebrate Canada's history-making commercial suborbital launch completed at the end of November. Fresh from the launch pad in Canso, Nova Scotia, Beth and Steve sit...
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279: The Everyday Adventure That Changes Everything with Jessica DeAngelo
This week on the Casual Space Podcast, I'm joined by my friend, adventurer, and all-around visionary Jessica DeAngelo — founder of Hike to Become®, author of the international bestseller The Wild Advantage, and the leader behind a movement that encourages us to step outside (literally) to find…
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278: From Spacewalks to Service: Astronaut Mike Foreman on a Career of Service and Exploration
What does life after space look like for an astronaut? For Mike Foreman, it looks like community, connection, and continuing to serve — just a little closer to Earth. Mike is a retired NASA astronaut, a U.S. Navy veteran, and the current Mayor of Friendswood, Texas. Over the course of two Space...
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277: Launching from Nova Scotia: STORIES of Space MISSION 03
In this exciting new episode of Casual Space, Beth is joined by Alex Martin to share all the details about STORIES of Space MISSION 03, launching soon from Canada's first commercial spaceport in beautiful Nova Scotia! Together, Beth and Alex talk about what it takes to prepare for this historic...
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276: Behind the Scenes: The Challenges and Lessons Learned by Exploring Underwater on MISSION 05
This week on Casual Space, Beth is joined by Alex and Chad for a lively and candid conversation about their unforgettable underwater MISSION 05 STORIES of Space adventure! Together, Paul, Alex, Chad and Beth took STORIES of Space to new depths—literally—by bringing human stories into an…
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275: Disney Persistence: Why Foundations Matter More Than "Perfect Timing"
What if Walt Disney's real magic wasn't perfection…but persistence? In this episode, Beth takes you behind the myths of creative genius to explore how Disney built through failure, loss, and uncertainty—and why those moments became the foundation for his greatest successes. From bankruptcy to...
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274: Space Inspired Reads: A Fall Wish List
It's that time of year for back-to-school! What does that mean for grown-ups and space explorers like us? For me,it means diving into the stack of books that keep me learning, curious, and inspired. As the host of Casual Space Podcast, I'm fortunate enough to receive books from our incredible...
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273: Our Ocean Adventure That Proved Stories Give Exploration
Something magical happens when you bring the right people, the right purpose, and one wild idea together — and then take it 30 feet below the ocean's surface. In this episode, we're celebrating STORIES of Space MISSION 05, where our crew lived for four days in the world's only underwater habitat,...
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272: Summer-ease Series: STORIES of Space Underwater Invitation
In this episode, Beth introduces and personally invites you to join MISSION 05: STORIES of the Sea, the latest adventure from STORIES of Space — and it's unlike anything she's done before. Beth and her crew are heading to Jules' Undersea Facility, to live, work, and explore from beneath the…
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271: Summer-ease Series "One More Thing" Almost Cost Me An EPIC Family Vacation
Ever feel like you can't take a break because there's always one more thing to do? In this heartfelt episode in the abbreviated Summer-ease (summeries) series, host Beth Mund explores the myth of "earning" your time off — and how a much-needed family vacation almost didn't happen because of it....
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270: John A. Read, Space Systems Engineer, Author and Astronomer
John A. Read is no stranger to reaching for the stars—both figuratively and literally. Fresh off earning his Master's in Space Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins (without an undergrad in engineering—yes, really), John joins Beth to explore his fascinating journey from finance to astrophysics,...
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269: Mark O'Connell, Author of The Year Science Changed Everything
Mark O'Connell returns to Casual Space to discuss one of the most extraordinary scientific collaborations in human history: the 1957 International Geophysical Year. With his signature wit and storytelling style, Mark takes us on the journey behind his NEW book, The Year Science Changed…
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268: Stargazing, Friendship & Following Your Curiosity — with Kevin Rehberg of ClearSky Events
Have you ever looked up at the stars and wished someone could walk you through the wonders above your head — without needing a PhD for confusing telescope parts? Well, you're in luck. In this episode, I'm thrilled (and honestly, a little misty-eyed) to reconnect with my lifelong friend and…
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267: Susan Tate Ankeny, Author of American Fly Girl, Captures the Story of American Hero Hazel Ying Lee
Hazel Ying Lee was a fearless pilot and a true aviation pioneer — the first Asian American to fly with the Women Airforce Service Pilots. But for decades, her remarkable story was left untold, until now. In this episode, author Susan Tate Ankeny tells us how she uncovers Hazel's legacy in her…
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266: Michelle Lucas on Launching Dreams: From NASA Flight Controller to Higher Orbits Founder
Michelle Lucas knows what it means to chart your own course—especially when the stars aren't clearly mapped. In this heartfelt conversation, Michelle recounts her unexpected trajectory from a third-grader dreaming about rockets in a refrigerator box "space station" to becoming a NASA flight...
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265: Shawn Linam: Training Astronauts, Launching a Business, and Finding Her Orbit
Shawn Linam, Aerospace Entrepreneur & Host of In Her Orbit Podcast Shawn Linam's journey didn't start with a telescope or dreams of rockets—it began with candy striping, biomedical engineering, and a resilient heart that would eventually take her to NASA. Listen for a candid conversation about…
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264: From Wall Street to weightlessness: Matt Gohd, Chairman of Zero Gravity Corporation
With zero prior flight experience but a deep love for space (and Star Trek), Matt Gohd took the helm of Zero G during a pivotal moment and helped guide the company into a new era—one marked by resilience, accessibility, and unforgettable experiences that allow everyday people to float like...
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263: Lunar Landings & Late-Night Shifts: Ben Tackett from Firefly Aerospace on Blue Ghost Mission 1
Ben Tackett Show Notes TITLE: Lunar Landings & Late-Night Shifts: Ben Tackett from Firefly Aerospace on Blue Ghost Mission 1" This week on Casual Space, it's one small step for your playlist — one giant landing for a Blue Ghost…this episode delivers big on space, story, and spirit! Beth is joined...
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262: Andrew Parris, Broadcast Television Engineer and Space Communicator
Andrew Parris, Broadcast Television Engineer and Space Communicator, joins Beth from the Cape for a long-overdue chat about life behind the lens at NASA and beyond. With over four decades in broadcast television and thirteen action-packed years at NASA, Andrew shares his extraordinary…
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261: Steve Matier: Expanding Access to Space with Maritime Launch
Returning guest Steve Matier, CEO of Maritime Launch Services, joins the podcast to share the latest developments in the rapidly growing satellite industry and how Maritime Launch is shaping the future of commercial spaceflight. As the first commercial spaceport in Nova Scotia, Maritime Launch is...
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260: Alan Smale: Blending Science, History, and Imagination
Award-winning author and astrophysicist Alan Smale joins the podcast to share his unique journey of weaving hard science and historical fiction into gripping alternate-history narratives. From his NASA career studying X-ray astronomy to crafting meticulously researched novels that reimagine space...
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259: Barry Matsumori, CEO of Skydweller Aero, on Perpetual Flight and the Future of Aviation
Barry Matsumori is no stranger to space, but his latest mission takes flight in a whole new way. As CEO of Skydweller Aero, he leads the charge in developing an autonomous, solar-powered aircraft capable of perpetual flight. In this episode, Barry shares how his transition from satellites and...
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258: Jay Gallentine: Exploring the Legacy of John Casani
Author and space historian Jay Gallentine embarks on a thrilling mission to capture the untold story of one of NASA's most influential figures—John Casani. In his latest book, Born to Explore, Jay takes readers on an exhilarating journey through Casani's remarkable career, from his unexpected…
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257: Alex Reynolds: Founder & CEO of ATTX
Alex Reynolds, Founder and CEO of ATTX, joins Casual Space to share his inspiring journey from a childhood fascination with flight to leading a company dedicated to democratizing access to space. Growing up in Missouri, Alex's creativity and curiosity were nurtured in a DIY workshop his mom set…
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256: Herb Baker
Herb Baker, NASA veteran and author of From Apollo to Artemis: Stories From My 50 Years With NASA, takes us back to a time where growing up near NASA meant working near the "Manned Spacecraft Center," and running films to the TV station for Apollo missions. Herb took what started as a "fun job"...
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255: Hank Alewine: Crunching Numbers in the Cosmos
Hank Alewine is the accountant boldly going where no CPA has gone before! A professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Hank isn't just teaching spreadsheets and balance sheets—he's pioneering space accounting (yes, that's a thing). In this episode, Hank chats about his career journey,...
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254: Ronak Dave, NASA Johnson Space Center Flight Director
Ronak Dave is a Flight Director at NASA's Johnson Space Center who always knew he wanted to work in Human Spaceflight Operations. His journey from a curious engineer to one of NASA's elite is inspiring. With a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue…
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253: Dr. Eiman Jahangir's Journey to Space with Blue Origin
Dr. Eiman Jahangir, a physician, analog astronaut, and lifelong space enthusiast, shares his remarkable journey to becoming an astronaut with Blue Origin's New Shepard. With two previous NASA astronaut candidacies and years of dedication, Dr. Jahangir's story is resilient. He is driven by a love...
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252: Anna (Hanna Sav) Harutyunyan: Armenia's First Analog Astronaut and Founder of Rocket Space Academy
Anna (Hanna Sav) Harutyunyan, is an Armenian engineer and robotics student who recently made history as Armenia's first analog astronaut! In this episode, she joins host Beth Mund on the Casual Space Podcast to share her experiences in analog space missions, her academic journey, and her upcoming...
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251: Samantha Christensen: Opening the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center at Lowell Observatory
Samantha Christensen, a long-time team member at Lowell Observatory, shares the exciting news about the grand opening of the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center in Flagstaff, Arizona. As Northern Arizona's first science center, the 40,000-square-foot facility offers a major upgrade with...
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250: Corbett Hoenninger, General Manager of Argotec Inc.
Corbett Hoenninger, General Manager of Argotec Inc., has quite the space career. From training astronauts at NASA to helping lead the Dream Chaser's drop tests (including a memorable crash landing), Corbett shares what it's really like behind the scenes of space exploration. Corbett talks about…
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249: Chris Quigg: Exploring Grace in All Simplicity
Chris Quigg, the celebrated theoretical physicist and co-author of Grace in All Simplicity, whisks us away on a journey through the wonders of particle physics—served with a dash of poetry and a sprinkle of grace! With a talent for turning complex ideas into accessible stories, Chris shares...
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248: Scott Holcomb: From Space Camp to the Classroom
Beth welcomes movie star and educator, Scott Holcomb! Scott shares his remarkable story from his surprise audition to his role in the industry CLASSIC film, Space Camp, and how it led him to a meaningful career in education. Through humorous anecdotes and heartfelt reflections, Scott discusses…
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247: Defending Space Through Storytelling with Stuart Hardwick
Award-winning science fiction author and friend of the show Stuart Hardwick returns to share the story behind his latest work, Tales of the United States Space Force and his passion for space defense and storytelling. Happy WORLD SPACE WEEK! https://www.worldspaceweek.org/ We're celebrating World...
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246: From Space Camp to Space Force with Col. Heather Bogstie
Welcome our first ever US Space Force guest Col. Heather Bogstie! Col. Heather Bogstie shares her journey from attending Space Camp as a young girl to becoming a key leader in the newly established United States Space Force. Together, Beth and Heather walk through Heather's inspiring career path,...
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245: Marc Hartzman
Marc Hartzman, friend of the show and author of We Are Not Alone: The Extraordinary History of UFOs, Aliens, and Our Hopes, Fears, and Fantasies, returns to the Casual Space Podcast to dive into the intriguing world of UFOs! Marc's new book goes way beyond the familiar stories of iconic UFO...
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244: Unlocking the Secrets of Life in the Universe with Nathalie Cabrol
Nathalie Cabrol is an astrobiologist and author of, "The Secret Life of the Universe." She's also the Director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute and holds the women's WORLD record for free and scuba diving (at altitude)! Nathalie has spent decades studying the cosmos and searching…
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243: Through These Doors - Abigail Harrison
Ever wonder how a passion for space exploration can ignite a global movement? In this episode of Through These Doors, Chris Key, Josh Whitfield, and Beth Mund sit down with Abigail Harrison, better known as Astronaut Abby, the inspiring force behind The Mars Generation. Abby's journey is one of...
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242: Through These Doors - Kelley Wolfe
Ever wondered what it takes to inspire the next generation of space enthusiasts? In this podcast episode of Through These Doors, Beth Mund and Chris Key sit down with Kelley Wolfe, an elementary science specialist at Randolph School in Huntsville, Alabama. Kelley has a deep passion for space and...
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241: Through These Doors - Danny Jaques
Ever wonder what it takes to inspire over 500 students to reach for the stars? In this episode of Through These Doors, Chris Key, Josh Whitfield, and Beth Mund sit down with Danny Jaques, a Space Camp Hall of Fame inductee and passionate educator dedicated to inspiring the next generation of…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Let's talk SPACE, and let's keep it casual. Nothing too technical. Stories that inspire. As a former NASA Public Affairs Officer, let me serve as your guide. I'll provide conversations that are both interesting and fun. Each weekly episode brings a new, fresh discussion on a variety of space topics & stories. The universe is pretty big, so there's always something new to discover! Join me and find YOUR inner space geek on Casual Space!
HOSTED BY
Beth Mund
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Casual Space have?
Casual Space currently has 291 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Casual Space about?
Let's talk SPACE, and let's keep it casual. Nothing too technical. Stories that inspire. As a former NASA Public Affairs Officer, let me serve as your guide. I'll provide conversations that are both interesting and fun. Each weekly episode brings a new, fresh discussion on a variety of space topics...
How often does Casual Space release new episodes?
Casual Space publishes regularly with 291 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Casual Space?
You can listen to Casual Space on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Casual Space?
Casual Space is created and hosted by Beth Mund.
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