266: Michelle Lucas on Launching Dreams: From NASA Flight Controller to Higher Orbits Founder
Release Date: 05/09/2025
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
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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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
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”
Casual Space
What if Walt Disney’s real magic wasn’t perfection…but persistence? In this episode, Beth takes you behind the myths of creative genius to explore how Disney built through failure, loss, and uncertainty—and why those moments became the foundation for his greatest successes. From bankruptcy to Mickey, from “Disney’s Folly” to Disneyland, Walt’s story reminds us that the impossible often starts in the middle of adversity. Beth connects Disney’s journey with her own: building Casual Space, launching STORIES of Space, and saying “yes” to dreams long before things felt...
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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
Casual Space
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
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 "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
Casual Space
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...
info_outlineMichelle Lucas knows what it means to chart your own course—especially when the stars aren't clearly mapped. In this heartfelt conversation, Michelle recounts her unexpected trajectory from a third-grader dreaming about rockets in a refrigerator box “space station” to becoming a NASA flight controller and the founder of Higher Orbits, a nonprofit bringing students’ experiments to actual space. Beth and Michelle explore how childhood curiosity, persistent grit, and a few key mentors launched Michelle into the heart of space exploration—and how she's now using that same passion to light the path for others.
Beth and Michelle unpack the realities of navigating NASA's culture, what safety really looks like behind the scenes, and how working in space changed Michelle’s approach to life on Earth. Oh, and don’t miss a fun connection Beth and Michelle laugh about: a wax-molded space shuttle from Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.
More About Michelle Lucas:
Michelle is the founder of Higher Orbits, a nonprofit organization that uses spaceflight to excite and engage students in STEM, leadership, teamwork, and communication. Before launching Higher Orbits, Michelle served in multiple roles at NASA, including flight controller, instructor, and safety team member. She’s a lifelong space enthusiast who believes deeply in mentoring the next generation of explorers—and still proudly owns a cassette tape of her first astronaut shoutout from space.
If you’re in the Chicagoland area, you can meet Michelle at the Galactic Golf Outing on May 13—a fundraiser where you can literally tee off with astronauts to support Higher Orbits’ mission. (Bonus: It’s hosted at the Glenn Club, once home to Neil Armstrong’s naval station.)
Connect with Michelle and support student STEM dreams at higherorbits.org.
If you enjoyed this episode and would like to share, I’d love to hear it!
We’re sending stories to space AND sea! Launching MISSION 05 this week, and you’ll want to make sure you have a place on board- www.storiesofspace.com
Join me and our guests for all of our conversations and stories at:
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or email me at beth@casualspacepodcast.com.