232: Imagineering for the Future: Disney Innovation and Space Exploration PART 2
Release Date: 07/05/2024
Casual Space
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” into an unforgettable 42-year career working on the Shuttle, Space Station, and Orion programs. Herb grew up surrounded by astronauts’ families, watched history happen right in his backyard, and even got to see his mom play a key role in saving Skylab—a story that will absolutely...
info_outline 255: Hank Alewine: Crunching Numbers in the CosmosCasual Space
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, from studying biology to becoming a CPA, and eventually inventing a course that tackles the financial frontier of the space economy. Hank explores fascinating topics like how future Martian colonies might handle taxes (spoiler: someone will definitely try to tax space transactions) and why lag...
info_outline 254: Ronak Dave, NASA Johnson Space Center Flight DirectorCasual Space
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 University, his path to NASA was fueled by curiosity, determination, and a little networking ingenuity. From tinkering with appliances in his childhood home to orchestrating critical missions at NASA, Ronak talks about how each experience brought him to work in the space industry. He shares lessons learned...
info_outline 253: Dr. Eiman Jahangir’s Journey to Space with Blue OriginCasual Space
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 for science and space and his unwavering commitment to the dream of exploring beyond Earth. Catch Dr. Jahangir as he shares stories from his recent Blue Origin flight and launches into his experiences with the analog astronaut community, where he honed skills vital for long space missions. He’s...
info_outline 252: Anna (Hanna Sav) Harutyunyan: Armenia's First Analog Astronaut and Founder of Rocket Space AcademyCasual Space
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 projects. Anna’s on a mission to inspire people in Armenia, and around the world, to explore space. As you listen in, you’ll hear how Anna first connected with the analog astronaut community through the Austrian Space Forum, where she supported ground operations before stepping into...
info_outline 251: Samantha Christensen: Opening the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center at Lowell ObservatoryCasual Space
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 cutting-edge exhibits, interactive experiences, and an immersive space for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages. Samantha discusses the community’s excitement, especially among educators, and highlights how this new center will serve not only Flagstaff but also underserved communities, including the...
info_outline 250: Corbett Hoenninger, General Manager of Argotec Inc.Casual Space
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 the recent NASA DART mission, (giving an asteroid a nudge), and how small satellites are changing the game in space. Corbett started working in the field of psychology, then shifted to aerospace engineering… and combining both to present this great philosophy of being “fearless, but not...
info_outline 249: Chris Quigg: Exploring Grace in All SimplicityCasual Space
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 insights from his new book and reveals the inspiration behind its intriguing title. Listen for unforgettable moments in the history of science and get a sneak peek into life at iconic research centers like CERN and Fermilab. Thank you, Chris, for showing us how curiosity and a love for learning can...
info_outline 248: Scott Holcomb: From Space Camp to the ClassroomCasual Space
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 the impact Space Camp (the movie AND the experience) has had on his life and how he’s inspiring the next generation to dream big. Tune in for behind-the-scenes tales from Space Camp, the joy of rekindling childhood wonder, and insights into fostering curiosity in today's students. Scott shares...
info_outline 247: Defending Space Through Storytelling with Stuart HardwickCasual Space
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! We’re celebrating World Space Week with our partners, Cosmic Girls and their INCREDIBLE Space Competition announcement you DO NOT want to miss: In this episode, Stuart & Beth discuss the critical importance of space defense and how science fiction plays a role in educating the public about the future of space...
info_outlinePrepare for a magical journey! Our official Disney Insider, Hannah Stanley, is back and ready to whisk us away on an adventure through the world of innovation and imagination. In this episode, Hannah shares fascinating examples and delightful references that tie together space exploration and the ever-inspiring Disney spirit of innovation.
From animatronic presidents to the dream of living on the Moon EPCOT-style, discover how Walt Disney's visionary ideas continue to influence the future of space exploration. Whether you're a Disney fan, a space enthusiast, or just someone who loves a good story, this episode is sure to ignite your imagination and leave you inspired.
Don’t miss out on this enchanting episode! Tune in and let the magic of Disney and the wonder of space exploration collide!
There are several books and shows that delve into Walt Disney's inventions and his impact on innovation. Here are some recommendations:
Books
-
"Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination" by Neal Gabler
-
This comprehensive biography provides deep insights into Walt Disney's life, his creative process, and the innovations he introduced.
-
-
"Walt Disney's Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park" by Jeff Kurtti
-
This book highlights the pioneers of Disney Imagineering, the creative force behind Disney's theme park attractions, and discusses various innovations.
-
-
"Disneyland: The Nickel Tour" by Bruce Gordon and David Mumford
-
A detailed history of Disneyland that covers the evolution of the park and the innovations introduced by Disney and his team.
-
-
"Walt Disney and the Quest for Community" by Steve Mannheim
-
This book explores Walt Disney's vision for EPCOT and his innovative ideas for community planning and urban development.
-
-
"Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of the Show" by John Hench
-
Written by one of the original Imagineers, this book provides an insider’s look at the design and innovation behind Disney’s attractions.
-
Shows and Documentaries
-
"The Imagineering Story" (Disney+)
-
This documentary series offers an in-depth look at the history and evolution of Walt Disney Imagineering, featuring interviews and archival footage.
-
-
"Walt: The Man Behind the Myth"
-
A documentary that covers Walt Disney’s life, his work, and his numerous contributions to animation and theme park design.
-
-
"American Experience: Walt Disney" (PBS)
-
A two-part documentary that explores Walt Disney's career, focusing on his innovative spirit and the creation of Disneyland.
-
-
"Behind the Attraction" (Disney+)
-
This series goes behind the scenes of some of Disney’s most iconic attractions and explains the technological innovations and creative processes involved.
-
-
"One Day at Disney" (Disney+)
-
A documentary series that showcases the daily lives of Disney employees, including Imagineers, and highlights the innovative work that goes into creating Disney magic.
-
These books and shows provide a comprehensive look at Walt Disney's inventive spirit and the lasting impact of his innovations on entertainment, technology, and beyond.
*Don’t forget!!! You can send your story to space TODAY! The window for STORIES of Space Mission 03 is NOW OPEN! Send your story, for free, to www.storiesofspace.com