Best spacemadness Podcasts (2025)

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Space Madness Podcast Episode 20: Journey to the National Space Society 47:03

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2d ago47:03

47:03

In this episode of the Space Madness Podcast we have Ken Ruffin, a long-time volunteer with the National Space Society. We discuss Ken's journey into space exploration, the history and mission of the National Space Society, and the impact of the Challenger disaster on Ken's career. The conversation also touches on the importance of public engagemen…

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Space Madness Episode 19: Gravity Assists from Iowa to Mars Part 2 42:29

9d ago42:29

42:29

Today we continue the conversation with Dr. Jim Green, former Chief Scientist of NASA. We discuss Green's journey to becoming Chief Scientist, his experiences working with different NASA administrators, and the surprising discoveries he made while expanding his knowledge beyond planetary science. The conversation also delves into the role of medici…

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Space Madness Episode 18: Gravity Assists from Iowa to Mars Part 1 44:52

17d ago44:52

44:52

Today we have a real treat; the former Chief Scientist of NASA, Jim Green. We talk about his journey from the fields of Iowa to the top floor of NASA HQ. He shares series of fortunate events - gravity assists as he calls them - that introduced him to astronomy and space exploration, then unique educational opportunities, and a wonderful series of l…

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Space Madness Episode 17: Astrobiology, Analysis and Athleticism 44:01

20d ago44:01

44:01

Today we talk with recent Georgia Tech Ph.D. graduate Chad Pozarycki. We discuss Chad's journey into the field, the intricacies of capillary electrophoresis, and its applications in detecting life on other planets. The conversation also covers the challenges of Mars sample return missions, the importance of risk management in instrument development…

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Space Madness Episode 16: From Cellos to the Cosmos 52:47

1M ago52:47

52:47

Today we talk with Jason Derleth, a recently retired NASA technologist with a diverse career. We discuss Jason's journey from aspiring fantasy author to a key player in NASA's innovative projects, including the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program and the Habitable Worlds Observatory. The conversation explores the importance and value of unusu…

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Space Madness Episode 15: From Nebraska with Law 52:16

1M ago52:16

52:16

Today we talk with Elsbeth Magilton, former Executive Director of my alma mater, the University of Nebraska, Lincoln Space and Cyber Law LL.M. program. We talk about growing up in Nebraska, finding a pathway to a legal education through community programs and web design, and joining the UNL Law Space Law program and ultimately the faculty. We also …

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Space Madness Episode 14: The Life of Lou Friedman Part 3 31:06

1M ago31:06

31:06

n our final episode with Lou we talk about different views on the future of space exploration in the USA, options for young people interested in the field, and thoughts about predicting the future.By spacemadness

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Space Madness Episode 13: The Life of Lou Friedman Part 2 52:33

2M ago52:33

52:33

In part 2 of our discussion with Lou Friedman, co-founder of The Planetary Society, we discuss his decades of advocacy work. We talk about early Direct Mail efforts that enabled the Society's explosive growth, the conflict between planetary science and the Space Shuttle, his visits to Washington, D.C. to give testimony, and more. Lou also shares ch…

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Space Madness Episode 12: The Life of Lou Friedman Part 1 41:36

2M ago41:36

41:36

"I have been working on space as long as there has been a space age, since 1957." With a career spanning the entire space age, Lou shares his journey from the Bronx to the forefront of space exploration. He discusses his pivotal roles at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, co-founding the Planetary Society with Carl Sagan, and his insights into the evol…

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Space Madness Episode 11: The Je ne sais quoi of Jupiter 38:21

2M ago38:21

38:21

Today we talk with a JPL colleague of mine, Olivia Dawson. Inspired by Voyager as a child (as was I) she began a long journey to JPL that took some unexpected turns. Now she moves on to an international opportunity for herself and her family.By spacemadness

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Space Madness Episode 10: Sheila Xu, the First Deaf Asian Female Pilot 38:21

3M ago38:21

38:21

Today we chat with Sheila Xu, the first deaf asian female pilot. We discuss her hearing challenges as a child, the range of availability of accomodations throughout her education, and the events that led to her goal of becoming a pilot. We also talk about technologies and products available to help people hear, backpacking through Europe while deaf…

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Space Madness Episode 8: From Romania to the Stars 50:20

3M ago50:20

50:20

In this episode of the Space Madness Podcast, we host Andreea Mosila, who shares her remarkable journey from growing up in communist Romania to working at NASA and JPL. Andreea discusses her passion for space exploration, her experiences at various NASA centers, and her current research on climate security in the Danube Delta. The conversation high…

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Space Madness Episode 7: Space Weather and Growing up with Modern Taiwan 54:04

3M ago54:04

54:04

In this episode we have a college buddy of mine, now Dr. Loren Chang, Professor and Chair of the Department of Space Science and Engineering at the National Central University in Taiwan. We discuss his fascinating journey growing up traveling back and forth to Taiwan throughout his education. That period happened to overlap with Taiwan's growth fro…

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Space Madness Episode 6: Science Fiction, Faction, and Communication with Advanced Chemistry's Director Etana Jacobson 55:58

3M ago55:58

55:58

In today's episode we have director of the film Advanced Chemistry Etana Jacobson. Etana has an extensive career in film, television and video games bringing science to audiences in an engaging and personal way. Today we discuss those efforts and new ones in the modern digital environment.By spacemadness

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Space Madness Episode 5: Deafness in Space? The first deaf human in Microgravity since the 1960s 42:19

4M ago42:19

42:19

Today we "talk" with Eric Shear, a remarkable Ph.D. student with the unique distinction of being the first deaf person to experience microgravity since the Galludet 11, a group of deaf men who were instrumental in developing the Apollo program. View his writing here. Note: this episode has periods of silence as Eric signs to Justin. I have left the…

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Space Madness Episode 4: a War Reporter, the Book of Genesis, and Apollo 8 53:56

4M ago53:56

53:56

Today we have a special guest with a deep connection to history. Peter Laitin joins me to talk about his father, Joe Laitin, a war correspondent turned trusted member of several administrations in the 1960s and 1970s. Notably, he and his wife Christine Laitin wrote the speech read by Apollo 8 astronauts on Christmas Eve, 1968 from Earth orbit after…

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Space Madness Episode 3: Justin Kugler of Intuitive Machines 1:01:55

4M ago1:01:55

1:01:55

Justin Kugler shares his story of finding a pathway from a Texas neighborhood to the surface of the moon. Coincidentally also with the CIA in his background like Tim Chrisman of episode 2, Justin followed a winding path from a chance high school opportunity. He and I also share the challenge of building personally meaningful space careers while our…

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Space Madness Episode 2: Tim Chrisman and WW2, the CIA, and the Rise of Overwhelming Private Capital 1:01:22

4M ago1:01:22

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In episode 2, Investor and former CIA laser expert Tim Chrisman and I discuss the changes in capital markets since WW2 and the resulting impact on everything from war to planetary exploration.By spacemadness

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Space Madness Episode 1: Daniel Leeb and the Icelandic Space Agency 35:31

4M ago35:31

35:31

In our inaugural episode I talk with Daniel Leeb of the Icelandic Space Agency. We explore the lesser known relationship between Iceland and every human and nearly planetary surface space mission and think about what the near future of global space leadership looks like in a dynamic era.By spacemadness

Spacemadness Podcasts

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The Space Madness Podcast

spacemadness

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Space Madness Podcast Episode 20: Journey to the National Space Society 47:03

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Space Madness Episode 19: Gravity Assists from Iowa to Mars Part 2 42:29

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Space Madness Episode 18: Gravity Assists from Iowa to Mars Part 1 44:52

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Space Madness Episode 17: Astrobiology, Analysis and Athleticism 44:01

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Space Madness Episode 16: From Cellos to the Cosmos 52:47

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Space Madness Episode 15: From Nebraska with Law 52:16

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Space Madness Episode 14: The Life of Lou Friedman Part 3 31:06

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Space Madness Episode 13: The Life of Lou Friedman Part 2 52:33

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Space Madness Episode 12: The Life of Lou Friedman Part 1 41:36

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Space Madness Episode 11: The Je ne sais quoi of Jupiter 38:21

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Space Madness Episode 10: Sheila Xu, the First Deaf Asian Female Pilot 38:21

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Space Madness Episode 8: From Romania to the Stars 50:20

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Space Madness Episode 7: Space Weather and Growing up with Modern Taiwan 54:04

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Space Madness Episode 6: Science Fiction, Faction, and Communication with Advanced Chemistry's Director Etana Jacobson 55:58

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Space Madness Episode 5: Deafness in Space? The first deaf human in Microgravity since the 1960s 42:19

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Space Madness Episode 4: a War Reporter, the Book of Genesis, and Apollo 8 53:56

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Space Madness Episode 3: Justin Kugler of Intuitive Machines 1:01:55

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Space Madness Episode 2: Tim Chrisman and WW2, the CIA, and the Rise of Overwhelming Private Capital 1:01:22

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Space Madness Episode 1: Daniel Leeb and the Icelandic Space Agency 35:31