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© Paige Kaufman
Description
With a focus on community within the Aerospace Industry, Paige Kaufman speaks with various engineers, students, and scientists. As a human spaceflight life support flight control trainee, Paige pulls back the curtain, having down-to-earth conversations about her guests' recent projects and engineering backgrounds, while discovering their favorite experiences, inside jokes, and hobbies. Click play to become inspired and entertained!
Instagram: spacespiels
Instagram: spacespiels
53 Episodes
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In this episode, Paige sits down with Maddie Burkey, a recent Georgia Tech grad and fluid mechanics expert. Maddie speaks about her college experience, Co-Op program, and cutting-edge research. She shares the origin of her fascination with aerodynamics and her experience carving out her specialized path.
Maddie demystifies what consulting in the aerospace industry really entails, and she offers candid advice for those navigating their early careers. This episode is packed with information and inspiration! Enjoy!!
Paige talks with Austin, a rocket propulsion engineer and founder of Half Cat Rocketry. Austin explains his passion for propulsion and tells the story of Half Cat’s silly name. He elaborates on his experience as a Master’s student and as an engineer at various start-ups, highlighting the connections he has made. This is a great listen!! connect with Austin!share space spiels!!
Today, Paige talks with Kara Gaiser, 3rd year Mechanical Engineering student at UC Berkeley, previous JPL Intern, and VAST Space ECLSS Intern. Kara discusses why she enjoys Environmental Control specifically and what it was like to land a coveted NASA JPL internship after her first year in college. She discusses how to balance school and internships, and why it’s (maybe??) worth it. Kara also gives advice on approaching one’s first internship and the importance of making meaningful professional connections.
Tune in for a story of passion, perseverance, and a love for space!
Connect with Kara
In this insightful episode, Paige sits down with Holly Pascal—NASA systems engineer, author, and founder of the Women’s Aerospace Network. Holly shares her journey from dreaming big in college to crafting strategies that landed her at NASA. Learn how she pivoted from software to systems engineering, overcame challenges, and launched an organization empowering women in aerospace. This conversation is one you don’t want to miss!
Connect with Holly Pascal
Follow the Women's Aerospace Network on Instagram
On this episode, Paige talks with Ben Kim, a senior undergraduate at Princeton. They discuss getting into Princeton and his internship experiences. They also dive into topics such as “we are all just people,” doing things outside of engineering, and authenticity. With a philosophical ending, this episode is a great listen.
Connect with Ben!!
In today’s episode, Paige talks with Derek Hassmann: former NASA Flight Director and Vice President of Mission Operations at VAST Space. Paige dreams of becoming a NASA Flight Director, so she takes this opportunity to ask all her burning questions. Derek discusses how he ended up at NASA and his experience during his earlier years. He then discusses the Flight Director selection and training process. Derek concludes with an amazing story about something going wrong while he was on console. This is a must listen!
Check out Derek’s Background
More on STS-120
Today’s episode features Dr. Lorena Duran, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a doctorate in educational leadership. Paige finally asks all of her burning mental health questions: How do you not place your worth in productivity? What are your biggest tips regarding imposter syndrome? How do you find the balance between pushing yourself to do hard things and grow while also not neglecting mental and physical wellbeing? Listen to this amazing conversation for the answers!!
On today’s episode, Paige speaks with Roderic Vanderscoff, Launch Vehicle Architecture Engineer at PLD Space in Spain. They discuss creating opportunities for oneself, risk associated with startups, and leaving the country! Towards the end, Roderic speaks about the benefits of not fearing failure. Enjoy this week’s episode!!
Roderic's LinkedIn
To Paige's surprise, Curtis Lee pulled out his phone while being interviewed, turned the table, and asked Paige some great questions. We talk about her favorite things: life balance, imposter syndrome, and her summer internship experience at Vast Space. In this beautifully chaotic interview, Paige gets vulnerable while also answering silly questions: what's with the sloths? Enjoy this listen!
Paige kicks off season 2 by interviewing one of her mentors at Vast Space, Curtis Lee. With over 5 years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer, Curtis is candid about his first full time job and how he ended up in aerospace by circumstance. He describes his first position at an aerospace company: he was the youngest engineer at a small startup. Curtis elaborates on the importance of mentorship and shares interview tips. Whether you are just interested in aerospace or a veteran in industry, this is a great listen!
Curtis' LinkedIn
Today's episode is a life update! Paige shares what she is up to, including scoring an internship and getting into grad school. She also talks about her experience scuba diving and skydiving, and shares why she seeks to push herself out of her comfort zone. Wrapping up with a discussion about life balance, this episode is a great listen!
Paige talks with Dana Kirchmar, a coach for women in aerospace. With an electrical engineering background, Dana dives into how she got into aerospace and her experience working on the Space Shuttle. She describes what it has been like working as a woman in aerospace and what she strives for through her coaching. Dana gives tips to women in aerospace and how other people can best support them. This is a must listen!
BONUS EPISODE ALERT! Every wonder what it's like to study Aerospace Engineering as an Italian? Today is your lucky day! Paige sits down with Arianna Pascale, who has studied in Australia, Italy, and Spain. She is currently a Flight Simulator Engineer at Airbus and Master's student. Hear more about her experience by clicking play!
On this episode, Paige sits down with Patrick Cates--the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Adjunct Faculty at USC's Marshall School of Business--who describes psychological safety. He gives aerospace related examples in which psychological safety could have improved work environments and saved lives. Learn how to apply it to your own teams today by clicking play!
Air France Article
More on Psychological Safety in Aerospace
Patrick Cate's LinkedIn
Today, Paige sits down with the EVP of Products at Ursa Major: Bill Murray. Bill elaborates on his educational and professional experience: What is it like to witness a hotfire of a 50,000 lbf engine? How did he find the courage to help start a company? Does college experience actually translate to industry? Find out the answer to these questions by clicking play!
Paige sits down with Cadet First Class Anton Dahm. Anton is finishing up his fourth year at the Air Force Academy after which he will be commissioning as an officer into the Space Force. Paige and Anton talk about what led to his decision to attend the Academy along with how he was selected to join the Space Force, specifically. Anton describes his involvement at school, including a space education group and the Cadet Space Operations Squadron. He elaborates on his research opportunities, along with his experience teaching and leading others. He speaks on balancing the uncertainty of not knowing where your first duty station will be and gives his past self advice. You can’t miss this episode!
Today Paige sits down with her two roommates: Kylar Flynn and Phineas Kelly. The three of them have been friends since freshman year. They reminisce on stories while discussing their experience at USC along with their goals for the future. Laugh along with us and click play on today's episode!
Hire my friends:
Phineas Kelly
Kylar Flynn
Kirsten Pobjoy has been a professional wingwalker for 7 years and is the current Head Wingwalker at AeroSuperBatics. She sits down with Paige to discuss how she got into wing walking and what the audition was like. Kirsten describes her training and her relationship with her team of pilots and wingwalkers. She elaborates on her pre-show routine and the difficulties the career entails. Kirsten beautifully describes how it feels to be strapped to the top of a plane: beautiful and exhilarating (just like this episode :) ). She believes it is important to push yourself, as you are more capable than you think. Listen to this episode to learn more and then click the link below to get strapped to a plane yourself!!
Kirsten’s Instagram:
Go wing walking!
Paige sits down with Astronautical Engineering senior, Danetti Martino. After retiring from a year acting as the Lead of USC’s Liquid Propulsion Lab this week, Danetti reflects on how he got here and his lessons learned. As a transfer student, Danetti shares his unique perspective from the Cal State Long Beach Rocketry team and elaborates on how this experience compares to USC. He gives secrets into leading people you feel are more knowledgable than you, along with his internship experience at Northrop Grumman and Ursa Major. Hear about the connections Danetti has made along the way, along with his advice on today’s episode!
Paige talks with Rachel Glait, Flight Operations Engineer at NASA JSC. Rachel describes what led her to pursue Mechanical Engineering, vulnerably sharing that things do not often come easy to her. She elaborates on her ambitions along with describing her internship experience at both the Aerospace Corporation and SpaceX. Rachel tells Paige about her experience at the University of Michigan and how that led to her position at NASA. She also gives Paige tips on how to score that dream job. Rachel ends by emphasizing the importance of mentors, confidence, and failures. This is a must listen!
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