Moonshot: Engineers Achieving the Impossible

Columbia Engineering

Join host Mike Massimino, former NASA astronaut and Columbia Engineering professor, in conversations with innovators, researchers, alumni, and students exploring the ideas shaping our world. Inspired by his book, “Moonshot: A NASA Astronaut’s Guide to Achieving the Impossible,” this podcast examines the career highs and lows that happen from space to Earth. What Mike learned in orbit turns out to apply almost anywhere, and we get an inside look at what drives people to achieve the impossible. We also learn from guests: “What’s your next moonshot?”

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    From Wall Street to the Culinary World

    Bestselling cookbook author, restaurateur, and Columba Engineering alum Judy Joo joins host Mike Massimino for the second episode of "Moonshot". Judy shares how she pivoted from Wall Street to the culinary world, including what it was like to become the first female Iron Chef in the UK. They get into how the Korean Wave has changed the way people eat, what inspired her new book “Mukja: Let's Eat!,” and how her engineering background still shapes her work.  Key Points From This Episode: (05:18) Taking the leap from Wall Street to culinary school (12:36) The casting process that led to Iron Chef (23:28) The Korean Wave and how the global popularity of Korean culture helped introduce its food to the world (29:30) How Joo’s engineering education continues to influence her work (41:12) The persistence behind the TV show, “Korean Food Made Simple” (48:15) Building Seoul Bird and her fast-casual restaurants across London, Edinburgh, and New York

    From Wall Street to the Culinary World

  2. Nov 4

    Creative Machines and the Future of Robotics

    Can machines be creative? In this first episode of Moonshot, host Mike Massimino talks with Hod Lipson, a Columbia Engineering roboticist whose work includes robots that learn and adapt. Lipson, the James and Sally Scapa Professor of Innovation in Columbia’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, explains why physical AI is so difficult, how engineers and AI might work together on new designs, and how he defines creativity. He also shares advice on why playing it safe can limit your impact. Key Points From This Episode:(00:00) Introduction(04:48) Hod’s definition of self-awareness as the ability to imagine yourself in the future(11:55) The drive to build machines that can design—and potentially outperform—their creators(23:24) Using robotics to investigate life, self-reproduction, and the possibilities of engineeredsystems(38:01) Hod’s vision for accelerated innovation and engineers’ growing responsibility to guide AI(50:54) The challenges of physical robotics and the importance of human movement data fortraining

    Creative Machines and the Future of Robotics

  3. Oct 29

    Big Ideas. Bold Journeys.

    What does it take to achieve the seemingly impossible? In “Moonshot,” former NASA astronaut and Columbia Engineering professor Mike Massimino explores this question with innovators, researchers, alumni, and students. Through conversations about ambition, unexpected challenges, and pivots, guests share their experiences and lessons that have helped shape their journeys.

  • 1 Trailer
    2 Episodes

Trailer

About

Join host Mike Massimino, former NASA astronaut and Columbia Engineering professor, in conversations with innovators, researchers, alumni, and students exploring the ideas shaping our world. Inspired by his book, “Moonshot: A NASA Astronaut’s Guide to Achieving the Impossible,” this podcast examines the career highs and lows that happen from space to Earth. What Mike learned in orbit turns out to apply almost anywhere, and we get an inside look at what drives people to achieve the impossible. We also learn from guests: “What’s your next moonshot?”

Information

You Might Also Like