Best The Smile Engineer Podcasts (2025)

1
Space Policy Edition: Are Democrats falling behind on space policy? 59:57

21h ago59:57

59:57

Have Democrats ceded leadership in space policy? That’s what Mary Guenther believes. She’s the Director of Space Policy at the Progressive Policy Institute and the author of an editorial that claims Democrats have ceded their leadership. She traces the party’s arc from Obama-era reforms to recent data showing that Democrats introduced a third fewer…

1
Space science and the Artemis Accords: Highlights from the 2025 H2M2 Summit 1:09:28

3d ago1:09:28

1:09:28

Recorded at the 2025 Humans to the Moon and Mars Summit (H2M2) in Washington, D.C., this episode features two powerful conversations about the future of human space exploration. Hosted by Mat Kaplan, senior communications adviser at The Planetary Society, these panel discussions explore the scientific and diplomatic foundations guiding humanity’s j…

1
Space Policy Edition: NASA’s 2026 budget 1:07:51

8d ago1:07:51

1:07:51

Alicia Brown from the Commercial Space Federation and Brittany Webster from the American Geophysical Union join the show to discuss NASA’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, which aims to slash the agency’s funding by nearly 25%, cut science by 47%, and reduce staffing to levels not seen since 1960. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planet…

1
The Giant Magellan Telescope takes its next big step 1:00:25

10d ago1:00:25

1:00:25

The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) is poised to become one of the most powerful ground-based observatories ever built. On June 12, 2025, the U.S. National Science Foundation announced that the GMT will enter its Major Facilities Final Design Phase, bringing it one step closer to full construction. This week on Planetary Radio, host Sarah Al-Ahmed s…

1
The human stories behind the science: Dava Sobel receives the Cosmos Award 1:02:54

17d ago1:02:54

1:02:54

Few writers have captured the wonder of science through storytelling as powerfully as Dava Sobel. In this episode, we celebrate her remarkable career and her recent honor as the recipient of The Planetary Society’s 2025 Cosmos Award for Outstanding Public Presentation of Science. Mat Kaplan, senior communications advisor at The Planetary Society, s…

1
Engineered for War: The Battleclade Kill Team! 1:28:33

18d ago1:28:33

1:28:33

Grimdark & Dumb: Kill Team is your no-nonsense, all-fun podcast for everything Kill Team. Hosts Russ and Mark break down the latest dataslate changes, dive into new releases, and serve up brutally honest team guides with a side of irreverent humor. Whether you're a competitive vet or just trying to keep your roster legal, tune in for weekly warzone…

1
Subterranean Slaughter: Raveners in the Killzone! 1:22:26

19d ago1:22:26

1:22:26

Grimdark & Dumb: Kill Team is your no-nonsense, all-fun podcast for everything Kill Team. Hosts Russ and Mark break down the latest dataslate changes, dive into new releases, and serve up brutally honest team guides with a side of irreverent humor. Whether you're a competitive vet or just trying to keep your roster legal, tune in for weekly warzone…

1
No Subtlety, All Slaughter: Goremongers Rundown 1:32:58

19d ago1:32:58

1:32:58

Grimdark & Dumb: Kill Team is your no-nonsense, all-fun podcast for everything Kill Team. Hosts Russ and Mark break down the latest dataslate changes, dive into new releases, and serve up brutally honest team guides with a side of irreverent humor. Whether you're a competitive vet or just trying to keep your roster legal, tune in for weekly warzone…

1
Smite First, Questions Later: Sanctifiers Rundown 1:19:25

19d ago1:19:25

1:19:25

Grimdark & Dumb: Kill Team is your no-nonsense, all-fun podcast for everything Kill Team. Hosts Russ and Mark break down the latest dataslate changes, dive into new releases, and serve up brutally honest team guides with a side of irreverent humor. Whether you're a competitive vet or just trying to keep your roster legal, tune in for weekly warzone…

1
Making space matter: A space journalist’s journey 56:20

24d ago56:20

56:20

What does it take to turn a love of space into a global career in science journalism? Sarah Cruddas has done just that. With a background in astrophysics and a passion for storytelling, she’s become a leading voice in space media, covering rocket launches, interviewing astronauts, and writing books that bring the Cosmos down to Earth. In this episo…

1
Space Policy Edition: What does NASA need with an economist? 1:14:51

29d ago1:14:51

1:14:51

Former NASA Chief Economist Akhil Rao explains why NASA needs economic expertise to navigate the complex—and often misunderstood—market forces that will determine the success or failure of its private partnerships. As NASA relies ever more on commercial companies to enable its own exploration efforts, it is imperative, Rao believes, to provide clea…

1
The dark age of NASA science? Analyzing the FY 2026 budget proposal 59:17

1M ago59:17

59:17

The White House has released its Fiscal Year 2026 congressional budget justification for NASA, and the implications are staggering. If enacted, this proposal would slash NASA’s science program funding by nearly half, cancel dozens of active and upcoming missions, and reduce the agency’s workforce by one-third. Sarah Al-Ahmed is joined by Jack Kiral…

1
Volcanic worlds across the Solar System 56:39

1M ago56:39

56:39

Volcanoes aren’t just an earthly phenomenon. They’re found all across the Solar System. In this compilation episode of Planetary Radio, we explore volcanic and geothermal activity on planets, moons, and distant dwarf planets. You’ll hear from Rosaly Lopes, Nick Schneider, Rae Paoletta, Robbie Herrick, Scott Hensley, and Christopher Glein as they sh…

1
Space science under fire: Your questions answered 59:08

2M ago59:08

59:08

As debates over NASA's future heat up, questions about the value of space exploration are popping up everywhere. This week on Planetary Radio, we're tackling the tough questions head-on with The Planetary Society's staff, including Casey Dreier, chief of space policy, and Ambre Trujillo, digital community manager. They break down the biggest miscon…

1
Redefining Mentorship and Product Thinking in Tech | Vikas Prasanna, Co-Founder & CPO at Smile Genius Dental 44:57

2M ago44:57

44:57

In the latest episode of Code Bytes, Vikas Prasanna, Co-Founder & CPO at Smile Genius Dental, joins Stephen to share how an unexpected career in product changed everything. From navigating a new country with no safety net to mentoring over 200 aspiring PMs, Vikas’ journey is anything but ordinary. Expect honest insights on: - Product sense vs. text…

1
Kosmos 482: The Soviet-era Venus probe that fell to Earth 52:29

2M ago52:29

52:29

This week on Planetary Radio, we explore the decades-long journey of Kosmos 482, a Soviet-era Venus probe that spent 53 years orbiting Earth before its dramatic return on May 10, 2025. Ben Fernando, a postdoctoral researcher in seismology and planetary science at Johns Hopkins University, joins us to explain the history of Kosmos 482 and how seismo…

1
The Impact of AI and Data Security on the Future of Tech | Sergey Volkodav, CTO at Getvisibility 43:11

2M ago43:11

43:11

In the latest episode of Code Bytes, Stephen chats with Sergey Volkodav, CTO at Getvisibility, about his incredible journey from semi-professional athlete to leading a tech startup, and how mentorship, curiosity, and innovation have shaped his career. Key Highlights: The crossroads between sports and tech: how Sergey made the leap from athlete to t…

1
TOI-270 d: Unveiling the secrets of a sub-Neptune 59:30

2M ago59:30

59:30

TOI-270 d is revealing secrets about the most common type of planet in our galaxy, sub-Neptunes. Sarah Al-Ahmed is joined by planetary geochemist Chris Glein from the Southwest Research Insitute to discuss his team’s new analysis of its atmosphere, using data from JWST and insights from Earth analogs. Then, The Planetary Society’s Director of Gover…

1
Space Policy Edition: How NASA remembers—and forgets 1:18:43

2M ago1:18:43

1:18:43

No one person knows how to build a spaceship. Dr. Janet Vertesi has seen this firsthand. She’s spent years embedded in NASA science teams, not as a participant, but as an observer. She’s a sociologist who studies the team dynamics of NASA missions. She is alarmed at the prospect of indiscriminate firings at the agency, and at the potential loss of …

1
How Curiosity and Courage Built a Career in Tech and AI | Jerry Staple, Founder at IntrinsicAI 1:04:04

2M ago1:04:04

1:04:04

In the latest episode of Code Bytes Stephen welcomes Jerry Staple, Founder at IntrinsicAI, for a fascinating conversation about transformation, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of learning. From starting his journey in the military to founding successful tech companies, Jerry’s story is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and the power…

1
From backyard telescopes to global reach: AstroKobi and the power of short-form space videos 59:28

2M ago59:28

59:28

How does someone go from stargazing in a rural Australian backyard to inspiring millions around the world about space science? This week, Sarah Al-Ahmed sits down with Kobi Brown, better known as AstroKobi, to explore how his passion for the Cosmos and a knack for short-form storytelling launched his science communication career. They discuss the e…

1
Building a Better Tech Culture | Hayley Scott, Software Development Manager at Pytilia 21:31

2M ago21:31

21:31

In Thursday’s episode of Code Bytes, our next guest is Hayley Scott, Software Development Manager at Pytilia, joining Orla Fitzsimons for an inspiring episode that dives into resilience, mentorship, and building real culture in tech. From navigating redundancy early in her career to shaping a supportive, inclusive environment for engineers at all l…

1
Celebrating 45 years of The Planetary Society at the Cosmic Shores Gala 59:56

2M ago59:56

59:56

Join us aboard the historic RMS Queen Mary for a celebration of The Planetary Society’s 45th anniversary. In this special episode of Planetary Radio, we bring you highlights from our Cosmic Shores Gala, where members, scientists, space advocates, and special guests came together to honor the past and look boldly to the future. You’ll hear from CEO …

1
Passback budget breakdown: A 47% cut to NASA science 59:51

3M ago59:51

59:51

NASA’s science programs are facing the largest proposed budget cut in more than 40 years. This staggering 47%reduction could cancel missions, waste billions in U.S. taxpayer investments, and unravel decades of discovery. In this episode of Planetary Radio, host Sarah Al-Ahmed is joined by Casey Dreier, The Planetary Society’s Chief of Space Policy,…

1
What Defines a Great Tech Workplace? | Sean Harrison, Director of Engineering at Brightflag 28:40

3M ago28:40

28:40

On this episode of Code Bytes Stephen is joined by Sean Harrison, Director of Engineering at Brightflag, for a truly inspiring deep dive into what it really means to grow a tech career with intention. From being a 12-year-old building networks at home to nearly a decade at one of Ireland’s fastest-growing tech companies, Sean shares the pivotal dec…

1
Why is Mars red? A new clue to the history of habitability in Martian dust 54:56

3M ago54:56

54:56

For decades, scientists hypothesized that Mars’ reddish color came from hematite, an iron oxide thought to have formed through dry oxidation after Mars lost its water. But new research suggests the story is more complex—and more watery—than we once imagined. In this episode, planetary scientist Adomas (Adam) Valantinas from Brown University joins h…

1
Space Policy Edition: Lies, Damned Lies, and Space Data 1:09:34

3M ago1:09:34

1:09:34

The space sector is data-rich but insight-poor. Jack Kuhr, head of research at Payload Space, joins the show to unpack how business, budgeting, and performance data—not spacecraft science—can shape investments, drive growth, and influence policy. Is there a data crisis in the space industry? What gets measured, what gets missed, and how does that s…

1
The Startup Engineer’s Guide to Business Impact and Growth | George Sheppard, Treecard 1:05:15

3M ago1:05:15

1:05:15

In this episode of Code Bytes, Stephen sits down with George Sheppard, VP of Engineering at Treecard, to explore the realities of startup engineering, product leadership, and building high-performing tech teams. - How do you balance speed with scalability in a fast-growing startup? - What makes a great product engineer in today’s evolving tech land…

1
Live from Washington, D.C.: The future of space politics 1:13:53

3M ago1:13:53

1:13:53

Join Sarah Al-Ahmed and Casey Dreier for a special live recording of Planetary Radio at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C., immediately following The Planetary Society’s Day of Action. In this episode, we explore the complex geopolitical landscape NASA faces as it works toward returning humans to the Moon and explorin…

1
The Other Moonshot: The untold stories of Apollo’s Black engineers in Los Angeles 58:55

3M ago58:55

58:55

The Apollo program put humans on the Moon, but behind that historic achievement were engineers whose stories have gone largely untold. In this episode, “LA Made: The Other Moonshot” host Joanne Higgins joins Planetary Radio to share the powerful history of Charlie Cheatham, Nate LeVert, and Shelby Jacobs, three Black engineers in Los Angeles who he…

1
The Realities of Women in Tech | Katie Willoughby, Head of Data Analytics at Frontline Ins Co UK 58:30

4M ago58:30

58:30

How Can We Break Barriers and Build Stronger Careers in Tech? Join Carol Donnelly as she sits down with Katie Willoughby, Head of Data Analytics at Frontline Ins Co UK, to explore: - Breaking into tech through a non-traditional career path - The challenges and triumphs of women in leadership - Balancing technical expertise with leadership skills - …

1
The Mars Innovation Workshop 59:39

4M ago59:39

59:39

We take you inside the Mars Innovation Workshop, hosted at the SETI Institute’s headquarters and produced by Explore Mars. Planetary Society Senior Communications Advisor Mat Kaplan shares highlights from the event, exploring how cross-disciplinary collaboration is shaping the future of Mars exploration and creating solutions for challenges here on…

1
An extinction-level event for NASA science 1:07:29

4M ago1:07:29

1:07:29

NASA's science missions have transformed our understanding of the Universe, from breathtaking images of deep space to robotic explorers on Mars. But now, a reported 50% cut to NASA's science budget threatens to shut down missions, halt discoveries, and devastate the future of space exploration. This week, Casey Dreier and Jack Kiraly from The Plane…

1
Space Policy Edition: Locke, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (in space) 1:17:34

4M ago1:17:34

1:17:34

Philosopher Rebecca Lowe joins us to explore how the ideas of classical liberalism can provide fresh insight into humanity’s activities in space. Our conversation explores the philosophical tensions between individual freedom and societal good, the instrumental and intrinsic value of space activities, and the uniquely accessible nature of space sci…

1
Breaking down Bennu: OSIRIS-REx finds life’s building blocks in asteroid sample 58:41

4M ago58:41

58:41

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission has returned pristine samples from asteroid Bennu to Earth, and the early results are remarkable. Sample analysts have confirmed the presence of abundant organic compounds, nitrogen-rich material, and evidence of past liquid water, all key ingredients that could help us understand the role asteroids played in delivering th…

1
Genesis: The sample return mission that fell to Earth and still succeeded 1:01:13

4M ago1:01:13

1:01:13

Twenty years ago, NASA’s Genesis spacecraft returned to Earth carrying precious samples of the solar wind, only to crash-land in the Utah desert. But that wasn’t the end of the mission. Amy Jurewicz, Assistant Research Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University and former project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the Genesis tea…

1
The Power of Mentorship in Building a Thriving Career | Martin Corbett, Engineering & Delivery Leader 28:29

5M ago28:29

28:29

The Evolution of a Technologist In the latest episode of Code Bytes, host Stephen sits down with Martin Corbett, Engineering & Delivery Leader, to explore his incredible journey in technology—from writing assembler code to leading high-performing teams. Martin shares invaluable insights on: - The power of mentorship and giving back to the tech comm…

1
Astronaut Hayley shares her brave adventure 59:24

5M ago59:24

59:24

From IV drips to rocket ships, Hayley Arceneaux has been on a journey. She joins Planetary Radio to discuss her memoir “Wild Ride” and her newly released kid's book “Astronaut Hayley's Brave Adventure,” which tell the story of how her experiences with childhood cancer at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital set the stage for her journey to space a…

1
A Journey Beyond The Code | Aoife Hannigan, Director of Engineering at Phorest Salon Software 39:51

5M ago39:51

39:51

Empowering Engineers to Lead Coming soon in the next episode of Code Bytes, Stephen Turkington sits down with Aoife Hannigan, Director of Engineering at Phorest Salon Software, for a conversation packed with inspiration, insights, and actionable advice. Aoife shares her journey from software engineer to engineering leader, offering a behind-the-sce…

1
Near-Earth Asteroid 2024 YR4 and NASA under a new administration 1:02:13

5M ago1:02:13

1:02:13

The internet is buzzing about Asteroid 2024 YR4, currently ranked as the highest-threat asteroid in our skies. But is it really cause for concern? Our Public Education Specialist, Kate Howells, breaks down the facts. Then, we shift from potential impacts to stunning space imagery as Finn Burridge from the Royal Observatory Greenwich shares how astr…

1
Space Policy Edition: Mars Sample Return, but at what (fixed) price? 1:20:22

5M ago1:20:22

1:20:22

Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck joins the show to unpack his company’s bold, $4-billion fixed-price plan to bring Martian samples home, why he believes commercial partnerships can unlock new frontiers in planetary science, and his “soft spot” for interplanetary exploration. Then, Richard French — former JPL engineer and now VP of Business & Strategy at R…

1
Navigating Investment Hurdles in Startups | Loraa White, Founder and CEO of Music Video Marketplace 45:39

5M ago45:39

45:39

Can Passion and Innovation Redefine the Future of Music Tech? Join guest host Carol as she sits down with Loraa White, Founder and CEO of Music Video Marketplace, on Code Bytes! Discover the journey of a serial entrepreneur who’s transforming music tech and redefining creativity in the digital age. Key talking points: From humble beginnings to a th…

1
Kiss-and-capture: The dance of Pluto and Charon 59:55

5M ago59:55

59:55

How did Pluto meet its largest moon, Charon? Many have speculated that Charon formed in an impact, but traditional models of planetary formation have struggled to explain many of the quirks of this system. This week, Adeene Denton, a research scientist at the University of Arizona, shares her team's new paper that suggests a "kiss-and-capture" may …

1
Rethinking Pay Cycles | Paul Hill, Managing Director and VP of Engineering at DailyPay 1:00:37

5M ago1:00:37

1:00:37

From Military Discipline to Flexible Pay Freedom Join Stephen Turkington as he sits down with Paul Hill, Managing Director and VP of Engineering at DailyPay, for an insightful conversation about innovation, leadership, and technology Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode: From the Air Force to Tech Leadership: How military precision shaped Pa…

1
The Edward Stone Voyager Exploration Trail 57:23

5M ago57:23

57:23

This week on Planetary Radio, we celebrate the enduring legacy of Ed Stone, the longtime project scientist for NASA’s Voyager mission and former director of JPL. Mat Kaplan, senior communications advisor at The Planetary Society, takes us to the unveiling of the Dr. Edward Stone Voyager Exploration Trail at JPL, where we hear from past and present …

1
Talent Beyond Resumes | Aaron Gibson, CEO and Founder of Hurree 51:33

5M ago51:33

51:33

What does it really take to turn feedback into transformation? In this episode of Code Bytes, Stephen is joined by Aaron Gibson, CEO and Founder of Hurree. Discover the story behind building meaningful businesses, creating authentic company cultures, and navigating the challenges of startup life in the latest episode of Code Bytes. Here’s what to e…

1
Does It Fly? Putting science in entertainment to the test 56:52

5M ago56:52

56:52

This week, we discuss how to examine the science behind our favorite TV shows and movies with the co-hosts of the "Does It Fly?" podcast, Hakeem Oluseyi and Tamara Krinsky. Produced by Roddenberry Entertainment, "Does It Fly?" takes an expert approach to breaking down the science of popular media, from lightsabers to Dune's stillsuits. Hakeem bring…

1
The Double Act Transforming Leadership | Lisa Strutt and Sinead Sharkey-Steenson 52:43

6M ago52:43

52:43

Think Big, Act Bold, Lead Better In the latest episode of Code Bytes, guest co-hosts Orla and Carol sit down with two truly inspiring leaders, Lisa Strutt and Sinead Sharkey-Steenson. Together, they unpack a journey that has transformed lives and careers, blending lessons from business and sport to empower women to step into leadership roles with c…

1
Revisiting K2-18 b: JWST finds a lead in the search for life on a mysterious exoplanet 51:28

6M ago51:28

51:28

This week we revisit one of the most remarkable exoplanet discoveries of 2024 with the help of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). JWST detected signs of methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of K2-18 b. Knicole Colón, the deputy project scientist for exoplanet science for JWST, explains how this discovery could reshape our search for lif…

1
Creating Impactful Solutions with carbonfit | with Tom Mulholland, Tech Lead, Software Engineer and Head of Product at carbonfit 37:58

6M ago37:58

37:58

Navigating the Net Zero Revolution Coming soon on Thursday’s episode of Code Bytes, Stephen sits down with Tom Mulholland, Tech Lead, Software Engineer and Head of Product at carbonfit to explore how passion and adaptability can transform careers, unlock potential, and drive meaningful change. From navigating the challenges of self-learning to buil…

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