What do rockets, robots, and a looming recession have in common? They're all part of the August issue of Mechanical Engineering magazine, and our top picks for today’s podcast.

Reusable Rockets Don’t Just Fly, They Sweat by Nicole Imeson looks at a surprising new idea for spacecraft design.

Robots as Materials? by Nancy Kristof showcases research where biology and robotics meet in unexpected ways.

And Bracing for Uncertainty by Kayt Sukel asks what economic turbulence could mean for engineers and their careers.