Makeup artist. Fashion model. Engineer. On this episode, we’re joined by Michelle Easter, a mechatronics engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Michelle shares her journey from cosmetology—to the cosmos working on the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover and experience building life-saving ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How does human-centered design influence space exploration? On this episode, we’re joined by Emma Kalayjian, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, car enthusiast, and user interface designer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. From app prototypes to mission support projects, Emma shares her approach to streamlining design systems—and becoming a driving force on her path to the aerospace and automotive industries.

View the show notes and transcript at jpl.jobs

Eyes to the skies! On this episode, we’re joined by Joey Jefferson, an internationally-awarded musician and flight systems engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Hear more about Joey’s adventures piloting a plane at 13, falling for music and math, protecting the earth from hazardous asteroids, and helping to operate the Deep Space Network (DSN).

View the show notes and transcript at jpl.jobs

Is this podcast script written by Chat G.P.T.? On this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Chris Mattmann, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. With over 20 years of experience leading teams on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and virtual reality, Chris was working on AI chatbots long before they were writing your English papers. Hear more about his innovative work, from developing next-gen databases to tracking predators on the dark web.

View the show notes and transcript at jpl.jobs

What if we told you we’re working on research that could make sci-fi a reality? On this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Moogega “Moo” Cooper, a Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group Supervisor at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Known as a real “Guardian of the Galaxy,” Moo shares how to protect planets (including Earth!) from extreme microbes, her fifth-grade discovery of Carl Sagan, and the importance of blazing your own trail.

View the show notes and transcript at jpl.jobs

"It is far better to dare mighty things even though we might fail, than to stay the twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." -Teddy Roosevelt

Exploring the unknown. Doing the impossible. Welcome to the Daring Mighty Things podcast, where we talk to the dreamers and the doers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California.

Our missions have taken us farther than we’ve ever imagined, made possible only by our team of brilliant misfits and mavericks. From building robots and supporting spacecraft to designing an FDA emergency use authorized ventilator, we celebrate the diverse, and often serendipitous, career journeys at JPL.

Bring your sense of wonder and join us as we seek to understand our place in the universe with fellow JPLers—engineers, archivists, data scientists, business administrators, marketers, designers, and more.

Maybe you will be next to dare mighty things with us!