Kevin Cirilli sits down with Mark Dreiling, recently named Legacy Guardian #2, at the Space Force Association’s Space Power Conference — marking six years of the United States Space Force.

In this deeply personal conversation, Dreiling reflects on the early days of military space operations, the creation of the Space Force, and the quiet community of Air Force space operators whose careers shaped the service before it even existed. He explains why recognizing “legacy Guardians” matters — not just as symbolism, but as an acknowledgment that today’s Space Force stands on decades of unseen work.

The episode takes an unexpected and powerful turn as Dreiling shares his own story: a rare illness, a life-saving liver transplant, and the overwhelming response from the military space community — including fellow service members who volunteered to become organ donors. It’s a reminder that the future of space isn’t just about technology and strategy, but about people, resilience, and care for one another.

Kevin and Mark explore how advances in science and medicine — many protected and enabled by space infrastructure — are turning what once felt like science fiction into second chances at life. They also discuss why the Space Force’s culture emphasizes continuity, gratitude, and respect for what came before, even as it builds something entirely new.

This episode is about legacy, survival, and optimism — and why protecting the space domain ultimately means protecting human potential itself.

Kevin Cirilli sits down with Mark Dreiling, recently named Legacy Guardian #2, at the Space Force Association&rsquo;s Space Power Conference &mdash; marking six years of the United States Space Force.
In this deeply personal conversation, Dreiling reflects on the early days of military space operations, the creation of the Space Force, and the quiet community of Air Force space operators whose careers shaped the service before it even existed. He explains why recognizing &ldquo;legacy Guardians&rdquo; matters &mdash; not just as symbolism, but as an acknowledgment that today&rsquo;s Space Force stands on decades of unseen work.
The episode takes an unexpected and powerful turn as Dreiling shares his own story: a rare illness, a life-saving liver transplant, and the overwhelming response from the military space community &mdash; including fellow service members who volunteered to become organ donors. It&rsquo;s a reminder that the future of space isn&rsquo;t just about technology and strategy, but about people, resilience, and care for one another.
Kevin and Mark explore how advances in science and medicine &mdash; many protected and enabled by space infrastructure &mdash; are turning what once felt like science fiction into second chances at life. They also discuss why the Space Force&rsquo;s culture emphasizes continuity, gratitude, and respect for what came before, even as it builds something entirely new.
This episode is about legacy, survival, and optimism &mdash; and why protecting the space domain ultimately means protecting human potential itself.

HELLO, FUTURE with Kevin Cirilli is the daily podcast where tomorrow’s biggest questions come alive. Are aliens already visiting us? Could your next job be in space? What if satellites could find lost cities, or stop the next wildfire? What happens if America loses the space race… or if every satellite went dark tomorrow? From Mars to UFOs, from flying cars to “civilization starter kits,” each episode blends science, technology, and imagination with the real choices shaping our world. It’s smart, fast, and curious, built for anyone who’s ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what comes next. This isn’t science fiction. It’s the future, knocking on your door. 

HELLO, FUTURE with Kevin Cirilli&nbsp;is the daily podcast where tomorrow&rsquo;s biggest questions come alive. Are aliens already visiting us? Could your next job be in space? What if satellites could find lost cities, or stop the next wildfire? What happens if America loses the space race&hellip; or if every satellite went dark tomorrow? From Mars to UFOs, from flying cars to &ldquo;civilization starter kits,&rdquo; each episode blends science, technology, and imagination with the real choices shaping our world. It&rsquo;s smart, fast, and curious, built for anyone who&rsquo;s ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what comes next. This isn&rsquo;t science fiction. It&rsquo;s the future, knocking on your door.&nbsp;

HELLO FUTURE with Kevin Cirilli

Kevin Cirilli sits down with Mark Dreiling, recently named Legacy Guardian #2, at the Space Force Association’s Space Power Conference — marking six years of the United States Space Force.

HELLO FUTURE: Legacy Guardians and the Future of Space

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cc08cb35-8aa7-4971-beba-b3d7011eb53c/transcript