Ep. 87: Terry Virts

“The world does a lot better when America leads, as long as we’re leading promoting democracy and free market economies. We can’t be promoting the dictators and authoritarians of the world.”

One of the most distinguished NASA astronauts of the last few decades is here, talking everything from space to his passion for Mozart. Colonel Terry Virts, former head of the International Space Station, has a book out called How to Astronaut: An Insider’s Guide to Leaving Planet Earth, which serves as the jumping-off point for this expansive conversation. Lots of the fundamental questions one has about space and space travel are answered in this discussion, such as "what is it like putting on a space suit?” and “how does one mentally handle the pressures and risks of leaving this planet?”

In the second part of the conversation, Terry and Daniel zoom out and discuss the broader implications of multi-country cooperation via the International Space Station. What lessons about cultural exchanges can be taught and applied on earth that occur daily in space as astronauts from different countries come together for a common goal? How is a government different than its people? What does the study of foreign language do for one’s ability to connect with people in far away lands?

Support Talking Beats with Daniel Lelchuk on Patreon. You will contribute to continued presentation of substantive interviews with the world's most compelling people. We believe that providing a platform for individual expression, free thought, and a diverse array of views is more important now than ever.

Col. Terry Virts (ret) served as a U.S. Air Force test fighter pilot, is a NASA veteran of two spaceflights and a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Harvard Business School.

He recently directed his first film, ​One More Orbit​. He is a celebrated thought leader, speaker and author whose ​seven months in space included: piloting the Space Shuttle; commanding the International Space Station; three spacewalks; and performing scientific experiments, while working closely with multiple international partners. Virts worked with Russian Space Agency cosmonauts during some of the most stressful
U.S.-Russian relations since the Cold War.

While in space he took more than 300,000 photos – more than on any other space mission. The images are an integral component of the National Geographic IMAX film ​A Beautiful Planet​, which Virts also shot and stars in. His first book for National Geographic, ​View From Above​, combines his best photography with stories about spaceflight alongside his
perspectives about life on earth and our place in the cosmos.

An in-demand speaker at events across the globe, Virts’​ inspires audiences with stories from space as well as his insights into life on earth. He brings his unique perspective to businesses worldwide on diverse topics such as our environment, global wealth, intercultural leadership, crisis and risk management, innovation, strategy and vision and decision making.