268: Stargazing, Friendship & Following Your Curiosity — with Kevin Rehberg of ClearSky Events
Release Date: 05/31/2025
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...
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269: Mark O’Connell, Author of The Year Science Changed Everything
Casual Space
Mark O’Connell returns to Casual Space to discuss one of the most extraordinary scientific collaborations in human history: the 1957 International Geophysical Year. With his signature wit and storytelling style, Mark takes us on the journey behind his NEW book, The Year Science Changed Everything, revealing how 6,000 scientists from 66 nations put aside political differences to study Earth’s greatest mysteries—from the depths of the ocean to the edge of space. Beth and Mark explore the ripple effects of this global effort, including the formation of the Antarctic Treaty, the surprising...
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268: Stargazing, Friendship & Following Your Curiosity — with Kevin Rehberg of ClearSky Events
Casual Space
Have you ever looked up at the stars and wished someone could walk you through the wonders above your head — without needing a PhD for confusing telescope parts? Well, you're in luck. In this episode, I’m thrilled (and honestly, a little misty-eyed) to reconnect with my lifelong friend and kindred curiosity-seeker, Kevin Rehberg! Kevin is the founder of his newly- launched company, , providing a truly magical mobile stargazing experience for people looking to ENJOY the simple wonders of stargazing. Kevin’s love of the night sky began at age 10 with a clunky plastic telescope...
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267: Susan Tate Ankeny, Author of American Fly Girl, Captures the Story of American Hero Hazel Ying Lee
Casual Space
Hazel Ying Lee was a fearless pilot and a true aviation pioneer — the first Asian American to fly with the Women Airforce Service Pilots. But for decades, her remarkable story was left untold, until now. In this episode, author Susan Tate Ankeny tells us how she uncovers Hazel’s legacy in her book, American Fly Girl. Through rich research, Susan brings Hazel’s courage, wit, and determination back into the spotlight — where it belongs. This conversation is a tribute to hidden heroes and the storytellers who make sure we don’t forget them. This conversion captures *Hazel’s...
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266: Michelle Lucas on Launching Dreams: From NASA Flight Controller to Higher Orbits Founder
Casual Space
Michelle 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...
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265: Shawn Linam: Training Astronauts, Launching a Business, and Finding Her Orbit
Casual Space
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...
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264: From Wall Street to weightlessness: Matt Gohd, Chairman of Zero Gravity Corporation
Casual Space
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...
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263: Lunar Landings & Late-Night Shifts: Ben Tackett from Firefly Aerospace on Blue Ghost Mission 1
Casual Space
Ben Tackett Show Notes TITLE: Lunar Landings & Late-Night Shifts: Ben Tackett from Firefly Aerospace on Blue Ghost Mission 1” This week on Casual Space, it’s one small step for your playlist — one giant landing for a Blue Ghost…this episode delivers big on space, story, and spirit! Beth is joined by Ben Tackett, Lead Systems Operator at Firefly Aerospace, to relive the extraordinary journey that took him from Purdue classrooms to helping land a spacecraft on the Moon. Ben shares how his early love of aerospace evolved into a hands-on career that’s shaping the future...
info_outlineHave you ever looked up at the stars and wished someone could walk you through the wonders above your head — without needing a PhD for confusing telescope parts? Well, you're in luck. In this episode, I’m thrilled (and honestly, a little misty-eyed) to reconnect with my lifelong friend and kindred curiosity-seeker, Kevin Rehberg! Kevin is the founder of his newly- launched company, ClearSky Events, providing a truly magical mobile stargazing experience for people looking to ENJOY the simple wonders of stargazing.
Kevin’s love of the night sky began at age 10 with a clunky plastic telescope and a whole lot of imagination. I was lucky to watch Kevin fall in love with the night sky - Kevin was one of my very first friends growing up, when playing with friends meant playing outside. From climbing trees to looking at stars, Kevin has always had a spirit of exploration. I’ll never forget how excited he was to assemble & peer through his first telescope and share it with all of us kids in the neighborhood...
Fast forward to today, and he’s transformed that passion into something extraordinary: bringing the awe of Saturn’s rings, the surface of the moon, and deep-sky galaxies to your backyard — no astronaut suit required.
We talk about:
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The hilariously humble beginnings of his telescope adventures from our backyards
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How ClearSky Events is making stargazing accessible, unforgettable, and portable
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Why curiosity is one of the best forces in the universe (and in life)
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What it’s like building a business rooted in joy, family, and sharing wonder with others
It’s rare to have a friend who shares your dreams as a kid and grows up to build something that lets others dream bigger. I couldn’t be more grateful for Kevin, for his heart, and for this full-circle conversation under the stars.
If you’re planning an event, looking for the perfect way to wow your guests, or just need a little wonder in your week — discover ClearSky Events in this week’s episode. Contact Kevin and host your very-own, memory-making event TODAY! https://www.clearsky.events/
About Kevin:
Founder Kevin Rehberg's fascination with the night sky began when he was 10 years old. Armed with a comically bad department store telescope and a budding lifelong curiosity, he would venture into shin deep snow to discover the dynamic visual wonders of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, the moon, and beyond.
He quickly realized that the most rewarding part of exploring the night sky was sharing it with friends. A couple equally horrible telescope purchases later, he gifted himself the college graduation present of a state of the art observatory-grade computerized telescope.
From day one with his new telescope, Kevin envisioned a time when future versions of it would be smart enough to make the night sky accessible to even the most casual stargazer. That day arrived with the very recent mainstreaming of smart telescopes.
ClearSky Events is the progression of that eleven year old's passion for sharing the night sky with a jiggly plastic telescope to today's ability to connect the deepest sky wonders with new friends the world over.
Kevin is married to Regina and together they have two wonderful daughters who share that same curiosity for everything big and small in our universe. A long time coming to arrive at ClearSky Events, but worth every minute of the wait. Share that same passion with the guests of your next event.
Want to learn more about how Beth connects with guests like Kevin, and how her career in space began? Send Beth a note directly at [email protected] and follow the show on all the socials.
Want more engaging stories about our future in space? Learn how you can send your own, original story to space right now- at storiesofspace.com