From MIT to TV: A conversation with The Space Gal

In this episode of the Space for All podcast, host Valerie McKiernan interviews Emily Calandrelli, also known as "The Space Gal." Emily shares her inspiring journey from growing up in West Virginia to becoming an MIT engineer, Emmy-nominated science TV host, author, and soon-to-be astronaut with Blue Origin.

Emily discusses how her pursuit of financial security led her to engineering, which blossomed into a passion for space exploration. She talks about hosting "Xploration Outer Space," creating "Emily's Wonder Lab" on Netflix while nine months pregnant, and the challenges she faced as a woman in STEM media. Despite industry biases, she has become a prominent advocate for women and girls in science.

Emily announces her upcoming spaceflight aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket, fulfilling a lifelong dream. She also shares her efforts to improve parental leave policies in the aerospace industry, her advocacy for accessible education, and her plans to launch "Emily's Science Lab" on YouTube.

Tune in to hear Emily's insights on making science accessible, empowering the next generation, and her exciting journey to the stars.

ABOUT THE HOST:

Valerie McKiernan's journey began in the heart of the aerospace industry, working at her family’s aerospace business from a young age. After college, she took an exciting detour as a TV producer for CNBC Business News, where she discovered her love for television production. Over the past decade, Valerie made her way back into the Aerospace Industry and is now blending her two passions to inspire and attract more people to Space.  In addition to being the host of Space for All, Valerie is a Senior Business Development Manager for Coherent Corp.

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LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/valmckiernan/

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