Space Spiels is a podcast that brings you down-to-earth, real conversations about life in the aerospace world. Through a wide range of guests, we explore the flexible, ever-evolving nature of careers in the field, while digging into the honest challenges and human stories behind this beautifully complex industry.
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Disclaimer: My personal social media communications only reflect my personal views and do not represent the views of my employer or any mentioned organizations.
In this solo episode, I’m sharing my experience transitioning from school to a full-time career in aerospace and the uncertainty that came with it. Including navigating a tough job market and wondering whether I’d land a full-time position, I’m getting honest about the challenges along the way. I also explain why I chose to do another internship the summer after graduating with my bachelor’s degree and how being enrolled in my master’s program made that possible. Along the way, I share some of my biggest lessons: seek out the experiences you want, be annoyingly persistent, find mentors, and be kind to the people around you. We’re also talking about how the “adulting” stuff gets easier, but maintaining a healthy work-life balance takes real effort and intentional habits. Whether you’re still in school, navigating internships, or well established in a full-time role, I hope this episode reminds you that even career paths that look perfect come with challenges!Disclaimer: The conversations in this episode are the personal views of the participants and do not represent any mentioned organizations.
12 Oct 2026
Environmental Science, Space, and Not Having It All Figured Out w/ Jaimi Lutes
In this episode of Space Spiels, Paige sits down with Jaimi Lutes to talk about studying Earth and Space science and Environmental Science, researching how bacteria communities could support plant growth in extreme environments, and finding the unexpected connections between space exploration and sustainability here on Earth. Jaimi also shares how marching band, triathlon, mentorship, sleep, and some seriously intentional time management helped her navigate life as a high-achieving STEM student. She gets candid about post-grad uncertainty, unanswered emails, grad school applications, and learning to separate your self-worth from your scientific achievements. Along the way, Jaimi shares practical advice on studying using active recall and why being terrible at something is often the first step toward getting good at it. It’s a conversation about curiosity, resilience, and learning to like who you are when you face hard things.
28 Sept 2026
What a Career Pivot Actually Looks Like w/ Michael Sola
Michael Sola’s path into aerospace has been anything but linear. In this episode, he shares how an early interest in aviation led him to Pratt & Whitney, graduate school at USC, a hands-on internship at The Aerospace Corporation, and eventually his current propulsion role at Vast. We talk about what it was really like to work full time while attending graduate school in person and leading projects in USC’s Liquid Propulsion Laboratory. Michael also opens up about leaving a stable full-time job for an internship, navigating an uncertain job search, and how networking and mentors helped him make some of his biggest career decisions. Along the way, Michael shares practical advice about taking calculated risks, minimizing wasted effort, and continuing to chase the work that genuinely interests you. Listen now to hear Michael’s story and his advice for anyone navigating their own ever-changing path in aerospace.Connect with Mike here (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-sola/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
14 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
31 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
53
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
71
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Guest appearances
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