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

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.

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.

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.

2. 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.space

Credits:

🚀 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...

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

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...