Kevin Cirilli sits down with Michael "Ludes" Martindale to talk about one of the most important — and least understood — challenges facing the future of space: people.

As Education Director at the Space Force Association, Martindale is focused on building the pipeline for the next generation of space talent — from high school students to undergraduates and beyond. His mission: make space real, reachable, and relevant long before someone ever considers becoming an astronaut.

In this conversation, Martindale explains how space is no longer an abstract concept reserved for science fiction or elite pilots. Space now touches everyday life — from GPS and AI to communications, energy, and national security — and the jobs supporting it span welding, cybersecurity, data science, education, policy, and more. Being an astronaut, he says, is just the tip of the iceberg.

Kevin and Ludes explore how experiential learning, hands-on programs, and workforce development can help young people see themselves in the space economy — whether they grow up in Silicon Valley, Washington, DC, or rural America. They also discuss how pop culture sparks curiosity, why “space-collar jobs” are already here, and how today’s industrial revolution is opening doors most people don’t even realize exist.

This episode is a reminder that the future of space won’t be built by a few heroes in orbit — it will be built by millions of people on Earth who finally understand that space is already part of their lives.

Kevin Cirilli sits down with Michael "Ludes" Martindale to talk about one of the most important &mdash; and least understood &mdash; challenges facing the future of space: people.
As Education Director at the Space Force Association, Martindale is focused on building the pipeline for the next generation of space talent &mdash; from high school students to undergraduates and beyond. His mission: make space real, reachable, and relevant long before someone ever considers becoming an astronaut.
In this conversation, Martindale explains how space is no longer an abstract concept reserved for science fiction or elite pilots. Space now touches everyday life &mdash; from GPS and AI to communications, energy, and national security &mdash; and the jobs supporting it span welding, cybersecurity, data science, education, policy, and more. Being an astronaut, he says, is just the tip of the iceberg.
Kevin and Ludes explore how experiential learning, hands-on programs, and workforce development can help young people see themselves in the space economy &mdash; whether they grow up in Silicon Valley, Washington, DC, or rural America. They also discuss how pop culture sparks curiosity, why &ldquo;space-collar jobs&rdquo; are already here, and how today&rsquo;s industrial revolution is opening doors most people don&rsquo;t even realize exist.
This episode is a reminder that the future of space won&rsquo;t be built by a few heroes in orbit &mdash; it will be built by millions of people on Earth who finally understand that space is already part of their lives.

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 Michael "Ludes" Martindale to talk about one of the most important — and least understood — challenges facing the future of space: people.

HELLO FUTURE: Space Jobs are Everywhere (You Just Can't See Them Yet)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b8529439-72ea-45fb-9e17-b3d7011fc15c/transcript