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7 episodes with Homer Hickam
7 episodes with Homer Hickam
5 episodes with Homer Hickam
4 episodes with Homer Hickam
2 episodes with Homer Hickam
2 episodes with Homer Hickam
2 episodes with Homer Hickam
3 episodes with Homer Hickam
2 episodes with Homer Hickam
A few Hollywood changes, but based on the true story of Homer Hickam and his friends who built their own rockets as teenagers in the late 1950s in West Virginia. The post A058: October Sky (1999) appeared first on .
Can one teacher change the course of a student's life? Can curiosity survive in a system that prioritizes conformity? October Sky is more than just a heartwarming story about a boy and his rockets—it's a powerful look at the impact of education, ambition, and the struggle between dreams and expectations. But how accurately does it reflect today's schools? Are students still discouraged from pursuing unconventional paths? Do educators still have the power to ignite change? In this review, we'll break down what October Sky gets right (and where it misses the mark) when it comes to the modern classroom. Takeaways: Curiosity and inquiry are still not be nurtured in schools Project based learning allows students to be self directed and follow their passions Dreaming doesn't get you where you want to be- action is required Just don't quit! - Advice from Michael Having a network helps when you get stuck About Michael Duncan: An award-winning superintendent and longtime champion of education transformation, Dr. Mike Duncan is the President and CEO of Battelle for Kids. Mike was one of the longest-serving superintendents in the state of Georgia, leading Pike County Schools for 18 years from 2005 until his retirement in 2023. He worked diligently to reimagine educational opportunities and implement enduring transformation for all students in Pike County. He spearheaded the creation of their Portrait of a Graduate and worked to achieve the district's mission of developing creative problem solvers. Mike was honored as the Georgia Superintendent of the Year in 2021. Under Mike's leadership, Pike County Schools was actively engaged in EdLeader21, the national network of Battelle for Kids, for more than a decade during his superintendency. Mike is also the co-founder and co-designer of the Georgia Deeper Learning Network for Workforce Readiness and Economic Prosperity. An educator at heart, Mike has served as a high school principal and a middle school teacher and principal. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership and a master's degree from the University of Georgia, along with a bachelor's degree from Georgia Southern University. Learn More About Battelle for Kids: Website: https://www.battelleforkids.org/ Connect with Michael Duncan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-duncan-edd/ Connect with co-host, Carla Cummins: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-cummins-01449659/ Connect with host, Kevin Stoller: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/ Episode 220 of the Better Learning Podcast Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com. For more information on our partners: Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/ Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/ Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/ EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/ Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/ Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website
This week, Billboard Magazine award-winning broadcaster Burke Allen on Big Time Talker Podcast, Linda Hickam discusses her debut children's book, The Tale of Little Bit, inspired by her goldfish, who was bullied for having a bent tail. Encouraged by her husband, bestselling author Homer Hickam, Linda wrote a story about kindness, friendship, and accepting differences. The book, illustrated by Jan Pic Ale, includes educational content on goldfish care and anti-bullying lessons. Published with help from Dreama Denver and Kathy Teets, it earned a Gold Mom's Choice Award. Linda shares how her love of scuba diving influenced the story, which aims to teach empathy and inclusion to young readers. Burke Allen's Big Time Talker Podcast is sponsored by Speakermatch; subscribe today and get new episodes each week!
This week, Billboard Magazine award-winning broadcaster Burke Allen on Big Time Talker Podcast, Linda Hickam discusses her debut children's book, The Tale of Little Bit, inspired by her goldfish, who was bullied for having a bent tail. Encouraged by her husband, bestselling author Homer Hickam, Linda wrote a story about kindness, friendship, and accepting differences. The book, illustrated by Jan Philpot, includes educational content on goldfish care and anti-bullying lessons. Published with help from Dreama Denver and Cathy Teets, it earned a Gold Mom's Choice Award. Linda shares how her love of scuba diving influenced the story, which aims to teach empathy and inclusion to young readers. Burke Allen's Big Time Talker Podcast is sponsored by Speakermatch; subscribe today and get new episodes each week!
Well... It's been awhile since our last episode... and that's because sometimes we need our space... And boy-howdy do we get some in 1999's October Sky! Join us as we welcome special guest Allen, who remembers when Sputnik was launched, and let Melissa take the reigns of the show, as this flick is a favorite of hers that Nick hasn't seen. Will Jake Gyllenhaal's portrayal of Homer Hickam, the small-town boy with big-time dreams of rocketry and the space race, hold up? Will Nick be able to resist puns about Sputnik? Can Melissa wrangle the ramblings of Nick and Allen as they wax Americana philosophy? Tune in and blast off into a conversation that's out of this world!
October Sky is a heartwarming and inspirational film that tells the true story of Homer Hickam, a young boy from a coal-mining town in West Virginia who dreams of building rockets. Set in the late 1950s, the movie captures the excitement and challenges of the early days of the space race, sparked by the launch of Sputnik.
In this episode we talk about how to solve problems that no one has ever solved. And then we discuss the books that have most impacted Tozer. I've started making my way through these books and they're excellent. And to make it easier for you to read the books, here's the list: As A Child Haunted Mesa by Louis L'Amour Western books by Zane Gray Old Testament and New Testament Old Mother West Wind by Thornton W. Burgess As An Adult The Street Lawyer by John Grisham When I Found You, Walk Me Home and Take Me With You by Cathryn Ryan Hyde Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling The Boys in the Cave, by Matt Guzman Bad Blood by John Carreyrou Centennial by James A Michener Greyhound by Steffan Pyper The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg A Child Called It by David Pelzer A Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Beautiful Boy by David Sheff Endurance by Alfred Lansing South by Ernest Shackleton Teach Like Your Hairs on Fire (first 2/3 of the book) by Rafe Esquith Einstein by Walter Isaacson Jesus the Christ by James Talmage The Journal of Joseph by Joseph Smith Jr. and Leland R. Nelson Battle Rock: The Struggle Over a One Room School by William Celis Blind Man's Bluff by Sherry Sontag (Tozer worked with Tiernen) Dead Run by Dan Schultz (murder that happened in Cortez) October Sky by Homer Hickam
This week, Burke teams up with Jim O'Cain and Hal Bryan from the October Sky Minute Podcast. In this special crossover episode, they dive into 1950s music, radio, and the cultural impact of October Sky. Burke shares his unique perspective as Homer Hickam's manager while the group explores West Virginia's vibrant music scene and radio's pivotal role in small-town America. Enjoy Burke's personal stories from his radio DJ days, a discussion on the Grand Ole Opry's influence on country music, and reflections on 1958's nostalgic sound. The conversation also touches on October Sky's lasting legacy, with touching anecdotes about Homer Hickam's interactions with fans and the contributions of legendary artists like The Platters and Frankie Lymon. Don't miss this unique collaboration with music, memories, and behind-the-scenes insights into a beloved American classic. Learn more about The October Sky Minute on its website: https://octoberskyminute.com/cm/ The Big Time Talker Podcast is sponsored by SpeakerMatch.
Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Today is Sunday, July 21, 2024. Make some “Mountain Memories” at the State Fair of West Virginia next month…”Space Gal” Emily Calendrelli is set to become the first West Virginia woman to travel to space…and bookworms, make plans to attend the West Virginia Book Festival Oct. 19 in Charleston…on today's daily304. #1 – From STATE FAIR OF WV – Make some “Mountain Memories” at the State Fair of West Virginia, set for Aug. 8-17 in Lewisburg! This year's musical lineup features Lil' Jon, Seether, Travis Tritt, Turnpike Troubadours and more. Special events include a live shark encounter and Catherine Hickland's hilarious minding reading and comedy hypnosis show. Of course there also will be livestock shows, carnival rides, food and craft vendors and more fun for all ages. Visit statefairofwv.com to purchase your tickets today! Learn more: https://statefairofwv.com/ #2 – From WV WATCH – Aerospace engineer Emily Calandrelli will be the first woman from West Virginia to travel to space. She'll make the journey through a private flight company. The West Virginia University alumni, Emmy-nominated television host and mother says space flight has been a lifelong dream and she wants to make this “as much of a West Virginia flight as possible.” She'll join a list of West Virginia natives with connections to space travel, including NASA engineer Homer Hickam, NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson and ground-breaking pilot Chuck Yeager. Calandrelli said she hopes to partner with West Virginia University as a research partner for her trip. She plans to travel around West Virginia to speak with students about the experience. Calandrelli's flight to space will be made possible, in part, due to a partnership between Alys and Brad D. Smith's Wing 2 Wing Foundation, which promotes accessible education and entrepreneurism. Read more: https://westvirginiawatch.com/2024/07/16/emily-calandrelli-will-be-first-west-virginia-woman-to-travel-to-space/ #3 – From WCHS-TV – The capital city is set to host an annual festival for bookworms this fall, featuring several bestselling authors. The 2024 West Virginia Book Festival takes place Oct. 19 at the Charleston Coliseum. The event will feature workshops, presentations, vendors and children's programs. The free event will welcome featured authors Joy Calloway, Gregg Hurwitz, Sadequa Johnson, Mia Manansala and Gene Luen Yang. Watch for a schedule and additional updates at www.wvbookfestival.org. Read more: https://wchstv.com/news/local/best-selling-authors# Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer
This week, Travis is joined by Jonathan Bush to talk about the 1999 film October Sky. Directed by Joe Johnston, and starring Jake Gyllenhall and Chris Cooper, based on the real life story of Homer Hickam, a high school student living in a coal mining town in 1957. He wants to build rockets and get out of the small town, but his father wants him to work in the mine. So, is this a feel good, uplifting movie about overcoming adversity, or just some Hollywood cheese that plays fast and loose with being "based on a true story"? Let's find out...Get some cool chainmail art from Jonathan at https://www.extralettuce.com and follow him on InstragramThanks go out to Audie Norman (@TheAudieNorman) for the album art. Outro music In Pursuit provided by Purple-Planet.comSupport the show by going to patreon.com/wyhsVisit tvstravis.com for more shows and projects from TVsTravis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 2772 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Army Vietnam Vet Homer Hickam and how he served his country in and out of uniform. The featured story appeared on The U.S. Department of Defense website … Continue reading →
Homer Hickam is a true West Virginia hero. Raised in Coalwood, a mining town in southern West Virginia, he went on to fight in the Vietnam War, work for NASA, and become a best-selling author. His book, Rocket Boys, was made into the popular movie October Sky. In this episode, he shares with Garrett stories from his life that reveal how his upbringing in West Virginia contributed to his success. Homer tells about the inspiration behind his books, expresses his love for the Appalachian mountains, and gives his thoughts about education, the importance of community, and so much more. He even gives a sneak peek into some upcoming projects that he is working on. Garrett's conversation with Homer evokes a sense of both comforting familiarity and otherworldliness. This episode of Forgotten America will leave you in awe of how much things have changed since the 40s but also grateful for the resilience of the Mountaineer Spirit. Follow Homer's work by visiting his website: https://homerhickam.com/ Get a copy of his newest book, Don't Blow Yourself Up, here: https://homerhickam.com/project/dont-blow-yourself-up/ October Sky (movie adaptation of his memoir, Rocket Boys): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0132477/ Coalwood, WV: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coalwood,_West_Virginia Buddy Ebsen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Ebsen Jake Gyllenhaal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Gyllenhaal Carrying Albert Home: https://homerhickam.com/project/carrying-albert-home/ Garrett Ballengee, Host President & CEO - @gballeng Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Amanda Kieffer, Executive Producer Vice President of Communications & Strategy - @akieffer13 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Nate Phipps, Editor & Producer Communications & Social Media Associate - @Aviv5753 Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy Follow: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Support: Patreon, Donate, Newsletter
Folge 100! Es ist soweit - und Das Universum ist gescheitert! Wir reden in der Jubiläumsfolge über das Scheitern. Denn weder Ruth noch Florian tun heute das, was sie dachten, dass sie tun, als sie damals ihr Astronomie-Studium begonnen haben. Aber das Scheitern ist eigentlich gar nicht so schlimm. Zur Jubiläumsfolge haben wir uns zwei Menschen eingeladen, die damals mit uns das Studium begonnen haben. Matthias, der ebenfalls “gescheitert” ist und heute erfolgreich als Lehrer arbeitet. Und Vichi, die einzige von uns, die nicht gescheitert und immer noch erfolgreiche Astronomin ist. Sie arbeitet in Dänemark und hat unter anderem einen Satellit gebaut und ins All gebracht. In einer Plastiktüte! Evi ist natürlich auch dabei und erzählt uns, warum sie manchmal lieber früher Astronomie studiert hätte als heute. Und stellt uns den Film “October Sky” vor, in dem es ebenfalls um das erfolgreiche Scheitern geht. Wenn ihr uns unterstützen wollt, könnt ihr das hier tun: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/PodcastDasUniversum Oder hier: https://steadyhq.com/de/dasuniversum Oder hier: https://www.patreon.com/dasuniversum
Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Today is Sunday, March 24, 2024. Amazon's founder says the movie “October Sky” inspired him to launch the aerospace company Blue Origin. Register now for “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” workshop at Twin Falls. And check out some “must-see” blooms and waterfalls this spring in Almost Heaven…on today's daily304. #1 – From WOWK-TV – The inspiring story found within “October Sky,” based on the book by West Virginia's Homer Hickam and set in the Mountain State, inspired Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to create the aerospace company, Blue Origin. In 2000, Amazon founder Bezos founded a new company: Blue Origin. The company is most well-known nowadays for taking celebrities up into space, including “Star Trek” legend William Shatner, and “Good Morning America” host and former NFL player Michael Strahan. According to the novel “The Space Barons: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and the Quest to Colonize the Cosmos” by Christian Davenport, Bezos was partially inspired to create the aerospace company after seeing the 1999 film, “October Sky.” The film is based on “Rocket Boys,” Hickam's memoir that details his youth in 1950s rural West Virginia where he and a few friends take up rocketry after being inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1. Read more: https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/how-a-west-virginia-story-inspired-jeff-bezos-to-create-blue-origin/ #2 – From WV EXPLORER – Registration has opened for the “Becoming An Outdoors Woman” spring workshop at Twin Falls Resort State Park on May 3–5, 2024. According to Ashley Anderson, coordinator for the program managed by the W.Va. Divison of Natural Resources, the event allows women to explore hunting, fishing, and other outdoor-related activities in a strikingly scenic environment. Program workshops will provide a non-competitive atmosphere with support from instructors and staff from the division's wildlife resources, law enforcement and state parks sections. The workshop is limited to 75 participants, and spots fill fast. Outdoor enthusiasts are invited to learn more and register online at WVDNR.gov/becoming-an-outdoor-woman. Read more: https://wvexplorer.com/2024/03/18/becoming-an-outdoors-woman-twin-falls-west-virginia/ #3 – From ONLY IN YOUR STATE – Spring has arrived! As the snow melts away, the Mountain State “springs” to life with enchanting experiences for adventurers to explore. From vibrant flower blooms to scenic hikes and charming small towns, West Virginia offers something for everyone. Experience West Virginia's spring flower blooms at Core Arboretum and The Greenbrier. These scenic spots showcase a stunning array of native and cultivated flowers, offering a delightful retreat amidst the beauty of the season. Experience the beauty of spring at Blackwater Falls, Watoga, and Canaan Valley Resort Parks in West Virginia. Enjoy stunning waterfalls, expansive wilderness, and scenic landscapes for outdoor adventures and peaceful relaxation. Visit www.wvstateparks.com to book your lodging online! Read more: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/west-virginia/things-to-do-in-spring-wv/ Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.
With SpaceX and NASA combining to explore the cosmos like never before, my guest Homer Hickam is the person who inspired it all. The award-winning author of “Rocket Boys,” a memoir of his life, was turned into the hit film “October Sky.” Due to his rocket accomplishments he was invited to meet President Kennedy. During the meeting, he personally introduced the importance of exploring the moon to him. Now, what many are calling a prequel to his life, Homer delivers an epic tale, called: “Carrying Albert Home,” that takes us on a wild adventure that can best be summed up as a story of kismet. Support the show
Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Today is Friday, Feb. 9 Homer Hickam shares how “Rocket Boys” became “October Sky” on the big screen. Chill out with a winter hike at a West Virginia state park. And a WVU study examines the habits of successful entrepreneurs…on today's daily304. #1 – From WBOY-TV – If you're from West Virginia, odds are you've heard of Homer Hickam's 1998 book “Rocket Boys.” You might have even watched the movie adaptation, “October Sky.” The movie, which was released in 1999 and starred Jake Gyllenhaal as Homer Hickam, follows Homer's story of growing up in Coalwood, West Virginia with a dream of building rockets. But why was the movie titled differently? Hickam said that the name of the movie was changed from “Rocket Boys” to “October Sky” to make the movie more appealing for women, based on marketing studies by Universal Studios. But October Sky is also an anagram of Rocket Boys, meaning they have the same letters just switched around in a different order. Hickam said that director Joe Johnston discovered the anagram after the new movie title was already chosen and considered it “cosmically inspired.” More information about the conversion from book to movie is detailed in Hickam's 2013 book “From Rocket Boys to October Sky.” Read more: https://www.wtrf.com/west-virginia/west-virginia-native-homer-hickman-wrote-rocket-boys-but-why-was-the-movie-changed-to-october-sky/?es_id=0658dabd76 #2 – From WV STATE PARKS – Hiking is not just for warm-weather months. Stroll through the woods during the winter and discover a whole new world of snow-blanketed trees, animal tracks and frozen waterfalls. And there's no better place for a winter hike than West Virginia state parks and forests. Contact the park office to learn about scheduled guided hikes, or check the Events Calendar. But if you just want to head out on your own, check out some of these parks. South of Beckley, Camp Creek State Park and Forest offers 35 miles of trails that wind through lush forest and past rippling streams. Hike to Mash Fork Falls, a 1-mile challenging trek with a rewarding view of the falls. Nestled in the mountains of Webster County, Holly River State Park offers a peaceful escape from the frantic pace of everyday life. Discover unique rock formations along Nature's Garden Rock Trail. If you're looking for an easy stroll, check out Fisherman's Trail at Hawks Nest State Park in the New River Gorge. The trail follows Hawks Nest Lake and offers an awe-inspiring closeup of the Hawks Nest Dam. Check out www.wvstateparks.com to learn more and reserve lodging. Read more: https://wvstateparks.com/grab-your-snow-boots-and-plan-a-winter-hike-at-these-west-virginia-state-parks/ #3 – From WVU TODAY – When people quit their jobs to launch their own companies, the reasons that motivated them to become entrepreneurs can be major predictors of success, according to research conducted by West Virginia University management scholar Hyeonsuh Lee. Lee's research revealed when someone leaves employment because they disagree with their company's organization and operation, they are overwhelmingly likely to thoughtfully organize their own business and succeed as an entrepreneur. Lee, assistant professor at the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics, also discovered when someone's first start-up does fail, taking personal ownership of that failure is key to success down the road. The Strategic Management Journal published Lee and her coauthors' analysis of interviews conducted with 21 male entrepreneurs who, between 1977 and 1997, started their own businesses after resigning jobs during the early stages of the rigid disk drive industry, which makes computer data storage devices. When organizational misalignment was someone's impetus for starting a business, the founder was almost certain to engage in “venture crafting” at his start-up. “These kinds of founders wanted to build organizations, not just products,” Lee said. “They encouraged employees to take ownership of their work, established distributed decision-making processes and ensured employees held equity stakes in their companies.” In addition to venture crafting, those with successful entrepreneurial careers focused on hiring skilled, collaborative employees. Read more: https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2024/02/01/wvu-research-looks-at-how-experiences-at-previous-jobs-motivate-start-up-operators Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.
Kevin Sizemore is a well-known actor who has appeared in numerous popular TV shows and Hollywood movies. The Princeton, West Virginia native's impressive resume includes appearances in several hit shows, such as Fear the Walking Dead, Resurrection, Under the Dome, and NCIS: Los Angeles. He has also starred in movies like Woodlawn, Miracle at Gate 213, and A Christmas Tree Miracle, filmed in West Virginia. In this episode, we discuss the changing landscape of TV and film as streaming services take over as the primary source of entertainment conumption. Additionally, we explore how Sizemore's upbringing in West Virginia has contributed to his success in the industry. Speaking of West Virginia, Sizemore is currently collaborating with Homer Hickam to produce the next installment of the October Sky series, titled December Sky. They aim to begin production soon and intend to shoot the entire movie in West Virginia. We get an update on where the project stands.
The film October Sky which was released in 1999 stars Jake Gyllenhaal who portrays Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes. It is based on the true story of Homer Hickam who has written many books on his life. The film was directed by Joe Johnston Timecodes: 00:00 - Introduction :17 - The Film stats 5:33 - Company Town Talk 10:13 - Rocket Boys 10:23- The Pickup Line 16:42 - Filmmaking & space exploration 28:38 - Head Trauma 29:03 - Smoochie, Smoochie, Smoochie 30:38 - Driving Review 32:51 - To the Numbers References from the episode: Carrying Albert Home Remaining Company Towns To guess the theme of this month's films you can email christi@dodgemediaproductions.com You can guess as many times as you would like. Guess the Monthly Theme for 2023 Contest - More Info Here Next week's film will be Pretty Woman (1990) Subscribe, Rate & Share Your Favorite Episodes! Thanks for tuning into today's episode of Dodge Movie Podcast with your host, Mike and Christi Dodge. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review. Special thanks to Melissa Villagrana our social media posts. Don't forget to visit our website, connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes across social media. Email at christi@dodgemediaproductions.com To get 2 months free on Libsyn click here: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=SMOOCHIE
On this episode, Derek sits with the legendary Homer Hickam. Homer is a former NASA engineer and best selling author, with his biographical memoir, Rocket Boys which was then turned into the 1999 film, October Sky. Homer is also a Vietnam veteran, an accomplished scuba diver and so much more.Website: https://homerhickam.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomerHickamOfficialPageTwitter: https://twitter.com/realhomerhickamSPONSOR - Go to https://betterhelp.com/derekduvallshow for 10% off your first month of therapy with @betterhelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help #sponsored
Jeff Ikler & Steve Miletto Discuss the Memoir Rocket Boys in Terms of Student Agency in Schools. This is episode 586 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Jeff is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. “Quetico” (KWEH-teh- co). He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing, where he served as an editor, marketer, and eventually the head of all publishing disciplines. There, he was first exposed to coaching – as a client – self-awareness and realizing that leadership is behavior in the service of those doing the work. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high-school American history and government. Jeff currently co-hosts the Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity, which focuses on helping individuals and organizations lead productive change – a change that helps them achieve their desired outcomes and impact. Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change. Steven Miletto, EdD has been an educator in Georgia (US) for 37 years. He has served public school families as a history teacher, assistant principal, high school principaI, and a Regional Education Service Agency Executive Director. In 2009, he was the Georgia Principal of the Year and a finalist for NASSP/MetLife National Principal of the Year in 2010. As a teacher he taught US and world history, was a yearbook sponsor, theater sponsor and soccer goalie coach. Additionally, he was the teacher of the year at Southwest DeKalb High School in 1989. His focus in education is to help kids achieve their dreams. This is a "Two Men on a Park Bench" episode where Jeff and I talk about Homer Hickam, Jr's memoir - Rocket Boys. We discuss the story in terms of the need student agency in schools. What a cool talk! What an awesome book! So much to learn. Before you go... Could you do me a favor? Please go to my website at https://www.stevenmiletto.com/reviews/ or open the podcast app that you are listening to me on, and would you rate and review the podcast? That would be so cool. Thanks! If you are listening on Apple Podcasts on your phone, go to the logo - click so that you are on the main page with a listing of the episodes for my podcast and scroll to the bottom. There you will see a place to rate and review. Could you review me? That would be so cool. Thank you! Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you! Thanks for sharing! Thanks for listening! Connect & Learn More: Connect with Jeff Ikler at Quetico Coaching (20)
Best selling author and Vietnam veteran, Homer Hickam is the inspiration of the critically acclaimed movie "October Sky." He joins us in the Smoke Pit to talk about his time at NASA, drinking with Russian scientists, and his new book "Don't Blow Yourself Up."It is our mission to entertain, advocate for, and bring together Military, Veterans and like minded people all over the world, using comedy and camaraderie. Welcome to the Smoke Pit.Disclaimer: Viewer discretion is advised. The opinions expressed are those of the speakers, and theirs alone. They do not reflect the opinions or views of the DOD, Pop Smoke Media, NASA, any affiliates, or separate entities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Advantage Valley flexes its manufacturing muscle…Homer Hickam's ‘Rocket Boys' comes to Theatre West Virginia…and Huntington touts successes at its leadership conference…on today's daily304. #1 – From LIVABILITY – Advantage Valley – West Virginia's Charleston-Huntington metro region -- is flexing its manufacturing muscle with a wave of new investment and expansions at existing industries that are creating jobs. Manufacturers find Advantage Valley attractive because of the region's workforce-focused training. The region's booming advanced manufacturing sector has the lowest employee turnover rate in the nation. GreenPower Motor Co., a Canada-based company that began manufacturing all-electric school buses in Advantage Valley in September 2022, utilized the region's training resources to empower its workforce. GreenPower, which has created 200 jobs and will boost the Advantage Valley economy by $500 million over five years, partnered with BridgeValley Community & Technical College and the Workforce Development Board of Kanawha County to help train its workers to manufacture the all-electric school buses. Read more: https://livability.com/wv/charleston/education-careers-opportunity/advantage-valley-is-attracting-talent/ #2 – From BROADWAY WORLD – “Rocket Boys” is coming to Theatre West Virginia this summer. Performances run July 14-29. “Rocket Boys,” a musical based on the 1998 New York Times #1 bestseller by NASA engineer Homer Hickam (also immortalized in the hit film, “October Sky”), has received a huge and overwhelmingly positive reaction from the musical theater community since its initial stages. The memoir of a misfit coal-miner's son in West Virginia who engages some skeptical friends to join his dream of rockets and space is one of the leading Community/Library Reads across the country, a staple on school lists, and is published now in nearly every language across the globe. Visit www.theatrewestvirginia.org for ticketing information. Read more: https://www.broadwayworld.com/west-virginia/article/ROCKET-BOYS-Comes-to-Theatre-West-Virginia-in-July-20230515 #3 – From THE INTELLIGENCER – There is probably no better place to begin a program focused on West Virginia's challenges and successes than Huntington, a city that has overcome some negative stereotypes to emerge as a glowing example of the state's potential. Huntington kicked off the first session of the 2023 class of Leadership West Virginia. Celebrating 32 years, LWV was created in 1991 by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce to cultivate leaders in the state. The program has graduated more than 1,450 alumni who have gone on to various leadership positions in government, business, charities, nonprofits and more. A lengthy list of improvements can be attributed to the city's leadership. The city secured a $3 million grant in 2017 by winning America's Best Communities Competition. Once labeled the nation's most obese city, Huntington was able to reduce its obesity rate by more than 15 percentage points thanks to a renewed focus on fitness and healthy eating. The city has tackled an opioid epidemic by creating quick response teams to help overdose victims and focusing on new treatment options. Marshall University President Brad Smith is working with his WVU counterpart, E. Gordon Gee, in the Ascend West Virginia program, which creates incentives for remote workers to relocate to several West Virginia communities. Read more: https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2023/05/leadership-west-virginia-huntingtons-emerald-shines-bright/ Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.
Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Today is Wednesday, May 17 WV will be seeing stars soon as a sequel is in the works “October Sky,” based on the life of “Rocket Boy” Homer Hickam…Check out some must-see places in the Monongahela National Forest…and sign up now for a machining class offered by Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center…on today's daily304. #1 – From WOWK-TV – A sequel to the classic film chronicling the rocket-building adventure of West Virginia hero Homer Hickam is being made. The sequel to “October Sky” will be called “December Sky.” The film will star Princeton native Kevin Sizemore, known for acting in “Mine 9” and the HBO Max miniseries “The Staircase.” “October Sky” is based on the book, “Rocket Boys,” by Hickam. Read more: https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/regional-news/west-virginia-news/october-sky-sequel-announced/ #2 – From TRAVEL AWAITS – The Monongahela National Forest is one of the state's recreational gems. Situated in eastern West Virginia, its 919,000 acres offer a vast area to explore nature amid peaceful surroundings. And, it's no wonder, with more than 500 hiking trails, countless streams and fishing holes, plenty of picnic spots, and places to stay, the Monongahela National Forest is a prime spot for any outdoor lover. Hike to the top of Seneca Rocks. Shop and dine in the charming mountain town of Elkins, Davis and Thomas. Experience the beauty of Blackwater Falls State Park. Check out some other Monongahela National Forest bucket list items! Read more: https://www.travelawaits.com/2881299/things-to-do-monongahela-national-forest/ #3 – From RCBI.ORG – The U.S. manufacturing industry is struggling to find skilled individuals to fill machining and machine tool jobs. The need is urgent. That's why the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (formerly RCBI) is part of a new national effort to restore the prominence of the U.S. machine tools sector and ensure global competitiveness. Through ACE (America's Cutting Edge), a U.S. Department of Defense-funded initiative, the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center is partnering with the National Composites Institute to offer a series of CNC Machining Bootcamps for people of all ages and all skill levels. Bootcamps include a self-paced online component, which takes about six hours to complete, and one week of in-person, hands-on instruction at our Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centers in Huntington or Charleston, or at one of our partner sites in Kentucky, Ohio or West Virginia. Learn more: https://www.rcbi.org/education-training/cnc-bootcamps-2/ Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.
In this week's Big Time Talker Podcast, we tune in to an episode from 2008 with famous author, Homer Hickam. Homer recently returned to his home state of West Virginia where he teased the development of a tie-in film to the critically-praised October Sky. October Sky (1999) starred Jake Gyllenhaal and Laura Dern and was based on Homer's best-selling novel, Rocket Boys. This throwback episode takes place before the annual Rocket Boys Festival, where Homer and the former Rocket Boys would visit their hometown of Coalwood to celebrate science and the West Virginian spirit. The Big Time Talker is sponsored by Speakermatch.com.
Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Today is Sunday, April 9 Completion of a stream restoration project means more fishing opportunities at Kanawha State Forest…WVDOH crews have been busy clearing enough tree canopy to stretch from Charleston to Myrtle Beach …WV native Homer Hickam hopes more Coalwood stories are coming to the screen…on today's daily304. #1 – From WV EXPLORER – A stream restoration project designed to improve fishing and recreation at Kanawha State Forest has been completed. Started in 2020, the project was a significant undertaking and included the removal of the Davis Creek Dam, which was built in the 1930s. Structures were added to stabilize stream banks and provide additional aquatic habitat and fishing opportunities. By removing a pond, the length of fishable water has been increased from about 1,000 feet to more than one mile. These changes create pool habitat and will allow the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to begin stocking trout. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's In-Lieu Fee Program funded the restoration efforts at an estimated cost of $1 million. "This project is one more example of the work we're doing to restore streams to their natural state while also providing additional opportunities for anglers to enjoy. We're thrilled to see this type of investment in our natural resources and are proud to partner with the WVDEP and Kanawha State Forest to make it happen,” WVDNR Director Brett McMillion said. Read more: https://wvexplorer.com/2023/04/05/trout-fishing-kanawha-state-forest/ #2 – From WVDOT – West Virginia Division of Highways maintenance crews cleared more than 430 miles of trees and branches away from the state's roadways between November 2022 and the end of March 2023, enough to stretch from Charleston to Myrtle Beach. "I can't tell you how proud I am of the crews,” said Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston, P.E. “I gave them a challenge. They believed they could do it. I believed they could do it. They did it!" Canopy clearing plays a vital part in prolonging the life of the pavement on West Virginia's 36,000 miles of road. Along with keeping ditches cleared and proper drainage, keeping roads cleared of overhanging canopy is important both to the life of the road and to the safety of drivers. Like cutting grass in the summer, milling and filling potholes or clearing ice and snow, canopy clearing is part of the WVDOH core maintenance program. Combined, core maintenance procedures prolong the life of pavement and keep roads safer. Read more: https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/The_numbers_are_in_WVDOH_cuts_enough_tree_canopy_this_season_to_stretch_to_Myrtle_Beach.aspx?userID=3c8d79ff-850b-4aa0-8154-f3871713196e&campaign_name=wv_dept_of_commerce&campaign_medium=advocacy&campaign_source=everyonesocial&es_id=1342303c19 #3 – From THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE-MAIL – While he has long been a name familiar to West Virginians, it's not an overstatement to say Homer Hickam has inspired people all over the world. On the surface, his 1998 memoir, “Rocket Boys,” tells the story of his life growing up in the coal company town of Coalwood in McDowell County. But the story is about more than boys building rockets. At its core, it's about family, changing times, and doggedly pursuing a dream against all odds. The book became a New York Times bestseller and was adapted into the critically acclaimed 1999 film “October Sky.” Hickam is the author of several novels including “The Coalwood Way” and “Sky of Stone,”about life in Coalwood, and “Carrying Albert Home,” about a fantastical road trip with a special pet. The author, who turned 80 in February, has been busy writing screenplays with the idea of creating a series set in Coalwood, focused more on people like his parents and the coal miners. “Sometimes you can plan those adventures. Sometimes the adventures just come in over the transom. They land in your lap. There it is. You want it? Grab it.” Read more: https://www.wvgazettemail.com/dailymailwv/daily_mail_features/rocket-boys-author-hopes-more-coalwood-stories-coming-to-the-screen/article_964523f2-b511-5935-b2ac-829c076443b9.html Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.
Homer H. Hickam, Jr. was raised in Coalwood, West Virginia. He graduated from Big Creek High School in 1960 and from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) in 1964 with a BS degree in Industrial Engineering. A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Hickam served as a First Lieutenant in the Fourth Infantry Division in Vietnam in 1967-1968 where he won the Army Commendation and Bronze Star medals. He served six years on active duty, leaving the service with the rank of Captain. Hickam has been a writer since 1969 after his return from Vietnam. At first, he mostly wrote about his scuba diving adventures for a variety of different magazines. Then, after diving on many of the wrecks involved, he branched off into writing about the battle against the U-boats along the American east coast during World War II. This resulted in his first book, Torpedo Junction (1989), a military history best-seller published in 1989 by the Naval Institute Press. In 1998, Delacorte Press published Hickam's second book, Rocket Boys: A Memoir, the story of his life in the little town of Coalwood, West Virginia. It became an instant classic. Rocket Boys has since been translated into eight languages and also released as an abridged audio book and electronic book. Among it's many honors, it was selected by the New York Times as one of its “Great Books of 1998” and was an alternate “Book-of-the-Month” selection for both the Literary Guild and Doubleday book clubs. Rocket Boys was also nominated by the National Book Critics Circle as Best Biography of 1998. In February, 1999, Universal Studios released its critically-acclaimed film October Sky, based on Rocket Boys (The title October Sky is an anagram of Rocket Boys). Delacorte subsequently released a mass market paperback of Rocket Boys, re-titled October Sky. October Sky reached the New York Times # 1 position on their best-seller list. While working on his writing career, Mr. Hickam was employed as an engineer for the U.S. Army Missile Command from 1971 to 1981 assigned to Huntsville, Alabama, and Germany. He began employment with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at Marshall Space Flight Center in 1981 as an aerospace engineer. During his NASA career, Mr. Hickam worked in spacecraft design and crew training. His specialties at NASA included training astronauts on science payloads, and extravehicular activities (EVA). He also trained astronaut crews for many Spacelab and Space Shuttle missions, including the Hubble Space Telescope deployment mission, the first two Hubble repair missions, Spacelab-J (the first Japanese astronauts), and the Solar Max repair mission. Prior to his retirement in 1998, Mr. Hickam was the Payload Training Manager for the International Space Station Program.
Industry thought leaders discuss, how do we make space available for everyone? Featuring Oroville science advisor André Bormanis, "October Sky" protagonist, Homer Hickam, Dan Hawk, Jared Angaza, and Dr. Shawna Pandya.
SOR Nov 24 22 The Moon Mars Rockets And Aliens With Homer Hickam
SOR Nov 24 22 The Moon Mars Rockets And Aliens With Homer Hickam
Homer Hickam is a Viet Nam veteran, and a former NASA engineer. His early life was depicted in the Hollywood movie 'October Sky'. We take a look at going back to the moon, rocketry, plans for Mars and potential aliens.
Lt. Col. Burke Hare was a U.S. Air Force space and missile operator whose career has included overseeing the maintenance and operations of ICBMs and improvements made to the GPS satellite system. He is a Space Camp Hall of Fame member and is currently Program Manager Space Operations with the Space Development Agency at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville Alabama.
Chris Vrenna is a musician, producer, engineer, programmer, and songwriter best known as the drummer for Nine Inch Nails. He's played with Marilyn Manson, Guns and Roses, Smashing Pumpkins, and more, and he's composed music for video games in the Quake, Doom, Sims, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Call of Duty game series. Today, he teaches music technology and is on the board of directors for the US Space and Rocket Center Foundation.
On October 4, 1957 the Soviet Union successfully launched the first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik. This early Space Race milestone sparked a lot of reaction – it was unsettling for some, but for others it inspired an interest in rocketry and brought many scientists into the space industry. One of those people was Homer Hickam, a high schooler in a small West Virginia mining town who would go on to work for NASA, write a memoir, and inspire a movie. On today's episode we unpack that film – October Sky. If you went to high school in the last 20 years, there's a chance you saw it in a chemistry or physics class. But, turns out, that wasn't the case for Matt, Emily, or Nick! It's rare for these three to unpack a space movie after all seeing it for the very first time. Tune in to hear their initial impressions, what was mispronounced, and what could have been better! Did you know AirSpace has a monthly newsletter? Sign up here! AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.
Born in 1943 West Virginia, Homer Hickam, Jr. was a barely a teenager when the Soviet space program launched Sputnik 1, and subsequently launched Homer into a lifelong relationship with space. The 1999 movie "October Sky" is roughly based on his memoir, but we had the opportunity to sit down with Homer to learn the real stories behind the Big Creek Missile Agency of Coalwood, WV, and the amazing career afforded by the passions of one boy. Visit www.HomerHickam.com to learn more about Homer, purchase his books, or support the causes he supports. Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains
Penny Pettigrew is a payload communications manager at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, communicating with astronauts conducting scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station. She is a Space Camp alumni and a member of the Space Camp Hall of Fame.
Robert Pearlman is a space historian and the founder and editor of the website collectSPACE. He was the director of communications and the marketing director for Space Adventures, the first space tourism company to send private individuals to the ISS. Robert is a Space Camp Hall of Fame member and a contributing writer to Space.com.
Former NASA engineer Homer Hickam talks about growing up in West Virginia coal country, his complicated relationship with his father, the influence of a special teacher, and the inspirational story that resulted in the best-selling memoir ROCKET BOYS and the popular film OCTOBER SKY.
From 2015- Homer Hickam (best known for his memoir "Rocket Boys," which was adapted into the motion picture "October Skies .... and who went on to a major career with NASA) talks about his novel "Carrying Albert Home: The Somewhat True Story of a Man, his wife, and her Alligator." The man and woman mentioned in the book's subtitle were Homer Hickam's parents.
This week on The Cosmic Companion, we talk about The Future of the International Space Station, as we explore this outpost of humanity in space. We talk with Homer Hickam - the self-made rocket designer who helped lead negotiations with the Russian government over their role on the ISS. We will talk about his role as the ISS took shape, and how the War in Ukraine might affect the orbiting outpost... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-cosmic-companion/support
As talks of reviving the 2015 nuclear deal —alternatively known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — come to a halt, it's unclear why Iran and key players involved in the deal, like the United States, have stalled negotiations. Between Russia causing global tension by invading Ukraine and America refusing to lift or alter Russian sanctions for the sake of the nuclear deal, the next step in negotiations remains unclear. Texas Republican Congressman Michael McCaul joins to discuss how the Russia Ukraine conflict has impacted nuclear negotiations, why 49 out of 50 Republicans don't support the current deal, and what we should expect if Iran is given easier access to nuclear power. This week, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei broke the record for the most consecutive days spent in space by an American. While this would normally be cause for a celebration, there's growing concern over his return from the International Space Station (ISS) amid current tensions with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Despite sanctions placed on Russia and the ambiguous future of the ISS, NASA has said that plans for Vande Hei's homecoming remain unchanged. Homer Hickam, a former NASA engineer and author of Rocket Boys and Don't Blow Yourself Up, joins the Rundown to discuss the history of our relationship with Russia and space, the current state of the ISS, and his thoughts on Vande Hei's safe return. Plus, commentary by Fox News contributor Liz Peek. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As talks of reviving the 2015 nuclear deal —alternatively known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — come to a halt, it's unclear why Iran and key players involved in the deal, like the United States, have stalled negotiations. Between Russia causing global tension by invading Ukraine and America refusing to lift or alter Russian sanctions for the sake of the nuclear deal, the next step in negotiations remains unclear. Texas Republican Congressman Michael McCaul joins to discuss how the Russia Ukraine conflict has impacted nuclear negotiations, why 49 out of 50 Republicans don't support the current deal, and what we should expect if Iran is given easier access to nuclear power. This week, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei broke the record for the most consecutive days spent in space by an American. While this would normally be cause for a celebration, there's growing concern over his return from the International Space Station (ISS) amid current tensions with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Despite sanctions placed on Russia and the ambiguous future of the ISS, NASA has said that plans for Vande Hei's homecoming remain unchanged. Homer Hickam, a former NASA engineer and author of Rocket Boys and Don't Blow Yourself Up, joins the Rundown to discuss the history of our relationship with Russia and space, the current state of the ISS, and his thoughts on Vande Hei's safe return. Plus, commentary by Fox News contributor Liz Peek. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As talks of reviving the 2015 nuclear deal —alternatively known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — come to a halt, it's unclear why Iran and key players involved in the deal, like the United States, have stalled negotiations. Between Russia causing global tension by invading Ukraine and America refusing to lift or alter Russian sanctions for the sake of the nuclear deal, the next step in negotiations remains unclear. Texas Republican Congressman Michael McCaul joins to discuss how the Russia Ukraine conflict has impacted nuclear negotiations, why 49 out of 50 Republicans don't support the current deal, and what we should expect if Iran is given easier access to nuclear power. This week, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei broke the record for the most consecutive days spent in space by an American. While this would normally be cause for a celebration, there's growing concern over his return from the International Space Station (ISS) amid current tensions with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Despite sanctions placed on Russia and the ambiguous future of the ISS, NASA has said that plans for Vande Hei's homecoming remain unchanged. Homer Hickam, a former NASA engineer and author of Rocket Boys and Don't Blow Yourself Up, joins the Rundown to discuss the history of our relationship with Russia and space, the current state of the ISS, and his thoughts on Vande Hei's safe return. Plus, commentary by Fox News contributor Liz Peek. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On this week's episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, co-hosts Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren talk to people about the U.S.-Mexico border, the International Space Station and more! Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) calls in to talk to Amanda Barren in Segment One about her trip to the Del Rio Border Patrol Station and what is and isn't going on at the border. Amanda Barren talks to author, veteran, NASA engineer and cat lover, Homer Hickam and what he thinks of what is going on in Ukraine and how it impacts the International Space Station. Mark Curtis travels to Morgantown to talk to Amy Bush, COO of WVU Medicine Children's, about the WVU Medicine Children's Hospital Program as a part of the Mediathon sponsored by Nexstar. We end today's episode with Mark Curtis talking to Benjamin Krasna, Deputy Head of Mission Israeli Embassy, about his trip to West Virginia and why he came to the Mountain State.
Resistance against the Russian war in Ukraine comes in many forms, such as just remaining at work and refusing to leave. In this episode, Laura Winter speaks with two former heads of the State Space Agency of Ukraine, Volodymyr Usov and Lyubomyr Sabadosh, and their colleague Liliya Shevchuk, the director of the country's Space Initiatives Center. But first, Winter speaks with Homer Hickam, a retired NASA aerospace engineer and a New York Times best-selling book author, who wrote a Washington Post opinion piece, published on March 9, with the headline “Our space partnership with Russia can't go on.”
In part one of a two-part conversation, Oncology, Etc. hosts Patrick Loehrer (Indiana University) and David Johnson (University of Texas) have a blast speaking with two physician astronauts. Hear the incredible stories of Drs. Robert L. Satcher (MD Anderson), Ellen Baker (MD Anderson), and their lives on and off this planet. If you liked this episode, please subscribe. Learn more at https://education.asco.org, or email us at education@asco.org. TRANSCRIPT Patrick Loehrer: Hi, I'm Patrick Loehrer. I'm Director of Global Oncology and Health Equities at Indiana University. Dave Johnson: My name's Dave Johnson. I'm at UT Southwestern in Dallas. Patrick, we're excited to be back for another segment of ASCO's Educational Podcast, Oncology, Etc. We have two very special guests today, Drs. Ellen Baker and Robert Satcher, oncologist and former astronauts. So I predict this will be an out of this world segment. Patrick Loehrer: It's starting out pretty slow right now, with that one. Thank you though. Dave Johnson: Well, listen, this should be a great segment. But before we get started, do you have a favorite astronaut book? Patrick Loehrer: Well, the one I read this summer was called American Moonshot by Douglas Brinkley, and it basically took the story of John F. Kennedy and how the space race happened from 1960 and actually earlier than that, into getting onto the moon. It was really, I thought very extraordinary. Dave Johnson: So, I haven't read that yet. My favorite would be Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam. I thought that was a fantastic book about his life growing up in West Virginia and ultimately, becoming a NASA engineer and rocket scientist. So that was really great. Patrick Loehrer: I read that several years ago after you recommended it. They made a movie out of that. Dave Johnson: Yeah, I think October Sky was the name of the movie. Yeah. >Patrick Loehrer: Yeah, it's a terrific book. Dave Johnson: Well, why don't we introduce our guests? You want to start with Dr. Baker? Patrick Loehrer: Oh, sure. It's my pleasure to introduce Dr. Ellen Baker. I have known Ellen over the years through interactions in global oncology. She was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, graduated from Bayside High School in New York, got a bachelor of arts degree in geology from the State University at Buffalo. A doctorate in medicine for Cornell, masters in public health at UT Public Health, and then trained in internal medicine at UT San Antonio. And during her residency, she decided to join in the NASA program as a medical officer. And it was actually, she did a residency around the same time I did, and I remember the space call for astronauts at that time. She was selected as an astronaut in may of 1984, had a variety of jobs. She's logged more than 680 hours in space and has been a mission specialist. She retired from NASA in 2011 and is Director of the MD Anderson project, Echo Program in which he does projects in rural Texas, as well as Zambia, Mozambique, in Central and South America. It's such a great pleasure to have you here today, Ellen. Dr. Ellen Baker: Thank you, Patrick. Dave Johnson: Our other guest is Dr. Robert Satcher, currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Oncology Division of Surgery at MD Anderson, as well. Dr. Satcher grew up in Hampton, Virginia. He's the son of a university professor and English teacher, so I'm sure they made him do all of his homework. He received a bachelor degree, as well as a PhD in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received his MD degree from Harvard. By the way Patrick, Dr. Satcher enrolled at MIT at age 16 and graduated at the top of his class. Later, we'll find out what you were doing at age 16? Patrick Loehrer: I do have to interject that I was a mechanical engineer at Purdue, and it's like being in high school compared to chemical engineers. Dave Johnson: Yeah, there's a hierarchy in the engineering world for sure. Dr. Satcher's medical degree was followed by internship and residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. In addition, he did a post doc research fellowship again at MIT and University of California, Berkeley. And completed a fellowship in muscular skeletal oncology at the University of Florida, before joining the faculty at Northwestern in Chicago. You guys have a lot of connections it seems? Not satisfied with that massive amount of education and training, Dr. Satcher went on to NASA to train as an astronaut, culminating in a flight aboard the space shuttle Atlantis in November of 2009. Apparently, he got a little bored cooped up in the shuttle because he took a couple of space walks, which I'd like to know more about. In fact, I read on NASA's website that he did some lubricating on one of his walks. I'm not sure what that's about, but I assume there's not a lot of gas stations in space. I also read that he repaired one of the robotic arms, which seems perfect appropriate for an orthopedic surgeon. You'll have to tell us more. Anyway, while these achievements would be enough for most people, it only begins to scratch the surface of the many accomplishments of Dr. Satcher's career to date. I really can't cover it all, but our audience should know that Dr. Satcher's has been involved in a number of community activities, as well, ranging from his involvement in Big Brother for Youths at Risk, counseling program, to serving as a lay minister in his church. He's also undertaken a number of medical mission trips to underserved areas in countries, such as Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nigeria, and Gabon, where he once served as a Schweitzer fellow at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné. Dr. Satcher, welcome to Oncology, Etc., we very much appreciate your joining us. Dr. Robert Satcher: Thanks Dave. Glad to be here. Dave Johnson: Perhaps I'll start by asking the two of you, if you could give us just a little bit about your background, other than what we've stated and what got you interested in medicine and how you got interested in space? Dr. Baker, maybe we'll start with you? Dr. Ellen Baker: I've always been interested in space. I was a child of the '60s, and I think one of the very memorable parts of the '60s was the US Space Program. It was a fairly tumultuous decade in the US, I think otherwise, and the space program was really literally a shining star. However, there were no girls in the space program at that time. Right? There were no girl astronauts and so I thought about it, but it didn't seem like it was even possible. I come from a family of medical people. My mother was a nurse, my father was a doctor, my brother is a doctor, and so that had a lot of influence, I think, in my choosing to go into medicine. And in fact, my brother is an oncologist and though I am actually not an oncologist, I've been hanging around with him long enough that some people think I'm an oncologist. So I think that's what got me pointed in that direction. Dave Johnson: Your brother is Larry Schulman, by the way, right? Humanitarian of the Year Award from ASCO, a couple years ago. Dr. Ellen Baker: It is, yes, and he is a great humanitarian. I was actually at my last year of medical school when I saw a little article in the New York Times that NASA was selecting new astronauts and women and minorities were urged to apply. And I kind of filed that away and went off to do my medicine residency and at the end of my residency, I applied to work for NASA as a physician. And that's how I got to Houston and to Johnson Space Center. Dave Johnson: Dr. Satcher, what about yourself? Dr. Robert Satcher: I got interested in space and being an astronaut when I was a kid too, and I was watching astronauts land on the moon. And I was sitting there listening what Ellen was saying and yeah, it was a time where all the astronauts were of course, white males and I didn't see myself there walking on the moon, but I knew it was something that I would really like to do, but didn't really see a way either, at the time. So it really was with the shuttle era that women, people from underrepresented groups finally had the opportunity to become astronauts. And right around the same time too, was when I was starting as an undergraduate at MIT and had the good fortune of meeting Ron McNair, who got his PhD from MIT. And that was the first time I ever saw someone who looked like me, who was an astronaut and that planted the seed that maybe I could do that one day. I also come from, as you mentioned, a family that values education and we've got a number of physicians in our family. Most famously my uncle, Dr. David Satcher, who was Surgeon General of the Clinton Administration. And I always remember, this is a funny story I like to tell if he's listening. When I was going around getting advice on whether or not I should stick with medicine or think about applying to become an astronaut, he advised me just to stick with medicine. So didn't take his advice, this is the one time I didn't, but I did take his advice, in terms of going to medical school. And I wound up applying to become an astronaut, right actually, before the Columbia accident and so they actually paused taking astronauts for a number of years. And in those years, actually that's when I went to Northwestern and was on faculty there. So they opened it up again and that's when I submitted my application and I was in Chicago and was selected from there. Dave Johnson: There's a number of questions that spill off from that. You guys may know David Wolf, who's an astronaut, who's from Indiana University. I had him in my clinic when he was a medical student and as I always do, I basically say, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" And he said, "I want to be an astronaut." And I just smiled and I don't think I ever went back in the room with him, I just figured, "This guy is a flake, what's going on with him?" And I think he's logged more space miles than just about anybody, he's an incredible human being. And again, if he's listening, you're terrific. David. Patrick Loehrer: I just have to ask this as a boyhood thing, because I did contemplate being an astronaut because I was an engineer and MD just like you were Ellen and so were you Bobby. But it hit me, one is, you have not to be afraid of heights, I think. And then, you have to be willing to go around in a circle a thousand times a minute and not throw up. But in the training there, did any of that stuff bother you or was this no big deal? Dr. Ellen Baker: That sounds a little like Hollywood and not so much like the real thing, actually. In the early days of the space program, they did put astronauts in rotating chairs. I'm not exactly sure why? But we don't do that anymore. I would say that the training is rigorous, but it's not unreasonable. I don't know what you think, Bobby? It's fairly predictable. And I will put a little shout out for Purdue, which maybe has one of the highest number of astronauts of any university outside the military academies. I don't know if that's true now, but 10 or 15 years ago, we just had a large number of engineers from Purdue who were in the astronaut office. Dr. Robert Satcher: I agree, the training is not quite how it's portrayed sometimes in the media. The question I get asked from my doctor friends a lot, "I guess you can't be claustrophobic going into space because you're in the space capsule." And that really does deter a significant number of people, probably more than myself or Ellen appreciate because I'm always surprised when I get that question. Dave Johnson: But I'm 100% sure I couldn't be an astronaut if claustrophobia is an issue because I can't stand to be in an elevator. Dr. Ellen Baker: Let me step back a little, I don't want anybody to get discouraged. But you'd be surprised at how many pilots have a fear of heights if they're not encased in an airplane. So fear of heights is not necessarily something that you might worry about if you're an astronaut. And I disagree with you Bobby, I don't think space vehicles are claustrophobic. It's not like being in a submarine, which I would find very claustrophobic. Particularly in the shuttle because we actually had great windows and great views and we didn't feel confined. I don't know what you think Bobby, but I didn't think it was like being in a cave or closet or a submarine. Dr. Robert Satcher: Yeah, I definitely agree with that, the views are spectacular. Patrick Loehrer: So William Shatner just went up and had a brief stint in space and is now considered an astronaut, but he came back with such a sense of awe. Can you describe a little bit what it's like, the view from up there and how does it leave you, particularly your first time up in space? Dr. Robert Satcher: The words don't completely capture it. The colors are so vivid, the view is so breathtaking. It's really impressive seeing the Earth, not only at daytime, but at nighttime and it goes beyond. It's one of a few things I always tell people, that really exceeded my expectation, in terms of what my preconceived notion of what it would be. And ever since going, that's what's so addictive about going into space, it makes you want to go back just to see that again and experience it again. The closest that I've come to seeing anything like that is, they have these new virtual reality experiences, where they actually got footage that they shot in high-def on the space station, outside the space station. It comes close, in terms of the look but it still doesn't fully capture it because the colors and everything, aren't as clear and crisp as it is when you're there. Because you're in the vacuum of space and there's nothing interfering with it and it's just spectacular. Dr. Ellen Baker: Yeah. I'll jump in here too and I absolutely agree with Bobby. And the other thing is, you orbit the Earth every 90 minutes, so you cover a lot of ground and you see a lot of the planet and in that one orbit, you get a sunrise and a sunset. So you orbit the Earth 16 times a day and get 16 sunrises and sunsets, so every 45 minutes the sun is either coming up or going down. It's really hard to know what time of day it is, in terms of your work day in orbit, but it's just magnificent. And it did give me a sense that we're all from the same planet and of course, it makes me wonder why we can't all get along better? Patrick Loehrer: I think people our age remember a few things, we remember the day Kennedy was shot. We remember the landing on the moon with Neil Armstrong. We also sadly, also remember the Challenger disaster and where we all were at that point in time. Ellen, you were an astronaut at that time. Dr. Ellen Baker: I was. Patrick Loehrer:> Can you reflect a little bit about that, if you can? I'm not sure I could do it without getting emotional, if I was there. Dr. Ellen Baker: Yeah, I was actually at work of course, and watching the launch and it was just devastating. Obviously, I knew everybody on board, I knew their families very well. And I have to say, we knew flying in space was risky, but we were still pretty unprepared for Challenger and for Columbia. It is something that I still think about. As weird as it might sound, I actually rescued the plant from Dick Scobee's office. He was the Commander of Challenger and I still have it growing. So it's a reminder that he was a good friend and a good colleague, it was a terrible blow, as was the Columbia accident. In that same tradition, I have African violets by my sink that were in Laurel Clark's office and Laurel was a physician who was aboard the Columbia, as well as Dave Brown, who was also a physician on the Columbia. Dave Johnson: That's an amazing tribute to both of your colleagues. It's very touching to hear that. I wonder if the two of you could share with us, what you actually did on your missions scientifically? How did you use your medical knowledge, if at all? And Robert, what about your oncologic knowledge, was that useful at all? Dr. Robert Satcher: Fortunately, no use for the oncology training in space. I got to use the orthopedic training. One of the most common problems is back pain the first few days when you're in space. We attribute it to, you're going into weightlessness and all of a sudden, there's these fluid shifts, you get more fluid in your inner discs, everybody gets taller. Dave Johnson: Well, let's send Patrick to space. Patrick Loehrer: We need to get up there soon, Dave. Dr. Robert Satcher: Yeah. Actually, during our visit, we measured everybody's height just so that we know what that change was and we did do a experiment actually, that my background came very useful for. We were looking at the effects of bisphosphonate on bone loss. So bisphosphonates, well, everybody knows, this is ASCO, a class of drugs, anti-absorptives, used in patients with bone metastasis. It was actually being tested in rats, thinking about countermeasures for keeping people from losing bone in long duration, space trips. Unfortunately, bisphosphonates come with a lot of effects. But it did seem to work, in terms of the bone mass, which is induced by weightlessness in rats. And then finally, I was the crew medical officer for my group because I was the only MD up there in our crew. Ellen probably was the same in hers. So, what that involves is, NASA was one of the first places to pioneer use of telemedicine. So, you're basically, communicating with the flight surgeons on the ground every day, talking about what sort of medical issues there are with the crew and getting their recommendations for dealing with whatever it is. So yeah, being a doctor actually came very much handy. Dave Johnson: I was going to ask both of you. During your flights, did you encounter any medical emergencies without violating HIPAA? I mean, did you have to do an appendectomy? Dr. Ellen Baker: No appendectomies and fortunately, no emergencies, astronauts are pretty well scrutinized and examined before flights. And I think the best insurance against a medical problem in space is to send crews that are really fit and really healthy. And of course, there's always the risk of things like trauma, but the risk is actually fairly low. So no emergencies on my flight. Patrick Loehrer: There's no RVUs up there are there, that you have to worry about billing or no? Dr. Robert Satcher: No, we didn't have to deal with third-party payers. Patrick Loehrer: This is looking more and more like a job I want to pursue here, I'm going to be taller and there's no billing. This is great. Dave Johnson: I want to hear from Ellen, what sort of experiments she was involved in and how her medical background helped her assist with that? Dr. Ellen Baker: Yeah. People think, "Gee, if you're a doctor and you're an astronaut, they selected you to be a doctor in space." But in fact, astronauts are selected sort of generically. So once you come into the office, you're trained as an astronaut and Bobby and I were both mission specialists, as opposed to astronaut pilots. And so we received training on all sorts of different things. Bobby did a space walk. I trained for space walks, but never did one. We trained on the remote arm. We trained how to fix things when they were broken. I was actually a flight engineer on one of my flights. But that aside, I was also the crew medical officer and on every flight astronauts participate in medical experiments, because we are trying to gather lots of information from very few people on the physiologic effects of space flight, particularly looking towards longer flights, perhaps back to the moon or to Mars. So I did participate as a subject, I was an operator in a few medical experiments, but the bulk of my responsibilities actually were not medical. And I think Bobby, maybe you would agree with that? We did have some flights that were designated as what I would call, space life sciences flights, but there was only a handful of them and I was not a crew member on any of those flights. Patrick Loehrer: Boy, I could spend another three hours on this and would love to hear more stories. Dave Johnson: This concludes part one of our interview with former NASA astronauts, Drs. Ellen Baker and Robert Satcher. Please be sure to tune in to part two of the interview, where we will learn more about the incredible work they're doing in their post NASA careers. Thank you for tuning in to Oncology, Etc., an ASCO Educational Podcast. If you have an idea for a topic or guest you would like us to interview, please email your suggestion to education@asco.org. Thank you for making Oncology, Etc. a part of your day. Announcer: Thank you for listening to the ASCO Education Podcast. To stay up to date with the latest episodes, please click subscribe, let us know what you think by leaving a review. For more information, visit the Comprehensive Education Center at education.asco.org. Announcer 2: The purpose of the as podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience and conclusions. Guests statements on the podcast do not express the opinions of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity or therapy, should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement.
Fresh off a #SuperBowl that should end the mandates in Los Angeles and opinions are flying around everywhere. We show the love on the Buff Show #ValentinesDay special. Hear from Relationship expert and award-winning author of The Friendship Upgrade, Heather Dugan's tips on re-evaluating relationships this Valentine's Day, Homer Hickam is back to answer questions on October Sky and discuss more stories from his book Don't Blow Yourself Up. Lawrence Hebron is here to discuss his new book AR2 Squared: A global conspiracy. A nation at risk. A fallen president. A rising hero. The Second American Revolution Also, Deborah Flora, President and Founder of the non-profit Parents United America is here to discuss the new documentary ‘Whose Children Are They?' that opens on March 14 across the country.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thebuffshow) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-buff-show/support
Homer Hickam is an author and war veteran who has helped train and prepare astronauts for real space missions and exercises. One of his books, Rocket Boys, was adapted into the Hollywood film, October Sky. He continues to entertain and relate with stories of struggle and fulfillment in Don't Blow Yourself Up, a bookabout his life as a budding writer. In Part 2 of my interview, you'll hear Homer describe his career as an astronaut trainer, what astronauts should know regarding their spacesuits, and the time he trained a late-night talk show host for an underwater episode. He provides his thoughts on space camps and what he observed about students in one of those programs. You'll gain insight to the experience of training foreigners in Japan and Russia, and their cultural differences from America. Homer also explains his fascination with SpaceX, the Moon, and why we should be cautious about space tourism. "There's no such thing as a perfectly safe rocket." - Homer Hickam This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores: What it was like being a "pretend astronaut" while in training What astronauts should expect when wearing spacesuits Why getting into foot restraints wasn't an easy experience The time Homer trained David Letterman for an underwater episode Space camps: who started them and Homer's realizations them The difference between astronaut training cultures in the US and Japan Homer's experience with Russian cosmonauts Homer's thoughts on space tourism and the possibilities of mining the Moon Why there's no such thing as a safe rocket launch Why Homer says SpaceX is a special company capable of extraordinary things The future of humanity in space Connect with Homer Hickam: Homer Hickam Website Book: Don't Blow Yourself Up Homer Hickam on Twitter Homer Hickam on LinkedIn Spaceship Not Required I'm Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean. I'm an explorer, and that doesn't always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action. In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required. Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores. Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead! Don't forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts! Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Homer Hickam is an author and war veteran who has helped train and prepare astronauts for real space missions and exercises. One of his books, Rocket Boys, was adapted into the Hollywood film, October Sky. He continues to entertain and relate with stories
Homer Hickam has famously authored many books. His notable works include, Torpedo Junction, Rocket Boys—a book about his childhood which was eventually adapted into the Hollywood film, October Sky—andthe recently published Don't Blow Yourself Up, a memoir of his experiences and struggles as a writer. Besides being a highly successful novelist, Homer is also a war veteran and scuba instructor who has worked with NASA in spacecraft design and crew training. In part 1 of this episode, you'll hear about Homer's triple life as he describes his experiences as a writer, diver, and NASA spacecraft designer. He shares his love for reading and how it influenced his passion for writing. He recounts his experiences in the army and the frightening story of his first dive. He describes the shipwrecks he found in his dives and how they inspired him to write Torpedo Junction. You'll also get insight into our time working together in NASA. "Sometimes, ignorance is not only bliss; it's also an advantage." - Homer Hickam This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores: Who Homer Hickam is and how he led a triple life The memoir Hollywood is set to adapt into a film Homer's love for reading and how it segued into writing Homer's education, army service, scuba diving, and other experiences Writing a story about the battle against U-Boats during World War 2 Homer's writing history and how shipwrecks inspired him to write his first book The amazing story of his first scuba dive and the wrecks he explored When Homer received a job offer from NASA Revisiting the time Homer and I worked together as divers Writing Rocket Boys and what it was like reliving his childhood How curriculum changed after Sputnik Resources Mentioned: Film: October Sky Connect with Homer Hickam: Homer Hickam Website Book: Torpedo Junction Book:Rocket Boys Homer Hickam on Twitter Homer Hickam on LinkedIn Spaceship Not Required I'm Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean. I'm an explorer, and that doesn't always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action. In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required. Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores. Visit my website atkathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead! Don't forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts! Spotify IStitcher IApple Podcasts I iHeart Radio ITuneIn IGoogle IAmazon Music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Homer Hickam has famously authored many books. His notable works include, Torpedo Junction, Rocket Boys—a book about his childhood which was eventually adapted into the Hollywood film, October Sky—and the recently published Don’t Blow Yo
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