Von Hardesty is a former curator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. He has written widely on aerospace history. His books include Great Aviators and Epic Flights; Lindbergh: Flight's Enigmatic Hero; Air Force One: The Aircraft that Shaped the Modern Presidency; and Epic Rivalry: The Inside Story of the Soviet and American Space Race.

On the 46th episode of the Chasing Earhart podcast, Von joins us via Zoom to discuss Amelia Earhart's impact and legacy and the role that the Smithsonian plays in keeping that legacy alive 80 years after she disappeared.