Aspiring Martians

Sex in space—it’s a topic that has been ignored, joked about, or outright dismissed for far too long. But if we’re serious about building a permanent human presence on Mars and beyond, it’s time to start having real conversations about intimacy, relationships, and reproduction in space.

In this episode of Everyday Mars, host Joe Sweeney sits down with Dr. Simon Dubé, a Research Fellow at the Kinsey Institute, Affiliate Professor at UQAM’s Department of Sexology, and Chief of Psychosocial Medicine at ASRI. As one of the researchers who coined the term space sexology, Dr. Dubé is working to break the taboo and make human intimacy a central discussion in space exploration. Together, they explore why sex in space has remained a hushed topic, what risks we face by avoiding the conversation, and what we can learn from communities that have long navigated alternative relationship models—like LGBTQ+, kink, and swingers. They also discuss why abstinence is a terrible idea, the complications of falling in love with your superior officer, the role of erotic friendships in long-duration missions, and even the potential future of space sex bots and Martian romance.

It’s time to rethink how we talk about intimacy in space—because the future of human settlement depends on it.

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A big thanks to Dr. Simon Dubé for all his work around space sexology and his insight into love and sex on Mars, Nick Thorburn for our stellar theme music and to my family for supporting my endless Mars obsession.

Storytelling has always been at the heart of human exploration, shaping the way we pass down knowledge, share dreams, and envision the future. In this episode of Aspiring Martians, host Joe Sweeney sits down with Elahe Nouri, a theatre teacher from Iran and a Mars One finalist, to explore the role of imagination in space exploration. From the stage to the stars, Elahe shares how dreaming without boundaries can inspire the next generation of pioneers and why creativity is just as important as engineering when it comes to building a future on Mars.

They dive into the power of stories in shaping humanity’s path to Mars, the importance of creativity in problem-solving, and what it truly means to envision life beyond Earth. What will it take for future Martians to not only survive but thrive on another planet? And how will the stories we tell today shape the reality of tomorrow’s space explorers? This conversation blends art, science, and the relentless human drive to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

A huge thank you to Nick Thorburn for our theme music and to my family for their unwavering support in making Aspiring Martians a reality. Your encouragement, creativity, and belief in this project help fuel the dream of a future among the stars. And of course, thank you to all the listeners—your curiosity and passion for space make this journey worth taking.

Love and space exploration might seem like an unlikely duo, but for RDan and Yari Golden-Castano, their shared dream of living on Mars brought them together in a way that’s truly out of this world. In this Valentine’s Day special ofAspiring Martians, host Joe Sweeney sits down with the couple to talk about how they met through the Mars One program, fell in love, and eventually got married—all while preparing for the possibility of leaving Earth behind.

In this episode, they cover why the first settlements won't be exactly what you see in the movies, why sending a married couple first makes the most sense, and even how to argue more efficiently. Whether you're a romantic at heart or just fascinated by the realities of human relationships beyond Earth, this episode offers a fun and thought-provoking look at love on the final frontier.

What drives a person to dedicate their life to exploring the unknown? In this episode of Aspiring Martians, host Joe Sweeney sits down with Ryan MacDonald, an aspiring Martian from Derby, England, who has been chasing the dream of going to Mars since he was 18. A former Mars One candidate, Ryan has spent his career preparing for humanity’s future beyond Earth—earning a Ph.D. in Astronomy from Cambridge, studying physics at Oxford, and researching exoplanet atmospheres at Cornell’s Carl Sagan Institute. Now a NASA Sagan Fellow at the University of Michigan, he’s using the James Webb Space Telescope to hunt for signs of alien life on distant worlds.

Joe and Ryan discuss what first inspired him to apply for Mars One as a teenager, what keeps him motivated to pursue this goal, and what humanity can learn from the search for life beyond Earth. They also explore a big, unsettling question—what if we never find life anywhere else in the universe? Tune in for a fascinating conversation about exploration, purpose, and what it really means to be an Aspiring Martian.

Welcome to the first episode of Everyday Mars, a new monthly series from Aspiring Martians! This week, host Joe Sweeney sits down with Brent Sherwood, a leading expert in space architecture and development. With an impressive career spanning senior roles at Boeing and Blue Origin, Brent has spent decades designing the future of human life in space.

Together, they explore what it will take to build a city of 1 million people on Mars. From Martian igloos to gothic cathedrals, the six key tenets of space architecture, and why cities on the Red Planet will resemble New York City more than the French countryside, Brent shares his fascinating vision for humanity’s future on Mars. They also discuss how transforming Mars will inevitably transform us as humans.

Make sure to follow us on social media and our website, www.aspiringmartians.com

Special thanks to Nick Thorburn for composing the absolutely stellar music for the podcast and to my family for being my Olympus Mons.

In this episode, Joe sits down with MoAfrica Thapelo, a South African aspiring Martian whose fascination with the Red Planet began in his childhood. MoAfrica shares his vision of conducting groundbreaking research on Mars, exploring how humans can thrive in its challenging environment while pushing the boundaries of science and discovery. His passion for Mars isn’t just about exploration—it’s about contributing to humanity’s next great chapter, where living on another planet becomes a reality, not just a dream.

They also delve into humanity’s innate desire to explore the unknown, from crossing oceans to reaching for the stars, and how that spirit has shaped MoAfrica’s perspective on life. Along the way, MoAfrica explains why he values the naysayers who question Mars ambitions, seeing their skepticism as a way to consider challenges and refine solutions. His thoughtful approach and infectious optimism make this episode a must-listen for anyone who has ever dared to dream big and look beyond the horizon.

Credits:

Huge thank you to Nick Thorburn for composing the Aspiring Martians theme music! It is truly out of this world!

Bigger thank you to my family for always being supportive of me.

In the debut episode of Aspiring Martians, host Joe Sweeney sits down with Dr. Leila Zucker, an emergency medicine physician, Mars One finalist, and lifelong advocate for humanity's future on Mars. Leila shares how her intense career on the front lines of emergency medicine has shaped her resilience and adaptability—qualities she believes are vital for life on the Red Planet.

From dreaming of being both an astronaut and a doctor as a child to preparing for the psychological and physical demands of a Martian colony, Leila’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. She reflects on the challenges she’s overcome, the drive to push boundaries, and how her dual passions for space and medicine have fueled her pursuit of a life on Mars.

Join us for this captivating conversation about grit, ambition, and what it truly takes to turn the dream of interplanetary living into reality. Whether you’re a space enthusiast or simply curious about the bold minds behind Mars exploration, this episode is sure to ignite your imagination.

Credits:

Huge thank you to Nick Thorburn for composing the Aspiring Martians theme music! It is truly out of this world!

Bigger thank you to my family for always being supportive of me. If I ever made it to Mars, it still wouldn’t compare to the universe I see in you.

Burying this down here in the hopes you got bored reading the above and gave up halfway: https://youtu.be/yLoF7tskCz4?si=BENEt_mPmy312axe

Welcome to Aspiring Martians, the podcast for those who dream of calling Mars home! In this trailer episode, discover the heart and mission of Aspiring Martians, where we explore the challenges, dreams, and real possibilities of life on the red planet. Why are so many daring people inspired to journey across the cosmic ocean to this distant, desolate world? Who are the pioneers, the visionaries, and the dreamers shaping the future of Martian living?

Join us as we prepare for liftoff, diving into topics ranging from pioneering science to the human stories that drive interplanetary ambition. In each upcoming episode, you'll meet aspiring Martians ready to break new ground and face the challenges of an extraordinary journey to a world where each breath, each step, and each innovation reshapes humanity's future. Whether you're a lifelong space enthusiast or just curious about the possibilities, this podcast invites you to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.