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265: Shawn Linam: Training Astronauts, Launching a Business, and Finding Her Orbit

Casual Space

Release Date: 05/02/2025

287: Drive Me to the Moon with Chris Lockett of Castrol show art 287: Drive Me to the Moon with Chris Lockett of Castrol

Casual Space

  What keeps a Mars rover running after 14 years on another planet? What fixed a juddering solar array on the International Space Station? And what tiny robot — small enough to hold in your hand — recently hitched a ride to the lunar South Pole? The answer to all three: Castrol. And this week, Beth sits down with Chris Lockett, Global Technology Director at Castrol, to pull back the curtain on one of space exploration's most quietly essential partners. Chris brings nearly 30 years of experience with BP and Castrol, working across the UK, China, Japan, South Africa, and beyond. His...

info_outline 286: Eyes to the Stars with Dr. Steve Hawley, NASA Shuttle Astronaut show art 286: Eyes to the Stars with Dr. Steve Hawley, NASA Shuttle Astronaut

Casual Space

What does it take to go from studying the universe… to flying through it? On this episode of Casual Space, Beth welcomes Dr. Steven A. Hawley—NASA astronaut, space shuttle veteran, and author of his new book, Eyes to the Stars, A Memoir for the Space Shuttle Generation. Listen to enjoy the remarkable journey of a young astronomer from Kansas who never expected to become an astronaut—and what happened when he said “yes” anyway. Steve shares the quiet but powerful decisions that shaped his career: staying open to opportunity, embracing uncertainty, and trusting preparation when timing...

info_outline 285: Did the 285: Did the "Project Hail Mary" Film Stick the Landing? / ft. Dr. Danny Jaques

Casual Space

An earlier version of this episode got corrupted on export, so the audio cut out part of the way into the episode. That has been fixed in this version. Apologies for the inconvenience! - Dr. Danny Jaques, a 36-year veteran science educator, Space Camp Hall of Famer, and founder of Danny's Rocket Ranch, joins Beth for a review of the Project Hail Mary film adaptation. A lifelong educator who has taken nearly 600 students to Space Camp and spent decades bringing science to life in the classroom, Danny brings a perspective to this conversation that you simply cannot get anywhere else. Beth and...

info_outline 284: Etched in Crystal: Putting 3,237 Stories Onto a Lunar Rover show art 284: Etched in Crystal: Putting 3,237 Stories Onto a Lunar Rover

Casual Space

Josh Hanes, whose work at Uplift Aerospace focuses on expanding access to space through student-centered education and immersive experiences, returns to the show with major updates on what's happened since STORIES of Space submitted its community database at the end of 2025. https://www.upliftaerospace.com Beth and Josh celebrate two landmark achievements: the successful laser engraving the story database from STORIES of Space into a 5D crystal along with over 3,000 messages from students, teachers, and community storytellers around the world, an extraordinary archival medium capable of...

info_outline 283: How Will Project Hail Mary Make the Leap from Book to Silver Screen? show art 283: How Will Project Hail Mary Make the Leap from Book to Silver Screen?

Casual Space

Have you read “Project Hail Mary,” by Andy Weir? No spoilers in this episode, as Beth reviews three of the main characters, and wonders how they will make the leap from page to the silver screen.

info_outline 282: Five STORIES Going to the Moon show art 282: Five STORIES Going to the Moon

Casual Space

The deadline for submitting stories to the Moon on MISSION 06 with STORIES of Space has been extended to December 28! In this episode, Beth selects & shares five recently submitted stories that will be sent to the Moon. Hundreds more will be sent to the moon along with these inspiring stories. Will yours be one of them?  You have until December 28 to submit your story at     About STORIES of Space  Stories of Space is a non-for-profit organization that collects personal narratives about space, and sends them into space. MISSION 06 will take stories to the lunar surface,...

info_outline 281: STORIES of Space is Going to the Moon with Uplift Aerospace show art 281: STORIES of Space is Going to the Moon with Uplift Aerospace

Casual Space

This week on Casual Space, Beth is joined by two extraordinary guests: Josh Hanes, CEO of Uplift Aerospace and Dr. Sian Proctor, astronaut, artist, educator, and founder of Space2Inspire to share an announcement that’s truly out of this world. Josh, whose background spans physics, advanced propulsion concepts, and aerospace leadership with a mission to expand access to space for all through innovative education and immersive experiences, explains how Uplift’s journey has grown from astronaut training to student-centered lunar missions. Dr. Proctor, best known as the first African-American...

info_outline 280: The View from the Launch Pad: Steve Matier on Building Canada’s Spaceport show art 280: The View from the Launch Pad: Steve Matier on Building Canada’s Spaceport

Casual Space

This week on Casual Space, Beth welcomes back a very special guest: Stephen Matier, President & CEO of Maritime Launch Services, to celebrate Canada’s history-making commercial suborbital launch completed at the end of November. Fresh from the launch pad in Canso, Nova Scotia, Beth and Steve sit down to reflect on the extraordinary milestone for Canada’s growing space sector and share the personal, behind-the-scenes stories that made the mission unforgettable.   You can both listen AND watch this conversation on YouTube, where Beth shares exclusive launch-day footage,...

info_outline 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...

info_outline 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

Casual Space

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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Shawn Linam, Aerospace Entrepreneur & Host of In Her Orbit Podcast 

Shawn Linam’s journey didn’t start with a telescope or dreams of rockets—it began with candy striping, biomedical engineering, and a resilient heart that would eventually take her to NASA. Listen for a candid conversation about the challenges and joys of being a woman in the space exploration industry, raising kids while growing a company, and navigating a professional trajectory that’s anything but linear. Shawn shares the behind-the-scenes truths of her extraordinary career: from training astronauts at Johnson Space Center to co-founding her own company after a surprise layoff (while on maternity leave!). Together, Beth and Shawn reflect on NASA culture, building confidence in male-dominated fields, and why mentoring the next generation—especially girls in STEM—is the legacy that matters most.

 About Shawn Linam:
Shawn Linam is the co-founder and CEO of Qwaltec, a space systems operations and training company. Before launching her own business, she served as a NASA trainer supporting the International Space Station and Shuttle programs. Today, she leads In Her Orbit, a podcast amplifying women’s voices in STEM and beyond. A mom, leader, and advocate for women in space-related careers, Shawn continues to mentor, speak, and support others as they launch their own bold missions.

🚀 Explore her podcast In Her Orbit wherever you listen to podcasts
🌍 Learn more about Shawn’s work at qwaltec.com

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