Interplanetary Podcast

In this episode of The Interplanetary Podcast, I'm joined by ay new co-host, singer-songwriter Leddra Chapman, as we tackle one of the most mind-bending ideas in all of science: special relativity. From the speed of light and the nature of causality to time dilation, the ether, and Einstein's revolutionary insight into space and time, we follow the story that changed our understanding of reality....

Former NASA food scientist Ryan Dowdy PhD joins Matt to explore how Artemis program is reshaping the future of human nutrition, from feeding astronauts on the ISS to the Moon and beyond to powering first responders here on Earth.

As Artemis II returns humans from around the Moon, Matt is joined by astrophysicist Emma Chapman who makes the case for exploring the universe without going anywhere by listening to the cosmos through radio waves.

Matt is joined by journalist and Orwell Prize winner Daniel Lavelle, author of Chasing Aliens: Faith and Conspiracy in the UFO Heartlands. Travelling across America’s UFO hotspots, to explore the strange world of UFO culture. The conversation dives into UAPs, government secrecy, the psychology of belief, and why the idea that we might not be alone in the universe continues to captivate millions. N...

Matt is joined by Dhara Patel from the National Space Centre to explore Artemis II ; the first crewed mission around the Moon in over 50 years. They discuss Europe’s crucial role in the mission, the historic “firsts” represented by the Artemis crew. Matt also takes a quick look at the remarkable engineering heritage behind Orion’s propulsion system including Shuttle-era engines and chemical propel...

In this episode, Matt unpacks what it really means when billionaires start shaping national space policy sometimes more directly than governments themselves. We talk about Jared Isaacman’s new NASA leadership tone, the fight over NASA budgets, and why institutions like NCAR suddenly found themselves accused of being “woke” simply for doing climate science. Along the way, we contrast all of that wi...

In episode 323, Matt sits down with filmmaker Mark Craig to talk about his new documentary Apollo 1 the film that revisits the story of Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee, and the tragedy that reshaped NASA on the road to the Moon. Mark shares what drew him to the project, the moments that surprised him most during research, and why the Apollo 1 story still matters especially for audiences w...

In this episode, Matt opens with forgotten space hero John Bevis’ birthday and a cosmic musing on relativistic dust, black holes, and the unimaginable energies hidden in tiny things. Then astrophysicist and author Ethan Siegel joins the show to discuss his new book, The Grand Cosmic Story, a sweeping journey from the birth of the cosmos to the emergence of life and intelligence. Together they expl...

In this episode, Matt is joined by acclaimed science writer Brian Clegg to explore the dazzling world of the multiverse. Brian unpacks the science and speculation behind one of physics’ most mind-bending ideas. Together, they discuss why the multiverse has captivated scientists and storytellers alike, the fine line between science and philosophy, and what it all means for our place in the cosmos....

Andy Saunders joins Matt to talk about his new book Gemini and Mercury Remastered. We dig into the forgotten missions that paved the way for Apollo, the astonishing images he’s restored from NASA’s archives, and the human dramas behind them from blown hatches to dangerous spacewalks.

Matt and Jamie dive headfirst into the cosmic foam to explore the Bubble Universe, the mind-bending idea that our universe might be just one of countless “bubbles” in a vast multiverse. From the physics of cosmic inflation and the mysteries of the cosmic microwave background, to the philosophical head-scratchers of infinite realities, they mix hard science, playful analogies, and a touch of pop cu...

Matt welcomes Dr. Saralyn Mark, a world-renowned leader in women's health, space medicine, and innovation in gender-specific design. Dr. Mark is an endocrinologist, geriatrician, and former Senior Policy Advisor at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. She’s advised organizations such as NASA and the Department of Health and Human Services, and is the founder of iGIANT, a ground...

Matt welcomes Roman Chiporukha, co-founder and CEO of SpaceVIP, the concierge service that books everything from zero-g airplane jaunts to orbital stays aboard the ISS. Episode 317 invites you to imagine your next vacation above the Kármán line—and weigh whether the price tag is worth the view. Strap in for a conversation that spans luxury, logistics, and the future of off-world adventure

Episode 316 of the Interplanetary Podcast kicks off with Matt tackling the unsettling news of NASA’s potential science funding cuts—raising concerns about the future of groundbreaking space research—and pondering whether SpaceX’s mighty Starship could become an over-budget behemoth or the key to humankind’s next giant leap. Then, Matt welcomes Steve Matier, CEO of Maritime Launch Services, who she...

After a rant about civil discourse and the need for truth in the space commnuity, Matt Chats with Alan Smale who writes alternate and twisted history, and hard SF. Hot Moon, his alternate-Apollo “technothriller with heart”, was launched back in July 2022, followed by sequel Radiant Sky, in November 2024. The Apollo Rising series will conclude with Burning Night, in late 2025.

Matt chats with Stephen Thrum, a teacher at Windaroo Valley State High School in Logan QLD (Australia), whose career spans from professional model making to interning at NASA. and is a Space Settlement Design Coach—a role in which he has led teams of Australian school students to National and International victories over the past 16 years www.linktr.ee/Interplanetary Hosts: Matt Russell Music: Mat...

Matt chats with Tarek Waked, Founding Partner of Type One Ventures. Type One is an investment firm committed to developing a future civilization that is self-sufficient and interplanetary. The firm invests in space centric innovations. Matt Also www.linktr.ee/Interplanetary Hosts: Matt Russell Music: Matt Russell / Iam7

Matt chats with Yanni Barghouty, CEO and co-founder of Cosmic Shielding Corporation (CSC). Yanni is creating radiation shielding technology to ensure that hardware can operate in space without degrading. www.linktr.ee/Interplanetary Hosts: Matt Russell Music: Matt Russell / Iam7 Twitter @interplanetypod

Matt catches up with the crew from MSI-DFAT a company with over 60 years of combined engineering experience in spacecraft acoustic testing.

Matt catches up with Ethan Siegel again to chat about the James Webb Space Telescope and his new book Infinite Cosmos on National Geographic.

Matt is joined by Michelle Snyder and Jay Snyder to talk about their work with FREA the Foundation for Research of the Enzmann Archive. https://enzmannarchive.org/

Matt is joined by Pu Jian of Cailabs to talk about Space Laser Communications.

Matt is joined by the esteemed Dr. Gerard Van Belle of the Lowell Observatory to discuss the imminent nova of T Coronae Borealis. Dive into the fascinating details of this stellar event and what it means for our understanding of cosmic phenomena. Don’t miss this stellar conversation as we explore the universe’s explosive wonders!

Matt chats with Dr. Eiman Jahangir who was recently selected by Web 3 group MoonDAO as there 2nd astronaut to fly on a future Blue Origin New Shepard flight. A crazy story of trying and trying to then win a lottery. www.linktr.ee/Interplanetary Hosts: Matt Russell Music: Matt Russell / Iam7 Twitter @interplanetypod

Matt sits down with acclaimed author and journalist Adam Higginbotham to discuss his latest book, "Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space." This definitive account of the tragic space shuttle Challenger disaster takes us on a journey from the Apollo program through the investigation that followed the catastrophe. Adam shares the meticulous research to reveal the unto...