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A Heart For Space with Dr. Eiman Jahangir: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Dr. Eiman Jahangir
Welcome to A Heart for Space, a podcast hosted by cardiologist, astronaut, and speaker Dr. Eiman Jahangir that explores the journeys of those who push beyond conventional limits to inspire you to pursue your own extraordinary dreams. Drawing from his own path—from immigrating to the United States as a young child to pursuing the astronaut dream for more than two decades—Dr. Jahangir leads thoughtful conversations with remarkable guests about perseverance, ambition, and the mindset required to achieve meaningful goals. Blending personal storytelling with practical insight, A Heart for Space invites you to strap in as we embark on this adventure beyond the stars, exploring what it truly takes to turn possibility into tangible reality.
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- 2 days ago45 min
The Art of Storytelling | Andrew Gordon
For more than twenty years, Andrew Gordon helped bring some of Pixar's most beloved characters to life, contributing to films including A Bug's Life, Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles. Behind those iconic stories is a career shaped by rejection and imposter syndrome, as well as experimentation and a determination to keep getting better. In this episode, Dr. Eiman Jahangir is joined by filmmaker, animator, and creative leader Andrew Gordon to talk about the power of storytelling, and what is required when building a career around creativity. Andrew reflects on his initial rejection from Pixar before eventually joining the studio, and the culture that helped produce its groundbreaking films, before exploring why failure and iteration are essential parts of creating something great. As the conversation continues, the pair discuss Andrew's decision to leave Pixar in search of new challenges, and how emerging AI tools are changing what's possible for filmmakers. Andrew also shares why technology can never replace a compelling story and why, even after decades of success, he is still pushing beyond his comfort zone in search of the next great thing he can create. 00:00 Welcome to A Heart for Space 00:32 Meeting Andrew Gordon: From New York to Pixar 02:04 Early Inspiration: A Cousin's Sketchbook and Computer Graphics 03:31 The Commodore Amiga and Finding His Craft 05:22 Heading West: From New Jersey to Animation School 07:18 First Break: Landing at Warner Brothers Looney Tunes 08:20 Rejection and Redemption: The Path to Pixar 10:12 Driving to the Mecca: First Day at Pixar 11:31 The Pixar Culture: Weirdos, Excellence, and John Lasseter 13:01 Imposter Syndrome and Daily Scrutiny 15:30 Animating Characters: From Gil to Mike Wazowski 17:34 The Art of Caricature: Bringing Edna Mode to Life 19:51 Why Pixar Makes Adults Cry Over Toys and Fish 25:09 The Lucky 7 Lounge: Building a Secret Casino at Pixar 27:10 Teaching and Giving Back: Breaking Down the Secrets 28:30 The Internship Program: Molding Through Play 32:40 Storytelling for Business: The Salesforce Success Story 36:31 Leaving Pixar: Twenty Years and a New Chapter 38:21 AI and Animation: The New Frontier at ITEL 41:01 Advice for Aspiring Creatives: Persistence and Fundamentals 43:11 The Space Still Worth Reaching For: Crafting Diamonds Discover more about Dr. Eiman Jahangir, and preorder your own copy of A Heart for Space, now at https://aheartforspace.com/
- 1 weeks ago47 min
The Astronaut Teacher | Mike Mongo
Mike Mongo has spent nearly two decades telling young people something he wishes someone had told him growing up: you have permission to imagine an extraordinary future. Today on A Heart for Space, Dr. Eiman Jahangir welcomes author and self-described “Astronaut Teacher” Mike Mongo for an energetic conversation about childhood dreams, unconventional careers, and inspiring the next generation to see themselves as part of humanity's future in space. Mike shares how watching the Moon landing transformed his childhood ambition from becoming a superhero to becoming an astronaut—and how, decades later, believing that dream had passed him by ultimately inspired him to create an entirely new role for himself. Mike and Eiman explore why he teaches students around the world that tomorrow's jobs are in space, and what Mike has learned from helping young people imagine possibilities beyond the paths already laid out for them, before digging into the philosophy behind his new KID Astronaut Training Manual. Mike also reflects on his own continuing journey toward space, particularly the mentors and strangers who gave him permission to follow an unconventional path, and why success ultimately comes down to doing what you love, with people you love, while helping others. Learn more about Mike and his work at https://mikemongo.com 00:00 Welcome to A Heart for Space 00:37 Meeting Mike Mongo: The Astronaut Teacher 02:41 Batman and the Birth of a Dream 06:02 Becoming the Astronaut Teacher 07:32 The Power of Permission 15:39 Mike Mongo's Kid Astronaut Training Manual 20:07 Astronaut Job Camp and Saxavord Spaceport 26:36 Being 49 Percent Sure of Arrest at NASA 29:11 Blue Origin, New Shepard, and the Blue 92 32:45 Solving for Space to Solve for Earth 39:46 It's Already Too Late, So Bake a Cake 43:46 The Space We're Still Reaching For Discover more about Dr. Eiman Jahangir, and preorder your own copy of A Heart for Space, now at https://aheartforspace.com/
- 2 weeks ago57 min
Capturing the New Space Age | Kevin Curran
Cinematographer Kevin Curran has captured extraordinary stories through his lens for close on three decades. But when COVID brought the world—and his career—to a sudden pause, Kevin began reconsidering what he wanted to do with the time he had left. A lifelong fascination with aerospace provided the answer: use his skills as a filmmaker to document this remarkable chapter in human spaceflight. In this episode, Dr. Eiman Jahangir sits down with Kevin for a conversation about finding purpose in capturing history, and the people pushing humanity beyond our atmosphere. Kevin shares what it was like filming historic moments for Blue Origin, SpaceX and Artemis I, including capturing the reactions of astronauts like Jeff Bezos and William Shatner just moments after their flights. Kevin and Eiman go on to explore Kevin's documentary Beyond Blue Sky, which preserves the remarkable story of SpaceShipOne and the pioneers behind the first privately funded human spaceflight. Kevin reflects on the five-year journey of bringing the film to life and what he's learned from spending time with aerospace visionaries, as well as why pursuing your passion one step at a time can ultimately lead somewhere greater than you ever dared imagine. Learn more about Beyond Blue Sky at https://beyond-blue-sky.com/ 00:00 Welcome to A Heart for Space 00:51 Meeting Kevin Curran: From Electrical Engineering to Cinematography 03:05 The Creative Spark: Taking Things Apart and Putting Them Together 04:42 Finding Purpose in Space: The 2020 Turning Point 05:36 Capturing History: Blue Origin and the Closest Camera 09:24 The Story of Spaceship One: First Private Astronauts 09:46 The $28 Million Miracle: Building a Private Space Program 18:25 Five Years to Tell the Story: The Making of Beyond Blue Sky 20:23 Sitting Across from Legends: Burt Rutan and Brian Binnie 23:17 The Sidewinder Solution: Engineering Under Pressure 25:16 Mike Melville at 64: The First Private Astronaut 27:13 Age Is Just a Number: Human Capacity and Courage 28:07 Brian Binnie's UAP Encounter: A Courageous Disclosure 32:08 The Stigma and the Truth: UAPs in 2020 36:37 What We Lose Without These Stories 38:13 The Power of Parenting: Early Sparks That Drive Greatness 41:14 Advice for Dreamers: Identify Your Passion and Protect It 42:40 NS-16: The Most Meaningful Moment 47:01 Behind the Lens: Capturing Emotional Reactions 48:29 The Overview Effect: Processing the Experience 54:32 The Space Still Worth Reaching For 56:07 Beyond Blue Sky: Where to Watch Discover more about Dr. Eiman Jahangir, and preorder your own copy of A Heart for Space, now at https://aheartforspace.com/
- 3 weeks ago50 min
Stepping Outside Your Lane | Shantanu Rai
For years, Shantanu Rai built his life around medicine, caring for patients in underserved communities while witnessing firsthand the challenges facing both doctors and patients within the American healthcare system. But beyond the exam room, another ambition was taking shape: telling the stories that medicine alone couldn't fully capture. In today's conversation, Dr. Eiman Jahangir sits down with physician and author Shantanu Rai to discuss the intersections of medicine and storytelling, exploring the courage to step outside the lane that's been defined for you. Shantanu shares how his experiences as a physician inspired his debut medical thriller, A Dangerous Diagnosis, why he chose fiction to pull back the curtain on modern healthcare, and the five-year journey of learning an entirely new craft while continuing his career in medicine. Together, they explore physician burnout, the need for meaningful change within healthcare, and the power of storytelling to build understanding and empathy. Shantanu also reflects on reconnecting with your purpose and navigating rejection, sharing why pursuing something outside your established path can sometimes give you the energy to discover just how much more you're capable of. Learn more about Shantanu Rai and his work at https://shantanurai.com/ 00:00 Welcome to A Heart for Space 00:34 Meeting a Doctor-Turned-Author: Writing Under a Pen Name 01:36 The Book's Mission: Pulling Back the Exam Room Curtain 02:28 Why Write Under a Pen Name: Protection and Freedom 07:04 The Dilemma Every Doctor Faces: Stay, Leave, or Fight 07:38 The Third Way: A Great Doctor Fights for All Patients 15:17 The Pit and Storytelling: Showing vs. Telling in Medicine 16:40 From Inspiration to Outline: The Journey Begins 22:28 The Fundamental Problem: Healthcare Economics and Access 28:12 The Unexpected Film Deal: Leaked to Movie Studios 32:18 The Writing Process: 4 AM and a French Press 40:13 Doctors as Natural Storytellers: Reclaiming Our Humanity 43:30 Stepping Outside Your Lane: Energy Management Over Time Management 49:01 The Space Still Worth Reaching For: Finding Stillness Discover more about Dr. Eiman Jahangir, and preorder your own copy of A Heart for Space, now at https://aheartforspace.com/
- Sep 8, 202652 min
From Hard Times to Brighter Days | Blessing Offor
Born in Nigeria and raised in Connecticut from the age of six, Blessing Offor's journey has been shaped by change and an unwavering love of music. After losing much of his vision as a child, years spent sitting still while recovering from eye surgeries gave him something unexpected: time at the piano. What began as one of the few things he could fully do eventually became the pursuit that would define his life. In this episode of A Heart for Space, Dr. Eiman Jahangir is joined by two-time GRAMMY® nominee and award-winning singer-songwriter Blessing Offor for a conversation about resilience, creativity, and what it takes to keep pursuing a dream when there is no clear path forward. Blessing reflects on leaving behind the expectations of a traditional career, moving to Nashville and New York in pursuit of music, navigating years of struggle before his breakthrough on The Voice, and the decade-long journey that ultimately led to a record deal and songs like "Brighter Days" and "The Goodness." Together, they explore the complicated reality of achieving success while simultaneously experiencing profound personal loss. Blessing shares how songwriting helped him process the grief of losing his mother, sister, best friend and partner while creating his deeply personal album Real. He goes on to explore how some of life's hardest seasons can also become its most formative, as well as the importance of maintaining community even as success grows. From returning to Nigeria after more than two decades away to collaborating with Dolly Parton and finding a global audience for his music, Blessing's story is an incredible reminder that pursuing an extraordinary life doesn't mean avoiding hardship, but learning to keep moving forward through it. 00:00 Welcome to A Heart for Space 00:27 Meeting Blessing Offor: From Nigeria to Connecticut 02:50 Growing Up with Vision Challenges 10:15 Falling in Love with Music 15:00 The Decision to Pursue Music 16:25 Moving to Nashville and New York 17:13 The Voice and Breaking Through 21:55 The Ten-Year Journey to a Record Deal 28:24 Writing Brighter Days During the Pandemic 32:55 Going Home: Returning to Nigeria After 25 Years 36:28 Holding the Tension: Success and Loss 42:23 The Power of Community Over Success 43:53 Music as a Way to Process Grief 45:20 Collaborating with Dolly Parton 48:40 Making Music for Everyone 51:02 The Space Still Worth Reaching For Discover more about Dr. Eiman Jahangir, and preorder your own copy of A Heart for Space, now at https://aheartforspace.com/
- Sep 1, 202658 min
Following Your Curiosity | John Read
A cheap, pharmacy telescope changed the course of John Read's life. After years spent building a successful career in corporate finance, John pointed that telescope toward what he thought was a yellow star—and saw Saturn. The experience reignited a fascination with the night sky and eventually gave him the courage to leave behind a stable career, return to university, and build an entirely new life around astronomy. In this episode, Dr. Eiman Jahangir is joined by bestselling astronomy author and Learn to Stargaze host John A. Read for a fascinating conversation about curiosity, career reinvention, and the power of recognizing when you're on the wrong path. John shares how his early love of aviation gave way to a conventional career in finance, how volunteering with an astronomy club inspired his bestselling 50 Things to See with a Telescope series, and why he ultimately took the leap to pursue astrophysics and astronomy education full-time. Together, John and Eiman explore the importance of finding your people and of making astronomy accessible to beginners, before going on to discuss the consistency required to turn an idea into a successful book, career, or creative pursuit. They also examine our increasingly complicated relationship with technology and why putting down our screens may help us rediscover the sense of awe that's been waiting above us all along. Discover more about John and his work at http://www.learntostargaze.com 00:00 Welcome to A Heart for Space 00:34 Meeting John Read: Author and Stargazing Host 10:58 From Air Cadets to Aviation: Finding His People 16:01 The Corporate Path: Finance Career and Growing Restlessness 20:40 The $14 Telescope That Changed Everything 22:53 Writing the First Book: 50 Things to See with a Small Telescope 24:26 The Leap of Faith: Quitting Corporate to Pursue Astronomy 29:07 Building a Book Empire: Translations, Kids Books, and Finding the Formula 31:26 Learn to Stargaze: Creating a YouTube Channel and Brand 44:39 Technology, Stargazing, and the Lost Art of Authentic Experience 48:22 Johns Hopkins and the All-Star Classroom 54:46 Following Your Competence: The Space Still Worth Reaching For Discover more about Dr. Eiman Jahangir, and preorder your own copy of A Heart for Space, now at https://aheartforspace.com/
- Aug 18, 202655 min
A Lifetime Pursuing the Overview Effect | Frank White
For nearly four decades, Frank White has helped give a name to one of the most profound experiences in human spaceflight. His groundbreaking book, The Overview Effect, transformed countless astronauts' descriptions of seeing Earth from space into a concept that continues to shape how we think about exploration, humanity, and our place in the universe. Today on A Heart for Space, Dr. Eiman Jahangir is joined by author, space philosopher, and Overview Effect pioneer Frank White for a fascinating discussion about the childhood curiosity that sparked a lifelong passion for space, the unexpected path that led him to become one of the world's leading voices on the philosophy of space exploration, and why he believes humanity is approaching a pivotal moment in its evolution. Together, they explore how the Overview Effect has influenced astronauts for generations, the rise of commercial spaceflight, and the promise of permanent lunar settlements, before examining why developing a broader perspective may be one of the greatest challenges—and opportunities—of our time. Frank also reflects on the mentors who shaped his remarkable journey and his campaign to finally travel to space after a lifetime spent studying those who have, sharing why declaring your ambitions, embracing rejection, and taking action are essential to pursuing the dreams that matter most to you. 00:00 Welcome to A Heart for Space 02:28 From Childhood Wonder to Life Purpose 05:01 The Space Race and Building Rockets in the Front Yard 08:20 Apollo's Impact and Milestone Moments in Space History 13:30 Political Philosophy and the Power of Paradigm Shifts 16:40 Overview Thinking vs Surface Thinking 18:54 Nationalism, Governance, and the Need for a New Social Contract 21:42 The Birth of the Overview Effect Theory 24:23 Why Do We Explore Space? The Cosmo Hypothesis 30:07 The Consistency of the Overview Effect Across All Astronauts 35:29 Send Frank to Space: Declaring Your Dreams 39:14 The Power of Putting Yourself Out There 42:48 Rejection, Persistence, and Plan B 46:42 The People Who Shaped a Life: From Parents to Gerard O'Neill 52:23 We Are All Crew Members of Spaceship Earth Discover more about Dr. Eiman Jahangir, and preorder your own copy of A Heart for Space, now at https://aheartforspace.com/
- Aug 4, 202648 min
The Orbital Perspective | Ron Garan
As a child watching the Apollo 11 Moon landing from his home in New York, Ron Garan knew he wanted to become an astronaut. That dream eventually led him from flying F-16 combat missions during the Gulf War to spending 178 days in space aboard both the Space Shuttle and Soyuz spacecraft. But it wasn't reaching orbit that changed him most, it was looking back and seeing Earth as one interconnected, fragile home. In this episode, Dr. Eiman Jahangir welcomes retired NASA astronaut, fighter pilot, author, and social entrepreneur Ron Garan for a conversation about the transformative power of perspective. Ron reflects on the journey that reignited his childhood dream of spaceflight, the unique experience of launching aboard both American and Russian spacecraft, and the profound shift in thinking that inspired his concept of The Orbital Perspective—the belief that humanity's greatest challenges can only be solved by learning to work together on a planetary scale. Ron and Eiman also explore the lessons of military service and leadership, the future of lunar exploration and commercial spaceflight, the importance of science-based decision-making, as well as Ron's work bringing clean water and renewable energy to underserved communities through social enterprise. From orbit to Earth, this conversation is a compelling reminder that changing the way we see the world may be the first step toward changing the world itself. Purchase your own copy of Ron’s newest book, Floating in Darkness, at https://go.aheartforspace.com/floatingindarkness 00:00 Welcome to A Heart for Space 02:34 The Dream Reawakens: From Business to Engineering 06:27 Flying F-16s in the Gulf War 11:55 Comparing the Shuttle and Soyuz: Two Paths to Orbit 16:09 Launching with Former Enemies: A Symbol of Cooperation 18:07 The Orbital Perspective: Seeing Earth as One Planet 20:49 Technology: Connecting and Dividing Us 22:52 Astronauts for America: Defending the Constitution 29:14 Bringing Clean Water to the World 33:24 Writing to Inspire: Three Books and a Sci-Fi Novel 40:59 The Future of Space: Moon Bases and Lunar Economy 46:42 The Space Still Worth Reaching For Discover more about Dr. Eiman Jahangir, and preorder your own copy of A Heart for Space, now at https://aheartforspace.com/
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About A Heart For Space with Dr. Eiman Jahangir
Welcome to A Heart for Space, a podcast hosted by cardiologist, astronaut, and speaker Dr. Eiman Jahangir that explores the journeys of those who push beyond conventional limits to inspire you to pursue your own extraordinary dreams. Drawing from his own path—from immigrating to the United States as a young child to pursuing the astronaut dream for more than two decades—Dr. Jahangir leads thoughtful conversations with remarkable guests about perseverance, ambition, and the mindset required to achieve meaningful goals. Blending personal storytelling with practical insight, A Heart for Space invites you to strap in as we embark on this adventure beyond the stars, exploring what it truly takes to turn possibility into tangible reality.
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