Joe explores Christianity on Mars as the finale of the Religion on Mars series. Joined by Catholic priest and physicist Andrew Pinsent, the conversation examines how Christian belief, Catholic sacraments, priesthood, and religious authority could adapt to life on the Red Planet. 

Reza Aslan joins Joe to discuss how Islam might adapt to life on Mars and explore Islamic history, the Five Pillars of Islam, prayer direction, fasting, authority without a central pope, Islam’s deep relationship with astronomy, and more!

Joined by Dr. Subhash Kak, Joe looks at how Hindu philosophy, cosmology, and spiritual practice could shape daily life, ethics, and meaning for future Martian settlers.

In this episode, Joe speaks with Bhikkhu Vasu Bandhu about Buddhism’s global roots, mindfulness, impermanence, and how Buddhist practice could help future Martians navigate isolation, stress, and life on the Red Planet.

Professor Craig Jackson joins the show to discuss fatigue, isolation, Antarctic research base incidents, psychological screening, and what future Mars missions can learn from how humans cope under pressure.

Researcher and author Kelly Weinersmith — co-author of A City on Mars — speaks about the government models that could shape early Martian settlements and which political systems, historical lessons, and legal challenges exist for building a functioning society off-world.

Nutrition scientist Dr. Flávia Fayet-Moore dives into what astronauts actually eat, how microgravity changes appetite, and why future Martian meals will feed both body and soul.

Microbiologist Dr. Jamie Foster explores the surprising history of animals in space—and what future Martian settlers might learn from goldfish, tortoises, and friendship itself.

Ethologist Dr. Clive Wynne explores whether humanity’s oldest companions could one day join us on Mars—and what their loyalty reveals about who we are.

SpaceX co-founder and Phantom Space CEO Jim Cantrell talks startups, supply chains, and how capitalism might evolve on Mars — from bakeries to asteroid mining.

Mars Society founder Dr. Robert Zubrin explains what kind of people will truly thrive on Mars—mavericks with grit, humor, and the audacity to build life from scratch.

Cave biologist Dr. Matthew Niemiller explores how subterranean ecosystems on Earth may hold the key to finding life on Mars—and why darkness might be where biology begins.

Design researcher Dr. Karl Aspelund threads together sustainability, comfort, and identity to imagine what Martian settlers might wear—from wool to wearables to celebration suits.

CHAPEA-1 Commander Dr. Kelly Haston reveals what it’s really like to spend a year simulating life on Mars—navigating 20-minute delays, lonely inboxes, and the art of staying human through lag.

Kinsey Institute researcher and space sexologist Dr. Simon Dubé joins to discuss why human connection, touch, and pleasure are essential to long-term space living — and why avoiding the topic is the real risk.

Space architect Brent Sherwood reveals what it takes to design the first human city on Mars — from habitats and culture to why the Red Planet may look more like Manhattan than Utopia Planitia.