🎙️ Episode 15 — “Space Bound”

Host: Steve Joseph
Guest: Dr. Shawna Pandya


IG: @mylifeafter.ca 
Website: www.mylifeafter.ca

🛰️ Episode Summary: In this powerful and curiosity-driven conversation, Steve Joseph sits down with Dr. Shawna Pandya—commercial research astronaut and physician—to explore her journey from childhood dreams of space to working at the frontier of space medicine.Dr. Pandya shares what it really takes to prepare the human body and mind for space, from managing physical health risks to navigating the psychological challenges of isolation and long-duration missions. The discussion also dives into the rise of commercial space travel, why exploration is deeply human, and how discoveries beyond Earth continue to improve life on it.Along the way, Dr. Pandya reflects on balancing cultural expectations, pursuing multiple passions, and why the search for extraterrestrial life is no longer science fiction—but a growing scientific reality.

Shawna’s Profile: linkedin.com/in/shawnapandya

Websites

• shawnapandya.com (Personal)
• projectpossum.org/research/space-medicine/ (Company)
• luxsonic.ca (Company)

[email protected] 5, 2025
🚀 Key Takeaways

• Childhood inspiration can shape lifelong purpose
• Cultural expectations don’t have to limit big dreams
• It is possible to pursue multiple high-stakes careers
• Space medicine is about prevention, not just treatment
• Psychological resilience is mission-critical in space
• Commercial space travel is changing who gets to explore
• Space innovation drives progress here on Earth
• The search for extraterrestrial life is accelerating

⏱️ Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Health Challenges and Seasonal Illnesses
• 02:44 Journey to Becoming an Astronaut
• 05:24 Cultural Expectations and Career Choices
• 07:53 Balancing Medicine and Space Exploration
• 10:45 Understanding Space Medicine
• 13:39 The Evolution of Space Travel
• 16:31 Why Space Exploration Matters
• 25:29 Interplanetary Settlement
• 29:46 The Human Cost of Space Exploration
• 32:41 Debunking Moon Landing Conspiracies
• 35:45 The Search for Extraterrestrial Life
• 38:02 Dr. Pandya’s Path to Space
• 39:41 The Thrill of the Unknown
• 42:33 What’s Next in Space Research

🎅🎙️ I interviewed Santa!

The big kahuna.
The head honcho.
The man who has been doing this for 1700 years! 

We talked about how Christmas has changed over the last 100 years, the wildest moments in holiday history, world peace, favorite toys, tariffs (yes… tariffs), and what Christmas might look like as AI joins the workshop.Funny, thoughtful, and surprisingly deep.🎧 My Life After… Christmas — link in bio.

Book your Christmas greeting with Santa: https://www.cameo.com/thesantaclause  

My Life After Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mylifeafter

#MyLifeAfter #MyLifeAfterChristmas #SantaClaus #PodcastLife #HolidayEpisode #ChristmasMagic #HoHoHo #SeasonOfHope 🎄🎙️

#betrayal #infidelity #therapy #healing #relationships #trust #emotions #shame #personalgrowth #mentalhealth

Summary

In this conversation, Hayley Sarjeant shares her personal journey through betrayal and infidelity, discussing her life before the betrayal, the discovery of her ex-husband's infidelity, and the emotional turmoil that followed. She reflects on the red flags she missed, the process of forgiving both her ex-husband and herself, and how her experiences shaped her career as a therapist specializing in betrayal trauma. Hayley emphasizes the importance of self-trust, the impact of societal shame, and the differences in how men and women react to infidelity. She offers insights into healing and rebuilding trust after betrayal, encouraging listeners to validate their feelings and seek support.

Hayley’s Contact: https://sarjeantcounselling.com/
Email: [email protected] 

Takeaways

Hayley graduated from university and pursued a master's to become a therapist.She took a year off to travel, which turned into five years.Her relationship with her ex-husband lasted about seven years.Suspicion of infidelity arose while living in Switzerland.She received warnings from friends about her husband's behavior.Her ex-husband confessed feelings for another person but claimed nothing happened.The relationship deteriorated with increased fighting and drinking.Hayley discovered the truth about the affair while visiting friends in France.She struggled with feelings of shock and disbelief after the betrayal.Forgiveness for her ex came easier than forgiving herself.

Sound bites
"Forgiveness is about acceptance.""You have to trust yourself again.""You are not crazy."

Chapters
00:00 The Impact of Betrayal on Relationships
02:11 Recognizing Red Flags in Relationships
05:19 Processing Emotions After Betrayal
08:28 The Journey to Forgiveness
11:59 Becoming a Therapist Specializing in Betrayal
17:20 Understanding the Reasons Behind Infidelity
20:24 Understanding the Roots of Infidelity
21:35 Gender Differences in Reactions to Betrayal
24:39 The Burden of Shame in Betrayal
27:41 Rebuilding Trust After Betrayal
29:56 Navigating the Aftermath of Betrayal
34:08 Life After Betrayal: A Personal Journey
37:28 Understanding Betrayal and Its Impact
38:27 The Journey of Healing After Betrayal

My Life After Wrestling Ep 12 with Tito Santana, "From Body Slams to Blackboards"

Summary: In this engaging conversation, Tito Santana shares his journey from a humble upbringing in South Texas to becoming a wrestling icon in the WWE. He discusses the challenges he faced in transitioning from football to wrestling, the camaraderie and competition within the wrestling community, and the impact of legends like Hulk Hogan. Santana reflects on his decision to leave wrestling for a teaching career, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and legacy. His story is one of resilience, passion, and the desire to inspire others.

#TitoSantana #wrestling #WWF #WWE #HulkHogan #andrethegiant #mylifeafter #mylifeaftepodcast #professionalwrestling

Keywords
burnout, career transition, self-discovery, coaching, vulnerability, curiosity, personal growth, life changes, mental health, purpose

Summary
In this conversation, Steve Joseph and Jordan Nahmias explore the themes of burnout, career transitions, and the importance of curiosity and vulnerability in personal growth. Jordan shares his journey from law to coaching, discussing the impact of burnout and the need for change. They emphasize the significance of movement, action, and curiosity in overcoming feelings of being stuck. The conversation also touches on the role of vulnerability in fostering deeper connections and personal development, culminating in a discussion about setting future goals and aspirations.

Takeaways
Jordan describes himself as someone always curious about new possibilities.
Burnout is characterized by a lack of inner resourcefulness.
Overwhelming feelings can stem from decision fatigue and burnout.
Boredom can lead to creativity and new opportunities.
Taking action is essential to overcoming feelings of being stuck.
Curiosity helps break habitual thinking and opens up new opportunities.
Vulnerability is crucial for personal growth and connection.
The path to success often involves experiencing failure.
Fear of failure can be a motivator for change.
Setting future goals can provide direction and purpose. 

Titles
Navigating Burnout: A Journey to Self-Discovery
From Law to Life Coaching: Embracing Change

Sound bites
"I found everything was overwhelming."
"Boredom is a great way to be creative."
"99% of life is showing up."

Chapters
00:00 Family Vacation and Connection
01:32 The Journey to Self-Discovery
03:38 Understanding Burnout
08:44 Recognizing the Need for Change
13:27 Navigating Career Transitions
17:49 Becoming a Coach
23:54 Feeling Stuck and Finding Movement
31:28 The Sedentary Society and AI's Role
33:53 The Drive for Personal Growth
35:49 Curiosity as a Catalyst for Change
41:22 The Power of Vulnerability
47:48 Defining Success and Future Aspirations
59:04 Breaking Free from Stagnation
59:33 Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life

Ep 10: My Life After Leonardo Dicaprio - “BY SQRA, The ART of the Hustle”

In this episode of My Life After, host Steve Joseph sits down with "By SQRA," an artist whose journey is nothing short of legendary. From hustling bootleg Leonardo DiCaprio posters—complete with a forged signature—to facing financial rock bottom with only $200 in his bank account, a mortgage due, and a wedding around the corner, By SQRA’s path to success was anything but traditional. But instead of giving up, he bet on himself. Now, his artwork is selling for $50,000 a piece, blending street energy with fine art in a way that has caught the attention of collectors worldwide.

This conversation dives into the grind, the setbacks, and the mindset that transformed By SQRA from a struggling artist to a rising star in the contemporary art scene.How did he turn bootlegs into big bucks? And what lessons can creatives take from his journey? 

Link: https://www.bysqra.com/
IG: @bysqra

Tune in to hear the full story. #MyLifeAfter #Podcast #BySQRA #ArtHustle #FromBrokeToSuccess #CreativeJourney #Entrepreneurship #ArtistLife #StreetArt #FineArt #HustleCulture #BetOnYourself #ArtBusiness #MindsetMatters #SuccessStory #PassionToProfit #ContemporaryArt #Inspiration #NeverGiveUp #GrindToShine #ArtCollector #ArtInvesting

Ep 9: My Life After Hunting with Falcons -  "Hawkward Moments and Safe Spaces"

Falconry is more than just a sport—it’s a deep bond between human and bird, built on trust, patience, and respect. But for Ema Canadic, falconry became something even greater: a path back to herself.In this episode of My Life After, Ema takes us inside the world of falconry—what it takes to train a bird of prey, the thrill of the hunt, and the connection this ancient practice fosters with nature. But we also explore the chapter of her life when she stepped away, the struggles that followed, and how returning to falconry helped her find balance and healing.

🐦 How do falconers bond with their birds?
🦅 What’s the reality of hunting with a raptor?
⚖️ How did falconry help Ema reclaim her sense of self?

Tune in for a fascinating conversation about resilience, rediscovery, and the powerful ways our passions can bring us home.📢 Shoutout to our sponsor: Heal-3 – A curated well-being solution for your employees. Because when we take care of our people, we help them show up as their best selves.#Falconry #Raptors #BirdsOfPrey #WildlifeConservation #HealingThroughNature #PassionAndPurpose #AncientTradition #SelfDiscovery #HawkwardMoments #Resilience #MentalHealth #OutdoorLife #MyLifeAfter #Podcast

A collaboration with the 30 Something Podcase. 

In this conversation, Steve Joseph and Frayn Gomez explore the Tamil diaspora's journey from Sri Lanka to Canada and Australia, reflecting on their shared experiences as children of immigrants. They discuss the challenges of cultural identity, the importance of food in connecting with their heritage, and the evolution of the Tamil community in their respective countries. The conversation also touches on family dynamics, societal expectations, and the rise of creators within the Tamil community, ultimately celebrating the blend of their Sri Lankan roots with their current identities.

Takeaways: 

The Tamil diaspora has a rich history of migration shaped by civil conflict.
Cultural identity is often challenged in new environments, especially for children of immigrants.
Food serves as a vital connection to heritage and community.
The evolution of the Tamil community in Canada reflects resilience and adaptation.
Family dynamics can be complex, especially regarding cultural expectations and pressures.
The rise of creators in the Tamil community signifies a shift in traditional career paths.
Navigating identity involves balancing cultural roots with the influences of a new society.
The experiences of immigrants can vary greatly depending on their circumstances and backgrounds.
Community support is crucial for successful integration into a new country.
Understanding and embracing diversity is essential for societal progress. 


#Tamil #diaspora #Sri Lanka #immigrantexperiences #community

Summary: In this conversation, Paula C shares her transformative journey from Colombia to the U.S., her experiences in the military, and the impact of war on her mental health. She discusses her struggles with PTSD and the healing power of psychedelics, particularly through organizations like Heroic Hearts Project. Paula also delves into her passion for filmmaking, highlighting her upcoming project that addresses the challenges faced by veterans. Throughout the discussion, she emphasizes resilience, the importance of storytelling, and the need for alternative healing methods for those affected by trauma.

Link to Paula’s Short Film: https://vimeo.com/653267743/562ad49b38

Fundraising for Paula’s Feature Film: https://gofund.me/6137e495

Heroic Hearts: https://heroicheartsproject.org/

Takeaways: Paula's journey from Colombia to the U.S. shaped her identity.Military service provided Paula with leadership skills for filmmaking.Experiencing war led to deep trauma and PTSD.Psychedelics can offer alternative healing for veterans.The importance of integration therapy after psychedelic experiences.Filmmaking is a way for Paula to share her story and help others.Paula's film 'Let There Be Light' focuses on veterans' healing journeys.Resilience is key in overcoming life's challenges.The stigma around psychedelics needs to be addressed.Personal experiences drive Paula's storytelling in film.

#Podcast #Storytelling #MyLifeAfter #Filmmaking #VeteranVoices #VeteranStories #MilitaryLife #VeteranHealing #PTSDRecovery #WarAndMentalHealth #HeroicHeartsProject #MentalHealthAwareness #PTSD #TraumaHealing #PsychedelicTherapy #AlternativeHealing #Resilience #PsychedelicHealing #PlantMedicine #IntegrationTherapy #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourneys #WomenInFilm

Summary

In this conversation, Andre Talbot shares his multifaceted journey from being a professional Canadian football player to becoming a movement teacher and registered psychotherapist. He discusses the unique aspects of Canadian football, the transition to a holistic approach to well-being through movement, and the evolution of his studio, Spirit Loft Movement Center. The conversation delves into the challenges of running a business, especially during the pandemic, and emphasizes the importance of community, resilience, and self-awareness in personal growth.  

Link to Andre: https://www.spiritloft.com/
Email: [email protected]    

Takeaways  

Andre Talbot is a studio owner and movement teacher. Canadian football has unique rules compared to American football. Transitioning from sports to holistic well-being is a common journey. Spirit Loft Movement Center focuses on diverse movement practices. The pandemic posed significant challenges for small businesses. Self-awareness is crucial for personal growth and healing. Community connection enhances resilience and well-being. Psychotherapy can complement movement practices for holistic care. Lifelong learning is essential for personal development. Empathy and presence are vital in therapeutic relationships.