Casual Space Beth Mund

Welcome to the first episode in our new series, “Summaries” (Summer-ease) where host Beth Mund provides a shortened, easy- going, “summary” for your listening enjoyment.  Every week, you’ll find themes within space exploration of course, and related topics.  Guests will occasionally stop by, and we’ll keep the conversation light and non-technical (we always do).  Like a cool and refreshing iced tea, these mini masterclass conversations are deliciously served to include the perfect mix of entertainment and education with a splash of cosmic fun!
 
So, listen in & relax! Let us do all the heavy lifting and bring the universe to you- one casual space summary at a time.
 
This week’s Summer-ease theme:  Staying Curious
When it comes to space exploration, what does it mean to stay curious? Beth reflects on some of her previous guests ‘episodes and what it means to not only be curious, but how to stay curious by inviting others to join in.
 
Astronomer John Read invites us to look up and be curious about our night sky: https://www.bethmund.com/casual-space-podcast/20240129/211-john
 
Researchers/ writers/ comics Kelly and Zach Weinersmith are curious about how we might live on Mars https://www.bethmund.com/casual-space-podcast/20240229/217-kelly-zach-weinersmith
 
Curious about solar power? Physicist John Mankins explains it here: https://www.bethmund.com/casual-space-podcast/20240223/215-john-mankins
 
*Don’t forget!!! You can send your story to space TODAY! The window for STORIES of Space Mission 03 is NOW OPEN! Send your story, for free, to www.storiesofspace.com

Last spring, Beth Mund delivered the commencement speech at her alma matter, Loras College. Here is the recording of her speech, never before released.  It's one of life long exploration and curiosity- Beth draws examples from her own experiences and from her colleagues in the space industry to help inspire the next generation of explorers. 

Sean Wilson is a strategic communications and crisis communications expert who has worked extensively within the space industry. Sean currently works as the Director of Communications for the Aerospace Corporation and has also worked as the Director of Media and Public Relations for Northrop Grumman and the Director of Strategic Communications for Orbital ATK. *Whew!* AND, that’s not even all of it- she’s served in the United States Air Force, wrote a children’s book about space adventures, and is a talented artist and “music junkie!” 
 
On this episode, Sean and Beth discover their professional paths have crossed numerous times and that they unknowingly have both been witness to several events and adventures while working with NASA…. This conversation is full of surprises, some “insider” tales, career wisdom from lessons learned, and, of course- laughter looking back on it all (and a promise of more stories to come).  
 
Find Sean on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanewilson/
 
And check out her space art on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/seanewilson/
Or get your copy of Princess Ava’s excellent space adventure here: https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Avas-Great-Space-Adventure/dp/1494417987 
And don’t forget- Mission 03 is accepting your story about space RIGHT NOW at www.storiesofspace.com 

Returning guest Danny Jaques has taken students to Space Camps for the past 32 years!
He’s been a certified space geek since he watched the last flight of Project Mercury with Gordon Cooper in Faith 7 on May 15, 1963, with his Dad.
 
Danny started his career in education teaching science and was invited to tour the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He was so impressed with the programs, facilities, and people that he decided it would become his mission to share the opportunity with his students. Danny started organizing students in grades 4-12 to attend Space Camp, and since then, has chaperoned over 500 students, with plans to continue for many more years. Because of his work and dedication to so many students, Danny was inducted as a member of the Space Camp Hall of Fame in 2010. 
 
YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO CHASE YOUR DREAMS!
 
Learn more about Danny and his work on an earlier episode here: https://www.bethmund.com/casual-space-podcast/20230505/194-space-salsa




Order Danny’s coffee, Rocket Ranch Space Salsa, and more here: 
Website: https://www.dannysrocketranch.com.
Email: dannysrocketranch@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/DannysRocketRanch 
https://www.instagram.com/dannysrocketranchspacesalsa
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannysrocketranch/
https://twitter.com/DRR_SpaceSalsa


And don’t forget- Mission 03 is accepting your story about space RIGHT NOW at www.storiesofspace.com

Dr. Kirby Runyon is completely qualified to be your outer space lifestyle guide and science consultant.  What makes him qualified, you ask? He’s a Planetary Geologist at The Planetary Science Institute, a Creative Space Science Consultant, his research has flown on a recent Zero-G flight(s), he hosts tours of the Kennedy Space Center, offers astrogeology tours for educators, and, well, you can read all of his formal qualifications at https://planex.space. 
 
In the meantime, we’re talking all about his space-themed zero-gravity flights (flinging colored chalk in microgravity), astrogeology adventure hikes (witnessing the most amazing colors within a sunset), seeing lava on the moon (!), and why kids make better Zero-G passengers than adults. It’s all this and more fun with our friend and guide, Kirby Runyon! 
 
Follow Dr. Kirby Runyon on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirby-runyon-1752467/
 
Catch up on all the things Kirby is doing at planex.space
 
And don’t forget- Mission 03 is accepting your story about space RIGHT NOW at www.storiesofspace.com 
 

40 years ago, the six surviving Mercury 7 Astronauts (Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Walter Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton), Betty Grissom, William Douglas, M.D., and Henri Landwirth established the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF). Since its inception, the ASF had the mission of retaining the United States' world leadership in technology and innovation to support the best and brightest STEM scholars while commemorating the legacy of America’s pioneering astronauts. From the original 7 scholarships in 1984, $8.3 million Astronaut Scholarships have been awarded to 790+ Astronaut Scholars from 48 universities nationwide to date.
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that annually provides more than 60 scholarships to the brightest and most talented college students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Learn more at: https://astronautscholarship.org/ 
Today on the show, Karly and Lisa join Beth and share how the ASF has helped impact their lives, and invite your support. 
Karly Liebendorfer is a senior at Florida Institute of Technology, majoring in biomedical engineering with minors in nanotechnology and chemistry. She is a 2023 Astronaut Scholar. She is also the captain of Florida Tech's NCAA DII women's lacrosse team and is involved in multiple student organizations. She will pursue her Ph.D. and aspires to work in drug development for space applications.