256: Herb Baker
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...
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255: Hank Alewine: Crunching Numbers in the Cosmos
Casual 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...
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254: Ronak Dave, NASA Johnson Space Center Flight Director
Casual 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...
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253: Dr. Eiman Jahangir’s Journey to Space with Blue Origin
Casual 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...
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252: Anna (Hanna Sav) Harutyunyan: Armenia's First Analog Astronaut and Founder of Rocket Space Academy
Casual 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...
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251: Samantha Christensen: Opening the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center at Lowell Observatory
Casual 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...
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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...
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249: Chris Quigg: Exploring Grace in All Simplicity
Casual 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...
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248: Scott Holcomb: From Space Camp to the Classroom
Casual 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...
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247: Defending Space Through Storytelling with Stuart Hardwick
Casual 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_outlineEver wonder what it’s like to push past your limits in an environment designed to challenge and inspire you?
In this episode of Casual Space, Beth Mund, along with co-hosts Chris and Joshua, shares another powerful story from the "Through These Doors" series. This time, we hear from Melanie, a former camper who attended Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SIVIS).
Melanie shares what it was like to connect with other visually impaired students for the first time, the thrill of overcoming fears, and how Space Camp has left a lasting mark on her life. She talks about the unforgettable mentors Jim Allen and Dan Oates, who were instrumental in her journey, and the importance of stepping into leadership roles—even when it's daunting.
Whether you’re curious about how Space Camp can transform lives or just love a good story of personal growth, this episode is a must-listen.
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About:
Melanie Sinohui
Melanie is a passionate space enthusiast and a former participant of Space Camp, where she embraced challenges that pushed her out of her comfort zone. Although she initially considered herself a "B plus" participant, Melanie's experiences at camp taught her the value of purposeful leadership and teamwork. She reflects on her time at Space Camp with humility and insight, recognizing the importance of following and leading in new, unfamiliar situations.
Melanie firmly believes in never underestimating the people around you, especially the power and potential of youth. Her journey through Space Camp has instilled in her a deep appreciation for teamwork dynamics and its critical role in achieving successful outcomes—whether in space exploration, military aviation, or everyday life. Melanie's story is a testament to the growth that comes from stepping into new experiences and learning when to take initiative and when to support others.
Have you attended Space Camp or been inspired by similar stories? We’d love to hear about it!
Share your story with us on social media using:
#CasualSpace and #ThroughTheseDoors.
Interested in Space Camp?
Visit:
https://www.rocketcenter.com/SpaceCamp
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