Dr. Adriana Marais — theoretical physicist, astrobiologist, and leader of Africa’s first mission to the lunar south pole — joins Aspiring Martians to discuss off-world living, quantum biology, the origins of life, and how extreme places on Earth are preparing us for the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Keisha Schahaff, the first Caribbean woman in space and one half of the first mother-daughter astronaut duo, shares how her Virgin Galactic spaceflight transformed her life, deepened her connection to Earth, and strengthened her dream of one day living on Mars.

Dr. Shawna Pandya shares how curiosity, compassion, and courage guide her journey from emergency medicine to aquanaut missions to preparing for spaceflight.

Sahda Haroon is a space advocate and STEAM educator whose passion for representation and empowerment is lighting a path for future explorers.

At just 17 years old, Ilia-Daniel Gashinbaki — Nigeria’s youngest Space Ambassador and Executive Director of the Africa Space Foundation — is reshaping how Africa engages with the final frontier.

NASA’s CHAPEA 2 crew members Matthew Montgomery and James Spicer share what inspired them to sign up for a year-long Mars simulation and what it is that will keep them going.

Explorer Dianne McGrath—sailor, sustainability expert, and Mars One finalist—reveals how the Outback and the open ocean prepared her for the quiet vastness of space.

Biomedical engineer Alejandro Perez shares how curiosity, mentorship, and a dash of chaos led him from diesel tanks to designing agricultural robotics for the Red Planet.

Former Space for Humanity director Rachel Lyons shares how humility, self-care, and courage shape the leaders who will one day guide humanity beyond Earth.

Ukrainian aerospace engineer Sergii Iakymov—director of MDRS—shares lessons from leading analog crews in Utah and what they teach us about global unity and human endurance.

Physicist, commando, and comic Josh Richards opens up about trauma, humor, and the wild courage it takes to sign up for a one-way mission to Mars.

Nigerian space advocate Paul Oladunni—founder of Space Tourism Society Africa—shares how community, optimism, and inclusion can help Africa lead the charge toward the stars.

Aerospace engineer Rahaf Adi—the first Syrian woman with a space-engineering degree—shares her story of grit, mentorship, and designing the engines that could one day power Mars missions.

Egyptian Mars One finalist Mohammed “Mido” Sallam shares how sci-fi movies, telescopes, and turbulence shaped his journey from Cairo rooftops to the global stage of space exploration.

Dr. Yi Soyeon reflects on her historic Soyuz flight and how a single phrase—“let’s try it”—can change a nation’s space story and a woman’s destiny.

Anastasia Medvedeva — founder of Yuri’s Night Russia — shares how she uses art, community, and celebration to make space belong to everyone.

Atmospheric physicist Dr. Jonathan Buzan mixes science and humor to study planetary habitability from Utah to Denmark—because understanding climate is how we build worlds.

Mars One finalist Linh Vu balances startup life in Hanoi with the audacious goal of becoming Vietnam’s first Martian, sharing how focus and humility keep dreams alive.

Dr. Saeed Ghandhari—a Mars One finalist and refugee advocate—shares his journey from Iran to New Zealand and why he believes purpose is the strongest propellant.

Licensed therapist and analog astronaut Sharife Gacel—aka The Space Therapist—explores how wonder, art, and psychology can help humans adapt emotionally to life on Mars.