Scientist, interview
Chris Dellinger
Vanessa Wyche - Director of NASA's Johnson ...

Vanessa Wyche is the Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, the hub for U.S. human spaceflight, overseeing everything from International Space Station operations and astronaut training to the development of spacecraft and spacesuits for the Artemis moon program. She holds a B.S. in Materials Engineering and an M.S. in Bioengineering from Clemson University, and joined NASA in 1989 as a project engineer developing hardware for microgravity experiments on the Space Shuttle and later the ISS. She went on to lead a 400-person team studying how to send astronauts to Mars, served as JSC’s Deputy Director starting in 2018, and became the center’s 13th director in 2021. In 2025 she also served a stint as NASA’s Acting Associate Administrator, the agency’s highest-ranking civil servant position, before returning to lead Johnson Space Center. Under her leadership, JSC was ranked the number one best employer among Texas’s major employers by Forbes and Statista.

In this episode, Annika is joined by new co-host Josephine “Jo” Billingsley, a seventh grader from Virginia, with her own hopes of a career in space, to talk with Ms. Wyche on a particularly busy day: a spacewalk was underway outside the International Space Station as they spoke. She walks through what it actually takes to run a space center, from coordinating crew rotations and upcoming Artemis missions to the simulated Mars habitats currently testing astronauts here on Earth. She also opens up about being the only woman in her engineering branch early in her NASA career, the mentors who shaped her path, how she handles self-doubt by preparing rather than worrying, and the advice she’d give any young woman starting out: find what you’re genuinely passionate about, and let resilience carry you through the setbacks along the way.

Vanessa Wyche - Director of NASA's Johnson Space Center
interview, Musician
Chris Dellinger
Dr. Cindy Van Dover - First female pilot of the ...

Dr. Cindy Van Dover is a pioneering deep-sea biologist and explorer whose career took her to some of the most extreme habitats on Earth. In 1990 she became the 49th person — and first woman — certified to pilot the deep-submergence vehicle Alvin, ultimately logging nearly 100 dives to the ocean floor, a mile and a half or more beneath the surface. Her research on chemosynthetic ecosystems, the communities of giant tube worms, mussels, shrimp, and bacteria that thrive around hydrothermal vents by living off chemical rather than solar energy, helped define an entirely new field of ocean science, and her graduate work revealed that scalding "black smoker" vents actually glow, uncovering a hidden source of light in the deep sea. She went on to direct the Duke University Marine Laboratory and later served as Harvey W. Smith Professor of Biological Oceanography at Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment, where her focus expanded into deep-sea conservation and environmental management, especially the challenge of balancing seabed mining with protecting fragile vent ecosystems. Now retired as professor emeritus, she remains one of the most influential voices in deep-sea exploration.

In this episode, Annika is joined by brand-new co-host Lacy Walker, a high school sophomore with her own passion for marine biology, to talk with Dr. Van Dover about her journey from poking around New Jersey tide pools as a kid to piloting a submarine on the seafloor. She shares the story of persistence that got her into the Alvin pilot program after early rejections, describes what it's like to watch tube worms and swarming shrimp thrive beside a 350°C black smoker, and speaks candidly about facing harassment and self-doubt as one of few women in a male-dominated field. The conversation also touches on her mentors, her recent love of CrossFit, and the advice she'd give any young woman chasing a dream in science: stay curious, learn to communicate your ideas, and don't be afraid to just ask.

Dr. Cindy Van Dover - First female pilot of the Alvin deep-sea submersible
interview, Musician
Chris Dellinger
Hilary Hahn - 3x Grammy winning violin soloist

Hilary Hahn is a three-time Grammy Award–winning violinist, widely regarded as one of the greatest violinists of her generation. Since beginning violin at age four in Baltimore, she has built a career as a solo touring artist, chamber musician, and teacher, performing with the world's leading orchestras and conductors.

In this episode, Hilary joins hosts Annika and Claire for a candid conversation about her musical journey — from her earliest training and the emotional relationship musicians build with their instruments, to imposter syndrome, the real meaning of "progress" in practice, and the difference between compromise and sacrifice. She shares the on-stage breakthrough that changed how she performs, offers advice for young women pursuing ambitious careers, and reflects on what it means to stay true to yourself while chasing a dream.

Hilary Hahn - 3x Grammy winning violin soloist
interview, Scientist
Chris Dellinger
Alyssa Whitcraft PH.D- Executive Director NASA ...

Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft is a Research Professor at the University of Maryland and the Director of NASA Acres, NASA's US-focused agriculture program. She helped found NASA Harvest in 2017 and has dedicated her career to applying satellite data, machine learning, and geospatial tools to benefit agriculture worldwide. Her work sits at the cutting edge of space technology, earth science, and sustainable food systems—proving that NASA is about much more than just space exploration.

In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Whitcraft shares her unconventional path from pre-med student to leading NASA's agriculture programs. She opens up about struggling with anxiety and depression in college, the pivotal geography course that changed her life, and dealing with imposter syndrome even at the height of success. She discusses the realities of being a woman in male-dominated STEM fields, and the challenges of balancing motherhood with a demanding career. Above all, she emphasizes the importance of following your curiosity, believing in yourself, and remembering that it's never too late to try something new. Whether you're interested in technology, agriculture, or simply learning how to navigate life's challenges with grace and determination, this episode offers wisdom and encouragement for dreamers of all ages.

Alyssa Whitcraft PH.D- Executive Director NASA Acres
interview, Healthcare, Scientist
Chris Dellinger
Jean Bennett - Developed first FDA approved ...

at Penn Medicine and a true pioneer in gene therapy research. Dr. Bennett led the team that developed the first FDA-approved gene therapy to treat inherited blindness, transforming the lives of patients with retinitis pigmentosa and other retinal diseases. Her groundbreaking work spans over three decades and has opened doors for gene therapy applications far beyond ophthalmology.

Dr. Bennett shares her remarkable journey from a curious child in New Haven, Connecticut—who chose seeds over candy at age four—to becoming a world-renowned scientist. She opens up about the challenges she faced as a woman in science, including being advised to leave her field entirely when seeking tenure at Penn. With candor and humor, she discusses how mentorship from previous Girl Power Gurus guest, Dr. Virginia Lee, helped her persevere, the emotional eureka moment when blind dogs first regained their sight, and what it felt like to witness blind children see for the first time. Dr. Bennett also offers invaluable advice for young women pursuing STEM careers, emphasizing the importance of finding work you love, building collaborative teams, and never giving up on your dreams despite the obstacles. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in science, medicine, or the power of determination.

Jean Bennett - Developed first FDA approved gene therapy for humans

Artemis

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Vanessa Wyche - Director of NASA's Johnson Space Center

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Vanessa Wyche - Director of NASA's Johnson Space Center

Vanessa Wyche is the Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, the hub for U.S. human spaceflight, overseeing everything from International Space Station operations and astronaut training to the development of spacecraft and spacesuits for the Artemis moon program. She holds a B.S. in Materials Engineering and an M.S. in Bioengineering from Clemson University, and joined NASA in 1989 as a project engineer developing hardware for microgravity experiments on the Space Shuttle and later the ISS. She went on to lead a 400-person team studying how to send astronauts to Mars, served as JSC’s Deputy Director starting in 2018, and became the center’s 13th director in 2021. In 2025 she also served a stint as NASA’s Acting Associate Administrator, the agency’s highest-ranking civil servant position, before returning to lead Johnson Space Center. Under her leadership, JSC was ranked the number one best employer among Texas’s major employers by Forbes and Statista.

In this episode, Annika is joined by new co-host Josephine “Jo” Billingsley, a seventh grader from Virginia, with her own hopes of a career in space, to talk with Ms. Wyche on a particularly busy day: a spacewalk was underway outside the International Space Station as they spoke. She walks through what it actually takes to run a space center, from coordinating crew rotations and upcoming Artemis missions to the simulated Mars habitats currently testing astronauts here on Earth. She also opens up about being the only woman in her engineering branch early in her NASA career, the mentors who shaped her path, how she handles self-doubt by preparing rather than worrying, and the advice she’d give any young woman starting out: find what you’re genuinely passionate about, and let resilience carry you through the setbacks along the way.