279: The Everyday Adventure That Changes Everything with Jessica DeAngelo
Release Date: 11/07/2025
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...
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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...
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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...
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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.
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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,...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
info_outlineThis 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 executive nature-based retreats have helped hundreds of professionals solve complex problems, unlock breakthrough ideas, and return to their work with purpose (and joy!).
In our conversation, we talk about:
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Why your brain actually works better outdoors (and what the science says about it)
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How movement, nature, and curiosity come together to unlock new thinking
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The surprising truth behind burnout — and why “working harder” is the opposite of the solution
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What happens when you finally make space to hear your own ideas again
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The magic that comes from small steps (or walks) taken consistently
This isn’t just a conversation about hiking.
It’s about learning to reclaim the part of ourselves that thrives in wonder, exploration, and stillness — whether that’s on a trail, in your neighborhood, or simply stepping away from the demands that never seem to end.
As someone who has hiked with Jessica, learned from her, and taken the Hike to Become challenge myself, I can tell you this:
The shift is real. And powerful.
You don’t have to summit a mountain to rediscover your clarity — you just need to be willing to step outside and listen.
Jessica DeAngelo
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Founder & Chief Hiking Officer of Hike to Become®
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TEDx Speaker
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Executive Retreat Leader & Strategy Facilitator
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Author of The Wild Advantage: Why Your Brain on Nature Is Your Boldest Business Move
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Lover of wide open skies, big ideas, and good snacks
She lives in Boise with her husband and two spirited kiddos who remind her that adventure is always within reach — especially when you’re holding a granola bar.
Where to find with Jessica
Website: www.jessicadeangelo.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-deangelo-mba/
Instagram: @hiketobecome
If today’s conversation inspires you to get outside — even just for five minutes — then you’re already on your way.
Let’s go find what’s waiting for you out there.