Have you ever looked up at the stars and wished someone could walk you through the wonders above your head — without needing a PhD for confusing telescope parts? Well, you're in luck. In this episode, I’m thrilled (and honestly, a little misty-eyed) to reconnect with my lifelong friend and kindred curiosity-seeker, Kevin Rehberg! Kevin is the founder of his newly- launched company, ClearSky Events, providing a truly magical mobile stargazing experience for people looking to ENJOY the simple wonders of stargazing.

Kevin’s love of the night sky began at age 10 with a clunky plastic telescope and a whole lot of imagination. I was lucky to watch Kevin fall in love with the night sky - Kevin was one of my very first friends growing up, when playing with friends meant playing outside. From climbing trees to looking at stars, Kevin has always had a spirit of exploration. I’ll never forget how excited he was to assemble & peer through his first telescope and share it with all of us kids in the neighborhood...

Fast forward to today, and he’s transformed that passion into something extraordinary: bringing the awe of Saturn’s rings, the surface of the moon, and deep-sky galaxies to your backyard — no astronaut suit required.

We talk about:

• The hilariously humble beginnings of his telescope adventures from our backyards
  
  

• How ClearSky Events is making stargazing accessible, unforgettable, and portable
  
  

• Why curiosity is one of the best forces in the universe (and in life)
  
  

• What it’s like building a business rooted in joy, family, and sharing wonder with others
  
  

It’s rare to have a friend who shares your dreams as a kid and grows up to build something that lets others dream bigger. I couldn’t be more grateful for Kevin, for his heart, and for this full-circle conversation under the stars.

If you’re planning an event, looking for the perfect way to wow your guests, or just need a little wonder in your week — discover ClearSky Events in this week’s episode. Contact Kevin and host your very-own, memory-making event TODAY! https://www.clearsky.events/

About Kevin:

Founder Kevin Rehberg's fascination with the night sky began when he was 10 years old. Armed with a comically bad department store telescope and a budding lifelong curiosity, he would venture into shin deep snow to discover the dynamic visual wonders of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, the moon, and beyond.

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He quickly realized that the most rewarding part of exploring the night sky was sharing it with friends. A couple equally horrible telescope purchases later, he gifted himself the college graduation present of a state of the art observatory-grade computerized telescope.

From day one with his new telescope, Kevin envisioned a time when future versions of it would be smart enough to make the night sky accessible to even the most casual stargazer. That day arrived with the very recent mainstreaming of smart telescopes.

ClearSky Events is the progression of that eleven year old's passion for sharing the night sky with a jiggly plastic telescope to today's ability to connect the deepest sky wonders with new friends the world over.

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Kevin is married to Regina and together they have two wonderful daughters who share that same curiosity for everything big and small in our universe. A long time coming to arrive at ClearSky Events, but worth every minute of the wait. Share that same passion with the guests of your next event.

https://www.clearsky.events/

Want to learn more about how Beth connects with guests like Kevin, and how her career in space began? Send Beth a note directly at beth@casualspacepodcast.com and follow the show on all the socials.

Want more engaging stories about our future in space? Learn how you can send your own, original story to space right now- at storiesofspace.com

Hazel Ying Lee was a fearless pilot and a true aviation pioneer — the first Asian American to fly with the Women Airforce Service Pilots. But for decades, her remarkable story was left untold, until now.

In this episode, author Susan Tate Ankeny tells us how she uncovers Hazel’s legacy in her book, American Fly Girl. Through rich research, Susan brings Hazel’s courage, wit, and determination back into the spotlight — where it belongs.

This conversation is a tribute to hidden heroes and the storytellers who make sure we don’t forget them.

This conversion captures
*Hazel’s fearless entry into aviation during a time of extreme racial and gender barriers
*Susan’s journey researching and writing American Fly Girl
*The emotional impact of giving a voice to overlooked heroes, including her father’s own WWII legacy
*Why stories like Hazel’s still matter — and what we can learn from them today

About Susan Tate Ankeny
Susan Tate Ankeny is the author of American Fly Girl and The Girl and the Bombardier, powerful narratives that uncover the lives of unsung World War II heroes. The daughter of a bombardier who was shot down over France in 1944, Susan grew up immersed in stories of aviation, survival, and resilience. Her father’s passion for flight became her own, leading her to join several World War II aviation historical societies and dedicate herself to preserving these vital histories.

Through meticulous research, heartfelt storytelling, and a deep reverence for those who came before, Susan brings history to life—one remarkable story at a time.

You can learn more about Susan and her work at https://susantateankeny.com. Her books are available wherever stories take flight.

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to share, I’d love to hear it!

Exploring space one story at a time just isn’t enough? Same here. That’s why I created Extra Space, a newsletter on LinkedIn with even more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and human stories from the edge of exploration.

Check it out here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7326279375165837312/

Send your story to space, or to the sea with MISSION 05 at https://www.storiesofspace.com/

Join us in-between our episodes of Casual Space on the socials,

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And finally, if you know of a great guest, topic or event you would like to hear featured on an episode of Casual Space, send me an email at beth@casualspacepodcast.com.

Michelle Lucas knows what it means to chart your own course—especially when the stars aren't clearly mapped. In this heartfelt conversation, Michelle recounts her unexpected trajectory from a third-grader dreaming about rockets in a refrigerator box “space station” to becoming a NASA flight controller and the founder of Higher Orbits, a nonprofit bringing students’ experiments to actual space. Beth and Michelle explore how childhood curiosity, persistent grit, and a few key mentors launched Michelle into the heart of space exploration—and how she's now using that same passion to light the path for others.

Beth and Michelle unpack the realities of navigating NASA's culture, what safety really looks like behind the scenes, and how working in space changed Michelle’s approach to life on Earth. Oh, and don’t miss a fun connection Beth and Michelle laugh about: a wax-molded space shuttle from Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.

More About Michelle Lucas:
Michelle is the founder of Higher Orbits, a nonprofit organization that uses spaceflight to excite and engage students in STEM, leadership, teamwork, and communication. Before launching Higher Orbits, Michelle served in multiple roles at NASA, including flight controller, instructor, and safety team member. She’s a lifelong space enthusiast who believes deeply in mentoring the next generation of explorers—and still proudly owns a cassette tape of her first astronaut shoutout from space.

If you’re in the Chicagoland area, you can meet Michelle at the Galactic Golf Outing on May 13—a fundraiser where you can literally tee off with astronauts to support Higher Orbits’ mission. (Bonus: It’s hosted at the Glenn Club, once home to Neil Armstrong’s naval station.)

Connect with Michelle and support student STEM dreams at higherorbits.org.

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to share, I’d love to hear it!

We’re sending stories to space AND sea! Launching MISSION 05 this week, and you’ll want to make sure you have a place on board- www.storiesofspace.com

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or email me at beth@casualspacepodcast.com.

Shawn Linam, Aerospace Entrepreneur & Host of In Her Orbit Podcast

Shawn Linam’s journey didn’t start with a telescope or dreams of rockets—it began with candy striping, biomedical engineering, and a resilient heart that would eventually take her to NASA. Listen for a candid conversation about the challenges and joys of being a woman in the space exploration industry, raising kids while growing a company, and navigating a professional trajectory that’s anything but linear. Shawn shares the behind-the-scenes truths of her extraordinary career: from training astronauts at Johnson Space Center to co-founding her own company after a surprise layoff (while on maternity leave!). Together, Beth and Shawn reflect on NASA culture, building confidence in male-dominated fields, and why mentoring the next generation—especially girls in STEM—is the legacy that matters most.

About Shawn Linam:
Shawn Linam is the co-founder and CEO of Qwaltec, a space systems operations and training company. Before launching her own business, she served as a NASA trainer supporting the International Space Station and Shuttle programs. Today, she leads In Her Orbit, a podcast amplifying women’s voices in STEM and beyond. A mom, leader, and advocate for women in space-related careers, Shawn continues to mentor, speak, and support others as they launch their own bold missions.

🚀 Explore her podcast In Her Orbit wherever you listen to podcasts
🌍 Learn more about Shawn’s work at qwaltec.com

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Thanks for listening to Casual Space!

With zero prior flight experience but a deep love for space (and Star Trek), Matt Gohd took the helm of Zero G during a pivotal moment and helped guide the company into a new era—one marked by resilience, accessibility, and unforgettable experiences that allow everyday people to float like astronauts.

In this episode, Beth and Matt explore the incredible evolution of Zero G—from its bold beginnings inspired by Peter Diamandis to flying 22,000+ people, including Stephen Hawking and Apollo astronaut Charlie Duke. Matt shares what it took to revive the company after near shutdown, launch flights during a global pandemic, and expand access to space-like experiences for everyone—especially through impactful initiatives like AstroAccess, which brings disabled individuals aboard to test space accessibility solutions. Listeners will love the behind-the-scenes stories of lunar pushups, parabolic protocols, and even the “best nap of your life” after your flight.

About Matt Gohd:
Matt is the Chairman of Zero Gravity Corporation (ZERO-G), the only commercial provider of weightless flight experiences in the U.S. With a background in finance and a passion for turning bold visions into reality, Matt stepped in during a critical time to relaunch the company and bring spaceflight simulation to the masses. Since then, he’s been instrumental in growing Zero G’s impact, forging partnerships, expanding operations across the country, and championing inclusion in space.

Zero G now operates in cities like Houston, San Jose, New York, and even from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, offering public flights, corporate experiences, and research missions for institutions prepping for lunar missions. Check out GoZeroG.com to learn more, book a seat, or get updates on where the plane will fly next. (Use code “MAT10” to save 10% on your own weightless adventure.)

Matt also highlights collaborators like Tim Bailey (the heart of Zero G), marketing pro Erin, and CEO Kevin Sproge, who brings military and Blue Origin astronaut training expertise to the team. And don’t miss the mention of Jose Hernandez, NASA astronaut and subject of A Million Miles Away, who often joins flights to inspire the next generation.

To learn more about AstroAccess and their mission to make spaceflight accessible for all, visit astroaccess.org.

☁️💫 Whether you're curious about the science of weightlessness or dreaming of floating like an astronaut, this is an episode that will lift your spirit—and maybe your feet—off the ground.

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Thanks for listening to Casual Space!

Ben Tackett Show Notes

TITLE: Lunar Landings & Late-Night Shifts: Ben Tackett from Firefly Aerospace on Blue Ghost Mission 1”

This week on Casual Space, it’s one small step for your playlist — one giant landing for a Blue Ghost…this episode delivers big on space, story, and spirit!

Beth is joined by Ben Tackett, Lead Systems Operator at Firefly Aerospace, to relive the extraordinary journey that took him from Purdue classrooms to helping land a spacecraft on the Moon.

Ben shares how his early love of aerospace evolved into a hands-on career that’s shaping the future of space exploration. From collaborating with Buzz Aldrin on a Mars colonization project, to working the operations console for Blue Ghost Mission 1, Ben gives us a raw and real look at what it takes to bring a mission like this to life.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The long nights, tight timelines, and 500+ hours of simulations that made history possible
  
  

• Real-time moments of awe: lunar images streaming in after touchdown
  
  

• The behind-the-scenes grit of small teams doing big things
  
  

• Why parking lot champagne tastes better after a lunar landing
  
  

• And what’s next with Blue Ghost Mission 2, featuring payloads from the European Space Agency and a radio telescope bound for the far side of the Moon
  
  

Ben’s story is one of curiosity, commitment, and cosmic-scale inspiration — a reminder that behind every successful mission is a team of passionate people pushing past limits. This episode captures not just the technical triumph, but the human heartbeat of spaceflight.

Don’t miss this inside look at a truly historic mission — and a glimpse of what’s just over the horizon.

#CasualSpacePodcast #BlueGhostMission1 #FireflyAerospace #MoonLanding

Credit/copyright for photo/video footage: Firefly Aerospace

About Ben Tackett:

Ben is the lead systems operator for the Blue Ghost lunar program at Firefly Aerospace, current commercial New Space systems engineer , and a prior NASA hypersonic flight mechanics engineer. For Blue Ghost, Ben maintains the technical "big picture" of the program and ensures that the sub-systems required to make a successful spacecraft work together towards a successful mission program.

In addition to Blue Ghost, Ben has been a part of the Mars Sample Return initiative as Lead Flight Mechanics Engineer for development of the Earth Entry Vehicle, supported Aerocapture and Aerogravity-Assist initiatives, and completed multiple Verification & Validation efforts for the Artemis program with the NESC. Ben completed his education at Purdue University, focusing on hypersonic mission design, re-entry trajectory guidance and optimization, and aerospace systems engineering publishing a thesis on real-time trajectory optimization for onboard optimal control.

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to share, I’d love to hear it!

YOU CAN HELP US SEND STORIES TO SPACE! Please visit our GoFundMe campaign and help send more stories to space! https://gofund.me/62f1ff87

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Got a great guest suggestion or idea for the show? E-mail me at beth@casualspacepodcast.com. Send your story to space TODAY! The window for STORIES of Space MISSION 03 AND MISSION 04 are NOW OPEN! Send your story, for free, to www.storiesofspace.com

Andrew Parris, Broadcast Television Engineer and Space Communicator, joins Beth from the Cape for a long-overdue chat about life behind the lens at NASA and beyond.

With over four decades in broadcast television and thirteen action-packed years at NASA, Andrew shares his extraordinary journey—from diving with astronauts and filming space shuttle landings, to flying on NASA's "Weightless Wonder." Andrew’s passion for space never fizzled, and today, he's helping others chase their own cosmic dreams through The Inspired 24, a group he co-founded to expand access to the space experience and the Overview Effect.

In this episode, Beth and Andrew launch into memories of SCUBA dives at the WETF, share laughs about zero-G adventures gone sideways (literally), and open up about the emotional impact of witnessing spaceflight tragedies firsthand. Andrew also walks us through his recent work with AstroAccess, supporting inclusive microgravity flights, and Copernic Space, sending stories and digital mementos to the Moon. You’ll hear about the human moments behind the missions, the stories you don’t see on screen, and the joyful chaos of bridging the technical with the emotional in NASA’s most public-facing roles.

Andrew’s reflections—equal parts heartwarming, hilarious, and humbling—remind us that space exploration isn’t just about rockets and research. It’s about people, passion, and persistence.

More about Andrew Parris:

Andrew Parris is a 3-time Technical Emmy award-winning Broadcast Television Engineer, space communicator, and Commercial Astronaut-in-training. He spent 13 years at NASA's Dryden and Johnson Space Centers supporting shuttle and ISS missions, astronaut training, and global documentation efforts—including trips to Russia and the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

After his NASA years, he helped launch the first all-HDTV network with Mark Cuban and directed live coverage of STS-114’s launch and landing. Today, he leads The Inspired 24 community, volunteers at Space Center Houston, and partners with space-forward orgs like Copernic Space, MoonDAO, and AstroAccess. He’s flown multiple commercial zero-G flights and is preparing for a stratospheric balloon mission with World View in 2026.

Want to connect with Andrew or join The Inspired 24? Head to theinspired24.com. Call sign Titan is always ready to welcome fellow space dreamers aboard.

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to share, I’d love to hear it! beth@casualspacepodcast.com

Want to hear more about the incredible AstroAccess Zero G Mission? Listen to episode 138 with Zero-G’s Tim Bailey: https://www.bethmund.com/casual-space-podcast/2021/0930/138-tim-bailey

You can follow our Casual conversations on Casual Space and share in the socials,

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YOU CAN HELP US SEND STORIES TO SPACE! Please visit our GoFundMe campaign and help send more stories to space! Each dollar helps send a story. https://gofund.me/62f1ff87

or email me at beth@casualspacepodcast.com.

*Remember!!! You can send your story to space TODAY! The window for STORIES of Space MISSION 03 and MISSION 04 is NOW OPEN! Send your story, for free, to www.storiesofspace.com

Returning guest Steve Matier, CEO of Maritime Launch Services, joins the podcast to share the latest developments in the rapidly growing satellite industry and how Maritime Launch is shaping the future of commercial spaceflight. As the first commercial spaceport in Nova Scotia, Maritime Launch is poised to provide critical access to orbit for satellite companies worldwide.

Steve discusses the increasing demand for launch capabilities, the challenges of global launch site logistics, and how Maritime Launch stands apart. With a prime location on the 45th parallel, a deep-sea port, and a strong regional infrastructure, the site offers unparalleled access to key orbital inclinations. He also explains the significance of the newly signed Canada-U.S. Technology Safeguards Agreement, which enables American launch vehicles and payloads to operate from Canadian soil, opening vast market opportunities.

Beyond launching rockets, Maritime Launch is diversifying its operations with suborbital testing, data downlink ground stations, and satellite processing facilities. Steve provides a behind-the-scenes look at their innovative leasing model for multiple launch providers, ensuring a flexible and efficient solution for companies seeking reliable and frequent launch opportunities.

Stephen Matier, President and CEO of Maritime Launch Services, is the visionary and driving force behind the development of Spaceport Nova Scotia, a world-class commercial space complex that will launch Canada into the global space industry.

A mechanical engineer (Bachelor of Science, University of New Mexico, 1989) and an award-winning former NASA contractor engineering manager (NASA White Sands Test Facility), Matier is leading coordination and approval among provincial, federal, and international governing bodies, securing private financing, leading satellite sales, coordinating launch vehicle integration, and selecting best-in-class commercial firms to support launch operations at Maritime Launch.

As part of Steve’s work with Maritime Launch, he is driving the collaboration and partnerships that will support the development of a safe and environmentally sustainable commercial space launch market in Canada. With satellite and launch vehicle clients within Canada and around the globe interested in launching from Spaceport Nova Scotia, Maritime Launch is joining a global industry that will exceed one trillion dollars annually within the next 20 years.

While Steve’s day-to-day focus is squarely on developing Canada’s first commercial spaceport, his interest in space extends beyond the technology and the launch itself. Steve has a passion for teaching, which means he is never far from the classroom—whether guest lecturing at a local high school physics class in Canso or presenting to kids at summer programs in Antigonish. He has driven partnerships with St. Francis Xavier University and Cape Breton University and is a supporter of Dalhousie’s cubesat program. His passion for working with schools began in his early career in the Space Shuttle program, recognizing that kids can look up into space and see opportunity for themselves on the ground.

Steve is a recipient of the prestigious Silver Snoopy Award, an honor in recognition of outstanding achievements related to human flight safety or mission success. His leadership in Canada’s space sector continues to create new opportunities for commercial space access and international collaboration.

• Visit MaritimeLaunch.com for updates and developments.

• Follow Maritime Launch on LinkedIn and X for real-time insights.

• Stay tuned for upcoming launches and new partnerships as Maritime Launch prepares for its first orbital mission in 2026.

This episode is a must-listen for space industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about the evolving landscape of commercial spaceflight.