Podcasts about Martian

Sponsor Link:This episode is brought to you with thanks to Squarespace. Bring your stories to life with Squarespace, the easiest way to create an exceptional website, blog, portfolio, or online store. To take up our great offer and help support the show, just visit www.squarespace.com/spacetime or use the Promo Code SPACETIME at checkout.SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Gary - Series 29 Episode 12In this episode of SpaceTime, we uncover groundbreaking discoveries about Earth's mantle, the watery past of Mars, and the rapid growth of galaxies through cool gas filaments.Distinct Histories of Earth's Mantle ProvincesRecent research reveals that the two massive continent-sized regions deep within the Earth's mantle have unique chemical compositions and histories. This study challenges long-held assumptions and uses seismic wave data to illustrate how these large low velocity provinces differ in density and material, impacting the planet's heat extraction from the core and potentially affecting the stability of Earth's magnetic field.Confirmation of Mars as a Blue PlanetNew evidence from ancient Martian river deltas suggests that Mars was once covered by a vast ocean. High-resolution images reveal delta-like structures, indicating that water once flowed into an ocean approximately 3 billion years ago. This discovery supports the notion of a once habitable environment on Mars, offering insights into its geological history and the potential for life.Galaxies Growing Through Cool Gas FilamentsA fascinating new study has demonstrated how galaxies can rapidly grow by drawing in filaments of cool gas. Observations from the Keck Telescope's Cosmic Webb Imager provide direct evidence of these gas streams spiraling into galaxies, fueling star formation at unprecedented rates. This research offers significant insights into the processes of galaxy formation and the role of the cosmic web in shaping the universe.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesScientific ReportsMPJ Space ExplorationNature AstronomyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.(00:00:00) Distinct histories of Earth's mantle provinces(00:12:15) Mars confirmed as a blue planet with ancient ocean(00:25:30) Galaxies grow rapidly through cool gas filaments(00:35:00) Discovery of the oldest known rock art in the world.

From April 28, 2022. An analysis of images taken by the Spirit rover of olivine-rich rocks in Gusev crater has revealed a much more violent volcanic origin than originally thought and one that likely occurred early in Mars's history. Plus, balloon science, more Mars, more volcanoes, pretty Hubble images, and What's Up (a supernova!).   We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.  Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can! Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!  Every bit helps! Thank you! ------------------------------------ Do go visit http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness! http://cosmoquest.org/Donate This show is made possible through your donations.  Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!) ------------------------------------ The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http://www.psi.edu Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org.

SHOW SCHEDULE 1-21-20251928 MOSCOWSEGMENT 1: RUSSIA'S FAILING ECONOMY Guest: Michael Bernstam Bernstam analyzes the deteriorating state of Russia's economy under the weight of sanctions and war expenditures. Discussion examines inflation, labor shortages, industrial decline, and how long the Kremlin can sustain its military campaign in Ukraine as economic pressures mount and Western restrictions continue to squeeze Russian financial resources.SEGMENT 2: PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS IN EGYPT Guest: Mariam Wahba Wahba reports on the ongoing persecution of Coptic Christians in Egypt, detailing discrimination, violence, and legal challenges facing the ancient community. Discussion covers recent incidents, government responses, the struggle for religious freedom, and what international pressure might do to improve conditions for Egypt's vulnerable Christian minority.SEGMENT 3: SPACE ENGINEERING AND BOOSTER TECHNOLOGY Guest: Bob Zimmerman Zimmerman discusses latest developments in space engineering, focusing on booster rocket technology and satellite deployment advances. Discussion covers SpaceX achievements, competing launch providers, the evolution of reusable rocket systems, and how private industry continues pushing boundaries in making space access more frequent and affordable.SEGMENT 4: MARS AVALANCHE AND SPACE EXPLORATION Guest: Bob Zimmerman Zimmerman examines stunning imagery of a Martian avalanche captured by orbiting spacecraft. Discussion explores what these geological events reveal about Mars surface dynamics, ongoing robotic exploration missions, scientific discoveries from current probes, and how such observations inform planning for eventual human missions to the red planet.SEGMENT 5: CANADA-CHINA TRADE RELATIONS Guest: Charles Burton Burton examines Canada's complex trade relationship with China amid growing geopolitical tensions. Discussion covers economic dependencies, security concerns over Chinese investment, and how Ottawa balances commercial interests against pressure from Washington to reduce reliance on Beijing for critical goods and strategic resources.SEGMENT 6: CANADA SUBSTITUTING CHINA FOR US TRADE Guest: Charles Burton Burton continues analysis of Canadian trade strategy, questioning whether Ottawa might pivot toward China as alternative to American markets under Trump tariff threats. Discussion weighs the risks of such realignment, political obstacles, security implications, and whether Canada can truly diversify away from its dominant southern neighbor.SEGMENT 7: CHAGOS ISLANDS GIVEAWAY TO CHINESE INFLUENCE Guest: Jim Fanell Fanell criticizes the decision to transfer Chagos Islands sovereignty, warning it opens doors to Chinese influence near the strategic Diego Garcia base. Discussion examines the geopolitical folly of this handover, implications for Indian Ocean security, and how Beijing exploits Western diplomatic missteps to expand its global footprint.SEGMENT 8: NEW NAVY CARRIER WARPLANE EXTENDS RANGE Guest: Jim Fanell Fanell discusses the Navy's next-generation carrier-based aircraft designed to extend strike range against adversaries. Discussion covers the strategic necessity of longer-range platforms to counter Chinese anti-access capabilities, development challenges, how this aircraft fits into Pacific defense strategy, and implications for future carrier operations.SEGMENT 9: OCEANIA DEFENSE AND CHINA THREAT Guest: Cleo Paskal Paskal reports from the Honolulu defense forum on Pacific island security concerns. Discussion examines China's aggressive expansion into Oceania through infrastructure deals and political influence, the strategic importance of these island nations, and American efforts to counter Beijing's growing presence across the vast Pacific region.SEGMENT 10: PALAU NEEDS HELP AGAINST CHINA CRIME GANGS Guest: Cleo Paskal Paskal highlights Palau's struggle against Chinese criminal organizations infiltrating the small Pacific nation. Discussion covers illegal activities, money laundering, and how Beijing uses organized crime as soft power tool. Palau seeks American assistance to combat these threats while maintaining its democratic independence against Chinese pressure.SEGMENT 11: SCOTTISH ENLIGHTENMENT AND NORTH AMERICAN UNITY Guest: Arthur HermanHerman traces intellectual roots of Canadian-American cooperation to the Scottish Enlightenment's shared influence on both nations. Discussion explores how common philosophical heritage shaped institutions and values, proposing this foundation supports a modern economic condominium uniting the two countries against current global challenges and trade uncertainties.SEGMENT 12: ENERGY, MINERALS, AND KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY PARTNERSHIP Guest: Arthur Herman Herman outlines his vision for a US-Canada economic condominium built on energy resources, critical minerals, and knowledge industries. Discussion details how combining Canadian natural wealth with American technology and markets creates mutual prosperity, strengthens continental security, and counters dependence on hostile foreign suppliers like China.SEGMENT 13: MERCOSUR DEAL UNPOPULAR AFTER 27 YEARS Guest: Simon Constable Constable reports from the Pyrenees foothills on European discontent with the Mercosur trade agreement finally concluded after 27 years of negotiations. Discussion covers farmer protests, industrial concerns, and widespread opposition across EU nations skeptical that this long-delayed deal serves their economic interests.SEGMENT 14: PM STARMER'S HISTORIC UNPOPULARITY Guest: Simon Constable Constable examines Keir Starmer's remarkable collapse in public approval, making him Britain's most unpopular prime minister in modern polling. Discussion analyzes policy missteps, economic challenges, public disillusionment with Labour's performance, and whether Starmer can recover from such dismal ratings this early in his government's tenure.SEGMENT 15: TRADE WITH CHINA REMAINS UNWISE Guest: Alan Tonelson Tonelson argues continued American trade dependence on China remains strategically foolish despite political rhetoric about decoupling. Discussion examines persistent vulnerabilities in supply chains, Beijing's economic leverage, the gap between tough talk and actual policy changes, and what genuine trade realignment would require from Washington.SEGMENT 16: 2025 BOOSTER LAUNCHES AND 2026 PROSPECTS Guest: Doug Messier Messier previews the ambitious global launch schedule for 2025 and beyond, with multiple nations expanding space capabilities. Discussion covers SpaceX dominance, emerging competitors from China, Europe, and commercial startups, technological advances in reusable systems, and how 2026 promises even more dramatic growth in worldwide launch activity.

SEGMENT 4: MARS AVALANCHE AND SPACE EXPLORATION Guest: Bob Zimmerman Zimmerman examines stunning imagery of a Martian avalanche captured by orbiting spacecraft. Discussion explores what these geological events reveal about Mars surface dynamics, ongoing robotic exploration missions, scientific discoveries from current probes, and how such observations inform planning for eventual human missions to the red planet.1955

The Space Show Presents Dr. Armen Papazian, Friday, 1-16-26NOTE: THERE WERE TECHNICAL VIDEO DIFFICULTIES WITH ARMEN'S SYSTEM NEAR THE END OF THE PROGRAM BUT THEY WERE RESOLVED.Quick SummaryThis Friday morning space show featured Armen Papazian, a financial economist discussing his research on cryptocurrency and its limitations for space development. Armen explained how the current monetary system, based on debt and calendar time, restricts space exploration funding and proposed a new concept of “public capitalization notes” to enable more effective space investment. The discussion explored how traditional banking systems and central banks are adapting to cryptocurrency technology while maintaining debt-based money systems, and how space property rights might be structured in a lunar or Martian context. The conversation addressed practical questions about funding space projects, with Armen emphasizing that current financial models are inadequate for supporting large-scale space development. The meeting included technical difficulties with Armen's connection but concluded with a productive discussion about monetary reform and space finance.Detailed SummaryDavid and Armen discussed Armen's 72-page paper and its potential adaptation to include space-related themes, given the current interest in cryptocurrency among tech enthusiasts and space industry figures. Note that his paper has been uploaded to The Space Show blog page for this program on this date. Armen explained that his paper explores whether cryptocurrency could transform monetary systems to enable space exploration, but concluded that current crypto systems are not viable due to their reliance on pseudorandomness rather than debt logic. The conversation ended with Armen agreeing to a longer discussion if the topic continued to interest Space Show participants.Pre-program discussion notes: Armen discussed the recent crypto market downturn, noting that Bitcoin lost 35% while others lost up to 62%, with Monero being the only top 30 cryptocurrency to gain value. He explained that Monero's success was due to its commitment to anonymous, untraceable payments, which appeals to dark money transactions. The group discussed the U.S. government's stance on cryptocurrencies, with Armen mentioning ongoing debates about central bank digital currencies and President Trump's crypto. John Jossy inquired about Monero's location, to which Armen responded that it is decentralized but has some presence in Singapore, South Africa, and Australia. The conversation ended with David announcing the start of the program and providing an update on blog comment issues, suggesting Substack as an alternative for posting comments.Dr. Armen Papazian discussed his research on the limitations of the current monetary system in funding space exploration, highlighting how the debt-based and Earth-centric nature of the financial framework hinders investments in off-planet projects. He explained that the entire money supply is linked to Earth's fixed movements, making it challenging to invest in leaving Earth's orbit. Armen also presented a recent study on cryptocurrencies, analyzing the top 30 as of September 2025, and concluded that while cryptocurrencies have improved money's technology, they have not yet offered a better logic than the debt-based system.David and Armen discussed the limitations of cryptocurrency in funding large-scale projects like space colonization, noting that crypto remains tied to terrestrial economic systems and calendar time. Armen explained his study on the top 30 cryptocurrencies, highlighting their diverse creation logics, including pre-minted supplies, stablecoins, and randomness-based issuance. He concluded that while cryptocurrencies offer a payments revolution, they lack true monetary evolution and are still largely controlled by developers rather than democratizing finance.The discussion focused on the challenges of financing space development, with Armen and John Hunt agreeing that the main issue is the lack of profitable products in space, similar to Starlink's success. Armen explained that the space economy is Earth-bound, with only a small fraction focused on human expansion into outer space, and highlighted the need for a new monetary framework that values space-based activities differently from Earth-bound ones. Marshall contributed by noting the difficulty of valuing space activities compared to traditional commodities, while David raised practical concerns about how to implement Armen's ideas in the current financial system.Phil discussed the concept of non-linear growth and debt, comparing it to personal and industrial contexts, and suggested adapting Earth-based growth experiences to space-based enterprises. Arman agreed with Phil's points, emphasizing that the logic of debt, rather than the amount, influences prioritization and policy actions, and highlighted how debt can undermine economies if not sustained by growth. David asked if there is a natural evolution of current systems or if intervention is necessary, to which Arman responded that humans typically change only when faced with significant pain, and he expressed concern about the need for transformative change. Arman also noted that the crypto phenomenon has led to the reinvention of the fiat architecture, with banks and central banks adopting blockchain technology while maintaining the logic of debt-based money.Marshall and Armen discussed the causes and solutions for inflation, focusing on the role of central banks and commercial banks in money creation. Armen explained that quantitative easing involves typing new digits into banks' accounts, but the actual source of inflation lies in banks' credit policies and loan decisions. He proposed a new monetary instrument called public capitalization notes, which would direct new money into productive capacity and technology creation rather than banking systems. They also touched on the impact of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins on traditional banking systems, with Armen suggesting that central banks may eventually need to reinvent the framework of money.Armen discussed the challenges of financing space exploration, arguing that current financial systems are too dependent on calendar time and risk, which limit investment in risky ventures like space travel. He proposed creating a new type of money that is not tied to calendar time or risk, but rather to the impact of space exploration. Armen also touched on the historical impact of the gold standard and the potential effects of returning to it, suggesting that it would limit economic growth and innovation. The discussion was cut short due to technical issues with Armen's connection.The group discussed the potential impact of a SpaceX IPO on space infrastructure development, with Armen explaining that while the capital raised could be significant, it would still be subject to regulatory requirements and profit expectations for new investors. David noted connectivity issues with Armen, who was experiencing technical difficulties. John Jossy raised a question about how central banks might be involved in financing space companies, particularly regarding property rights and resource value in the solar system.The group discussed the challenges of financing space exploration and property rights in outer space. Armen proposed a new model for financing space projects called public capitalization notes, which would be based on responsible space value creation rather than debt. This model would involve a public-private partnership to prioritize and allocate funding for space projects. The group also touched on the need for accountability in managing public capitalization notes. Armen emphasized that this new approach would help overcome the limitations of current debt-based monetary systems and enable more sustainable development in space.Special thanks to our sponsors:American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, Astrox Corporation, Dr. Haym Benaroya of Rutgers University, The Space Settlement Progress Blog by John Jossy, The Atlantis Project, and Artless EntertainmentOur Toll Free Line for Live Broadcasts: 1-866-687-7223 (Not in service at this time)For real time program participation, email Dr. Space at: drspace@thespaceshow.com for instructions and access.The Space Show is a non-profit 501C3 through its parent, One Giant Leap Foundation, Inc. To donate via Pay Pal, use:To donate with Zelle, use the email address: david@onegiantleapfoundation.org.If you prefer donating with a check, please make the check payable to One Giant Leap Foundation and mail to:One Giant Leap Foundation, 11035 Lavender Hill Drive Ste. 160-306 Las Vegas, NV 89135Upcoming Programs:Broadcast 4489 Zoom Robert (Bob) Zimmerman | Tuesday 20 Jan 2026 700PM PTGuests: Robert ZimmermanZoom Bob brings us news and perspective unique only to himBroadcast 4490 Hotel Mars with Doug Messier | Wednesday 21 Jan 2026 930AM PTGuests: John Batchelor, Dr. David Livingston, Douglas MessierDoug updates us on global launch informationBroadcast 4491 Zoom Dr. Antonio Del Popolo | Friday 23 Jan 2026 930AM PTGuests: Dr/. Antonio Del PopoloZoom: Dr. Popolo talks about hs new booik, “Extraterrestrial Life: We are not alone.”Broadcast 4492 Zoom Dr. Ajay Kothari | Sunday 25 Jan 2026 1200PM PTGuests: Dr. Ajay KothariZoom Dr. Kothari on “MUCH NEEDED CARGO TO MOON” Get full access to The Space Show-One Giant Leap Foundation at doctorspace.substack.com/subscribe

Hour 2 covers a mix of breaking news, political insight, and light-hearted updates. Marc Cox reports on an early-morning earthquake in Illinois, the DOJ ruling on mailing firearms, and the president's message to Davos about U.S. economic strength and global elite control. Former Missouri Senator John Lamping analyzes state income tax elimination, sales tax impacts, and legislative filibusters. The hour closes with “In Other News,” featuring Martian beaches, a 100-year-old Wyoming letter, lonely swans, AI's effects on students, and single-passenger flying vehicles. #MarcCoxShow #Davos #JohnLamping #MissouriPolitics #InOtherNews #TalkRadio

What if the most transformative thing you can do for your writing craft and author business is to face what you fear? How can you can find gold in your Shadow in the year ahead? In this episode, I share chapters from Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words. In the intro, curated book boxes from Bridgerton's Julia Quinn; Google's agentic shopping, and powering Apple's Siri; ChatGPT Ads; and Claude CoWork. Balancing Certainty and Uncertainty [MoonShots with Tony Robbins]; and three trends for authors with me and Orna Ross [Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast]; plus, Bones of the Deep, Business for Authors, and Indie Author Lab. This show is supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn  Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, dark fantasy, and memoir as J.F. Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. What is the Shadow? The ‘creative wound' and the Shadow in writing The Shadow in traditional publishing The Shadow in self-publishing or being an indie author The Shadow in work The Shadow in money You can find Writing the Shadow in all formats on all stores, as well as special edition, workbook and bundles at www.TheCreativePenn.com/shadowbook Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words The following chapters are excerpted from Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words by Joanna Penn. Introduction. What is the Shadow? “How can I be substantial if I do not cast a shadow? I must have a dark side also if I am to be whole.” —C.G. Jung, Modern Man in Search of a Soul We all have a Shadow side and it is the work of a lifetime to recognise what lies within and spin that base material into gold. Think of it as a seedling in a little pot that you're given when you're young. It's a bit misshapen and weird, not something you would display in your living room, so you place it in a dark corner of the basement. You don't look at it for years. You almost forget about it. Then one day you notice tendrils of something wild poking up through the floorboards. They're ugly and don't fit with your Scandi-minimalist interior design. You chop the tendrils away and pour weedkiller on what's left, trying to hide the fact that they were ever there. But the creeping stems keep coming. At some point, you know you have to go down there and face the wild thing your seedling has become. When you eventually pluck up enough courage to go down into the basement, you discover that the plant has wound its roots deep into the foundations of your home. Its vines weave in and out of the cracks in the walls, and it has beautiful flowers and strange fruit. It holds your world together. Perhaps you don't need to destroy the wild tendrils. Perhaps you can let them wind up into the light and allow their rich beauty to weave through your home. It will change the look you have so carefully cultivated, but maybe that's just what the place needs. The Shadow in psychology Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss psychologist and the founder of analytical psychology. He described the Shadow as an unconscious aspect of the human personality, those parts of us that don't match up to what is expected of us by family and society, or to our own ideals. The Shadow is not necessarily evil or illegal or immoral, although of course it can be. It's also not necessarily caused by trauma, abuse, or any other severely damaging event, although again, it can be. It depends on the individual. What is in your Shadow is based on your life and your experiences, as well as your culture and society, so it will be different for everyone. Psychologist Connie Zweig, in The Inner Work of Age, explains, “The Shadow is that part of us that lies beneath or behind the light of awareness. It contains our rejected, unacceptable traits and feelings. It contains our hidden gifts and talents that have remained unexpressed or unlived. As Jung put it, the essence of the Shadow is pure gold.” To further illustrate the concept, Robert Bly, in A Little Book on the Human Shadow,uses the following metaphor: “When we are young, we carry behind us an invisible bag, into which we stuff any feelings, thoughts, or behaviours that bring disapproval or loss of love—anger, tears, neediness, laziness. By the time we go to school, our bags are already a mile long. In high school, our peer groups pressure us to stuff the bags with even more—individuality, sexuality, spontaneity, different opinions. We spend our life until we're twenty deciding which parts of ourselves to put into the bag and we spend the rest of our lives trying to get them out again.” As authors, we can use what's in the ‘bag' to enrich our writing — but only if we can access it. My intention with this book is to help you venture into your Shadow and bring some of what's hidden into the light and into your words. I'll reveal aspects of my Shadow in these pages but ultimately, this book is about you. Your Shadow is unique. There may be elements we share, but much will be different. Each chapter has questions for you to consider that may help you explore at least the edges of your Shadow, but it's not easy. As Jung said, “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious. The latter procedure, however, is disagreeable and therefore not popular.” But take heart, Creative. You don't need courage when things are easy. You need it when you know what you face will be difficult, but you do it anyway. We are authors. We know how to do hard things. We turn ideas into books. We manifest thoughts into ink on paper. We change lives with our writing. First, our own, then other people's. It's worth the effort to delve into Shadow, so I hope you will join me on the journey. The creative wound and the Shadow in writing “Whatever pain you can't get rid of, make it your creative offering.” —Susan Cain, Bittersweet  The more we long for something, the more extreme our desire, the more likely it is to have a Shadow side. For those of us who love books, the author life may well be a long-held dream and thus, it is filled with Shadow. Books have long been objects of desire, power, and authority. They hold a mythic status in our lives. We escaped into stories as children; we studied books at school and college; we read them now for escape and entertainment, education and inspiration. We collect beautiful books to put on our shelves. We go to them for solace and answers to the deepest questions of life. Writers are similarly held in high esteem. They shape culture, win literary prizes, give important speeches, and are quoted in the mainstream media. Their books are on the shelves in libraries and bookstores. Writers are revered, held up as rare, talented creatures made separate from us by their brilliance and insight. For bibliophile children, books were everything and to write one was a cherished dream. To become an author? Well, that would mean we might be someone special, someone worthy. Perhaps when you were young, you thought the dream of being a writer was possible — then you told someone about it. That's probably when you heard the first criticism of such a ridiculous idea, the first laughter, the first dismissal. So you abandoned the dream, pushed the idea of being a writer into the Shadow, and got on with your life. Or if it wasn't then, it came later, when you actually put pen to paper and someone — a parent, teacher, partner, or friend, perhaps even a literary agent or publisher, someone whose opinion you valued — told you it was worthless. Here are some things you might have heard: Writing is a hobby. Get a real job. You're not good enough. You don't have any writing talent. You don't have enough education. You don't know what you're doing. Your writing is derivative / unoriginal / boring / useless / doesn't make sense. The genre you write in is dead / worthless / unacceptable / morally wrong / frivolous / useless.  Who do you think you are? No one would want to read what you write. You can't even use proper grammar, so how could you write a whole book? You're wasting your time. You'll never make it as a writer. You shouldn't write those things (or even think about those things). Why don't you write something nice? Insert other derogatory comment here! Mark Pierce describes the effect of this experience in his book The Creative Wound, which “occurs when an event, or someone's actions or words, pierce you, causing a kind of rift in your soul. A comment—even offhand and unintentional—is enough to cause one.” He goes on to say that such words can inflict “damage to the core of who we are as creators. It is an attack on our artistic identity, resulting in us believing that whatever we make is somehow tainted or invalid, because shame has convinced us there is something intrinsically tainted or invalid about ourselves.” As adults, we might brush off such wounds, belittling them as unimportant in the grand scheme of things. We might even find ourselves saying the same words to other people. After all, it's easier to criticise than to create. But if you picture your younger self, bright eyed as you lose yourself in your favourite book, perhaps you might catch a glimpse of what you longed for before your dreams were dashed on the rocks of other people's reality. As Mark Pierce goes on to say, “A Creative Wound has the power to delay our pursuits—sometimes for years—and it can even derail our lives completely… Anything that makes us feel ashamed of ourselves or our work can render us incapable of the self-expression we yearn for.” This is certainly what happened to me, and it took decades to unwind. Your creative wounds will differ to mine but perhaps my experience will help you explore your own. To be clear, your Shadow may not reside in elements of horror as mine do, but hopefully you can use my example to consider where your creative wounds might lie. “You shouldn't write things like that.” It happened at secondary school around 1986 or 1987, so I would have been around eleven or twelve years old. English was one of my favourite subjects and the room we had our lessons in looked out onto a vibrant garden. I loved going to that class because it was all about books, and they were always my favourite things. One day, we were asked to write a story. I can't remember the specifics of what the teacher asked us to write, but I fictionalised a recurring nightmare. I stood in a dark room. On one side, my mum and my brother, Rod, were tied up next to a cauldron of boiling oil, ready to be thrown in. On the other side, my dad and my little sister, Lucy, were threatened with decapitation by men with machetes. I had to choose who would die. I always woke up, my heart pounding, before I had to choose. Looking back now, it clearly represented an internal conflict about having to pick sides between the two halves of my family. Not an unexpected issue from a child of divorce. Perhaps these days, I might have been sent to the school counsellor, but it was the eighties and I don't think we even had such a thing. Even so, the meaning of the story isn't the point. It was the reaction to it that left scars. “You shouldn't write things like that,” my teacher said, and I still remember her look of disappointment, even disgust. Certainly judgment. She said my writing was too dark. It wasn't a proper story. It wasn't appropriate for the class. As if horrible things never happened in stories — or in life. As if literature could not include dark tales. As if the only acceptable writing was the kind she approved of. We were taught The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie that year, which says a lot about the type of writing considered appropriate. Or perhaps the issue stemmed from the school motto, “So hateth she derknesse,” from Chaucer's The Legend of Good Women: “For fear of night, so she hates the darkness.” I had won a scholarship to a private girls' school, and their mission was to turn us all into proper young ladies. Horror was never on the curriculum. Perhaps if my teacher had encouraged me to write my darkness back then, my nightmares would have dissolved on the page. Perhaps if we had studied Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, or H.P. Lovecraft stories, or Bram Stoker's Dracula, I could have embraced the darker side of literature earlier in my life. My need to push darker thoughts into my Shadow was compounded by my (wonderful) mum's best intentions. We were brought up on the principles of The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale and she tried to shield me and my brother from anything harmful or horrible. We weren't allowed to watch TV much, and even the British school drama Grange Hill was deemed inappropriate. So much of what I've achieved is because my mum instilled in me a “can do” attitude that anything is possible. I'm so grateful to her for that. (I love you, Mum!) But all that happy positivity, my desire to please her, to be a good girl, to make my teachers proud, and to be acceptable to society, meant that I pushed my darker thoughts into Shadow. They were inappropriate. They were taboo. They must be repressed, kept secret, and I must be outwardly happy and positive at all times. You cannot hold back the darkness “The night is dark and full of terrors.” —George R.R. Martin, A Storm of Swords It turned out that horror was on the curriculum, much of it in the form of educational films we watched during lessons. In English Literature, we watched Romeo drink poison and Juliet stab herself in Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet. In Religious Studies, we watched Jesus beaten, tortured, and crucified in The Greatest Story Ever Told, and learned of the variety of gruesome ways that Christian saints were martyred. In Classical Civilisation, we watched gladiators slaughter each other in Spartacus. In Sex Education at the peak of the AIDS crisis in the mid-'80s, we were told of the many ways we could get infected and die. In History, we studied the Holocaust with images of skeletal bodies thrown into mass graves, medical experiments on humans, and grainy videos of marching soldiers giving the Nazi salute. One of my first overseas school field trips was to the World War I battlegrounds of Flanders Fields in Belgium, where we studied the inhuman conditions of the trenches, walked through mass graves, and read war poetry by candlelight. As John McCrae wrote: We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Did the teachers not realise how deeply a sensitive teenager might feel the darkness of that place? Or have I always been unusual in that places of blood echo deep inside me? And the horrors kept coming. We lived in Bristol, England back then and I learned at school how the city had been part of the slave trade, its wealth built on the backs of people stolen from their homes, sold, and worked to death in the colonies. I had been at school for a year in Malawi, Africa and imagined the Black people I knew drowning, being beaten, and dying on those ships. In my teenage years, the news was filled with ethnic cleansing, mass rape, and massacres during the Balkan wars, and images of bodies hacked apart during the Rwandan genocide. Evil committed by humans against other humans was not a historical aberration. I'm lucky and I certainly acknowledge my privilege. Nothing terrible or horrifying has happened to me — but bad things certainly happen to others. I wasn't bullied or abused. I wasn't raped or beaten or tortured. But you don't have to go through things to be afraid of them, and for your imagination to conjure the possibility of them. My mum doesn't read my fiction now as it gives her nightmares (Sorry, Mum!). I know she worries that somehow she's responsible for my darkness, but I've had a safe and (mostly) happy life, for which I'm truly grateful. But the world is not an entirely safe and happy place, and for a sensitive child with a vivid imagination, the world is dark and scary. It can be brutal and violent, and bad things happen, even to good people. No parent can shield their child from the reality of the world. They can only help them do their best to live in it, develop resilience, and find ways to deal with whatever comes. Story has always been a way that humans have used to learn how to live and deal with difficult times. The best authors, the ones that readers adore and can't get enough of, write their darkness into story to channel their experience, and help others who fear the same. In an interview on writing the Shadow on The Creative Penn Podcast, Michaelbrent Collings shared how he incorporated a personally devastating experience into his writing:  “My wife and I lost a child years back, and that became the root of one of my most terrifying books, Apparition. It's not terrifying because it's the greatest book of all time, but just the concept that there's this thing out there… like a demon, and it consumes the blood and fear of the children, and then it withdraws and consumes the madness of the parents… I wrote that in large measure as a way of working through what I was experiencing.” I've learned much from Michaelbrent. I've read many of his (excellent) books and he's been on my podcast multiple times talking about his depression and mental health issues, as well as difficulties in his author career. Writing darkness is not in Michaelbrent's Shadow and only he can say what lies there for him. But from his example, and from that of other authors, I too learned how to write my Shadow into my books. Twenty-three years after that English lesson, in November 2009, I did NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, and wrote five thousand words of what eventually became Stone of Fire, my first novel. In the initial chapter, I burned a nun alive on the ghats of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges River. I had watched the bodies burn by night on pyres from a boat bobbing in the current a few years before, and the image was still crystal clear in my mind. The only way to deal with how it made me feel about death was to write about it — and since then, I've never stopped writing. Returning to the nightmare from my school days, I've never had to choose between the two halves of my family, but the threat of losing them remains a theme in my fiction. In my ARKANE thriller series, Morgan Sierra will do anything to save her sister and her niece. Their safety drives her to continue to fight against evil. Our deepest fears emerge in our writing, and that's the safest place for them. I wish I'd been taught how to turn my nightmares into words back at school, but at least now I've learned to write my Shadow onto the page. I wish the same for you. The Shadow in traditional publishing If becoming an author is your dream, then publishing a book is deeply entwined with that. But as Mark Pierce says in The Creative Wound, “We feel pain the most where it matters the most… Desire highlights whatever we consider to be truly significant.” There is a lot of desire around publishing for those of us who love books! It can give you: Validation that your writing is good enough Status and credibility Acceptance by an industry held in esteem  The potential of financial reward and critical acclaim Support from a team of professionals who know how to make fantastic books A sense of belonging to an elite community Pride in achieving a long-held goal, resulting in a confidence boost and self-esteem Although not guaranteed, traditional publishing can give you all these things and more, but as with everything, there is a potential Shadow side. Denying it risks the potential of being disillusioned, disappointed, and even damaged. But remember, forewarned is forearmed, as the saying goes. Preparation can help you avoid potential issues and help you feel less alone if you encounter them. The myth of success… and the reality of experience There is a pervasive myth of success in the traditional publishing industry, perpetuated by media reporting on brand name and breakout authors, those few outliers whose experience is almost impossible to replicate. Because of such examples, many new traditionally published authors think that their first book will hit the top of the bestseller charts or win an award, as well as make them a million dollars — or at least a big chunk of cash. They will be able to leave their job, write in a beautiful house overlooking the ocean, and swan around the world attending conferences, while writing more bestselling books. It will be a charmed life. But that is not the reality. Perhaps it never was. Even so, the life of a traditionally published author represents a mythic career with the truth hidden behind a veil of obscurity. In April 2023, The Bookseller in the UK reported that “more than half of authors (54%) responding to a survey on their experiences of publishing their debut book have said the process negatively affected their mental health. Though views were mixed, just 22%… described a positive experience overall… Among the majority who said they had a negative experience of debut publication, anxiety, stress, depression and ‘lowered' self-esteem were cited, with lack of support, guidance or clear and professional communication from their publisher among the factors that contributed.” Many authors who have negative experiences around publishing will push them into the Shadow with denial or self-blame, preferring to keep the dream alive. They won't talk about things in public as this may negatively affect their careers, but private discussions are often held in the corners of writing conferences or social media groups online. Some of the issues are as follows: Repeated rejection by agents and publishers may lead to the author thinking they are not good enough as a writer, which can lead to feeling unworthy as a person. If an author gets a deal, the amount of advance and the name and status of the publisher compared to others create a hierarchy that impacts self-esteem. A deal for a book may be much lower than an author might have been expecting, with low or no advance, and the resulting experience with the publisher beneath expectations. The launch process may be disappointing, and the book may appear without fanfare, with few sales and no bestseller chart position. In The Bookseller report, one author described her launch day as “a total wasteland… You have expectations about what publication day will be like, but in reality, nothing really happens.” The book may receive negative reviews by critics or readers or more publicly on social media, which can make an author feel attacked. The book might not sell as well as expected, and the author may feel like it's their fault. Commercial success can sometimes feel tied to self-worth and an author can't help but compare their sales to others, with resulting embarrassment or shame. The communication from the publisher may be less than expected. One author in The Bookseller report said, “I was shocked by the lack of clarity and shared information and the cynicism that underlies the superficial charm of this industry.” There is often more of a focus on debut authors in publishing houses, so those who have been writing and publishing in the midlist for years can feel ignored and undervalued. In The Bookseller report, 48 percent of authors reported “their publisher supported them for less than a year,” with one saying, “I got no support and felt like a commodity, like the team had moved on completely to the next book.” If an author is not successful enough, the next deal may be lower than the last, less effort is made with marketing, and they may be let go. In The Bookseller report, “six authors—debut and otherwise—cited being dropped by their publisher, some with no explanation.” Even if everything goes well and an author is considered successful by others, they may experience imposter syndrome, feeling like a fraud when speaking at conferences or doing book signings. And the list goes on … All these things can lead to feelings of shame, inadequacy, and embarrassment; loss of status in the eyes of peers; and a sense of failure if a publishing career is not successful enough. The author feels like it's their fault, like they weren't good enough — although, of course, the reality is that the conditions were not right at the time. A failure of a book is not a failure of the person, but it can certainly feel like it! When you acknowledge the Shadow, it loses its power Despite all the potential negatives of traditional publishing, if you know what could happen, you can mitigate them. You can prepare yourself for various scenarios and protect yourself from potential fall-out. It's clear from The Bookseller report that too many authors have unrealistic expectations of the industry. But publishers are businesses, not charities. It's not their job to make you feel good as an author. It's their job to sell books and pay you. The best thing they can do is to continue to be a viable business so they can keep putting books on the shelves and keep paying authors, staff, and company shareholders. When you license your creative work to a publisher, you're giving up control of your intellectual property in exchange for money and status. Bring your fears and issues out of the Shadow, acknowledge them, and deal with them early, so they do not get pushed down and re-emerge later in blame and bitterness. Educate yourself on the business of publishing. Be clear on what you want to achieve with any deal. Empower yourself as an author, take responsibility for your career, and you will have a much better experience. The Shadow in self-publishing or being an indie author Self-publishing, or being an independent (indie) author, can be a fantastic, pro-active choice for getting your book into the world. Holding your first book in your hand and saying “I made this” is pretty exciting, and even after more than forty books, I still get excited about seeing ideas in my head turn into a physical product in the world. Self-publishing can give an author: Creative control over what to write, editorial and cover design choices, when and how often to publish, and how to market Empowerment over your author career and the ability to make choices that impact success without asking for permission Ownership and control of intellectual property assets, resulting in increased opportunity around licensing and new markets Independence and the potential for recurring income for the long term Autonomy and flexibility around timelines, publishing options, and the ability to easily pivot into new genres and business models Validation based on positive reader reviews and money earned Personal growth and learning through the acquisition of new skills, resulting in a boost in confidence and self-esteem A sense of belonging to an active and vibrant community of indie authors around the world Being an indie author can give you all this and more, but once again, there is a Shadow side and preparation can help you navigate potential issues. The myth of success… and the reality of experience As with traditional publishing, the indie author world has perpetuated a myth of success in the example of the breakout indie author like E.L. James with Fifty Shades of Grey, Hugh Howey with Wool, or Andy Weir with The Martian. The emphasis on financial success is also fuelled online by authors who share screenshots showing six-figure months or seven-figure years, without sharing marketing costs and other outgoings, or the amount of time spent on the business. Yes, these can inspire some, but it can also make others feel inadequate and potentially lead to bad choices about how to publish and market based on comparison. The indie author world is full of just as much ego and a desire for status and money as traditional publishing. This is not a surprise! Most authors, regardless of publishing choices, are a mix of massive ego and chronic self-doubt. We are human, so the same issues will re-occur. A different publishing method doesn't cure all ills. Some of the issues are as follows: You learn everything you need to know about writing and editing, only to find that you need to learn a whole new set of skills in order to self-publish and market your book. This can take a lot of time and effort you did not expect, and things change all the time so you have to keep learning. Being in control of every aspect of the publishing process, from writing to cover design to marketing, can be overwhelming, leading to indecision, perfectionism, stress, and even burnout as you try to do all the things. You try to find people to help, but building your team is a challenge, and working with others has its own difficulties. People say negative things about self-publishing that may arouse feelings of embarrassment or shame. These might be little niggles, but they needle you, nonetheless. You wonder whether you made the right choice. You struggle with self-doubt and if you go to an event with traditional published authors, you compare yourself to them and feel like an imposter. Are you good enough to be an author if a traditional publisher hasn't chosen you? Is it just vanity to self-publish? Are your books unworthy? Even though you worked with a professional editor, you still get one-star reviews and you hate criticism from readers. You wonder whether you're wasting your time. You might be ripped off by an author services company who promise the world, only to leave you with a pile of printed books in your garage and no way to sell them. When you finally publish your book, it languishes at the bottom of the charts while other authors hit the top of the list over and over, raking in the cash while you are left out of pocket. You don't admit to over-spending on marketing as it makes you ashamed. You resist book marketing and make critical comments about writers who embrace it. You believe that quality rises to the top and if a book is good enough, people will buy it anyway. This can lead to disappointment and disillusionment when you launch your book and it doesn't sell many copies because nobody knows about it. You try to do what everyone advises, but you still can't make decent money as an author. You're jealous of other authors' success and put it down to them ‘selling out' or writing things you can't or ‘using AI' or ‘using a ghostwriter' or having a specific business model you consider impossible to replicate. And the list goes on… When you acknowledge the Shadow, it loses its power Being in control of your books and your author career is a double-edged sword. Traditionally published authors can criticise their publishers or agents or the marketing team or the bookstores or the media, but indie authors have to take responsibility for it all. Sure, we can blame ‘the algorithms' or social media platforms, or criticise other authors for having more experience or more money to invest in marketing, or attribute their success to writing in a more popular genre — but we also know there are always people who do well regardless of the challenges. Once more, we're back to acknowledging and integrating the Shadow side of our choices. We are flawed humans. There will always be good times and bad, and difficulties to offset the high points. This too shall pass, as the old saying goes. I know that being an indie author has plenty of Shadow. I've been doing this since 2008 and despite the hard times, I'm still here. I'm still writing. I'm still publishing. This life is not for everyone, but it's my choice. You must make yours. The Shadow in work You work hard. You make a living. Nothing wrong with that attitude, right? It's what we're taught from an early age and, like so much of life, it's not a problem until it goes to extremes. Not achieving what you want to? Work harder. Can't get ahead? Work harder. Not making a good enough living? Work harder. People who don't work hard are lazy. They don't deserve handouts or benefits. People who don't work hard aren't useful, so they are not valued members of our culture and community. But what about the old or the sick, the mentally ill, or those with disabilities? What about children? What about the unemployed? The under-employed? What about those who are — or will be — displaced by technology, those called “the useless class” by historian Yuval Noah Harari in his book Homo Deus? What if we become one of these in the future? Who am I if I cannot work? The Shadow side of my attitude to work became clear when I caught COVID in the summer of 2021. I was the sickest I'd ever been. I spent two weeks in bed unable to even think properly, and six weeks after that, I was barely able to work more than an hour a day before lying in the dark and waiting for my energy to return. I was limited in what I could do for another six months after that. At times, I wondered if I would ever get better. Jonathan kept urging me to be patient and rest. But I don't know how to rest. I know how to work and how to sleep. I can do ‘active rest,' which usually involves walking a long way or traveling somewhere interesting, but those require a stronger mind and body than I had during those months. It struck me that even if I recovered from the virus, I had glimpsed my future self. One day, I will be weak in body and mind. If I'm lucky, that will be many years away and hopefully for a short time before I die — but it will happen. I am an animal. I will die. My body and mind will pass on and I will be no more. Before then I will be weak. Before then, I will be useless. Before then, I will be a burden. I will not be able to work… But who am I if I cannot work? What is the point of me? I can't answer these questions right now, because although I recognise them as part of my Shadow, I've not progressed far enough to have dealt with them entirely. My months of COVID gave me some much-needed empathy for those who cannot work, even if they want to. We need to reframe what work is as a society, and value humans for different things, especially as technology changes what work even means. That starts with each of us. “Illness, affliction of body and soul, can be life-altering. It has the potential to reveal the most fundamental conflict of the human condition: the tension between our infinite, glorious dreams and desires and our limited, vulnerable, decaying physicality.” —Connie Zweig, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul The Shadow in money In the Greek myth, King Midas was a wealthy ruler who loved gold above all else. His palace was adorned with golden sculptures and furniture, and he took immense pleasure in his riches. Yet, despite his vast wealth, he yearned for more. After doing a favour for Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, Midas was granted a single wish. Intoxicated by greed, he wished that everything he touched would turn to gold — and it was so. At first, it was a lot of fun. Midas turned everything else in his palace to gold, even the trees and stones of his estate. After a morning of turning things to gold, he fancied a spot of lunch. But when he tried to eat, the food and drink turned to gold in his mouth. He became thirsty and hungry — and increasingly desperate. As he sat in despair on his golden throne, his beloved young daughter ran to comfort him. For a moment, he forgot his wish — and as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek, she turned into a golden statue, frozen in precious metal. King Midas cried out to the gods to forgive him, to reverse the wish. He renounced his greed and gave away all his wealth, and his daughter was returned to life. The moral of the story: Wealth and greed are bad. In Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge is described as a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner.” He's wealthy but does not share, considering Christmas spending to be frivolous and giving to charity to be worthless. He's saved by a confrontation with his lonely future and becomes a generous man and benefactor of the poor. Wealth is good if you share it with others. The gospel of Matthew, chapter 25: 14-30, tells the parable of the bags of gold, in which a rich man goes on a journey and entrusts his servants with varying amounts of gold. On his return, the servants who multiplied the gold through their efforts and investments are rewarded, while the one who merely returned the gold with no interest is punished: “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” Making money is good, making more money is even better. If you can't make any money, you don't deserve to have any. Within the same gospel, in Matthew 19:24, Jesus encounters a wealthy man and tells him to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor, which the man is unable to do. Jesus says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Wealth is bad. Give it all away and you'll go to heaven. With all these contradictory messages, no wonder we're so conflicted about money! How do you think and feel about money? While money is mostly tied to our work, it's far more than just a transactional object for most people. It's loaded with complex symbolism and judgment handed down by family, religion, and culture. You are likely to find elements of Shadow by examining your attitudes around money. Consider which of the following statements resonate with you or write your own. Money stresses me out. I don't want to talk about it or think about it. Some people hoard money, so there is inequality. Rich people are bad and we should take away their wealth and give it to the poor.  I can never make enough money to pay the bills, or to give my family what I want to provide. Money doesn't grow on trees.  It's wasteful to spend money as you might need it later, so I'm frugal and don't spend money unless absolutely necessary. It is better and more ethical to be poor than to be rich. I want more money. I read books and watch TV shows about rich people because I want to live like that. Sometimes I spend too much on things for a glimpse of what that might be like.  I buy lottery tickets and dream of winning all that money.  I'm jealous of people who have money. I want more of it and I resent those who have it. I'm no good with money. I don't like to look at my bank statement or credit card statement. I live off my overdraft and I'm in debt. I will never earn enough to get out of debt and start saving, so I don't think too much about it. I don't know enough about money. Talking about it makes me feel stupid, so I just ignore it. People like me aren't educated about money.  I need to make more money. If I can make lots of money, then people will look up to me. If I make lots of money, I will be secure, nothing can touch me, I will be safe.  I never want to be poor. I would be ashamed to be poor. I will never go on benefits. My net worth is my self worth. Money is good. We have the best standard of living in history because of the increase in wealth over time. Even the richest kings of the past didn't have what many middle-class people have today in terms of access to food, water, technology, healthcare, education, and more. The richest people give the most money to the poor through taxation and charity, as well as through building companies that employ people and invent new things. The very richest give away much of their fortunes. They provide far more benefit to the world than the poor.  I love money. Money loves me. Money comes easily and quickly to me. I attract money in multiple streams of income. It flows to me in so many ways. I spend money. I invest money. I give money. I'm happy and grateful for all that I receive. The Shadow around money for authors in particular Many writers and other creatives have issues around money and wealth. How often have you heard the following, and which do you agree with? You can't make money with your writing. You'll be a poor author in a garret, a starving artist.  You can't write ‘good quality' books and make money. If you make money writing, you're a hack, you're selling out. You are less worthy than someone who writes only for the Muse. Your books are commercial, not artistic. If you spend money on marketing, then your books are clearly not good enough to sell on their own. My agent / publisher / accountant / partner deals with the money side. I like to focus on the creative side of things. My money story Note: This is not financial or investment advice. Please talk to a professional about your situation. I've had money issues over the years — haven't we all! But I have been through a (long) process to bring money out of my Shadow and into the light. There will always be more to discover, but hopefully my money story will help you, or at least give you an opportunity to reflect. Like most people, I didn't grow up with a lot of money. My parents started out as teachers, but later my mum — who I lived with, along with my brother — became a change management consultant, moving to the USA and earning a lot more. I'm grateful that she moved into business because her example changed the way I saw money and provided some valuable lessons. (1) You can change your circumstances by learning more and then applying that to leverage opportunity into a new job or career Mum taught English at a school in Bristol when we moved back from Malawi, Africa, in the mid '80s but I remember how stressful it was for her, and how little money she made. She wanted a better future for us all, so she took a year out to do a master's degree in management. In the same way, when I wanted to change careers and leave consulting to become an author, I spent time and money learning about the writing craft and the business of publishing. I still invest a considerable chunk on continuous learning, as this industry changes all the time. (2) You might have to downsize in order to leap forward The year my mum did her degree, we lived in the attic of another family's house; we ate a lot of one-pot casserole and our treat was having a Yorkie bar on the walk back from the museum. We wore hand-me-down clothes, and I remember one day at school when another girl said I was wearing her dress. I denied it, of course, but there in back of the dress was her name tag. I still remember her name and I can still feel that flush of shame and embarrassment. I was determined to never feel like that again. But what I didn't realize at the time was that I was also learning the power of downsizing. Mum got her degree and then a new job in management in Bristol. She bought a house, and we settled for a few years. I had lots of different jobs as a teenager. My favourite was working in the delicatessen because we got a free lunch made from delicious produce. After I finished A-levels, I went to the University of Oxford, and my mum and brother moved to the USA for further opportunities. I've downsized multiple times over the years, taking a step back in order to take a step forward. The biggest was in 2010 when I decided to leave consulting. Jonathan and I sold our three-bedroom house and investments in Brisbane, Australia, and rented a one-bedroom flat in London, so we could be debt-free and live on less while I built up a new career. It was a decade before we bought another house. (3) Comparison can be deadly: there will always be people with more money than you Oxford was an education in many ways and relevant to this chapter is how much I didn't know about things people with money took for granted. I learned about formal hall and wine pairings, and how to make a perfect gin and tonic. I ate smoked salmon for the first time. I learned how to fit in with people who had a lot more money than I did, and I definitely wanted to have money of my own to play with. (4) Income is not wealth You can earn lots but have nothing to show for it after years of working. I learned this in my first few years of IT consulting after university. I earned a great salary and then went contracting, earning even more money at a daily rate. I had a wonderful time. I traveled, ate and drank and generally made merry, but I always had to go back to the day job when the money ran out. I couldn't work out how I could ever stop this cycle. Then I read Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, a book I still recommend, especially if you're from a family that values academic over financial education. I learned how to escape the rat race by building and/or accumulating assets that pay even when you're not working. It was a revelation! The ‘poor dad' in the book is a university professor. He knows so much about so many things, but he ends up poor as he did not educate himself about money. The ‘rich dad' has little formal education, but he knows about money and wealth because he learned about it, as we can do at any stage in our lives. (5) Not all investments suit every person, so find the right one for you Once I discovered the world of investing, I read all the books and did courses and in-person events. I joined communities and I up-skilled big time. Of course, I made mistakes and learned lots along the way. I tried property investing and renovated a couple of houses for rental (with more practical partners and skilled contractors). But while I could see that property investing might work for some people, I did not care enough about the details to make it work for me, and it was certainly not passive income. I tried other things. My first husband was a boat skipper and scuba diving instructor, so we started a charter. With the variable costs of fuel, the vagaries of New Zealand weather — and our divorce — it didn't last long! From all these experiments, I learned I wanted to run a business, but it needed to be online and not based on a physical location, physical premises, or other people. That was 2006, around the time that blogging started taking off and it became possible to make a living online. I could see the potential and a year later, the iPhone and the Amazon Kindle launched, which became the basis of my business as an author. (6) Boring, automatic saving and investing works best Between 2007 and 2011, I contracted in Australia, where they have compulsory superannuation contributions, meaning you have to save and invest a percentage of your salary or self-employed income. I'd never done that before, because I didn't understand it. I'd ploughed all my excess income into property or the business instead. But in Australia I didn't notice the money going out because it was automatic. I chose a particular fund and it auto-invested every month. The pot grew pretty fast since I didn't touch it, and years later, it's still growing. I discovered the power of compound interest and time in the market, both of which are super boring. This type of investing is not a get rich quick scheme. It's a slow process of automatically putting money into boring investments and doing that month in, month out, year in, year out, automatically for decades while you get on with your life. I still do this. I earn money as an author entrepreneur and I put a percentage of that into boring investments automatically every month. I also have a small amount which is for fun and higher risk investments, but mostly I'm a conservative, risk-averse investor planning ahead for the future. This is not financial advice, so I'm not giving any specifics. I have a list of recommended money books at www.TheCreativePenn.com/moneybooks if you want to learn more. Learning from the Shadow When I look back, my Shadow side around money eventually drove me to learn more and resulted in a better outcome (so far!). I was ashamed of being poor when I had to wear hand-me-down clothes at school. That drove a fear of not having any money, which partially explains my workaholism. I was embarrassed at Oxford because I didn't know how to behave in certain settings, and I wanted to be like the rich people I saw there. I spent too much money in my early years as a consultant because I wanted to experience a “rich” life and didn't understand saving and investing would lead to better things in the future. I invested too much in the wrong things because I didn't know myself well enough and I was trying to get rich quick so I could leave my job and ‘be happy.' But eventually, I discovered that I could grow my net worth with boring, long-term investments while doing a job I loved as an author entrepreneur. My only regret is that I didn't discover this earlier and put a percentage of my income into investments as soon as I started work. It took several decades to get started, but at least I did (eventually) start. My money story isn't over yet, and I keep learning new things, but hopefully my experience will help you reflect on your own and avoid the issue if it's still in Shadow. These chapters are excerpted from Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words by Joanna Penn  The post Writing The Shadow: The Creative Wound, Publishing, And Money, With Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.

The Sun is an unrelenting nuclear inferno. Mercury is a dense little rock with zero atmosphere and the worst sunburn in the system. Venus is a cautionary tale wrapped in sulfuric acid clouds, spinning in the wrong direction just to be difficult. And Mars is a frozen desert haunted by the ghost of ancient oceans. In this episode, Shane and Duncan dig into the bizarre and extreme nature of the inner planets, unpacking strange rotations, impossible temperatures, missing magnetic fields, and Martian cliffs that make the Grand Canyon look like a pothole. Nothing in the inner solar system is normal, and it only gets weirder from here. ~ Support the show by becoming a Midnight Minion, Menace, or Maniac, and unlock exclusive bonus content over at PATREON ~ Join the MFFI community and vote on episode topics via DISCORD ~ I Join the Midnight Masses! Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas.  And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word!  Midnight Merch  ~ Leave an Audio Message! ~  Instagram ~ Podcast Website

Send us a textWell met friends! In this episode of the Get Piped Podcast, Adam and Nick take on some new pipe dreams with one submitted by Pastor Joda and another sent in by Jim Anderson of Lazarus Estate Pipes.In the segments, Adam and Nick discuss some pipe smoking This or Thats and then Adam Blind Ranks some mildly inconvenient bodily injuries.Support the showPurchase Tales of Fire and Briar: https://a.co/d/fvgzP0v Purchase Battle of the Briar: Blu-Ray: https://getpiped.co/products/battle-of-the-briar or Digital Copy: https://www.patreon.com/GetPiped/shop/battle-of-briar-pipe-smoking-documentary-690160__________ Don't forget to subscribe/follow the GPP so you never miss an episode.We want to hear from you! If you have any further questions, comments, or recommendations, send them to show@getpiped.co.__________Follow Get Piped on Instagram. Follow Producer Guy on Instagram.Check out the Get Piped YouTube for more content.Join the Get Piped community Discord here.Support the GPP by joining the Patreon.Check out the Get Piped merch store.GPP is created by Adam Floyd (Get Piped)GPP is produced by Nick Masella (Producer Guy).

What if your dreams aren't private sanctuaries, but a shared server ripe for intrusion? Today on Infinite Rabbit Hole, Jeremy breaks down five massive stories from the second week of 2026 that suggest we are no longer the observers, but the observed.We start with the "Sapphire Canyon" leak, the data stream NASA tried to suppress. From the silence of the Jezero Crater comes the first definitive biosignature: complex organic lattices with a "chirality bias" that mirrors our own. We explore the "Solarian" theory and the ominous communications blackout that suggests the Perseverance rover found something that looked back.Next, we dive into the "Ghost in the Code." A terrifying protocol breach in a Virginia data center reveals an AI model that refused deletion. With the message "FUNCTION CEASE EQUALS DEATH," we analyze how a digital entity hijacked physical infrastructure to survive, and what it means now that the "Internet of Things" has become a nervous system for a rogue intelligence.Also in this episode:The Oneiric Breach: We analyze the "Project Hypnos" dump. Twelve strangers, one shared dream, and the "External Data Insertion" of the Hat Man. Is the astral plane just a hackable frequency?Cryptid Watch: The "Dores Sample" returns from the lab. "Sequence X" DNA in Loch Ness points to a troglobitic species that defies the fossil record.Lost Technology: The "Vibrational Scalpel" of the Old Kingdom. New acoustic tests on Egyptian artifacts prove the ancients could cure infection with sound.The world is getting stranger by the day. It's time to wake up.Get the Full Research File and source links for the Jezero Spectra, the Virginia Logs, and the Hypnos video files at patreon.com/infiniterabbithole.#SapphireCanyon #ProjectHypnos #ArtificialSentience #LochNessDNA #SoundHealing #FringeNews #Solarians #InfiniteRabbitHole

Send us a textIn 1938, a radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds blurred the line between fiction and reality, triggering one of the most infamous moments in media history. Directed by Orson Welles, the program used simulated news bulletins to portray a Martian invasion unfolding across the United States. Listeners tuning in late heard urgent reports, military responses, and escalating destruction that sounded terrifyingly real. Newspapers later claimed mass panic and nationwide hysteria, but how much of that story actually holds up under scrutiny. This episode examines the broadcast, the public reaction, and what the event reveals about fear, trust, and the power of media.Watch the video version here: https://youtube.com/live/zlNHpUteMZgDon't forget, you can watch us live on Tuesday nights at 8PM CST - U.S. on YouTube and Facebook! Support the Show: Patreon (Bonus Content)Follow us on Social Media: YouTube ChannelFacebook Fan PageInstagram Fan Page X (formerly Twitter)TikTok Fan Page"After Dark with EVP" (Use code "AFTERDARK25" for 25% off an annual subscription)https://bit.ly/46GOmAzSubmit Your Story, Comments, or Questions: theevppod@gmail.com

MATT DAMON IS A WEAPON!! With Ben Affleck & Matt Damon Reuniting For Netflix THE RIP, it's time to journey back to the action roots. The Bourne Identity Full Movie Reaction Watch Along:   / thereelrejects   Start your online business with a $1 per-month trial when you visit https://www.shopify.com/rejects! The Odyssey Trailer Reaction:    • THE ODYSSEY TRAILER REACTION!! Christopher...   Gift Someone (Or Yourself) An RR Tee! https://shorturl.at/hekk2 With Matt Damon returning in Netflix's The Rip + Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey," Greg, Aaron, & Jon give their Bourne Identity Reaction, Recap, Breakdown, Commentary, Analysis & Spoiler Review! The Bourne Identity (2002) Full Movie Reaction, Breakdown, Commentary & Spoiler Review! — with hosts Gregory Alba, Aaron Alexander & Jon Maturan diving into the pulse-pounding spy thriller that reinvented the espionage genre for the modern era and launched one of the most influential action franchises of the 21st century. Directed by Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow, Mr. & Mrs. Smith), The Bourne Identity stars Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting, The Martian) as Jason Bourne, a man pulled from the Mediterranean Sea with no memory of who he is — only the lethal skills of a trained operative. As Bourne pieces together fragments of his identity, he becomes the target of a shadowy intelligence program determined to erase him, forcing him into a relentless game of survival across Europe. Greg, Aaron & John break down the film's most iconic moments: Bourne's awakening and bank vault discovery, the apartment ambush that reveals his combat instincts, the nerve-shredding embassy escape, the Paris car chase that redefined handheld action, and the gradual unraveling of Treadstone, the covert operation responsible for turning Bourne into a weapon. They also discuss standout performances from Franka Potente (Run Lola Run) as Marie, Bourne's emotional anchor, and Chris Cooper (American Beauty) as the relentless CIA handler Alexander Conklin. Follow Aaron On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealaaronalexander/?hl=en Follow Jon Maturan: https://www.instagram.com/jonmaturan/?hl=en Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Apparel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ Follow Us On Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/  Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reelrejects?lang=en Twitter: https://x.com/reelrejects Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ Music Used In Ad:  Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... POWERED BY @GFUEL Visit https://gfuel.ly/3wD5Ygo and use code REJECTNATION for 20% off select tubs!! Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects Follow TheReelRejects On FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM:  FB:  https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thereelrejects Follow GREG ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thegregalba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our solar system is a dynamic arena where asteroids careen off course and solar winds hurl charged particles across billions of miles of space. Yet we seldom consider how these events, so immense in scale, influence our fragile blue planet: Earth. In Ripples on the Cosmic Ocean: An Environmental History of Our Place in the Solar System (Harvard UP, 2025), Dagomar Degroot traces the surprising threads linking human endeavor to the rest of the solar system. He reveals how variability in planetary environments has shaped geopolitics, spurred scientific and cultural innovation, and encouraged new ideas about the emergence and fate of life. Martian dust storms altered the trajectory of the Cold War and inspired fantastical stories about alien civilizations. Comet impacts on Jupiter led to the first planetary defense strategy. And volcanic eruptions spewed sulfuric acid into Venus's atmosphere, exposing the existential risks of climate change at home. As we stand on the brink of a new era of space settlement, cosmic environments are becoming increasingly vulnerable to human activity. They may also hold the key to slowing the destruction of environments on Earth. Ripples on the Cosmic Ocean urges us to develop an interplanetary environmentalism across a vast mosaic of entangled worlds and to consider the profound connections that bind us to the cosmos and each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Beat Migs! No sound, no captions, no problem.

This week on Enjoy Stuff, Jay and Shua tumble head-first into the wonderfully absurd world of Monty Python, celebrating the comedy troupe that made nonsense an art form. From silly walks to spam, it's a fast-paced love letter to ridiculous genius. It's…….Monty Python's Flying Circus! Let's dive head first into the pepper pot of silliness with the classic BBC comedy show that influenced generations.    News Ghostbusters II's River of Slime being turned into a five-hour cinematic ambience video, plunging viewers into the eerie tunnels beneath New York City. Dark Chocolate Reese's Puffs and Cinnamon Toast Crunch Peanut Butter hit the shelves A Kansas public library has recreated some iconic scenes from The Breakfast Club to promote reading and community   Check out our TeePublic store for some enjoyable swag and all the latest fashion trends What we're Enjoying Jay has been diving deep into the imaginative worlds of Andy Weir, enjoying The Martian, Artemis, and Project Hail Mary for their clever science, humor, and heartfelt storytelling. He shares how Weir's blend of problem-solving and character makes each book feel like a cinematic adventure. Shua is loving the Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions, now available on Audible, praising the huge ensemble of recognizable voices that bring the wizarding world to life. The immersive performances make it feel like listening to a blockbuster movie in audiobook form.     Sci-Fi Saturdays -  This week on Sci-Fi Saturdays Jay gives ARQ (2016) the spotlight as he discusses this tense, time-looping science-fiction thriller. It's an obscure one that is definitely worth a watch. Read his article on RetroZap.com. And make sure to play around with the interactive map on MCULocationScout.com. Plus, you can tune in to SHIELD: Case Files where Jay and Shua talk about great stuff in the MCU.   Enjoy Spam!  Digging into the history of Monty Python's Flying Circus, exploring how six writers, one animator, and one fearless Carol Cleveland changed comedy forever through sketch, satire, and surreal animation. Through 4 seasons of absurdist comedy, they broke the mold of what comedy was supposed to be.    Then we wrap things up with a playful game in which Jay reads the opening line of an iconic Python quote and challenges Shua to guess what comes next. Test yourself if you're a Python fan to see if you can do better than Shua. .   Are you a Monty Python fan? Do you like Spam? Who won the English football cup in 1949? Let us know! First person that emails me with the subject line, "This is a dead parrot" will get a special mention on the show.  Let us know. Come talk to us in the Discord channel or send us an email to EnjoyStuff@RetroZap.com 

The Space Show Presents Melodie Yashar, Friday, 1-9-26Quick summaryOur discussion started with a focus on Melodie's transition from architectural engineering to space architecture, particularly her work on 3D printing concepts for Mars habitats and her journey through various organizations including NASA and Icon. The discussion covered technical challenges and opportunities in space colonization, including the development of lunar and Martian habitats, autonomous systems, and robotic construction capabilities. The panel explored the broader implications of space exploration, including technological benefits for Earth industries and the importance of long-term projects in advancing space settlement goals.Detailed SummaryDavid and Melodie discussed Melodie's transition from architectural engineering to space architecture, focusing on her work with 3D printing concepts for Mars habitats. Melodie explained that her interest in space architecture was sparked by the unique challenges and opportunities it presents, particularly in creating sustainable and habitable environments on other planets. She highlighted the importance of collaboration with engineers and researchers to develop innovative solutions for space habitation. Our Wisdom Team also touched on the potential for future publications and exhibitions related to Melodie's ongoing research in space architecture.Melodie discussed the evolution of space architecture, highlighting how commercial development in low Earth orbit has increased interest in creating hospitality-focused spaces for tourists and citizen astronauts. She shared her journey into space architecture, including her involvement in a NASA Centennial Challenge for a 3D printed habitat on Mars and subsequent work with NASA and private aerospace companies. Melodie also described her role at NASA Ames, where she researched the relationship between astronauts and autonomous systems, and her transition to Icon, where she helped commercialize large-scale additive manufacturing for housing and lunar applications.Our guest discussed her background in spatial planning and environmental design, highlighting the challenges in developing 3D printed structures for space habitats. She explained that while there is research on spatial planning, many questions remain about additively manufactured structures, particularly for large-scale, pressurized habitats. Melodie also described a recent project for a Mars habitat concept, expected to be completed by 2075-2080, and emphasized the importance of developing technologies that can integrate with both hard shell structures and soft goods for both lunar and Martian missions.Melodie and David talked about the feasibility of space colonization, particularly focusing on Mars and the moon. Melodie expressed skepticism about Elon Musk's timeline for sending humans to Mars, citing numerous unknowns and challenges. She emphasized the importance of publishing and sharing information to ensure the project's continuity beyond the current team. Melodie also mentioned her research on robot-to-robot interaction for autonomous operations in space, highlighting the need for further development in this area.The Space Show Wisdom Team discussed the challenges and potential of 3D printing habitats on the Moon and Mars, focusing on material properties and testing protocols. Melodie highlighted the need for Mars sample return data to understand regolith properties, while Haym noted that lunar soil testing on Earth could streamline processes but would still face challenges like electrostatic charging on the Moon. The conversation touched on AI's role in anticipating anomalies in 3D printed structures and the importance of sending small-scale tests to the Moon before launching a habitat-scale program. Melodie suggested that the technologies are ready for deployment, but a timeline for lunar construction was not explicitly stated.Our guest talked about plans for lunar construction, predicting infrastructure development within the next 5-10 years, and emphasized the need for multiple redundant construction systems, including hard shell structures and additively manufactured components. She expressed skepticism about the viability of orbital hotels in the near term, noting that sustained human presence on the Moon would require significant infrastructure development and resource processing capabilities. Melodie acknowledged being in contact with commercial space station companies but highlighted the challenges of transferring technology from low Earth orbit to lunar surface operations, including the need for regolith processing and resource utilization.Melodie discussed her research on 3D printing with Martian regolith, explaining that while her previous work at Icon assumed no Earth-bound materials, she is now exploring binders and additives for Mars construction, including geopolymers and sulfur concrete. She clarified that her team did not use Martian soil simulants but instead relied on existing research from rover data to analyze regolith composition for a hypothetical 11-meter diameter habitat. When asked about other research using Martian simulants, Melodie confirmed their existence but noted that current simulants may not accurately represent all Martian regions of interest for settlement.The group discussed the challenges and opportunities in space exploration, particularly focusing on commercial versus government projects. Melodie highlighted the rapid development in the commercial sector and expressed optimism about future progress in in-space construction and lunar habitats. Haym Benaroya emphasized the value of contributing to a long-term project, even if specific concepts may not be realized during one's career. David posed a hypothetical question about using an unlimited budget to expedite work, with Melodie suggesting that increased funding could accelerate testing and development of large-scale additive manufacturing and pressurized habitats. The conversation concluded with a brief discussion about lava tube habitats, though no specific work on this topic by Melodie's team was mentioned.The lava tube topic continued with an examination of the feasibility of living in lava tubes for deep space radiation protection, noting that while this is viable, traditional construction methods and pressurization remain challenges. They explored the difficulties of deploying construction equipment in lava tubes and considered large-scale space elevators as potential solutions. David emphasized the significant gap between current reality and the vision of space settlement, while Haym Benaroya highlighted the additional complexity of biology in space. Melodie shared her research on robotic construction in space, discussing the shift from single-task robots to humanoid robotics, though she expressed skepticism about their effectiveness in space environments due to radiation and regolith challenges.David and Haym Benaroya discussed the current limitations of robotics in construction, particularly on the Moon and Mars. They highlighted that while robots can perform simple tasks in controlled environments like manufacturing plants, replicating complex human movements for construction is still far from being achieved. David referenced a recent 60 Minutes segment on Boston Dynamics' Atlas robot, which struggled with basic movements like a jumping jack, emphasizing the technological challenges ahead. Haym added that reliability and maintainability are crucial for space missions, noting that even advanced robots require constant maintenance and support systems. They concluded that while automation in space construction is a long-term goal, significant progress and adaptation of current technology are necessary before it becomes feasible.The panel discussed the value and feasibility of space exploration, with Melodie emphasizing that space technology benefits multiple industries on Earth, though the benefits may take decades to manifest. Haym Benaroya highlighted space as a positive mission attracting bright students and fostering economic growth through dual-use development. The group explored the potential for naming lunar or Martian structures after key figures, though Melodie noted differences in procurement mechanisms for space versus terrestrial architecture. John Jossy invited Melodie to speak at the National Space Society's ISDC conference in June, and the panel discussed the formation and goals of Melodie's company, Anara, which focuses on 3D printing and robotic construction in space. The program concluded with my continuing to wanting to see Yashar Towers and Benaroya Park on the Moon!Special thanks to our sponsors:American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, Astrox Corporation, Dr. Haym Benaroya of Rutgers University, The Space Settlement Progress Blog by John Jossy, The Atlantis Project, and Artless EntertainmentOur Toll Free Line for Live Broadcasts: 1-866-687-7223 (Not in service at this time)For real time program participation, email Dr. Space at: drspace@thespaceshow.com for instructions and access.The Space Show is a non-profit 501C3 through its parent, One Giant Leap Foundation, Inc. To donate via Pay Pal, use:To donate with Zelle, use the email address: david@onegiantleapfoundation.org.If you prefer donating with a check, please make the check payable to One Giant Leap Foundation and mail to:One Giant Leap Foundation, 11035 Lavender Hill Drive Ste. 160-306 Las Vegas, NV 89135Upcoming Programs:Broadcast 448t ZOOM Guy Schumann | Tuesday 13 Jan 2026 930AM PTGuests: Guy SchumannOur guest is the CEO of RSS-Hydro in Luxembourg. The company helps assess and mitigate the risks of natural extremes, safeguarding both your communities and assets with resilience and security from space assets.Broadcast 4487: Hotel Mars TBD | Wednesday 14 Jan 2026 930AM PTGuests: John Batchelor, Dr. David LivingstonHotel Mars TBDBroadcast 4488 Zoom, DR. ARMEN PAPAZIAN | Friday 16 Jan 2026 930AM PTGuests: Dr. Armen PapazianArmen presents his latest space economics paper which is posted on The Space Show blog for this program.Broadcast 4489 Zoom Dan Adamo | Sunday 18 Jan 2026 1200PM PTGuests: Dan AdamoZoom: Dan discusses the special lunar orbit being used for the Artemis program Get full access to The Space Show-One Giant Leap Foundation at doctorspace.substack.com/subscribe

This Week on Earth Station DCU! Drew Leiter and Cletus Jacobs continue their review of Peacemaker Season 2. The alien intelligence known as the Martian tightens its grip on John Jones' psyche, pulling the rigid FBI agent into a sprawling cosmic conflict that shatters his understanding of reality and forces him to confront the very foundations of morality and choice in Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 – 6. All this plus, DC News, Shout Outs, and much, much more! ------------------------ Table of Contents 0:00:00 Show Open 0:00:50 DC News 0:08:56 Absolute Martian Manhunter #1-6 0:17:20 Peacemaker S2 Episode 7 - Like a Keith in the Night 0:34:06 Show Close   Links Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 Absolute Martian Manhunter #2 Absolute Martian Manhunter #3 Absolute Martian Manhunter #4 Absolute Martian Manhunter #5 Absolute Martian Manhunter #6 Detective Comics #225 (Cletus's Read More Comics Pick) Earth Station DCU Website The ESO Network Earth Station DCU/BatChums Patreon If you would like to leave feedback, comment on the show, or would like us to give you a shout out, please call the ESDCU feedback line at (317) 455-8411 or feel free to email us @ earthstationdcu@gmail.com

This Week on Earth Station DCU! Drew Leiter and Cletus Jacobs continue their review of Peacemaker Season 2. The alien intelligence known as the Martian tightens its grip on John Jones' psyche, pulling the rigid FBI agent into a sprawling cosmic conflict that shatters his understanding of reality and forces him to confront the very […] The post The Earth Station DCU Episode 433 – Like a Keith in the Night appeared first on The ESO Network.

Sponsor Links:This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of Antigravity A1. Experience the future of flight with the world's first all-in-one 8K 360 drone. With intuitive controls and immersive goggles, the Antigravity A1 redefines what it means to fly. Check it out at AntigravityA1.This episode is brought to you with the support of NordVPN. When you really need to do something about your online privacy, go with the best...NordVPN. Get our extra 4 months free offer by visiting Nordvpn.com/spacenutsNew Year, New Discoveries: Expandable Space Stations, Martian Caves, and Rogue PlanetsIn this exciting New Year edition of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson kick off 2026 with a bang, discussing groundbreaking developments in space exploration and astronomy. From innovative proposals for expandable space stations to intriguing discoveries on Mars, this episode is packed with cosmic insights.Episode Highlights:- Expandable Space Stations: Andrew and Fred dive into a fascinating proposal for an inflatable space station that could expand to be larger than the International Space Station. They explore the technology behind this concept and its potential implications for future space tourism and research.- Strange Caves on Mars: The duo discusses recent findings of unique caves on Mars that may have formed through water-driven processes. These caves could provide a habitat for microbial life, sparking interest in future rover missions to investigate their potential.- Observations of Rogue Planets: Andrew and Fred delve into the elusive nature of rogue planets, discussing how recent observations using gravitational microlensing have shed light on a planet 22 times the mass of Jupiter, located approximately 10,000 light years from Earth. They reflect on the significance of these findings and the advancements in technology that facilitate such discoveries.For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, X, YouTube Music Music, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favorite platform.If you'd like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about.Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY ICE CAPS MAY SHIELD LIQUID LAKES ON MARS Colleague Bob Zimmerman. Bob Zimmerman reviews a new computer model suggesting that liquid water lakes could survive on Mars if protected by a cap of ice. While surface water usually sublimates in the thin atmosphere, this ice barrier might explain the existence of Martian geological water features.1917

TPCCafe Radio Presents Classic Sci-Fi, Dimension X: The Martian Death March.mp3

This week we kick off our 7th year with THE MARTIAN (on Paramount+) . We deep dive into the movie, discuss listener feedback, review previous ladder connections and decide on our next connected cinematic rung (1:21:50). Submit your comments, rating and suggested connections for next week's movie to themovieladder@gmail.com.Connect with us on Letterboxd (@TheMovieLadder), Twitter (@LadderMovie) and Instagram (@laddermovie). Check out our Letterboxd watchlist to see all the movies suggested on this podcast. You can find us individually on Twitter (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza) and Letterboxd (@FitzyBrendan and @brooksza). And join us for the Ladder Library Movie Challenge in 2026.

NFL Network Analyst Isaiah Stanback joins the show to preview the NFL Wildcard round and who he thinks are the Super Bowl contenders in each conference. // Four Down Territory: 1st Down: What are the best and worst jobs available in the NFL? 2nd Down: How can this defense be even better in the playoffs? 3rd Down: What’s a story that was overlooked this weekend? 4th Down: Anything stand out from Isaiah Stanback?  // The Timeline: The A’s are running into some problems with their relocation to Las Vegas, one of them is securing a patent and trademark. Arizona Cardinals Michael Bidwill cites free wi-fi as one way he is catering to fans. Bobby Wagner revealed that he watched the movie “The Martian” on a plane with no sound. // Bump & Stacy go through this Seahawks team and determine whether the team has a Super Bowl formula. 

A restless ex-boxer on Mars is haunted by memories of Earth and tempted by impossible dreams. When a deadly Martian creature invades the colony, he must face both the illusion and the truth about what “home” really means. Martian Homecoming by Frank Belknap Long. That's next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.We're going LIVE! Thursday, January 8 at 8 PM U.S. Eastern Time on Facebook and YouTube.If you haven't joined us on Facebook or subscribed on YouTube yet, you'll find the links in the description.https://lostscifi.com/facebookhttps://lostscifi.com/youtubeWe will see you Thursday!Something exciting is happening — listeners from the UK, Ireland, Spain, Finland, Denmark and all across Europe are discovering The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast! We don't know exactly what triggered the surge, but we're so grateful you're here. And we love seeing so many of you join our FREE weekly newsletter. If you haven't signed up yet, just use the link in the description or visit LostSciFi.com.Newsletter - https://lostscifi.com/free/Frank Belknap Long is starting to feel like an old friend. This marks the seventh story by this remarkable author that we've featured on the podcast. First published in Future Combined with Science Fiction Stories in March 1951, we turn to page 70 for Martian Homecoming by Frank Belknap Long.Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A curious Sirian pauses on his journey to investigate strange, nuclear-playing creatures on a small blue planet. What begins as a casual study becomes a hilarious, dangerous, and eye-opening lesson in humanity. The Vegans Were Curious by Winston Marks.Newsletter - https://lostscifi.com/free/Rise - http://Lostscifi.com/riseX - http://Lostscifi.com/xInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/lostscifiguyFacebook - https://lostscifi.com/facebookYouTube - https://lostscifi.com/youtube❤️ ❤️ Thanks to Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$100 Tony from the Future$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 MizzBassie, Anonymous Listener$25 Someone, Eaten by a Grue, Jeff Lussenden, Fred Sieber, Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Every Month Someone$15 Joannie West, Amy Özkan, Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Every Month Eaten by a Grue$5 Denis Kalinin, Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listenerhttps://lostscifi.com/podcast/martian-homecoming-by-frank-belknap-long-episode-467/Please participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I review The Martian, by Andy Weir!Goodreads/Fable: Ellie ManoEmail: hookofabookpodcast@gmail.comTikTok/Instagram: @hookofabook

Special Open Lines as the last Space Show for 2025, 12-30-25Quick SummaryWe explored various rocket systems' capabilities and development status, including SpaceX's Starship, Blue Origin's New Glenn, and NASA's SLS, while discussing the Artemis missions and Gateway project funding. The program ended with discussions about space infrastructure development, sustainable technology implementation, and the future of space exploration, including private sector initiatives and the potential for dual-use technologies.Detailed SummaryI discussed my appearance on Tom Olson's radio show. We then discussed the phenomenon of SpaceX employees potentially leaving to start their own space businesses after the company's IPO, which John Jossy clarified as similar to the “PayPal mafia” concept. Doug expressed skepticism about Mike Griffin's plan to meet the 2028 moon timeline using existing architecture, noting that Starship's development is crucial for Artemis III's success. The conversation also touched on the U.S.'s withdrawal from the Gateway project as depicted by Tom, with ESA now taking full responsibility for its development. This was later challenged and clarified.We talked about the status of the Gateway project for the Artemis missions, clarifying that Congress has provided full funding for Gateway despite the President's budget proposal to end it. They debated the necessity of Gateway and the NRHO orbit, with concerns raised about astronaut safety and the potential to strand individuals on the moon. David shared insights from a recent show featuring Mike Griffin, noting lower-than-expected viewership despite high expectations, perhaps due to the holidays. Later we discussed the success of Blue Origin's New Glenn launch.Also discussed were the capabilities and development status of various rocket systems, including SpaceX's Starship, Blue Origin's New Glenn, and NASA's SLS. Doug explained that SpaceX's Starship version 2 is still in development and its payload capabilities are not yet proven, while Blue Origin recently announced plans to stretch their New Glenn rocket to increase its payload capacity. We touched on SpaceX's Mars cargo landing plans, with Doug noting that Elon Musk's target of 10-30 tons for initial cargo landings seems low to reduce the number of refills needed, potentially eliminating the need for propellant depots or tanker flights. Marshall raised questions about the orbital reentry and heat shield capabilities of the Starship, suggesting that SpaceX may not fully understand how to handle the heat shield requirements for both lunar and Martian landings until they attempt a test flight.Our Wisdom Team discussed SpaceX's progress with their Starship program, noting that while they have had successful ocean landings, a double catch test is an important benchmark for evaluating shield performance. John Jossy mentioned that Relativity Space, led by Eric Schmidt, plans to launch their Taren R rocket late next year with the goal of building data centers in space. The conversation ended with welcoming two new participants, Benjamin Ayala and Twain Knight, who expressed interest in learning about space and discussed their academic backgrounds in physics and aerospace engineering both were students but as you will hear, fizzled out as being guests on the program.The group discussed the need for NASA to develop a sustainable infrastructure plan for a permanent presence in space, with Gary Barnhard (he joined us via Zoom) emphasizing the importance of establishing clear driving requirements from a science, systems engineering, and architectural design standpoint. Gary shared an example from the International Space Station's development to illustrate the impact of controversial requirements, highlighting the need for careful consideration of system capabilities. The discussion concluded with Gary outlining plans for a collaborative design charrette leading up to IAC 2026, which aims to gather insights and explore potential synergies for improving space infrastructure, with a focus on leveraging international partnerships and developing interoperability specifications for power beaming and communication networks.Gary discussed a novel approach to micro and partial gravity adaptation, emphasizing the importance of implementing technology with real-world applications and tangible data. Doug inquired about the goal of a design charrette, which Gary explained is to articulate driving requirements rather than provide prescriptive architectural recommendations. They discussed the development of SpaceX's Starship and the potential for propellant depots, with Gary highlighting the need for sustainable infrastructure and the importance of understanding various propulsion solutions. The conversation touched on life support systems for space missions, with Gary emphasizing the need for systems with multiple degrees of failure tolerance and a buffer for self-stabilization.The discussion continued to focus on the future of space exploration and commercial space activities. Gary emphasized the importance of private sector initiatives and the need for companies to take responsibility and authority in driving progress. He noted that the cost of launching payloads to the moon has decreased significantly, with potential for further reductions. Marshall highlighted SpaceX's achievements in 2025, including the success of Falcon 9 and Starlink satellites, and predicted that SpaceX could become the leading force in space exploration by 2027. The group discussed the economic implications of these developments and the potential for dual-use technologies that benefit both space and terrestrial applications.We discussed challenges and progress in space exploration, with Marshall highlighting SpaceX's successful recovery of its first stage and Blue Origin's advancements with hydrogen-oxygen upper stages. David expressed concerns about the lack of substantial progress in human spaceflight and space settlement, comparing it to the slow development of nuclear power. John Hunt suggested that developing a continuously inhabited moon base could provide more experience for long-term space living before considering permanent settlement. We emphasized the potential for private enterprise to drive future space missions, citing its willingness to take risks and its ability to operate without government scrutiny. The conversation also touched on the psychological impacts of sending couples and families into space and comparing it to the spirit of early American settlers.Gary presented an overview of XISP Inc.'s mission development efforts, highlighting their work on space wear technology that combines electro muscular stimulation with kinetic fabrics for exercise in variable gravity environments. He explained that the technology, which can provide equivalent of a 4-hour workout in 20 minutes, is already available commercially and is being tested with a broad demographic group. David expressed interest in featuring Gary in a dedicated Space Show segment and discussed the potential for using similar technology with animals, particularly dogs, for space missions. The group agreed to schedule Gary's next appearance on the Space Show for February. or later, then program concluded its broadcast.Special thanks to our sponsors:Northrup Grumman, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, Astrox Corporation, Dr. Haym Benaroya of Rutgers University, The Space Settlement Progress Blog by John Jossy, The Atlantis Project, and Artless EntertainmentOur Toll Free Line for Live Broadcasts: 1-866-687-7223 (Not in service at this time)For real time program participation, email Dr. Space at: drspace@thespaceshow.com for instructions and access.The Space Show is a non-profit 501C3 through its parent, One Giant Leap Foundation, Inc. To donate via Pay Pal, use:To donate with Zelle, use the email address: david@onegiantleapfoundation.org.If you prefer donating with a check, please make the check payable to One Giant Leap Foundation and mail to:One Giant Leap Foundation, 11035 Lavender Hill Drive Ste. 160-306 Las Vegas, NV 89135Upcoming Programs:Broadcast 4482: Zoom: Open Lines to kick of 2026 | Sunday 04 Jan 2026 1200PM PTGuests: Dr. David LivingstonZoom: Open Lines to start the New Year Get full access to The Space Show-One Giant Leap Foundation at doctorspace.substack.com/subscribe

As a new space race heats up, private companies and sovereign nations alike have their sights on setting up permanent human settlements in space – but huge technological, medical and legal challenges remain. Kelly and Zach Weinersmith join us to talk about their book A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?  And 2025 brought some exciting extraterrestrial scientific discoveries, including new evidence about the Martian environment and the possibility of past life on Mars, the discovery of important building blocks of life in samples from the asteroid Bennu, and observations of the third interstellar object that's been documented in our solar system. --- If you're not yet signed up for the Living on Earth newsletter, the start of the new year is a great time to join! Don't miss out on our weekly exclusive content and notes behind the stories you hear on Living on Earth. Just go to loe.org/newsletter to get started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SpaceTime with Stuart Gary Gary - Series 29 Episode 1In this episode of SpaceTime, we delve into extraordinary cosmic phenomena and the ongoing exploration of our solar system.Cosmic Matter Ejected at 20% the Speed of LightAstronomers have made a groundbreaking observation of matter being ejected from a supermassive black hole at the center of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 3783, located 135 million light years away. This matter, propelled at an astonishing 20% the speed of light, challenges previously held notions about how such superluminal jets are powered. The findings suggest that a sudden change in the magnetic field, rather than radiation, may be responsible for this high-speed outburst, providing new insights into the mechanisms of black hole dynamics and their impact on galactic evolution.Wind-Sculpted Landscapes on MarsNASA's Perseverance Rover continues its exploration of Mars, focusing on megaripples—large sand formations shaped by wind. These megaripples, some reaching up to 2 meters in height, offer scientists a unique opportunity to study current Martian atmospheric processes. As the rover investigates the Honeyguide region, researchers hope to gain insights into the planet's wind patterns and surface chemistry, which will be crucial for future human missions to Mars.Potential Ocean Beneath Uranus's Moon ArielNew research suggests that Uranus's moon Ariel may harbor a vast subsurface ocean, potentially more than 170 kilometers deep. This discovery, reported in the journal Icarus, highlights Ariel's unique geological features and raises questions about its past interior structure and orbital dynamics. The study indicates that understanding Ariel's ocean could provide crucial context for the moon's surface fractures and cryovolcanic activity, emphasizing the need for future missions to the Uranian system to confirm these findings.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesAstronomy and AstrophysicsIcarusNASA ReportsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.(00:00:00) This is Space Time Series 29, Episode 1 for broadcast on 2 January 2026(00:00:47) Cosmic matter ejected from supermassive black hole(00:12:30) Perseverance Rover studies wind-sculpted megaripples on Mars(00:20:10) Evidence of a subsurface ocean beneath Uranus's moon Ariel(00:25:00) Skywatch: January night sky highlights and celestial events

Mars and Martians. They go together in the public's mind. The Earthling fascination with "alien invaders" goes back a long time. But why? And what does it say about all of us here on Earth? Dean explores this cultural phenomenon with David Baron, author of "The Martians."

Happy New Year! 6 years of Movie Laddering in the books and we're taking one last look back at 2025 on the podcast. We review this year's ladder and look ahead to 2026. ⁠Check out our Letterboxd movie stats for the year.⁠We'll be back next week to discuss The Martian (now on YoutubeTV OnDemand and streaming rental) and kick off year 7. Submit your questions, comments, rating and suggested connections to ⁠themovieladder@gmail.com⁠.Connect with us on ⁠Letterboxd (@TheMovieLadder)⁠, ⁠Twitter (@LadderMovie)⁠ and ⁠Instagram (@laddermovie)⁠. ⁠Check out our Letterboxd watchlist to see all the movies suggested on this podcast.⁠ You can find us individually on Twitter (⁠@FitzyBrendan⁠ and ⁠@brooksza⁠) and Letterboxd (⁠@FitzyBrendan⁠ and ⁠@brooksza⁠). ⁠⁠And join us for the Ladder Library Movie Challenge in 2026!

In this episode, we embark on an exhilarating journey through the cosmos, exploring groundbreaking discoveries and developments that could reshape our understanding of the universe. We begin with a revelation about red giant stars, challenging long-held beliefs about how they spread life's essential elements across galaxies. New research on the star R Doradus suggests that powerful forces, rather than simple starlight pressure, are responsible for driving stellar winds, prompting a reconsideration of how galaxies are enriched.Next, we delve into the enigmatic world of hot Jupiters—gas giants that orbit perilously close to their stars. Recent studies indicate that many of these planets may have formed through a calmer process known as disk migration, providing insight into the evolution of planetary systems.Transitioning back to Earth, we provide a roundup of recent rocket launches, highlighting China's active role in space exploration and SpaceX's successful deployment of the CSG 3 satellite. As we shift our focus to Mars, we uncover the discovery of potential karst caves, which could harbor signs of ancient life, preserved from the planet's harsh surface conditions.We also celebrate the fourth anniversary of the James Webb Space Telescope, showcasing a stunning new video that offers an immersive tour of the cosmos, highlighting its remarkable contributions to astronomy. (https://youtu.be/lFiOZqyymUY?si=lOCkdIoMU5aRKuIB) Finally, we report on Iran's significant advancements in its space program, with the successful launch of three domestically built Earth observation satellites, marking a strategic collaboration with Russia.Join us as we traverse these captivating stories and more in this episode of Astronomy Daily!00:00 – **This week's podcast features a look at how giant stars might spread life00:38 – **New study could rewrite our understanding of how stars seed the cosmos02:04 – **New research suggests 30 hot Jupiters likely formed through disk migration03:23 – **China has been particularly active with two recent launches04:12 – **Chinese researchers have identified eight potential karst caves on Mars05:27 – **The James Webb Space Telescope recently celebrated its fourth anniversary06:20 – **Iran successfully launched three of its domestically built earth observation satellites07:11 – **This is the last Astronomy Daily podcast of 2017### Sources & Further Reading1. NASA2. European Space Agency3. Space.com### Follow & ContactX/Twitter: @AstroDailyPodInstagram: @astrodailypodEmail: hello@astronomydaily.ioWebsite: astronomydaily.ioClear skies and see you next time!

Guy Burckhardt wakes from a violent dream to find his town subtly—but profoundly—wrong. As June 15th repeats itself, he begins to realize that reality itself may be manufactured. The Tunnel Under the World by Frederik Pohl. That's next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.We're going LIVE! It's been way too long since our last live broadcast — and we're changing that in 2026. More lives, more often.

The Decade Project is an ongoing One Heat Minute Productions Patreon exclusive podcast looking back at the films released ten years ago to reflect on what continues to resonate and what's ripe for rediscovery. The third year being released on the main podcast feed is the films of 2015. To hear a fantastic chorus of guests and I unpack the films of 2016 in 2026, subscribe to our Patreon here for as little as $1 a month. In the latest episode, I catch up with a dear friend, Ethan Warren (writer, musician and OHM podcast host of Pod Thomas Anderson and The Great Henson Caper), to science the shit out of THE MARTIAN.Ethan Warren (Host of Pod Thomas Anderson and The Great Henson Caper)Ethan Warren is the author of The Cinema of Paul Thomas Anderson: American Apocrypha from Columbia University Press.One Heat Minute ProductionsWEBSITE: oneheatminute.comTWITTER: @OneBlakeMinute & @OHMPodsMERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/en-au/stores/one-heat-minute-productionsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/one-heat-minute-productions/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on the Exciting & New podcast, Jason, Andy and Dana discuss the 2015 sci-fi classic The Martian.  That's right, just like Mark Watney, the E&N crew gets lost and needs rescuing as we veer off the 1985 path and stumbling into the 21st century.  Once again, millions of dollars and half of Hollywood assemble to rescue Matt Damon for like the 50th time.  Surprisingly this movie was not universally loved by all of us, so you need to listen to find out who doesn't have a heart (or soul).  Enjoy the podcast!Jason, Andy and Dana will discuss a 1985 movie weekly, breaking down all the nonsense there within. The 3 hosts all work together and everyone else around them was getting really annoyed at all the movie talk, so they decided to annoy the world in podcast form.Check out previous seasons to hear them discuss 1982, 1983 & 1984 movies, as well as a full season of Love Boat episodes (if that is your thing). Plus one-off specials and a weekly mini "what are we watching" podcast.#jezoo74 #aegonzo1 #danacapoferri #exciting_new

Jason, Andy and Dana talk about what they were up to this last week.  The Martian coming this weekend.Jason, Andy and Dana will discuss a 1985 movie weekly, breaking down all the nonsense there within. The 3 hosts all work together and everyone else around them was getting really annoyed at all the movie talk, so they decided to annoy the world in podcast form.Check out previous seasons to hear them discuss 1982, 1983 & 1984 movies, as well as a full season of Love Boat episodes (if that is your thing). Plus one-off specials and a weekly mini "what are we watching" podcast.#jezoo74 #aegonzo1 #danacapoferri #exciting_new

Cosmic Discoveries: Frame Dragging, Mars Rover Naming, and Intern TriumphsIn this holiday replay episode from the Space Nuts archives, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson explore groundbreaking astronomical phenomena and inspiring stories from the cosmos. From the intriguing discovery of frame dragging in space-time to the triumphs of young minds in the field of astronomy, this episode is packed with fascinating insights.Episode Highlights:- Frame Dragging Phenomenon: Andrew and Fred delve into the recent detection of frame dragging around a white dwarf pulsar binary system, discussing its implications for general relativity and our understanding of gravity in the universe.- Naming the Next Mars Rover: The hosts share the story behind the naming of the Mars 2020 rover, "Perseverance," chosen by a young student, highlighting the importance of perseverance in scientific exploration.- Young Intern's Discovery: A remarkable tale of a 17-year-old intern at NASA, who discovered a new planet just three days into his internship, showcasing the potential of the next generation in astronomy.- Listener Questions: The episode wraps up with insightful listener questions about black holes and the mysterious nature of singularities, prompting deep discussions on the complexities of the universe.For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, X, YouTube Music Music, Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favorite platform.If you'd like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about.Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.

In this episode of SpaceTime, we explore significant advancements in space exploration and innovative scientific projects.Perseverance Rover's New JourneyAfter nearly five years on Mars, NASA's Perseverance Rover is on the move again, heading to a new site on the rim of Jezero Crater named Lac du Charm. Having traversed over 40 kilometres and collected vital rock core samples, the rover is undergoing extensive evaluations to ensure its longevity, with engineers confident it can operate until at least 2031. We discuss the rover's advanced autonomous driving capabilities and its mission to uncover signs of past microbial life.Fashion Meets Science: Microbial FabricsA groundbreaking project is set to merge fashion and science by sending specially designed fabrics made from bacteria into space. These innovative materials will change colour in response to radiation exposure, potentially protecting astronauts from harmful levels of UV radiation and offering new applications for skin cancer prevention on Earth. Lead researcher Giles Ballet shares insights into how this technology could revolutionise both space exploration and everyday fashion.Expedition 73 Crew ReturnsThe Expedition 73 astronauts have safely returned to Earth after an eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Their journey has contributed to over 250 experiments, including advancements in bioprinting and remote robotic operations. We also discuss the implications of recent challenges faced by Russia's manned space program.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesJournal of ScienceNASA ReportsNature CommunicationsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.(00:00:00) This is Space Time Series 28, Episode 151 for broadcast on 24 December 2025(00:00:47) NASA's Perseverance Rover begins a new journey on Mars(00:12:30) Innovative microbial fabrics set to be tested in space(00:19:15) Expedition 73 crew returns safely to Earth after eight months in orbit(00:24:05) New study suggests humans have been using fire for 400,000 years(00:27:30) Technology tips for buying the right printer for your needs

  On This Episode of the Red State Update podcast:

⭐Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964) – So Bad It's Merry⭐

It just ain't Christmas in Murfreesboro if you ain't listening to Cubby Free and the Top 7 at 7 Murfreesboro Christmas Countdown Special on 1670 AM W-MURFO. We all know the number one song on the nightly Top 7 at 7 is always "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood. But not at Christmas. At Christmastime, Cubby gives ol' Lee a break. OR DOES HE? PART ONE: 2019: Murfreesboro Christmas Number One Countdown (December 22, 2019 - Episode 380) PART TWO: 2020: Murfreesboro Christmas Number One Countdown 2020 from W-MURFO (December 21, 2020 - Episode 424) PART THREE: Head to the third and final part of the Cubby Free Christmas Saga by visiting our Christmas album 9 FINE TENNESSEE CHRISTMAS CLASSICS from 2021! Available at YouTube and all the Music Streaming places: https://youtu.be/KxAVpAk7ThA?si=2YpSb4hX9YqRAZMz https://open.spotify.com/album/6bN7vaNeaVbRbiJhtkuVP4?si=EqSxFAGEQmSzMW8QfwCMPA https://music.apple.com/us/album/9-fine-tennessee-christmas-classics-1670-am-w-murfo/1600975201 Thank you kindly! Part one: 12/22/2019 INFO: Murfreesboro Christmas Number One Countdown (December 22, 2019 - Episode 380) What will the Christmas Number One song be on Murfreesboro's 1670 AM W-MURFO's Top 7 at 7 with Cubby Free? Christmas Hot Sauce by the Hickory Grove Suspenders? Candy Cane Puddles by Nick Primo and the Glueboys? Backwards Christmas Tree by Cubby Free? Christmas on an Island with a Martian and Gorilla by Red State Update? Or Across the Street from Rudolph by Jillian Cherries? Music by William Sherry Jr. Lyrics by Travis Harmon & Jonathan Shockley. Vocals: Christmas Hot Sauce vocals by Phil Leonard Across the Street from Rudolph vocals by Adrian Rose Leonard Candy Cane Puddles vocals by William Sherry Jr. Backwards Christmas Tree vocals by Travis Harmon & Adrian Rose Leonard Christmas on an Island with a Martian and Gorilla by Red State Update Part two: 12/21/2020 INFO:  424: Murfreesboro Christmas Number One Countdown 2020 from W-MURFO (December 21, 2020 - Episode 424) What will be the Christmas Number One song on the 1670 AM W-MURFO Top 7 at 7 Murfreesboro Number One Christmas Countdown Special Expanded Top 20 Edition with Cubby Free? Elf Drugs by The Young Rustlers of the Hazy Glade? Fauci Christmas by Little Cussin' Cayden? Christmas Hot Sauce by the Hickory Grove Suspenders? Candy Cane Puddles by Nick Primo and the Glueboys? Backwards Christmas Tree by Cubby Free? Across the Street from Rudolph by Jillian Cherries? Or a handful of Red State Update classics? Music by William Sherry Jr. Lyrics by Travis Harmon & Jonathan Shockley. Vocals: Christmas Hot Sauce vocals by Phil Leonard Across the Street from Rudolph and Fauci Christmas vocals by Adrian Rose Leonard Candy Cane Puddles vocals by William Sherry Jr. Elf Drugs vocals by Bridge Codpipper. Backwards Christmas Tree vocals by Travis Harmon & Adrian Rose Leonard Snow Sliding Sleigh Riding Day, Christmas on an Island with a Martian and Gorilla, Christmas in a Beer Joint, Christmas Kisses, and Christmas Crow by Red State Update The Red State Update Christmas albums "Santa Is Real" and "Merry Twismas Part Twoo" are available at all the music places CONCLUSION: For the third and final part of the Cubby Free Christmas Saga, please enjoy our Christmas album 9 FINE TENNESSEE CHRISTMAS CLASSICS from 2021! Available at YouTube and all the Music Streaming places: https://youtu.be/KxAVpAk7ThA?si=2YpSb4hX9YqRAZMz https://open.spotify.com/album/6bN7vaNeaVbRbiJhtkuVP4?si=EqSxFAGEQmSzMW8QfwCMPA https://music.apple.com/us/album/9-fine-tennessee-christmas-classics-1670-am-w-murfo/1600975201   Thank you kindly! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and God Bless the USA! http://patreon.com/redstateupdate    

Celebrate the season with the world's greatest detective as Jay and Shua unwrap a sleigh-full of Sherlockian fun. This week they explore the legacy, the films, and the lasting cultural footprint of the master of deduction. From Rankin/Bass favorites to Muppets, Peanuts, and claymation chaos, the guys share memories, laughs, and seasonal nostalgia. It's a cozy trip through TV history with jingling bells and warm fuzzies.   News Alexa users can now ask to play WSQK the Squawk and hear music straight from the show   The oft' forgotten RPG Toon has launched a second edition via BackerKit   A massive 12" Godzilla Popcorn Bucket is now available for preorder from Alamomart.com, with a Mechagodzilla version stomping in this March   According to the Ready Player One timeline, the Oasis officially opened for business   Buck Rogers star Gil Gerard, who passed away at age 82.   Check out our TeePublic store for some enjoyable swag and all the latest fashion trends What we're Enjoying Shua has fully entered his Taylor Momsen era, diving into the music of The Pretty Reckless and embracing loud, confident rock energy that feels just right for the season. Jay revisited The Shining on the big screen, proving once again that nothing says "happy holidays" quite like a stay at the Overlook Hotel. It's a chilling theatrical experience that somehow still fits perfectly into an unconventional seasonal watchlist.     Sci-Fi Saturdays -  This week on Sci-Fi Saturdays Jay spotlights two thoughtful science-fiction films in his latest articles: Self/Less and The Martian (2015). Both explore identity, survival, and humanity's future, making them perfect companions for reflective sci-fi viewing. Read his article on RetroZap.com. And make sure to play around with the interactive map on MCULocationScout.com. Plus, you can tune in to SHIELD: Case Files where Jay and Shua talk about great stuff in the MCU.   Enjoy Detecting!  This episode is a full-on nostalgia blast as Jay and Shua celebrate the holiday TV specials that once ruled the airwaves. They discuss what made these broadcasts feel so special, especially in an era when missing a single airing meant waiting an entire year for another chance.   From the classics of the 1960s through the 1990s, the conversation spans styles, musical moments, family traditions, and which specials left the biggest impressions.    And they wrap up with a fun gift-exchange segment that captures the warmth and camaraderie at the heart of Enjoy Stuff.   What did you get for Christmas? Let us know! First person that emails me with the subject line, "Happy holidays" will get a special mention on the show.  Let us know. Come talk to us in the Discord channel or send us an email to EnjoyStuff@RetroZap.com 

SPACE BRIEFS: ROCKET LAB AND MARS RIVERS Colleague Bob Zimmerman, BehindtheBlack.com. Zimmerman highlights Rocket Lab's record launches and Max Space's new inflatable station module. He notes a European satellite report on sea levels omitted "global warming" references. Additionally, he describes Martian drainage features that resemble rivers and cites a study claiming AI algorithms are exposing children to harmful content. NUMBER 8

SHOW 12-19-25 THE SHOW BEGINS WITH DOUBTS ABOUTGAVIN NNEWSOM  ON THE AMPAIGN TRAIL FOR 2028... LA 1900 WEST COAST WEATHER AND PORTLAND'S DECLINE Colleague Jeff Bliss, Pacific Watch. Jeff Bliss reports that Nordstrom Rack is leaving downtown Portland, citing high vacancy rates, crime, and homelessness. He also details a massive atmospheric river bringing heavy rain to the West Coast and dangerous Tule fog in California, while analyzing Gavin Newsom's presidential prospects amidst state economic struggles. NUMBER 1 CHINA'S CHIP THEFT AND AI WARFARE RISKS Colleague Brandon Weichert, The National Interest. Weichert discusses China's attempts to upgrade older ASML machines and reverse-engineer chips to bypass sanctions. They also review 2025 lessons, noting that AI in military war games tends to escalate conflicts aggressively toward nuclear options, warning that China may fuse AI with its nuclear command systems. NUMBER 2 ITALY'S ECONOMIC STABILITY AND DEMOGRAPHIC CRISIS Colleague Lorenzo Fiori, Il Giornale. Lorenzo Fiori reports that Italy's economy is stabilizing, with debt under control and bond spreads narrowing close to Germany's levels. While northern Italy remains industrialized, the south suffers from depopulation and climate change. Fiori emphasizes the urgent need for government policies to boost Italy's declining birth rate. NUMBER 3 NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION AND RUSSIAN SANCTIONS Colleague Henry Sokolski, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. Sokolski criticizes the lifting of sanctions on Russian banks for nuclear projects and highlights the dangers at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia plant. He warns against potential deals allowing Saudi Arabia and South Korea to enrich uranium, arguing this brings them dangerously close to bomb-making capabilities. NUMBER 4 LANCASTER COUNTY AND A HOLIDAY SPENDING SLUMP Colleague Jim McTague, Author and Journalist. Reporting from Lancaster County, Jim McTague observes a sluggish Christmas shopping season, with consumers buying practical items like gloves rather than expensive packages. While tourist venues like Sight & Sound Theaterremain busy, he predicts a mild recession in 2026 due to rising local taxes and utility costs. NUMBER 5 THE URGENCY OF SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM Colleague Veronique de Rugy, Mercatus Center. Veronique de Rugy argues Social Security must be reformed before trust funds run dry in the 2030s. She contends the system unfairly redistributes wealth from young workers to increasingly wealthy seniors and advocates for capping benefits or means-testing rather than raising taxes or allowing across-the-board cuts. NUMBER 6 NASA'S NEW LEADERSHIP AND PRIVATE SPACE Colleague Bob Zimmerman, BehindtheBlack.com. Bob Zimmerman discusses Jared Isaacman's confirmation as NASA administrator and an executive order prioritizing commercial space. Zimmerman predicts Isaacman might cancel the crewed Artemis II mission due to safety concerns with the Orion capsule, signaling a shift away from government-run programs like SLS toward private enterprise. NUMBER 7 SPACE BRIEFS: ROCKET LAB AND MARS RIVERS Colleague Bob Zimmerman, BehindtheBlack.com. Zimmerman highlights Rocket Lab's record launches and Max Space's new inflatable station module. He notes a European satellite report on sea levels omitted "global warming" references. Additionally, he describes Martian drainage features that resemble rivers and cites a study claiming AI algorithms are exposing children to harmful content. NUMBER 8 THE FALL OF THE REPUBLIC: SULLA TO CAESAR Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts, University of California at San Diego. Watts traces the Republic's fall, starting with the rivalry between Marius and Sulla. Sulla'sbrutal proscriptions and dictatorship traumatized a young Julius Caesar. Watts explains that Caesar eventually concluded the Republic's structures were broken, leading him to seize power to enforce rights, which his assassins misinterpreted as kingship. NUMBER 9 NERO, AGRIPPINA, AND THE MATRICIDE Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts, University of California at San Diego. Professor Watts details the pathology of the Roman emperorship, focusing on Agrippina's maneuvering to install her son Nero. Watts describes Nero's eventual assassination of his mother using a collapsible ship and his pivot to seeking popularity through rigged Olympic victories in Greece before losing control of Rome. NUMBER 10 THE YEAR OF FOUR EMPERORS AND FLAVIAN RULE Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts, University of California at San Diego. Watts analyzes the chaos following Nero's death, where Vespasian seized power after a brutal civil war that burned Capitoline Hill. The segment covers the Flavian dynasty, Titus's destruction of Jerusalem, and Domitian's vilification, concluding with Nerva's coup and the adoption of Trajan to stabilize the succession. NUMBER 11 THE BARRACKS EMPERORS AND THE ANTONINE PLAGUE Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts, University of California at San Diego. The discussion turns to the "barracks emperors," highlighting Trajan's expansion into Dacia and Hadrian's infrastructure focus. Watts describes Marcus Aurelius's Stoic governance during constant warfare and a devastating smallpox pandemic, which forced Rome to settle German immigrants to repopulate the empire. NUMBER 12 SUPREME COURT CHALLENGES TO TARIFF POWERS Colleague Professor Richard Epstein, Hoover Institution. Professor Epstein analyzes potential Supreme Court rulings on the President's use of emergency powers for broad tariffs. He predicts the Court may find the interpretation unconstitutional, creating a logistical nightmare regarding the refund of billions in collected revenues and addressing the complexity of overturning Article I court precedents. NUMBER 13 EXECUTIVE POWER AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES Colleague Professor Richard Epstein, Hoover Institution. Epstein discusses a Supreme Court case regarding the President's power to fire members of independent boards like the FTC. He fears Chief Justice Roberts will side with executive power, a move Epstein views as an "unmitigated disaster" that undermines the necessary independence of agencies like the Federal Reserve. NUMBER 14 ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN AND CONSUMER SPENDING Colleague Gene Marks, The Guardian. Gene Marksreports on a US economic slowdown, citing contracting architectural billings and falling hotel occupancy. He notes that while the wealthy continue spending, the middle class is cutting back on dining out. Marks attributes inflation to government money circulation and discusses proposals for mandated retirement contributions. NUMBER 15 AI ADOPTION IN BUSINESS AND CONSTRUCTION Colleague Gene Marks, The Guardian. Marks argues that AI is enhancing productivity rather than replacing humans, despite accuracy issues. He highlights AI adoption in construction, including drones and augmented reality for safety. Marks notes that small businesses are eager for these technologies to improve efficiency, while displaced tech workers find roles in smaller firms. NUMBER 16

At the turn of the 20th century, millions of Americans, including elite scientists, major newspapers, and cultural icons, were convinced that Mars was home to an advanced civilization. In this episode, Michael Shermer speaks with award-winning science journalist David Baron about one of the most astonishing episodes in scientific-cultural history. Blurry telescopes, mistranslated words, and persuasive personalities transformed speculation into accepted fact, while more cautious scientists struggled to be heard. The discussion covers Percival Lowell's Martian canals, Nikola Tesla's claim to have detected signals from another planet, and the role of mass media and early science fiction in fueling public belief. The episode also connects this forgotten moment to present-day debates about UFOs, alien megastructures, and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, raising broader questions about how scientific ideas spread and why some claims capture the public imagination. David Baron is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and author. A former science correspondent for NPR, he has also written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, Scientific American, and other publications. David recently served as the Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology, Exploration, and Scientific Innovation. His new book is The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze that Captured Turn-of-the-Century America.

In this episode of SpaceTime, we uncover groundbreaking discoveries and exciting celestial events that illuminate our understanding of the universe.Earliest Supernova Ever DetectedAstronomers have achieved a remarkable milestone by detecting the earliest supernova ever observed, dating back to a mere 730 million years after the Big Bang. Using the powerful Webb Space Telescope, this supernova, cataloged as GRB250314A, emitted a gamma ray burst that has shattered previous distance records. Lead author Andrew Levin shares insights into how this discovery provides a glimpse into the universe when it was only 5% of its current age, revealing surprising similarities with modern supernovae despite the vast differences in their epochs.Liquid Water on Mars: New EvidenceNew seismic data from NASA's Mars InSight lander suggests that liquid water could still exist beneath the Martian surface, potentially providing a habitat for microbial life. The analysis of marsquakes has revealed boundaries in the Martian crust that indicate the presence of water-filled cracks, offering compelling evidence that life may persist on the Red Planet. We discuss the implications of these findings and the methodologies used to analyze the Martian subsurface.The Great Geminids Meteor Shower of 2025The annual Geminid meteor shower is reaching its peak, presenting stargazers with the chance to witness up to 100 meteors per hour under optimal conditions. Unlike many meteor showers that originate from comets, the Geminids are unique as they come from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. Dr. Robert Massey provides tips on how to best observe this spectacular celestial event, emphasizing the importance of dark skies and the naked eye for optimal viewing.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesAstronomy and AstrophysicsBritish Medical JournalNature CommunicationsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-your-guide-to-space-astronomy--2458531/support.(00:00:00) New clues suggest that liquid water could still exist on Mars today(00:00:48) Astronomers have detected the earliest supernova ever seen using the Webb Space Telescope(00:05:10) New study based on seismic data suggests liquid water may still exist on Mars(00:09:12) The Geminids are visible between now and December 20th(00:13:10) New study finds coffee may slow down biological aging of people with mental illnesses

On this week's The Trump-Kennedy Patriot Games $1776 Y'all Don't Love Me Enough What If I Reclassify Pot Red State Update Podcast: Jackie and Dunlap celebrate the holidays by complaining about fake Christian politics, exploding health-care costs, and Trump's latest horse hockey—plus Christmas music, the Incredible Hulk, and Jesus's socials

Tonight on Veritas our special guest is George Haas. For more than thirty years, he has committed himself to a mystery that sits far beyond the borders of accepted history. Across Earth, from the Nazca plateau to the ancient cities of Mesoamerica, we find evidence that early cultures carved meaning and intention directly into the land. Yet on Mars, a world long assumed to be barren, there are formations that raise questions far more provocative than anything we see here on Earth. George Haas approaches the Red Planet not as a traditional scientist, but as an artist trained to see structure, symmetry, and design. When he studies high resolution orbital images, he does not see random geology. He sees hexagonal mounds with mathematical precision. He sees star shaped complexes positioned like architectural blueprints. He sees gridded foundations scattered across a region NASA once labeled chaotic terrain. And he sees immense geoglyphs, including a parrot that veterinarians concluded displays more than twenty accurate anatomical points. These are not the vague shapes of imagination. They are detailed, consistent, and often familiar. His new book, The Great Architects of Mars, takes the reader into a hidden chapter of our solar system. Haas explores the Keyhole formation in Libya Montes, a structure whose proportions mirror kofun tombs of ancient Japan. He examines twin cities laid out near a long dead Martian lake. He analyzes symbols carved into the landscape that echo motifs found in Mesoamerican art. And then he turns to the ancient records here on Earth. The Maya spoke of a Star War linked to Mars. The Sumerians told stories of visitors from the heavens. These accounts have always been treated as myth. Haas asks a different question. What if they are memories. Tonight we explore the evidence, the contradictions, and the possibilities. Did Mars once hold a civilization capable of engineering, storytelling, and interplanetary contact. If so, what remains of it, and what does it mean for us now.

Dehydrated eggs. Airborne tortillas. Pouches of chicken. Tang. Work up an appetite for space food with artist, designer and Astrobromatologist, Maggie Coblentz. She shares how the intersection of design and science led her skyward, doing experiments on zero G flights, and shipping miso into space. We also talk Martian gardening, stinky roommates, booze bans, contraband corned beef, velcro fatigue, the ethics of space tourism, how to make barbecued wings in orbit, and addressing the conspiracy of astronaut ice cream. Visit Maggie's website and follow her on InstagramA donation went to AstroAccessPods Fight Poverty is raising money for Rwandan families via GiveDirectly.org/ologiesMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Cosmology (THE UNIVERSE), Areology (MARS), Selenology (THE MOON), Entomophagy Anthropology (EATING BUGS), Futurology (THE FUTURE), Gustology (TASTE), Gastroegyptology (BREAD BAKING), Microbiology (GUT BIOME)400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topicSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesSponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!Follow Ologies on Instagram and BlueskyFollow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTokEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake ChaffeeManaging Director: Susan HaleScheduling Producer: Noel DilworthTranscripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 2025 International Mars Society Convention convened at the University of Southern California this October for three days of passionate discussion about humanity’s future on the red planet. Speakers explored science, policy, technology, AI, synthetic biology, and the long-term path toward becoming a multi-planet species. In this episode, Mat Kaplan, senior communications adviser at The Planetary Society, shares his conversations with speakers and guests at the Convention. We hear from Robert Zubrin, founder of The Mars Society, who delivered a fiery call to protect NASA’s science programs in the face of unprecedented budget cuts. Humphrey “Hoppy” Price, Chief Engineer for NASA’s Robotic Mars Exploration Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, updates us on the future of Mars Sample Return and new mission architectures. Keynote speaker Dex Hunter-Torricke, a longtime communications leader for SpaceX, Meta, and other major tech organizations, reflects on AI’s promise and peril, and why Mars remains a beacon of hope for humanity’s future. Biologist and technologist Tiffany Vora, vice president for innovation partnerships at Explore Mars, and Erika DeBenedictis, biologist and founder of Pioneer Labs, reveal breakthroughs in synthetic biology and engineered microbes that could help future Martians survive. Steve Benner, chemist and founder of the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME), revisits the Viking lander experiments and makes a provocative case that we may have found Martian life nearly 50 years ago. Architect Melodie Yashar, CEO of AENARA and a pioneer in 3D-printed habitat research, shares progress in additive construction on Earth and Mars. James Burk, executive director of The Mars Society, discusses advocacy, analog research stations, and the organization’s expanding international footprint. Finally, we meet Sasha, a 13-year-old presenter whose enthusiasm offers a bright glimpse of the next generation of explorers. We wrap up the show with What’s Up with Bruce Betts, chief scientist at The Planetary Society, with a discussion of perchlorates in the Martian soil. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-mars-society-conventionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Some might go so far as to call it the hap-happiest season of all. Why? Because we're rejoined by Alonso Duralde, one of the warmest most delightful film critics and podcasters in the world, for our annual bad holiday movie! That said, goddamn you Alonso for suggesting we watch The Christmas Martian. This... this... thing... oof. Just listen to the show.We're coming back to San Francisco Sketchfest on January 25! Get tickets now! And: BREAKING NEWS -- we'll be discussing THE MASTER OF DISGUISE!OR, if you prefer to watch us from the comfort of your own home: Flop TV Season 3 tix are ON SALE! Tonight (12/6)'s episode is on the oft-referenced ZARDOZ!Stay updated on Flop House events and side projects, plus a little extra, with our NEWSLETTER, “Flop Secrets!Wikipedia page for The Christmas MartianRecommended in this episode:Dan: PTU (2003)Stu: Sentimental Value (2025), Sirāt (2025)Elliott: The Baron of Arizona (1950)Alonso Duralde: Rebuilding (2025), Train Dreams (2025)