In Her Orbit

Astrophysicist and University of Arizona professor Dr. Erika Hamden joins Shawn to talk about her lifelong passion for space, her path from Harvard and Columbia to leading cutting-edge telescope missions, and why resilience is key in science. She shares stories from balloon-powered telescope missions like Fireball, her upcoming NASA Pioneer mission Aspera, and her work training the next generation of scientists. Erika also discusses science funding challenges, the every day impact of space research, and her science communication efforts from hosting AZPM’s New Frontiers to her new book, Weird Universe.

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Where to find Erika:

Instagram
TikTok
www.ehamden.org/

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced and edited by Sicily Seitz

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Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

In this episode, we meet Jaime Kline, Vice President of Operations at Relative Dynamics and founder of Satya Yoga and Wellness. With over two decades in aerospace, Jaime shares how her childhood dream led her from Space Camp to NASA missions, and how her engineering roots evolved into leadership roles managing significant space programs. She opens up about holistic leadership, career transitions, and why supporting the “whole person” is central to how she leads.

We also explore her journey into wellness entrepreneurship, the power of mindfulness in high-pressure environments, and how she bridges the gap between space tech and human connection.

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Where to find Jaime:
Relative Dynamics
Satya Yoga & Wellness

Instagram
Satya Yoga
Jaime

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced and edited by Sicily Seitz

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Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

In this episode, we’re joined by Debbie Wells, Vice President (Exploration/Energy/Environment) at Leidos and biomedical engineer whose work has helped shape the future of astronaut health and space research. From supporting experiments like “Chix in Space” to advancing food systems for long-duration missions, Debbie shares her fascinating journey through her career journey, the importance of scientific research in space, and about the future of supporting human health during spaceflight.

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Where to find Debbie:

www.leidos.com
Linkedin

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced and edited by Sicily Seitz

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Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

Today on In Her Orbit, we're joined by Kelly Page, President of Barrios Technology, a woman-owned and operated small business with a long-standing legacy supporting NASA and advancing space exploration. Kelly shares her journey from growing up surrounded by the space industry to becoming the second-generation leader of a trailblazing woman-owned business with the guidance of her mother and former guest, Sandy Johnson. Kelly reveals the challenges and rewards of leading alongside family, her vision for the commercial space economy, and why advocacy, balance, and community impact are at the core of her leadership.

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Where to find Kelly:
www.barrios.com
Facebook
Linkedin
Instagram

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced and edited by Sicily Seitz

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Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

In this episode, we're joined by Carol Craig, Founder and CEO of Sidus Space and Craig Technologies. As the first female founder to take a space company public, Carol shares the journey that led her from a career in the Navy to building a legacy in space and defense. She also discusses the challenges she’s faced as a woman in the aerospace industry, from fundraising hurdles to breaking through outdated expectations.

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Where to Find Carol

• Craig Technologies
• LinkedIn

Where to Find Sidus Space

• Sidus Space
• Facebook
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced and edited by Sicily Seitz

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Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

In this episode, we’re joined by Laurie Labra, Vice President of the Science and Space Human Exploration Division at KBR. With a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Houston and a career in aerospace spanning more than three decades, Laurie leads a team of over 2,750 employees and oversees multiple high-value contracts that support NASA’s most critical human spaceflight missions.

After beginning out as an astronaut instructor for the Space Shuttle Program, Laurie has advanced to oversee some of the most difficult and significant changes in NASA's support systems. Laurie's leadership has molded the future of spaceflight from the ground up, from coordinating the rapid integration of large contracts to provide mission support during shuttle launches and ISS operations. Her tale is one of operational brilliance, technological excellence, and an enduring commitment to human exploration.

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced and edited by Sicily Seitz

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Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

In this episode, we’re joined by Meghan Pipitone, Advanced Project Engineer at Honeywell and co-inventor of life-sustaining technologies for spacecraft and marine environments. With a background in electrical engineering from the University of San Diego, Meghan has played a key role in developing CO₂ removal systems for NASA missions, including the groundbreaking Carbon Dioxide Removal by Ionic Liquid System (CDRILS).

Meghan’s work sits at the intersection of innovation and sustainability, pushing the boundaries of environmental control systems that will support future space exploration. From navigating complex engineering challenges to shaping the future of life support in extreme environments, Meghan’s story is one of resilience, vision, and impact.

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced and edited by Sicily Seitz

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Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

In this episode, we’re joined by Kirsten Whittingham, President of MAX SPACE, the company developing expandable space habitats designed for greater livability, lower cost, and easier launches. With a background in aerospace engineering and leadership roles at Axiom Space and Pratt & Whitney, Kirsten brings a wealth of experience and a passion for operational excellence to the future of space infrastructure. Listen now on all platforms! 

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced and edited by Sicily Seitz

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Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

In this episode, we’re joined by Maraia Tanner, Chairwoman of the Board and CEO of STAR HARBOR, the company behind the world’s first publicly accessible spaceflight training facility. With a degree in astrophysics from UC Irvine, Maraia’s career spans the commercial and defense sectors, including engineering roles at TRW, Northrop Grumman, NASA, and JPL. She’s contributed to major missions like the Mars Sample Return and Space Interferometry Mission, co-authoring work on the structural challenges of shuttle-launched systems.

Maraia is also a passionate advocate for climate action, sustainability, and increasing diversity in STEAM. From pioneering new pathways to space to championing change on Earth, her work is helping redefine who space is for—and why it matters.

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Where to Find Maraia:

LinkedIn

STAR HARBOR

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced and edited by Sicily Seitz

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Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

In this episode, we’re joined by Lauren Fell, an Outreach and Marketing specialist at Lunar Outpost Oceania and a PhD candidate in Quantum Cognition. Lauren’s cutting-edge research explores how quantum concepts shape human intuition, particularly in trust-based decision-making. Lauren has contributed to projects like reforestation in the Galapagos and paleontology in Argentina and was honored with the Inspiring Future Leader Award at the QLD 40 under 40 Awards in 2023. Her work has been published in top journals on topics like human-AI trust and quantum cognition. 

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Where to Find Lauren:

LinkedIn

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced and edited by Sicily Seitz

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Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook