Episode 31: The Journey of Christina Koch

Rave or Rant 25: Cherie DeVaux and Golden Tempo win in Kentucky

Today, we discuss the Kentucky Derby! And how for the first time in history, a horse trained by a woman won! Just another way women are breaking down barriers in a male dominated world.

Episode 31: The Journey of Christina Koch

Unlock the incredible journey of Christina Koch, the first woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit and break the spacewalk record. From her childhood dream of Antarctica and space to living 328 days on the International Space Station, her story exemplifies relentless pursuit, resilience, and curiosity. Discover how she navigated extreme environments—from sub-zero Antarctic winters to the vacuum of space—and how her experiences are transforming our understanding of human limits and exploration. This episode is perfect for dreamers, explorers, STEM enthusiasts, and anyone inspired by stories of extraordinary human achievement. Christina Koch's journey reminds us that with curiosity and grit, there's no limit to what we can accomplish—whether on Earth, the Moon, or beyond. Sources: NASA - Christina Koch Bio [https://www.nasa.gov/people/christina-koch/] Wikipedia - Christina Koch [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Koch] Wikipedia - Artemis II [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis_II] National Air & Space Museum - Christina Koch: From Michigan to the Moon [https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/christina-koch-michigan-moon] National Air & Space Museum - What is Artemis II? [https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/what-artemis-ii] USA Science Festival Programs - Christina Koch Bio [https://usasciencefestival.org/people/christina-koch/] USA Science Festival Programs: Astronaut Christina Koch and NASA Engineer Bobak Ferdowsi Youtube Video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlBRlxs7Xq8] NASA - Mission Updates [https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/10/artemis-ii-flight-day-10-re-entry-live-updates/] NASA Welcomes Record-Setting Artemis II Moonfarers Back to Earth  [https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-welcomes-record-setting-artemis-ii-moonfarers-back-to-earth/] Astronaut Scholarship Foundation - Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence [https://www.astronautscholarship.org/scholars/neil-armstrong-award-of-excellence/christina-koch/] Men's Journal: What Christina Koch Said About Leaving Earth Is Hitting People Hard [https://www.mensjournal.com/news/christina-koch-nasa-artemis-earth-astronaut] University of Ghana Applauds Artemis II Crew, Acknowledges Former Exchange Student Christina Koch [https://www.ug.edu.gh/news/university-ghana-applauds-artemis-ii-crew-acknowledges-former-exchange-student-christina-koch]

Episode 30: Botanical Baddies Elzada Clover and Lois Jotter

Today we discuss two botanical baddies Elzada Clover and Lois Jotter who rafted the length of the Colorado River and mapped the flora they found along the way! SOURCES BOOK: Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon by Melissa L. Sevigny https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE6g_MHtYxo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE6g_MHtYxo] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlXxoaia78M [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlXxoaia78M] https://aadl.org/elzadaclover [https://aadl.org/elzadaclover] https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/february-26/grand-canyon-designated-a-national-park [https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/february-26/grand-canyon-designated-a-national-park] https://www.americanscientist.org/blog/from-the-staff/trailblazing-women-botanists-in-the-grand-canyon [https://www.americanscientist.org/blog/from-the-staff/trailblazing-women-botanists-in-the-grand-canyon]

Rave or Rant 24: Speedy Sephora? Sephora becomes an official F1 Academy Sponsor

Sorry for the month off! We are going to be back on our regularly scheduled programming for the foreseeable future! Today we discuss how Sephora is now the official beauty sponsor of F1 Academy. An academy set up to help women achieve racing greatness. Sources: https://newsroom.sephora.com/f1-academy-and-sephora-launch-partnership-ahead-of-2026-season/ https://www.lvmh.com/en/news-lvmh/sephora-and-f1-academy-launch-partnership

Rave or Rant 23: ESPN to replace Sunday Night Baseball with Women’s Sports Sundays

ESPN recently announced Women’s Sports Sundays, a new primetime block dedicated to women’s sports featuring marquee matchups from the WNBA and NWSL.  On one hand, more primetime visibility for women’s sports is long overdue and worth celebrating. But on the other, a nine-week summer showcase still feels like a small step in an industry that continues to treat women’s sports as a special feature rather than a permanent fixture. We’re glad it exists but we’re also asking the bigger question: why isn’t this the norm yet? Check out Haley Rosen's article here [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/espn-women-sports-sundays-show-112000900.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACIFqY5mUhgU_yCq1j8LJNj58wx5sfkhA1ivuN2fgsGJ4cjIpEbKlCRNBkuzhnPsq-7Gj4dpMALwijzKAP2SeVqphHiJKGTkmq_7CEQAP29CiEuyt6lVBgWzMl3_6teSt8CGM6Q2Y4PNy52fmSfQMgKpDkseBHxvHw24-FAl3ZGh]