The Pilot, the Preservationist, and the Pioneer with Mike Weasner

Mike is an astronomical legend. And I simply cannot overstate how much you will want to hear this episode.

I was immediately transitioned to outer space with a spacecraft flying right next to me. My little SkyShed POD? That's my spaceship. It takes me out to the stars.

The Pilot

What does it feel like to fly a jet fighter at Mach 1 and realize your wingman is silhouetted against the brilliant, unpolluted glow of the Milky Way? In this episode, I sit down with Mike Weasner, a man whose life has been a singular, high-velocity voyage through the Cosmos. From his early days as an astrophysicist to his time managing the Air Force Space Shuttle program, Mike has spent decades navigating what lies above. He shares the staggering perspective of looking down at the world from 35,000 feet, and the even more profound experience of looking up from the quiet dome of his own backyard observatory.

The Protectionist

The week of April 13, 2026 is International Dark Sky week. We dive deep into Mike's work as a "Dark Sky Defender," where he led the charge to protect Arizona's oldest natural resource: the night sky. Mike reveals the rituals of his own nightly observations and the touching reason his observatory is named Cassiopeia. This isn't just a talk about telescopes and technical settings; it's a meditation on how we anchor ourselves to history by catching ancient photons and bringing the past into the present.

The Pioneer

Whether you are an experienced astrophotographer or someone who simply enjoys the view from a lawn chair, this conversation is a reminder to "not be afraid of success." Mike's journey is a testament to the fact that our tools - whether they are supersonic jets or smartphones - are all just vessels for the same journey along the Star River. Join us for an episode that bridges the gap between the adrenaline of flight and the serenity of the stars.