Casual Space

Carissa Christensen is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of BryceTech . Christensen is an internationally-recognized expert on R&D processes, technology forecasting, and the space industry. She is currently a member of the National Research Council Space Technology Industry Government-University Roundtable, which advises NASA. She has served on the World Economic Forum Global Future Council...

If space exploration didn't happen the way you envisioned it, go back and rewrite the story.  For All Mankind  is an incredible new sci-fi series on Apple TV+ created and written by  Ronald D. Moore , Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi. If you have not yet discovered this intense and dramatic show, here's why it's worth binge watching immediately - it's an  alternate history  depicting "what would have h...

Science communication can often be challenging… and at times, make even the most talented scientists, reporters, and educators reluctant to take on the task of communicating scientific findings and new discoveries.  In this episode, Brian Palermo infuses his expertise from his experience with improvisation and acting to help us better communicate science! By implementing strategies from improv (th...

Will we find life on Mars? On Thursday, February 18, 2021, the Mars Perseverance rover will land at the site of an ancient river delta in a lake that was once filled known as Jezero Crater.  The rover will spend at least one Mars year (two Earth years) searching for signs of ancient life! What happens when the Mars Perseverance rover lands on Mars this Thursday?   What is EDL and why does it make...

Mars Mission Success with Dr. Sian Proctor, Sensoria Mission Control Mission control plays a critical role in the success of any analog mission. There are a lot of behind-the-scenes activities that the Commander and Mission Control work to resolve, provide and communicate. As a one of the original analog astronauts at the HI-SEAS research facility, and as a analog astronaut to many other mission l...

Dr. Brandy Nunez is a microbiologist, a veterinarian, a mother, a live electronic musician and an aspiring astronaut.  She is CEO of Mobile Veterinary Services, Inc, based in Orange County, CA. Her formal education is in microbiology/chemistry, with an emphasis on novel therapeutic discovery.  She then obtained her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Western University of Health Sciences.  A...

RICHELLE GRIBBLE is a multidisciplinary artist exploring planetary connectivity. Her work explores networks and systems-based investigations to reflect the ways human impact, technology, and environment collide. She has had solo shows in Los Angeles, New York, Japan, and international orbit around Earth etched on satellites and aboard rockets. She has exhibited at renowned art fairs including Art...

Dr. Michaela Musilova is an astrobiologist and the Director of the HI-SEAS analog space station. Michaela studied and conducted research at the University of Bristol, University College London, California Institute of Technology, Chiba University, International Space University (ISU) and others. She worked for NASA, University of London Observatory, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope and was the Comma...

Amanda Knutson Chief Engineering Officer, Mission Specialist: Extravehicular Activity Amanda Knutson is an Active Duty US Air Force member , currently working as a Weapons Armament Specialist at Luke AFB . While working full time at Luke AFB, she is studying part-time at Estrella Mountain Community College with plans to complete her Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Embry-Riddle . As...

Beth recently returned from Mars, and Chad has a few questions. In November, 2020- Beth Mund and 5 other crew members lived, worked and survived a simulated "Mars" mission at the HI-SEAS research facility on the big island of Hawaii. In this episode, Beth "unpacks" the questions Chad has, like, What is an analog astronaut? Why Mars? Why do a mission like this, and what's been learned so far, and w...

Gary Li is currently a spacecraft system engineer at The Aerospace Corporation . He recently graduated with a Ph. D. in Aerospace Engineering from UCLA in 2020 and a dual B.A. in Astrophysics and Physics from UC Berkeley in 2014. As an NDSEG fellow, he conducted research on advanced materials for plasma rocket and nuclear fusion technologies. During his academic career, he published over 10 papers...

Dylan Taylor  is a global business leader and philanthropist. He is an active pioneer in the space exploration industry as a CEO, investor, thought leader and futurist. Every day is like Christmas for Dylan, because working in the space industry has always been his passion and calling. Beth asks Dylan about when his interest in space began, and Dylan describes how investments in space can be trans...

Chad and Beth sit down (literally, in their living room) and reflect (while enjoying a cocktail) on reaching the 100th episode of Casual Space! Beth and Chad talk about: what's been the best part of hosting the podcast some of the most memorable guests when Beth realized the show was "successful" and what's next for the Casual Space Podcast!! Thank you to everyone who has helped make the Casual Sp...

Space investor and entrepreneur Robert C. Jacobson shares highlights from his first book "Space is Open for Business," providing readers with an insightful guide to the evolving space industry.  Robert presents perspectives from experts, industry leaders and investors, each examining the economics and strategies for leading the trillion-dollar race to commercialize space.  Jacobson has spent over...

Dr. Graham is the Director of Communications and Marketing for Blue Marble Space, a Research Scientist with Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, the Director of Logistics for the University Rover Challenge, the Host of the NASA Astrobiology and SAGANet show "Ask the Astrobiologist" AND the Research Community Coordinator for the Hypothesis Browser and the Life Detection Forum's Knowledge Base. *...

Dr. Tricia Larose is the Principal Investigator for Tumors in Space. She is preparing for a 31-day Space mission on board the China Space Station. She is supported by 14 international collaborators from four countries. Originally from a mining town in Northern Ontario Canada, she is now based in Oslo, Norway. She is also adjunct faculty in Human Performance in Space at the International Space Univ...

NASA is testing the  Space Launch System  (SLS) rocket's 212-foot tall core stage- the tallest rocket stage the agency has ever built- with a  Green Run  test on Earth before launch day. The core stage design will be used for all configurations of the SLS rocket, and the  series of eight tests  will verify the stage is ready for the first and future Artemis lunar missions. On this episode, Beth sp...

Marshall McKellar is an attorney in the aerospace industry, currently serving as an Attorney-Advisor in The Office of the General Counsel at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Marshall is also the co-founder of This Side, LLC, a marketing/web development agency in the bio-materials industry. He received a J.D. from the University of Mississippi and a B.A. in history and religion from William Carey Unive...

Dr. Harrison is known widely in the planetary science and research industry as Tanya of Mars. Why?  Tanya is the founder of Professional Martian LLC, a company focused on science and sci-fi consulting, communications, and outreach in ways to break space out of the echo chamber to reach broader audiences. Currently, she is the Manager of Science Programs at Planet Federal in Washington DC, the gove...

Michal Ziso is the founder of Ziso, a studio working at the intersection of architecture, innovation, space and human equality.  She is also a Space Architect focused on human experience a trailblazer by dealing with social and psychological diversity aspects, and an active member of WiSpace- Israeli Professional Women in Space Association.  A visionary architect practicing for almost a decade in...

Dr. Mindy Howard's company, Innerspace Training helps commercial astronauts become more mentally prepared before they go into space, so they can get the most out of their mission. During this engaging dialogue, Mindy explains to Beth how we can all work to engage in and implement this "Overview Effect" in our lives, a deep connection to everywhere and everyone.  Dr. Mindy Howard is symbolic of som...

Beth Mund gets to travel "at the speed of thought" with the incredibly fun Janet Ivey, from Janet's Planet ! With 12 regional Emmys, 5 Gracie Allen and numerous other awards, it's evident that Janet Ivey is dedicated to producing quality entertainment that inspires, enlightens and entertains us all!  Frederick Beuchner's quote starts our show and started everything for Janet: "You will always be c...

The Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program connects exceptional current college juniors, seniors, and graduate students with paid, summer internships in the exciting field of commercial spaceflight, as well as with notable aerospace leaders for mentorship. The summer culminates in a memorable networking summit! Upon completing the supper internship, the Fellows remain among a group of alumni who hav...

Ever thought about putting our species' DNA in space? Or preserving our life on Earth, it's blueprint, and records for a possible Earth to be reproduced in the future? Ben has. As a matter of fact, Ben is currently doing it. And with his company, LifeShip, YOU can be a part of Ben's mission by sending your very OWN DNA to the moon or to orbit! Who knows? Maybe one day your great, great, great, gre...

Analog astronaut. Chef. Explorer. Pilot. Geologist. Artist. Professor. Author. STEM Communicator and…Cowgirl!? In short, Dr. Sian Proctor is just…. Incredible! You will want to get to know this impressive woman beyond the Casual Space conversation with Beth, so here are some links to Dr. Sian's TedX Talks, videos, cookbooks, artwork and more! START HERE : https://www.drsianproctor.com/ TEDx Talks...