Kathy Sullivan Explores: Recent Episodes
Kathy Sullivan
Kathy Sullivan - the first person to both fly in space and dive to the deepest point in the ocean - explores the human condition through the life journeys of her guests, people from all walks of life and levels of fame whose stories will inspire, inform and amuse you. Along the way Kathy shares her own stories of lessons learned, obstacles overcome and crazy moments from her unique career in space, the deep sea, government and business.
Charles Frank Bolden Jr. is a retired US Marine Corps Major General and former NASA astronaut. After flying on four space shuttle missions—STS-61-C, STS-31, STS-45, and STS-60—Charlie was appointed by former President, Barack Obama, to serve as the 12th Administrator of NASA from 2009 to 2017, making him the first African American to head the agency permanently. Today, Charlie is the Founder and CEO Emeritus of the Charles F. Bolden Group, a consortium of accomplished leaders founded in 2017 to foster international collaboration in making life better for all humanity.
Charlie joins me today to discuss the qualities aspiring astronauts need to cultivate to be chosen for modern space programs. You’ll hear about his career at NASA and the characteristics he thinks made him a NASA astronaut. He explores how the dawn of the new space age may change selection preferences for would-be astronauts. You’ll also learn the value of being a team player and why being a jack-of-all-trades is essential to becoming an astronaut of today and tomorrow.
“You will be technicians, scientists, and researchers all in one—and that’s the kind of people we’re going to be looking for.” - Charlie BoldenThis week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● Qualities and characteristics NASA looked for in astronaut candidates in the 1980s
● Civil rights in the 1980s and the psychological implications of growing up in the segregated South
● Why being a team player is a high-value trait for NASA astronauts
● Diversity as a trait of a high-performing organization
● Why being a good fighter pilot doesn’t necessarily mean being a great astronaut
● The lack of diversity in NASA’s Apollo era and how astronaut selection preferences have changed since
● How the dawn of commercial spaceflight is changing preferences for would-be astronauts
● How commercial spacecraft may change the employment prospects of future astronauts
● The kind of crew NASA may seek for the Artemis program and beyond
● Jessica Watkins, Kate Rubins, Peggy Whitson, and why researchers may be the astronauts of the future
● Ridley Scott’s The Martian and what it takes to be a modern-day astronaut
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut by Mike Mullane
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “A great test pilot isn’t necessarily going to be a great astronaut; a great test pilot with a big ego is going to be a lousy astronaut.” - Charlie Bolden
● “The astronauts of today and tomorrow are not going to have the opportunity to train over and over again on something because they’ll find that every day is something new.” - Charlie Bolden
Connect with Charlie Bolden:
• Inter Astra
• Inter Astra on LinkedIn
• The Charles F. Bolden Group
• The Charles F. Bolden Group on LinkedIn
• The Charles F. Bolden Group on YouTube
• Charlie Bolden on LinkedIn
Credits:
Executive Producer: Toby Goodman
Audio & Sound Design: Lee Turner
Production by CxS Partners LTD
SPACESHIP NOT REQUIREDI’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are… spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Charles F. Bolden Jr. is the Founder and CEO Emeritus of the Charles F. Bolden Group, a consortium of accomplished leaders founded in 2017 to foster international collaboration in making life better for all humanity. Appointed by the former president, Barack Obama, Charlie served as the 12th Administrator of NASA from 2009 to 2017, making him the first African American to hold the position permanently. Charlie is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General and former astronaut who has flown on four Space Shuttle missions.
Charlie speaks with Kathy about his perspective on NASA’s transition from space shuttle operations to commercial space flight. You’ll gain insight into the real inside workings of Washington, DC, as well as his journey to becoming the 12th Administrator of NASA. Charlie also discusses what the future holds for space commerce and exploration, and the surprising who he'd like to take to space.
“OUR PURPOSE IS TO MAKE THE EARTH A BETTER, MORE SUSTAINABLE PLACE. I THINK WE’RE UP TO THE CHALLENGE.”
- CHARLIE BOLDEN
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
• Charlie’s last shuttle flight and the formation of the new space age
• NASA’s state of play and Charlie’s road to Washington DC
• His first experience with the National Space Council
• The time Charlie had to convince the Congressional Black Caucus of the need for a space station
• What working with Russian cosmonauts taught Charlie
• My experience interacting with Soviet astronauts and cosmonauts
• Charlie’s meeting with the former president, Barack Obama, and his nomination to NASA
• The birth of the SLS, Orion, and commercial crew and cargo
• Why NASA will remain the leader and catalyst for discovery
• The advantages of developing a vibrant commercial space sector
• The James Webb Space Telescope and what gives Charlie hope for the future
Our Favorite Quotes:
“EVERY CREW BECOMES A FAMILY.”
- CHARLIE BOLDEN
“STUDY HARD, WORK HARD, AND NEVER BE AFRAID OF FAILURE. LISTEN RESPECTFULLY TO YOUR PARENTS, BUT FOLLOW YOUR PASSION BECAUSE IT’S YOUR LIFE.”
- CHARLIE BOLDEN
Connect with Charlie Bolden:
• Inter Astra
• Inter Astra on LinkedIn
• The Charles F. Bolden Group
• The Charles F. Bolden Group on LinkedIn
• The Charles F. Bolden Group on YouTube
• Charlie Bolden on LinkedIn
Credits:
Executive Producer: Toby Goodman
Audio & Sound Design: Lee Turner
Production by CxS Partners LTD
Spaceship Not RequiredI’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are… spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Charles Frank Bolden Jr. formerly served as the 12th Administrator of NASA from 2009 to 2017. He was the first African American to head the agency permanently. In addition to being a retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General, Charlie is a former astronaut who has flown on four Space Shuttle missions. He is the Founder and CEO Emeritus of the Charles F. Bolden Group, a consortium of accomplished leaders founded in 2017 to foster international collaboration in making life better for all humanity.
Charlie joins us today to describe what it was like growing up in the segregated South. He shares his experience as one of the first African Americans to attend the Naval Academy. You’ll learn how he became a pilot in the Marine Corps despite hating flying in his youth. He also shares his observations on the leadership culture of NASA and underscores the characteristics astronauts have in common.
“The one characteristic we all had in common in the Astronaut Corps is that we were all visionaries and dreamers—people who thought about what the world could be”- Charlie BoldenThis week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● What it was like growing up in segregated South Carolina in the ‘60s
● Charlie’s experiences with the Naval Academy
● Why Charlie used to avoid flying airplanes
● What eventually led Charlie to the Marine Corps during his plebe year at the Naval Academy
● Finding his way to flight school and aviation
● Charlie’s perceptions of NASA’s culture and leadership when he arrived at the Astronaut Corps
● Bringing Apollo-era astronauts to the 20th century and making NASA a welcoming place for women and people of color
Our Favorite Quotes:
“The leadership skills in the astronaut office then were lacking, considering the challenge they had with making it a place that was openly welcoming to women and people of color. We were tolerated, rather than welcomed with open arms.” - Charlie Bolden“It’s not about the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” - Charlie BoldenConnect with Charlie Bolden:
• Inter Astra
• Inter Astra on LinkedIn
• The Charles F. Bolden Group
• The Charles F. Bolden Group on LinkedIn
• The Charles F. Bolden Group on YouTube
• Charlie Bolden on LinkedIn
Credits:
Executive Producer: Toby Goodman
Audio & Sound Design: Lee Turner
Production by CxS Partners LTD
Spaceship Not RequiredI’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are… spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Bill Nye “the Science Guy” is an American science educator, engineer, comedian, television presenter, author, and inventor with a mission to help foster a scientifically literate society and to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work. Making science entertaining and accessible is something Bill has been passionate about his entire life. Bill is a seven time Emmy Award winner and was involved in placing the first sundial on Mars.
Today, Bill joins me to share his story. We talk about the young Bill Nye and the people and events that acted as his greatest influences. He talks about his experience doing stand-up and his life during the war in Vietnam. He discusses the different categories of science and the importance of its advancement. He discusses the role of Congress in this advancement and offers his solutions for political problems. He discusses the exploration of Europa and fields a series of rapid-fire questions.
“BY THE TIME SOMEBODY’S EIGHT YEARS OLD, HIS OR HER ABILITY TO REASON IS PRETTY GOOD. IT’S THE LIFE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU’RE MISSING.”
-
“BRAVERY IS WHEN YOU’VE ACTUALLY ASSESSED THE DANGER.”
- BILL NYE
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Bill Nye and the sundial on Mars
- Bill’s experience as an engineer
- The role of dancing in Bill’s life
- Political discussion
- The importance of the advancement of science
Mentioned Resources:
- The Planetary Society
- The Science Rules Podcast
Credits:Inter AstraExecutive Producer: Toby Goodman
Audio & Sound Design: Lee Turner
Artwork: Ryan Field
Production by CxS Partners LTD
First published - June 10th, 2021
My guest on this episode is Zolana Joao, a distinguished engineer and dynamic leader from the Angola National Space Program Management Office.
In this episode, we explore Zolana’s profound journey from his challenging early years in war-torn Angola to his instrumental role in advancing Angola’s aspirations in space exploration.
With his deep commitment to education and his strategic vision, Zolana has been a driving force in launching Angola’s first satellites, significantly impacting his country’s development and representation in the global space community.
This episode was recorded at the Inter Astra Retreat just outside Washington DC last November (2023).
In this episode, you’ll discover:
•From Civil War to Space Pioneer: Zolana’s journey through adversity to space leadership.
•Strategic Mind in Angola’s Space Ascent: His pivotal role in launching Angola’s satellites.
•Lessons from Global Space Partnerships: How international collaborations shaped his strategy.
•Advocating for Future Innovators: Zolana’s efforts to inspire the next generation in Angola.
•Leadership Philosophy: Insights into overcoming obstacles in space sector leadership.
Quote:
"I didn’t know that I was building muscle. Then after 9 months, I start applying for jobs in electrical engineering jobs. And I found, Motorola company. That time, Motorola was already in Angola, and they were hiring technicians. But I was scared because I was 17. I was not allowed officially to work yet. But I said, I have to gotta do something."
- Zolana Joao
Episode Links:
- Follow Inter Astra on LinkedIn
- Discover more about Inter Astra
- Connect with Zolana on LinkedIn
Credits:
Production by CxS Partners LTD
Executive Producer: Toby Goodman
Audio & Sound Design: Lee Turner
Artwork: Ryan Field
Recorded on location on Nomono Sound Capsule
Explore more episodes at Kathy Sullivan Explores... https://kathysullivaneexplores.com/
Find even more podcasts on the Inter Astra Podcast Network HERE
Spaceship Not RequiredI’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are… spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
This episode was recorded at the Inter Astra Retreat just outside Washington DC last November (2023). I sat down with Stella Marcy, a high school freshman from upstate New York with big dreams of becoming an astrobiologist.
Stella’s passion for exploring the origins of life on other planets and her curiosity about the universe is truly inspiring. In our conversation, we discussed what it means to be an astrobiologist, the tools scientists use to search for life beyond Earth, and how high school student Stella can prepare for her career.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
•What astrobiologists do.
•The importance of STEM education in pursuing a career in space science.
•How young students can get involved in STEM programs and research opportunities.
•Stella’s inspirations and her goals for the future, including her dream universities.
•Insights from the Inter Astra Retreat.
Quote:
"INTER ASTRA IS A GREAT WAY TO MAKE CONNECTIONS, TO GET INTERNSHIPS OR RESEARCH PROJECTS OR MENTORS WHO ALSO WOULD REALLY HELP ME."
- STELLA MARCY
Episode Links:
- Follow Inter Astra on LinkedIn
- Discover more about Inter Astra
Credits:
Production by CxS Partners LTD
Executive Producer: Toby Goodman
Audio & Sound Design: Lee Turner
Artwork: Ryan Field
Recorded on location on Nomono Sound Capsule
Explore more episodes at Kathy Sullivan Explores... https://kathysullivaneexplores.com/
Find even more podcasts on the Inter Astra Podcast Network HERE
SPACESHIP NOT REQUIRED
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are… spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
A brand-new inspirational space podcast featuring Astronauts from different generations comparing notes on everything from their moment of selection, training, mission, and legacy.
Listen to this exclusive trailer featuring conversations from the first two episodes:1. Dr. Kathy Sullivan, a three-time NASA astronaut and the first American woman to walk in space speaks with Christina Koch, a serving NASA astronaut set to be the first woman to reach the moon.
- General Charles F. Bolden, a four-time NASA astronaut, and the first black NASA administrator, speaks with Victor Glover, a serving NASA astronaut set to be the first black man to reach the moon.
🔎 Discover more podcasts on the Inter Astra Podcast Network at InterAstra.spaceCredits:
🚀 For The Charles F. Blend Group & Inter Astra
🎙️ Production by CxS Partners LTD
🎙️ Executive Producer: Toby Goodman & Leo Hornak
🔈 Audio & Sound Design: Lee Turner
🎨 Artwork: Ryan Field
This episode was recorded at the Inter Astra Retreat just outside Washington DC last November (2023) where I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lisa Marrocchino, the CEO of Proteus Ocean Group.
Starting in the world of Wall Street, Lisa has a profound passion for advancing our understanding of the ocean through innovative technologies.
Proteus, is being designed as the 'International Space Station of the Ocean,' aiming to revolutionize our approach to sustained underwater research.
In this episode, Lisa shares the inspiring origins of Proteus, conceived by co-founder Fabien Cousteau, Grandson of Jacques Cousteau, and the ambitious goals they have for this pioneering project. Lisa details the technological and scientific advancements they hope to achieve and the broader implications for environmental research and space exploration analogs.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- Challenges and triumphs in creating a state-of-the-art research facility beneath the sea.
- The role of Proteus in simulating space mission conditions and its implications for future space travel.
- Collaborative initiatives with global scientific communities aimed at fostering significant advancements in ocean research.
- Lisa’s aspirations for Proteus to leave a lasting impact by bridging the gap between oceanic exploration and space discovery.
Quote:
"Proteus isn't just about pushing the boundaries of ocean research; it's about creating a legacy that ties the mysteries of the ocean with the vastness of space."
- Lisa Marrocchino
Episode Links:
- Learn more about Proteus Ocean Group
- Connect with Lisa Marrocchino on LinkedIn
- Follow Inter Astra on LinkedIn
- Discover more about Inter Astra
Credits:
Production by CxS Partners LTD
Executive Producer: Toby Goodman
Audio & Sound Design: Lee Turner
Artwork: Ryan Field
Main interview recorded on location with Nomono Sound Capsule
Explore more episodes at Kathy Sullivan Explores... https://kathysullivaneexplores.com/
Find even more podcasts on the Inter Astra Podcast Network HERE
Your Business: In Space
Environmental Intelligence in Space with Dr. Kathy Sullivan
Dr. Kathy Sullivan is a distinguished scientist, astronaut, and explorer who has contributed to our understanding of space and the Earth’s oceans. As the first American woman to walk in space and a veteran of three NASA space shuttle missions, Dr. Sullivan has reached both the heights of outer space and the depths of our oceans.
As an accomplished geologist, she has explored the complexities of marine geology and geophysics, and her tenure as the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) solidified her reputation as a trailblazer in environmental intelligence.
Her profound experience offers invaluable insights into our planet's life support systems — the oceans, the atmosphere, and the interconnected environments that sustain us.
In this episode, Dr. Sullivan draws parallels between the life support systems of spacecraft and our own planet, illustrating the critical importance of environmental stewardship. With her unique vantage points from space and deep below the sea, she sheds light on the environmental challenges we face and the innovative technologies helping us to understand the roles we can play to help protect our home planet.
In this episode you'll discover:
• The vital role environmental intelligence from space plays in daily life, from weather forecasting to agricultural planning.
• How satellites have transformed from mere storm spotters to advanced observers, capable of intricate environmental assessments.
• The importance of understanding and maintaining the life support systems of our 'spaceship' Earth, paralleling those in spacecraft.
• Dr. Sullivan’s perspective on the potential environmental impact of rocket launches and the increasing frequency of space travel.
• The need for continuous innovation and research to advance our knowledge of Earth and space environments.
• Insights into fostering a new generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers to lead future environmental intelligence efforts.
Quote:
"The only thing we actually do all by ourselves is have the start of a good idea. Everything beyond that requires connecting that idea with other people."
- Dr. Kathy Sullivan
Episode Links:
Check out Kathy’s website
Listen to over 100 episodes of Kathy’s Podcast ‘Kathy Sullivan Explores…’ Now part of the Inter Astra Podcast Network!
Follow Kathy on LinkedIn
NASA
NOAA
Credits:
Production by CxS Partners LTD
Executive Producer: Toby Goodman
Audio & Sound Design: Lee Turner
Artwork: Ryan Field
Join the #1 community for equitable access to the business of space:
https://interastra.space/
Dear Explorer,
On June 10, 2021, I launched the Kathy Sullivan Explores podcast. Many of us were under some form of a lockdown back then, and the podcast has helped me connect in ways that were previously impossible to imagine. Through our journey together, we’ve explored science, art, space, and memorable moments in my life all while speaking to brilliant guests. It has truly been an incredible privilege to share stories, insights, and inspiring conversations with you all.
In this episode, I want to express my deepest gratitude to you all for joining me on this remarkable journey of exploration via podcast. I also outline the different episode categories you can continue exploring on the podcast website and explain how you can stay connected and be the first to get updates on my future projects and endeavors.
“This farewell doesn’t have to be the end of our journey together. Continue on, Explorer, learning and sharing in the spirit of curiosity, adventure, and discovery.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● Charlie Bolden’s pathway to space and other remarkable episodes in the “Space” category
● Conversations with creatives and how they forged artistic careers
● Exploring the sea and other oceanic gems from Helen Scales, Tim McDonald, Victor Viscovo, and others
● Career and leadership insights from Glen Maroney and Yvette McGee Brown
● Conversations on exploring the world with Elizabeth McCormick, Jeffrey Kingsley, and Alastair Humphreys
● Memorable moments from my life—from wearing a baked potato to presenting an Oscar to George Lucas from space
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “From business leaders, writers, artists, fellow explorers, scientists, divers, and astronauts, their wisdom and experiences have left an indelible mark on our collective exploration.” - Kathy Sullivan
● “Astronauts stand on the shoulders of many hundreds of other space professionals.” - Kathy Sullivan
Explore the podcast by theme:
● Space
● Creativity
● Sea
● Memorable Moments
● Career and Leadership
● Places
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
Jane Alexander is an actress, author, and former Chairperson of the National Endowment of the Arts. In 1969, Jane received a Tony Award for her performance as Eleanor Bachman in the Broadway production of The Great White Hope. Jane received her first Emmy nomination for her role as Eleanor Roosevelt in Eleanor and Franklin. Over her career, she has received two Primetime Emmy Awards—as well as nominations for eight Tony Awards, four Academy Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards—and was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1994. Today, Jane is involved in conservation efforts and has served on the boards of the Wildlife Conservation Society, the National Audubon Society, and Project Greenhope, among others. She is the author of Wild Things, Wild Places and Command Performance.
Today, you’ll hear Jane discuss how she grew up loving the beauty of the land while living in Massachusetts. She shares how watching a ballet performance for the first time sparked her love for theater and the performing arts. She outlines her process for inhabiting a character or a role and describes how she studied her role as Eleanor Roosevelt in Eleanor and Franklin. Jane also highlights what it’s like to be an understudy, details her experience serving as the chairperson of the National Endowment of the Arts, and offers advice to young people about pursuing their passion.
“The whole business of exploration—which caught me as a child in the outside world, exploring the sunken garden—transitioned to the exploration of the mind and the human body in acting.” - Jane Alexander
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● Jane’s background and early years in Massachusetts
● How Jane’s parents reacted to her pursuit of theater as a career
● Her studies in mathematics and computer programming
● Her time at the University of Edinburgh and performances as Ophelia in Hamlet and as Nora in The Plough and the Stars
● What it was like to hang out with Dudley Moore and John Gleeson as university students
● Jane’s experience as an understudy and what stand-ins do when they’re not performing
● Her first leading roles and focus on the classics
● Jane’s process for inhabiting a role or character
● Why Jane declined to be part of The Actors Studio
● How Jane played Eleanor Roosevelt in Eleanor and Franklin
● Handling negative receptions of performances
● Jane’s service as the chairperson of the National Endowment of the Arts
● Today’s public support for the arts and Jane’s work in conservation
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “Art is part of everybody’s persona and privilege.” - Jane Alexander
● “We are put on this Earth to witness and experience all the joy that we can give to each other—that includes the things that grow and live.” - Jane Alexander
Connect with Jane Alexander:
● Jane Alexander Website
● Book: Command Performance: An Actress In The Theater Of Politics
● Book: Wild Things, Wild Places: Adventurous Tales of Wildlife and Conservation on Planet Earth
● Jane Alexander on Twitter
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
Jim Clash is an American participatory adventure and business journalist, author, and fellow and director of Explorers Club. Since joining Forbes as a staff writer in 1993, Jim has skied to the South Pole, flown in a MiG-25 at Mach 2.6 to the edge of space, and climbed the Matterhorn. His other adventures include driving the Bugatti Veyron at its top speed of 253 miles per hour and, most recently, flying with the US Navy Blue Angels in their F-18 fighters. He is the author of Forbes to the Limits and The Right Stuff. Jim holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland.
Today, you’ll hear Jim describe his life as a participatory adventurer and journalist. He recounts his adventurous, geeky childhood building his own radios and antenna and why he switched his major from Physics to English while studying at the University of Maryland. He explains why he decided to return to journalism after a career in the advertising industry. He discusses his ventures to the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro and Everest and his journey to the North Pole. You’ll also learn about the common characteristics among the successful and great people he has interviewed and gain insight from his life lessons.
“Journalism is about truth and advertising is like a pyramid—you take a little point and pile layers and layers on it until you get an obfuscation of truth. In journalism, you narrow it to the point, which is truth.” - Jim Clash
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● Jim’s background, fascinating childhood, and life in Japan
● His stint in advertising and being a drummer for a rock band
● Uncovering truth and how Jim realized that journalism was his life’s calling
● The Rat Experiment, climbing the Matterhorn and Kilimanjaro, and Jim’s passion for mountain climbing
● The Hillary Step traffic jam on Mount Everest
● Skiing to the South Pole and other adventures in Jim’s life as a participatory adventurer and writer
● How Jim procures his adventure gigs
● The common characteristics of extraordinary people
● Understanding the difference between real and perceived risk
● Resisting peer pressure and other life lessons
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: Seven Summits by Dick Bass, Frank Wells, and Rick Ridgeway
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “Extraordinary people understand that there’s a difference between real and perceived risk.” - Jim Clash
● “If you think differently, don’t go along with the crowd. Don’t always bow to peer pressure—do what you think is right. - Jim Clash
Connect with Jim Clash:
● Jim Clash on LinkedIn
● Jim Clash on Instagram
● Jim Clash on YouTube
● Jim Clash on Twitter
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
Linda Kass is the acclaimed author of Tasa’s Song (2016) and A Ritchie Boy (2020). Her latest book, Bessie—a fictional portrait of Miss America 1945, Bess Myerson—will be released in September 2023. She is also the founder and owner of Gramercy Books, an independent bookstore in Columbus, Ohio. Trained as a journalist, Linda began her career as a magazine reporter and correspondent for regional and national publications such as Columbus Monthly, TIME, and The Detroit Free Press. Linda is known for her advocacy in education, literacy, and the arts and has served in leadership roles on the boards of Bexley Schools, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and The Ohio State University among many others. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and holds a Master’s in Journalism from The Ohio State University.
Today, you’ll hear Linda reveal her life's remarkable twists and turns through stints working in medicine, education, journalism, and freelance writing. She describes how a family history writing project and a chance meeting during an outing with her book club moved her to become a novelist. She explains what makes Columbus, Ohio a unique place to be in. You’ll also hear about the ultimate value of reading and writing and why Linda was compelled to write her most recent book about the first Jewish Miss America, Bess Myerson.
“Inhabit the character. Imagine what they would think, feel, and do in a scene—how they would relate to other circumstances. Walk in their shoes. That becomes the inventiveness on the page of fiction, but then it’s grounded in all of that authentic, true history underneath it.” - Linda Kass
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● The young Linda Kass and her life growing up in central Ohio
● Linda’s time at Eastmoor High School and how it led her to become a journalist
● Her work as a physical therapist while studying journalism in graduate school
● The genesis of Linda’s life as a writer, teacher, and freelancer
● What brought Linda back to Columbus after living and working in Detroit
● How Columbus has changed since the late 80s
● The creative writing project that began Linda’s career as a historical novelist
● What creative nonfiction is and how it helped Linda tell her parents’ stories
● Poland and modern-day Ukraine in the context of World War II
● How a Catholic family helped Linda’s mother and her family during World War II
● The research and writing process involved in creating Tasa’s Song
● The art of inhabiting a character while writing
● What led Linda to write her book on Bessy Myerson
● The value of reading and writing
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: The Bright Forever: A Novel by Lee Martin
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “Read, because when you enjoy that experience you want to read more. When you read, you learn more, and when you learn you can be an empathetic human being that understands yourself and the world better.” - Linda Kass
● “To tell a real human story is more treatful and effective than coming up with just a fact-by-fact biography.” - Linda Kass
Connect with Linda Kass:
● Linda Kass Website
● Gramercy Books
● Book: Bessie
● Gramercy Books on Instagram
● Gramercy Books on Facebook
● Gramercy Books on Twitter
● Linda Kass on Instagram
● Linda Kass on Facebook
● Linda Kass on Twitter
● Email: Linda@lindakass.com
● Email: gramercyinfo@gramercybooksbexley.com
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
John Dabiri is a MacArthur Fellow and Centennial Chair Professor at the California Institute of Technology. John’s research focuses on unsteady fluid mechanics and flow physics, with particular emphasis on topics relevant to biology, energy, and the environment. While serving as a Professor of Aeronautics and Bioengineering at Caltech from 2005 to 2015, John was also the Director of the Center for Bioinspired Wind Energy, Chair of the Faculty, and Dean of Students. From 2015 to 2019, he served as a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University. He graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and received his Master of Science in Aeronautics from Caltech, where he also earned his Ph.D. in Bioengineering with a minor in Aeronautics. In addition to his work at Caltech, John serves on President Biden's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, among other advisory boards.
Today, you’ll hear John and I explore what nature can teach us about engineering systems, heart health, and optimizing wind farms. He describes his life growing up in Toledo, how a summer internship introduced him to the world of jellyfish, and how studying jellyfish quickly morphed into the focus of his life’s work. He recounts stories from his stint as a technical consultant for Nope (2022) and shares his thoughts on the sitcom, The Big Bang Theory, and its portrayal of academic life at Caltech. You’ll also gain insight into solving the diversity problem in physics and engineering and why tapping the curiosity of young minds can inspire more students to pursue STEM.
“Curiosity is a unique lens by which we can explore the world around us, and the outcomes from that would be the technologies that could revolutionize climate, space, and medicine.” - John Dabiri
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● John’s background and family history
● How John’s parents navigated their identity and race in America
● Carrying forward Nigerian traditions
● John’s high school experience and why he chose Mechanical Engineering for his college path
● How he transitioned from an undergraduate degree in Mechanical engineering to a doctoral in Bioengineering with a minor in Aerodynamics
● How John wound up studying jellyfish after pursuing an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering
● Why mentors play an important role in a PhD student’s life
● What jellyfish can teach us about submarines, heart health, and wind farms
● What it’s like to receive the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship award
● Why Dr. Jellyfish can’t swim
● The Big Bang Theory’s portrayal of academic life at Caltech
● Working with Jordan Peele for the 2022 movie, Nope
● Solving the diversity problem in physics and engineering
● How we can inspire more young people to join STEM
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “The application of tech is a nice motivation, but we can tap into the curiosity of a five-year-old to draw them into science, even if there’s no immediate application.” - John Dabiri
● “I fell in love with taking the same mindset I used in taking apart video games and cars into understanding how biological systems work—how these very simple bags of water in a jellyfish can swim through the ocean.” - John Dabiri
Connect with John Dabiri:
● Dabiri Lab
● John Dabiri on LinkedIn
● Email: jodabiri@caltech.edu
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
You’ve probably heard or read something about the “new space age” unfolding around us. While this new era of space exploration is raising important questions—like who sets the rules and who owns what—it’s also inspiring grand visions of the future. I don’t have a crystal ball or some super secret source of insider intelligence, but it’s clear that two grand visions are strongly influencing a lot of the enterprises involved in the new space age: one of preserving humanity and the world, and one of escaping it all.
In this episode, I explore two of the leading visions emerging at the dawn of the new space age. You’ll hear about Jeff Bezos’ purpose for Blue Origin and his plan to build space stations where people can live and work. I share Elon Musk’s mission to colonize Mars and discuss what “lifeboat syndrome” is. You’ll also learn how the work of philanthropists started aviation and spaceflight and gain insight into the role of ordinary people like you and me in the future of the new space age.
“Where it all goes from here will be up to people like you and me and the kids and grandkids of our lives. They will inherit the lessons and building blocks from these initial lessons and have the opportunity to write an exciting new chapter in spaceflight and the future of humanity and our planet.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● The dawn of the new space age
● Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin’s vision for the future of outer space
● Elon Musk and his plans to colonize Mars
● The lifeboat syndrome
● How philanthropy drove the inception of aviation and spaceflight
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: The High Frontier: Human Colonies In Space by Gerard K. O'Neill
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “Stephen Hawking famously once said that humanity will not endure another thousand years unless it becomes a multi-planet species.” - Kathy Sullivan
● “It was the vision and private capital of philanthropists like Samuel Langley and Robert Goddard and the people they could draw to their cause that allowed everyone to envision what aviation and spaceflight could become.” - Kathy Sullivan
Related Episode:
● 108 | The New Wild West
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
Christopher A. Scholin is the President and CEO of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and has been a driving force behind groundbreaking research since 2009. He started his professional journey as a research assistant professor at the University of South Carolina at Columbia. Driven by a passion for merging molecular biology and ecology, Chris joined the esteemed Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (MIT/WHOI) Joint Program in Biological Oceanography. In 2021, he was honored with the Lockheed Martin Award for Ocean Science and Engineering from the Marine Technology Society. Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology with Highest Honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Master of Business Administration degree in Molecular Biology and Immunology from Duke University. Chris continues to engage in research projects and maintains an impressive scientific portfolio.
Today, you’ll hear Chris and I discuss his childhood fascination with the ocean and how it led him to pursue a career in oceanography. He explains how he accidentally became the CEO of MBARI and delves into his contributions to the development of advanced oceanic technology. He describes his early experiences with scuba diving, his interest in laboratory science and technology, and how he combined these interests to pursue a career in oceanography. He recounts his unconventional path into oceanography and discusses his exposure to molecular biology and biotech and how he saw these fields as a way to combine his passion for oceanography and technology. You’ll also learn about the challenges of working in ocean science and the importance of taking risks and being willing to make mistakes.
"Sometimes you gotta follow your heart. If it's something you wanna do, give it a try." - Chris Scholin
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● Chris’s childhood fascination with the ocean
● Learning to scuba dive in St. Louis, Michigan
● How a librarian changed the course of Chris’s career
● How Chris learned to follow his heart
● Applying molecular biology and biotech to oceanography
● What algae blooms can teach us
● How to differentiate between similar-looking organisms
● The legacy of David Packard on MBARI
● The upside of taking risks
● How mistakes can lead to important discoveries
● The challenges of overseeing senior scientists
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “Only about 30% of the sea floor of the entire earth has been mapped in any detail.” - Chris Scholin
● “The tide of popular opinion about whether it was even, even feasible was really against me. I just had to stand my ground and keep trying my best and proving it could work.” - Chris Scholin
Connect with Chris Scholin:
● Chris Sholin Website
● Chris Scholin on LinkedIn
● MBARI on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
Katy Psenicka is the Chief Choreographer and Chief Operations Officer of Shadowbox Live, America’s largest resident ensemble theater company based in Columbus, Ohio. Since joining Shadowbox Live in 1994, Katy has made choreography the anchor of her professional career, cultivating over 600 character-driven performing art pieces that tell stories through contemporary dance. A versatile performer herself, Katy has also been featured in several lead and supporting roles. Her most recent work includes the conceptualization and choreography of Madness and Lust and Broken Whispers, both of which won The Columbus Dispatch’s Best Show of 2016 award. Katy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Management from The University of Dayton.
Today, you’ll hear Katy outline her creative processes for choreographing dances and creating shows. She describes what she was like as a child and explains how being situationally aware and energetic shaped her path toward becoming an artist. You’ll learn about how, between 4th and 9th grade, she put on a show in her family’s garage every summer. She also shares her ideas on storytelling and offers her advice to young, budding artists who are unsure of their journey.
“Don’t keep your light inside—let it shine. Let yourself have the freedom to share all your amazing gifts to the world. The world needs you, your skill, and your gifts.” - Katy Psenicka
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● Katy’s background and childhood in Cleveland, Ohio
● How Katy created and held shows in her family’s garage as a child
● Her high school experience and how her teachers inspired her
● How studying Communication at The University of Dayton gave Katy a glimpse into her life path
● The process of choreographing a dance and the interplay of music and motions
● How Katy and the Shadowbox Live team produced a show based on the story of Bonnie and Clyde
● Katy’s “moments” worksheet and show ideas currently simmering in her mind
● Current and future Shadowbox Live shows
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “Whatever it is you’re good at is applicable to every single thing you do in life. You have to put a filter on your lens and take what you know and apply it.” - Katy Psenicka
● “The road will reveal itself to you. You don’t need to stress about where it’s going. Just start working.” - Katy Psenicka
Connect with Katy Psenicka:
● Shadowbox Live
● Shadowbox Live on LinkedIn
● Shadowbox Live on Instagram
● Shadowbox Live on Facebook
● Shadowbox Live on TikTok
● Katy Psenicka on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
Charles Justiz, Ph.D., is a pilot, risk & safety consultant, and author of the sci-fi thriller, Specific Impulse. He is the founder and Managing Director of JFA Inc. and formerly served as the Chief of Aviation Safety at the NASA Johnson Space Center, where he established a crew resource management program, a safety management system, and a just culture approach. All of which have become industry standards.
During his 30-year-long career at NASA, Charlie has flown over 16,000 flight hours in over 100 different types of aircraft, chased Space Shuttles returning from orbit, trained every astronaut who has piloted and landed a Space Shuttle and ferried numerous Space Shuttles across the United States using a modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.
Charlie joins me today to describe how he fell in love with flying and aviation in his early teens and shares how he became a pilot after studying Aerospace Engineering at the Air Force Academy. We talk about his path to becoming a NASA test pilot, and he describes how he became involved in music and theater production later in life and how writing Specific Impulse opened his unexpected artistic side. Charlie also advises making mistakes in one’s career and shares his thoughts on following a vision and pursuing seemingly unrelated career paths.
“There is no box; you define what the boundaries are.” - Charlie Justiz
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● Charlie’s childhood from Havana to Miami
● Where Charlie’s early love for flying and aviation came from
● The many Cuban revolutions
● Charlie’s experience learning about Spanish literature in high school
● Charlie’s road to the Air Force Academy and how he survived his freshman year
● How Charlie became an Air Force pilot
● Celestial navigation in the space age
● Flying exotic airplanes at NASA and training to ferry Space Shuttles with the 747
● Why the 747 is a pilot’s dream
● Charlie’s work as a risk & safety consultant
● How Charlie became involved in music and theater production
● What it means to be a theater producer
● Charlie’s thoughts on taking seemingly unrelated career paths
● Charlie’s next adventure in life
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “You may be wrong, and that’s okay. I’ve failed a dozen times in my career, trying to do stuff that was wrong, but it only made me smarter on the things that I did next.” - Charlie Justiz
● “All knowledge is valuable and important.” - Charlie Justiz
Connect with Charlie Justiz:
● Charlie Justiz on LinkedIn
● Book: Specific Impulse
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn |Google |Amazon Music.
Glen Moroney is an entrepreneur and the owner, operator, and CEO of Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. At its inception in 1986, Scenic began offering tours to the Great Ocean Road in Warrnambool, Australia, and expanded into providing extensive land journeys throughout Australia and New Zealand. Under Glen’s leadership, Scenic has grown into a global cruise line that offers hundreds of extended touring programs to exotic, domestic, and international destinations. Scenic has also built the Scenic Eclipse, the world’s first discovery yacht that allows guests to experience the magnificence of Antarctica like never before.
Today, you’ll hear about Glen’s journey from being a college dropout and bus tour operator to being the CEO of a shipbuilding company and owner of 22 luxury vessels. He explains how he turned around a small hotel in Warrnambool without a formal education in the tourism industry. He describes the beauty of Warrnambool and how the region brought out the traveler in him. He discusses the beginnings of Scenic and his forays into river cruising and shipbuilding. You’ll also hear about his forecast for the expedition cruising market and gain insight into the complexity and wonder of ships and shipbuilding.
“We climbed up a steep glacier that went up from sea level to over 2,000 meters with ice caps that went as far as the eye could see. There’s no way, unless you’re an explorer, that you’re going to see that in any cruise ship.” - Glen Moroney
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● Glen Moroney’s youth and how he became a shipbuilder and the admiral of 22 river cruisers
● Why Glen disliked his time at university and eventually dropped out
● His first dive into business and entrepreneurship
● The first time Glen got bitten by the travel bug
● How Glen started selling tours without a formal education in the tourism industry
● The Free Independent Traveler Public Tours and the beginnings of Scenic
● How Glen became involved with river cruising
● Taking “no” for an answer and taking risks during uncertain times
● Glen’s baptism of fire into shipbuilding
● Listening to feedback and how Glen brings the vision of a ship to life
● Scenic’s audience model and expert expedition team
● Scenic’s submersibles and helicopter flights in Reykjavik
● The future of expedition cruising
● How the pandemic has changed people’s perception of cruising
● The complexity and wonder of ships and shipbuilding
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “When the ship sails the first time, it can get quite emotional. When you get a ship like this into service, you get a huge sense of relief. There’s some joy there, but the overwhelming feeling is relief.” - Glen Moroney
● “You look at an office building and you’d think it’s a complex build, but it’s nothing compared to a ship.” - Glen Moroney
Connect with Glen Moroney:
● Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
● Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours on LinkedIn
● Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours on Instagram
● Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours on Facebook
● Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours on Twitter
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
When was the last time you watched people at a sporting event, ceremony, or concert—having the experience of a lifetime, yet mainly holding their phones or cameras up to film it all? It’s as if capturing pictures and videos is more valuable or important than the experience itself, and so they live everything through their camera screens. While certain moments in our lives prompt us to reach for our phones or cameras to capture that unfolding event and immortalize it into a visual memory, doing so comes with a cost. It takes us out of the actual moments—out of fully living the experience.
In this episode, you’ll hear about the value of fully immersing yourself in the present. I share what I learned from reading The Inner Game of Tennis and from playing a detective video game. I also reflect on returning to the curiosities of our eight-year-old selves and how our lives might be enriched more by being fully in the moment.
“Be here, now. Put your phone down and take all your surroundings in through every one of your senses. How richer will your life be if you can resist the screen and be fully in the moment?” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● Living life through screens
● Why performing theater companies ask the audience not to film or record shows
● Going back to our eight-year-old selves
● The challenge to explore with a sense of play
● The sense of safety and security in reminiscing bygone days
● How I learned to see without judgment by playing a video game
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance by W. Timothy Gallwey
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “Explore with a sense of play—of freedom. Be your eight-year-old self again, shut off the self-talk, and just be. Just do.” - Kathy Sullivan
● “Be here, now—not in the past, not in the future, but genuinely interested in and absorbing where you are now, who you’re with, and taking it all in without an opinion.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music
Susan Rainwater is the former Chief of the EVA, Robotics, and Crew Systems Operations Division at NASA and a linchpin in the Hubble Space Telescope repair mission. After graduating from Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering degree, Sue served at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in the late 1980s. She then came to the Johnson Space Center in Houston to work with the Hubble Space Telescope under the Mission Operations Directorate prior to the STS-31 deployment mission. Sue later played such a pivotal role in the first Hubble servicing mission that they brought two ladders into mission control when the time came to hang the crew plaque at the end of the mission. It was the first, and possibly only, time that the two co-leaders of the spacewalking team hung the plaque together—one of the highest honors in NASA flight control.
Today, you’ll hear Sue describe her memories of being a bookish kid from Michigan studying in the United Kingdom and the culture shock she experienced upon returning to the United States. She explains how hands-on building projects from her father and her move to the South to study became the first steps in her journey to NASA. Sue also highlights the Herculean effort around Hubble’s first servicing mission and describes how visits to Home Depot contributed to the building and repairing success of the Hubble Space Telescope.
“We had the greatest jobs. We got to work with brilliant people and brilliant minds. We were challenged every day, and every day was different.” - Sue Rainwater
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● Sue’s family background and early childhood in Michigan
● Her life in high school and path to Georgia Tech
● How her father influenced her interest in engineering
● Sue’s first role and responsibility at NASA
● The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and what it was known for
● The Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory and Sue’s experience in water tank simulators
● What it was like to completely imagine a tool that did not exist before
● Sue’s first visits to the Hubble Space Telescope and cranking its solar arrays
● Her experience working as a flight controller at the Johnson Space Center’s mission control
● What it takes to calm the engineer sitting at a console in mission control
● Sue’s best memories from her time in Houston and life after NASA
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “Start with something you’re familiar with, adapt it, then modify it.” - Sue Rainwater
● “When you go out there and see the real vehicle, with all the real electrical cables and multi-layer insulation in place, you get a full appreciation of it and think that this is even more complex than you realize.” - Sue Rainwater
Connect with Sue Rainwater:
● Sue Rainwater on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
“Awesome” is used so often these days—at least in the US—that it has almost lost its meaning. It seems that it hardly has a bigger impact than saying “Oh, that’s nice.” But, for astronauts, the truly awesome experience of seeing the Earth from space with our own eyes is transformative—an experience that catalyzes the profound shift in the way we think about ourselves, our lives, and our home planet Earth. In 1987, Frank White coined the term “overview effect” to describe this experience. But there’s something with the “overview” label that never sat well with me and I couldn’t point out why—until an article titled The ‘Small Self’ Effect and the research it referred to caught my attention.
In this episode, you’ll learn about the small self effect and how the experience of looking at Earth from orbit profoundly transforms astronauts. I outline the history of Frank White’s overview effect. I describe how awe triggered the small self in me while I was in space. I also discuss how psychologists define awe and underscore how being awestruck can elicit feelings of belonging and hope that are critical to forming the cooperation and collaboration needed to form and sustain social groups—from families and communities to countries and humankind.
“‘Feeling small, blissfully overwhelmed, more connected to others, and filled with the desire to do good towards others are the common themes in every astronaut’s account of their experience of looking at the Earth from orbit.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● What “awesome” means to astronauts
● Frank White’s Overview Effect
● What “awe” means to psychologists
● The small self effect and how awe may have a vital social function
Resources Mentioned:
● The Atlantic | The ‘Small Self’ Effect by Shannon Stirone
● Awe, the Small Self, and Prosocial Behavior
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “The vast panorama out my window triggered a feeling of awe unlike any I have ever known. That’s what shrunk my sense of self and heightened my awareness about our collective identity and fate and made me want to use my experience for good.” - Kathy Sullivan
● “Be filled with that blissful awe. Shift with the small self, understand our shared fate, and care more deeply about each other.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
Margot Lee Shetterly is a non-fiction writer. Her book, Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win the Space Race, tells the story of African-American women mathematicians who helped provide NASA with the raw computing power it needed to dominate the heavens. After a career in investment banking and media, Margot moved to Mexico with her husband and founded Inside Mexico, an English-language magazine, while writing Hidden Figures. In addition to her work as an author, Margot is the founder of The Human Computer Project, an endeavor dedicated to recovering the names and accomplishments of all of the women who worked as computers, mathematicians, scientists and engineers at NACA and NASA from the 1930s through the 1980s.
Today, you’ll hear about Margot’s journey in writing Hidden Figures. She describes her childhood in Hampton, Virginia, growing up surrounded by engineers and scientists and shares her experience witnessing the 9/11 attacks while living in New York City. She explains how she happened upon the book idea and how her awareness of the women in Hidden Figures—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—came to the fore. She discusses the importance of having an objective view from the outside and how living in Mexico allowed her to write Hidden Figures. You’ll also gain insight on Margot’s experiences writing Hidden Figures—from interviewing Katherine Johnson to getting the book published—and hear her advice for young people at the early stages of their careers.
“The advances that allow us to get on an airplane—without thinking that it’ll take off, fly, and land safely—happened because these women and their colleagues were doing the numbers for decades.” - Margot Lee Shetterly
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
• Margot’s background and life growing up in Hampton, Virginia
• Her interest in business at a young age and path to investment banking
• A brief history of NASA
• Margot’s interest in business at a young age and her path to investment banking
• Her life in New York and her experience in foreign exchange trading, Meryll Lynch, and start-ups
• Her adventures founding a magazine in Mexico with her husband
• How living in Mexico allowed Margot the space to write Hidden Figures
• What inspired the idea behind Hidden Figures and how Margot began writing the story
• How interviewing mathematician Katherine Johnson led Margot to Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and the other Black computers at NASA’s West Area
• How long it took Margot to finish writing Hidden Figures
• The two kinds of writers and why Margot is a combination of both
• Historical accuracy of the film Hidden Figures and how similar it is to Margot’s book
• The process of creating a book proposal and why it’s similar to forming a business plan
• What Margot wanted to show through her book Hidden Figures
• Margot’s favorite travel destinations and travel bucket list
• Her current book project and the joys of writing Hidden Figures
Resources Mentioned:
• NASA Johnson Space Center Oral History Project
• NASA History Division - Oral History
• Book: They Made America: From the Steam Engine to the Search Engine: Two Centuries of Innovators by Harold Evans
Our Favorite Quotes:
• “The thing about a book proposal is that it’s a business plan. You have a book idea, find a publisher to take it and sell it to them, explain why people will read it, and have a sample of the product.” - Margot Lee Shetterly
• “Make failure your friend, especially when you’re young and ambitious. There’s a stigma that’s still attached to failure, but it’s a good teacher; you get some of your best lessons from it.” - Margot Lee Shetterly
Connect with Margot Lee Shetterly:
• Margot Lee Shetterly Website
• Book: Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
• Margot Lee Shetterly on LinkedIn
• Margot Lee Shetterly on Twitter
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music.
There’s a ton of content in the media about what some people are calling the “new space age”: the era in which space is becoming more democratized—and more commercialized. At a minimum, media coverage about this new space age has been about Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and space tourism. While it’s clearly an exciting time to be in the business of space or to start a career in the space sector, peeling back all that fancy, sizzly coverage reveals a ton of unresolved questions you may not be hearing about unless you’re a true space geek. There are so many issues around it that we might as well just call the new space age the “New Wild West.”
In this episode, I explore a few of the many issues surrounding the new space age. I explain what mega constellations are and how artificial satellites are impacting the work of grand-based astronomers. I also share my hopes for the future and underscore why we all need to come together as we enter this new space age.
“My biggest hopes are that the countries and the companies will consider more than just short-term financial rewards; that they give some thought to not just what can be gained by their efforts, but also what might be lost if they don’t take care.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
• The number of active satellites orbiting the Earth
• The lack of orbital traffic management schemes and space treaties
• Issues around mining the moon and asteroids
• NASA’s Artemis Accords
• My hopes for the future of the new space age
Our Favorite Quotes:
• “There’s a lot of money and effort pouring into these new space possibilities, but everyone’s in an ‘act now, think later’ mode, as is often true when a bright new prospect is glimpsed.” - Kathy Sullivan
• “My highest hope is that the sentiment that was written on the Apollo 11 module will be fulfilled in this new era—that plaque read: ‘We came in peace for all mankind.’” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music.
Victor Vescovo is a private equity investor, retired naval officer, undersea explorer, and space tourist. He is the founder, Chief Executive, and Chief Submersible Pilot at Caladan Oceanic, a private marine research organization. As an adventurer, Victor has reached the North and South Poles, climbed the Seven Summits, and visited the deepest points of all the Earth’s oceans during the Five Deeps Expedition of 2018-2019. In 2022, Victor flew to space as a space tourist aboard New Shepard—a reusable suborbital launch vehicle developed by Blue Origin—as part of the Blue Origin NS-21 mission, and was afterward regarded by Forbes as the “First to Climb Everest, Visit Ocean’s Deepest Depth, and Fly to the Final Frontier.”
Victor joins me today to share his experience flying to space onboard New Shepard. He describes what it was like to go beyond Mach 3 and explains why it’s important not to focus on the interiors of the rocket capsule upon reaching space. He discusses his childhood dream to become an astronaut and shares his thoughts on finding one’s life path. Victor also highlights the value of being a good person and offers advice to young people dreaming of flying to space.
“When people ask what’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, I have to admit, looking down from space, that it’s the curvature of the Earth with the atmosphere. Nothing beats down that experience.” - Victor Vescovo
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● What made Victor want to go to space
● The importance of personal connection and being a good person
● How his sense of space adventure has evolved in his adult years
● The Corn Ranch Launch Site at Van Horn, Texas
● The training and psychological-medical screening involved to become part of the NS-21 mission
● How Blue Origin tries to craft camaraderie and diversity
● The days leading to the flight of New Shepard
● Why Blue Origin was strict on bringing items aboard New Shepard
● Weight, propulsion, gravity, and safety
● The overview effect and how the NS-21 mission impacted Victor’s life
● The descent of New Shepard
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “I thought it would be like going really high up on a plane, but no, this was materially different. The Earth was below you, and there was a thin layer of atmosphere that you could see; there’s a yellow sun on a black background. It told you you’re in space. And floating.” - Victor Vescovo
● “We all find our own path; I eventually found my way to space, though it took longer than expected. You just have to hold on to those dreams and, hopefully, someday circumstances will provide the opportunity.” - Victor Vescovo
Related Content:
● Kathy Sullivan Explores… Mountain Climbing, Deep Ocean Diving & The Purpose of Life with Victor Vescovo
Connect with Victor Vescovo:
● Caladan Oceanic
● Caladan Oceanic on YouTube
● Caladan Oceanic on Instagram
● Caladan Oceanic on Facebook
● Victor Vescovo on LinkedIn
● Victor Vescovo on Twitter
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
I started dreaming about living abroad when I was around 12 years old, figuring that I would achieve that by attending a university that had a junior-year abroad program. This dream was realized as I became an exchange student at the University of Bergen in Norway, where I had the opportunity to learn another language through an immersive summer program that involved living on a small farm at the heart of the country, near the cabin of one of our teachers. But it wasn’t just a new language that I learned from that experience—it taught me something fundamental about Norwegian culture and social ethos that made me more self-aware, self-observant, and tuned into the country I’d live in for the next year and a half.
In this episode, I discuss Janteloven and what I learned about the social culture of Norway. I describe how I dreamed about living overseas as a kid and what attracted me to Norway. I differentiate Norwegian and American culture and discuss the social codes prevalent in Scandinavian cultures. I also highlight the importance of getting yourself out of your own bubble and underscore what I love most about traveling.
“We all live in bubbles of one sort or another, usually without being aware of them. You have to get out of them to get to know and understand new people, places, and cultures.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● Reading Snow Treasure and other things that inspired me to live in Norway
● My experience joining the University of Bergen’s immersive summer program in Oslo
● A stark difference between the American and Norwegian cultures
● The frontier mentality and America’s individualist culture
● The Janteloven and how Norwegians preserve social harmony and stability
● The Lagom and the value of ensuring everyone’s basic needs are met
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: Snow Treasureby Marie McSwigan
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “What I love most about traveling is exactly that—trying to merge as much as I can into the new place, to feel what it’s like and understand where people are coming from. It’s like putting on a costume and inhabiting a new character.” - Kathy Sullivan
● “The Janteloven is decidedly not about knocking down the tall poppy, but boils down to the simple point that if we are to live together in harmony, we need to consider each other’s feelings.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
Ché Bolden is a US Marine Corps veteran and President and CEO of The Bolden Group. Founded in 2017, The Bolden Group is a consortium of accomplished leaders dedicated to fostering international collaboration to make life better for all of humanity. Ché served for over 26 years in the US Marine Corps, where he also served as an International Affairs Program Coordinator and Weapons and Tactics Instructor. After concluding his service with the Marine Corps, Ché founded two technology companies, Inter Aria and Sapient.ONE. He is currently the President of Ario and leads the organization’s strategy and vision. Ché holds a Bachelor of Science degree in History from the United States Naval Academy, a Global Master of Arts from Tufts University’s Fletcher School, and a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Studies from the Marine Corps War College.
Ché joins me today to share the history behind his name and describe his life before moving to Houston, Texas with his family. He explains how witnessing his father’s mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope opened his eyes to the true meaning of service. He discusses his transition to the private sector after retiring from the US Marine Corps and highlights The Bolden Group’s mission to push the boundaries of the space industry. He also outlines what it would take to create diversity, equity, and inclusion in the space industry and offers advice to young people starting their careers.
“Create opportunities for disadvantaged and underrepresented communities to get an equal place at the table. We won’t realize the fullest potential of space unless we get more people in the discussion.” - Ché Bolden
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The young Ché Bolden and what it was like to be a part of the Bolden family
- “Flashbulb” memories and the beginnings of Ché’s life as an explorer
- How the mission of his father, Charles Bolden Jr., to service the Hubble Space Telescope taught Ché the meaning of service
- Ché’s role models and what inspired him to attend the US Naval Academy and become an aviator
- His challenges and struggles at the US Naval Academy
- Why the presence of other people is essential to one’s success
- Ché’s foray into the private sector and his work with The Bolden Group
- The Bolden Group’s mission to empower servant-leaders and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the space industry
- Pushing the boundaries of traditional space
- The difference between a meritocracy and a “mirror-tocracy”
Resources Mentioned:
- Why diversity should not be the exception | Ché Bolden | TEDxPearlStreet
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “If things are going bad for you, go and find someone else having a worse day you’re having and be there for them.” - Ché Bolden
- “Other people are important to your success. Contrary to what some prolific mega-billionaires want to tell people, nobody does anything by themselves.” - Ché Bolden
Related Content:
- Charlie Bolden on Pathways to Space
- The Life of a Visionary with Charlie Bolden Part 1
- The Birth of the New Space Age with Charlie Bolden Part 2
- Two Funny Astronauts with Mike Massimino and Garrett Reisman
Connect with Ché Bolden:
- The Bolden Group
- ONE
- Ario
- The Bolden Group on LinkedIn
- The Bolden Group on Instagram
- The Bolden Group on YouTube
- The Bolden Group on Twitter
- Ario on LinkedIn
- Ario on Twitter
- ONE on LinkedIn
- Ché Bolden on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitChér IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Megan McArthur Behnken is an American oceanographer, engineer, NASA astronaut, and the last person to be hands-on with the Hubble Space Telescope via the Canadarm. Throughout her career, Megan has served as a Capsule Communicator for both the Space Shuttle and International Space Station; she has flown one Space Shuttle mission—STS-125, the final Space Shuttle mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope aboard Atlantis—and one SpaceX mission, the SpaceX Crew-2 aboard the Crew Dragon Endeavour. She has also served as the Deputy Division Chief of the NASA Astronaut Office and the Assistant Director of Flight Operations for the International Space Station. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, and received her Ph.D. in Oceanography from UC San Diego.
Megan joins me today to share her vision of the future of human spaceflight and exploration. She describes her life growing up, what sparked her interest in aviation and flight, and how the Space Shuttle Challenger accident solidified her passion for space flight at a young age. She discusses her time studying Aerospace Engineering at UCLA. She explains how knowing that someone believed in her gave her the confidence to cope with her transition from high school to university life. She describes the best part about being an astronaut and why the astronaut office values collaboration over competition. Megan also shares her thoughts on commercial space flight and underscores what young people can expect from the Artemis program.
“The astronauts we’re sending to the moon, whatever their background is—whether they’re test pilots or biologists—they’ll do lunar geology. What’s great about this job is you’re always learning new things and tackling new challenges.” - Megan McArthur Behnken
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Megan’s background, family, and life growing up
- Her time pursuing an undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering at UCLA
- My experience changing my college major from languages to STEM
- How joining a human-powered submarine race made Megan fall in love with the ocean
- The importance of doing what you love and doing your best with it
- Why having a combination of skills is valuable in becoming a NASA astronaut
- A day in the life of a NASA astronaut
- The culture of the NASA astronaut office and how it has evolved over the years
- Megan’s mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope and how it’s different from her SpaceX flight
- The “pumpkin” suit and Megan’s thoughts on commercial, untrained civilian space flight
- Promoting science literacy to the general population
- Megan’s forecast for the future of the space frontier
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “At NASA, we now select for collaboration and teamwork, because you can’t hire a lone wolf out by themselves to do a space station mission. You know you’re in it together — it’s not a solo sport.” - Megan McArthur Behnken
- “You have to choose the thing you love doing and do that thing as well as you can do it. If you choose something you don’t love, you’re not going to excel at it, and NASA is never going to choose you if you’re not excelling at whatever it is you’re doing.” - Megan McArthur Behnken
Connect with Megan McArthur Behnken:
- Megan McArthur Behnken on LinkedIn
- Megan McArthur Behnken on Twitter
- Megan McArthur Behnken on Instagram
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only poor equipment.”
You have, no doubt, heard this adage. I have lived the truth of it many, many times in my life as an explorer. One of the strangest of such experiences happened in 1974. It all started with me visiting Iceland to attend a conference in Reykjavík and ended with me hunting for a pair of sturdy hiking boots I couldn’t really afford on my shoestring budget as a starving Ph.D. student.
In this episode, I discuss how I learned a lesson about good equipment while on a trip in Heimaey, Iceland. I describe how I became a participant in an invitation-only conference in Reykjavík. I also outline the Heimaey eruption of 1973, how the entire population of the island was evacuated, and how the lava flow was prevented from destroying Heimaey’s harbor.
“The in-depth stories [about the Heimaey eruption] from National Geographic were candy for this budding geologist. Now that I was off to Iceland, I was excited to climb on the planet’s newest volcano.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The Heimaey eruption of January 1973 and subsequent evacuation efforts
- A day trekking the Heimaey island and a word of warning from our guides
- My very first pair of field boots
- Learning about the importance of good equipment
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “I lived on very meager rations and the friendliness of locals—but I did survive and learned a serious lesson about good equipment.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “The lava flowed north and east, destroying some 400 homes on the eastern side of town and threatening to seal off the harbor entrance to the north. This would be a disaster for a fishing-centered economy.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn |Google IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Alastair Humphreys is an adventurer, author, and keynote speaker. Alastair was named a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year for his pioneering work on micro-adventures. This concept encourages people to go outside their comfort zone and have cheap, simple, and short—yet effective—adventures close to their homes. His blog and books, including The Boy Who Biked the World and The Doorstep Mile, brim with insights and tips to help average people live more adventurously.
Alastair joins me today to discuss how we can live adventurous lives—even in our everyday world. He describes how his early love for reading inspired him to be an adventurer and why he declined an opportunity for a more traditional, stable career as a high school teacher. He explains “micro-adventuring” and the importance of directly experiencing nature in any shape, form, or capacity. Alastair also highlights the difference between exploration and adventure, describes how curiosity links them and underscores what adventure can teach us about life.
“Exploration is adventure plus purpose and discovery. There’s something extra to it, beyond just the excitement, desire, and curiosity to go somewhere new and have a fantastic time.” - ~Alastair Humphreys
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Alastair’s background and childhood in the countryside
- His university education and year of teacher training
- Alastair’s bike adventure around the world and how he made it work
- Why Alastair is thankful for the earlier stages of blogging and the internet
- Microadventures and the importance of bringing more adventure into our everyday life
- The impact of seeing and experiencing nature
- The culture of “assured” experience and why it’s an impediment to adventure
- Guidelines for adventurers and overcoming the “doorstep” mile
- A nugget of exploration wisdom from T.S. Elliot
- Alastair’s current adventure in book-writing
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: Living Dangerously: The Autobiography of Ranulph Fiennes by Ranulph Fiennes
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Paying attention, being astonished, and telling about it—to steal from Mary Oliver—is a good way to be.” - Alastair Humphreys
- “Adults are so boring. Children are curious and playful and adventurous in a way that us adults could do a little more learning from.” - Alastair Humphreys
- “The bicycle is the perfect exploration vehicle: it’s cheap, it’s quick, but not too fast, and, above all, you’re free—you can literally go anywhere on the planet.” - Alastair Humphreys
Connect with Alastair Humphreys:
- Alastair Humphreys Website
- Book: The Doorstep Mile: Live More Adventurously Every Day
- Book: Microadventures: Local Discoveries for Great Escapes
- Book: The Boy Who Biked the World: The Complete Collection
- Alastair Humphreys on Instagram
- Alastair Humphreys on Facebook
- Alastair Humphreys on Twitter
- Alastair Humphreys on YouTube
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn |Google IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the past 100 episodes of the Kathy Sullivan Explores podcast, I’ve explored rich and diverse life lessons from people of varying ages, ethnic backgrounds, and fields of endeavor. It has truly been a joy to explore people's lives—from their childhoods and journeys to where they are now—through genuine conversations. After over 100 chats with you through solo episodes or with our brilliant guests, I thought it would be a great time to reflect on this enterprise by returning to how it all started.
In this episode, I explore the conception of the idea that became the Kathy Sullivan Explores podcast. You’ll hear how my desire to write a book became a podcast idea and how my colleagues and friends—including rock radio Hall of Fame inductee Dayna Steele—helped me get started. I also underscore the joy of exploring with brilliant people via genuine conversations and share what I’ve learned so far in 100 podcast conversations.
“Everybody steps out of things in life. We step out of relationships, jobs, somebody’s shadow, or ruts. Other times, we step onto something like on a stage—and those are significant and fraught transitions.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Stepping out and how the Kathy Sullivan Explores podcast came about
- How Dayna Steele and other friends and colleagues supported the idea of creating a podcast
- The challenge of taking the first step to start a podcast
- Jim Tooney and the art of “going before you really know”
- The “Doorstep Mile” and my motives behind starting the Kathy Sullivan Explores podcast
- The common challenges we all face in life
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Like in all other things, the hardest part is starting: to sit down and write that list of people you’d love to talk to; to jot those emails and get in touch; and to sit down and jot down ideas for the solo episodes.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “This kind of conversation—about their early life, when they first sensed the pathway to where they are now, and how they got there—is far more interesting to me than the usual cocktail party chatter.” - Kathy Sullivan
Related Content:
- 089 | Family Afloat: Life Lessons of Two-year Sailing Adventure with Jim Toomey
- 017 | Kathy Sullivan Explores… Life's Fabulous Lessons with Dayna Steele
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improve your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn |Google |Amazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Helen Scales is a British marine biologist, writer, and broadcaster. Her passion for underwater exploration started when she learned to scuba dive as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program. She has worked with the World Wide Fund for Nature, TRAFFIC International, and Natural England throughout her illustrious career. Helen is also the author of The Brilliant Abyss: Exploring the Majestic Hidden Life of the Deep Ocean and the Looming Threat That Imperils It, which explores the majesty and mystery of an underwater world few are privileged to see.
Helen joins me today to discuss her passion for ocean exploration and the inspiration behind her books. She shares how being in love with the ocean shaped her hobbies and career interests. You’ll hear about the dives she did in various tropical countries and the marine conservation programs she and her team helped fund along the way. She explains her concern about marine wildlife welfare and why people should take marine conservation seriously. You’ll also gain insight into Helen’s thoughts on deep diving and the books she has planned for the future.
"What I would love to see is more people celebrating the joyous wonder of the ocean and what lives there—not how we can conquer it or make money out of it." - Helen Scales
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Where Helen's passion for sea exploration started
- Collecting shells, painting them, and other ocean-related hobbies
- Marine-related careers that run in Helen's family
- The rise of green awareness in the '90s
- How to earn the Duke of Edinburgh's Award
- Helen's personal rating of her writing skills
- Doing dives in Belize and other countries, finishing her Ph.D., and helping kids along the way
- Exploring tropical countries and helping them refine their tourism programs
- Helen's first encounter with a seahorse
- Helen's thoughts on the lack of marine conservation awareness
- Why Helen looks forward to blackwater diving
- Deep diving in the abyss and overcoming claustrophobia
- Helen answers lightning-round questions
- The one thing Helen wants people to know about the ocean
- The books Helen intends to write in the future
Connect with Helen Scales:
- Helen Scales Official Website
- Book: The Brilliant Abyss: Exploring the Majestic Hidden Life of the Deep Ocean and the Looming Threat That Imperils It
- Book: The Great Barrier Reef
- Helen Scales on Instagram
- Helen Scales on Twitter
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn |Google |Amazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In October 1984, I became the first American woman to walk in space. But, before this became possible, I had to face and overcome a hurdle that presented itself the moment I was given the assignment: NASA’s medical research team saw a problem that not only could have stopped me from the assignment—it could have ruled out all women from spacewalking.
In this episode, I describe how I became the first woman to walk in space and how bias in medical reporting almost prevented all women astronauts from spacewalking. You’ll learn what an altitude chamber test is and why airlines always tell you to put your mask on before helping others. I describe why spacewalking is high-risk and outline some conditions that make individuals more susceptible to the bends. You’ll also gain insight on handling problems—even if they seem personal—with a level head and why leaders should focus on the root cause of problems.
“Peel away the layers, think carefully about what’s causing what, and get to the root of the issue. You’ll often find that a lot of the mess and noise falls away when you tackle the root problem.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The rarity of the space flying experience
- Why spacewalks are only done when necessary
- The early days of women flying in space
- The first problem I encountered when I was given the spacewalk assignment
- How to handle problems when they seem personal
- What a pre-breathe is and how spacewalkers are trained to fix emergencies
- What it means to keep the main thing “the main thing”
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Figuring out what the main thing is amid a swirling cloud of detail and loud voices can be difficult, but it’s important for leaders.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “Keep yourself, and your team focused. Fight the right battle and solve the root of the problem.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn |Google |Amazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Robert Trevino serves as the Deputy Project Manager of the EVA Technology Development Project at NASA. He is a long time friend and the colleague I worked with on the Hubble Space Telescope before it was taken into orbit. He attended the University of Texas and graduated with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. Today, Robert is working on projects that include developing a new lunar rover for NASA’s Artemis program.
Robert joins me today to discuss his role in training NASA astronauts. He describes his life growing up in San Antonio, Texas, and what informed his early interest in flight, airplanes, gliders, and kites. He recounts his experience working in a college library while pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He also explains his transition from engineering to mission operations, highlights why being an astronaut is not the only cool job in NASA and offers advice to young people interested in joining the space industry.
“I really did feel part of the teams because I got to work directly with the spacewalking crew members and their training. And not just the shuttle contingencies, but specifically what they would be doing.” - Robert Trevino
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Robert’s background and life growing up
- What led him to choose engineering drafting at the vocational tech college
- The role of an engineering draftsman in planning or building an airplane
- His job working at an aircraft company after high school
- Why Robert decided to go to college and pursue a degree in Aeronautical Engineering
- What he learned from joining the work-study program and working in a college library
- Robert’s time at the University of Texas and his transition to the US Navy
- Joining NASA at the early stages of the shuttle program
- His work on the STS-1 and how he ended up training astronauts
- How Robert transitioned from engineering to missions operation
- Robert’s work on NASA’s Artemis program
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “I learned from working at the library to pay attention to detail and be careful with certain things. I learned to do a good job, and I didn’t try to rush.” - Robert Trevino
- “I encourage young people to apply to NASA and commercial companies, which are growing rapidly. Get an internship and find out what you really like to do.” - Robert Trevino
Connect with Robert Trevino:
- Robert Trevino on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improve your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio |TuneIn | Google | Amazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever been curious about how islands are formed?
Whenever we look at typical maps like the ones on Google or in atlases, we assume that islands are simply land masses separated by some body of water. But, when you consider their geological underpinnings, you find that not all islands are the same. Islands like Madagascar and England, for example, are part of the continents they’re adjacent to. Some islands, like Surtsey Island, located south of Iceland, are formed by something awe-inspiring: volcanic eruption.
In this episode, you’ll learn about Surtsey Island and why it fascinates biologists worldwide. I differentiate oceanic islands from continental islands and explore why Surtsey Island is so unique. I outline the process of oceanic island formation. I share my childhood experience watching the November 1963 volcanic eruption that formed Surtsey Island in the news. You’ll also hear about my visit to Surtsey and how the island has changed since the 1963 eruption.
“Surtsey Island was a perfect, unique, and extraordinary experiment—an opportunity to watch, for the first time in the scientific era, a brand new oceanic island being formed right before our very eyes.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The wonders of the Dogger Bank and the characteristics of continental islands
- How oceanic islands begin as volcanoes on the seafloor
- The formation of the Hawaii island chain in the Pacific
- What makes Surtsey unique as an oceanic island
- How the tilt meter assists in predicting volcanic eruptions
- The Lōʻihiseamount (Kamaʻehuakanaloa)
- What happens when magma meets seawater
- A fisherman out at sea and the Surtsey volcanic eruption of November 1963
- A race between ash, lava, and erosion
- Why the government of Iceland designated Surtsey Island as a scientific preserve
- My venture to Surtsey Island
- How Surtsey Island has changed since November 1963
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Surtsey was the first time in the modern scientific era that one of these seafloor volcanoes built up enough to break the ocean surface, become a real island, and give scientists the chance to watch this process of biological succession.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “We have a chance to watch the North Atlantic version of what happened in Hawaii—as the all-brown volcanoes became full of life—but only if people do not go there and distort the natural process.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improve your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts | iHeart Radio |TuneIn |Google |Amazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elizabeth Blount McCormick is the owner and President of UNIGLOBE Travel Designers, an award-winning full-service travel management company that specializes in corporate and leisure travel. Alongside the UNIGLOBE team, Elizabeth designs, coordinates, and delivers complex travel plans for the diverse needs of individuals, groups, and corporate travel partners. Before becoming the President of UNIGLOBE, Elizabeth launched a career in retail and worked at Gap Inc. and Edun. At Edun, she served as a Production Line Manager, which allowed her to travel extensively to Tunisia, India, Portugal, and Peru, sparking her passion for travel. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Spelman College, a historically Black liberal arts college for women. She is also the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including the 2014 Frederick J. Yates Memorial Scholarship Minority Business Award, for which she received a scholarship to the Tuck Executive Education minority business program at Dartmouth College in Hanover.
Elizabeth joins me today to share her passion for travel and helping people see the world. You’ll hear about her childhood and how she and her family were not exempt from racism despite having privilege. She discusses her career in retail and explains how being a corporate traveler gave her a unique perspective that continues to inform her work at UNIGLOBE Travel Designers. She reveals how she remained steadfast and led the UNIGLOBE Travel Designers team through the pandemic. You’ll also learn the value of selflessness, vulnerability, and authenticity.
“The pandemic elevated the fact that people, instead of buying items, are now looking at experiences like multigenerational travel and creating memories that will last a lifetime.” - Elizabeth Blount McCormick
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Growing up in Bexley and experiencing racism in the sixth grade
- Elizabeth’s time at The Wellington School in Columbus, Ohio
- Navigating the world as a young, Black woman and the importance of being in a group where you can be yourself
- Why Elizabeth decided to attend Spelman College
- Why Elizabeth recommends going to historically black colleges and universities or HBCUs
- Her career vision after studying at Spelman College and her first foray into retail
- Elizabeth’s experience working with a male chauvinist
- Leaving retail, returning to Columbus, and becoming the President of UNIGLOBE Travel Designers
- The pandemic’s impact on the travel and hospitality industry
- How Elizabeth started growing UNIGLOBE Travel Designers’ business when she took over the company
- One of Elizabeth’s favorite stories from the leisure travels she has organized for clients
- The demographic of UNIGLOBE Travel Designers’ leisure and corporate travel clients
- Inter-racial relations in business and what it’s like to be a woman- and minority-owned business in Ohio
- How Elizabeth led her team at UNIGLOBE Travel Designers through the pandemic
- Elizabeth’s travel bucket list and advice to young people starting their career
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “In this business and life, you need to be able to adjust. If you’ve no flexibility, it will be difficult to succeed.” - Elizabeth Blount McCormick
- “When you’re hiring people, you want to ensure you’re hiring someone you would want to have a meal with.” - Elizabeth Blount McCormick
Connect with Elizabeth Blount McCormick:
- UNIGLOBE Travel Designers
- UNIGLOBE Travel Designers on LinkedIn
- UNIGLOBE Travel Designers on Instagram
- UNIGLOBE Travel Designers on Facebook
- UNIGLOBE Travel Designers on YouTube
- Elizabeth Blount McCormick on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore and reflect on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improve your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts | iHeart Radio |TuneIn IGoogle | Amazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You’ve probably encountered a variety of leadership styles in your life. Which ones brought out the best in you? Which ones produced excellent results for your team? Many people believe that the way to get outstanding results from people and projects is to use the competitive and antagonistic style of leadership. This style involves hand-to-hand combat, if not verbal sparring. John, a fellow oceanographer and longtime friend used to think so. For a period of time in his life as a scientist on research ships, he figured that a competitive atmosphere was crucial for exceptional results—until a radical change in leadership shifted his perspective on what brings out excellence.
In today’s episode, you’ll hear John’s story about leadership styles and gain insight into his life on research ships as an oceanographer. I describe how multiple studies typically share a research ship and how each group of researchers aboard plan and negotiate the ship’s cruise. I discuss the difference between the combative/antagonistic and collaborative/appreciative styles of leadership. You’ll also learn why competition is not the only way to achieve greatness in a team and how to create the sweet spot for optimal learning and performance.
“A radically different style of leadership could produce results as good as, if not better than, the combative style of leadership.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The life of an oceanographer and why research ships are essentially timeshare facilities
- My friend John and his experience with cruise planning on research ships
- How John’s perspective on leadership changed
- Why the competitive style of leadership doesn’t bring the best out of everyone
- The sweet spot between challenge and pressure
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “‘Just scared enough’ is a sweet spot for learning and performance, with enough stimulus and stress to get all our mental circuits firing, on high alert, ready to engage and respond.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “Competition is one way to get the best out of people, but it is far from the only way. It is often—and sometimes—exactly the wrong way if you want the best your people can offer.” - Kathy Sullivan
Related Content:
- 086 | Paths to the New Age of Spaceflight with Janet Kavandi
- 083 | The Role of Universities in Creating Social Good with Nancy Zimpher
- 080 | Charlie Bolden on Pathways to Space
- 061 | The Life of a Visionary with Charlie Bolden Part 1
- 062 | The Birth of the New Space Age with Charlie Bolden Part 2
- 054 | Let's Talk Leadership
- 053 | The Honor of Measuring Time with Omega CEO Raynald Aeschlimann (Part 2)
- 052 | The Cooperative Model of Business with Omega CEO Raynald Aeschlimann (Part 1)
- 036 | Kathy Sullivan Explores...Well-Oiled Machinery and Teams
- 017 | Life's Fabulous Lessons with Dayna Steele
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improve your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify |Stitcher |Apple Podcasts | iHeart Radio |TuneIn |Google |Amazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bill Nye, “the Science Guy,” is an American science educator, engineer, comedian, television presenter, author, and inventor with a mission to help foster a scientifically literate society and to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work. Making science entertaining and accessible is something Bill has been passionate about his entire life. Bill is a seven-time Emmy Award winner and was involved in placing the first sundial on Mars.
Today, Bill joins me to share his story. We talk about the young Bill Nye and the people and events that acted as his greatest influences. He talks about his experience doing stand-up and his life during the war in Vietnam. He discusses the different categories of science and the importance of its advancement. He discusses the role of Congress in this advancement and offers his solutions for political problems. He discusses the exploration of Europa and fields a series of rapid-fire questions.
“By the time somebody’s eight years old, his or her ability to reason is pretty good. It’s the life experience that you’re missing.”
- Bill Nye
“Bravery is when you’ve actually assessed the danger.”
- Bill Nye
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Bill Nye and the sundial on Mars
- Bill’s experience as an engineer
- The role of dancing in Bill’s life
- Political discussion
- The importance of the advancement of science
Mentioned Resources:
- The Planetary Society
- The Science Rules Podcast
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improve your life on earth, and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts | iHeart Radio | TuneIn | Google | Amazon Music
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In 1987, I attended a formal Air Force dinner that ended in a hilarious moment—me wearing a baked potato on my dress. But there’s an old saying about stories: there’s your version, my version, and the truth. Ray Belz, the pilot who flung the potato in question, remembers the events of the evening differently. Yet, whatever the truth of the matter is, the big things remain inconvertible: Ray scored a direct hit, I started it—and we both love telling the story.
In this episode, I share the story of how I ended up wearing a baked potato during a formal Air Force dinner, as well as Ray’s version of the story. I also underscore the importance of not taking yourself too seriously and offer some public speaking advice from the night.
“99% of the time, even the most embarrassing moment or mistake is just that—a moment or a mistake, not a life sentence.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- What a “dining-in” means in the military and what led me to give a dinner talk in one
- Why I decided to ad-lib on my dinner talk for a formal Air Force dinner
- Floating dinner rolls and playing with your food in zero gravity
- Demonstrating how food floats in zero gravity to a formal dinner audience on Earth
- The Potato-throwing Pilot and the brand-new Couth Award
- Public speaking lessons from the night
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “If you plan to speak in public, it’s crucial to understand your audience and read the room. Be intentional about whether it’s best to match that or upend expectations.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “If you’d like to use this podcast as inspiration to start a food fight, I’d be honored. You have my blessing.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Sian Proctor is a geoscientist, explorer, space artist, poet, and astronaut. She was a finalist for the 2009 NASA Astronaut Selection Program and, in 2021, served as the mission pilot for the SpaceX-operated, all-civilian orbital mission, Inspiration4. In addition, she is an analog astronaut who has completed four analog missions and was one of the all-women participants of the SENSORIA Mars 2020 analog mission at the Hawai’i Space Exploration Analog Simulation Habitat. An esteemed science communicator and educator, Sian worked as a geology professor for over 21 years before her career as an astronaut, teaching sustainability and planetary science at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Arizona. She is also a continuing NASA Solar System Ambassador. Currently, she serves as the Open Educations Resource Coordinator for the Maricopa Community College District and a member of the Explore Mars Board of Directors and the National Science Teaching Association’s Aerospace Advisory Board.
Sian joins me today to share her journey from teaching geology at a community college and being an analog astronaut to become a spacecraft pilot for SpaceX’s Inspiration4. First, you’ll hear about her early life and how her childhood interests shaped her path to being a pilot and astronaut. Then, she explains how working as a geology professor in a community college led her to become a finalist in NASA’s 2009 astronaut selection program. She also shares her vision for the future of commercial spaceflight and underscores what it means to live life through an explorer’s lens.
“I didn’t need to discover something new for humanity—as long as I was discovering something new for myself, I was an explorer.” - Sian Proctor
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- What it was like for Sian to watch SpaceX’s launch of Crew-5
- Sian’s upbringing and early life in Guam
- Why Neil Armstrong stopped signing autographs
- Where Sian’s early passion for flight and aviation came from
- Her experience studying Environmental Science at Edinboro University and why she decided to go to graduate school
- Sian’s journey to Arizona State University for graduate school
- What an “analog” astronaut is and Sian’s path to becoming one
- What meals on Mars would look like
- Becoming a space artist and poet and the story behind Sian’s selection into SpaceX’s Inspiration4
- How Sian trained for Inspiration4 and her responsibilities as a mission pilot
- The future of private spaceflight and what will drive commercial space exploration
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Women working together—to talk about exploration and how you can do amazing things right here on earth—make a difference for themselves, the people around them, and the planet.”- Sian Proctor
- “In my entire life, I felt like I was chasing space. It was no formal plan, but more like exploring here and there until, one day, I flipped one rock and finally found it.” - Sian Proctor
Connect with Sian Proctor:
- Sian Proctor Website
- Email: meals4mars@gmail.com
- Sian Proctor on Instagram
- Sian Proctor on Facebook
- Sian Proctor on Twitter
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improve your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
My latest grand expedition was back in September in the Arctic. I spent most of the month with Lindblad-National Geographic exploring several of my favorite places: Norway, Greenland, and Iceland. Oddly enough, although I grew up in Southern California, I’ve always been drawn to higher latitudes—the Arctic in the north and Antarctica in the south—and my expedition with Lindblad-National Geographic was a great opportunity to go far north again and get back to some of those favorite places.
In this episode, you’ll hear about my voyage in the High Arctic with Lindblad-National Geographic. I describe our voyage through the far north of Norway and the volcanic Jan Mayen island. I discuss the spikiest summits I’ve ever seen and explain how frost-shattering weather rocks into jaggy mountains. I describe my fellow passengers on the expedition—including bestselling thriller novelist Lisa Gardner—and their fascinating, diverse backgrounds. You’ll also learn how I conducted an experiment inspired by this podcast’s theme—Spaceship not required—and the characteristics that make an explorer.
“Spaceship not required—nor a certain job title, nor a certain percentage of your working hours; if you’re curious, going, testing, and learning, you’re legitimately an explorer.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Sailing among witches’ hats: our voyage through the far north of Norway
- The awe-inspiring Jan Mayen island
- Our time at the Northeast Greenland National Park
- The spikiest summits and craziest mountainside I’ve ever seen
- Iceland—a true marine geologist’s paradise
- The site of the first democratic parliament in the world
- My fellow passengers, their diverse backgrounds, and my mini experiment
- “Doing” versus “being,” and the things that make an explorer
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “The peaks are the result of frost shattering the rock into tiny little bits, so you get absolutely jagged 6,000-foot-tall mountains right above.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “I think you’re exploring if you’re tuning in to this podcast, even a little bit, and I hope you keep exploring.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improve your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts | iHeart Radio |TuneIn |Google |Amazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jim Toomey is an American cartoonist. His daily comic strip, Sherman’s Lagoon, combines his lifelong passion for art and the sea and has been syndicated to over 150 newspapers in 20 countries and six languages. In partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme, Jim has repurposed his cartooning skills into animation and created a series of short films on ocean conservation. He is the author of Family Afloat: Two Years Sailing the World with Two Kids and Two Captains, which chronicles the 22-month sailing odyssey he took with his wife, Valerie, visiting 32 countries, crossing an ocean, and homeschooling their two children along the way.
Jim joins me today to describe his two-year sailing adventure with his family and the unique joys of self-determined travel. You’ll hear how the adventure brought his family closer together and changed his children. He recounts his experience diving in the Gulf of Mexico in an Alvin submersible and the wonderful sights he has seen underwater. You’ll also learn the value of boredom and how to tackle the challenge of “going before you know.”
“Your whole life revolves around setting your anchor well when you live in a sailboat, and we learned the hard way that it wasn’t an easy thing to do.” - Jim Toomey
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The event that led to Jim and his family going on their two-year sailing adventure
- Lining up and anchoring boats and the difference between day sailing and extended cruising
- How the two-year sailing adventure changed Jim’s children and brought the family together
- Being bored and being forced to be resourceful
- Weathering weather changes and storms over the Mediterranean Sea
- The value of having a better Plan B
- Avoiding crises by recognizing—and avoiding—the start of a cascade of problems
- The bosun’s chair and the value of developing mastery in the real world
- Jim’s experience diving with an Alvin submersible
- How flying over the Bahamas inspired Jim to create Sherman’s Lagoon
- The two ways to fail a procedure
- The watchkeeping system and Jim’s next adventures
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “The learning curve in sailing is long and shallow: you can learn the basics in a day, but, like a lot of things, it takes a lifetime to learn the subtleties.” - Jim Toomey
- “You'll always feel like you’re climbing a summit and you’ll never feel like you’re at the top. If you wait until you’re at the top, you will never go—you have to make the decision to make this voyage.” - Jim Toomey
Related Content:
- 075 | Sherman’s Lagoon and the Art of Cartooning with Jim Toomey
- 015 | Kathy Sullivan Explores… Mid-Ocean Ridges and Interesting Deep Sea Creatures with Cindy Van Dover
Connect with Jim Toomey:
- Jim Toomey Website
- Sherman’s Lagoon
- Book: Family Afloat: Two Years Sailing the World with Two Kids and Two Captains
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improve your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts | iHeart Radio |TuneIn | Google | Amazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
David Cornell Leestma is a retired Captain of the U.S. Navy and former astronaut. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy first in his class in 1971 and completed his flight training in 1973. In 1980, Dave was selected by NASA to become an astronaut and would go on to log a total of 532.7 hours in space. He served as a mission specialist on STS-41-G (1984), STS-28 (1989), and STS-45 (1992)—in the STS-41-G and STS-45 missions, he was aboard with Kathy Sullivan. Dave currently serves as the Manager for the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
Today, you’ll hear Dave and I discuss his experience with the NASA astronaut selection process and why he thinks he got selected by the board. He shares insight into the growth of private space companies and what they mean for aspiring astronauts. He highlights the value of diplomatic skills and foreign language proficiency in organizations like NASA. You’ll also learn what it takes to become an astronaut in the new space age and receive advice for carving an educational path toward the space industry.
“In my selection process, I think my flying background helped—but it isn’t just about flying; it’s also about having an adventurous spirit and a willingness to be independent and do uncomfortable things.” - Dave Leestma
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Dave’s journey in the 1980 NASA selection pool and what he thinks put him at the top
- The value of having discipline, independence, and an adventurous spirit in the NASA application process
- The importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion
- How the criteria for the NASA selection process has changed
- Dave’s thoughts on being part of NASA’s astronaut selection board
- Why diplomacy and foreign language skills are an asset
- How the growth of private space companies is changing the paradigm in space exploration and science
- How private space companies might select and recruit talent for their organizations
- Skills, trades, and talents NASA would look for beyond Artemis
- Dave’s take on space tourism and his advice to young people who want to join the space industry
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “If you can be disciplined in the little things like making your bed, you can be disciplined in other things. That leads to a desire to succeed.” - Dave Leestma
- “Being an astronaut means being uncomfortable with some parts of it.” - Dave Leestma
- “Astronauts, in general, are jacks of all trades and not necessarily masters of one. You may have a degree in Geology, but you can also do an EVA and all kinds of things.” - Dave Leestma
Related Content:
- At the Oscars with George Lucas
Connect with Dave Leestma:
- Dave Leestma on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Alan Jamieson is a Scottish marine biologist, engineer, author, and explorer known for studying life in the furthest depths of the oceans. Through the extensive use of landers—a combination of ship-mounted echo sounders and unmanned camera systems—Alan’s research focuses on discovering new species, establishing the true depth ranges of marine animals, and highlighting anthropogenic impacts at full ocean depths. He was the Chief Scientist at Victor Vescovo’s Five Deeps Expedition, a project aimed at mapping and exploring the deepest points of the world’s five oceans. Today, Alan serves as CEO of Armatus Oceanic, an organization he co-founded in 2019 for R&D in marine tech, expeditions, and science dissemination. Through Armatus, Alan co-hosts the Deep-Sea Podcast with Dr. Thomas Linley. In addition to his work as CEO at Armatus, Alan currently serves as a professor at the University of Australia and is the Founding Director of the Deep-Sea Research Centre.
Alan joins me today to discuss how serendipity shaped his life’s path toward marine biology and ocean exploration. He explains how he pioneered the design and construction of deep-sea robots and shares his discoveries along the way. He highlights the difference between adventurism, exploration, and science. He also discusses why society needs to democratize access to scientific experience and underscores what it will take to create a meaningful relationship between the general public and the deep sea.
“Everything in the deep sea—and most of the planet is deep sea—is driven by what’s happening on the surface: photosynthesis, warming, CO2 absorption. Everything has control on what happens below it.” - Alan Jamieson
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The young Alan Jamieson: his interests and life as a student
- What made him study industrial design at university and how it continues to serve him in his career as a marine biologist
- Alan’s work experience after college and his journey to becoming a mechanical technician for the Oceanlab at the University of Aberdeen
- Working on his thesis, Autonomous lander technology for biological research at mid-water, abyssal, and hadal depths
- What encouraged Alan to go deep into marine science and what persuaded him to pursue a Ph.D. in Zoology
- The hadal zone, where it is, and how deep its depths are
- Why it’s essential to understand and study the hadal zone
- How the ocean’s trenches are formed
- The psychological problem of getting people engaged with the deep-sea
- How culture and metaphors perpetuate biases about deep-sea exploration
- Alan’s role in Victor Vescovo’s Five Deeps Expedition
- Seeing anthropogenic litter at the bottom of the ocean
- The strangest and most amazing things Alan has seen in the deepest depths of the ocean
- The difference between adventurism, exploration, and science
- Why experiencing the deep sea in person matters
- Science tourism and the value of democratizing science exploration
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “You say you love the top 50 meters of the ocean because that’s where you scuba dive and fish, but think the deep sea is none of your concern. It actually should be—most of your planet is deep sea.” - Alan Jamieson
- “If society’s going to develop a relationship with the deep sea on an almost unimaginable scale, it shouldn’t be an elitist endeavor where you can only experience it as a scientist.” - Alan Jamieson
Related Content:
- Mountain Climbing, Deep Ocean Diving & The Purpose of Life with Victor Vescovo
- The Ocean’s Deep Regions with Tim MacDonald
Connect with Alan Jamieson:
- Armatus Oceanic
- Book: The Hadal Zone: Life in the Deepest Oceans
- The Deep-Sea Podcast
- Armatus Oceanic on LinkedIn
- The Deep-Sea Podcast on Twitter
- Alan Jamieson on Twitter
- Email: alan.j.jamieson@uwa.edu.au
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Janet L. Kavandi is an American scientist and NASA astronaut. She is a veteran of three Space Shuttle missions who has logged more than 33 days in space and traveled more than 13.1 million miles in 535 Earth orbits. During her time in the Astronaut Office, Janet supported ISS payload integration, capsule communications, and robotics. She was later the Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office and served as the Center Director at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland from 2016 until her retirement in 2019. Today, Janet serves as the President of Sierra Space in Louisville, Colorado, where she is responsible for the Sierra Space Human Spaceflight Center and Astronaut Training Academy. She is the recipient of a Presidential Rank Award, two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals, two Exceptional Service Medals, and three NASA Space Flight Medals.
Today, you’ll hear Janet and me discuss her journey to the NASA Astronaut Corps and what the future might hold for the new commercial era of space. She explains why she thinks NASA selected her for the Astronaut Corps and describes the qualities she looked for in a candidate when she became a part of the astronaut selection panel. She highlights the value of curiosity and learning when aiming to become an astronaut. You’ll also learn why learning to follow is as important as learning to lead in NASA and how Sierra Space is making space travel accessible to future professional astronauts and industry customers and experiential customers.
“I tried to find people who loved adventure, who loved being givers and helpers, who weren’t trying to be in control but could step into leadership when called upon.” - Janet Kavandi
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Qualities NASA looked for from astronaut candidates when Janet applied for the Corps
- What Janet thinks made her qualified for the NASA Astronaut Corps
- How NASA’s criteria for astronaut candidates changed when Janet joined the selection panel
- Why learning to follow is as important as learning to lead in the Astronaut Corps
- What Sierra Space and other space companies look for in people who man their space vehicles
- How Sierra Space is collaborating with other companies to make spaceflight accessible to more people
- How trained professionals and scientists will soon be able to go to space for research and commercial projects
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “After you do an interview with NASA, you assume you’re not going to make it, because there are lots of immensely qualified, great human beings. When you do get the call, you get into shock.” - Janet Kavandi
- “You have all these incredibly educated people among NASA candidates, but, even with all those talents, it all comes down to whether you could spend a year in space with them or personally entrust your life to that person.” - Janet Kavandi
Connect with Janet Kavandi:
- Sierra Space
- Sierra Space on LinkedIn
- Sierra Space on Instagram
- Sierra Space on Facebook
- Sierra Space on Twitter
- Janet Kavandi on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mike Massimino is a former NASA astronaut, professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University, and the Senior Advisor for Space Programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum. Selected as an astronaut in 1996, Mike is the veteran of two space flights—the fourth and fifth Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions in 2002 and 2009. He is the recipient of two NASA Space Flight Medals—the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the American Astronaut Society’s Flight Achievement Award. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Technology & Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he also received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. He is the author of Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe and Spaceman: The True Story of a Young Boy’s Journey to Becoming an Astronaut.
Garrett Reisman is a former NASA astronaut and professor of astronautical engineering at USC’s Viterbi School. Garrett was selected as a mission specialist astronaut in 1998 and was aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2008, a mission that dropped him off for a 95-day stay aboard the International Space Station. His second mission was aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2010, during which he performed three spacewalks and operated the Space Station Robot Arm as a flight engineer. In 2011, Garrett left NASA and joined SpaceX, serving in multiple roles, including Director of Space Operations. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology.
Together, Mike and Garrett are the creators of 2 Funny Astronauts, a podcast where they explore astronauts' bizarre, crazy, and astonishing lives.
Mike and Garrett join me today to describe their lives as astronauts. They discuss how they became interested in spaceflight, their educational experiences at MIT and Caltech, and their paths to becoming selected as NASA astronauts. They share their thoughts on NASA’s astronaut selection program and why interpersonal skills are necessary for an aspiring astronaut. They recount their appearances on TV and their lives after NASA. They also highlight the importance of being surrounded by like-minded people and underscore the value of representation.
“Don’t think they’re looking for somebody who’s not you. If you try to be somebody else, it’s going to come off as artificial and it’s not going to work.” - Garrett Reisman
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The life of the young Garett Reisman and his journey to becoming an astronaut
- How the moon landing got Mike Massimino interested in spaceflight
- Their experiences studying at MIT and Caltech and their career path to joining NASA’s space program
- Mike and Garrett’s secret sauce to passing the NASA astronaut selection program
- Mike’s appearance on The Big Bang Theory and Garett’s show with American comedian, Stephen Colbert
- What being the first Jewish crewmember of the ISS meant for Garrett
- Moving beyond being an astronaut, Garrett’s move to SpaceX, and Mike’s life after NASA
- What it was like to be a part of the first group of women in space
- The value of authenticity and the importance of representation
- My journey through foreign languages, STEM, and becoming a NASA astronaut
- Why Mike and Garrett created the 2 Funny Astronauts podcast
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “It’s good to be surrounded by like-minded people. It doesn’t seem as crazy, and you get to share information and dreams with each other—that’s what was helpful at MIT.” - Mike Massimino
- “Everybody on paper is qualified to become an astronaut—in the end, it’s more like picking people you’d want to go on a camping trip with rather than a job interview.” - Garrett Reisman
Resources Mentioned:
- 2 Funny Astronauts Podcast
Connect with Mike Massimino:
- Mike Massimino Website
- Mike Massimino on LinkedIn
- Mike Massimino on Instagram
- Mike Massimino on Facebook
- Mike Massimino on Twitter
- Mike Massimino on YouTube
Connect with Garrett Reisman:
- Garrett Reisman Website
- Garrett Reisman on LinkedIn
- Garrett Reisman on Instagram
- Garrett Reisman on Facebook
- Garrett Reisman on Twitter
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improve your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Somebody else got the job. You didn’t win the game. The gallery won’t show your art.
We’ve all felt the sting of rejection in our personal and professional lives. And when we watch it happen on TV—when the cameras show the faces of actors who didn’t get the Oscar or Olympians who didn’t take gold—we sympathize with the grim faces on our screens. We know from our own experiences just how painful those moments can be. After getting rejected, it’s easy to fall into regret and negative, counterfactual thinking. How do you propel yourself forward after getting rejected or failing at something important to you?
In this episode, I discuss rejection and how to handle it. You’ll hear about my application to be an astronaut and why the NASA astronaut selection process is like aiming for gold in the Olympics. I explain why getting invited for an interview with NASA is a big deal even if you don’t make the final cut. You’ll also gain some wisdom from Daniel Pink’s book, The Power of Regret,and learn the importance of having a “Well, at least…” mindset.
“The next time you’ve done everything in your power but don’t get the prize you were aiming for, think of those bronze medalists and let ‘Well, at least…’ propel you forward.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Why aiming to be a NASA astronaut is like aiming to be an Olympic athlete
- My application for the NASA astronaut selection in 1977
- Moving from an “If Only…” to a “Well, at least…” mindset
- Dealing with regret and why the bronze medalist is the happiest winner in the Olympics
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward by Daniel Pink
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Many successful astronauts suffered multiple rejections—16, in the case of Clayton Anderson— before finally getting that flight suit.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “Aiming to become an astronaut is like aiming to become an Olympic athlete. Countless people will reach for the dream, but a much smaller number will make it to their national team; a smaller number still will get a medal hung around their neck.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Nancy Zimpher is an educator, state university leader, and former Chancellor of the State University of New York. Before serving at SUNY, Nancy worked as a dean and professor of education at Ohio State University, where she also earned her undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. In 1998, Nancy served as the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee—the first woman to hold the position in the university—until she joined the University of Cincinnati to serve as its President from 2003 to 2009.
Today, Nancy is the Co-founder of StriveTogether, a national movement that uses collective impact to help more than 14 million children succeed from cradle to career. She is also the Director of The Power of Systems, a project dedicated to transforming public university systems in the United States. She is also the co-author of the books, Creating a New Kind of University, University Leadership in Urban School Renewal, and A Time for Boldness.
Nancy joins me today to describe her vision of universities’ roles in communities and society. You’ll hear about her journey to becoming the administrative leader of three universities across the country and her advocacy for ensuring the academic welfare of students and collegiate athletes. She explains what it means to create a new kind of university and why universities need to collaborate with external social institutions. You’ll also learn about the importance of mentorship and representation and hear Nancy’s advice to young women aspiring to become leaders.
“Universities need to leave behind their isolation and build partnerships with communities and social entities. This is our role—our public good.” - Nancy Zimpher
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Nancy Zimpher’s childhood in Ohio
- Her academic path and her journey to joining the faculty of the Ohio State University
- The responsibilities of a university provost
- Nancy’s sense of leadership and how it emerged and grew in her life
- Creating and advocating for an academic enterprise for student-athletes
- Her role in the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics
- The history of NIL policies for collegiate athletes and where they’re headed
- March Madness and why the NIL rules are a leadership issue like no other
- Joe Burrow’s story and the power of successful professional and collegiate athletes to drive social action
- The crisis of confidence in higher education and the role of universities in the larger social sphere
- How universities drive upward social mobility
- Creating a new kind of university
- Why universities need to focus on cooperating
- The responsibilities of women leaders and Nancy’s advice to women who aspire to become leaders
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Many of our public social institutions are being questioned in terms of their ability to serve the needs of our society. The wrong thing to do is to be defensive about those critiques.” - Nancy Zimpher
- “Be aware of what your knowledge base is and be an expert in your discipline. Be good at what you do and who you say you are.” - Nancy Zimpher
Connect with Nancy Zimpher:
- Power of Systems
- StriveTogether
- Book: Creating a New Kind of University: Institutionalizing Community-University Engagement
- Book: University Leadership in Urban School Renewal
- Book: A Time for Boldness: A Story of Institutional Change
- StriveTogether on LinkedIn
- StriveTogether on Instagram
- StriveTogether on Facebook
- StriveTogether on Twitter
- Nancy Zimpher on Twitter
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How often have you had to explain to a potential employer or partner that your earlier jobs and experiences equipped you to work in an organization? One might think that this is a challenge only college graduates face but in today’s world, many of us find ourselves constantly shifting from one line of work to another. And unless we’re starting our business alone, we have to figure out how we can take our previous skills, experiences, and education and translate them into something relevant for the next chapter of our career.
In this episode, you’ll hear about the time I convinced the trustees of a science museum that I was the best candidate for the CEO post—even if I didn’t have prior experience in marketing, fundraising, or executive functions. I describe how studying foreign languages before switching to the sciences helped immensely in my graduate oceanography program and throughout my NASA career. You’ll also learn why there are no worthless degrees and why leadership is never a cookie-cutter experience.
“In today’s era of having multiple careers over a lifetime, we’ll have to wrestle with translating what we’ve done before into the skills and abilities needed for what’s next.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Getting interviewed for my first job in the private sector after working at NASA and NOAA
- Translating seemingly unrelated job skills and experiences for your next line of work
- What selling NASA to members of congress taught me about rallying support
- Why I don’t believe in the “worthless degree” argument
- How studying foreign languages helped me in my career at NASA and NOAA
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “I had never directly solicited someone for money, but I had needed to sell NASA to skeptical members of congress on many occasions, which taught me to think clearly about the purpose behind the agency’s programs and what that would mean to the congress members, and to lay out a compelling argument to gain their support.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “You might get to stretch the truth to sell your product or make someone write a check, but you’ll get some people killed if you try that in the space biz.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts | iHeart Radio ITuneIn |Google IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mimi Dane is the CEO of the Belford Family Charitable Fund and former CEO of Flying Horse Farms. Mimi completed her undergraduate degree at St. Norbert College and graduated with a Master’s in English at Western Michigan University. After graduating from Ohio State University - Moritz College of Law, Mimi served as a law clerk for the Honorable Louis Pollak. She then began a 21-year career with Squire Patton Boggs, where she eventually became a partner. At Squire Patton Boggs, Mimi handled the legal strategy for the case of Butch Reynolds, an athlete. He was suspended after the International Association of Athletics Federation wrongly accused him of drug use. After over two decades of practicing law, Mimi entered the nonprofit world and joined the board of Flying Horse Farms, a nonprofit camp in Ohio. Mimi eventually served Flying Horse Farms as its CEO until 2018, when she became Chief Executive of the Belford Family Charitable Fund.
Today, you’ll hear Mimi share her journey and work as a lawyer. She describes her early life and upbringing and explains why she stopped working on her Ph.D. in English at Western Michigan University to pursue a law degree. She discusses the Butch Reynolds vs. IAAF case, her role in the legal work, and what the results of the case meant for future athletes’ rights to arbitration from independent bodies. We also discuss her work in the nonprofit world and get advice on changing course in your career or life.
“Law teaches you a way to think, to analyze, to look at risks. A lawyer is a problem solver, whether it’s going into the legislature or helping someone with a contract.” - Mimi Dane
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Mimi’s early life, upbringing, and love of learning
- Her education at St. Norbert College and Western Michigan University and why she stopped pursuing her Ph.D. in English to go to law school
- How Mimi realized that the path to scholarship and academia wasn’t for her
- What made Mimi interested in pursuing a law degree
- The job description of a commercial litigator
- The career pathways of law degrees and why Mimi chose to be a commercial litigator
- Mimi’s advice to people considering pursuing a law degree
- Mimi’s role in the Butch Reynolds case that went to the Supreme Court
- What it takes to get admitted to the US Supreme Court Bar
- The impact of law and what the Butch Reynolds case meant for future athletes
- Mimi’s work in the nonprofit world and how she became the CEO of Flying Horse Farms
- Her thoughts and advice on changing careers
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Cases, whether they go to trial or not, are about writing, research, and explaining something complex to the jury, a group of people who may have an eight grade level of education to advanced degree.” - Mimi Dane
- “There’s not one pathway with a law degree. You can be the CEO of a nonprofit and your law degree is still going to be invaluable.” - Mimi Dane
Connect with Mimi Dane:
- Mimi Dane on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Charles Frank Bolden Jr. is a retired US Marine Corps Major General and former NASA astronaut. After flying on four space shuttle missions—STS-61-C, STS-31, STS-45, and STS-60—Charlie was appointed by former President, Barack Obama, to serve as the 12th Administrator of NASA from 2009 to 2017, making him the first African American to head the agency permanently. Today, Charlie is the Founder and CEO Emeritus of the Charles F. Bolden Group, a consortium of accomplished leaders founded in 2017 to foster international collaboration in making life better for all humanity.
Charlie joins me today to discuss the qualities aspiring astronauts need to cultivate to be chosen for modern space programs. You’ll hear about his career at NASA and the characteristics he thinks made him a NASA astronaut. He explores how the dawn of the new space age may change selection preferences for would-be astronauts. You’ll also learn the value of being a team player and why being a jack-of-all-trades is essential to becoming an astronaut of today and tomorrow.
“You will be technicians, scientists, and researchers all in one—and that’s the kind of people we’re going to be looking for.” - Charlie Bolden
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Qualities and characteristics NASA looked for in astronaut candidates in the 1980s
- Civil rights in the 1980s and the psychological implications of growing up in the segregated South
- Why being a team player is a high-value trait for NASA astronauts
- Diversity as a trait of a high-performing organization
- Why being a good fighter pilot doesn’t necessarily mean being a great astronaut
- The lack of diversity in NASA’s Apollo era and how astronaut selection preferences have changed since
- How the dawn of commercial spaceflight is changing preferences for would-be astronauts
- How commercial spacecraft may change the employment prospects of future astronauts
- The kind of crew NASA may seek for the Artemis program and beyond
- Jessica Watkins, Kate Rubins, Peggy Whitson, and why researchers may be the astronauts of the future
- Ridley Scott’s The Martian and what it takes to be a modern-day astronaut
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut by Mike Mullane
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “A great test pilot isn’t necessarily going to be a great astronaut; a great test pilot with a big ego is going to be a lousy astronaut.” - Charlie Bolden
- “The astronauts of today and tomorrow are not going to have the opportunity to train over and over again on something because they’ll find that every day is something new.” - Charlie Bolden
Related Episodes:
- The Life of a Visionary with Charlie Bolden
- The Birth of the New Space Age with Charlie Bolden
Connect with Charlie Bolden:
- The Charles Bolden Group
- The Charles F. Bolden Group on LinkedIn
- The Charles F. Bolden Group on Instagram
- The Charles F. Bolden Group on YouTube
- The Charles F. Bolden Group on Twitter
- Charlie Bolden on LinkedIn
- Charlie Bolden on Twitter
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tim MacDonald is the Engineering and Operations Manager and Submersible Pilot for scientific and commercial charters at Caladan Oceanic. Tim earned his degree in Offshore Engineering from the Australian Maritime College in Tasmania and recently became the first Australian to dive to the deepest point in the sea: the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench. Tim’s enduring goal is to help marine scientists develop the tools to achieve their research objectives and expand the realm of what’s possible. He achieved this goal as a design engineer for Triton Submarines, where he played a role in building the world’s first truly reusable and reliable full ocean depth submersible, the TRITON 36000/2.
Tim joins me today to discuss how we can deepen our relationship with the ocean and understand our impact on it. You’ll hear about how his passion for the ocean and engineering was shaped and how he divided his university life between studying in classrooms and learning on the field. He describes the time he lived and worked on superyachts and how that experience led him to work for Triton Submarines. You’ll also learn how to immerse your life in a passion and why exploring the ocean matters to humanity.
“We have to understand the impact we’re having on the world, and the only way we can understand our impact is by understanding all the ecosystems we have: above, in the mountains, below, in the ocean, and in our backyards.” - Tim MacDonald
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- A deep dive into Tim’s background and upbringing
- What inspired Tim to move to Tasmania to study at the Australian Maritime College
- His experience working and living aboard a superyacht and his first encounter with a submersible
- Why the best engineers are jacks-of-all trades to some degree
- The university gap year and how Tim split his time in university between studying in classrooms and learning on the field
- Getting into the submarine business and building the world’s first truly reusable and reliable full ocean depth submersible
- The first time Tim piloted a submersible
- The spectator gallery of our lives and answering the “what’s next?” question
- The major moral dilemma of science and why exploring the ocean’s Hadal Zone matters to everyone on the planet
- The Sirena Deep and how the world’s deep trenches are created
- Exploring the Wallaby-Zenith Fracture Zone and the Manganese nodule fields
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Your first job in the first five years of your working life will define where you end up.” - Tim MacDonald
- “Following any passion is about committing, and the only way to commit is to find something you enjoy doing.” - Tim MacDonald
Connect with Tim MacDonald:
- Caladan Oceanic
- Tim MacDonald on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify I Stitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In our celebrity-crazed world, the term “one-hit wonder” is commonly used to refer to an athlete, musician, or author who earned an Olympic gold, a Grammy, or a best-seller with their first work, and never repeated. Sometimes, I wonder what life was like after the games for a swimmer or gymnast who earned gold at the ripe age of 16 or 20. They had achieved something they had dreamed of for most of their lives—now what? Was that really their peak, the best thing that had ever happened to them?
I certainly had the same questions for myself. I got my first history book mention at 26 years old, after I earned my Ph.D. and NASA flight suit, being one of the first six women in the American astronaut corps. Six years later, after earning another history book mention as the first American woman to walk in space, I started thinking about what this all meant in the broader sweep of my life. Did I need to start chasing another goal that would get me more accolades and greater fame?
In this episode, I discuss facing the “what’s next?” question and the theme that pervades our celebrity-crazed culture. I explore Buzz Aldrin’s personal struggles after the Apollo 11 Moon Landing mission. You’ll also learn about insights that have kept me grounded over the years and shaped my later career decisions and how headlines and adulations are rarely about purpose, meaning, and worth.
“Nothing I could ever do was likely to give me a bigger, louder headline that I had gotten for joining the astronaut corps and walking in space, but that didn’t mean there was nothing else of meaning and value to do with my life.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- A common theme in our celebrity-crazed world
- Earning history book mentions and evaluating what I wanted my life to be about
- The press coverage around Buzz Aldrin’s personal struggles after the Apollo 11 Moon Landing mission
- Insights that have kept me grounded
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon by Buzz Aldrin
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Headlines are normally picked for novelty, sizzle, or selling—they’re rarely about purpose or worth.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “Realize that what’s in your heart and soul is more important than what’s on your resume. The bullets on your resume list what you’ve done, but what really matters is who you became by journeying through that achievement—that’s what shines through your character and powers your works.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Renee Wynn is an Independent Board Member with over three decades of leadership experience in environmental policy, global information technology, and cybersecurity operations. She has spent over 25 years of her career working in information services at the Environmental Protection Agency before becoming the Chief Information Officer at NASA, a post she served for five years. In addition to serving on the advisory boards of Palo Alto Networks and Interos Solutions, Renee also sits on the board of The Women’s Center, a non-profit dedicated to improving the community’s mental health and well-being.
Renee joins me today to discuss how she was inspired to be a public servant, even after consciously avoiding civil service for a time. She shares her experience growing up as the child of two operatives for the American intelligence services and how the nature of her parents’ work influenced her career decisions. She describes her work with the Environmental Protection Agency and transition to become the CIO of NASA. She also highlights the role of cybersecurity in the growing space economy and shares her advice to women who doubt themselves in their career.
“You absolutely must be curious and be good to your people.” - Renee Wynn
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The young Renee Wynn and what it was like to have parents that worked in intelligence services
- How the nature of her parents’ work influenced Renee
- Renee’s college education and the many different ways of getting educated
- The reason Renee consciously stayed away from civil service and what made her change her mind
- What led Renee to study programming and her introduction to the Environmental Protection Agency
- Filling the talent gap in cybersecurity and data science
- What prevents women from going for jobs or promotions
- Finding your voice and command presence by asking for help from others
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Every time you’re at the table, you have the opportunity to give people the gift of your expertise.” - Renee Wynn
- “Take time to self-reflect. We are imperfect, and that makes us beautiful. And when we make mistakes, that’s when we need to learn.” - Renee Wynn
Connect with Renee Wynn:
- Renee Wynn on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When I was young, I wasn’t one to utter the sentence “When I grow up, I want to be an astronaut!” I was fascinated by other things—geography, maps, and languages—and studied foreign languages, oceanography, and geology in college and beyond. You might think that sounds like an odd background for an astronaut, but astronauts come from a wider range of professional experience than most people recognize. So, how exactly did I go from being a marine biologist by trade to joining the NASA Astronaut Corps?
In this episode, I outline my journey from earth science to space exploration and my secret sauce to getting accepted into NASA’s Astronaut Corps. You’ll learn what it takes for someone to get interviewed by NASA’s astronaut selection team. I explain how NASA’s astronaut selection team works and describe how competitive the application process is. You’ll hear about my interest in foreign languages and exploration as a child and how I became passionate about oceanography. I also underscore the importance of situational awareness skills and highlight the mindset and attitude critical to whatever you’re doing in life—whether it’s on Earth or in space.
“My secret sauce was that natural matter-of-fact, get-it-done, complete-the-mission attitude. My story spoke to an ability to be disciplined about carrying out a plan but alert to recognize when it’s not working—and then quick to adapt to the new circumstances.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- NASA’s competitive astronaut selection process
- How the burgeoning commercial space industry may change astronaut selection
- The US/Soviet space race and the first human to orbit Earth
- How I became interested in oceanography, geology, and foreign languages as a child
- Transitioning from my marine geology career to NASA’s space exploration program
- How my ocean research expeditions may have helped my NASA astronaut application
- The two ways to screw up a procedure and the mindset critical to every astronaut
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “This is what astronaut training is about: honing your situational awareness skills and developing a deep understanding of the assumptions and circumstances that every plan and every procedure is based on.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “There are only two ways to screw up a procedure: one, is to fail to execute it exactly as written; the other is to execute it exactly as written, meaning that when some changes of circumstance have rendered your plan or procedure void, you can’t just carry it out originally the way you wrote it” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improve your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jim Toomey is a cartoonist, global ocean advocate, and the creator of Sherman’s Lagoon, a daily comic strip syndicated to over 150 newspapers in 20 countries and six languages. Sherman’s Lagoon tells the story and misadventures of the great white shark Sherman, his wife Megan, and their friends in the fictional Kapupu Lagoon. Jim completed his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering at Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering and his Master of Arts in Liberal Studies at Stanford University. He later received a Master of Environmental Management degree from the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences.
Jim joins me today to share his journey from being a newspaper boy and engineer to a cartoonist and global ocean advocate. You’ll get advice on creating an ensemble of characters and learn how different characters drive different kinds of stories. He describes the experiences that inspired Sherman’s Lagoon. He also discusses the importance of properly defining and formulating a problem and shares his optimistic outlook for the world’s oceans.
“Look at the ocean not as a dark, alien world underneath the waves that has nothing to do with us. Look at it—that 70% of the planet—just as lively and vibrant and important to us as the 30% we live on.” - Jim Toomey
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Jim Toomey’s life growing up in Virginia
- The birth of Sherman’s Lagoon
- Why Jim pursued a degree in engineering
- The beginning of Jim’s newspaper cartooning career
- The beauty of going to college
- Jim’s career in the engineering industry and his transition to being a professional cartoonist
- How Sherman’s Lagoon made its way to Sweden and Norway
- Why Jim went to Stanford for a Master’s degree in Liberal Arts and what it was like
- The creative process behind Sherman’s Lagoon
- Jim’s thoughts on storytelling and character development
- How the characters in Sherman’s Lagoon reflect Jim and the people in his life
- The different ways of being bad and the kind of work involved in producing a comic strip
- The nature and scale of shark finning
- Jim’s collaboration with NOAA and getting the Shark Protection Act through congress
- The biggest barriers to being a cartoonist
- Jim’s hopes for the future of the ocean and the environment
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “As a cartoonist, I love drawing. But drawing itself isn’t even half the game: as comic strips have become smaller, it has become more about storytelling and writing.” - Jim Toomey
- “In art, success is about gleaning from a field of complete failure; it’s about experimentation, going down a blind alley, and making a lot of mistakes.” - Jim Toomey
Connect with Jim Toomey:
- Jim Toomey Website
- Sherman’s Lagoon
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As NASA’s best ambassadors, astronauts do so much more than just train and fly. They also do public appearances and media interviews around the country, in addition to occasionally being deployed on foreign soil to represent the United States. My first such foreign assignment came in the summer of 1985—but it turned out to have an unexpected, spy-novel-like dimension.
In this episode, you’ll hear about my first foreign assignment as an astronaut and the cat-and-mouse intelligence game between the United States and the USSR. I describe the growth of NASA’s space shuttle program in 1985 and the secret meeting we had during the Paris Air Show of that same year. I also discuss navigating sensitive conversations and highlight the importance of having an awareness of other peoples’ agendas.
“These were the Cold War years, of course, defined by the tense superpower standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union; the latter would not stand idly by as their chief adversary developed as novel and versatile a spacecraft as the shuttle.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- My first assignment to the Paris Air Show
- The progress of the space shuttle program in 1985 and the Cold War cat-and-mouse
- The first Soviet Space Shuttle mission and the people to pilot it
- Our secret meeting with the Russian delegation at the Paris Air Show
- The intelligence game between the United States and the USSR
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “You may never be a pawn on the intelligence chessboard, but it’s always worthwhile to navigate difficult conversations with rich awareness of the many agendas that may be in play, the part you play in the agenda of others, and what makes those other parties tick.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “The trick, then, is arming yourself with awareness: this will help you know how adversarial or collaborative the situation is likely to be, and give you the best chance of achieving your objectives.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Alexandra Horowitz is a cognitive scientist keen on understanding a dog’s mind. She is Professor of Nonfiction Writing at Barnard College, Columbia University, where she also teaches seminars in canine cognition creative nonfiction writing, and audio storytelling. In addition to teaching, Dr. Horowitz is a Senior Research Fellow and heads the Horowitz Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard. Her books, Inside of a Dog and Our Dogs, Ourselves, explore what it’s like to be a dog—and our relationship as humans to these lovable creatures.
Dr. Horowitz joins me today to discuss how dogs see and smell the world. She describes the extraordinary anatomy of dogs’ noses and how they smell in ‘stereo.’ She illustrates the relationship between humans and dogs. She discusses the history of dog breeding and explains why a dog’s breed doesn’t necessarily determine its personality and behavior. She also highlights humanity’s place in nature and shares her advice for people who have or are thinking of having dogs
“Dogs can be a lens through which we are reminded of the reality of all these non-human others around us.” - Dr. Alexandra Horowitz
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The first time I adopted a puppy and how I came across Dr. Horowitz
- The young Alexandra Horowitz, how she became a lexicographer at Merriam-Webster, and her journey to becoming a scientist
- What led Dr. Horowitz to study cognition in graduate school
- Studying play behavior in dogs and the wonder and marvel of dogs’ noses
- How dogs perceive the world
- Our relationship with dogs and the many ways humans treat dogs as property
- The relationship between a dog’s breed and their behavior
- The history of purebred dogs
- Society’s perception of Pitbulls and other maligned dog breeds
- The impact of spaying or neutering dogs
- Humans’ responsibility over dogs and how dogs help us be more empathetic
- The interconnectedness of beings in the world
Resources Mentioned:
- A Way with Words Podcast
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Dogs are not just objects we consider property; they’re sentient beings who are meaningful in human life.” - Dr. Alexandra Horowitz
- “Dogs can bring out a lot of empathy in humans, automatically, in a way that’s hard to feel with other people..” - Dr. Alexandra Horowitz
Connect with Alexandra Horowitz:
- Alexandra Horowitz Website
- Alexandra Horowitz on Twitter
- Book: Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know
- Book: Our Dogs, Ourselves: The Story of a Singular Bond
- Horowitz Dog Cognition Lab
- Horowitz Dog Cognition Lab on Facebook
- Horowitz Dog Cognition Lab on Twitter
- Horowitz Dog Cognition Lab on Instagram
- Email: dogcognitionstudy@gmail.com
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lt. Gen. Susan J. Helms is Commander, 14th Air Force, Air Force Space Command and a NASA astronaut. Gen. Helms was selected by NASA in 1990, became an astronaut in 1991, and became NASA’s first US military woman in space when she joined the Space Shuttle Endeavour crew in 1993. Other missions she participated in include STS-64 in 1994, STS-78 in1996, and STS-101 in 2000. In 2001, Gen. Helms served as a crew member of the ISS Expedition 2and relocated to the International Space Station to live and work for over five months. While participating in the expedition, Gen. Helms, along with fellow flight engineer James Voss, conducted a spacewalk that lasted for eight hours and 56 minutes—the longest on record.
Susan joins me today to share the details of living in the International Space Station—250 miles above the planet—and her experience being one of the first women to graduate from the United States Air Force Academy. She explains why engineering is a wonderful blend of creativity and math. You’ll also learn the principles of character and leadership that helped her rise to the rank of three-star general in the United States Air Force.
“It was absolutely freeing knowing that I didn’t have anything to worry about on Earth and could mentally move to space. The space station became my home.” - Susan Helms
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The life of young Susan Helms
- The relationship between math and music
- How Gen. Helms became interested in becoming a US Air Force officer
- Preparing for the physical fitness test for the US Air Force Academy
- The male warrior culture and Gen. Helms’s first year at the US Air Force Academy
- Leadership insights Gen. Helms gained from her first year at the academy
- What led Gen. Helms to apply for NASA’s astronaut selection program
- Meeting astronauts Sally Ride and Richard Covey
- Helms’s impressions of NASA culture and office
- Her assignment at the International Space Station
- Her return to parent service after the International Space Station flight
- The power of asking questions
- Cultivating competence and how to handle the naysayers
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Being someone of character even on bad days is the essence of leadership.” - Susan Helms
- “Always ask questions. Sometimes when they get above a certain rank, leaders don’t want to be viewed as someone who doesn’t have all the answers.” - Susan Helms
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In November of 1990, Toby Goodman—producer of the Kathy Sullivan Explorespodcast and CEO of Podcast Network Solutions—received a gift from his father for his 10th birthday. It was a telescope: an item with a purpose and capacity for evoking awe that no other toy had. It was no surprise that telescopes filled the shelves of toy stores in London: a few months before receiving the gift, Toby explains, the Hubble Space Telescope had launched, captivating the wonder of people from all walks of life.
On July 12, 2022, a new era in astronomy dawned. The first full-color images and spectroscopic data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope were released, capturing yet again the minds and imaginations of people the world over.
In this episode, you’ll learn about the history of space telescopes and what the images from the James Webb Space Telescope mean for humanity. We compare and contrast the physical attributes and functions of the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes. You’ll gain insight into the life and design expectancies of the space telescopes and how the Hubble has changed over the years. We also discuss the value of images from space telescopes and how they shape peoples’ perspectives about humanity’s place in the cosmos.
“Those specks aren’t stars. They’re galaxies—thousands of them in this little piece of sky you’ve always thought was empty.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The contributions of Edwin Hubble to astronomy
- The Hubble Constant and how to figure out the distance of galaxies
- James Webb, his role at NASA, and the importance of honoring pioneers
- Comparing the physical attributes of the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope
- How the James Webb Space Telescope observes objects the naked eye can’t see
- The challenges of building a spacecraft
- The threads of continuity between the Hubble and Webb space telescopes
- How the first images from Hubble captured the popular imagination
- How the James Webb Space Telescope sees farther into the universe and further back in time
- How scientists decide where to focus the space telescopes
- The reason I wrote Handprints on Hubble
- A brief history of space telescopes and the problem of looking at the cosmos from the earth
- The ‘Endless Frontier’ report and how it shaped the American astronomical enterprise
- Nancy Grace Roman: NASA’s first Chief Astronomer and Mother of Hubble
- How the Hubble Space Telescope has changed since its launch
- The distance of the Hubble and Webb space telescopes from the earth
- The life and design expectancies of the Hubble and Webb space telescopes
- How to see the Hubble Space Telescope from the earth
- How to use the Hubble Space Telescope as an amateur astronomer
- The Hubble Ultra-Deep Field
- The value of astronomy to human lives
Resources Mentioned:
- You Should Do a Podcast about That
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “[The] telescope…had a purpose about it. With it came a built-in excitement of seeing faraway places that provoked dreams about what it was like to be an explorer in outer space.” - Toby Goodman
- “NASA’s job is to push back the frontiers of science and knowledge about the cosmos, the solar system, and our place in it.” - Kathy Sullivan
Connect with Toby Goodman:
- Podcast Network Solutions
- Narrow Podcasting
- Podcast: Podcast Business Coach
- Book: Narrow Podcasting: Make Profitable Connections and Grow your Business, Without Paid Ads, Sponsors, or Thousands of Listeners
- Podcast Network Solutions on LinkedIn
- Podcast Network Solutions on Facebook
- Toby Goodman on Instagram
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
While my work with the NOOA was a complex and generally fun job, it was one that fully demanded full intensity. It left me pretty tired after four years. So, when I left the country’s preeminent climate and ocean agency in 2017, I planned to slow down—maybe travel some, enjoy the flexibility that comes with retirement, and have time to get a dog. I eventually got my pup and, for several years, did a pretty good job at saying no to claims for my time that didn’t inspire me. But everything changed when I received a call that opened with the words: “I’m calling on behalf of the White House.”
In this episode, I discuss my appointment to the PCAST—the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. I explain why wildfires have gotten worse and describe the mega-fire I witnessed while flying over Australia during my first space shuttle mission in 1984. I share the responsibilities of PCAST, why it was established, and its current work on helping wildland firefighters. I also highlight how change takes time and underscore what it takes to tackle life’s most worthy endeavors.
“In my world, if the President asks you to serve the country, you just don’t say no.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- My appointment to the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
- How I knew President Biden wanted me to serve PCAST
- PCAST’s history, functions, and why the agency is special to me
- How diversity helps PCAST tackle a wide array of topics
- President Biden’s tasks for PCAST
- Why wildfires have become a year-round problem globally
- PCAST’s work on wildfires and how to tackle complex issues
- How the President acts on the findings and recommendations of the PCAST report
- How the 2015 PCAST report on hearing aids led to the Medicare Hearing Coverage Act of 2021
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “None of the improvements we aim to foster will happen overnight. Change always takes time; and the more complicated the problem, the longer the road.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “The satisfaction is in knowing that you’ve made a difference in peoples’ lives, both today and tomorrow. For explorers like us, the journey, discoveries, and what they could mean for humankind are what it’s all about.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Patricia (Patty) Nelson Limerick is a historian, author, lecturer, and teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She also completed her Ph.D. in American Studies at Yale University, where she also taught as a graduate teaching assistant. She served as an assistant professor at Harvard University from 1980 until she joined the University of Colorado in 1984, where she currently serves as a professor of history. One of the leading historians of the American West, Patty was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship in 1995 and, in 2016, was appointed as the Colorado State Historian and to the National Council on the Humanities.
Patty joins me today to discuss the role of historians in solving contemporary issues. You’ll hear her recount her memories as a student at UCSC. You’ll learn about how she became the official “Fool” of the University of Colorado and her journey to becoming a historian. She also describes her efforts to help young historians reach a wider audience and underscores how the issues of the 19th century are still present in the modern world.
“Western history runs continuously. The issues that had stirred the 19th century are still with us.” - Patricia Nelson Limerick
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The conception of Patricia’s Limerick Pedestrian Diet piece
- Her life growing up in Banning, California
- Patty’s fondest memories of the University of California, Santa Cruz
- The Pass/Fail system at UCSC and the professors who influenced Patty
- Her journey to becoming a historian and the “Official Fool” of the University of Colorado
- The meaning and importance of the Shakespearean fool
- How Patty became one of the pioneering authors of the New American West
- Her road to teaching a Western American course at Harvard
- How she overcame her writer’s block while doing her dissertation
- Writing a book on the continuity of Western American history
- The three Cs of The Legacy of Conquest
- Founding the Center for the American West at the University of Colorado
- Applying history to contemporary issues
- How Patty is helping young historians reach a wider audience
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “The United States had chosen a different form of understanding its history: that it was a frontier of expanding opportunity and democracy.” - Patricia Nelson Limerick
- “History could be fully engaged as part of figuring out how we got into our conflicts and dilemmas and thinking better about them.” - Patricia Nelson Limerick
Connect with Patricia Nelson Limerick:
- Book: The Legacy of Conquest: The Unbroken Past of the American West
- Book: Desert Passages: Encounters with the American Deserts
- Email: patricia.limerick@colorado.edu
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Does the daily news ever make you wonder how the government actually works? Civics classes used to teach us how our country’s laws and constitution work. Today, in the US, most students don’t have a single civics class in school. What amazes me is not how so few people know how the government works, but how few seem curious about how it works—despite how much it impacts lives. There are so many things we can learn about other countries’ governments, and we can apply those lessons to ourselves.
In this episode, I discuss what drove my interest in civics and the lack of civic education in US schools. I describe how many people aren’t curious about how the government works. I also share the time I played a global war game in the US Naval War College, discuss what I learned from playing the simulation, and explain how to apply these lessons to everyday life.
“Own your role and your responsibility at the moment. Play your part well, and you’re sure to be invited back—probably with a promotion.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- What drove my curiosity about civics and how countries make decisions
- Watching two momentous events in politics and world affairs as a 12-year-old
- How The Making of a President and the Cuban Missile Crisis impacted me
- My work as Chief Scientist at NOAH
- Playing a global war game
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: The Making of the President 1960by Theodore White
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “The scary moments of the Cuban Missile Crisis made me realize how the workings of national governments could affect my life and my whole world.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “Step up to the responsibility of deciding the content and delivering the information, whether the topic is what the President should do on the world stage, or why an investor should back your project.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Amy Ross is an advanced spacesuit designer at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. She is the daughter of astronaut Jerry Ross—who has set two US records by flying in space seven times and conducting nine spacewalks—and Karen Ross, a dietician who worked with shuttle crews. Amy completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University while simultaneously participating in NASA’s Cooperative Education Program. One of the world’s leading experts in spacesuits, Amy works at the cutting edge of NASA’s enterprise to build new spacesuits for the Artemis expeditions to the moon and future flights to Mars.
Amy joins us today to discuss spacesuit technology design and development. You’ll hear about what it’s like to have an astronaut as a father and why she chose her career path. She describes her experience studying at Purdue and doing internships at NASA. You’ll also learn what it takes to be a great spacesuit engineer and discover the value of storytelling in any career.
“When you’re signing off to send a piece of your spacesuit hardware on a mission, you know that lives matter—and you’re making sure that you’re bringing them home safely.” - Amy Ross
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Amy’s background and what it was like to have an astronaut as a father
- Her early interests as a child and how she chose a career in the space industry
- Why you don’t have to be a hardcore math lover to enter STEM careers
- How Amy’s interest and skills in the liberal arts brought a different aspect to her studies in engineering
- The variety of engineering roles and careers
- Why I switched from Liberal Arts and Languages to STEM
- The value of storytelling and marketing skills in any career
- Why Amy chose to study at Purdue for her undergraduate
- The cooperative education program at Purdue and Amy’s internships at NASA
- Amy’s path to spacesuit technology development
- Her experience working with veteran spacesuit designer, Joe Kosmo
- Designing spacesuits for different uses
- Commercializing spacesuits and the Artemis program
- Field analog testing and Amy’s experience with NASA’s Desert RATS
- SpaceX spacesuits and how they’re different from the suits Amy works on
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “That’s one of the great joys of working at NASA—everybody’s there because they want to be there and they understand what we’re doing and the gravity of it.” - Amy Ross
- “You can’t be a good spacesuit engineer if you haven’t been in a suit doing this work.” - Amy Ross
Connect with Amy Ross:
- Amy Ross on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
While I have never met the Queen of England, I did have a brush with British royalty during my career at NASA. In 1989, when news spread that a British princess wanted to visit NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston—where I was based—for her grand tour of the US, it caused a lot of excitement in my world. Royal visits to the United States are rare, but royal visits to the NASA Houston base are a lot rarer.
Today, you’ll hear about the time a colleague and I gave a tour of the Full Fuselage Trainer (FFT) for Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. I describe the FFT—a full-sized replica of the Space Shuttle orbiter—and its features. I explain who the “Potty Fairy” is and what it’s like to poop in space. You’ll also learn why astronauts need to be a combination of many things.
“We opened the hatches on the floor to show her the tanks and fans and filters below. You’d have thought we revealed a magical realm.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The visit of Sarah, Duchess of York, to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston
- The features of the full-sized replica of a Space Shuttle in the Houston base
- Planning a tour of the Space Vehicle Mockup for the Duchess of York
- “The Potty Fairy” and the world’s only $6 million-dollar toilet with seat belts
- The coolest thing about pooping in space
- What the Duchess of York thought about her tour at the Johnson Space Center
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Everyone of us astronauts needs to be a combination of scientist, cook, maintenance engineer, and house cleaner.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “In orbit, the large windows in the ceiling of the cockpit would feel like the windows in the halls of a glass-bottom boat, allowing us to watch the earth go by beneath us.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is a leading international weather and climate expert as well as the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia. Marshall received his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Ph.D. from Florida State University, becoming the first African American to receive a doctorate from the university’s Department of Meteorology. He joined the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, where he served first as a research meteorologist and later as the Deputy Project Scientist for the Global Precipitation Measurement mission. Today—in addition to directing the University of Georgia’s Atmospheric Sciences program—Marshall hosts the Weather Geeks podcast and is a regular contributor to Forbes Magazine.
Marshall joins us today to discuss the intersection of academia, science, and society. He discusses the three biases that hinder people from understanding science and explains how those biases can impact society’s decisions. He reveals what “zombie theories” are and how we can slay them. He also highlights the value of expanding personal and social experience and underscores how we can improve the way science is communicated to people.
“Use the lens of common sense to convey science—to make them understand that weather and climate impact their daily lives, the groceries they buy, and what diseases their kids are exposed to.” - Dr. Marshall Shepherd
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Marshall’s background growing up in a small town in Georgia
- Getting bitten by the weather bug and Marshall’s road to meteorology
- Why we need to teach children not to downplay their intelligence to fit in
- How math is like a muscle you can strengthen with practice
- The Tropical Rainfall Mapping mission and Marshall’s stint at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
- His transition to the University of Georgia
- The intersection of academia, science, and society
- Communicating climate change to everyday people
- The currency of life and society versus the currency of academia
- The three biases in understanding science and how they impact society
- How society’s attitudes toward science can impact the next generation of scientists
- The increasing job demand in STEM
- Race relations and the importance of expanding your social and personal experience
- What the “climate zombies” are and how to slay them
Resources Mentioned:
- 3 Kinds of Bias that Shape Your Worldview | J. Marshall Shepherd | TEDxUGA
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “We all need to have an increased social and personal radius of experience. The more people, experience, travel, and exposure we can have in our circle, the more it creates a level of understanding that can get us where we want to be in society.” - Dr. Marshall Shepherd
- “Climate change is the crisis of our time, and we have to act. We need an Apollo-level, Panama Canal-level, Manhattan Project-level response to climate change now.” - Dr. Marshall Shepherd
Connect with Dr. Marshall Shepherd:
- Marshall Shepherd Website
- Podcast: Weather Geeks
- Book: The Race Awakening of 2020: A 6-Step Guide for Moving Forward
- Book: 40 Days 40 Nights: Daily Tales (And Lessons) from a Suburban Home During the Coronavirus “Quarantine”
- Marshall Shepherd on LinkedIn
- Marshall Shepherd on Facebook
- Marshall Shepherd on Instagram
- Marshall Shepherd on Twitter
- Marshall Shepherd on YouTube
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s been quite a journey since I launched the Kathy Sullivan Explores podcast, to say the least. From exploring the power of mythologyand leadership styles to delving into the commercial space industry and the advent of the new space age, I’ve certainly had a lot of fascinating conversations in my first year of podcasting—and what’s a better way to celebrate my first podcasting anniversary than to reflect on the journey thus far? And who would be better to take you along this journey with me than the man that helped me launch and produce the show, Toby Goodman.
Toby is my podcast producer and the CEO of Podcast Network Solutions, a full-service podcast production company. Toby is the author of Narrow Podcasting: Make Profitable Connections and Grow your Business, Without Paid Ads, Sponsors, or Thousands of Listeners. He is also the host of the Podcast Business Coach podcast and creator of The Profitable Pod Method.
Toby joins me today to explore my first year in podcasting. We discuss how having routines and habits has helped me have deeper conversations with my podcast guests. We discuss what went wrong with the Hubble Space Telescope, and how it was fixed, and I share my thoughts on processing errors and failures. We explain what it's like to become a podcast host and interviewer and the importance of keeping your listeners in mind when recording new episodes. We also recall previous conversations about leadership on the podcast and underscore how a mindset for learning keeps us alive and human.
“Every time we create a solo episode, we’re trying to create a story that is obviously fun and entertaining but it also has meaning and it gives people pause for thought, and oftentimes, an action to take.” - Toby Goodman
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The real value of routines and habits
- The listeners I have in mind when I record episodes
- How setbacks and hurdles in life are part of the human existence
- Launching shuttles, airplanes, and podcasts and the reason I wrote Handprints on Hubble
- The power of creativity and invention and their roles in human life
- How curiosity and my childhood upbringing help me manage fear and risk
- Crisis management and dealing with surprises
- Processing different versions of tragedy and failure
- The Hubble Space Telescope’s mirror flaw and how it was fixed
- Debriefing and the unwinding period that follows a podcast episode or a large project
- Conversations about compassionate and competitive styles of leadership
- Reflecting on my solo episodes and their improvement over time
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: Handprints on Hubble: An Astronaut’s Story of Invention by Kathy Sullivan
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Life isn’t about topping it; it is about other things to learn, different things to create, new things to try, and new people to meet.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “The best essence of humanity and human life: the creative and inventive spark.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “Stay in the awareness that you’re always learning—always growing. You’ll stub a toe and stumble and that’s okay: it shows you’re alive and engaged.” - Kathy Sullivan
Related Episodes:
- The Life of a Visionary with Charlie Bolden Part 1
- The Birth of the New Space Age with Charlie Bolden Part 2
- Getting Gold in Sports, Career, and Life with Katie Smith
- The Cooperative Model of Business with Omega CEO, Raynald Aeschlimann (Part 1)
- The Honor of Measuring Time with Omega CEO, Raynald Aeschlimann (Part 2)
- The Apollo 13 Mission with Gerry Griffin
- Life’s Fabulous Lessons with Dayna Steele
- Diversity, Inclusion, and Politics with Yvette McGee Brown
- Who is the Science Guy with Bill Nye
- Weaving Myth with Morgan Smith
- The Joyous Wonder of the Ocean with Helen Scales
Connect with Toby Goodman:
- Podcast Network Solutions
- Narrow Podcasting
- Podcast: Podcast Business Coach
- Book: Narrow Podcasting: Make Profitable Connections and Grow your Business, Without Paid Ads, Sponsors, or Thousands of Listeners
- Podcast Network Solutions on LinkedIn
- Podcast Network Solutions on Facebook
- Toby Goodman on Instagram
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improve your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Charles Frank Bolden Jr. is the Founder and CEO Emeritus of the Charles F. Bolden Group, a consortium of accomplished leaders founded in 2017 to foster international collaboration in making life better for all humanity. Appointed by the former president, Barack Obama, Charlie served as the 12th Administrator of NASA from 2009 to 2017, making him the first African American to hold the position permanently. Charlie is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General and former astronaut who has flown on four Space Shuttle missions.
Charlie joins us today to share his perspective on NASA’s transition from space shuttle operations to commercial space flight. You’ll gain insight into the real inside workings of Washington, DC, as well as his journey to becoming the 12th Administrator of NASA. Charlie also discusses what the future holds for space commerce and exploration, and explains why, if given the chance, he’ll take poets and artists to space.
“Our purpose is to make the earth a better, more sustainable place. I think we’re up to the challenge.” - Charlie Bolden
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Charlie’s last shuttle flight and the formation of the new space age
- NASA’s state of play and Charlie’s road to Washington DC
- His first experience with the National Space Council
- The time Charlie had to convince the Congressional Black Caucus of the need for a space station
- What working with Russian cosmonauts taught Charlie
- My experience interacting with Soviet astronauts and cosmonauts
- Charlie’s meeting with the former president, Barack Obama, and his nomination to NASA
- The birth of the SLS, Orion, and commercial crew and cargo
- Why NASA will remain the leader and catalyst for discovery
- The advantages of developing a vibrant commercial space sector
- The James Webb Space Telescope and what gives Charlie hope for the future
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Every crew becomes a family.” - Charlie Bolden
- “Study hard, work hard, and never be afraid of failure. Listen respectfully to your parents, but follow your passion because it’s your life.” - Charlie Bolden
Connect with Charlie Bolden:
- The Charles Bolden Group
- The Charles F. Bolden Group on LinkedIn
- The Charles F. Bolden Group on Instagram
- The Charles F. Bolden Group on YouTube
- The Charles F. Bolden Group on Twitter
- Charlie Bolden on LinkedIn
- Charlie Bolden on Twitter
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Charles Frank Bolden Jr. formerly served as the 12th Administrator of NASA from 2009 to 2017. He was the first African American to head the agency permanently. In addition to being a retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General, Charlie is a former astronaut who has flown on four Space Shuttle missions. He is the Founder and CEO Emeritus of the Charles F. Bolden Group, a consortium of accomplished leaders founded in 2017 to foster international collaboration in making life better for all humanity.
Charlie joins us today to describe what it was like growing up in the segregated South. He shares his experience as one of the first African Americans to attend the Naval Academy. You’ll learn how he ended up being a pilot in the Marine Corps despite hating flying in his youth. He also shares his observations on the leadership culture of NASA and underscores the characteristics astronauts have in common.
“The one characteristic we all had in common in the Astronaut Corps is that we were all visionaries and dreamers—people who thought about what the world could be.” - Charlie Bolden
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- What it was like growing up in segregated South Carolina in the ‘60s
- Charlie’s experiences with the Naval Academy
- Why Charlie used to avoid flying airplanes
- What eventually led Charlie to the Marine Corps during his plebe year at the Naval Academy
- Finding his way to flight school and aviation
- Charlie’s perceptions of NASA’s culture and leadership when he arrived at the Astronaut Corps
- Bringing Apollo-era astronauts to the 20th century and making NASA a welcoming place for women and people of color
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “The leadership skills in the astronaut office then were lacking, considering the challenge they had with making it a place that was openly welcoming to women and people of color. We were tolerated, rather than welcomed with open arms.” - Charlie Bolden
- “It’s not about the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” - Charlie Bolden
Connect with Charlie Bolden:
- The Charles Bolden Group
- The Charles F. Bolden Group on LinkedIn
- The Charles F. Bolden Group on Instagram
- The Charles F. Bolden Group on YouTube
- The Charles F. Bolden Group on Twitter
- Charlie Bolden on LinkedIn
- Charlie Bolden on Twitter
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improve your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the late spring of 1985, two colleagues and I were invited to a dinner in France. While it was all well and good to be invited to an evening event—in France, no less—it did raise a few concerns. The thing is, it wasn’t a usual dinner: it was the Paris Airshow of that year, held at a chateau. My colleagues didn’t know how to rent tuxes in Paris, I didn’t know what to wear, and I was one of two featured guests for the evening. The other was a top-tier film star and model who’s as revered in France as Joan of Arc— Catherine Deneuve.
In this episode, you’ll hear about the night I came toe to toe with the French film star, Catherine Deneuve, and you’ll learn the value of always taking the posture of the explorer. I describe how my colleagues and I became delegates to the Paris Airshow of 1985 and discuss how stereotypes create many of the problems in our world. I also underscore the importance of finding common humanity and connecting with people regardless of their background.
“See through our common humanity. Stay curious about the people around you. Find new ways to connect with them regardless of their official station—or how you fear they’d react to you.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Being assigned as a delegate to the Paris Airshow of 1985
- The history and ethos of the Brotherhood of the Knights of Tastevin
- A tale of two Catherines and how society pits women against each other
- An evening of wine and humor and “meeting” Catherine Deneuve
- The value of taking the posture of an explorer
- How social stereotypes create many of the problems in the world
- The importance of being curious about the people around you
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Keep exploring and looking for common ground. When you do, you’ll always discover more than what first meets the eye.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “Happily, astronauts are great at triaging complex concerns. The calculus is simple: go with who you are and have fun with it as much as you can.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Smith is a coach, public speaker, and basketball icon. Katie attended Ohio State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Life and Human Sciences and, during her freshman year, led the Buckeyes to the Big Ten Championship and the NCAA title game. In 2014, Katie earned her Master’s degree in Medical Dietetics. She won two WNBA Championships with the Detroit Shock and two ABL Championships with the Columbus Quest. Katie was also a seven-time WNBA All-Star and is named among the WNBA All-Decade team. Katie was Head Coach of the WNBA New York Liberty and served as an analyst for women’s collegiate basketball at ESPN. In 2020, Katie joined the Minnesota Lynx to serve as its official Assistant Coach.
Katie joins us today to share the motivation, work, and learning it takes to be the best in any endeavor. You’ll hear about her journey to becoming an Olympic athlete and coach. She outlines insights on coaching she picked up while she was still an athlete and discusses the value of communication in coaching. You’ll also learn about the factors that make great coaches and going for gold in your field.
“Take pride in whatever you’re doing–school, sports, mowing the lawn–whatever it is, do it at a level where you can take pride in and other people don’t have to correct you.” - Katie Smith
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Katie’s childhood and her road to becoming an MVP college basketball player, Olympic athlete, and coach
- Where Katie’s motivation and drive to do well comes from
- Her recruitment into collegiate sports and how she realized she was meant for sports and not dentistry
- How Katie started her career in the Olympics
- Katie’s first Olympic ceremony and what it feels like to represent your country as an Olympic athlete
- Why getting selected as an astronaut is similar to becoming an Olympic athlete
- Instilling work ethic in people and creating motivation
- The insights Katie picked up from her coaches
- The importance of communication in coaching
- Katie’s pathway from athlete to coach and the lessons she learned along the way
- The time commitment involved in being a sports coach
- Katie’s thoughts on Name, Image, and Likeness in collegiate sports
- Her advice to young people figuring out their way through life and career
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “The best coaches are confident enough to allow us to be ourselves. They embrace what we bring to the table: personality or game.” - Katie Smith
- “All the things we do come together to make us who we are.” - Katie Smith
Connect with Katie Smith:
- Katie Smith Website
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One of the coolest assignments I had back in my early astronaut days was being the science equipment operator aboard NASA’s WB-57F aircraft. It was 1982 when I flew an unusual mission not only because of the sinister feel of the WB-57F or the assignment’s details, but also because of what came after it—and the foreboding I felt that night seems confirmed by recent events far too often.
In this episode, you’ll hear about the UFO sighting that defined one of my early missions as an astronaut. I discuss NASA’s WB-57F aircraft and describe why astronauts get picked for science operator roles. I also explain how public distrust can lead to social collapse and underscore the importance of creating a common ground with everyone, every day.
“The spread of this could atomize everything—shatter social structures into fragments of individuals awashed in distrust of everything except their own experiences and perceptions.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- My assignment aboard the NASA WB-57F aircraft
- What the WB-57F aircraft’s like, its uses in science, and what makes it sinister
- A UFO sighting and the public’s perception of it
- The long-term implications of distrust
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “They had seen a UFO, and dismissed the explanation out of hand. My laughter soon gave way to worry as I deeply thought about the long-term implications of this mindset.”
- “We can each do something within our own circle to build a piece of common ground with those around us regardless of their views. No matter how small that may be, it will matter.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Steve Isakowitz is the President and CEO of the Aerospace Corporation, the only federally-funded research and development center for the United States’ space enterprise. A highly-regarded leader in the government, private, space, and technology sectors, Steve has served in prominent roles. These include serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the U.S. Department of Energy from 2007 to 2011 and the President of Virgin Galactic from 2011 to 2016. He was also the Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration at NASA—a position he held from 2002 to 2006. Steve completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has been awarded various accolades in recognition of his work, including NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal and the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award.
Steve joins us today to discuss the new space age. You’ll learn how his career in engineering was ignited by the Apollo mission and Stanley Kubrick’s classic film, 2001: A Space Odyssey. He discusses how seemingly random events and small kindnesses helped sustain his childhood interests. He describes the congested, contested, and commercial aerospace environment. He explains the notion of space as a service rather than a place and explores the topic of mining the moon. You’ll also gain insight into why space exploration is a great unifier of nations and how finding the right mentors can help spark your passion.
“People think of space as ‘limitless,’ but as we do more in it, we need more global effort to regulate what we do in lower orbits and be more responsible.” - Steve Isakowitz
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The young Steve Isakowitz and his journey into the aerospace industry
- One of the biggest challenges of the U.S. space program
- Why sports are a great way to learn organizational management
- Steve’s academic path and the importance of mentors in your career
- His stints in government and the lessons he learned from them
- The 1986 Challenger explosion and how government policies drive the space industry
- Steve’s thoughts on space tourism and cleaning debris in the low Earth orbit
- The Long Duration Exposure Facility and how many countries participate in space programs
- The evolving business dynamics of the space industry
- International cooperation and science diplomacy through space programs
- The ISRU and the plans to mine the moon
- Steve’s favorite math equation and his love for The Martian
- His advice to young people for navigating life and career
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Education is the one thing that can’t be taken from you.” - Steve Isakowitz
- “It’s one thing to have the ‘spark,’ but it’s the little things along the way that make the difference— that keep the fire burning in you and make you want to keep going.” - Steve Isakowitz
Connect with Steve Isakowitz:
- Aerospace
- Aerospace on LinkedIn
- Aerospace on Instagram
- Aerospace on Facebook
- Aerospace on Twitter
- Steve Isakowitz on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a celebrity? Have you ever dreamed of getting all that attention and what you’d make of the fuss about you? From a very young age I’ve been skeptical of celebrity status and aware of the warning to not believe your own PR—and this warning was proven right and wise when I was an astronaut, a role where using your image and position is part of the job.
In this episode, you’ll hear about a hilarious experience that exemplifies why you shouldn’t believe in your own PR. I also underscore the importance of following your internal compass and the advice of people who genuinely care for you.
“Don’t be fooled by courtesies and attention. Examine and test the motivations of the people providing you with that attention.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The Space Day Extravaganza in the late fall of 1985
- How Space Day became Kathy Sullivan Day
- Why you shouldn’t believe your own PR
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Follow your internal compass and your highest values. Be guided by the counsel of people who are consistently and genuinely motivated to support you simply because you’re you.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “Using the power of our image and position to inspire the public is part of an astronaut’s job.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marty Wikstrom is a founding partner of Atelier Fund, an organization that specializes in the acquisition and development of luxury brands. She is a seasoned brand and retail executive with over three decades of experience in executive roles. She serves as a board director for the World Wide Web Foundation, Fortnum & Mason, Johnstons of Elgin, the Rug Company, Farrow & Ball, and Harrys of London, Ltd. Marty has also served as the Managing Director and Interim Chief Executive Officer of Harrods, making her their only female director in 182 years of business.
Marty joins us today to share her remarkable journey in retail and leadership. You’ll hear about her background and how her passion for sports, fashion, and leadership eventually led her to the world of luxury goods. She outlines the lessons she learned from being a part of a complex organization in the retail and fashion industry. You’ll also gain insight on the importance of overcoming the fear of failure and the power of curiosity and hard work.
“It wasn’t competing against others but competing against myself—and a standard of excellence—that mattered to me.” - Marty Wikstrom
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The five-year-old Marty Wikstrom and her remarkable journey in retail and leadership
- Her early interest in fashion, sports, and leadership
- How expectations of women and girls have changed over time
- Marty’s post-college career track to Nordstrom
- Why Marty stayed with Nordstrom for over 20 years
- What merchandising and sell-through mean
- Marty’s move to England and becoming Assistant Managing Director at Harrods
- The most difficult change Marty made at Harrods
- The difference between an entrepreneurial and a public company
- What it’s like to be a business leader in the hyper luxury world
- The NASA of watchmaking and what luxury means to Marty
- Unconscious bias and what it’s like to be the only woman in a boardroom
- Marty’s move to launch her own fund for developing luxury brands
- Why Marty feels happy about women entering leadership roles in organizations today
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “When you look around in a room and no one looks like you, it might be by design.” - Marty Wikstrom
- “The things that sustained me in my life are extreme curiosity and hard work.” - Marty Wikstrom
Connect with Marty Wikstrom:
- World Wide Web Foundation
- World Wide Web Foundation on LinkedIn
- World Wide Web Foundation on Twitter
- World Wide Web Foundation on Facebook
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What are the elements of leadership? How can you develop an environment where everyone can blossom and collaborate toward mission success? Such were the questions I considered as Dr. Trevor Brown—Dean of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at Ohio State University—turned the tables on me. A few months ago, Dr. Brown asked me to be a guest on his podcast, where we discussed what it means to be a leader in a complex organization.
In this episode, you’ll hear about my conversation with Dr. Brown where we discussed leadership and public service. I outline the key ingredients of leadership and explain why it is not a title. I describe my time at NASA and what it was like to be a woman in a male-dominated environment. I discuss why compelling and challenging leadership isn’t the only way to achieve excellence and how fostering the spirit of collaboration encourages growth. You’ll also learn what inspires me to serve and hear my advice to young people entering the world of public service.
“The elements of leadership are responsibility, situational awareness, and initiative; the more everybody brings these to the table, the better off any enterprise would be.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Being the most “vertical” person in the world
- Defining leadership and its key ingredients
- My time at NASA and what it’s like to be a woman in a male-dominated organization
- How I learned to have initiative at NASA
- Why being a “yes person” to appease someone’s ego is too risky
- Compelling and challenging leadership and its impact
- The organizational and leadership shifts I made when I became Chief Scientist at NOAA
- Fostering confidence and initiative in a team
- The skills and abilities required for a technical leader in a political environment
Resources Mentioned:
- Leadership Forum Podcast with Dr. Trevor Brown
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Learn more and learn how to communicate effectively together.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “Resolve that you’ll be a perpetual learner and not just an executor of work. Expand your radius to topics, people, communities, and places you don’t know.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “You’re going to make mistakes and things will be messy; it’s the way of life and not a reflection of you. Take mistakes and setbacks as catalysts for new growth, not as a verdict.” - Kathy Sullivan
Related Content:
- The Apollo 13 Mission with Gerry Griffin
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Raynald Aeschlimann is the President and CEO of Omega Ltd., a company of The Swatch Group. Raynald began his career in Omega in 1996 as a Sales and Marketing Project Manager. He served as the Brand Manager of Omega and Blancpain Spain in 2000 before becoming the Vice President and International Director of Sales, Retail, and Distribution in 2001. Today, in addition to his role as President of Omega, Raynald oversees Swatch Group France and Swatch Group Monaco Les Boutiques while serving as a member of the Extended Group Management Board of the Company.
Raynald joins me today to discuss the pure democracy of our most precious commodity: time. You’ll hear about his passion for mechanical watches and the artistry involved in timekeeping. He explains how leadership can be learned, describes his leadership style, and discusses the value of trust. You’ll also learn about the importance of balancing emotion and rationality as well as what makes time precious.
“It is an honor to measure the passing of time. As time ticks, it witnesses the evolution of your life—this is why time is precious.” - Raynald Aeschlimann
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Raynald’s love for mechanical watches and Omega’s support for space exploration
- The first watch worn on the moon
- Raynald’s relationship with time and what it means to him
- Understanding the uniqueness of Omega watches
- Raynald’s leadership style and how he makes decisions
- The value of inspiration, delegation, and trust
- Raynald’s favorite watch
- My favorite watch story
- Creating an interplanetary watch
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “You can’t only be emotional, nor can you be only rational; you have to structure a space for what’s factual, which would later allow for what’s emotional to come.” - Raynald Aeschlimann
- “You can learn to be a leader. Believe in delegation and care. Trust with inspiration and substance.” - Raynald Aeschlimann
Connect with Raynald Aeschlimann:
- Omega
- Omega on LinkedIn
- Omega on Twitter
- Omega on YouTube
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Raynald Aeschlimann is the President and CEO of Omega Ltd., a company of the world’s leading watch manufacturer, The Swatch Group. Raynald joined the organization in 1996 as its Sales and Marketing Project Manager and later became Vice President and International Director of Sales, Retail, and Distribution before ultimately becoming CEO. Prior to joining Omega, Raynald worked at Longines and Complementa AG from 1992 to 1996. In addition to his work with Omega, Raynald serves on the Executive Board of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH.
Raynald joins us today to discuss the cooperative model of business as instituted by Nicolas Hayek in the 1980s. You’ll hear him describe his background and how his upbringing informs his social conscience and his philosophy on cooperation. Raynald also highlights how Nicolas Hayek saved the Swiss watch factory from bankruptcy in the face of competition with Japan and underscores how the Swatch Group is promoting the spirit of cooperation in the watchmaking industry.
“The success of our colleagues is our success.” - Raynald Aeschlimann
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Raynald’s background: growing up in a factory town and his family’s watchmaking history
- Raynald’s experiences with the educational system and culture in Switzerland
- How Raynald’s life path crystalized
- The socially-conscious investor mindset and why Raynald left his dream of becoming a doctor
- The foundation of the Swatch group and revolutionizing the watch industry
- How Nicolas Hayek saved the Swiss watch industry
- How the Swatch Group of Companies is promoting cooperation in the Swiss watchmaking industry
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Nicolas Hayek created not just another watch, but a concept that would be revolutionary, creating a community—a symbol of emotion, success, and meaning.” - Raynald Aeschlimann
- “Rather than our watches, it’s more important to talk about our craftsmen, our mechanical specialists, our master watchmakers, and our suppliers—all who are part of the same group.” - Raynald Aeschlimann
Connect with Raynald Aeschlimann:
- Omega
- Omega on LinkedIn
- Omega on Twitter
- Omega on YouTube
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Gerald Griffin is the former Director of the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston. During NASA’s Apollo Program, Gerry was the Flight Director in Mission Control and served in this capacity for all the Apollo manned missions. He was the Lead Flight Director for the lunar landing missions Apollo 12, 15, & 17. Gerry also led one of the teams of flight controllers who were responsible for the safe return of the astronauts of Apollo 13, which was canceled after an oxygen tank explosion. Many years later, Gerry was selected by Ron Howard to be the technical adviser for the film, Apollo 13, starring Tom Hanks. Today, Gerry is an independent technical and management consultant for a broad range of clients, including Korn/Ferry International.
Gerry joins us today to discuss his experience working on the Apollo 13 mission. He describes what inspired him to study aviation and aeronautical engineering and shares an insider look at the Apollo 13 film. You’ll hear his wisdom on leadership, trust, and culture, and the key differences between public and private organizations. Gerry also highlights what the “Era of We” is and underscores why preparation is vital to doing anything in life.
“Apollo 13 was the ultimate test of mission control, the astronauts, and everything else below us.” - Gerry Griffin
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Gerry’s background and what inspired him to study aeronautical engineering and aviation
- What Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) does and its responsibilities
- A lesson on leadership from Gerry’s time as a flight director
- The Apollo 13 mission and the value of long years of training and simulation
- The “Era of We” and the importance of teamwork and preparation
- Gerry’s experience working on the Apollo 13 film and how he became its technical advisor
- How Apollo 13 launched Gerry’s career in film
- His work on Deep Impact
- What skills Gerry brought from NASA when he pivoted to the private sector
- The key similarities and differences in organizational culture between the public and private sectors
- How the private sector thrives on competition
- What competition was like in the NASA family
- Gerry’s advice to the next generation of leaders
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Astronauts and flight controllers aren’t afraid of dying. But they know they’re in a high-risk business, and so their greatest fear is making a mistake in front of their peers.” - Gerry Griffin
- “A true leader inspires you to do your best. Managers manage things and projects, but leaders lead people.” - Gerry Griffin
Connect with Gerry Griffin:
- Gerry Griffin on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In 1987, I attended a formal Air Force dinner that ended in a hilarious moment—me wearing a baked potato on my dress. But there’s an old saying about stories: there’s your version, my version, and the truth. Ray Belz, the pilot who flung the potato in question, remembers the events of the evening differently. Yet, whatever the truth of the matter is, the big things remain inconvertible: Ray scored a direct hit, I started it—and we both love telling the story.
In this episode, I share the story of how I ended up wearing a baked potato during a formal Air Force dinner, as well as Ray’s version of the story. I also underscore the importance of not taking yourself too seriously and offer some public speaking advice from the night.
“99% of the time, even the most embarrassing moment or mistake is just that—a moment or a mistake, not a life sentence.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- What a “dining-in” means in the military and what led me to give a dinner talk in one
- Why I decided to ad-lib on my dinner talk for a formal Air Force dinner
- Floating dinner rolls and playing with your food in zero gravity
- Demonstrating how food floats in zero gravity to a formal dinner audience on Earth
- The Potato-throwing Pilot and the brand-new Couth Award
- Public speaking lessons from the night
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “If you plan to speak in public, it’s crucial to understand your audience and read the room. Be intentional about whether it’s best to match that or upend expectations.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “If you’d like to use this podcast as inspiration to start a food fight, I’d be honored. You have my blessing.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Megan Kilgore is the first woman to be elected as the City Auditor for the City of Columbus, Ohio, a position she has been serving since 2017. She is also an adjunct professor at The Ohio State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science before completing her Master of Public Administration degree at Northwestern University. Before she was elected City Auditor, Megan worked on Wall Street as the Principal Municipal Advisor for HJ Umbaugh & Associates and the Assistant City Auditor of Columbus, a role wherein she was responsible for the management and payment of all debt services for the city.
Megan joins me today to discuss what it’s like to be the City Auditor of Columbus, Ohio. You’ll learn what her mother taught her about leadership and how she developed her acumen for economics. You’ll gain insight into how the pandemic impacted the city as well as the true costs of inequality. Megan also shares the women leaders who inspired her as a child and underscores the impact of socioeconomic diversity on a city’s wellbeing.
“The spirit of our communities lies with our people, and we have to see how they're doing, how they’re feeling, what they’re concerned about, and how they’re living.” - Megan Kilgore
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- What drew Megan to Margaret Thatcher and other women leaders when she was growing up
- How Megan’s mother inspired her to serve the public
- How young Megan was when she thought about public service for the first time
- Megan’s first experience volunteering for a political campaign
- Where and how Megan developed her acumen for economics
- The “what,” “why,” and “how” of running for office
- What led Megan to run for an elected office in the city government of Columbus
- Megan’s years in Wall Street and her advice on approaching complex problems
- What a city auditor does and why Megan needs to apply the business principles of a Fortune 500 company as an auditor
- How Columbus’ income tax was impacted by the pandemic and how they navigated through it
- The true cost of inequality and restrictive policies in a city
- How innovation, creativity, and talent grow a city’s economic development
- Interpersonal dynamics and working across political boundaries
- Creating a center of social entrepreneurship in Columbus
- Bridging the digital divide in a community and the daily life of a city auditor
- Megan’s goals for Columbus in 2022
- Finding a greater sense of common purpose amidst a hyper-partisan world
- How Megan’s mentor continues to inspire her as a leader
- Her advice for someone in the early stages of their career
- How to re-prioritize compassion and empathy through the pandemic
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Ensure that we’re doing the best we can to not only grow the economic wellbeing of our city, but also of our people, because the stronger our people, the stronger our tax base will be.” - Megan Kilgore
- “There is something innate in you that is fulfilled by the ability to serve. So, when you have the calling, run for office.” - Megan Kilgore
Connect with Megan Kilgore:
- City of Columbus
- City of Columbus on LinkedIn
- City of Columbus on Facebook
- City of Columbus on Twitter
- City of Columbus on YouTube
- Megan Kilgore on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever been so ecstatically happy about something that you just couldn’t contain your excitement? I sure have. And on that occasion, the legendary comic and actor, Robin Williams, helped me express my joy.
The year was 1988, and the source of my glee was the impending launch of the space shuttle mission STS-26. The seventh flight of the orbiter Discovery was an event that would mark the end of two of the darkest and hardest years for every astronaut and their families.
In this episode, I share how Robin Williams helped me create a clever wake-up call for the Discovery crew. You’ll learn about the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and why the STS-26 mission is considered a “Return to Flight” mission. I reveal what a NASA CapCom does and why it’s one of the most fun jobs ever. You’ll also hear me discuss how I tapped my network to work with Robin Williams, recordings of the wake-up call for Discovery, and the aftermath of the event.
“After two and a half painful years, American astronauts would finally be in orbit again. I knew how I’d feel when they launched, and was sure that people in the US would feel the same. What tune would convey that feeling?” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster of 1986
- What it took to enable the “Return to Flight” STS-26 mission
- My direct role in the STS-26 mission
- What a CapCom is and what makes it a fun job
- Planning clever ways to wake up the Discovery crew
- How I tapped my network to reach Robin Williams and Mike Cahill
- Recordings of Robin Williams’ wake-up call for the Discovery crew
- How the music industry and Willie Nelson caught wind of the Robin Williams wake-up call
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Having a real crew raised peoples’ hopes and put human faces on that still distant goal of getting back to space.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “Being a CapCom is a fun job. You’re so tightly connected to the crew and the mission events that you’re essentially living the mission with them—well, minus the view and zero gravity, of course.” - Kathy Sullivan
Resources Mentioned:
- YouTube: Robin Williams STS-26 “Good Morning Discovery” wake-up call
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Alan Stern is the Co-founder and Chief Scientist of World View, the leading stratospheric technology company in the world. Alan has been involved in several missions, including the New Horizons mission—a multi-decade undertaking Alan led to send the first spacecraft to Pluto. Alan was inducted into the Colorado Space Hall of Fame and hailed as one of the 100 Most Influential People by Time Magazine in 2007.
Alan joins me today to discuss his journey to leading New Horizonsand the road to his first spaceflight. You’ll hear about how his childhood experiences molded his desire to become an astronaut and his struggles with formal education. He explains what led him to co-found World View. He also highlights what it takes—and what it means—to explore our solar system and shares what the New Horizons mission discovered at Pluto.
“Excel at whatever you choose to do, whether it’s astronomy, oceanography, or atmospheric science. Be at the top, get yourself in gear, and set yourself apart.” - Alan Stern
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Alan’s childhood years and what inspired him to be part of space exploration
- The first book Alan wrote and his struggles with formal education
- The road to Alan’s first spaceflight
- The difference between a mission specialist and a payload specialist
- How New Horizons was started and how Alan was selected for the mission
- What stratospheric ballooning is and what led Alan to co-found World View
- How stratospheric ballooning works and its advantages over satellite surveillance
- Meeting Richard Branson for the first time and what sub-orbital flight trajectory means
- Alan’s advice to young people who dream of spaceflight
- The role of studying English in a scientific career
- Thinking about the size of the solar system and why Pluto matters
- The geometry, physics, timing, and manpower involved in sending New Horizonsto Pluto
- The hibernation technique and what the New Horizons mission discovered about Pluto
- Spaceflight traditions, superstitions, and the value of community
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Follow your heart. If it’s a burning desire, you can do anything. It doesn’t matter what it is—people excel at things they love and are driven to do.” - Alan Stern
- “An important part of being a good scientist is writing and speaking. You have to know how to organize your thoughts into writing.” - Alan Stern
Connect with Alan Stern:
- World View Space
- Book: Chasing New Horizons: Inside the Epic First Mission to Pluto
- World View on LinkedIn
- World View on Instagram
- World View on Facebook
- World View on Twitter
- World View on YouTube
- Alan Stern on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I never missed an episode of Star Trek when I was young. I grew up watching Captain James T. Kirk and his crew aboard the Starship Enterprise while they explored the universe and defended the Federation. I also loved the Star Wars films and distinctly remember watching the starfighter combat and how Luke Skywalker destroyed the Death Star with photon torpedoes. But never had I imagined while watching them that I would someday fly in space, much less that one of my missions would involve photon torpedoes and presenting an Oscar to George Lucas himself.
Well, not really photon torpedoes, of course, but something close enough—if not more fascinating.
In this episode, you’ll hear about my Oscar turn with George Lucas and some of my most treasured memories from my third mission in space. I explain how we prepared to present an Oscar to George Lucas while in orbit. I also reveal why sentences ending in “that” are forbidden in spaceflight and share the beauty of experiencing science.
“You can’t help but think of Star Wars when you get to present an Oscar to George Lucas, and we were definitely thinking of it when the time came to power up our electron beam experiment.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Stowing George Lucas’s Oscar aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis
- Our electron beam experiment and one of the most sacred rules of spaceflight
- Maxwell’s equation and the beauty of experiencing science
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Understanding an equation intellectually is one thing; seeing the behavior with your own eyes as you soar hundreds of miles above a planet at 17,500 miles an hour—that’s quite another thing.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “One of the most sacred rules of spaceflight: there shall be no sentences ending in the word ‘that.’ Such a sentence is guaranteed to give a heart attack to every crewmember who can’t see whatever portents of impending doom triggered your outburst.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jeni Britton is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. A pioneer of the artisan ice cream movement, Jeni opened her first ice cream shop, Scream, in 1996, before founding Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in 2002. She is the author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling book, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home, which won the James Beard Award in 2012.
Jeni joins me today to discuss the art and science of ice cream and life. She describes how her introduction to the world of scent led her to start an ice cream production company. You’ll hear about her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges she met along the way, and how she overcame them. You’ll also learn why creatives should spend time on input and the importance of cultivating trust between a business and its customers.
“Flavors can come from anywhere, not just from ice cream. It can come from colors, stories, sentences, images, or cultures. There’s never an end.” - Jeni Britton
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- How falling in love with the world of scent ignited Jeni’s passion for ice cream
- What “noses” are and how they’re different from perfumers
- The mechanisms behind smelling and how scents can transport us to a different time and place
- Jeni’s childhood and early experiences with her keen sense of smell
- What influenced Jeni to start a business
- Moments of massive importance and Jeni’s first explorations with perfume
- Self-education, trial-and-error, and how Jeni learned about the science of ice cream
- The barriers and resistance she met in her entrepreneurial journey
- Jeni’s first business partner and scoop shop
- How entrepreneurs can build trust between customers and their business
- Incorporating Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and how they create new ice cream flavors
- How Jeni works in her test kitchen and the importance of naming their products
- The role of science in creativity
- How Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams reacted to the Listeria panic
- The ice cream flavor that best represents Jeni and how Roald Dahl inspires her
- The Bronze Goddess Sundae and why Jeni built her business as a benefit company
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “My grandmother said, ‘if you can’t get a job, make a job.’ And that’s what entrepreneurship is.” - Jeni Britton
- “The best creative people are the ones who spend time on input.” - Jeni Britton
Connect with Jeni Britton:
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
- Book: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams on LinkedIn
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams on Instagram
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams on Facebook
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams on Twitter
- Jeni Britton on LinkedIn
- Jeni Britton on Instagram
- Jeni Britton on Facebook
- Jeni Britton on Twitter
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In October of 1984, I became the first American woman to walk in space. But, before this became possible, I had to face and overcome a hurdle that presented itself the moment I was given the assignment: NASA’s medical research team saw a problem that not only could have stopped me from the assignment—it could have ruled out all women from spacewalking.
In this episode, I describe how I became the first woman to walk in space and how bias in medical reporting almost prevented all women astronauts from spacewalking. You’ll learn what an altitude chamber test is and why airlines always tell you to put your mask on first before helping others. I describe why spacewalking is high-risk and outline some conditions that make individuals more susceptible to the bends. You’ll also gain insight on handling problems—even if they seem personal—with a level head and why leaders should focus on the root cause of problems.
“Peel away the layers, think carefully about what’s causing what, and get to the root of the issue. You’ll often find that a lot of the mess and noise falls away when you tackle the root problem.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The rarity of the space flying experience
- Why spacewalks are only done when necessary
- The early days of women flying in space
- The first problem I encountered when I was given the spacewalk assignment
- How to handle problems when they seem personal
- What a pre-breathe is and how spacewalkers are trained to fix emergencies
- What it means to keep the main thing “the main thing”
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “Figuring out what the main thing is amid a swirling cloud of detail and loud voices can be difficult, but it’s important for leaders.” - Kathy Sullivan
- “Keep yourself and your team focused. Fight the right battle and solve the root of the problem.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Helen Scales is a British marine biologist, writer, and broadcaster. Her passion for underwater exploration started when she learned to scuba dive as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program. Throughout her illustrious career, she has worked with the World Wide Fund for Nature, TRAFFIC International, and Natural England. Helen is also the author of The Brilliant Abyss: Exploring the Majestic Hidden Life of the Deep Ocean, and the Looming Threat That Imperils It, which explores the majesty and mystery of an underwater world few are privileged to see.
Helen joins me today to discuss her passion for ocean exploration and the inspiration behind her books. She shares how being in love with the ocean shaped her hobbies and career interests. You’ll hear about the dives she did in various tropical countries and the marine conservation programs she and her team helped fund along the way. She explains her concern about marine wildlife welfare and why people should take marine conservation seriously. You’ll also gain insight on Helen’s thoughts on deep diving and books she has planned in the future.
"What I would love to see is more people celebrating the joyous wonder of the ocean and what lives there—not how we can conquer it or make money out of it." - Helen Scales
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Where Helen's passion for sea exploration started
- Collecting shells, painting them, and other ocean-related hobbies
- Marine-related careers that run in Helen's family
- The rise of green awareness in the '90s
- How to earn the Duke of Edinburgh's Award
- Helen's personal rating of her writing skills
- Doing dives in Belize and other countries, finishing her PhD, and helping kids along the way
- Exploring tropical countries and helping them refine their tourism programs
- Helen's first encounter with a seahorse
- Helen's thoughts on the lack of marine conservation awareness
- Why Helen looks forward to blackwater diving
- Deep diving in the abyss and overcoming claustrophobia
- Helen answers lightning round questions
- The one thing Helen wants people to know about the ocean
- The books Helen intends to write in the future
Connect with Helen Scales:
- Helen Scales Official Website
- Book: The Brilliant Abyss: Exploring the Majestic Hidden Life of the Deep Ocean, and the Looming Threat That Imperils It
- Book: The Great Barrier Reef
- Helen Scales on Instagram
- Helen Scales on Twitter
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones, finding warmth during the coldest time of year. In my case, I found warmth in the coldest place on Earth: Antarctica. It wasn’t my first time in this icy cold desert, but it never ceases to make me in awe of its sights and experiences. There's just something about this place that keeps me coming back. Happy New Year to you all, and thank you for listening to this episode.
In this episode, I share how I spent my winter holiday among penguins, whales, and the people I love. You’ll hear about my adventures, beginning with penguins and how, in the Arctic’s silence, we could listen to their footsteps. I recall how magnificent whales were when they ate together like a family. I also explain what you should plan for when making a trip to Antarctica, especially regarding the people in charge of the boat.
"Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime destination for many folks, but this was my sixth time exploring there." - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Spending my winter holiday with penguins
- Why penguins fascinate me
- How penguin families live
- Why Antarctica never gets old for me
- What it was like hearing penguin footsteps
- What lunge-feeding whales look like and how they eat together
- What to consider when planning a trip to Antarctica
Resources Mentioned:
- Gerlache Strait
- Drake Passage
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Manson Brown became the first African American Vice Admiral in the US Coast Guard in May 2012. Despite not knowing how to swim, Manson set his sights on the Coast Guard. Utilizing his tenacity and passion, he became the first African American student body leader in 1977. After he retired from the Coast Guard in 2014, President Barack Obama appointed him to the NOAA and he served as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction until his retirement in 2017.
Manson joins me today to share his experience being an African American in the ’70s and how he coped with discrimination in his youth. You’ll learn why he wanted to join the Coast Guard and how his experience in high school prepared him for the academy. He describes the unforgettable conversation he had with a colleague who didn’t like him for his skin color. You’ll also hear Manson reflect on his career in the NOAA, what he learned from working with bright minds, and his thoughts on how Americans perceive the climate change threat.
“Some of the rage I remember having converted to passion to get my piece of the American Dream. I thank my high school for that." - Manson Brown
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Who Manson Brown is, his childhood, and his career milestones
- How Manson was raised and what the '70s were like for African Americans
- Joining the Coast Guard despite not knowing how to swim
- The notable memories Manson recalls from his time in the Coast Guard Academy
- Experiencing racism in the Coast Guard and his conversation with a chief petty officer
- The first moment of leadership strength in Manson's career
- What Manson learned from working with someone who didn’t like African Americans
- Manson's time with the NOAA and the cultural differences he noticed
- Working together for diversity and inclusion
- Where Manson's interest in cycling started
- Moments that stand out in Manson's time in the NOAA
- Manson's thoughts on climate change and what he wants America to realize
- How Manson has been spending his time lately
Connect with Manson Brown:
- Manson Brown on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This past year has been more or less better than its predecessor. Looking at the silver linings, 2021 opened many doors to people who didn’t know those doors even existed. In that same light, the previous year was when I became a podcast host, allowing me to interview amazing people who do extraordinary things that benefit society and the world. With that in mind, I figured the best way to start this new year is by turning the tables and answering the questions some of my beloved guests asked me.
In this episode, I reflect on the past year, what it taught me, and the guests I’ve had excellent opportunities to interview. You’ll hear some questions my guests asked me, with tiny bits and pieces of my life experience as well. I describe why bioengineering should be our technological priority, how arts and crafts affected my development, and why we’re all crew members aboard this spaceship called Earth. You’ll also receive leadership advice pertaining to self-doubt.
"No one can speak as honestly about what you have done than you yourself." - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Reflecting on the various guests I've interviewed in 2021 and answering their questions
- The future technology I think humanity should be investing right now
- Health and economic benefits of investing in bioengineering in the long-term
- The role of the arts in my personal and professional development
- Being a crew member of Earth and knowing how our life support system works
- Ocean acidification and how it threatens all life on Earth
- What I wanted my life to be like as a child
- My childhood fascination for learning languages and how it tied to my dreams of exploration
- My advice for dealing with being overlooked or underestimated
- The person who made writing my doctoral thesis difficult
- One of the main reasons I left NASA
Resources Mentioned:
- Episode 11: Kathy Sullivan Explores… Mountain Climbing, Deep Ocean Diving & The Purpose of Life with Victor Vescovo
- Episode 9: Kathy Sullivan Explores… Performing in and Running a Theater Group with Stacie Boord
- Episode 7: Kathy Sullivan Explores... Children, Writing, and Elephants with Kim Frank
- Episode 19: Kathy Sullivan Explores… The Unknown North with Jennifer Kingsley
- Episode 25: Kathy Sullivan Explores…The Courage to Step Out with Dawn Wright
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Homer Hickam is an author and war veteran who has helped train and prepare astronauts for real space missions and exercises. One of his books, Rocket Boys, was adapted into the Hollywood film, October Sky. He continues to entertain and relate with stories of struggle and fulfillment in Don’t Blow Yourself Up, a bookabout his life as a budding writer.
In Part 2 of my interview, you’ll hear Homer describe his career as an astronaut trainer, what astronauts should know regarding their spacesuits, and the time he trained a late-night talk show host for an underwater episode. He provides his thoughts on space camps and what he observed about students in one of those programs. You’ll gain insight to the experience of training foreigners in Japan and Russia, and their cultural differences from America. Homer also explains his fascination with SpaceX, the Moon, and why we should be cautious about space tourism.
"There's no such thing as a perfectly safe rocket." - Homer Hickam
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- What it was like being a "pretend astronaut" while in training
- What astronauts should expect when wearing spacesuits
- Why getting into foot restraints wasn't an easy experience
- The time Homer trained David Letterman for an underwater episode
- Space camps: who started them and Homer's realizations them
- The difference between astronaut training cultures in the US and Japan
- Homer's experience with Russian cosmonauts
- Homer's thoughts on space tourism and the possibilities of mining the Moon
- Why there's no such thing as a safe rocket launch
- Why Homer says SpaceX is a special company capable of extraordinary things
- The future of humanity in space
Connect with Homer Hickam:
- Homer Hickam Website
- Book: Don’t Blow Yourself Up
- Homer Hickam on Twitter
- Homer Hickam on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sometimes, all we need is a small gesture of kindness to open the doors to incredible opportunities. Being on the receiving end of generosity always feels good, but we also have to remember that giving kindness is just as gratifying as receiving it. This brings me back to when a small favor I did someone wound up being one of the best things to ever happen to them.
In this episode, you’ll see how one small act of kindness can be someone’s window of opportunity for something greater. You’ll learn about Ron Sheffield, what he did for NASA, and why he’s one of the reasons the Hubble Space Telescope has remained relatively error-free. I remember the repair and maintenance training we did, the day we launched, and the warmth we received shortly after the successful mission. I also explain the importance of giving and how it can change the world.
"We were keenly aware that we were the last human beings who could test tools and procedures on the actual Hubble telescope." - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Ron Sheffield and his work at Lockheed
- Simulating future repair mission preparations
- Ron's technical judgment and his passion for the Hubble mission
- Knowing when to question authority on important decisions
- The three years of scorn resulting from Hubble’s "blurry vision"
- The effect of the successful Hubble repair mission in 1993
- Giving credit where it is due to Ron's team
- How the gift of care can change the world for the better
Resources Mentioned:
- Hubblesite: Servicing Missions
- Ronald L. Sheffield
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Homer Hickam has famously authored many books. His notable works include, Torpedo Junction, Rocket Boys—a book about his childhood which was eventually adapted into the Hollywood film, October Sky—andthe recently published Don’t Blow Yourself Up, a memoir of his experiences and struggles as a writer. Besides being a highly successful novelist, Homer is also a war veteran and scuba instructor who has worked with NASA in spacecraft design and crew training.
In part 1 of this episode, you’ll hear about Homer’s triple life as he describes his experiences as a writer, diver, and NASA spacecraft designer. He shares his love for reading and how it influenced his passion for writing. He recounts his experiences in the army and the frightening story of his first dive. He describes the shipwrecks he found in his dives and how they inspired him to write Torpedo Junction. You’ll also get insight into our time working together in NASA.
"Sometimes, ignorance is not only bliss; it's also an advantage." - Homer Hickam
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Who Homer Hickam is and how he led a triple life
- The memoir Hollywood is set to adapt into a film
- Homer's love for reading and how it segued into writing
- Homer’s education, army service, scuba diving, and other experiences
- Writing a story about the battle against U-Boats during World War 2
- Homer's writing history and how shipwrecks inspired him to write his first book
- The amazing story of his first scuba dive and the wrecks he explored
- When Homer received a job offer from NASA
- Revisiting the time Homer and I worked together as divers
- Writing Rocket Boys and what it was like reliving his childhood
- How curriculum changed after Sputnik
Resources Mentioned:
- Film: October Sky
Connect with Homer Hickam:
- Homer Hickam Website
- Book: Torpedo Junction
- Book:Rocket Boys
- Homer Hickam on Twitter
- Homer Hickam on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Some say trust is rarely given twice, but every day we trust people to do their roles—whether in public transportation or keeping the internet stable—so our daily tasks aren’t interrupted. You shouldn’t give your trust to anyone, let alone a group of strangers, but sometimes you have no other choice. How do you know if the people you work with are trustworthy?
Today, I recall the story of Space Shuttle Discovery, mission STS-31, and how it made me recognize the elite group I’m part of. I describe the kind of people astronauts trust their lives with. You’ll hear about the time our second launch date was almost scrapped and how one outstanding engineer knew better than the machine that told him “no.” I also discuss the importance of appreciating being part of such an elite circle.
"Grand achievements are never solo acts." - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The trust we give to people in our everyday lives
- The people we trust as astronauts
- When our first launch date was canceled, what caused it, and key takeaways
- Trusting the engineer who made the right call on our second launch date
- How the engineer used his knowledge in physics to override a computer program
- The privilege of being part of an elite group of people
Resources Mentioned:
- Hubble Space Telescope Launch, April 24, 1990
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Craig Foster is a leading natural history filmmaker and the Co-founder of the Sea Change Project, a company that seeks to remind people of their place nature, especially the sea. They raise awareness through storytelling rather than figures and analytics, resulting in a stronger focus on ocean protection. Craig’s film, My Octopus Teacher, was nominated for an Oscar and won the Golden Panda, Grand Teton, and PGA. The film tells the story of the year he spent with a wild octopus and what he learned from this magnificent creature.
In today’s episode, Craig shares his passion for the sea and recalls how he got into filmmaking. You’ll hear about the time he met and filmed with the oldest group of people on our planet and what aspect of their culture piqued his interest. He remembers his time in the navy, the struggles of being a young filmmaker, and why he returned to Africa. He recounts the time he encountered “The Octopus” and what motivated him to film its life. You’ll also receive insight on global issues the world is facing and what we can do to help future generations.
"When you fall in love with the wild, that's the question you ask: How do we change human behavior?" - Craig Foster
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Craig's childhood, his life in South Africa, and his love for the sea
- Why Craig didn't like school as a kid
- Where his interest in filmmaking and storytelling started
- Meeting the "oldest people" on our planet
- The most interesting part of hunter-gatherer cultures
- Craig's experience in the navy, his life in Europe as a filmmaker, and his return to Africa
- Getting to know Craig's childhood animals on a deeper level
- What it was like being a cold water free diver
- Encountering “The Octopus”
- The first animal whose track he recognized
- Understanding biodiversity as a member of it
- How his experiences and journeys affected his son's perception of the world
- Craig's thoughts on the future and why it can be terrifying for humans
- How science and storytelling can help people change their ways
- How media has portrayed nature as a dangerous entity
- What Sea Change is and their projects
Connect with Craig Foster:
- Sea Change Project
- Film: My Octopus Teacher
- Sea Change Project on Instagram
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Society requires a certain degree of compliance from people to avoid a collapse into anarchy and chaos. However, it’s critical to go rogue every now and then and do the unexpected, especially when it means achieving a higher purpose. How do you become a constructive rogue? What are some of the ways you can reframe a situation to achieve your goals?
In this episode, I recount a moment in my life when I swam against the tides and went rogue. You’ll hear about mission STS-93, the names of critical political guests, and when the First Lady was nowhere to be seen. I describe what the event was like, the number of people invited to witness the launch, and why it had to be rescheduled to three days later. I explain why I had to provide my identity and credentials to a secret service agent. You’ll also receive tips on how you can use reframing triggers to your advantage, especially if you’re a woman.
"Never let someone discount or diminish your credentials, or you." - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The times I feel like going rogue
- The advice I received when it came to doing things differently
- My most memorable use of "rogue" advice
- A-listers who went to the launch of the first shuttle mission commanded by a woman
- My vivid memories of the launch event
- How guests engaged with one another in the pre-smartphone era as the countdown began
- Looking for the First Lady and striking up a conversation with a secret service agent
- The attention I attracted when I went to get a better view of the launch
- Tips that can help you use reframing triggers
- Why letting people know your credentials is not bragging
Resources Mentioned:
- Eileen Collins and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret “Meg” Lowman is a scientist, educator, author, speaker, and nature lover, who is passionate about studying the complexities of trees. She describes herself as an “arbornaut”—one who explores tree canopies. She is the Founding Director of the Tree Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports forest research, exploration, and education in a sustainable manner. Meg is also the author of the book, The Arbornaut: A Life Discovering the Eighth Continent in the Trees Above Us, where she writes about her adventures in the hidden world of treetops.
In this episode, you’ll hear an overview of Meg’s childhood and the hobbies that nurtured her passion for forestry. She describes her school life and recalls the time she chose a college because it had its own forest. She recounts her experience majoring in a field heavily dominated by men and describes how being a mother can change a woman’s career trajectory. You’ll gain insight on Meg’s move to Australia for higher education and the cultural differences she faced. Meg also explains what a tree bicycle is, why trees are actually intelligent and efficient, and why forging relationships with locals is critical in forest conservation.
"What amazes me about trees is there are so many strategies. There's no such thing as a leaf. There's this amazing machine called a tree." - Meg Lowman -
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Meg's childhood and how her hobbies cultivated her passion for studying nature
- What it felt like not being part of the "in crowd” at school
- The life-altering experience she had when she was 12 years old
- How the gender ratio of Meg’s college impacted her
- Meg's advice to women who want to penetrate a male-dominated career
- How being a mother can affect a woman's career trajectory
- Going overseas for higher education and to explore the tropics
- The cultural differences between schools in the US and Australia
- Why it was harder to get a permit for a slingshot than a gun in Australia
- How Meg uses a tree bicycle
- Working in countries where women aren't given equal opportunities
- The complexities and intelligence of trees
- Communities addressing the problems forests encounter
- The best way to make forest conservation work
- Joining Earth Watch and how it helped Meg earn her PhD
- How Meg's children are helping the planet through their business ventures
Resources Mentioned:
- Finch Therapeutics
- Earthwatch
Connect with Margaret Lowman:
- CanopyMeg!
- Book: The Arbornaut: A Life Discovering the Eighth Continent in the Trees Above Us
- Book:Life in the Treetops: Adventures of a Woman in Field Biology
- Margaret Lowman on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Not many realize this, but having your life meticulously planned can be a source of comfort and reassurance. There’s a sense of security in having a map for your future and knowing what happens next. So, you can just imagine how confusing it was for me when the most recent phase of my life ended and I had to decide on what my next phase would entail. Luckily, I had a friend who went through the same phase and, in her journey, she found the best-ever job search hack—I simply had to copy it.
In this episode, I recall the conclusion of my career with NOAA and how I was at a loss on what to do next. You’ll hear about my personal doubts and the dilemma I faced when choosing teaching, going back to the government, or working in Corporate America. I tell the story of my friend who walked the same path I was on and what she did to find her next phase in life. You’ll also learn about how mentoring can make otherwise tricky life decisions easier to reflect on.
"Virtually no one will refuse a courteous request to talk about their world."
- Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Finding my next phase when my current one ended
- Deciding on corporate, academic, or government work
- How my friend figured out her next phase
- My doubts about the corporate world and who helped me overcome them
- Befriending the right people to mentor you for your next phase in life
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tim Dunn is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Terra Alpha Investments, an employee and investor owned investment management firm. Unlike traditional investment firms, Terra Alpha Investments finds companies with the potential to bring long-term, sustainable returns. Having worked almost 20 years in the professional investing space, Tim learned about the limits of our natural systems and the problems being created by our current economic system.
In this episode, you’ll hear about Tim’s childhood experiences. He talks about his interests in foreign service and learning about the world. He describes why he chose to pursue a degree in International Relations. He shares the moment he became interested in studying financial markets and when he encountered the term, “ESG.” You’ll learn about the ways our current economy has made it possible for companies to not be accountable for their damage to our planet. Tim also discusses his thoughts on the future of sustainable investing and its impact.
"There is a path for investors and companies that serves both the broader environmental needs of the community as well as their own financial needs." - Tim Dunn
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Tim's childhood and growing up in a political world
- Why Tim initially wasn't interested in science
- What made Tim have an interest in pursuing International Relations in college
- The moment that made Tim switch from studying foreign policies to financial markets
- Tim's experience studying companies that invested with ESG in mind
- The differences in responsibilities between an asset manager and an investment banker
- The work culture that attracted Tim to the investment industry
- Discovering the world while also learning about global investments
- Investing in businesses based on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions
- Tim's thoughts on ESG awareness in the investment industry
- Tim’s optimism—or lack thereof—toward addressing different ESG issues
- Tim’s message to those who doubt the idea of combining environmentalism and business investments
Connect with Tim Dunn:
- Terra Alpha Investments
- Tim Dunn on LinkedIn
- Email: tpd@terraalphainvestments.com
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sometimes, we can unknowingly be an inspiration to other people. We can inspire them through our work, philosophies in life, or level of success. Most of the time, it can be difficult to believe that there are people who would look up to us, so we don’t notice it. Though we may go a while without realizing our impact on someone’s hopes and dreams, that moment of realization can be profoundly warm and uplifting.
In this episode, I divulge how astronauts train for spacewalks and the ways safety divers are involved. You’ll hear about how safety divers keep astronauts in training safe and the signs of trouble they watch out for. I recall when I received a package from one of the safety divers and why its contents initially confused me. You’ll also learn about the contents of the letter he sent me and why it made me more conscious of the people I have worked with since.
"Don't let the people around you be unseen, unknown, and unheard." - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The importance of safety divers in spacewalking training
- How safety divers know something's wrong
- What goes on during a spacewalk training session
- The surprise package I received
- The letter inside the book a safety diver sent me
- Why the letter made me feel embarrassed
- What I learned from the safety diver's letter.
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: Torpedo Junction: U-Boat War Off America's East Coast, 1942 by Homer H. Hickam Jr.
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nicole Stott is an astronaut and artist, as well as the Director of the Space for Art Foundation, a non-profit organization that creates large-scale space-themed art projects with children from hospitals, refugee centers, and schools worldwide. Their goal is to expand the youth’s interest in space and preservation of the planet. Nicole worked for NASA for over 27 years, serving as an astronaut from 2000-2015. She is also the author of the book, Back to Earth: What Life in Space Taught Me About Our Home Planet - And Our Mission To Protect It, where she recounts her experience seeing the Earth from space and how that moved her to promote efforts in its preservation.
In this episode, you’ll hear about Nicole’s childhood experiences, her hobbies, and what motivated her to be interested in flying planes. She talks about her school life and why she chose to pursue a degree in Engineering Management. You’ll get insight on the processes involved in applying to be an astronaut and why Nicole didn’t get the job the first time. She cites the overwhelming feeling of awe she experiences upon seeing our planet from space. Nicole also discusses her artistic side and how the Space for Art Foundation uses art and space exploration to inspire children.
"Art is a universal communicator. We can talk with anybody about anything if we're using art as the platform" - Nicole Stott
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Revisiting our past astronaut reunions
- What Nicole's life was like as a child and why she was often at an airport
- Nicole's first flight experience
- Nicole's academic life and the hypotheticals she asks herself
- Where Nicole's passion for flying stemmed from
- Why she pursued a degree in Engineering Management
- Nicole's experience helping astronauts learn to fly
- Nicole’s self-doubt when she was dreaming of becoming an astronaut
- Applying to become an astronaut and the selection process
- The difference between staying in space for a few days and a few months
- Why Nicole took watercolors to space over other artistic materials
- Seeing the Earth for the first time as a bright planet in the darkness of space
- What Nicole realized about herself when she saw the Earth from space
- How Stephen Colbert affected her space experience
- How space influences artists
- The motto of the Space for Art Foundation
Connect with Nicole Stott:
- Nicole Stott’s Website
- Book: Back to Earth: What Life in Space Taught Me About Our Home Planet—And Our Mission to Protect It
- Space for Art Foundation
- Space for Art on LinkedIn
- Space for Art on Instagram
- Space for Art on Facebook
- Space for Art on Twitter
- Nicole Stott on LinkedIn
- Nicole Stott on Instagram
- Nicole Stott on Twitter
- Email: nicole.p.stott@gmail.com
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Every one of us has someone we look up to—someone whose qualities and achievements we could only hope to replicate. We respect these people, so it’s difficult to tell them when they get something wrong. Now, imagine that exact situation except you’re live on TV with millions of people watching and listening to every word you say. That happened to me on April 12, 1981, when the Space Shuttle (STS-1) was scheduled to launch for the very first time.
In this episode, you’ll hear about the time I was asked to correct one of the country’s most prolific astronauts on live TV. I recount being assigned as media support and my thoughts on how a particular TV station’s boss treated me. You’ll get to know what was happening behind the scenes when the STS-1’s launch didn’t go as planned and why I felt some of the statements being said on TV were incorrect or subject to a proper explanation. I also share how I navigated my way through correcting a famous astronaut in a polite—rather than condescending—manner.
"Life is full of unexpected and delicate situations. How we navigate them will affect what doors open and close to us far into the future." - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Being assigned as media support to a news station on launch day
- The reason the TV station’s boss dismissed me as soon as I got there
- Feeling the excitement of launching Americans into space after six long years
- Why launching people into space is both exciting and scary
- The technical error that canceled the entire rocket launch
- Politely correcting a famous astronaut's errors on live television
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
James (Jim) Fallows has been a contributing writer at The Atlantic since 1979. He has extensive write-ups on topics pertaining to US politics, including international relations and war. He has earned many accolades, including a designation as Chief Speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter. Jim is the author of More Like Us: Making America Great Again, where he provides an argument against the past trend of copying Japanese post-war economic solutions.
In this episode, you’ll hear about Jim’s vast experience as a writer and political activist. He talks about his childhood, his interest in writing, and his passion for flying planes. He describes the significant events he witnessed in the 70s and 80s and his experience as the President's speechwriter. He cites some of the failures of modern journalism. Jim also discusses some of his best works, including his HBO Max documentary, Our Towns.
"If you ask anybody about national politics, almost everybody sounds dumb."
- James Fallows
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Why Jim’s family moved from Philadelphia to Redlands
- Why Jim chose Harvard over other prestigious universities in the US
- Remembering riots, assassinations, and other historical events
- Jim’s draft experience and the events he witnessed
- What it was like being the speechwriter for President Carter
- The amount of statements writers prepare for presidents on a daily basis
- Why speeches are easier to write than other forms of text
- How fact-checking and research were conducted before the internet
- Jim’s contributions to modern writing software
- Jim’s passion for flying and traveling and his favorite plane
- China's economy and visions for the future and what Jim thinks of current US-Chinese relations
- The experience of being a white man in Japan
- The moral lesson of flying a small airplane in China
- Jim’s opinions on modern journalism and its failures
- Jim’s predictions for America's future
Connect with James Fallows:
- The Atlantic
- Our Towns Foundation
- Book: More Like Us: Making America Great Again
- Book: Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America
- Essay: “What Did You Do in the Class War, Daddy?”
- Documentary:Our Towns
- James Fallows on Twitter
- James Fallows on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Teaching as a career means you get to meet hundreds to thousands of faces, eager to get a few steps closer to their dreams. Through no fault of your own, you may have trouble remembering every single one of those faces, let alone names. As a potential role model for your students, however, you may be one of the most influential people in their lives. This is why it’s critical to make sure you always try to be authentic, present, and generous.
In this episode, I share the story of an unexpected email I received from a student I met a decade earlier. I discuss the contents of the email and why I found it strange, despite its good nature. I explain how I was reminded of who the sender was and how we met. I describe why bringing personal items in space is not something to be taken lightly. I also share my thoughts on how an otherwise ordinary experience for us might be pivotal to someone else, especially to someone younger.
"Mentoring doesn't have to involve appointment calendars or commitments. All it takes sometimes is authentic presence, real listening, and a generous spirit."
- Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The baffling email I received in 2008
- Why taking my brooch to space was a big deal back then
- Megan’s background: who she is and meeting her in 1993
- How that email reignited my memories of Megan
- How a common event in our life can mean much more to someone else
Resources Mentioned:
- Megan’s Story of When We Met
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dawn Wright is the Chief Scientist of Esri, a platform that provides data solutions with geographic information systems (GIS). Esri believes a data’s full potential is locked behind location intelligence, and GIS is the best tool to bring that potential out. As Chief Scientist, Dawn strengthens the scientific foundation for all software and services provided by Esri. Dawn is also known as “Deepsea Dawn” due to her expertise and vast research contributions in marine geology. She is also the first African-American woman to do a deep-sea dive with ALVIN.
In this episode, you’ll listen to Dawn recount her experiences growing up in Hawaii as an African-American and explain why there was a huge culture shock when they moved to the American mainland. She opens up about her various hobbies and why she is fond of collecting LEGOs. She tells the story of the open space philosophy her high school once had and why we’ll never see that type of educational system applied again. You’ll also hear Dawn’s opinions on being a female in a male-dominated field and how she didn’t let her gender or race be an obstacle to success.
"I encourage young people to follow what feels right; hopefully you have consensus with your parents or with people who are raising you to follow that instinct, because that's what's really most important."
- Dawn Wright
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Dawn's LEGO collection and her other hobbies and interests
- Who the young Dawn Wright was and her stepping out years
- What drew her mother over to moving to Wheaton College
- What it was like being the only African-American in a classroom
- Dawn's experience being part of the minority as a child in the 60's
- Where Dawn’s passion for deep-sea exploration started
- How the political activism in the US affected Dawn as someone living in Hawaii
- Why Dawn's family moved back to Maryland and the cultural differences they experienced
- The open space philosophy her old high school practiced
- Dawn's advice to people who hesitate to follow their dream
- Dawn's experience being a woman in a male-dominated field
- When one of her thesis professors didn't endorse her
- Being the first African-American woman to dive to the deep seafloor with ALVIN
- The technologies oceanography students can expect to learn
- Where Dawn would want to explore if she could have one more deep dive
Resources Mentioned:
- Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Connect with Dawn Wright:
- Esri
- Dawn Wright on LinkedIn
- The Cyberworld of Deepsea Dawn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. When people live their lives according to yours, it means you’ve made a name for yourself. However, there is a crucial difference between someone imitating you and blatantly attempting to con people using your name—I have firsthand experience of the latter. Twice. It was funny the first time, and then the FBI got involved.
In this episode, you’ll hear about the time someone pretended to be me to ride an F-16. I share my reaction and how my superiors were quick to catch the impostor. You’ll get to know the second time the impostor conned people and what she got after she succeeded. I talk about how the FBI got involved and why they couldn’t do anything the first time it happened. You’ll also learn about the name of my inner impostor and how I manage to shut her up each time she tries to speak.
"It was an attempted con, but an unsuccessful one."
- Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- My initial reaction when someone used my name to ride an F-16
- How the impostor's teeth became her downfall
- The con the impostor managed to pull off
- The inner impostor that women wrestle throughout their career
- What I learned about fighting my inner impostor and what I named her
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Adam Kahane holds the position of Director at Reos Partners, a multinational social enterprise that helps bridge the gaps between businesses, governments, and other organizations to solve complex challenges. He is a world-renowned facilitator, facilitating discussions and political talks with politicians, guerrillas, activists, executives, and trade unionists in over 50 countries. Adam is also the author of Solving Tough Problems: An Open Way of Talking, Listening, and Creating New Realities, which conveys his experience facilitating in high-conflict and high-stakes situations—including Colombia during the civil war and Argentina during the collapse—as well as his critical takeaways for solving complex problems.
In this episode, you’ll listen to Adam describe an event in South Africa that impacted his views about the importance of uniting to remove the stigmas and barriers that separate people. He provides his perspective on the art of facilitation and why it’s not just about “getting people to do things.” He tells us briefly about his passion for writing and his motivation for writing books about his life experiences. You’ll learn the necessary steps to facilitate breakthroughs and why it’s simple but never easy. You’ll also receive actionable advice for facilitating conversations, whether casually or professionally.
"The essence of facilitating breakthrough is to move back and forth between two poles."
- Adam Kahane
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Where Adam grew up, his educational background, and why he’s always loved the sciences
- Adam's professional experience and the scenario planning methodology
- Why facilitation is not about getting people to do things
- Adam's work in South Africa and the event he considers “the hinge of his life”
- The actual meaning and implications of apartheid in Africa
- Why there is a "wound that wants to heal" in South Africa
- The complex political situation of South Africa
- How Adam came to loving the art of writing books
- What readers can expect from his latest book
- Adam's advice to those who want to play the role of facilitator in general conversations
- Adam's thoughts on authoritarianism
- The simple but not easy way to facilitate breakthrough
- The two important definitions of the word "group"
Resources Mentioned:
- Book:Scenarios: The Art of Strategic Conversation by Kees van der Heijden
Connect with Adam Kahane:
- Reos Partners
- Reos Partners on Facebook
- Reos Partners on Twitter
- Reos Partners on LinkedIn
- Adam Kahane on Twitter
- Adam Kahane on LinkedIn
- Book: Facilitating Breakthrough: How to Remove Obstacles, Bridge Differences, and Move Forward Together
- Book: Solving Tough Problems: An Open Way of Talking, Listening, and Creating New Realities
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One of the best parts of life is witnessing unique events for the first time and remembering them forever. As an astronaut, I have seen many things I am sure I will never forget, even if I tried. However, one of the most exciting memories I have is of the time when I was part of a crew tasked to chase a speeding Blackbird. You don’t always get told to run after one of the fastest planes on Earth, and it wasn’t even the most memorable part of the mission.
In this episode, I describe the mission involving the space shuttle, Columbia, and a Blackbird in 1981. I explain what the mission was about, our goals, and what made the mission particularly difficult to pull off, despite numerous flight simulations. I discuss how the mission went and my takeaways from it. I also share my favorite Blackbird sightings and why this one is the best among all of them.
"Blackbirds are spectacularly sleek, almost ominous-looking airplanes."
- Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- My role in Columbia's second flight in 1981
- The trick to intercepting a shuttle zooming back from Mach 25
- How we solved the problem of intercepting Columbia
- Why mission simulations are often flawed
- What Blackbirds are and why they're amazing
- What I've learned from chasing a Blackbird
- My favorite Blackbird sighting
Resources Mentioned:
- Columbia: The First Shuttle in Space
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One of the best parts of life is witnessing unique events for the first time and remembering them forever. As an astronaut, I have seen many things I am sure I will never forget, even if I tried. However, one of the most exciting memories I have is of the time when I was part of a crew tasked to chase a speeding Blackbird. You don’t always get told to run after one of the fastest planes on Earth, and it wasn’t even the most memorable part of the mission.
In this episode, I describe the mission involving the space shuttle, Columbia, and a Blackbird in 1981. I explain what the mission was about, our goals, and what made the mission particularly difficult to pull off, despite numerous flight simulations. I discuss how the mission went and my takeaways from it. I also share my favorite Blackbird sightings and why this one is the best among all of them.
"Blackbirds are spectacularly sleek, almost ominous-looking airplanes."
- Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- My role in Columbia's second flight in 1981
- The trick to intercepting a shuttle zooming back from Mach 25
- How we solved the problem of intercepting Columbia
- Why mission simulations are often flawed
- What Blackbirds are and why they're amazing
- What I've learned from chasing a Blackbird
- My favorite Blackbird sighting
Resources Mentioned:
- Columbia: The First Shuttle in Space
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Living in a male-dominated society means you’ll likely work in a male-dominated field. That was the situation I was in at NASA, before the first women flew to space. Naturally, many of the decisions concerning what astronauts needed in space were made based on men. This made for an exciting story regarding what men thought were the basic needs of a woman in space.
In this episode, I share the story of how NASA initially made the lady astronaut’s toiletries kit. I describe what women would need in space and what the men back then thought women needed. I also discuss the day when Sally and I made our toiletries kit inspection, why it made our eyes roll, and how they could have done better.
"If you were heading off on a 7-day spaceflight, what sort of things would you want in your toiletries kit?"
- Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- What a typical toiletries kit for a female astronaut would be composed of
- Why NASA initially got female toiletries kits wrong
- My thoughts on what NASA packed for their first flight with female astronauts
- What in NASA's female toiletries kit made my eyes roll
- Why the issue could have been prevented if they simply asked us first
Resources Mentioned:
- Sally Ride
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jennifer Kingsley is the founder and project lead for Meet The North, a project that emphasized the lives of the people who call the Arctic their home. The project's focus was to allow the world to know the four million people living at the top of the world: their culture, their stories, and how climate change is affecting the way they live. The project ran from 2015 to 2018 and investigated the parts of Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Alaska, and Svalbard that have been rarely explored. Jennifer is also the author of the book, Paddlenorth: Adventure, Resilience, and Renewal in the Arctic Wild, which tells the story of her adventures as she and five companions canoe through the icy and harsh―yet breathtaking―Arctic landscape.
Jennifer joins me to share what drives her to explore the northernmost regions of the planet and the events and people who fueled her adventurous spirit. She describes what the Canadian North is like and why she recommends it for group adventures. She explains the reason behind the book, Paddlenorth, and where her passion for writing started. She discusses how the pandemic made her look at her life choices. Jennifer also shares the beauty of listening to a person’s story and what she’s been doing recently.
"We have no idea what extraordinary things people have been through.'"- Jennifer Kingsley
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Who Jennifer Kingsley is and her adventures around the world
- Jennifer's earliest memories and her most significant influences
- Jennifer's passion for journaling and her writing habits
- Why Jennifer recommends the Canadian North for adventurers
- The craziest bear encounter Jennifer's ever had
- What made Jennifer write Paddlenorth
- The life lessons Jennifer learned from the pandemic
- Phone calls and the anxiety they brought Jennifer all her life
- Why listening to someone's story can be a gift
- The first time Jennifer ran away from home
- Jennifer's thoughts on climate change and how it affected countries differently
- Why Jennifer was accused of avoiding the topic of climate change
- What the pandemic has been like for Jennifer
- What is next for Jennifer in the coming months
- Jennifer answers my lightning round questions
- The one thing Jennifer wants everyone to understand about the Arctic
Connect with Jennifer Kingsley:
- Book: Paddlenorth: Adventure, Resilience, and Renewal in the Arctic Wild
- Meet The North
- Official Website
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There is a difference between getting a title and earning it, that being the time and effort spent along the way. Recently, billionaires Jeff Bezos and Sir Richard Branson effectively went up to space, and some are calling them astronauts. It appears we’ve arrived at a point in time when people can simply buy their way into a rocketship. Understandably, NASA has had to revisit the definition of the term “astronaut” in the face of this dilemma.
In this episode, I share my thoughts on the word “astronaut” and the different hurdles we had to jump over to earn this title. I discuss recent events involving billionaires having the resources to buy their way into space as well as why it hurt my pride when they felt entitled to call themselves astronauts. I explain what the standards were back in the day and why our society is slowly discounting expertise when it comes to titles and roles.
"It puts me on edge to think that someone can just write a big check and go 'buy' the same title I had to earn."
- Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- What it means to be an astronaut
- Who can be called an astronaut within NASA’s new standards
- How I feel about how billionaires buying the title of "astronaut"
- The definition of “astronaut” back when I was training to be one
- What we should call Jeff Bezos and Sir Richard Branson
- Disregarding expertise in this era
Resources Mentioned:
- The FAA just updated its definition of 'astronaut.' These two billionaires don't qualify.
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dayna Steele is a Hall of Fame rock radio personality, best-selling author, and host of the Rock Star Principles podcast. In this show, she introduces listeners to the rockstars of business and entertainment. Dayna is the author of the book, Surviving Alzheimer's With Friends, Facebook, and a Really Big Glass of Wine: A caregiver's guide to love, humor, patience, confusion, anger, and wine, where she shares the story of her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and the struggles and joy associated with caring for someone with the condition. She also turned the book into a 10-part video series on her YouTube channel.
Dayna joins me today to discuss how she’s coping throughout the pandemic and her thoughts on the theater industry post-Covid-19. She describes her youth, time as a student, and realized that she wanted to have a career in radio. She explains why women are programmed to worry about the worst things that can happen at any given moment, especially when following their dreams. She shares stories of when her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Dayna also describes the feeling of seeing your child achieve the goals they set out for.
"It's hard to tell somebody 'oh, this is great, you're going to look back and this is going to be a fabulous lesson.'"- Dayna Steele
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The exciting backstory for today's episode
- How Dayna influenced my podcast
- How Dayna started her radio career on a dare
- Dayna's experience in school and how she graduated earlier than her peers
- How Dayna got over her imposter syndrome at a young age
- Dayna's advice to those who are scared to follow their dreams
- Why women worry more about the worst-case scenarios
- Dayna's experience running for congress and her love for her country
- Why Dayna encourages everyone to run for congress once
- The selfless people of Texas and Dayna's hope for the country
- The time Dayna's mom got Alzheimer's: its highs and lows
- What it was like to watch her son find his footing in theater
- The one thing Dayna learned from running for congress
- What Dayna expects to happen to broadway post-pandemic
- The two things Dayna never really succeeded in
- Why Dayna likes to talks to strangers
Resources Mentioned:
- Podcast Network Solutions
Connect with Dayna Steele:
- Book: Surviving Alzheimer's With Friends, Facebook, and a Really Big Glass of Wine: A caregiver's guide to love, humor, patience, confusion, anger, and wine
- Podcast: Rock Star Principles
- The Woman in the Mirror on YouTube
- Dayna Steele on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Socially accepted norms change with time. What was standard in the past may be taboo now. Likewise, the taboos of the past may be normalized today. What doesn’t change, however, is our concept of modesty—especially when changing clothes in front of other people. While some people are comfortable with this idea in a professional setting, others would rather walk out of the room. Regardless of their feelings about the situation, what matters in the end is that both parties respect each others’ personal space.
In this episode, I share the story of a spacewalk session that got a little awkward in the end. I discuss what the session was for and what happened when we trained for it. I explain what a Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG) is and how it works. I also describe what happened when the rest of the crew found out I would be changing into my LCVG in the same room as them.
"One of the big milestones in training for a spacewalk is a full dress rehearsal of all the things you'll do in orbit leading up to your spacewalk." - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- One of the prominent milestones for a spacewalk
- What happens during a spacewalk session, and how busy it gets
- What an LCVG is, how it works, and what it made us look like
- Why wearing an LCVG was awkward
- How the crew eventually adopted the same mindset I had about suiting up
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Cindy Van Dover is an oceanographer, explorer, and deep-sea biologist who has traversed the deepest parts of the ocean since 1985. She specializes in the ecology of deep-sea vent communities, especially vent invertebrates, food webs, and the taxonomy of newly discovered species. She is the first female pilot of the deep-diving submersible ALVIN and has commanded 48 dives. Cindy is also the author of the book, Octopus’s Garden: Hydrothermal Vents And Other Mysteries Of The Deep Sea, where she dissects how hydrothermal vents paved the way for marine life to thrive in the bottom of the ocean.
Cindy joins me today to share some of the fantastic things she saw while exploring the deepest parts of the ocean. She describes what her school career was like and how she found her passion for oceanography. She explains how deep-sea vents allow temperatures warm enough for a wide array of creatures to endure the ice-cold depths. She discusses her experience as ALVIN’s pilot and what some of their explorations were like. Cindy also shares her thoughts on deep-sea mining and what we should be prepared to do if it becomes an environmental concern.
"It is not a homogeneous environment in any sense of the word, not on these mid-ocean ridges." - Cindy Van Dover
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Cindy’s experience exploring the deepest parts of the ocean
- Cindy's dives as the pilot of ALVIN
- What makes ALVIN a unique submersible
- The changes made to ALVIN that improved the diving experience
- What made Cindy want a career in deep-sea exploration
- Why Cindy's academic life was not a typical school experience
- The experiences of ALVIN pilots walking on the seafloor
- What you would expect to see on the seafloor
- Cindy's thoughts about data gathering missions and exploring the seabed
- The difference between doing ROV work and piloting ALVIN
- Unusual and fascinating tube worms
- Why most animals on the seabed are white or transparent
- Cindy’s interesting red shrimp story
- What Cindy wants people to consider about seafloor mining
- Some of Cindy's favorite deep-sea creatures
Connect with Cindy Van Dover:
- Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment
- Book: Octopus's Garden: Hydrothermal Vents And Other Mysteries Of The Deep Sea
- Cindy Van Dover on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Every one of us has personal goals, but we all share similar ways to achieve them. Just like having different takes on everyday events, the tools we use to get to the finish line may not sit well with other people. The kind of attitude that is normal for us - what we use as motivation - may come out as too aggressive or rude to someone else. This is why being a leader involves understanding the culture of those around you. We have to make sure we see their perspective before jumping to conclusions.
In this episode, I share how one training session at the pool taught me a valuable lesson in leadership and culture. I discuss who Rich Clifford was, his status, our goal for that training day, and what he said that made me raise an eyebrow. I discuss the importance of understanding the culture of the people you work with. I also explain why sharing the same purpose is more important than having the same tools to achieve it.
“The key is to understand whether you share the same purpose with that teammate or colleague and you’re just using a different tool to try to get to the same point.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- How a walk to the swimming pool taught me about leadership and culture
- Who Rich Clifford was and what it was like meeting him for the first time
- Why his self-motivation rubbed me the wrong way
- Why I didn’t think a competitive spur was an ideal way to inspire excellence
- The two tools we all use to accomplish a goal
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Yvette McGree Brown is a Partner at Jones Day, a law practice that provides formidable legal talent with over 2,500 lawyers in 42 offices across five continents. She has 11 years of experience as a jurist, highlighted by her service as a Justice on the Ohio Supreme Court. She specializes in Business and Tort Litigation and Issues and Appeals. Yvette is also Jones Day’s Partner-in-Charge for the firm’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Advancement, where she assists clients with their diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
Yvette joins me today to discuss her experience in politics, the wisdom she received from her family, and why what matters most is where you finish in life. She shares her experience of living in a segregated part of the city, what it was like when desegregation orders were being issued, and what she thought equality in schools should have been. She describes what it was like being a Justice and what the election process was like. She explains why she left the courtroom to return to private practice and how she got over the idea that she was no longer a judge. Yvette also shares her thoughts on the current educational system and what she thinks schools should be teaching our children about our country.
"The one power you have is to vote with your feet. You don’t have to stay some place where you are not respected." - Yvette McGee Brown
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- What it was like growing up in a segregated neighborhood
- Desegregation orders and what she realized about her family when it was mandated for schools
- Yvette's experience with talking to a federal judge about the desegregation orders
- The people who influenced Yvette to go into law school
- Yvette's thoughts on the number of young people in the prison systems
- Yvette's experience as a judge and during the elections
- Why Yvette left her position as judge and how it affected her emotionally
- The importance of family support when it comes to pursuing dreams
- Demanding respect in the corporate world and how leaders earn your loyalty
- Yvette's political experience and how it was different over a decade ago
- The day Yvette was sworn in as the first African-American female justice
- How schools should teach students about the government, history, and constitution
Connect with Yvette McGee Brown:
- Jones Day
- Yvette McGee Brown on Twitter
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We all have our quirks and personal interests. Our likes and dislikes are what keeps us unique from the billions of other people on this planet. For the most part, this is fine. People will rarely bat an eye at something harmless or trivial such as enjoying foreign films and music. However, some particular interests and hobbies may not be someone’s cup of tea - especially when you’re five years old and your Christmas wish list has one too many guns.
In this episode, I share what it was like being a five-year-old child with a crazy Christmas list. I describe the one thing I had always wanted when I was five, why it made my teacher uncomfortable, and the lessons that experience taught me. I discuss how my unique childhood interest affected the way I lived my life. I also explain how I coped with those who told me what I should be interested in and how my loving parents supported me through all of it.
“In our house, exploring anything that interested you was perfectly okay - no matter what anyone else might think.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Writing down a Christmas list and what I have always wanted as a child
- Why my Christmas wish list included all guns
- How our teacher reacted to my Christmas list
- My passion for exploration and how my family supported me
- How I responded to those who criticized my interests
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Victor Vescovo is the Founder, Chief Executive, and Chief Submersible Pilot at Caladan Oceanic, a private marine research organization. Caladan Oceanic aims to explore the deepest parts of the oceans with the latest technology, and letting the world see just what is at the bottom of our oceans. He is also a Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Insight Equity, a private equity firm that makes control investments aimed at strategically viable, middle-market companies. Before dedicating his life and resources to marine research and exploration, Victor served more than 20 years in the US Navy as an Intelligence Officer and Intelligence Instructor.
Victor joins me today to discuss his experience as the head of a marine research organization, some of his most memorable dives, and the technical aspects of deep-sea exploration. He shares where he gets his passion for marine research and why mountain climbing has a more spiritual feel than diving in a submarine. He explains the effects of plastic waste on bodies of water, the deepest they’ve found plastic and garbage, and our responsibilities as stewards of this planet. He also describes some of his most exciting finds and shares what he thinks is the purpose of life and why he’s no longer interested in the monetary aspect of his research.
“For heaven’s sake, experience your world. You’re not going to be here for long.” - Victor Vescovo
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- What it was like exploring the Mariana Trench
- What drives Victor's passion for exploration
- Victor's business side and his interests in finances and the economy
- The similarities and differences between mountain climbing and ocean exploration
- Why it's more challenging to explore the ocean than it is to climb a mountain
- The amount of pressure a submersible is experiencing when deep diving
- Why a spherical shape is the best for submersibles
- How Victor assembled his team of researchers for the Hadal expedition
- The struggles of having a professional film crew with their expeditions
- What it means to focus on the problem instead of the people when something goes wrong
- The importance of making a decision, even if it turns out to be the wrong decision
- Victor's thoughts on castigating and praising team members in public
- What it's like to explore the deepest and darkest parts of the ocean
- Why the Titanic dive was one of Victor's most dangerous dives
- How deep can plastic waste go into the sea
- The trenches with the most contaminations in the world
- The trash Victor and his team found in the deepest ocean trenches
- Some of the most interesting structures and animals Victor has seen in his dives
- Why bureaucracies can hinder dives and other explorations
- Giving back as a researcher and philanthropist
- What Victor believes is the purpose of life
- Why Victor thinks people should be more self-sufficient
Connect with Victor Vescovo:
- Caladan Oceanic
- Caladan Oceanic on Instagram
- Caladan Oceanic on Facebook
- Caladan Oceanic on Twitter
- Caladan Oceanic on YouTube
- Victor Vescovo on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s one thing to pour over photos of Earth from space but having the opportunity to observe Earth with my own two eyes is something I will always cherish. I want you to know what it was like to witness this event.
In this episode, I share two stories about the most vivid memories I have about being in space and being able to see the Earth. I talk about going on a spacewalk and having to “do a handstand” while looking down as the earth passes by. I also share the experience I felt watching the Earth transition from day to night and knowing that a little girl was watching me somewhere out there and knowing she would be inspired to do great things.
“The odds are only zero if you sit on the sidelines and don't try.” - Kathy Sullivan
“Some have wanted to be an astronaut for as long as they can remember. That was a goal they set for themselves at a very young age. I wasn't any of those people. I'd been drawn to the adventurousness of the lives of the early astronauts.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Why Kathy felt compelled to become an astronaut
- How Kathy was recorded during a spacewalk
- What it feels like to look down on the Earth while hanging off a spaceship
- Watching the world transition from day to night multiple times in a “day”
- Kathy’s hope that her being in space inspires another little girl
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart | TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stacie Boord is the CEO and a featured performer of Columbus' Shadowbox Live, the nation's largest resident theatre ensemble. Recognized for her larger-than-life personality and as a powerhouse rock, blues, and musical theatre vocalist, her career spans over three decades. In addition to appearing in over 10,000 Shadowbox Live performances, her work has been critically acclaimed by local and regional critics alike. In addition to being one of the troupe’s most popular meta-performers, Boord pioneered all the Fundraising, Community Relations, and Education efforts. Boord has spearheaded groundbreaking and nationally recognized arts education programs such as STEM Rocks the Box, The Summer Arts Immersion Program, & The Artistic Sign Language Course with Columbus State Community College.
Today, Stacie joins me to share her life story and explain how she came to run Shadowbox Live. She talks about the role music had in her childhood and how she was initially scared of performing only to audition for her first musical and land the lead role. Stacie shares what it was like working with Stev Guyer, the founder of Shadowbox, and how she learned to run every aspect of the theater. Stacie also opens up about the difficulty of being an artist and how it is not a profession she recommends for many people. She also talks about the youth education programs Shadowbox Live runs and how she helps young performers find their confidence in pursuing theater.
“There's so much power in just moving forward. Don't stop. Don't stop. I mean, you can pause, reassess, maybe change your direction, but you don't stop.”
- Stacie Boord
“We're all on our own path. Some paths are a lot rockier and a lot hillier than others, and nobody has a smooth path. I don't care what they tell you. Nobody has a paved path.”
- Stacie Boord
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- How Stacie got started performing in theater
- The people in Stacie’s life that helped encourage her to pursue music as a career
- How Stacie learned to run the business side of Shadowbox Live
- The difference between singing operatically and contemporarily
- Why the operatic “story” did not resonate with Stacie
- How Covid changed the work structure for Shadowbox Live
- The artistic practice and why it’s difficult to be an artist
- What Stacie hopes she can do to help aspiring performers
- Stacie’s work with the Maryville Women’s Prison
Mentioned Resources:
- Delivering Happiness, by Tony Hsieh
Connect with Stacie:
- Shadowbox Live
- Shadowbox Live on Facebook
- Shadowbox Live on Instagram
- Creative Mornings
- Getting the Brand Back together
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart | TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s always fun getting to play silly tricks on fellow teammates. Sometimes they get a laugh out of everyone, and sometimes they cause a company phone line to be overloaded with phone calls!
In this episode, I share the story of how my co-astronaut Sally Ride decided to play a bit of a joke on mission control during our wake-up call. I share what happened when the joke caused people to call into a mission control landline and eventually crashed it. I also explain how I helped Marc Garneau, the first Canadian in space, to have some fun and show a bit of Canadian pride.
“I'm a rookie. I'm not playing jokes like that anytime soon. Lest it cost me the opportunity to fly again.” - Kathy Sullivan
“We learned later that the phone lines in mission control crashed completely within about two minutes of his doing that as people raced to call in and see if they could actually talk to John or maybe even get patched through and talk to the space shuttle.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The wake-up routine during a mission in space
- A prank game between astronauts and mission control
- How a mission control landline crashed
- How I helped the first Canadian in space, Marc Garneau, share some Canadian pride
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart | TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kim Frank is an adventurer, writer, and storyteller. She is constantly terrified of almost everything but never lets her fear stop her from going any less than all the way.
Today, she shares her story. She talks about her parents’ first attempt to buy a house and the struggle to realize that she was intelligent. She shares how her experience working in a daycare led her to study the policy of early childhood education. She muses on the experience of adopting a baby and explains why she doesn’t regret leaving her career to raise her child. She talks about the process of learning to write and shares the story of when she met Anthony Doerr, author of All the Light We Cannot See. She shares her experience with the elephants in India and the urgency of their situation.
“For me, exploration is just neater and sweeter when I can write about it.”- Kim Frank
“I don’t do things in small letters.”- Kim Frank
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Kim’s struggle to realize she was intelligent
- Why Kim loves archery
- The experience of adopting a baby
- Why Kim dropped her career to raise her child
- The process of learning to write
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth, and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart | TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On October 5, 1984, after much preparation, I launched for the first time. Only two of the training preparations had run smoothly, so I was nervous.
Today, I talk about that flight. I share the experience of taking off and of seeing the earth from above. I also tell the funny story of how, when flying over London, we accidentally barged in on the Royal Air Force’s frequency, but were over Africa by the time we came up with a good response for the man who angrily scolded us.
“The first two and a half minutes of the shuttle launch were more like being in an earthquake than anything smooth: a lot of shake, rattle, and roll, the very turbulent burning of the solid rock that’s pushing you off the planet.”
- Kathy Sullivan
“We had started eight and a half minutes earlier bolted to the ground in Florida, and we were now essentially over England.”
- Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- The experience of taking off
- Looking down on the earth
- A humorous story
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth, and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart | TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Emily Newton is a marine biologist who grew up spending most of her time on a horse in the mountains of central Oregon. She discovered the fusion of scuba and science while pursuing her undergraduate degree and has parlayed this fusion into research and her work as an undersea specialist with Lindblad Expeditions.
Today, Emily joins me to talk about what has led her to where she is today. She shares her experience as a rodeo queen and how she pivoted from horse-related activities to marine science. She discusses how she overcame a bad scuba diving experience and stresses the importance of determination. She talks about how she got her job at Lindblad and explains why it’s okay not to know everything. She talks about Antarctica and shares some of her plans for the future.
“People are just curious, just like me, and they just want to know what you know.”- Emily Newton
“Nature is so powerful in how it affects each of us, I think, and all you need is the opportunity to feel that and to experience that.” - Emily Newton
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Being a rodeo queen
- The roots of Emily’s interest in marine science
- Emily’s experience scuba diving
- The importance of letting people know without shame when you don’t know the answer to a question
- Emily’s plans for the future
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth, and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart | TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
During your first year as an astronaut, you’re an astronaut candidate, or ASCAN. This is your year of preparation--basically, it’s grad school for astronauts. During this time, you have a briefing with the previous class of astronauts, or, in my case, Neil Armstrong and Mike Collins.
Today, I talk about the incredible experience of meeting these two men. I talk about hearing about Apollo 11 from them and what they told us. I discuss why it was perhaps the most impactful day of my life, and I share details of the whole day.
“This was the day we were going to learn about Apollo 11, the actual first landing on the moon.” - Kathy Sullivan
“Calling heroes of my childhood colleague and friend - that’s when you know that you’ve arrived at a very, very special place.” - Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Life as an astronaut candidate
- Meeting Neil Armstrong and Mike Collins
- Learning about Apollo 11 from the astronauts on it
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth, and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart | TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bill Nye “the Science Guy” is an American science educator, engineer, comedian, television presenter, author, and inventor with a mission to help foster a scientifically literate society and to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work. Making science entertaining and accessible is something Bill has been passionate about his entire life. Bill is a seven-time Emmy Award winner and was involved in placing the first sundial on Mars.
Today, Bill joins me to share his story. We talk about the young Bill Nye and the people and events that acted as his greatest influences. He talks about his experience doing stand-up and his life during the war in Vietnam. He discusses the different categories of science and the importance of its advancement. He discusses the role of Congress in this advancement and offers his solutions for political problems. He discusses the exploration of Europa and fields a series of rapid-fire questions.
“By the time somebody’s eight years old, his or her ability to reason is pretty good. It’s the life experience that you’re missing.”- Bill Nye
“Bravery is when you’ve actually assessed the danger.”- Bill Nye
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Bill Nye and the sundial on Mars
- Bill’s experience as an engineer
- The role of dancing in Bill’s life
- Political discussion
- The importance of the advancement of science
Mentioned Resources:
- The Planetary Society
- The Science Rules Podcast
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth, and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart | TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In my first solo episode, I talk about one funny aspect of my experience as one of the first six females to join the male-dominated astronaut corps: the fact that we women would often and inexplicably be confused with one another.
In this episode, I share the story of how my co-astronaut, Molly, came up with the idea to switch name tags at an event and see how many people noticed. I talk about different people’s reactions and the hilarious confusion that came about when we were asked for our autographs.
“Everybody in NASA loves to have astronauts around.”- Kathy Sullivan
“Somewhere around the Florida space coast, there probably are a dozen or two signed sheets of paper that have two Kathy Sullivans or two Sally Rides on them. And I’m sure the people that own them have not any real clue quite how that happened., but I bet they would go for a lot of eBay, don’t you think?”- Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Being a woman in a male-dominated field
- A prank story
- Confusion with autographs
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth, and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart | TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Morgan Smith is a writer, model, and producer who produced two original off-Broadway shows before graduating college, becoming the youngest playwright to have two off-Broadway pieces running in one season. Morgan studied at Bryn Mawr, Juilliard, Yale, MIT, and NYU. Morgan is also studying to become a human rights lawyer, doing pro-bono work for the queer community. Morgan is also the creator of Averno, which some have described as the Marvel universe of musicals. Morgan is a self-described myth weaver.
Today, Morgan joins me to share their unique experience as a young writer. They talk about the power of mythology and share the role books have played in their life and childhood, as well as their experience writing their first novel. They also talk about Averno and what it really is. They share lots of information about it, including who tends to gravitate toward it and where they see it going in the future. Morgan also explains why context consistency is important in storytelling and discusses the purpose of stories.
“Averno is something that lives in me all the time. It’s like a language.”- Morgan Smith
“Fantasy is a system--and a consistent system--in which you understand how things work.”
-Morgan Smith
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
- Morgan’s experience with books
- Averno
- Navigating COVID
- The pros and cons of Averno’s online accessibility
- The value of consistency in fantasy
- The importance of trust between the reader and the storyteller
Mentioned Resources:
- Bittersummer
- Averno Township
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.
Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth, and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!
Don’t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!
Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart | TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.