Kathy Sullivan - the first person to both walk in space and dive to the deepest point in the ocean - explores the human condition through the life journeys of her guests, people from all walks of life and levels of fame whose stories will inspire, inform and amuse you. Along the way Dr. Kathy Sullivan shares her own stories of lessons learned, obstacles overcome and crazy moments from her unique career in space, the deep sea, government and business.
Charlie Bolden and Victor Glover come together for a rare, cross-generational conversation that explores legacy, representation, and the human side of space exploration.
From growing up in segregated America to preparing for a historic mission around the Moon, their stories reveal what it truly takes to step into the unknown.
Bolden reflects on his journey from a childhood shaped by limited representation to becoming one of NASA’s first Black astronauts and later Administrator.
Glover, set to become the first Black astronaut to orbit the Moon on Artemis II, shares how curiosity, resilience, and unexpected moments shaped his path into spaceflight. Together, they highlight the importance of mentorship, visibility, and perseverance in building the future of space exploration.
This conversation explores identity, adversity, leadership, and the responsibility of representing humanity when leaving Earth.
In this episode you’ll discover:
• How Charlie Bolden (about:blank) overcame systemic barriers to become a trailblazer in human spaceflight.
• Why Victor Glover (about:blank) sees resilience, teamwork, and lifelong learning as essential traits for future astronauts.
• The role of representation in shaping ambition and why seeing someone like you in space can change everything.
• Behind-the-scenes stories of being selected as an astronaut and what those life-changing moments really felt like.
• How the NASA (about:blank) Space Shuttle programme expanded access to space beyond test pilots.
• The mindset required to navigate adversity, from discrimination to high-stakes decision making in elite environments.
• Why astronauts ultimately represent all of humanity, not just their country, when they leave Earth.
Quote:
“You don’t have to be number one. But you do have to know you’ve done the absolute best you can do.” — Charlie Bolden
00:00 Charlie Bolden's early life
06:08 Early inspirations and Naval Academy dreams
09:10 Encouragement to apply to NASA
11:33 Childhood adventures and exploration
15:49 How Shuttle opened space travel
17:05 Encouraging diversity in astronaut office
21:51 Getting the astronaut call
28:30 Struggling through Naval Academy life
31:42 Growing up
36:22 Visiting and speaking with troops
40:22 Importance of resilience and growth
41:26 Life lessons beyond the classroom
Executive Producer Toby Goodman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-goodman-cxs/) Edited by Leo Hornak with Sound design by Lee Turner for Inter Astra, The Bolden Group and Kathy Sullivan (https://www.kathysullivanexplores.com/)
2 Apr 2026
Kathy Sullivan In Conversation with Christina Koch - Astranotes
Recorded in 2023 the 3x Shuttle Astronaut, First American woman to walk in space and Fmr. NOAA Administrator Dr Kathy Sullivan spoke with NASA Astronaut Christina Koch soon to be the first woman to orbit the Moon on Artemis 2, for a one-of-a-kind conversation spanning generations.
Together, they explored the evolution of space exploration: contrasting their moments of selection, training, early inspirations, and the ongoing journey toward greater diversity in the astronaut corps.
From reflections on those historic "one small step" days to the excitement and uncertainties surrounding humanity’s return to deep space.
With personal stories and practical wisdom you'll hear about what has changed, and what hasn’t, for women and underrepresented voices in space.
Sullivan and Koch discuss the skills and mindsets future explorers will need, and unpack how Artemis astronauts are laying the foundation for a new era of human spaceflight.
Whether you dream of spacewalks, or are simply fascinated by the people making the cosmos a little more accessible, this episode sets the stage for an inspiring season ahead.
Episode produced by Toby Goodman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-goodman-cxs/) for Inter Astra, The Charles F Bolden Group and Dr Kathy Sullivan. (https://www.kathysullivanexplores.com/)
00:00 Processing life-changing news
05:36 Training cycles and international missions
09:06 Pursuing passions over checklists
12:34 Passion for exploring Antarctica
13:15 Starting the astronaut interview process
18:53 Pursuing challenges and supporting others
21:20 Preparing for Artemis missions
23:37 Joining a seasoned mission team
28:12 Family involvement in space missions
30:20 Team meetings and collaboration
33:28 Testing Artemis mission docking systems
38:22 The rise of commercial spaceflight
40:09 Commercial lunar missions and NASA's role
45:03 Expanding global astronaut representation
48:41 The importance of the Artemis Accords
51:33 NASA's new spacewalking suit
53:24 Christina Koch and Artemis 2
7 Jan 2025
Encore: Pathways to Space with Charlie Bolden
Charles Frank Bolden Jr. is a retired US Marine Corps Major General and former NASA astronaut. After flying on four space shuttle missions—STS-61-C, STS-31, STS-45, and STS-60—Charlie was appointed by former President, Barack Obama, to serve as the 12th Administrator of NASA from 2009 to 2017, making him the first African American to head the agency permanently. Today, Charlie is the Founder and CEO Emeritus of the Charles F. Bolden Group, a consortium of accomplished leaders founded in 2017 to foster international collaboration in making life better for all humanity.
Charlie joins me today to discuss the qualities aspiring astronauts need to cultivate to be chosen for modern space programs. You’ll hear about his career at NASA and the characteristics he thinks made him a NASA astronaut. He explores how the dawn of the new space age may change selection preferences for would-be astronauts. You’ll also learn the value of being a team player and why being a jack-of-all-trades is essential to becoming an astronaut of today and tomorrow.
“You will be technicians, scientists, and researchers all in one—and that’s the kind of people we’re going to be looking for.”
- Charlie Bolden
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● Qualities and characteristics NASA looked for in astronaut candidates in the 1980s
● Civil rights in the 1980s and the psychological implications of growing up in the segregated South
● Why being a team player is a high-value trait for NASA astronauts
● Diversity as a trait of a high-performing organization
● Why being a good fighter pilot doesn’t necessarily mean being a great astronaut
● The lack of diversity in NASA’s Apollo era and how astronaut selection preferences have changed since
● How the dawn of commercial spaceflight is changing preferences for would-be astronauts
● How commercial spacecraft may change the employment prospects of future astronauts
● The kind of crew NASA may seek for the Artemis program and beyond
● Jessica Watkins, Kate Rubins, Peggy Whitson, and why researchers may be the astronauts of the future
● Ridley Scott’s The Martian and what it takes to be a modern-day astronaut
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut (https://www.amazon.com/Riding-Rockets-Outrageous-Shuttle-Astronaut/dp/0743276833/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2MC8Y0YYVI89E&keywords=Mike+Mullane&qid=1664789845&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjc4IiwicXNhIjoiMi4zMCIsInFzcCI6IjIuMjgifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=mike+mulla%2Caps%2C318&sr=8-1)by Mike Mullane
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “A great test pilot isn’t necessarily going to be a great astronaut; a great test pilot with a big ego is going to be a lousy astronaut.” - Charlie Bolden
● “The astronauts of today and tomorrow are not going to have the opportunity to train over and over again on something because they’ll find that every day is something new.” - Charlie Bolden
Connect with Charlie Bolden:
• Inter Astra (https://interastra.space/)
• <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/interastra/"...
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
12 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 67 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
88
Social presence
0
YouTube
64
Engagement
51
Contact Kathy Sullivan Explores
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Kathy Sullivan Explores?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
