Who's On My Mind Podcast

S. Farias
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Society & Culture

🎧 Unhurried conversations with people whose ideas stay with me. On Who’s On My Mind, I dive deep into the lives of people who intrigue me—no script, no agenda, just meaningful conversations about their journeys, ideas, and experiences.

  1. 1d ago

    The Space Lawyer Fighting to Protect Neil Armstrong’s Bootprints | Michelle Hanlon

    Who owns the Moon? Under a treaty written in 1967, no one. But the U.S. and China are both headed to the Moon's south pole, and the rules for what happens when they get there are still mostly unwritten. Michelle Hanlon is a space lawyer, executive director of the Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law, and co-founder of For All Moonkind, an organization working to protect human heritage on the Moon, including Neil Armstrong's first bootprints. After about 25 years as a mergers and acquisitions attorney, she went back to school at 50 to study space law, sparked by a question from her son about mining asteroids. We talk about what the Outer Space Treaty actually says in plain English, why space law affects you every time you tap your credit card, the race between NASA's Artemis program and China to the lunar south pole, where you'd go to court if something went wrong in space, and what happens when Mars one day wants to govern itself. LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHELLE For All Moonkind: https://www.forallmoonkind.org Center for Air and Space Law, University of Mississippi: https://olemiss.edu/airandspacelaw/ CHAPTERS 0:00 Nothing protects Neil and Buzz's bootprints 0:41 Introduction 2:33 Are 1960s space laws ready for the Moon and Mars? 4:44 Eisenhower, Sputnik and the birth of the Outer Space Treaty 7:46 The question from her son that started it all 9:42 Star Trek and a childhood dream of space 12:40 Starting a new career at 50 14:01 The Outer Space Treaty in plain English 18:55 Why space law matters even if you never leave Earth 21:55 The race to the Moon's south pole 24:34 What lunar bases from the U.S. and China could look like 30:13 Protecting Neil Armstrong's bootprints: For All Moonkind 35:59 Where is space court? 40:11 How law changes on Mars 43:06 Will Mars one day break away from Earth? 46:55 Why we still need humans in space 50:45 The space law she wishes existed 53:15 Retiring the International Space Station 55:33 Why everyone should pay attention to space 57:28 Closing WHO'S ON MY MIND Website: https://www.WhosOnMyMind.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhosOnMyMindPodcast Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/WhosOnMyMindPodcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-on-my-mind/id1783427441 SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whosonmymindpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whos_on_my_mind_podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhosOnMyMind/ X: https://x.com/Whos_On_My_Mind #SpaceLaw #OuterSpaceTreaty #Moon

    The Space Lawyer Fighting to Protect Neil Armstrong’s Bootprints | Michelle Hanlon

  2. Oct 19

    The Hardest Part of Going to Mars Isn't Mars | Dr. Nathan Jones

    🪐 What happens to a person who spends a year sealed inside NASA's simulated Mars habitat? Dr. Nathan Jones lived it for 378 days as medical officer on NASA's CHAPEA mission at Johnson Space Center in Houston. We talk about how NASA picks a crew, the love notes he hid around his house, missing a year of his kids' lives, and why having the option to leave can be its own kind of hard. ABOUT DR. NATHAN JONES: Dr. Nathan Jones is an emergency medicine physician who served as medical officer on NASA's CHAPEA Mission 1, a year-long simulated Mars mission (2023–2024). He has also flown helicopter EMS and worked as a SWAT tactical medic. 🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more: https://www.WhosOnMyMind.com Learn more about CHAPEA: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/chapea/ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Open and introduction 02:38 – June 25, 2023: the door closes and the mission begins 05:45 – How NASA picks a crew (and why it chose an ER doctor) 10:44 – Night shifts, sleep, and never drinking caffeine 17:00 – The family decision, and applying to NASA without telling his wife 20:57 – His biggest worry going in 22:33 – Living in 1,700 square feet: did it feel small? 24:35 – Mars walks and why we send humans, not just robots 26:35 – A typical day and Earth–Mars communication delays 34:28 – Boredom, no internet, and NASA's daily news brief 37:57 – Space food: low salt, 3,000 calories a day 46:16 – Did it ever feel like Mars? Imposter syndrome 49:48 – "That speck is Earth" 51:31 – Why having the option to leave is its own kind of hard 57:33 – Hidden love notes and Valentine's flowers ordered a year early 59:26 – The hardest part: missing a year of his kids' lives 1:04:02 – How four people in tight quarters avoid turning on each other 1:08:21 – How NASA tests astronauts under pressure 1:11:58 – His identical twin brother 1:12:49 – The biggest surprise of the mission 1:16:03 – His favorite part: the people 1:18:21 – Walking back into the world: phones, AI, sunlight 1:21:54 – Did the mission change him? 1:25:45 – Would he spend a year on the Moon? "We do hard things" 1:31:14 – Closing thoughts 🎧 PODCAST LINKS: Website: https://www.WhosOnMyMind.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhosOnMyMindPodcast Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/WhosOnMyMindPodcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-on-my-mind/id1783427441 SOCIAL LINKS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhosOnMyMind/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whosonmymindpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whos_on_my_mind_podcast X: https://x.com/Whos_On_My_Mind #NASA #Mars #SpaceExploration #Astronaut #Podcast

    The Hardest Part of Going to Mars Isn't Mars | Dr. Nathan Jones

  3. Sep 21

    Adoption, Secrecy, and the Baby Scoop Era | Patricia Knight Meyer

    Patricia Knight Meyer grew up knowing she was adopted — but not that her adoptive parents never received her birth certificate, never saw adoption papers, and never legally adopted her at all. In this episode, Patricia — a writer, adoptee-rights advocate, and board member of the National Association of Adoptees and Parents — shares her story of growing up in a "black market adoption" during the Baby Scoop Era, discovering as an adult that no adoption had ever been filed, and later reuniting with both of her birth parents. We talk about adoption trauma, identity, the grief no one names, and what she wishes every adoptive parent knew. Patricia is the author of the new memoir *Wonderland: Memoir of a Black-Market Adoption*. CONNECT WITH PATRICIA KNIGHT MEYER: 🌐 Website: https://myadoptedlife.com Father & Daughter reunion video: https://myadoptedlife.com/meeting-my-birth-father-our-reunion-video/ ABOUT PATRICIA KNIGHT MEYER: Patricia Knight Meyer is a writer, speaker, and adoptee-rights advocate whose own adoption is a window into the "Baby Scoop Era" — the decades of informal, unregulated adoption placements common from the 1940s through the early 1970s. She sits on the board of the National Association of Adoptees and Parents and has spent years helping other adoptees navigate identity, reunion, and grief. Her debut memoir is *Wonderland: Memoir of a Black-Market Adoption*. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Introduction: ten toes and a van with no papers signed 02:14 – Finding out at 12 she never had a birth certificate 03:54 – What that moment felt like 05:39 – How the adoption actually happened 12:07 – Where the adoption took place (Houston/Galveston, TX) 13:15 – What was the "Baby Scoop Era"? 17:20 – Why the Baby Scoop Era ended 19:06 – The hardest part of growing up adopted 22:09 – Carrying unnamed fear as a child 24:08 – Heritage camps and helping young adoptees today 28:41 – "Weren't we good enough?" — when adoptive parents feel hurt 35:44 – Finding community and starting to heal 42:04 – Where to start: books, groups, and resources 45:46 – Searching for and meeting her birth mother 59:22 – Meeting her birth father for the first time 1:11:02 – The insight her birth father gave her 1:13:02 – Why knowing your origin story matters 1:14:39 – The grief nobody acknowledges 1:15:14 – Advice for young adoptees 1:18:52 – Advice for adoptive parents 1:22:07 – Becoming a mother herself at 18 1:28:24 – Patricia's new memoir and book launch event 1:30:12 – Closing thoughts 🎧 PODCAST LINKS: Website: https://www.WhosOnMyMind.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhosOnMyMindPodcast Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/WhosOnMyMindPodcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-on-my-mind/id1783427441 SOCIAL LINKS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhosOnMyMind/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whosonmymindpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whos_on_my_mind_podcast X: https://x.com/Whos_On_My_Mind YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhosOnMyMindPodcast #Adoption #AdopteeStory #BirthParents #FamilyReunion #AdoptionTrauma #Podcast

    Adoption, Secrecy, and the Baby Scoop Era | Patricia Knight Meyer

  4. Sep 16

    Inside NASCAR's Garage: Bent Rules, Bondo, and a Championship Ring | Keith Barton

    🏎️ Former NASCAR Cup Series mechanic Keith Barton takes us inside the garage — from Monday teardown to Sunday's checkered flag — to reveal how teams bent the rules, hand-built race cars, and survived 36 races a year on the road. Keith spent 20 years (1997–2017) working for teams like Bill Elliott, PPI Motorsports, Ricky Rudd, Jack Roush, Hall of Fame Racing, and JR Motorsports, where he earned a championship ring. Today he builds hot rods and classic cars with his son at Skin and Bones Inc. in Salisbury, NC. In this episode, Keith covers what a real race week looks like, how teams bent tech inspection rules (and got caught), the physics of aerodynamics and downforce, how NASCAR evolved from hand-built cars to carbon fiber and laser inspection, and the sacrifices behind a two-decade racing career. Connect with Keith Barton / Skin and Bones Inc.: 🌐 Website: www.skinandbonesinc.com 📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/skinandbonesperformance/ 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/skinandbonesperformance/ Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction: Keith Barton's 20-year NASCAR career 0:53 – A day at the track: tech inspection and testing in the late '90s 4:58 – Working in the body shop and fabrication shop 6:18 – Getting hired by Bill Elliott's NASCAR team 7:33 – Team loyalty, crew chiefs, and NASCAR's cutthroat side 13:49 – NASCAR explained like a football team 15:41 – Inside a real NASCAR race week, Monday to Sunday 20:46 – Bending the rules: tech inspection tricks and getting caught 26:07 – Left-side weight, aerodynamics, and the physics of downforce 29:19 – 36 races a year: the toll on family life 31:06 – How Keith broke into racing 39:53 – Daytona, Indy, and NASCAR's most memorable tech inspections 44:36 – From hand-built cars to carbon fiber and laser inspection 52:03 – How money and viewership have changed NASCAR 54:31 – "Over the wall": inside the modern pit crew 58:06 – NASCAR vs. Formula 1 1:00:08 – Regrets and advice for anyone in or entering NASCAR 1:06:28 – The greatest day of his career, and building hot rods today Listen to the full episode: 🎧 More episodes: www.WhosOnMyMind.com #NASCAR #Motorsports #RacingPodcast #NASCARHistory #BehindTheScenes

    Inside NASCAR's Garage: Bent Rules, Bondo, and a Championship Ring | Keith Barton

  5. Jul 3

    56 Years at Sea: The Hidden World Most People Never Get to See | Vernon Adkison

    ⚓️ 🌊 What's it like to spend most of your life at sea—far from land, cities, and normal life—for decades at a time? In this episode, veteran mariner Vernon Adkison takes us inside a world most people never experience: the merchant marine. Over a 56-year career, he worked aboard cargo ships crossing global shipping routes, endured violent storms, lived through long stretches of isolation, and learned how massive ships are actually operated day-to-day. We explore the hidden structure of ship life—how crews function, how watchkeeping really works, and what it takes to survive and operate in extreme ocean conditions. Vernon also shares stories from Vietnam-era voyages, strange and unforgettable moments at sea, encounters with wildlife, and the transition from deep-sea shipping to becoming a marine pilot in Alaska and eventually working gold dredges in Nome. This is a look into a life shaped entirely by the ocean—its danger, beauty, and mystery. 🧠 Key Topics Covered What life at sea is actually like over decades Military background and transition into the merchant marine Structure of cargo ships and crew responsibilities Watchkeeping, navigation, and ship operations First voyages and Vietnam-era maritime routes Extreme storms and near-disaster experiences Culture, routines, and superstitions of sailors Isolation and psychological reality of long voyages Encounters at sea: wildlife, strange moments, and stories Becoming a marine pilot in Alaska Gold dredging in Nome and life after shipping 🎧 Powerful Moments from the Episode “We had a lot of fun on those old rust bucket freighters.” “You don't whistle on a ship because it’s bad luck.” “The ocean was teeming with dolphins—it was incredible.” ⏱️ Chapters What Life at Sea Is Really Like First Voyage: Vietnam Waters Understanding the Merchant Marine Ship Departments & Crew Roles Watchkeeping on the Open Ocean Daily Life on Cargo Ships Storms & Extreme Weather Global Sea Routes Pirates & Stowaways Strange & Beautiful Ocean Moments Becoming a Pilot in Alaska Massive Vessel Operations Gold Dredging in Nome Life After the Ocean 🌊 Guest Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vernon.adkison/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vernonadkison/ 🎧 Listen to the Podcast Website: www.WhosOnMyMind.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2tixBVnGPx8h72oOyjQNqC Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1783427441?mt=2&ls=1 #MerchantMarine #LifeAtSea #MaritimeStories #OceanAdventure #Seafaring #GoldDredging

    56 Years at Sea: The Hidden World Most People Never Get to See | Vernon Adkison

  6. Jun 23

    The Only Way to Reach Mars May Be Human Hibernation | Dr. Ekaterina Kostioukhina

    🚀 🪐 Dr. Ekaterina Kostioukhina joins me for a fascinating conversation on one of the most ambitious frontiers in science: human hibernation. Could humans one day enter suspended animation to survive long-duration space travel? Could hibernation help us reach Mars? And could the same science transform trauma care, organ preservation, and emergency medicine here on Earth? We explore the biology of torpor, hypometabolism, cryogenics, vitrification, adenosine, metabolism regulation, and space medicine, and why scientists—including researchers connected to NASA—are actively studying how to slow the human body down without causing harm. Dr. Kostioukhina explains how animals survive extreme metabolic shutdown, how medications like dexmedetomidine are being studied, and what human hibernation could mean for the future of medicine, space travel, and survival itself. If you’ve ever wondered whether suspended animation is science fiction—or science fact—this episode is for you. ⸻ 🎙 Listen on all platforms: 🌐 Website: WhosOnMyMind.com
 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-on-my-mind-podcast/id1783427441
 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2tixBVnGPx8h72oOyjQNqC 🎧 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhosOnMyMindPodcast ⸻ 📍 Guest Links – Dr. Ekaterina Kostioukhina 🌐 Website: https://www.drkostioukhina.com/hiberia
 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekaterina_kostioukhina_md
 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@drkostioukhinatv?si=f97UgcneHvDp4HDZ
 Linkedin: https://nz.linkedin.com/in/dr-kostioukhina
 X: https://x.com/Kostioukhina_MD ⸻ ⏱ Chapters: 00:00 The History of Human Hibernation
 02:57 Could Humans Hibernate to Reach Mars?
 05:57 The Psychological Cost of Deep Space Travel
 09:00 What Animals Teach Us About Hibernation
 11:51 Current Human Hibernation Research
 21:26 Cryogenics, Vitrification & Organ Preservation
 27:30 Can Human Torpor Actually Work?
 30:56 Why Caffeine Works Against Hibernation
 33:00 How Space Travel Changes the Human Body
 37:13 Hibernation Lessons for Medicine
 43:11 Metabolism, Temperature & Survival
 50:39 The Future of Human Hypometabolism
 56:53 Human Resilience in Extreme Conditions
 01:04:42 Advances in Cryogenics
 01:07:12 Nature’s Solutions to Metabolic Shutdown
 01:11:22 Sleep vs Hibernation Explained
 01:19:04 How Dr. Ekaterina Entered This Field
 01:26:24 Space Rescue Protocols
 01:30:14 Breath Control and Lowering Metabolism
 01:39:10 How Hibernation Could Save Lives on Earth
 01:42:29 The Future of Human Hibernation ⸻ Topics: Human hibernation, torpor, suspended animation, Mars travel, NASA hypometabolism research, cryogenics, metabolism, adenosine, dexmedetomidine, trauma medicine, organ preservation, emergency medicine, sleep science, space medicine, hypothermia research #HumanHibernation #SpaceMedicine #MarsMission #SuspendedAnimation #Cryogenics #Podcast

    The Only Way to Reach Mars May Be Human Hibernation | Dr. Ekaterina Kostioukhina

  7. Jun 9

    What Dying Children Teach Us About Life, Death & Parenting | Dr. Jared Rubenstein, Palliative Care

    What can dying children teach us about life, death, parenting, and human connection? Dr. Jared Rubenstein is a pediatric palliative care physician, educator, and medical leader who has spent his career helping children and families navigate serious illness, grief, and end-of-life care with compassion and honesty. In this conversation, we explore what pediatric palliative care really is, the biggest misconceptions surrounding hospice and palliative medicine, how children think about death, and what families can learn from some of life's most difficult moments. Dr. Rubenstein shares powerful insights from years spent caring for seriously ill children and supporting parents through unimaginable challenges. We discuss communication, grief, hope, resilience, parenting, medical decision-making, and what dying children can teach all of us about life. Note: This episode includes discussion of childhood illness, death, grief, and hospice care. FOLLOW DR. JARED RUBENSTEIN: Website: https://JaredRubensteinMD.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJRubenstein Canuck Place Children's Hospice: https://www.canuckplace.org ABOUT DR. JARED RUBENSTEIN: Dr. Jared Rubenstein is the Head and Medical Director of the Division of Palliative Medicine at BC Children's Hospital and Medical Director of Canuck Place Children's Hospice in Vancouver, Canada. Previously, he served as Program Director of Baylor College of Medicine's Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Texas Children's Hospital. He is widely recognized for his educational work, speaking engagements, and short animated videos that help healthcare professionals and the public better understand palliative care, communication, grief, and serious illness. BOOKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Private Worlds of Dying Children by Myra Bluebond-Langner PODCAST LINKS: Podcast Website: https://www.WhosOnMyMind.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1783427441?mt=2&ls=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2tixBVnGPx8h72oOyjQNqC TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction 02:38 Why Choose Pediatric Palliative Care? 09:15 The YouTube Channel That Started by Accident 11:00 What Pediatric Palliative Care Actually Does 13:01 Which Children Receive Palliative Care? 17:01 Hospice vs. Palliative Care 18:38 Pediatric vs. Adult Palliative Care 20:25 Lessons from Hospice Volunteers 25:06 How Modern Medicine Changed Death 27:49 Misconceptions About Palliative Care 32:24 Why Families Fear the Conversation 34:47 What Dying Children Teach Us 41:42 What Parents Underestimate About Their Kids 44:46 The Questions Children Ask About Death 51:10 Meeting Families for the First Time 55:01 The "Elephant in the Room" Conversations 57:41 What Parents of Seriously Ill Children Teach Us 01:03:18 What Dying Children Taught Dr. Rubenstein About Life 01:12:10 Advice for Parents Facing Serious Illness 01:13:30 Managing Grief as a Physician 01:18:41 Where to Learn More About Dr. Rubenstein If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may benefit from it. #palliativecare #HospiceCare #Parenting #Grief #Healthcare #PediatricPalliativeCare

    What Dying Children Teach Us About Life, Death & Parenting | Dr. Jared Rubenstein, Palliative Care

  8. May 29

    The Hidden World of Horse Racing | Jockey Frankie Lovato Jr. Explains It All

    🏇 What is horse racing all about? In this in-depth conversation, former professional jockey Frankie Lovato Jr. breaks down the world of horse racing from the inside — from breeding and training elite racehorses to race strategy, jockey life, the Kentucky Derby, and the Breeders’ Cup. Frankie shares stories from his decades in racing, explains how jockeys think during races, what makes great horses special, and why horse racing becomes a lifelong obsession for so many people in the industry. We also dive into: • How horses are bred and trained for racing • The roles of owners, trainers, grooms, and jockeys • Race strategy and how jockeys make split-second decisions • The Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown explained • Thoroughbreds vs Quarter Horses vs Arabians • The Breeders’ Cup and international racing • The physical and mental demands of being a jockey • Horse personalities, instincts, and racing psychology • Injuries, risks, and the emotional side of the sport • Frankie’s creation of the Equicizer and life after racing Whether you’re brand new to horse racing or a longtime fan, this interview offers a look into one of the most fascinating sports in the world. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 The Journey of Becoming a Jockey 06:47 The Role of Breeders in Horse Racing 17:44 The Journey to Horse Ownership 25:35 Key Jobs in Horse Racing 34:27 Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses & Arabians 41:33 The Prestige of the Kentucky Derby 52:54 The Thrill of Horse Racing 01:00:12 The Breeders' Cup Explained 01:10:16 The Dangerous Life of a Jockey 01:25:09 The Economics of Horse Racing 01:34:37 Aging as a Jockey 01:37:36 Career Highlights & Reflections 01:48:19 The Beauty of Horse Racing 🎙️ GUEST LINKS — Frankie Lovato Jr. Website: https://equicizer.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@frankielovatojr Equicizer YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Equicizer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrankLovatoJr/ 🎧 LISTEN TO “WHO’S ON MY MIND” Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more: https://www.WhosOnMyMind.com #HorseRacing #KentuckyDerby #Jockey #BreedersCup #ThoroughbredRacing #podcast

    The Hidden World of Horse Racing | Jockey Frankie Lovato Jr. Explains It All
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

🎧 Unhurried conversations with people whose ideas stay with me. On Who’s On My Mind, I dive deep into the lives of people who intrigue me—no script, no agenda, just meaningful conversations about their journeys, ideas, and experiences.

Information

  • Creator
    S. Farias
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © S. Farias
  • Show Website
    Who's On My Mind Podcast