EP1: Nicole Stott: A Transformative Journey to Space

 
 
 

I can’t tell you how excited I am to introduce you to one of my most favourite people on this earth, maybe the universe! It feels so fitting to kick off this brand new podcast with someone that has a perspective of the earth and life that only about 500 people in history have ever had the opportunity to experience.

Nicole Stott is a vetran astronaut and artist and we had such a beautiful and wide ranging conversation. We talked about how she combines her unique experiences on the International Space Station and her love of art and creation to raise awareness about solutions to our planetary challenges and the surprising connection between science and art. I hope it will inspire you in your own life, because it certainly inspired me.

“The impact we have on each other is timeless.” (Click to tweet!)
~ Nicole Stott, Astronaut + Artist

One of the things that I love about Nicole the most is that she is just so down to earth. She spoke about her most challenging, scary and doubtful moments she encountered during her training for her space missions and also experiencing her first space walk. We also talk a lot about the Overview Effect and what her time in space has taught her about all of our lives here on earth.

Nicole’s father died when she was 16 years old in an airplane crash and she spoke to me about how that impacted her decision to continue in his footsteps and pursue flying and eventually missions in space. One of the favourite things she shares in the episode is that we “must personally convince ourselves that we are capable” and to not ever let someone tell you that something is impossible.” It may feel that way when you are going through loss, but my hope is that Nicole and the future conversations we have on this podcast will help you see otherwise.

More About Nicole Stott

Nicole Stott is an Astronaut, Aquanaut, and Artist who creatively combines the awe and wonder of her spaceflight experience with her artwork to inspire everyone’s appreciation of our role as crewmates here on spaceship Earth. She believes that the international model of peaceful and successful cooperation we have experienced in the extreme environments of space and sea holds the key to the same kind of peaceful and successful cooperation for all of humanity here on Earth. A personal highlight from her spaceflight experience was painting the first watercolor in space, which is now on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in DC. She is the founder of the Space for Art Foundation, and co-founder of Constellation.Earth.

To see images of Nicole’s artwork and learn more about her you can visit her website and also follow her on Instagram.

Listen to Episode 1 Below:

 
 
 
 

In This Episode We Talk About

  • How Nicole is meeting more and more people that are combining science and art in various ways

  • How Nicole personally integrates her time in space with art and creativity

  • Nicole’s desire to share her very unique and blessed experience in space with those of us on earth

  • The idea that art opens up the opportunity for conversations

  • Christina talks about when she learned how to fly

  • Nicole shares the fear that came up for her when she learned to scuba diving and during her underwater training for going into space

  • The experience of Nicole’s father dying when she was 16 in a plane crash and how that may have impacted her pursuits and fears

  • The Overview Effect and how Nicole is using that perspective to inspire and educate others about the idea that we are all “earthlings” and part of the crew of “Spaceship Earth”The incredible training she underwent (including 18 days underwater) to be ready for her space missions on the International Space Station

  • What went wrong during her first space walk and how she overcame such a harrowing challenge

  • How flying in space and her training has impacted her daily life with relationships, grief, loss, etc.

  • Nicole’s work with her Space for Art Foundation

  • Why Nicole is feeling hopeful for the future and the need for taking ACTION and personal responsibility

  • And so much more!

Things We Mention In This Episode

 
 
 
 

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Please continue the conversation with me @christinarasmussen7 on Instagram.

 
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