Podcasts about Space Shuttle Challenger

When Artemis II lifted off this past April, marking humanity's return to the Moon, people across the world were captivated. It was a triumph decades in the making, but also shaped by painful loss. In this episode of Tiny Matters, we trace the legacy of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on its 40th anniversary, unpacking what went wrong both scientifically and organizationally, and how the event necessarily helped reshape NASA's safety culture. We hear firsthand from astronaut Terry Hart, who flew on Challenger less than two years before the accident, and from NASA's acting Chief of Safety and Mission Assurance, Nathan Vassberg, about how Challenger — and later, Columbia — reshaped the way NASA thinks about risk, and how those lessons were applied to Artemis II. We also hear from Vanessa Bentley, professor of applied ethics who teaches a course dissecting the conflict between managers and engineers that led to the tragedy.Send us your science facts, news, or other stories for a chance to be featured on an upcoming Tiny Show and Tell Us bonus episode. And, while you're at it, subscribe to our newsletter!All Tiny Matters transcripts and references are available here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

PART 2: Who was supposed to be on the Challenger (Space Shuttle)? What do you mean they are still alive? These are some of the theories that Brandon talks about in the conclusion to the Challenger episode.The Challenger Disaster (Part 1)Email: downtherh@protonmail.com

fWotD Episode 3308: Sally Ride Welcome to featured Wiki of the Day, your daily dose of knowledge from Wikipedia's finest articles.The featured article for Tuesday, 26 May 2026, is Sally Ride.Sally Kristen Ride (May 26, 1951 – July 23, 2012) was an American astronaut and physicist. Born in Los Angeles, she joined NASA in 1978, and in 1983 became the first American woman and the third woman to fly in space, after cosmonauts Valentina Tereshkova in 1963 and Svetlana Savitskaya in 1982. She was the youngest American astronaut to have flown in space, having done so at the age of 32.Ride was a graduate of Stanford University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature in 1973, a Master of Science degree in 1975, and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1978 (both in physics) for research on the interaction of X-rays with the interstellar medium. She was selected as a mission specialist astronaut with NASA Astronaut Group 8, the first class of NASA astronauts to include women. After completing her training in 1979, she served as the ground-based capsule communicator (CapCom) for the second and third Space Shuttle flights, and helped develop the Space Shuttle's robotic arm. In June 1983, she flew in space on the Space Shuttle Challenger on the STS-7 mission. The mission deployed two communications satellites and the first Shuttle pallet satellite (SPAS-1). Ride operated the robotic arm to deploy and retrieve SPAS-1. Her second space flight was the STS-41-G mission in 1984, also on board Challenger. She spent a total of more than 343 hours in space. She left NASA in 1987.Ride worked for two years at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Arms Control, then at the University of California, San Diego, primarily researching nonlinear optics and Thomson scattering. She served on the committees that investigated the loss of Challenger and of Columbia, the only person to participate in both. Having been married to astronaut Steven Hawley during her spaceflight years and in a private, long-term relationship with former Women's Tennis Association player Tam O'Shaughnessy, she is the first astronaut known to have been LGBTQ, a fact that she hid until her death, when her obituary identified O'Shaughnessy as her partner of 27 years. She died of pancreatic cancer in 2012.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:13 UTC on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.For the full current version of the article, see Sally Ride on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm neural Joey.

Link Up w/The Morning Sickness Digitally All Over:Instagram: @hms_98_official, @bosskupd, @bretvesely, @dickToledoX/Twitter: @HMSon98, @DickToledo, @bretveselyFacebook: @HMSKUPDYouTube: @hmspodcast9320, @98kupdRequest/Call in/Wakeup Song line:(IN AZ) 602.585.9800More HMS: holmbergpodcast.com, 98kupd.comEmail: dtoledo@98kupd.com, bvesely@98kupd.com, bbogen@98kupd.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Link Up w/The Morning Sickness Digitally All Over:Instagram: @hms_98_official, @bosskupd, @bretvesely, @dickToledoX/Twitter: @HMSon98, @DickToledo, @bretveselyFacebook: @HMSKUPDYouTube: @hmspodcast9320, @98kupdRequest/Call in/Wakeup Song line:(IN AZ) 602.585.9800More HMS: holmbergpodcast.com, 98kupd.comEmail: dtoledo@98kupd.com, bvesely@98kupd.com, bbogen@98kupd.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction4:57 - Really hungry hippos terrorize Colombia15:35 - Hungry Hungry Hippos: The Game19:05 - Hungry: The Hungry Hippo Horror Movie21:35 - Why did we think Piranhas were a threat?24:30 - Piranha: The Movie (1978)30:05 - Asian Carp: The Real Piranhas38:50 - Street Fighter: The Movie43:00 - Street Fighter: The Video Game50:20 - Gen X Goes to Outer Space54:10 - Did you watch the Space Shuttle Challenger launch?1:03:40 - Wrap Up and Thank YouRead the Times of India story about Gen X in Space.Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1980snow.Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@1980snow

On June 18, 1983, Sally Ride made history when she became the first American woman to travel to space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. She would also make history in another way. Buckle up for this deep dive into Sally Ride's life and legacy!History UnErased is putting LGBTQ history in its rightful place — the classroom. UnErased.org

The Tim Conway Jr. Show Hour 1 (4.10)

Another week, another international conflict that gets closer to its apex. Bryan and Mario decide why let that and some initial copyright issues uploading this episode stop them from bringing this to the masses? The guys are suggested to look into a very intriguing conspiracy theory regarding the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster: did Big Bird cause that to happen? Was the iconic Sesame Street character supposed to be on that ill-fated launch? It's a topic tailor-made for this podcast, so we obviously had to check it out.Plus, Bryan leans Argentina for wanting their new World Cup jersey, a deep dive into Need for Speed Nintendo DS game ratings, and is Mario speaking facts about purchasing sports jerseys straight from China and not worrying about the long shipping wait?This episode is another one closer to 200. Still just as random, confusing, and wild as one may expect. Welcome in.

The Challenger Disaster marked one of the lowest points in the history of NASA, and what's worse is it was completely preventable. The Space Shuttle program had been kicked off in April 1981 and had executed 24 successful launches prior to January 28th, 1986. For a while it had been known by Morton Thiokol, the builders of the solid fuel rocket boosters that carried the shuttle into orbit, and NASA, an issue with the boosters O-Ring seals was present during launches. While nothing disastrous has happened it was the opinion of the engineers at Thiokol that it was only a matter of time. It was such a concern the night before the challenger launch, a group of engineers flat out told NASA staff they did not recommend launching until the issue could be resolved. The few individuals at NASA aware of this chose to ignore the experts warning and launch anyway. 73 seconds into the launch the nightmare became a reality. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

EPISODE 158 | Nasty NASA: The Challenger and Other Spacespiracies At 11:38 am  on January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger lifted off from Florida's Cape Canaveral on its 10th mission and 73 seconds later exploded, killing everyone on board. This was seen live on television by millions of people because a civilian teacher was one of the crew.  At first, it was thought an external fuel tank had exploded. But after a thorough investigation, the real culprit turned out to be a faulty O-ring. Over the years, more digging would uncover behind the scenes drama, some of which may have led to the disaster. And for some folks, conspiracy narratives started to circulate that the whole thing was fake, the crew was still alive, that it was aliens, that they slipped into a parallel dimension and so on. Plus, NASA is often the target of conspironauts who think they know what's “really” going on. Review us here or on IMDb. And seriously, subscribe, will ya? Like, just do it.  SECTIONS 01:54 - A Space Boy Dream - What happened with the Challenger explosion 17:07 - Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me) - O-rings, organizational malfeasance, the CT that no one really died, a planned mass trauma, other CTs 32:18 - We Are All Made of Stars - The Untold Story of the Challenger Explosion: A Journey Through Time, Conspiracy, and Alternate Realities by David Moore, NASAHoax CTs: alien tech, Nibiru, Saturn Death Stars, the Mars Hoax, a hexagon on Saturn, straight lines in nature,  43:27 - Space Junk - Skylab comes back down, the Skylab astronaut strike, general belief in science, we aren't all that bright Music by Fanette Ronjat Follow us on social: Facebook X (Twitter) Other Podcasts by Derek DeWitt DIGITAL SIGNAGE DONE RIGHT - Winner of a Gold Quill Award, Gold MarCom Award, AVA Digital Award Gold, Silver Davey Award, and Communicator Award of Excellence, and on numerous top 10 podcast lists.  PRAGUE TIMES - A city is more than just a location - it's a kaleidoscope of history, places, people and trends. This podcast looks at Prague, in the center of Europe, from a number of perspectives, including what it is now, what is has been and where it's going. It's Prague THEN, Prague NOW, Prague LATER 

Topics- Super Bowl 60 Episode!- Demond Wilson of Sanford & Son dies at 79- 40th Anniversary of Space Shuttle Challenger disaster- 25yr old Taryn Smith rows 3,000 miles across the Atlantic- 62yr old Poway teacher completes 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents!- 10 times in history in which identical films are released at the same time- Luigi Mangione case may be falling apart for prosecutors because of how evidence was gathered- Former first lady, Jill Biden's ex-husband is arrested for murder of his current wife- Bill Belichick is snubbed by NFL H.O.F. on his 1st ballot for induction- Super Bowl 60 between Seattle & New England is reviewed and discussed by Jack as well as the spread, prop bets etc

The Rewind 1986 with Henry McKean 12pm Bank Holiday Monday the 2nd of February on Newstalk. It was the year of Top Gun. Crocodile Dundee and The Mission. Maradona and the Hand of God. The Challenger Space Shuttle disaster. Chernobyl. And the biggest hit of the year, Chris De Burgh's Lady in Red. Chris De Burgh talks about his friend Diana loving the song, how Pat Kenny influenced him to write it. And the song going to number 1 in 28 countries. It's the 40th anniversary

Forty years ago this past week, Americans watched in horror as the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on live television just 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven crew members. An investigation later found that during the coldest-ever shuttle launch, a failure in the O-ring seals—caused in part by the weather—led to the disaster. Hours after the tragedy, President Reagan addressed the nation, calling the crew heroes and vowing that the disaster would not end America's space program. Earlier this week, retired NASA astronauts Bonnie Dunbar and Clayton Anderson joined FOX News Rundown host Dave Anthony to reflect on the lives of the seven heroes lost, the evolution of safety protocols following the investigation, and the unwavering spirit of discovery required to reach for the Moon and Mars. We often must cut interviews short during the week, but we thought you might like to hear the full conversation. Today on The FOX News Rundown Extra, we share our entire interview with retired NASA astronauts Bonnie Dunbar and Clayton Anderson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forty years ago this past week, Americans watched in horror as the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on live television just 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven crew members. An investigation later found that during the coldest-ever shuttle launch, a failure in the O-ring seals—caused in part by the weather—led to the disaster. Hours after the tragedy, President Reagan addressed the nation, calling the crew heroes and vowing that the disaster would not end America's space program. Earlier this week, retired NASA astronauts Bonnie Dunbar and Clayton Anderson joined FOX News Rundown host Dave Anthony to reflect on the lives of the seven heroes lost, the evolution of safety protocols following the investigation, and the unwavering spirit of discovery required to reach for the Moon and Mars. We often must cut interviews short during the week, but we thought you might like to hear the full conversation. Today on The FOX News Rundown Extra, we share our entire interview with retired NASA astronauts Bonnie Dunbar and Clayton Anderson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forty years ago this past week, Americans watched in horror as the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on live television just 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven crew members. An investigation later found that during the coldest-ever shuttle launch, a failure in the O-ring seals—caused in part by the weather—led to the disaster. Hours after the tragedy, President Reagan addressed the nation, calling the crew heroes and vowing that the disaster would not end America's space program. Earlier this week, retired NASA astronauts Bonnie Dunbar and Clayton Anderson joined FOX News Rundown host Dave Anthony to reflect on the lives of the seven heroes lost, the evolution of safety protocols following the investigation, and the unwavering spirit of discovery required to reach for the Moon and Mars. We often must cut interviews short during the week, but we thought you might like to hear the full conversation. Today on The FOX News Rundown Extra, we share our entire interview with retired NASA astronauts Bonnie Dunbar and Clayton Anderson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Jan. 28, 1986, NASA's 25th space shuttle mission, Challenger, left the launchpad in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Seventy-three seconds into flight, Challenger exploded over the Atlantic Ocean as millions of people watched. All seven people on board died. Now, forty years later, journalist Adam Higginbotham chronicles what went wrong. His book Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space pieces together stories from key officials, engineers and the families of those killed in the explosion – and details how its legacy still haunts spaceflight today. Consider checking out our episode speaking to an astronaut while she's in space.Have a scientific question you want us to answer? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.Listen to Short Wave on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

On Jan. 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after takeoff. All seven crew members on board were killed. The disaster was one of the most significant events in NASA history, watched live by millions of people around the world. It grounded all space shuttle missions for almost three years. Adam Higginbotham, author of the book "Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space," talks about what happened, the lives lost, and what NASA learned from the disaster. Then, Christa McAuliffe, a 37-year-old high school teacher from New Hampshire, was one of those crew members. She was set to become the first teacher in space. NHPR's Patrick McNameeKing discusses McAuliffe's life and legacy.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Join Jim and Greg for the Wednesday 3 Martini Lunch as they break down how the Electoral College map is likely to look after the 2030 Census, another staggering policy failure under California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Ilhan Omar incident from last night, and the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. First, they […]

Remembering the flight crew and schoolteacher aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger that broke apart seconds into launch. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded just seconds after takeoff, killing all seven astronauts. - Am 28. Januar 1986 explodierte die Space Shuttle Challenger nur Sekunden nach dem Start und riss alle sieben Astronauten in den Tod.

Join Jim and Greg for the Wednesday 3 Martini Lunch as they break down how the Electoral College map is likely to look after the 2030 Census, another staggering policy failure under California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Ilhan Omar incident from last night, and the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.First, they welcome projections showing the next U.S. Census shifting the Electoral College map in Republicans' favor. Red states are expected to gain eight electoral votes, swing states one, while blue states lose nine. California is poised to lose four while Texas should gain four. If the projection holds, it could give GOP candidates an easier path to the White House starting n 2032.Next, they react in disbelief to a $236 million California program meant to help mentally ill individuals cycling through homelessness and jail that has reportedly helped just 22 people. Gov. Gavin Newsom insists the number is higher, but even generous estimates point to a massive failure and another example of ineffective governance in deep-blue states.Then, they discuss Rep. Ilhan Omar being confronted and having liquid squirted on her during a public forum Tuesday night. Omar was not seriously harmed and completed the event. Finally, Jim and Greg reflect on 40 years since the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff in 1986, sharing where they were when it happened and how it became their generation's defining national tragedy until the  9/11 terrorist attacks.Please visit our great sponsors:Try QUO for free, PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you visit https://Quo.com/3MLTake your personal data back with Incogni. Go to https://Incogni.com/3ML to get 60% off an Annual Plan. New episodes every weekday. 

President Trump has kicked off a weekly national travel schedule to champion his economic agenda and mobilize voters ahead of the 2026 midterms. Amidst growing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement following the recent shooting in Minneapolis, the administration has made some personnel changes to ICE operations, while also doubling down on "80 percent issues" like affordability and border security. FOX News Political Analyst and former RNC Chairman Reince Priebus joins the Rundown to break down the GOP's roadmap for turning the midterms into a presidential-style victory.  Forty years ago today, the world watched in horror as the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff, a tragedy that exposed critical hardware failures and sparked a national conversation about the inherent risks of pushing the human frontier. Retired NASA astronauts Bonnie Dunbar and Clayton Anderson join to look back at the lives of the seven heroes lost, the evolution of safety protocols that followed the investigation, and the unwavering spirit of discovery required to reach for the Moon and Mars. Plus, commentary by FOX News contributor Joe Concha. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forty years ago, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on live television just 73 seconds after lifting off. All seven astronauts aboard died, plunging the nation into mourning. On our video podcast "Settle In," Geoff Bennett and Miles O'Brien discussed that moment and how it changed the country. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Join Jim and Greg for the Wednesday 3 Martini Lunch as they break down how the Electoral College map is likely to look after the 2030 Census, another staggering policy failure under California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Ilhan Omar incident from last night, and the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. First, they […]

On this anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, Good Is In The Details revisits one of history's most consequential moments in engineering, ethics, and public trust. On January 28, 1986, the Challenger broke apart just 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven crew members and shocking the world. In this encore episode, Gwendolyn Dolske, Rudy Salo, and Engineering Professor Phil Rosenkrantz explore what really happened behind the scenes, the technical causes of the catastrophic O-ring failure, and the deeply human decisions that led NASA and its contractor to proceed with launch despite known risks. We dive into engineering ethics and professional responsibility, discussing how engineers' concerns were raised and then overruled, and what that teaches us about risk, organizational pressure, and moral reasoning in high-stakes contexts. Whether you're interested in spaceflight history, engineering ethics case studies, or the broader public philosophy of how societies make and justify risky decisions, this episode offers a thoughtful, philosophically framed examination of one of the most studied disasters in aerospace history.

Forty years ago today, the Challenger Space Shuttle broke apart in the sky, killing everyone on board. Adam Higginbotham, author of the book Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space, discusses how things went so wrong, and the aftermath of the disaster. Plus, listeners share their memory of Challenger. 

We're back late in January and the Super Bowl is set with Seattle and .... New England?! Yes, and we're ready to discuss the coverage of the AFC and NFC title games, plus, the Tuesday evening breaking news of Bill Belichick being kept out, for now, of the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot that he was eligible. It's all part of the discussion on the newest "LWOS Media Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives is back with his takes, but also guest Ken Fang of Awful Announcing, who's in the heart of Patriots country in Providence, RI, to go over New England being back in the big game and the hysteria ongoing of Belichick being left out of the hall, for now.The guys also discuss the analysts calling the NFL- Tony Romo, Tom Brady and now, Cris Collinsworth, who will work the Super Bowl for NBC, and yet again, with the Patriots as the team.Plus, T.J. has more on Bob Costas returning to NBC's Baseball coverage, Brooks Koepka leaving the evil LIV Golf Tour to come back to the PGA Tour and be featured on CBS this weekend, and more.This includes his remembrances of being in West Central Florida 40 years ago on Wednesday (1/28/86) for the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger (and being able to see the aftermath in the sky) and the deaths of the heroic astronauts that played out on live TV, etc.It's all part of the "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple//Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged, ending a streak of three consecutive quarter percentage point cuts; Senate Democrats present their demands for reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to get their votes to pass a Homeland Security spending bill and avoid a partial government shutdown. Those demands include: ending roving patrols, tightening the rules for warrants, barring federal offices from wearing masks and requiring them to wear body cameras. We will talk about it with The Hill's Alex Bolton (19); Secretary of State Marco Rubio tells the Senate Foreign Relations Committee there has been 'good and decent progress' in Venezuela since the U.S. military removed President Nicolas Maduro; Veterans Affairs Secretary testifies before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on improving the VA health care system; musician & entertainer Kid Rock testifies before a Senate Commerce Subcommittee about what he sees as unfair business practices in the selling and reselling of tickets to concerts & sporting events; today is the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 40th Anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, we rerelease this episode with a new introduction to include Ron McNair articles from his home, N.C. A&T Physics.

We're back late in January and the Super Bowl is set with Seattle and .... New England?! Yes, and we're ready to discuss the coverage of the AFC and NFC title games, plus, the Tuesday evening breaking news of Bill Belichick being kept out, for now, of the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot that he was eligible. It's all part of the discussion on the newest "LWOS Media Podcast!"Host T.J. Rives is back with his takes, but also guest Ken Fang of Awful Announcing, who's in the heart of Patriots country in Providence, RI, to go over New England being back in the big game and the hysteria ongoing of Belichick being left out of the hall, for now.The guys also discuss the analysts calling the NFL- Tony Romo, Tom Brady and now, Cris Collinsworth, who will work the Super Bowl for NBC, and yet again, with the Patriots as the team.Plus, T.J. has more on Bob Costas returning to NBC's Baseball coverage, Brooks Koepka leaving the evil LIV Golf Tour to come back to the PGA Tour and be featured on CBS this weekend, and more.This includes his remembrances of being in West Central Florida 40 years ago on Wednesday (1/28/86) for the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger (and being able to see the aftermath in the sky) and the deaths of the heroic astronauts that played out on live TV, etc.It's all part of the "LWOS Media Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple//Spreaker/Spotify, etc.! 

From the day Lego patented its iconic bricks to the star‑studded recording of “We Are the World,” the hosts go through some of the most memorable moments that happened on this date. They also look back at the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy and revisit the viral Bernie‑mittens moment that turned into $1.8 million for Vermont charities.

Back on this day in 1986 the space shuttle Challenger exploded after takeoff. Challenger was supposed to take off six days earlier.

Craig Carton and Chris McMonigle kick off a wild segment on the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy, diving into viral conspiracy theories claiming the astronauts may still be alive. From snow-melting conspiracies and flamethrower experiments to cold plunges gone wrong, the conversation spirals into classic Carton chaos. The segment then shifts to NFL drama as the Browns hire Todd Monken, Jim Schwartz storms out, and the Jets get pulled into Jon Gruden speculation.

President Trump has kicked off a weekly national travel schedule to champion his economic agenda and mobilize voters ahead of the 2026 midterms. Amidst growing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement following the recent shooting in Minneapolis, the administration has made some personnel changes to ICE operations, while also doubling down on "80 percent issues" like affordability and border security. FOX News Political Analyst and former RNC Chairman Reince Priebus joins the Rundown to break down the GOP's roadmap for turning the midterms into a presidential-style victory.  Forty years ago today, the world watched in horror as the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff, a tragedy that exposed critical hardware failures and sparked a national conversation about the inherent risks of pushing the human frontier. Retired NASA astronauts Bonnie Dunbar and Clayton Anderson join to look back at the lives of the seven heroes lost, the evolution of safety protocols that followed the investigation, and the unwavering spirit of discovery required to reach for the Moon and Mars. Plus, commentary by FOX News contributor Joe Concha. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Haverhill police won't face charges in death of Francis Gigliotti, today marks 40 years since the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and some republicans on Capitol Hill turn on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Stay in "The Loop" with WBZ NewsRadio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

## Today's Headlines:

President Trump has kicked off a weekly national travel schedule to champion his economic agenda and mobilize voters ahead of the 2026 midterms. Amidst growing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement following the recent shooting in Minneapolis, the administration has made some personnel changes to ICE operations, while also doubling down on "80 percent issues" like affordability and border security. FOX News Political Analyst and former RNC Chairman Reince Priebus joins the Rundown to break down the GOP's roadmap for turning the midterms into a presidential-style victory.  Forty years ago today, the world watched in horror as the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff, a tragedy that exposed critical hardware failures and sparked a national conversation about the inherent risks of pushing the human frontier. Retired NASA astronauts Bonnie Dunbar and Clayton Anderson join to look back at the lives of the seven heroes lost, the evolution of safety protocols that followed the investigation, and the unwavering spirit of discovery required to reach for the Moon and Mars. Plus, commentary by FOX News contributor Joe Concha. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tune in here to this Tuesday's edition of the Brett Winterble Show! Brett kicks off the program by talking about winter weather conditions and escalating unrest in Minneapolis, setting the tone with a reminder that “it’s not a party until something breaks.” He notes that roads are currently clear but urges listeners to prepare for potential snow and bitter cold, pivoting quickly to what he sees as a system under stress. Brett focuses on leadership shakeups tied to recent violence, arguing that former arrangements failed and that placing Tom Homan in charge represents a necessary reset. He contrasts Homan’s long law-enforcement background with what he calls political mismanagement at the state and city level, particularly in Minneapolis. Bo Thompson from Good Morning BT is also here for this Tuesday’s episode of Crossing the Streams. Brett and Bo talk about the adrenaline-fueled weekend of winter weather coverage and why live, local radio still matters when conditions turn dangerous. From ice, snow, and real-time listener reports to the unique bond between a radio station and its community, the conversation highlights how familiar voices help keep people informed—and calm—when it matters most. Bo also shares what listeners can expect as another potential winter system looms this weekend, and how forecasters are tracking a possible shift from ice to snow. Plus, Bo previews what he and Beth Troutman have coming up Tuesday morning on Good Morning BT, including continued updates on the unrest in Minneapolis and a powerful reflection on the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Listen here for all of this and more on The Brett Winterble Show! For more from Brett Winterble check out his YouTube channel. -- See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On January 28, 1986, a frigid cold day with an icy blue sky, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The accident killed all seven crew members aboard and was the first fatal in-flight spacecraft disaster in NASA's history. For many, the explosion came as an absolute shock. Millions of people were watching live, including school children who were especially eager to catch a glimpse of Christa McAuliffe, a teacher from New Hampshire and the first civilian in space. On this episode, we remember the Challenger tragedy with author Adam Higginbotham who details what went wrong and the aftermath in his book, “Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space.”

After an Englishman fell to his death at Uluru on Australia Day 1986, a search of the area would find the crucial evidence that proved Lindy Chamberlain was innocent of the murder of her baby daughter Azaria. But who was the tortured soul whose fate set her free?Also: the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster; Star Wars can't live up to the hype; President Reagan guns for Colonel Gadaffi; and Donald Trump explains his Russia-friendly plan for world peace as he talks up his awesome dome project and shows off his new mega-mansion Mar-A-Lago!*Parts 2 & 3 are available now ad-free to supporters*Use a seven-day free Apple or Patreon free trial with the links below. It's easy to cancel. If you keep supporting, it's about $6 per month. Cancel any time.www.apple.co/forgottenaustraliawww.patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaWant more original Australian history? Check out my books!They'll Never Hold Me:https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.htmlThe Murder Squad:https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.htmlHanging Ned Kelly:https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.htmlAustralia's Sweetheart:https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.htmlEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On January 28, 1986, Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, killing all seven crew members aboard. It was an accident witnessed by millions who were tuning in to see the first teacher, Christa McAuliffe, on her first mission. Instead of a statue in memory of the lives lost that day, the families of the Challenger Crew established the Challenger Center to honor the crew's mission to inspire future generations of explorers.  Former NASA Astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger is the incoming chair of the Challenger Center Board of Directors and shared how the education facilities are marking the 40 years since the Challenger disaster. You can connect with Dottie on LinkedIn, and find out more about the Challenger Center on their website. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A former Canadian Olympic snowboard allegedly turned drug kingpin is under arrest, we'll tell you his connection to L.A. A free event in Downey this weekend honors astronauts who lost their lives in space mission disasters, like Challenger. Plus it's Food Friday, we'll hear about the latest news in the food world. Support The L.A. Report by donating at LAist.com/join and by visiting https://laist.comSupport the show: https://laist.com

On 28 January 1986, a space shuttle launch went wrong.Six astronauts and a teacher, Christa McAuliffe, were killed.In 1984, US President Ronald Reagan had announced that Nasa would search for a member of the public to accompany experienced astronauts on the space shuttle Challenger.Barbara Morgan was chosen as the teacher backup and had trained alongside the Challenger team.She watched as the shuttle was destroyed a little more than a minute after take-off.In 2012, Barbara Morgan spoke to Chloe Hadjimatheou.Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more. Recent episodes explore everything from the death of Adolf Hitler, the first spacewalk and the making of the movie Jaws, to celebrity tortoise Lonesome George, the Kobe earthquake and the invention of superglue. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: Eva Peron – Argentina's Evita; President Ronald Reagan and his famous ‘tear down this wall' speech; Thomas Keneally on why he wrote Schindler's List; and Jacques Derrida, France's ‘rock star' philosopher. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the civil rights swimming protest; the disastrous D-Day rehearsal; and the death of one of the world's oldest languages.(Photo: Launch of Space Shuttle Challenger. Credit: Oxford Science Archive/Print Collector/Getty Images)

Space exploration relies heavily on the interest of the public — the voters, and taxpayers, who are ultimately footing the bill. But that support and excitement can be fickle. When space missions go well, and deliver new insights, the payoff is cheering crowds and increased support. But when they don't, the result can be reduced funding, canceled missions — and even deaths.That means, with each mission, the pressure is on to push boundaries, break new ground, and get everything right. Even a small mistake or malfunction could potentially lead to absolute disaster.On this episode, we look back at three historic NASA missions and how they shaped the course of space exploration. From the awe-inspiring triumph of the first unmanned spacecraft landing on Mars in 1976, to a devastating national tragedy in 1986, to the long-game Pluto mission launched in 2006. It was the mission that was supposed to reignite the public's interest in the work of NASA — the Space Shuttle Challenger, an orbiter that, in January 1986, would carry six astronauts and one civilian, a teacher named Christa McAuliffe, into space. But on the day of lift-off, tragedy struck — the Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven crew members. We talk with author Adam Higginbotham about what led up to the mission, what went wrong, and the lasting impact it had on both NASA and the public's perception of space exploration. He's the author of “Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space.” In 2006, NASA launched New Horizons — an interplanetary space probe slated to become the first spacecraft to perform a flyby of Pluto, a journey of roughly 10 years. Pulse reporter Alan Yu tells the story of the mission's difficult beginnings, what we learned, and the dramatic moment that almost derailed everything.

Sue Nelson and Richard Hollingham are joined by member of the first crew to fix a satellite in orbit, Terry Hart. He discusses this month's Challenger 40th anniversary, and the spy satellite NASA used to check for Shuttle damage. The team also talk space emergencies with the UK Space Agency's senior exploration manager Meganne Christian, and space journalists Ken Kremer and Andrew Cook look ahead to 2026 in space. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Sue Nelson and Richard Hollingham are joined by member of the first crew to fix a satellite in orbit, Terry Hart. He discusses this month's Challenger 40th anniversary, and the spy satellite NASA used to check for Shuttle damage. The team also talk space emergencies with the UK Space Agency's senior exploration manager Meganne Christian, and space journalists Ken Kremer and Andrew Cook look ahead to 2026 in space. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Summary In this episode, Cultivating Curiosity host Jeff Ikler reflects on his love of year-end "Best Books" lists and why reading sits at the heart of his podcast and personal life. He welcomes lists from institutions like The New York Times and the New York Public Library, seeing them as both a defense against book banning and a source of discovery, connection, and generosity. For Ikler, books spark curiosity, deepen empathy, and create bonds—whether through gifting or thoughtful conversation with authors. He also underscores podcast hosts' responsibility to read their guests' work in full, arguing that preparation honors both listeners and writers. Ultimately, Ikler finds himself drawn to books that slow him down through careful observation and reflection, or expand his understanding through deeply researched history, reinforcing reading as both nourishment and refuge. Three Major Takeaways Reading lists are acts of resistance, curiosity, and connection—not just recommendations. Thoughtful reading is essential to meaningful conversation, especially in podcasting. The most rewarding books either sharpen our attention to the present or deepen our understanding of the past. Jeff's favorite books in 2025 Crossings – How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet by Ben Goldfarb. Quoting from the book jacket, "Creatures from antelope to salmon are losing their ability to migrate in search of food and mates; invasive plants hitch rides in tire treads, road salt contaminates lakes and rivers; and the very, very noise of traffic chases songbirds from vast swaths of habitat." In this beautifully crafted book, Goldfarb makes the case that overpasses and underpasses are essential for reducing the deaths of animals and humans who inevitably come into brutal contact with one another. One of the chief takeaways in our era of divisiveness is that road ecologists and other scientists, insurance companies, and government officials are working collaboratively to solve problems. They have different goals for doing so, but they're working effectively at the intersection. You can access my two-part podcast interview on Getting Unstuck–Cultivating Curiosity with Ben in episodes 347 and 348. The Comfort of Crows – A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl. This title came from one of last year's best books, and it did not disappoint. Quoting from the book jacket, "Margaret Renkl presents a literary devotional: fifty-two chapters that follow the creatures and plants in her backyard over the course of a year." How often do you read a chapter or passage because the writing is so moving? If you're interested in slowing down and seeing more of your immediate world, this is a great place to start. This small volume is a course in observation and reflection. Challenger – A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham. Like many Americans who watched the Space Shuttle Challenger break apart just seventy-three seconds into its mission, I thought I knew the story, but I was so wrong. As the book jacket explains, "…the Challenger disaster was a defining moment in twentieth-century history–one that forever changed the way America thought of itself and its optimistic view of the future. Yet the full story of what happened, and why, has never been told." I was moved to head-shaking anger after reading how decisions were made and bungled. Higginbotham's explanation of a highly complicated topic is beautifully presented. The book is a primer on the dangers of overly complex and competing bureaucracies and ego. Remember Us – American Sacrifice, Dutch Freedom, and a Forever Promise Forged in World War II by Robert M. Edsel with Bret Witter. Remember Us documents twelve lives connected to the American Military Cemetery near the small village of Margraten, Netherlands. Approximately 8,300 Americans who helped liberate the Netherlands from the Nazis and the grip of fascism during World War II are buried there. One of these was a Black American soldier who, along with a company of other Black Americans, dug the graves under the harshest weather conditions. The cruel irony is that Black soldiers worked in segregated and mostly non-combat roles in a war fought to eliminate tyranny and oppression. The cemetery is remarkable because local Dutch citizens have taken it upon themselves to adopt each grave and visit it weekly. This practice reflects the citizens' ongoing gratitude, and their visits ensure that the soldiers are always remembered for their sacrifice. There is a waiting list of citizens who wish to adopt a grave. Raising Hare—a Memoir by Chloe Dalton. This title has made almost every list I've come across. From the jacket cover, "…Dalton stumbles upon a newborn hare—a leveret—that had been chased by a dog. Fearing for its life, she brings it home, only to discover how difficult it is to rear a wild hare." Dalton deftly and wisely navigates caring for the hare as a house guest versus a pet, a choice that lets the hare move between the wild of the nearby woods and the security of her home. Like Renkl, Dalton has a keen eye for observation, one that put me in her home and garden as a witness to their interactions. Origin — A Genetic History of the Americas by Jennifer Raff. When I was growing up, I watched or read with almost religious fervor anything National Geographic produced featuring Louis Leakey, a paleoanthropologist and archaeologist. I was in awe of how he dug through the layers of time to find bones and artifacts from our earliest ancestors. Leakey's work was critical in demonstrating our human origins in Africa. So, when my friend Annette Taylor, a researcher of evolutionary psychology and biology, shared an article featuring Professor Jennifer Raff, an anthropologist and geneticist trying to rewrite the history of human origins in the Americas, I knew I had to invite her on my podcast. As a history enthusiast, I found it especially rewarding to co-host, along with Annette, a discussion with Professor Raff on podcast episode 358 about how and why early peoples migrated to and within North America. Raff has a talent for simplifying complex topics and making listeners comfortable with uncertainty. Scientists have theories and are constantly testing and revising them. We don't yet know for sure how early peoples arrived here or why they migrated, but that's the beauty of science and history. There is always more to discover. If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name by Heather Lende. I read this book decades ago and was as captivated then as I was this year by Heather Lende's storytelling ability. Adapted from the back cover, "As both the obituary writer and social columnist for the local newspaper (in Haines, Alaska, population about 2,500), Heather Lende knows better than anyone the goings-on in this breathtakingly beautiful place. Her offbeat chronicle brings us inside her — and the town's — busy life." Why read about a small town in Alaska? Maybe because it helps us look critically at our own lives. Like Renkl and Dalton, Heather Lende has an eye for detail, but also the humanity beneath the detail. She has graciously agreed to be my guest in podcast episode 400 this coming February. The most interesting books read in 2025 by his friends and colleagues Steve Ehrlich – The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul by Connie Zweig.  Zweig writes from a Jungian perspective that is accessible to anyone who thinks about old and new agendas, internal and external, as we transition to later life, and reflect on what we want to hold on to, and what we're prepared to let go of to live an authentic life.   Cindy House – What Just Happened by Charles Finch. It's one person's experience of the terrible year that was the pandemic lockdown, with all the fear, uncertainty, and strangeness I had forgotten. I loved his cultural observations and witty take on one of the weirdest years of our lives. I am so glad this particular record exists.  By Edgington – The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer. I first read the book in 2013, then again in '24, and now I read and refer to it every year. Singer's book is what propelled me to join his Temple of the Universe, where Mariah and I now live on the grounds. It's filled with inspiration and simple, almost homely wisdom: "The moment in front of you is not bothering you; you're bothering yourself about the moment in front of you!" Spencer Seim – To Possess the Land by Frank Waters. It follows the life of Arthur Manby, who came to the New Mexico territory in 1885 from England. He quickly tried to cash in by calling parcels of land his own. He quickly ran into resistance, often by force, and had to learn the hard way that the land of New Mexico in those days was a bit more complicated. Charlotte Wittenkamp – Shift by Ethan Kross. Kross examines Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning and the notion that we always have the freedom to choose how we respond - even to the atrocities Frankl had to put up with in a WWII concentration camp. Kross examines and supports, with scientific findings, various ways we can shift our perspectives to gain easier access to that freedom of choice. Paul McNichols – E-Boat Alert by James F. Tent. The book offers a nearly forensic yet highly readable analysis of the threat posed by the E-Boats of the German Kriegsmarine to the Allied invasion of Europe in 1944. It covers the development, use, strengths, and limitations of these fast, maneuverable craft, as well as their impact on the Normandy landings on D-Day and the weeks thereafter. The most interesting part is the chain of events that ultimately led to their neutralization. Annette Taylor – My Name is Chellis, and I'm in Recovery from Western Civilization by Chellis Glendinning. Chellis writes affectionately and respectfully about eco-psychology and nature-based peoples from whom members of Western Civilization could learn a lot. Sue Inches – The Light Eaters – How the unseen world of plant intelligence offers a new understanding of life on earth by Zoe Schlanger. A thrilling journey that leads the reader from an old paradigm of plants as separate inanimate objects, to the true nature of plants as sensing, alive beings who communicate with the world around them. An inspiring example of how human understanding of the world around us is making progress! Rich Gassen – The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker. Priya teaches us how to have better parties, events, and relationships through her writing. I used this book's information (along with her podcasts) to plan a better 10-year anniversary party for the Campus Supervisors Network community of practice I lead at UW-Madison — making it exclusive, inviting, and tailored to those who attended. Mac Bogert – Renegades by Robert Ward. After some time as a college professor, Bob decided to try journalism. He spent twenty years interviewing folks from Waylon Jennings to Larry Flynt, and, damn, he's good at it! Hunter Seim – Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. The novel is set during World War II, from 1942 to 1944. It mainly follows the life of antihero Captain Yossarian, a U.S. Air Force B-25 bombardier. The term "Catch-22" itself refers to a paradoxical situation in which contradictory rules or circumstances trap a person. In the novel, Yossarian discovers that he can be declared insane and relieved from duty if he requests it, but by requesting it, he demonstrates his sanity. Remarkably accurate in describing organizational dysfunction and bureaucratic absurdity. It was the perfect book to read in 2025. Bill Whiteside – I Regret Almost Everything by Keith McNally. I wondered whether this memoir by a New York restaurateur (who hates the word "restaurateur" and much else), who suffered two strokes and survived a suicide attempt, would live up to its social media hype. It does.

Before the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986, NASA management officially estimated the probability of catastrophic failure at one in one hundred thousand. That's about the same odds as getting struck by lightning while being attacked by a shark. The engineers working on the actual rockets? They estimated the risk at closer to one in one hundred. A thousand times more dangerous than management believed.¹ Both groups had access to the same data. The same flight records. The same engineering reports. So how could their conclusions be off by a factor of a thousand? The answer isn't about intelligence or access to information. It's about the mental frameworks they used to interpret that information. Management was using models built for public relations and budget justification. Engineers were using models built for physics and failure analysis. Same inputs, radically different outputs. The invisible toolkit they used to think was completely different. Your brain doesn't process raw reality. It processes reality through models. Simplified representations of how things work. And the quality of your thinking depends entirely on the quality of mental models you possess. By the end of this episode, you'll have three of the most powerful mental models ever developed. A starter kit. Three tools that work together, each one strengthening the others. The same tools the NASA engineers were using while management flew blind. Let's build your toolkit. What Are Mental Models? A mental model is a representation of how something works. It's a framework your brain uses to make sense of reality, predict outcomes, and make decisions. You already have hundreds of them. You just might not realize it. When you understand that actions have consequences, you're using a mental model. When you recognize that people respond to incentives, that's a model too. Think of mental models as tools. A hammer drives nails. A screwdriver turns screws. Each tool does a specific job. Mental models work the same way. Each one helps you do a specific kind of thinking. One model might help you spot hidden assumptions. Another might reveal risks you'd otherwise miss. A third might show you what success requires by first mapping what failure looks like. The collection of models you carry with you? That's your thinking toolkit. And like any toolkit, the more quality tools you have, and the better you know when to use each one, the more problems you can solve. Here's the problem. Research from Ohio State University found that people often know the optimal strategy for a given situation but only follow it about twenty percent of the time.² The models sit unused while we default to gut reactions and habits. The goal isn't just to collect mental models. It's to build a system where the right tool shows up at the right moment. And that starts with having a few powerful models you know deeply, not dozens you barely remember. Let's add three tools to your toolkit. Tool One: The Map Is Not the Territory This might be the most foundational mental model of all. Coined by philosopher Alfred Korzybski in the 1930s, it delivers a simple but profound insight: our models of reality are not reality itself.³ A map of Denver isn't Denver. It's a simplified representation that leaves out countless details. The smell of pine trees, the feel of altitude, the conversation happening at that corner café. The map is useful. But it's not the territory. Every mental model, every framework, every belief you hold is a map. Useful? Absolutely. Complete? Never. This explains the NASA disaster. Management's map showed a reliable shuttle program with an impressive safety record. The engineers' map showed O-rings that became brittle in cold weather and a launch schedule that left no room for delay. Both maps contained some truth. But management's map left out critical territory: the physics of rubber at thirty-six degrees Fahrenheit. When your map doesn't match the territory, the territory wins. Every time. How to use this tool: Before any major decision, ask yourself: What is my current map leaving out? Who might have a different map of this same situation, and what does their map show that mine doesn't? The NASA engineers weren't smarter than management. They just had a map that included more of the relevant territory. Tool Two: Inversion Most of us approach problems head-on. We ask: How do I succeed? How do I win? How do I make this work? Inversion flips the question. Instead of asking how to succeed, ask: How would I guarantee failure? What would make this project collapse? What's the surest path to disaster? Then avoid those things. Inversion reveals dangers that forward thinking misses. When you're focused on success, you develop blind spots. You see the path you want to take and ignore the cliffs on either side. Here's a surprising example. When Nirvana set out to record Nevermind in 1991, they had a budget of just $65,000. Hair metal bands were spending millions on polished productions.⁴ Instead of trying to compete on the same terms and failing, they inverted the formula entirely. Where hair metal was flashy, Nirvana was raw. Where others added complexity, they stripped down. Where the industry zigged, they zagged. The result? They didn't just succeed. They created an entirely new genre and sold over thirty million copies. They won by inverting the game everyone else was playing. How to use this tool: Before pursuing any goal, spend ten minutes listing everything that would guarantee failure. Be specific. Be ruthless. Then look at your current plan and ask: Am I accidentally doing any of these things? Inversion doesn't replace forward planning. It completes it. Tool Three: The Premortem Imagine your project has already failed. Not "might fail" or "could fail." It has failed. Completely. Now your job is to explain why. Researchers at Wharton, Cornell, and the University of Colorado tested this approach and found something striking: simply imagining that failure has already happened increases your ability to correctly identify reasons for future problems by thirty percent.⁵ Why does this work? When we think about what "might" go wrong, we stay optimistic. We protect our plans. We downplay risks because we're invested in success. But when we imagine failure has already occurred, we shift into explanation mode. We're no longer defending our plan. We're forensic investigators examining a wreck. Here's proof the premortem works in the real world. Before Enron collapsed in 2001, its company credit union had run through scenarios imagining what would happen if their sponsor company failed.⁶ They asked: If Enron goes under, what happens to us? They made plans. They reduced their dependence. When the scandal broke and Enron imploded, taking billions in shareholder value with it, the credit union survived. They'd already rehearsed the disaster. Every other institution tied to Enron was blindsided. The credit union had seen the future because they'd imagined it first. How to use this tool: Before any major decision, fast-forward to failure. It's one year from now and everything has gone wrong. Write down why. What did you miss? What risks did you ignore? Then prevent those things from happening. You can't prevent what you refuse to imagine. How These Three Tools Work Together Each tool is powerful alone. Together, they're transformational. Imagine you're considering a career change. Leaving your stable job to start a business. Start with The Map Is Not the Territory. What's your current map of entrepreneurship? Probably shaped by success stories, LinkedIn posts, and survivorship bias. But what's the actual territory? CB Insights analyzed over a hundred failed startups to find out why they died. The number one reason, responsible for forty-two percent of failures, was building something nobody wanted.⁷ Founders had a map that said "customers will love this." The territory said otherwise. What is your map leaving out? Apply Inversion. How would you guarantee this business fails? Starting undercapitalized. Launching without testing the market. Ignoring early warning signs because you're emotionally invested. Now look at your current plan. Are you doing any of these things? Run a Premortem. It's two years from now. The business has failed. Write the story. Maybe you ran out of money at month fourteen. Maybe your key assumption about customer behavior turned out to be wrong. What happened? One tool gives you a perspective. Three tools working together give you something close to wisdom. This is exactly what the NASA engineers were doing, and what management wasn't. The engineers were constantly asking: Does our map match the territory? What would cause failure? What are we missing? Management was stuck in a single frame: schedule and budget. The difference between a one-in-one-hundred-thousand estimate and a one-in-one-hundred estimate? The difference between confidence and catastrophe? It was the thinking toolkit each group brought to the problem. Practice: The Three-Tool Test Here's how to put these tools to work this week. Identify a decision you're currently facing. Something real. Something that matters. Write it in one sentence. Check your map. What assumptions are you making? Where did they come from? Who might see this differently? Invert it. Set a timer for five minutes. List every way you could guarantee failure. Be ruthless. Run the premortem. It's one year from now. You chose wrong. Write two paragraphs explaining what happened. Find the overlap. Where do your inversion list and premortem story agree? That's your highest-risk blind spot. Take one action. What's one step you can take this week to address your biggest risk? Twenty minutes. One decision. Run it once, then try it again next week on a different decision. As you use these tools, you'll notice other mental models worth adding. Your toolkit will grow. Most decisions feel routine until they're not. That morning at NASA felt routine. Seven astronauts boarded Challenger. They trusted that the people making decisions had the right tools to think clearly. Management had maps. The engineers had territory. The distance between those two things was seventy-three seconds of flight time. The engineers saw it coming. Management didn't. Same data. Different tools. When your moment comes, and it will, which group will you be in?   If this episode helped you think differently, hit that Subscribe button and tap the bell on our YouTube channel so you don't miss what's coming next. And if you found value here, a Like helps more people discover this content. To learn more about mental models, listen to this week's show: Mental Models — Your Thinking Toolkit. Get the tools to fuel your innovation journey → Innovation.Tools https://innovation.tools [irp posts="4392" name="Subscribe to Podcast"] ENDNOTES Rogers Commission Report, Volume 2, Appendix F: "Personal Observations on Reliability of Shuttle" by Richard Feynman (1986). Management estimated 1 in 100,000; engineers and post-Challenger analysis found approximately 1 in 100. Konovalov, A. & Krajbich, I. "Mouse tracking reveals structure knowledge in the absence of model-based choice." Nature Communications (2020). Participants followed optimal strategies only about 20% of the time even when they demonstrably knew them. Korzybski, Alfred. Science and Sanity: An Introduction to Non-Aristotelian Systems and General Semantics (1933). Wikipedia, "Nevermind"; SonicScoop, "Time and Cost of Making an Album Case Study: NIRVANA" (2017). Initial recording budget was $65,000. Mitchell, D.J., Russo, J.E., & Pennington, N. "Back to the future: Temporal perspective in the explanation of events." Journal of Behavioral Decision Making (1989). As cited in Klein, G. "Performing a Project Premortem." Harvard Business Review (2007). Schoemaker, P.J.H. & Day, G.S. "How to Make Sense of Weak Signals." MIT Sloan Management Review (2009). Describes how Enron Federal Credit Union survived the Enron collapse through scenario planning. CB Insights. "The Top 12 Reasons Startups Fail." Analysis of 111 startup post-mortems (2021). 42% cited "no market need" as a reason for failure.

Before the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986, NASA management officially estimated the probability of catastrophic failure at one in one hundred thousand. That's about the same odds as getting struck by lightning while being attacked by a shark. The engineers working on the actual rockets? They estimated the risk at closer to one in […]