How to Give Your Daughter the Stars with Keisha Schahaff
This week on Aspiring Martians, Joe sits down with Keisha Schahaff, a trailblazer whose journey has inspired millions across the Caribbean and beyond. Keisha made history as the first Caribbean woman in space, flying aboard Virgin Galactic’s Galactic 02 mission, where she and her daughter became the first mother-daughter duo to reach space together.Keisha talks about what her flight gave her: the shift in perspective, the overwhelming emotion of seeing Earth from above, and the sense of possibility that stayed with her long after she touched down. She shares how the experience strengthened her connection to her home in Antigua and Barbuda, and why that moment of weightlessness ignited something even bigger: a dream of living on Mars someday.Joe and Keisha discuss identity, courage, community, and what it means to carve a path for people who have never seen themselves represented in space. It’s a conversation full of warmth, joy, and that rare kind of hope that makes you believe new worlds aren’t just reachable — they’re inevitable.~A huge thank you to Keisha for joining me today and sharing her incredible and powerful story, to Nick Thorburn for our stellar theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the Facebook group, and to my family for always supporting this mission — even when I start cheering for dust devils.
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Governing on Mars with Dr. Kelly Weinersmith
This November — the month of elections here in the USA — we’re taking the spirit of civic engagement off-world.In this Everyday Mars special, Joe talks with Dr. Kelly Weinersmith, an author, researcher, and one of the sharpest, funniest minds thinking about the future of space settlement. Kelly and her husband Zach wrote A City on Mars, a book that takes a wildly entertaining, deeply researched look at the realities of living off-planet. It covers everything from lunar land claims to cosmic law enforcement to the political structures that might keep a Mars colony from descending into either chaos or paperwork.And yes — there is an entire section on governing on Mars.Together, Joe and Kelly dig into the government models that might emerge on the Red Planet, which ones might fall apart instantly, what history already warns us about, and why the earliest decisions could shape Martian society for generations. It’s thoughtful, funny, and surprisingly grounding. Exactly the kind of episode that reminds you that space is not just about rockets, but about people.~~A huge thank you to Kelly for joining me today and sharing their hilarious and thought-provoking insights. And if you haven’t already, grab a copy of their book A City on Mars: https://www.acityonmars.com/Thanks as always to Nick Thorburn for our stellar theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the FB group, and to my family for always supporting this mission — even when dinner talk drifts into real estate opportunities on a far away moon."Frontier Culture: The Roots and Persistence of “Rugged Individualism” in the United States: https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w23997/w23997.pdfFrontier Settlement and the Spatial Variation of Civic Institutions: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/items/76f8393b-7f33-4433-a7e0-de204bec7ab5Off-Earth by Erika Nesvold: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262047548/off-earth/
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From ER to Outer Space with Dr. Shawna Pandya
This week on Aspiring Martians, Joe sits down with Dr. Shawna Pandya, the first named female commercial Canadian astronaut — and one of the most fascinating humans you’ll ever hear from.She’s an emergency and aeromedical transport physician, an aquanaut, a blackbelt, and the Director of the IIAS Space Medicine Group, where she leads research into how humans adapt to the most extreme environments imaginable — underwater, in microgravity, and someday, on Mars. She’s preparing to fly to space aboard Virgin Galactic’s Delta class spacecraft as early as 2026, and her work is permanently exhibited at the Ontario Science Centre beside Dr. Roberta Bondar.Joe and Dr. Pandya dive into what it means to push human boundaries, the delicate balancing act of avoiding burnout, and how curiosity, compassion, and courage continue to guide her every step — or giant leap.~A huge thank you to Dr. Shawna Pandya for joining me today and sharing her inspiring perspective, to Nick Thorburn for our stellar theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the FB group, and to my family for always supporting this mission — even when I start researching real estate on uninhabited Arctic islands.
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Rebel Dreams and Rewriting Space Narratives with Sahda Haroon
This week on Aspiring Martians, Joe talks with Sahda Haroon — a space advocate, STEM communicator, and unstoppable force for representation and empowerment in science.Sahda’s story is one of courage, curiosity, and contagious passion. She’s been part of the Mars Generation, a leader in the STEAM Squad, and a voice reminding us that diversity in space exploration isn’t just nice to have — it’s essential. Her journey is proof that when one person dares to stand out, it creates space for others to step forward too.In this conversation, Joe and Sahda talk about the power of representation, convincing your family to believe in your space dreams, and what it means to be a rebel who does what others won’t. They dive into breaking cultural traditions, giving your daughter wings to fly, and how a single speech can ripple across continents. Plus: exploding habitats, the Mars Generation, and why surrounding yourself with people who remind you of your “why” might be the most powerful decision you ever make.~A huge thank you to Sahda for joining me today and sharing her incredible passion and work, to Nick Thorburn for our stellar theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the FB group, and to my family for always supporting this journey — even when my vacation plans start sounding suspiciously like Mars training.
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Leading Africa’s Next Space Chapter with Ilia-Daniel Gashinbaki
This week on Aspiring Martians, Joe sits down with Ilia-Daniel Gashinbaki — a 17-year-old Nigerian space visionary and the Executive Director and Founder of the Africa Space Foundation.Daniel’s story started when he was just 11 years old, chosen by Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency as one of the nation’s Space Ambassadors. That experience sparked a lifelong mission: to bring space science and education to communities across Africa and ensure that the continent plays an active role in humanity’s future beyond Earth.Now, as the head of the Africa Space Foundation, Daniel is leading programs that connect young people with science and technology, host hack-a-thons, and promote collaboration within and beyond Africa. His work is a reminder that leadership isn’t about age — it’s about vision.In this episode, Joe and Daniel talk about what to do with the privilege you have, the power of cooperation over competition, and how African innovation can help shape Mars exploration. They also dive into solar rovers, budget realities, community pride, and why Daniel sees bringing space to Africans not as a dream — but as a responsibility.A huge thank you to Daniel for joining me today and sharing his energy and perspective, to Nick Thorburn for our stellar theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the FB group, and to my family for always supporting this mission — even when I start calling parts of Africa ‘mini Mars.’
Aspiring Martians is the podcast for those captivated by the vision of living on Mars. Each episode unpacks the realities of Martian exploration, blending hard science with the personal stories of those preparing to embark on humanity’s most ambitious journey. From scientists to dreamers, pioneers to future settlers, we bring you the voices shaping what life could be like on Mars. Whether you’re an aspiring Martian yourself or just curious about the journey, join us as we navigate the incredible risks, rewards, and realities of life beyond Earth.
South Africa