N4L 018: "The Sky Below" by Scott Parazynski with Susy Flory
11/29/17 • 35 min
Scott Parazynski, author of the memoir The Sky Below: A True Story of Summits, Space, and Speed, is the only human to travel in space and reach the summit of Mount Everest. With five Space Shuttle Missions, seven spacewalks (EVAs), and numerous publications and awards to his name, he rightfully earned his place in the US Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy Space Center.
He grew up all over the world, making him a “third culture kid,” which opened his eyes to the power of people and made him a fan of multidisciplinary teams. To become both a physician and an astronaut, Parazynski applied lessons learned from becoming an Eagle Scout. Just as he earned merit badges one at a time, he likewise pursued his goals by organizing them into manageable parts. Now retired from his 17-year career as an astronaut, he refers to himself as “former astronaut” since he’s no longer allowed to speak officially for NASA.
When his son Luke was born with underdeveloped lungs, Parazynski felt terrified and helpless. To have no control over the situation was a defining moment. Yet later, mortality caught up with him, too. He suffered an altitude-induced stroke and ruptured disc in his lower back. Still, he returned to space for several expeditions and to Mount Everest for a second (successful) attempt to reach the summit. Although characterized by putting himself in risky situations, he calls himself a “risk manager” rather than a “risk taker.” Like other climbers and astronauts, he always has a Plan B and Plan C.
Evidently, Parazynski’s back problems were a result of his body expanding in space and contracting upon returning to Earth. Over time, repeating this pattern inflicted trauma on his body. Parazynski’s friend/colleague Scott Kelly speaks of experiencing similar physical changes from his prolonged space travel.
Parazynski had the distinguished opportunity to be selected as a fellow crewmember and in-flight physician to John Glenn who returned to space at age 77. Of all Glenn’s qualities, his humility impressed Parazynski the most. Their space experiments included findings that continue to inform the field of gerontology.
According to Parazynski, companies such as Virgin Galactic and Space X will make space travel possible for the layman sooner rather than later. His own finest moment in space came when repairing a solar panel on the International Space Station. The ISS, a symbol of political alliances, is tangible evidence space can be an incredible catalyst for peace.
Parazynski believes continuing to fund the space program is a smart investment in “tomorrow.” By allocating $18 billion (less than half a cent of taxpayer dollars) to aerospace and aviation, we can continue to bridge nations and inspire young people. His own “greater purpose” is “to try to pay forward to the fullest extent possible.” As CEO of his own robotics startup, he’s working on technologies he hopes will help millions if not billions of people for good.
BUY The Sky Below: A True Story of Summits, Space, and Speed
Scott Parazynski, author of the memoir The Sky Below: A True Story of Summits, Space, and Speed, is the only human to travel in space and reach the summit of Mount Everest. With five Space Shuttle Missions, seven spacewalks (EVAs), and numerous publications and awards to his name, he rightfully earned his place in the US Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy Space Center.
He grew up all over the world, making him a “third culture kid,” which opened his eyes to the power of people and made him a fan of multidisciplinary teams. To become both a physician and an astronaut, Parazynski applied lessons learned from becoming an Eagle Scout. Just as he earned merit badges one at a time, he likewise pursued his goals by organizing them into manageable parts. Now retired from his 17-year career as an astronaut, he refers to himself as “former astronaut” since he’s no longer allowed to speak officially for NASA.
When his son Luke was born with underdeveloped lungs, Parazynski felt terrified and helpless. To have no control over the situation was a defining moment. Yet later, mortality caught up with him, too. He suffered an altitude-induced stroke and ruptured disc in his lower back. Still, he returned to space for several expeditions and to Mount Everest for a second (successful) attempt to reach the summit. Although characterized by putting himself in risky situations, he calls himself a “risk manager” rather than a “risk taker.” Like other climbers and astronauts, he always has a Plan B and Plan C.
Evidently, Parazynski’s back problems were a result of his body expanding in space and contracting upon returning to Earth. Over time, repeating this pattern inflicted trauma on his body. Parazynski’s friend/colleague Scott Kelly speaks of experiencing similar physical changes from his prolonged space travel.
Parazynski had the distinguished opportunity to be selected as a fellow crewmember and in-flight physician to John Glenn who returned to space at age 77. Of all Glenn’s qualities, his humility impressed Parazynski the most. Their space experiments included findings that continue to inform the field of gerontology.
According to Parazynski, companies such as Virgin Galactic and Space X will make space travel possible for the layman sooner rather than later. His own finest moment in space came when repairing a solar panel on the International Space Station. The ISS, a symbol of political alliances, is tangible evidence space can be an incredible catalyst for peace.
Parazynski believes continuing to fund the space program is a smart investment in “tomorrow.” By allocating $18 billion (less than half a cent of taxpayer dollars) to aerospace and aviation, we can continue to bridge nations and inspire young people. His own “greater purpose” is “to try to pay forward to the fullest extent possible.” As CEO of his own robotics startup, he’s working on technologies he hopes will help millions if not billions of people for good.
BUY The Sky Below: A True Story of Summits, Space, and Speed
Previous Episode
N4L 017: "The Birth Order Book" by Dr. Kevin Leman
Dr. Kevin Leman first published The Birth Order Book in 1985. Today, more than three decades and two reprintings later, the book still holds relevance.
Evidently, we never fully outgrow our birth order. (Just think about those family gatherings when your older sister is still telling you how to make gravy.) Naturally, every birth order position has its strengths and weaknesses. Learning to leverage the good in each is the key to building happy relationships.
Leman explains common traits of the four birth order positions: firstborn (perfectionistic, dependable, sensitive to criticism), middleborn (secretive, mentally tough, independent), lastborn (uncomplicated, vivacious, manipulative), and only born (self-motivated, fearful, cautious). Contrary to popular opinion, parents need to learn to parent each child differently.
Of course, all families don’t fit neatly into a box of two parents and three children, so it’s important to account for variables such as gender and years apart in age. For example, a second-born girl following an older brother will have many traits of a firstborn, as might a middle-born child with four years in between him and the next oldest sibling. Other disrupters in birth order include death, divorce, adoption, and step-families. (Note: Dr. Leman claims there’s no such thing as a “blended” family. He says these families don’t blend; they collide. And their foundation is “cemented with a mortar of...anger.”)
Sensitivity to birth order traits can also help employers pick the right person for a job. In fact, with some small talk and a little observation, bosses can learn to distinguish among firstborns, who get the job done; middleborns, who make great managers; and lastborns who can “sell dead rats for a living.”
Knowing birth order can also be insightful when choosing a mate. Dr. Leman says the strongest marriages are between any two people not of the same birth order. On the other hand, a marriage between two firstborns can be volatile unless they learn to divide responsibilities. However, the good news is, with a little help from The Birth Order Book, all marital combinations can work.
In the end, “The smart person figures out how to navigate all birth orders.”
BUY The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are
Photo Credit: Tom Spitz Photography, Tucson, AZ
Next Episode
N4L 019: Introducing "Editor's Picks"
SHOW NOTES: Introducing “Editor’s Picks" at Nonfiction4Life! We're giving you a chance to tell us your best ideas for great nonfiction.
Host Janet Perry's book group of 30 years has a long-held tradition following their formal book discussion. When dessert is served, every member has a chance to talk about other books. That way, everyone can pick up ideas for future reading. The book group has done for Janet what Nonfiction4Life is doing for you, our listeners. Just as it says on the website, the mission of Nonfiction4Life is to "curate books for readers who love true stories and great ideas but who have little time to hunt them down." And, from the beginning, Nonfiction4Life has been doing just that. We've been publishing blog posts and podcasts.
Now, we have a new plan to help you add to your want-to-read nonfiction book lists. First, we’ll put out a request for you to recommend a book in one of our many categories. You can submit your ideas as an individual or as a group. We especially encourage book groups to have fun choosing books together.
From your recommendations, we’ll select just three books to feature in a mini-podcast called “Editor’s Picks.” If your book is chosen for the podcast, we’ll be sure to give you (or your book group) credit.
We hope you’ll follow our lead at Nonfiction4Life and make your choices from long-standing classics or sleepers that are hidden gems. And, of course, we’re always anxious to hear about hot-off-the-press new releases. Just be sure that the books you recommend are insightful, inspiring, and uplifting.
As we're approaching the holidays, this time we’re looking for nonfiction books about Home & Family. So, we invite you to get started and post your ideas in the “Comments” section of the podcast at nonfiction4life.com. We're anxious to hear from you.
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