Best Payload Space Podcasts (2025)

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36. Dr. Akhil Rao & Adrian Mangiuca: Building a Rational Future 58:08

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2h ago58:08

58:08

Send us a note! Learn more about Rational Futures. Dr. Akhil Rao Adrian Mangiuca Like the show? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podcast Index, Overcast, Castro, truefans, or your favorite podcast player. Visit Chasing-Space.com for more content! You can also find us on: Twitter: @ChasingSpacePod Linkedin: Chasing Space Special t…

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Proven Propulsion, with Kristin Houston (President of Space Power & Propulsion Systems of L3Harris) 50:55

6d ago50:55

50:55

This episode is presented by L3Harris Technologies. On this special edition of Valley of Depth, we’re joined by Kristin Houston, President of Space Propulsion and Power Systems at L3Harris. Kristin leads the team responsible for propulsion and space power systems across Artemis and beyond, from the RS-25 main engines to the Gateway’s high-power ele…

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Unlocking the Future: Inside Colorado’s Air and Spaceport - CASP 16:06

6h ago16:06

16:06

Discover how the Colorado Air and Spaceport is pioneering the future of aviation and commercial spaceflight, blending a busy general aviation hub with cutting-edge aerospace innovation.By Susan Wise

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Exploring Mars: Dr. Amy Williams on Space, Science & Survival 17:51

4d ago17:51

17:51

Can humans survive on Mars? Dr. Amy Williams shares NASA rover secrets, life’ possibilities, and the future of space exploration. g91ly859xMzauppNrIdoBy Susan Wise

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From Seabed to Space, with Tyler Bernstein (CEO of Zeno Power) 50:28

19d ago50:28

50:28

Some environments are simply too harsh for traditional power sources. Solar panels fail in darkness, batteries die quickly, and diesel can’t reach. That’s where Zeno Power comes in. The company is pioneering nuclear batteries, compact systems that recycle radioactive waste into safe, reliable power for years at a time. On this episode of Valley of …

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From Space to Skin: Zero Gravity Sciences’ Breakthrough in Beauty 12:22

7d ago12:22

12:22

From NASA-inspired bioreactors to skincare breakthroughs, Dr. Malav Trivedi reveals how Zero Gravity Sciences is harnessing microgravity technology to unlock the hidden power of plant stem cells—revolutionizing beauty, nutrition, and agriculture here on Earth.By Susan Wise

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The Case for Continuity, with Pam Melroy (Former Deputy Administrator of NASA) 1:05:44

26d ago1:05:44

1:05:44

Continuous human presence in orbit has been a cornerstone of U.S. leadership in space for 25 years. But recent changes to NASA’s Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD) strategy have Pam Melroy—former NASA Deputy Administrator and shuttle commander—sounding the alarm. She warns that shifting to short-duration missions risks ceding leadership in LEO and u…

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Anna Lee Fisher: First Mom in Space on Her Journey, Shuttle Missions, and Inspiring Future Explorers 17:50

21d ago17:50

17:50

Blast off with NASA legend Anna Lee Fisher—the first mom in space—as she shares her trailblazing journey from ER doctor to astronaut, her historic mission retrieving satellites, and her timeless advice to dream big and never let go of the stars.By Susan Wise

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Logistics Wins Wars, with David Tuttle (CEO of Rune) 50:37

1M ago50:37

50:37

Logistics rarely makes headlines, but it wins or loses wars. Rune Technologies is betting that the future of contested sustainment won’t be built on warehouses and spreadsheets, but on software. The company recently raised a $24M Series A to accelerate that vision. On this episode of Valley of Depth, we’re joined by Rune co-founder and CEO David Tu…

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Dr. Jamie Foster on Squid in Space, Microbial Innovation & Future Mars Missions | STARS Launch Pod 13:06

21d ago13:06

13:06

From launching squid into space to engineering microbes that could recycle plastics and make medicine on-demand, Dr. Jamie Foster reveals how space biology is unlocking the keys to human survival beyond Earth—and sparking innovations that can transform life back home.By Susan Wise

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35. Katie Wall & Jared Stout: State of the Union in Space 1:01:48

22d ago1:01:48

1:01:48

Send us a note! Jared Stout, Chief Global Policy Officer at Axiom Space Katie Wall, VP of Federal Affairs at the Artemis Group Like the show? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podcast Index, Overcast, Castro, truefans, or your favorite podcast player. Visit Chasing-Space.com for more content! You can also find us on: Twitter: @Cha…

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Funding Deterrence, with Tommy Hendrix (Managing Partner at Decisive Point) 54:52

1M ago54:52

54:52

Tommy Hendrix is Managing Partner at Decisive Point, a venture firm backing early-stage companies developing critical national security technologies. In this episode of Valley of Depth, we unpack what it really means to fund the future of national defense and how venture capital is becoming a tool of statecraft. A former Green Beret turned investor…

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From Farm to Space: Jacob "Pepper Seed" Torres on Growing Chile Peppers for NASA 15:52

1M ago15:52

15:52

From farm fields in New Mexico to NASA’s crop chambers, Jacob “Pepper Seed” Torres shares how he helped grow the first chile peppers in space, sparked a global “Space Chile” challenge, and is now inspiring the next generation to plant the future of food on the Moon and Mars.By Susan Wise

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Float. Foil. Fly., with Billy Thalheimer (CEO of Regent Craft) 51:32

2M ago51:32

51:32

In this episode of Valley of Depth, we sit down with Regent cofounder and CEO Billy Thalheimer to explore a radical reimagining of coastal mobility, not with eVTOLs or hyperloops, but with high-speed electric seagliders that skim just above the water. Part hydrofoil, part aircraft, and fully electric, Regent’s vehicles operate in the sweet spot bet…

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From Earth to the Moon: Offworld CEO Talks Swarm Robotics & Touchless Mining Tech 16:54

1M ago16:54

16:54

From “robo-puppies” that swarm mines on Earth to autonomous machines building cities on the Moon and Mars, Offworld CEO Jim Keravala reveals how touchless mining, treasure-bot refineries, and swarms of intelligent robots are revolutionizing industry—and laying the foundation for humanity’s off-world future.…

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Pulses Towards Power, with Conner Galloway & Alexander Valys (Co-Founders of Xcimer Energy) 52:40

2M ago52:40

52:40

In this episode of Valley of Depth, we sit down with Xcimer Energy’s cofounders, Conner Galloway and Alexander Valys, to unpack one of the boldest bets in fusion: resurrecting a Cold War-era laser technology to build the fastest, most scalable path to commercial fusion power. Xcimer has raised over $100 million to bring its inertial confinement fus…

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Inside NASA Mission Control: Payload Operations and ISS mission control with Stephanie Anderson 10:54

1M ago10:54

10:54

From wrangling real-time crises in Mission Control to preparing for humanity’s next giant leap to the Moon and Mars, NASA payload lead Stephanie Anderson shares how confidence, teamwork, and lifelong learning keep science—and astronauts thriving in space.By Susan Wise

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34. Jacqueline Feldscher, Managing Editor of Payload 30:38

2M ago30:38

30:38

Send us a note! Jacqueline Feldscher is the managing editor of Payload, where she also writes Polaris, Payload's weekly space policy newsletter. She previously covered national security and space for Defense One and POLITICO, where she helped launch POLITICO Space, a weekly space policy newsletter. She has been a reporter in Washington for over a d…

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Stratospheric Platforms, with Mikkel Vestergaard (CEO of SCEYE) 44:40

2M ago44:40

44:40

Mikkel Vestergaard isn’t a typical aerospace founder. Before building solar-powered stratospheric airships, he spent two decades in humanitarian innovation, distributing a billion malaria nets, co-creating the LifeStraw, and helping eradicate Guinea worm disease. Now, as CEO of Sceye, he’s applying that same ethos to aerospace. In this conversation…

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NASA Engineer Eryn Andrews on Moon Missions, Spacesuit Challenges & Becoming an Astronaut 14:06

2M ago14:06

14:06

Step into the future of space exploration with NASA engineer Eryn Andrews as she reveals how we’re preparing humans to walk on the Moon again, the challenges of pushing the human body to its limits, and her own inspiring journey chasing the dream of becoming an astronaut.By Susan Wise

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NASA Veteran Talks Artemis, Moon Missions & Space Suits 17:16

2M ago17:16

17:16

Journey from Skylab “splatdown” memories to the cutting edge of Artemis missions with NASA veteran Charles Armstrong, as he shares 45 years of spacewalk expertise, new spacesuit innovations, and the race to explore the Moon’s uncharted South Pole.By Susan Wise

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The Energy Grail, with Julien Barber (Investor at Emerson Collective) 47:44

2M ago47:44

47:44

Julien Barber is an investor at Emerson Collective, a venture and policy firm founded by Laurene Powell Jobs, where he backs bold bets on decarbonization, infrastructure, and long-horizon climate technologies. Before becoming an investor, Julien researched fusion energy at MIT and co-founded a carbon-tech startup. In today’s episode, we go deep int…

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Built for Complexity, with John Conafay (CEO of Integrate) 49:00

2M ago49:00

49:00

Welcome to a special Tuesday-edition of Valley of Depth, powered by Integrate. John Conafay spent years inside the space and defense worlds, from Spire to Astranis to the U.S. Air Force, and saw the same problem everywhere: complex programs were managed with spreadsheets, slide decks, and…crossed fingers. So in 2022, he founded Integrate to fix it.…

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33. Rob Meyerson, CEO of Interlune 42:15

2M ago42:15

42:15

Send us a note! Rob Meyerson, Founder & CEO of Interlune Like the show? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podcast Index, Overcast, Castro, truefans, or your favorite podcast player. Visit Chasing-Space.com for more content! You can also find us on: Twitter: @ChasingSpacePod Linkedin: Chasing Space Special thanks to Jóse Arcos with…

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Back from the Dead, with Chris Kemp (CEO of Astra) 59:03

3M ago59:03

59:03

Chris Kemp took Astra public in 2021 with a bold vision: low-cost rockets launching daily, bringing sovereign space access to every country on Earth. At its peak, the company was worth over $2 billion. Within two years, that valuation collapsed by 99%. In this episode of Valley of Depth, we go inside one of the most dramatic flameouts and attempted…

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Rapid Maneuverability, with Jeff Thornburg (CEO of Portal Space Systems) 59:51

3M ago59:51

59:51

Jeff Thornburg helped build Raptor at SpaceX. Now he’s building something new: a spacecraft designed for rapid maneuverability across orbits powered by solar thermal propulsion. In this episode of Valley of Depth, we get into the technical, strategic, and commercial implications of in-space mobility and why it matters now. Topics include: The harde…

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32. Debra Facktor, Head of U.S. Space Systems at Airbus U.S Space & Defense 33:56

2M ago33:56

33:56

Send us a note! Debra Facktor leads the Airbus U.S. Space Systems line of business, with a focus on small satellites produced for commercial and government customers at the company’s manufacturing facility in Merritt Island, Florida, and on space exploration activities in the U.S. Debra sits on the board of directors for Starlab, a joint venture be…

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Strategic Nuclear Energy, with Jordan Bramble (CEO of Antares) 48:21

3M ago48:21

48:21

In the wake of new executive orders elevating nuclear energy as a national security priority, there’s growing momentum—and urgency—behind advanced fission technologies. Few are better positioned to talk about this shift than Jordan Bramble, co-founder and CEO of Antares Nuclear, a startup building microreactors for defense and space. In this episod…

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Sara and Josh Talk About Drone EOs 27:21

3M ago27:21

27:21

In this episode of Sara and Josh Talk About Drones, Sara and Josh talk about several developments in the UAS space. First, they give an update on the alleged UAS sightings in New Jersey from December 2024 and the consensus that these sightings were in fact authorized crewed aircraft rather than rogue UAS. Next, they cover takeaways from the recent …

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31. Clay Mowry, CEO of AIAA 48:31

3M ago48:31

48:31

Send us a note! Clay Mowry is the CEO of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), a globally recognized space industry executive and lifetime AIAA Fellow. Before AIAA, his career spanned senior executive roles in commercial launch and satellite sectors, including Voyager Space, Blue Origin, and 15 years as president of Arianes…

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The Future of Supersonic, with Blake Scholl (CEO of Boom Supersonic) 56:28

3M ago56:28

56:28

In a major shift, the U.S. government is moving to overturn a 50-year ban on civilian supersonic flight over land—a regulation that’s defined the boundaries of commercial aviation since 1973. It’s a pivotal moment for aerospace, and a timely one for this conversation with Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. In this episode of Valley o…

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Space Superiority, with Even Rogers (CEO of True Anomaly) 1:00:37

3M ago1:00:37

1:00:37

If the next great war is fought in space, Even Rogers wants the U.S. to be ready. On this episode of Valley of Depth, the True Anomaly CEO and former Air Force weapons officer joins us to break down how he’s building autonomous systems for space superiority and why space is the next warfighting domain. A graduate of the Air Force Weapons School, Ev…

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30. Steve Isakowitz, CEO of The Aerospace Corporation 41:31

4M ago41:31

41:31

Send us a note! Steven J. Isakowitz is president and chief executive officer of The Aerospace Corporation, a leading architect for the nation’s national security and civil space programs. The Aerospace Corporation has more than 4,000 employees and annual revenues of $1.1 billion. He assumed this position on October 1, 2016. As a recognized leader a…

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Asymmetric Naval Power, with Paul Lwin (CEO of HavocAI) 41:57

4M ago41:57

41:57

This week on Valley of Depth, we’re joined by Paul Lwin, co-founder and CEO of Havoc AI—a builder of integrated hardware, software, and logistics that enables collaborative, autonomous maritime operations. A former Navy test pilot and electronic warfare officer, Paul saw firsthand the strategic challenge posed by China’s industrial scale in the Pac…

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Redefining Air Mobility, with Marc Allen (CEO of Electra) 45:51

4M ago45:51

45:51

This week on Valley of Depth, we’re joined by Marc Allen, CEO of Electra and former Chief Strategy Officer at Boeing. After nearly two decades at one of aerospace’s most iconic companies, Marc stepped away—and then doubled down—on aviation with a bold bet: a hybrid-electric aircraft that takes off in 150 feet, carries 1,000 pounds, and can land alm…

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The Next Supercycle, with Erik Kriessmann (Partner at Altimeter) 51:56

4M ago51:56

51:56

This week on Valley of Depth, we’re joined by Erik Kriessmann, Partner at Altimeter – the $10B crossover firm known for backing generational companies across tech, defense, and space. From sourcing early-stage deals to helping build world-class teams, Erik’s path into venture started with a deep focus on talent, giving him a rare edge in identifyin…

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29. Dave Cavossa: Over His Head, Under Control 46:26

4M ago46:26

46:26

Send us a note! Dave Cavossa is President of the Commercial Space Federation (CSF), officially joining on June 3, 2024. Mr. Cavossa is a long-time space and satellite industry executive working at the intersection of commercial space, government affairs, and government services. Cavossa also was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug in 2015 and started…

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Engineered for Impact, with Christian Garcia (Partner at Breakthrough Energy Ventures) 57:23

5M ago57:23

57:23

This week on Valley of Depth, we’re joined by Christian Garcia, Partner at Breakthrough Energy Ventures — the Bill Gates-backed climate fund investing in bold technologies to accelerate the energy transition across every sector of the economy. With portfolio companies tackling everything from geologic hydrogen to reusable rockets, BEV is redefining…

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Breakthrough Orbital Platforms, with Tejpaul Bhatia (CEO of Axiom Space) 1:09:33

5M ago1:09:33

1:09:33

This week on Valley of Depth, we’re joined by Tejpaul Bhatia, the newly appointed CEO of Axiom Space — a company building one of the first commercial space stations and leading private human spaceflight missions to low Earth orbit. The company is gearing up for Ax-4, Axiom’s fourth mission to the ISS, which will fly astronauts from Poland, Hungary,…

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Hypersonic Power Play, with Bryon Hargis (CEO of Castelion) 56:14

5M ago56:14

56:14

We’re excited to launch Valley of Depth, our new podcast taking the place of our beloved (formerly known as) Pathfinder (RIP) podcast. Valley of Depth is about the technologies that matter—and the people building them. We talk to founders, investors, government officials, and military leaders shaping the future of national security and deep tech. F…

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28. Glen Martin: What It Takes to Mine the Moon 45:00

5M ago45:00

45:00

Send us a note! Glen Martin has over 30 years of experience in the formation of development and finance platforms in the renewable energy and space infrastructure. Prior to founding The Extraterrestrial Mining Company (XMC) in 2023, he was the founder and CEO of Hyox Inc. a developer of green hydrogen ‘electrofuels’ for airports and spaceports. Bef…

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27. Bradley Cheetham: From the Drawing Board to the Moon 50:34

5M ago50:34

50:34

Send us a note! Advanced Space Future Space Leaders Foundation Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Bradley Cheetham is a lifelong space advocate, highly experienced engineer, a three-time entrepreneur and, seasoned graduate-level instructor. He is best known as the co-founder and CEO of Advanced Space where he leads company in its…

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26. The Human Body in Space 19:03

6M ago19:03

19:03

Send us a note! Discussing the effects of prolonged exposure to microgravity on the human body. Image Credit: NASA NASA Twins Study Like the show? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podcast Index, Overcast, Castro, truefans, or your favorite podcast player. Visit Chasing-Space.com for more content! You can also find us on: Twitter:…

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25. Dave Marsh: Exploring Earth for Space 41:25

6M ago41:25

41:25

Send us a note! Check out some of Dave's Work: Pravo Ventures SpaceNews: Why the space community should care about Artic geopolitics The Last Antares: a symbol of a passing space age David Marsh is a space industry professional focused on using technologies in orbit to improve life on Earth while understanding the geopolitical implications of space…

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Hosted Payload S2.E3: Wiley on Space Cowboys 23:24

7M ago23:24

23:24

Hosted Payload is now available in both video and podcast form! Host Henry Gola thinks Space Cowboys is Clint Eastwood’s worst movie, but he meets surprising disagreement from colleagues Jen Hindin, Chloe Hawker, and Jillian Quigley. Plus, Chloe does double duty and dishes the latest satellite and space news in the Orbital Debrief.…

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24. One Piece of Advice 48:02

7M ago48:02

48:02

Send us a note! From space policy to propulsion engineering, marketing to leadership—Chasing Space has had the privilege of hosting professionals from every corner of the space industry. In this episode, we’re diving into what it takes to build a career in space. Whether you're a student, a young professional, or someone looking to transition into …

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Beyond the Brief, with Ed Fyfe (Founder of Ed Fyfe Design) 57:43

7M ago57:43

57:43

This week on Pathfinder, we’re joined by Ed Fyfe, founder of Ed Fyfe Design, a creative studio focused on branding and visual identity for space and hardware companies. With a background in agency work and a passion for the space industry, Ed has built a reputation for helping companies craft compelling brand identities that stand out in a crowded …

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23. Caryn Schenewerk: Defining the Future of Space Policy 49:33

7M ago49:33

49:33

Send us a note! TEDx: How satellites help put breakfast on the table As the President of CS Consulting, Caryn Schenewerk provides expert guidance to clients on regulatory and policy engagement with all levels of government. Her experience includes serving as Vice President for Regulatory and Government Affairs at Relativity Space and nearly a decad…

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Inside SpaceX's Revenue, with Jack Kuhr (Research Director at Payload) 43:22

7M ago43:22

43:22

This week on Pathfinder, we’re joined by Jack Kuhr, Research Director at Payload, for a deep dive into one of the most closely watched companies in the space industry—SpaceX. We break down Payload’s latest analysis of SpaceX’s revenue, exploring how the company’s launch business and Starlink network are shaping its financial trajectory. With our es…

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Space to Grow, with Matt Weinzierl and Brendan Rosseau 1:02:32

8M ago1:02:32

1:02:32

This week on Pathfinder, we’re joined by Matt Weinzierl, Chair of the MBA Program and Professor at Harvard Business School, and Brendan Rosseau, a member of the strategy team for launch at Blue Origin. Together, they’ve co-authored Space to Grow: Unlocking the Final Economic Frontier, a new book exploring the history, key players, and economic forc…