I sit down with astrobiology PhD student and astronaut hopeful Alyssa Carson for a real talk about what it actually takes to get space ready. We jump straight into facing fear and building courage, from skydiving when your body wants to freeze, to floating in microgravity and learning how to stay calm when everything is weightless. Alyssa walks me through a 9G jet turn that tunnels your vision to the size of a bottle cap, and how breathing, focus, and reps make the difference. We go inside the spacesuit, breaking down IVA suits you wear inside the spacecraft and EVA suits built to survive outside, and why water training helps you move and work when the suit feels heavy on Earth.

We get practical too. What astronauts really eat in orbit, why bread is a no go because of crumbs, how tortillas solve that problem, and yes, how espresso can work in microgravity when an astronaut really loves coffee. We dive into her research on methane on Mars, why that signal matters, and what it could say about past microbial life. Alyssa shares the path to space careers in plain English, start with what you love doing, flying, building, experimenting, then stack skills, keep your grades strong, and look for programs, labs, and mentors that let you get your hands on real work. We talk about mindset during the long PhD grind, staying steady when progress feels slow, and using small wins to keep momentum.

If you are a kid at heart who wants space, or a parent helping a kid aim high, this one gives you concrete steps, inside the suit details, and a clear picture of the courage and curiosity it takes to fly.

In this episode of The Sean Trace Show, I sit down with speaker and author Steve Gamlin to talk about designing a life that actually fits you. We dig into vision boards that go beyond cars and cash, building habits one small action at a time, and why measurable goals matter. Steve opens up about losing his wife, how he is processing grief with honesty and humor, and the simple daily practices that keep you moving forward, gratitude, acts of kindness, and showing up. If you need a blueprint for resilience, clarity, and purpose, this conversation delivers practical steps you can start today.

In this episode of The Sean Trace Show, I sit down with Maynard Okereke, also known as the Hip Hop MD. We dive into why science literacy matters more now than ever, how curiosity fuels discovery, and how merging pop culture with science can inspire the next generation. Maynard shares his journey breaking into science communication, the challenges of representation in STEM, and why empowering kids to think critically changes everything. We talk about my daughter’s journey learning science, the first Vietnamese woman in space, and how we can bring back the “wow factor” of discovery. If you’ve ever felt that science was out of reach, this conversation will show you—it belongs to everyone.