Tune in here to this Friday edition of the Brett Winterble Show! 

Brett reflects on the passing of Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell, honoring his legendary leadership and enduring contributions to human spaceflight. At 97, Lovell leaves behind a legacy defined by courage, optimism, and an unwavering commitment to exploration. Brett connects Lovell’s extraordinary life to NASA’s recent discovery of a coral-shaped rock on Mars, billions of years old, using the moment to pose a broader question to listeners: are we still capable of achieving great things as a nation?

The segment takes a poignant turn when caller Rich shares a personal memory from 1994, recalling how Lovell agreed to speak at a trade show for a modest fee—years before his book Lost Moon and the film Apollo 13 brought him global acclaim and far higher speaking rates. Despite his rising profile, Lovell honored the original handshake agreement and even extended his stay at no additional cost, a gesture rooted in his Eagle Scout values. Brett closes by praising Lovell as a truly remarkable American whose humility and integrity matched the scale of his accomplishments.

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