RHP#040. Pamela Gay, PhD Astronomer and Host of Astronomy Cast

The Ridiculously Human Podcast

Content provided by Gareth Martin and Craig Haywood conversing with inspiring humans. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Gareth Martin and Craig Haywood conversing with inspiring humans or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

6y ago 1:53:33

MP3•Episode home

Archived series ("Inactive feed" status)

When? This feed was archived on July 25, 2022 03:24 (2y ago). Last successful fetch was on January 28, 2022 09:33 (2y ago)

Why? Inactive feed status. Our servers were unable to retrieve a valid podcast feed for a sustained period.

What now? You might be able to find a more up-to-date version using the search function. This series will no longer be checked for updates. If you believe this to be in error, please check if the publisher's feed link below is valid and contact support to request the feed be restored or if you have any other concerns about this.

PhD Astronomer. Educator. Comic Aficionado. Writer. Podcaster. Scientist. Star Gazer. Big Thinker. Speaker. Storyteller. Interlocutor. Proud Nerd. Gracious Human. Explorer.

How often are you star struck?! Space, our universe, planets and existential life, are things which us humans are often mesmerised by. You would perhaps think that it’s a good idea for us to sort out more pressing matters on earth, ones that we have some sort of control over. However, there are good reasons for our curious explorations, as the new technologies which are tested and created in space, do trickle down into our everyday use.

Our guest this week, Pamela Gay, is a magnificently smart and interesting lady who has dedicated most of her life to understanding more about our own universe and sharing her knowledge with other inquisitive minds. She has the voice of an angel and her articulation makes you want to close your eyes and listen to her talk about all the wonderful marvels in our night skies!

Pamela was born in Southern California. In her early years she grew up seeing space shuttle landings at Edwards Air Force Base. Even though they moved to Massachusetts in her second grade, she kept finding herself connected to space, through reading magazines and getting a telescope of her own.

Growing up in the 80’s, she learned that she did not belong to ‘the normal part of society’, so she embraced it and was comfortable with being a nerd. It wasn’t her intellect and geekiness which became the torment of her childhood, but rather the fact that her surname was ‘Gay’.

As with many industries these days, discrimination and harassment towards women, is something which is still rife in Astronomy. It takes strong ladies like Pamela to voice their concerns. More importantly, it is also the responsibility and prerogative of men to stand up for women and call out their male counterparts, to help eradicate what are antiquated and unacceptable ways of behaving.

In this Podcast we covered some fascinating ground. Exploring topics, like being a nerd, harassment and inequality, real life avatars, comic books, finding your tribe, online trolls, everything astronomy and of course the importance of looking up to the sky and thinking big.

We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.

Let’s find out what it means for Pamela Gay to be Ridiculously Human.

Your fellow beings,

Craig and Gareth

SHOW NOTES

Background, Context & Reference

Connect with Pamela Gay: Website | YouTube | Instagram | FaceBook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Twitch |
Pamela - Cosmo Quest
Pamela’s Podcast - Astronomy Cast
Pamela - What I believe

Other relevant points discussed and mentioned:

Bitch Planet - Comic Series
The Sandman - Comic Series
Umbrella Academy - Comic Series
DragonCon
Universe Today
Erisa - Boston Conference
Doctor Who
Skeksis - Dark Crystals
Edwards Air Force Base
James Madison College
Flat Earth Society
Title IX - Education Amendment
James Webb Telescope
Emotional Intelligence
Apollo Program
Hidden Figures - Movie
NASA
Sydney Observatory
Arthur BC Walker Award
American Association Variable Star Observers
Slacker Astronomy Podcast
South African Large Telescope (SALT)
Atacama Large Millimeter Array Telescope (ALMA)
Milky Way
Star Dust
Compound Objects
Neutron Stars
Speed of Gravity
Black Holes
Red Dwarf Star
CCD Cameras
WIFI Invention

People Discussed

Places Mentioned

Edwardsville, Illinois
Cape Town, South Africa
Sutherland, Western Cape

Music By

The Bambuseae Rhythm Section - Check them out here

Right Hook Request

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE PODCAST?

We know this is always a big one to ask and you hear it a million times but anything you can do to help us get our podcast out there into the ether will be massively appreciated!

Please tell Your Friends & Share Online

Subscribe, Rate & Review: iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | Soundcloud | Google Play | TuneIn | iHeartRADIO |
Follow us on: Website | YouTube | Medium | Instagram | FaceBook | Twitter |

Related Podcasts You Might Enjoy

174 episodes

#Science #Society #Conversations #Social Sciences #Short Sweet #Gareth Martin #Craig Haywood conversing with inspiring humans