🎙️ Ep. 3 - Bootstrap to the Stars: Creating Pathways to Space with Martina Dimoska

Guest: Martina Dimoska – Analog astronaut, engineer, STEM educator, and advocate for inclusion in space.

Summary:

In this powerful episode, Aisha sits down with trailblazing space researcher Martina Dimoska. From growing up in Macedonia with her sister to becoming the first female Balkan analog astronaut, Martina shares her deeply personal path into space exploration. This episode dives into accessibility in science, creating your own support bubble, and building bridges for underserved communities to reach for the stars.

Martina also discusses her work with the International Space Alliance, her viral outreach as @astro_smarta, and how living through hardship shaped her relentless curiosity and resilience.

🔗 Universal Inclusion Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/universal_inclusion/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/universal-inclusion-ui/

Time Stamps / Chapters

00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction

Aisha introduces the show and Martina's pioneering background.

01:34 – The Ultimate Pursuit of Truth

Martina shares how growing up with her sister fueled her love for solving problems and seeking truth through science.

03:02 – Creating a Bubble of Inclusion

How creativity, imagination, and resilience became a foundation for hope in a society that didn’t embrace difference.

06:40 – The Power of Analog Missions

Martina reflects on becoming the first Macedonian analog astronaut and what it means to simulate life on Mars.

10:55 – Space Belongs to Developing Regions Too

Expanding space access for underrepresented countries and launching the International Space Alliance.

14:20 – Going Viral as @astro_smarta

How her outreach on social media is sparking interest in space among youth, especially girls, in Eastern Europe.

17:05 – Lessons from Hardship

Martina opens up about the pain and power that shaped her, and how she uses her story to inspire others.

20:42 – What’s Next?

Future goals, bridging academia and activism, and advice for young people who feel like outsiders in STEM.

👤 Guest Bio

Martina Dimoska is an award-winning research scholar, engineer, and pioneering space explorer.

As the first Macedonian and female Balkan analog astronaut, she has served on many Space Agency-funded missions and holds a Suborbital Space Flight Certification as a Senior NASTAR Ambassador. Martina is the National Point of Contact for the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) for North Macedonia and in 2022 received their Emerging Space Leader Award.

She is the Founder and President of the International Space Alliance, bridging the gap between agencies, industry, and academia to expand space opportunities in developing regions. As a passionate STEM educator, Martina promotes diversity and inclusivity in space exploration through workshops and global outreach under the popular handle @astro_smarta.

• Instagram: @astro_smarta
• LinkedIn:

🎙️ Episode Description

In this vibrant and deeply personal episode, host Aisha is joined by electrical engineer, citizen astronaut, and activist Katya Echazarreta to talk space, reform, and showing up fully – even in pink camo.

They dive into Katya’s historic spaceflight, her work pushing space policy in Mexico, and how fashion and storytelling can drive cultural change. From childhood dreams to housing insecurity, this episode is a reminder that resilience comes in many forms—and that you don’t need to come from privilege or wear a lab coat to belong in space.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to do everything just to survive, this one will speak to you.

🔗 Universal Inclusion Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/universal_inclusion/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/universal-inclusion-ui/

Time Stamps / Chapters

00:00 – Becoming Citizen Astronaut #1

Katya reflects on being Space for Humanity’s first astronaut and what it means to lead the way.

02:31 – From NASA to Nation-Changer

We explore her move from engineering into politics, activism, and changing Mexico’s space future.

08:12 – Coping by Doing Too Much

How growing up with instability wired Katya and Aisha to hustle non-stop—and what they’re learning about rest.

19:00 – “I Remember and I’m Sorry”

A deeply emotional story about returning to the teacher who once kicked Katya out of class—and how healing can surprise us.

27:31 – Fashion as a Tool for Activism

Clothes as conversation starters: Katya talks using style, storytelling, and representation to open new doors.

42:36 – Choosing the Right Partner

Aisha and Katya open up about love, legacy, and why the right relationship can be the most powerful life decision of all.

👤 Guest Bio

Katya Echazarreta is an electrical engineer, activist, speaker, and model. In 2022, she became the first Mexican-born woman in space as part of Space for Humanity’s Citizen Astronaut Program. She is the founder of Fundación Espacial, a nonprofit providing access to space-related education and training for underserved communities. Katya has appeared on the covers of Vogue, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan, and uses fashion as a platform to promote inclusion in STEAM. She is passionate about reforming global space policy and inspiring the next generation of changemakers.

🔗 Guest Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katvoltage/

Fundación Espacial: https://www.fundacionespacial.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katyaechazarreta/

Vogue Feature: https://www.katechazarreta.com/press

In this powerful first episode, host Aisha joins actress and impact leader Nadine Nicole (The Expanse) to talk about identity, inclusion, and what it really means to make space for everyone.

From personal journeys to the Citizen Astronaut Program, they explore how storytelling can spark change—and why you don’t need a STEM degree (or a perfect resume) to become an astronaut or shape the future of space.

If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong in the space industry (or any industry), this one’s for you!

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/universal_inclusion/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/universal-inclusion-ui/

• 00:00 – Lights, Camera, Lift-Off

Meet Aisha and special guest Nadine Nicole as they set the stage for a podcast that’s all about making space more human.

• 01:40 – What is Space for Humanity?

Nadine explains the Citizen Astronaut Program and her involvement.

• 02:31 – Who is Aisha?

How Aisha’s roles at Universal Inclusion and Space for Humanity led to the podcast.

• 04:32 – The Power of Storytelling

DEI as human experience, not politics.

• 10:14 – Why Inclusion in Space Matters

Nadine on diversity in space, underrepresentation in media, and authentic storytelling.

• 14:31 – You Don’t Need to Be at the Top to Inspire

Uplifting voices at every career stage.

• 16:56 – Aisha’s DEI Journey

Growing up biracial in Northern Alberta and recognizing inequality early on.

• 27:49 – The Moment It Clicked

Reading Citizen Astronaut applications and realizing the impact of inclusive space access.

• 31:05 – Nadine’s Cosmic Connection

From The Expanse to Joshua Tree stargazing and global awe.

• 33:12 – Space is for Everyone

Space belongs to all of us — not just the privileged.

• 35:27 – How to Get to Space (Without a STEM Degree)

What makes a powerful Citizen Astronaut—and how anyone can apply.online.

• 41:43 – What’s Next

Teaser for Episode 02: Katia Echazarreta, the first Mexican-born woman to fly to space.

Nadine Nicole is an actress, most known for her performance as Clarissa Mao on the renowned sci-fi hit The Expanse. Beyond acting, Nadine is passionate about social impact initiatives. She founded True Connection, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring a deeper understanding of interconnectedness and is launching The Centered Self: A Guide and Journal to Rewriting Your Life's Narrative,. A true creative Nadine is also the founder of Yari Designs, a fine jewelry brand focused on promoting diversity and women empowerment, and Shared Elegance, a circular economy fashion initiative. Stay tuned for updates on her projects as she continues to inspire through storytelling and advocacy.

• IG@_nadinenicole_
• IG @_sharedelegance_
• www.sharedelegance.com