Casual Space

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.…

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 STORI…

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 h…

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 “ea…

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 engineer…

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 storyte…

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…

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 …

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-g…

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 …

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 resili…

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 …

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 broadcas…

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 futu…

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 NA…

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 cap…

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 ta…

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. Gro…

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,…

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 pioneer…