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264: From Wall Street to weightlessness: Matt Gohd, Chairman of Zero Gravity Corporation

Casual Space

Release Date: 04/25/2025

279: The Everyday Adventure That Changes Everything with Jessica DeAngelo show art 279: The Everyday Adventure That Changes Everything with Jessica DeAngelo

Casual Space

This week on the Casual Space Podcast, I’m joined by my friend, adventurer, and all-around visionary Jessica DeAngelo — founder of Hike to Become®, author of the international bestseller The Wild Advantage, and the leader behind a movement that encourages us to step outside (literally) to find the clarity, creativity, and calm we keep trying to chase indoors. Jessica works with leaders from companies like Amazon, Nike, and Uber to help them break out of the boardroom mindset and reconnect with the part of themselves that already knows the answer. Her 31-day outdoor awareness challenge and...

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278: From Spacewalks to Service: Astronaut Mike Foreman on a Career of Service and Exploration show art 278: From Spacewalks to Service: Astronaut Mike Foreman on a Career of Service and Exploration

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What does life after space look like for an astronaut? For Mike Foreman, it looks like community, connection, and continuing to serve — just a little closer to Earth. Mike is a retired NASA astronaut, a U.S. Navy veteran, and the current Mayor of Friendswood, Texas. Over the course of two Space Shuttle missions — STS-123 and STS-129 — Mike logged more than 637 hours in space and completed five spacewalks (that’s over 32 hours working outside the spacecraft!) helping to deliver and assemble parts of the International...

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277: Launching from Nova Scotia: STORIES of Space MISSION 03 show art 277: Launching from Nova Scotia: STORIES of Space MISSION 03

Casual Space

In this exciting new episode of Casual Space, Beth is joined by Alex Martin to share all the details about STORIES of Space MISSION 03, launching soon from Canada’s first commercial spaceport in beautiful Nova Scotia! Together, Beth and Alex talk about what it takes to prepare for this historic suborbital mission — from planning and partnerships to payloads and the people who make it all possible. Listeners will get an insider’s look at how stories (your submitted stories) are being sent to space, connecting us all to exploration in a deeply personal and creative...

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276: Behind the Scenes: The Challenges and Lessons Learned by Exploring Underwater on MISSION 05 show art 276: Behind the Scenes: The Challenges and Lessons Learned by Exploring Underwater on MISSION 05

Casual Space

This week on Casual Space, Beth is joined by Alex and Chad for a lively and candid conversation about their unforgettable underwater MISSION 05 STORIES of Space adventure!  Together, Paul, Alex, Chad and Beth took STORIES of Space to new depths—literally—by bringing human stories into an underwater research habitat. Join us as we swap stories, laughs, and lessons learned from this one-of-a-kind mission. From the early days of planning and unexpected challenges, to the pure joy of exploring together as a team, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to...

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275: Disney Persistence: Why Foundations Matter More Than “Perfect Timing” show art 275: Disney Persistence: Why Foundations Matter More Than “Perfect Timing”

Casual Space

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274: Space Inspired Reads: A Fall Wish List  show art 274: Space Inspired Reads: A Fall Wish List

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. As the host of Casual Space Podcast, I’m fortunate enough to receive books from our incredible guests, so sometimes I choose what to read, and other times the stories find their way to me. Right now, I’m re-reading two standouts so rich with insight that I’ve taken notes, underlined passages, and even brought some of their wisdom into my work. I believe a book becomes truly powerful...

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273: Our Ocean Adventure That Proved Stories Give Exploration show art 273: Our Ocean Adventure That Proved Stories Give Exploration

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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 STORIES of Space MISSION 05, where our crew lived for four days in the world’s only underwater habitat, Jules’ Undersea Lodge. We didn’t just bring gear… we brought hundreds of YOUR stories — the same ones that have flown to the International Space Station — and immersed them in an extreme environment to see what new tales would emerge. I’ll share the challenges, the...

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272: Summer-ease Series: STORIES of Space Underwater Invitation  show art 272: Summer-ease Series: STORIES of Space Underwater Invitation 

Casual Space

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 her crew are heading to Jules’ Undersea Facility, to live, work, and explore from beneath the ocean’s surface, bringing YOUR stories along with!  Why? Because space and sea have more in common than you might think. Confined environments, exploration, isolation, teamwork — it’s a powerful, immersive experience that connects us more deeply to our planet... and to each other. Here’s...

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271: Summer-ease Series 271: Summer-ease Series "One More Thing" Almost Cost Me An EPIC Family Vacation

Casual Space

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 “earning” your time off — and how a much-needed family vacation almost didn’t happen because of it. Tune in as Beth shares: The chaotic lead-up to pressing pause on work, life, and laundry How her family rediscovered joy, spontaneity, and s’mores (not necessarily in that order) Surprising science on why breaks literally make you healthier, happier, and way more creative A...

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270: John A. Read, Space Systems Engineer, Author and Astronomer  show art 270: John A. Read, Space Systems Engineer, Author and Astronomer

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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 engineering—yes, really), John joins Beth to explore his fascinating journey from finance to astrophysics, and from a $15 pharmacy telescope to founding Stargaze Nova Scotia, a public dark-sky observatory. Along the way, John shares how a spark of curiosity from a Chris Hadfield novel launched him into grad school, how he's helping democratize astronomy through smart telescopes and best-selling...

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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 resilience, accessibility, and unforgettable experiences that allow everyday people to float like astronauts.

In this episode, Beth and Matt explore the incredible evolution of Zero G—from its bold beginnings inspired by Peter Diamandis to flying 22,000+ people, including Stephen Hawking and Apollo astronaut Charlie Duke. Matt shares what it took to revive the company after near shutdown, launch flights during a global pandemic, and expand access to space-like experiences for everyone—especially through impactful initiatives like AstroAccess, which brings disabled individuals aboard to test space accessibility solutions. Listeners will love the behind-the-scenes stories of lunar pushups, parabolic protocols, and even the “best nap of your life” after your flight.

About Matt Gohd:
Matt is the Chairman of Zero Gravity Corporation (ZERO-G), the only commercial provider of weightless flight experiences in the U.S. With a background in finance and a passion for turning bold visions into reality, Matt stepped in during a critical time to relaunch the company and bring spaceflight simulation to the masses. Since then, he’s been instrumental in growing Zero G’s impact, forging partnerships, expanding operations across the country, and championing inclusion in space.

Zero G now operates in cities like Houston, San Jose, New York, and even from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, offering public flights, corporate experiences, and research missions for institutions prepping for lunar missions. Check out GoZeroG.com to learn more, book a seat, or get updates on where the plane will fly next. (Use code “MAT10” to save 10% on your own weightless adventure.)

Matt also highlights collaborators like Tim Bailey (the heart of Zero G), marketing pro Erin, and CEO Kevin Sproge, who brings military and Blue Origin astronaut training expertise to the team. And don’t miss the mention of Jose Hernandez, NASA astronaut and subject of A Million Miles Away, who often joins flights to inspire the next generation.

To learn more about AstroAccess and their mission to make spaceflight accessible for all, visit astroaccess.org.

☁️💫 Whether you're curious about the science of weightlessness or dreaming of floating like an astronaut, this is an episode that will lift your spirit—and maybe your feet—off the ground.

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