Season Two of Aspiring Martians begins with a month-long Everyday Mars series exploring religion on Mars — and what happens to faith, meaning, and spiritual life when humans leave Earth.

This first episode focuses on Buddhism, a tradition practiced by hundreds of millions of people worldwide and rooted in teachings on suffering, impermanence, mindfulness, and compassion. Joe is joined by Bhikkhu Vasu Bandhu, a contemplative teacher working within a modern Buddhist-inspired tradition and a longtime leader in the global interfaith movement.

Vasu Bandhu serves as Interfaith Manager for the Arizona Faith Network, is a member of the International Youth Committee of Religions for Peace, a Global Council Trustee for the United Religions Initiative, and Chair of the North American Interfaith Network. Since the age of 18, he has dedicated his life to interfaith service, eventually joining the Dhammapada Sangha after years of work across diverse religious traditions.

In this conversation, Joe and Vasu Bandhu explore how Buddhist ideas like mindfulness, ethical responsibility, compassion, and acceptance of impermanence could shape spiritual life for future Martians — particularly in environments defined by isolation, confinement, and constant change.

This episode sets the tone for a four-part series that continues next week with Hinduism on Mars, followed by Islam on January 20, and Christianity on January 27.

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A huge thank you to Vasu Bandhu for joining me on today’s episode and sharing his perspective, to Nick Thorburn for the incredible theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the ever playful graphics, to Jero Squartini for the animations, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the FB group, and to my family for being cool with there being another whole year of talking about Mars all the freakin time.

This week, Joe closes the season with an Everyday Mars conversation focused on something every future Martian — and every remote worker — will face: workplace anxiety and occupational health.

To tackle this subject, we're joined by Dr. Craig Jackson, a leading occupational health psychologist whose research examines how work affects human psychological wellbeing, particularly in extreme, remote, and high-stress environments. Their conversation spans decades of research and real-world case studies, including incidents at Antarctic research bases, fatigue and burnout, psychological screening for astronauts and remote workers, and what happens when isolation and pressure compound over time.

They also explore the overview effect, delayed communication, long working hours, and the psychological realities of confined, high-responsibility workplaces — drawing clear parallels between Earth-based analogs and future Mars missions.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode briefly touches on the subject of suicide from 21:00 to 27:20. Please feel free to skip this section if you prefer.

The episode also serves as a moment of reflection and gratitude. It’s a grounded, thoughtful close to a season dedicated to the human stories behind the dream of living on Mars. We are deeply grateful for your engagement and support this past year as we have dived into the lives of aspiring Martians the covered topics that future Mars settlers will be most interested in. We're profoundly excited to show you what's next in Season 2!

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A huge thank you to Dr. Craig Jackson for joining me todayand sharing his expertise and time, to Nick Thorburn for the absolute banger ofa theme song, to Ceci Giglio for the incredible graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka,and Carl for admining the FB group, and to my family for supporting thisproject — even when Mars becomes a full-time dinner conversation.

Research:

Workplace Anxiety,Isolation, Polar & Extreme Environments

Palinkas, L. A., & Suedfeld, P. (2008)

The Lancet

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17655924/

Palinkas, L. A. (2003)

American Psychologist

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12784972/

Antarctic Harassment& Safety Climate

U.S. National Science Foundation – Office of Polar Programs(July 2024)

https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2024/nsf24586/nsf24586.pdf

Suicide Risk, SleepDisruption & Remote Work

Bernert, R. A., et al. (2007)

Sleep Medicine Reviews

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17368981/

Pigeon, W. R., et al. (2020)

Scientific Reports

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-70866-6

Fatigue, CircadianMisalignment & Extreme Work

Parkes, K. R. (2017)

Safety Science

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925753517300957

Arendt, J., et al. (2022)

Nature and Science of Sleep

https://www.dovepress.com/the-role-of-circadian-phase-in-sleep-and-performance-during-antarctic–peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-NSS

DelayedCommunication, Autonomy & Mars Missions

NASA Ames Research Center (2025)

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20250003885/downloads/NASA%20TM20250003885.pdf

Kanas, N., et al. (2015)

Acta Astronautica

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0094576514003996

O’Leary, M. B., Wilson, J. M., & Metiu, A. (2014)

Organization Science

https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/10.1287/orsc.2013.0876

Gibbs, J. L., et al. (2021)

Annual Review of Organizational Psychology andOrganizational Behavior

https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-012420-060248

Mars &Spaceflight Analog Missions

Basner, M., et al. (2014)

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1403716111

NASA Human Research Program

https://humanresearchroadmap.nasa.gov/evidence/

Trauma, IntrusiveMemories & Tetris Studies

Holmes, E. A., et al. (2009)

PLoS ONE

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0004153

Overview Effect, Awe& Perspective Shift

Yaden, D. B., et al. (2016)

Psychology of Consciousness

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2016-17436-001

Hope you're prepared for a conversation that is as honest as it is powerful.

In this week's episode, Joe sits down with Lina Borozdina where she shares what brought her to space aboard Virgin Galactic, but this discussion goes far beyond the mechanics of spaceflight. Together, they explore the emotional reality of chasing a space dream in public and the resilience required to keep going in the face of dismissive, hurtful, and often cruel commentary from those who would rather see that dream disappear.

The conversation also touches on Lina’s deep commitment to inspiring the next generation of kids, the responsibility that comes with visibility, and the quiet strength demonstrated by women who refuse to make themselves smaller, even when the world asks them to.It’s a vulnerable, moving conversation about courage, representation, and choosing to dream anyway.

This episode marks the final personal story of Season One of Aspiring Martians — a season dedicated to exploring the deeply human stories behind people with a very real dream of living on Mars someday. Stay tuned for next week's final episode of Season 1 with an all new Everyday Mars episode you won't want to miss!

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A huge thank you to Lina for joining me today and sharing her story, to Nick Thorburn for the amazing theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the incredible graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the FB group, and to my family for letting me talk about Mars far more often than is probably reasonable.

This week on Aspiring Martians, Joe sits down with Dr. Kshitij Mall, an assistant professor at the University of South Alabama and director of the BRAHMAND Lab whose work sits at the cutting edge of propulsion, plasma-assisted flows, and extreme-environment engineering.

Kshitij is one of the minds behind Mission ShakthiSAT, a low-cost lunar transfer and micro-lander and program dedicated to empowering thousands of girls around the globe to develop their interest in space. His work asks a big question: what if space exploration didn’t require billion-dollar budgets to matter?

Joe and Kshitij talk about what it means to be an aspiring Martian while still firmly rooted on Earth, his inspiration along the way, and why education and inclusion are just as important as rockets when it comes to building our future off-world.

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A huge thank you to Kshitij for joining me today and sharing his incredible story and ambition, to Nick Thorburn for our stellar theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the FB group, and to my family for always supporting this journey—even when my curiosity drifts toward doomed moons.

This week on Aspiring Martians, Joe sits down with Dr. Adriana Marais: theoretical physicist, astrobiologist, disruptor, explorer, and one of the most compelling voices shaping the future of human settlement beyond Earth.

Adriana’s scientific background spans quantum effects in biology, the origins of life’s building blocks in space, and award-winning work in quantum biology. She’s a Director at the Foundation for Space Development Africa and the Head of Science for Africa2Moon, Africa’s first lunar mission — a first-of-its-kind radio telescope headed for the south pole aboard China’s Chang’e-8 mission.

She’s also the founder of Proudly Human, leading the ambitious Off-World Project, which tests autonomous, resilient living systems in the harshest environments on Earth — deserts, icefields, remote regions — as analogs for future off-world communities. Her work has been featured in CNN’s Africa’s Space Race, AOL’s Citizen Mars, Before Mars, and hundreds of talks across all seven continents. She was recently honored as “Most Disruptive” at the Women in Tech Global Awards in Paris.

Joe and Adriana dive into quantum biology, off-world economics, resilience, the philosophy of exploration, Africa’s growing influence in space, and why extreme Earth environments may hold the key to not just surviving, but thriving on Mars.

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A huge thank you to Adriana for joining me today and sharing her unique perspective, to Nick Thorburn for our stellar theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the FB group, and to my family for always supporting this mission!

This week on Aspiring Martians, Joe sits down with Keisha Schahaff, a trailblazer whose journey has inspired millions across the Caribbean and beyond. Keisha made history as the first Caribbean woman in space, flying aboard Virgin Galactic’s Galactic 02 mission, where she and her daughter became the first mother-daughter duo to reach space together.

Keisha talks about what her flight gave her: the shift in perspective, the overwhelming emotion of seeing Earth from above, and the sense of possibility that stayed with her long after she touched down. She shares how the experience strengthened her connection to her home in Antigua and Barbuda, and why that moment of weightlessness ignited something even bigger: a dream of living on Mars someday.

Joe and Keisha discuss identity, courage, community, and what it means to carve a path for people who have never seen themselves represented in space. It’s a conversation full of warmth, joy, and that rare kind of hope that makes you believe new worlds aren’t just reachable — they’re inevitable.

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A huge thank you to Keisha for joining me today and sharing her incredible and powerful story, to Nick Thorburn for our stellar theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the Facebook group, and to my family for always supporting this mission — even when I start cheering for dust devils.

This November — the month of elections here in the USA — we’re taking the spirit of civic engagement off-world.

In this Everyday Mars special, Joe talks with Dr. Kelly Weinersmith, an author, researcher, and one of the sharpest, funniest minds thinking about the future of space settlement. Kelly and her husband Zach wrote A City on Mars, a book that takes a wildly entertaining, deeply researched look at the realities of living off-planet. It covers everything from lunar land claims to cosmic law enforcement to the political structures that might keep a Mars colony from descending into either chaos or paperwork.

And yes — there is an entire section on governing on Mars.

Together, Joe and Kelly dig into the government models that might emerge on the Red Planet, which ones might fall apart instantly, what history already warns us about, and why the earliest decisions could shape Martian society for generations. It’s thoughtful, funny, and surprisingly grounding. Exactly the kind of episode that reminds you that space is not just about rockets, but about people.

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A huge thank you to Kelly for joining me today and sharing their hilarious and thought-provoking insights. And if you haven’t already, grab a copy of their book A City on Mars: https://www.acityonmars.com/

Thanks as always to Nick Thorburn for our stellar theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the FB group, and to my family for always supporting this mission — even when dinner talk drifts into real estate opportunities on a far away moon."

Frontier Culture: The Roots and Persistence of “Rugged Individualism” in the United States: https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w23997/w23997.pdf

Frontier Settlement and the Spatial Variation of Civic Institutions: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/items/76f8393b-7f33-4433-a7e0-de204bec7ab5

Off-Earth by Erika Nesvold: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262047548/off-earth/

This week on Aspiring Martians, Joe sits down with Dr. Shawna Pandya, the first named female commercial Canadian astronaut — and one of the most fascinating humans you’ll ever hear from.

She’s an emergency and aeromedical transport physician, an aquanaut, a blackbelt, and the Director of the IIAS Space Medicine Group, where she leads research into how humans adapt to the most extreme environments imaginable — underwater, in microgravity, and someday, on Mars. She’s preparing to fly to space aboard Virgin Galactic’s Delta class spacecraft as early as 2026, and her work is permanently exhibited at the Ontario Science Centre beside Dr. Roberta Bondar.

Joe and Dr. Pandya dive into what it means to push human boundaries, the delicate balancing act of avoiding burnout, and how curiosity, compassion, and courage continue to guide her every step — or giant leap.

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A huge thank you to Dr. Shawna Pandya for joining me today and sharing her inspiring perspective, to Nick Thorburn for our stellar theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the FB group, and to my family for always supporting this mission — even when I start researching real estate on uninhabited Arctic islands.

This week on Aspiring Martians, Joe talks with Sahda Haroon — a space advocate, STEM communicator, and unstoppable force for representation and empowerment in science.

Sahda’s story is one of courage, curiosity, and contagious passion. She’s been part of the Mars Generation, a leader in the STEAM Squad, and a voice reminding us that diversity in space exploration isn’t just nice to have — it’s essential. Her journey is proof that when one person dares to stand out, it creates space for others to step forward too.

In this conversation, Joe and Sahda talk about the power of representation, convincing your family to believe in your space dreams, and what it means to be a rebel who does what others won’t. They dive into breaking cultural traditions, giving your daughter wings to fly, and how a single speech can ripple across continents. Plus: exploding habitats, the Mars Generation, and why surrounding yourself with people who remind you of your “why” might be the most powerful decision you ever make.

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A huge thank you to Sahda for joining me today and sharing her incredible passion and work, to Nick Thorburn for our stellar theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the FB group, and to my family for always supporting this journey — even when my vacation plans start sounding suspiciously like Mars training.

This week on Aspiring Martians, Joe sits down with Ilia-Daniel Gashinbaki — a 17-year-old Nigerian space visionary and the Executive Director and Founder of the Africa Space Foundation.

Daniel’s story started when he was just 11 years old, chosen by Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency as one of the nation’s Space Ambassadors. That experience sparked a lifelong mission: to bring space science and education to communities across Africa and ensure that the continent plays an active role in humanity’s future beyond Earth.

Now, as the head of the Africa Space Foundation, Daniel is leading programs that connect young people with science and technology, host hack-a-thons, and promote collaboration within and beyond Africa. His work is a reminder that leadership isn’t about age — it’s about vision.

In this episode, Joe and Daniel talk about what to do with the privilege you have, the power of cooperation over competition, and how African innovation can help shape Mars exploration. They also dive into solar rovers, budget realities, community pride, and why Daniel sees bringing space to Africans not as a dream — but as a responsibility.

A huge thank you to Daniel for joining me today and sharing his energy and perspective, to Nick Thorburn for our stellar theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the FB group, and to my family for always supporting this mission — even when I start calling parts of Africa ‘mini Mars.’