Astranotes | Charles F. Bolden with Victor Glover
Charlie Bolden and Victor Glover come together for a rare, cross-generational conversation that explores legacy, representation, and the human side of space exploration.
From growing up in segregated America to preparing for a historic mission around the Moon, their stories reveal what it truly takes to step into the unknown.
Bolden reflects on his journey from a childhood shaped by limited representation to becoming one of NASA’s first Black astronauts and later Administrator.
Glover, set to become the first Black astronaut to orbit the Moon on Artemis II, shares how curiosity, resilience, and unexpected moments shaped his path into spaceflight. Together, they highlight the importance of mentorship, visibility, and perseverance in building the future of space exploration.
This conversation explores identity, adversity, leadership, and the responsibility of representing humanity when leaving Earth.
In this episode you’ll discover:
• How Charlie Bolden overcame systemic barriers to become a trailblazer in human spaceflight.
• Why Victor Glover sees resilience, teamwork, and lifelong learning as essential traits for future astronauts.
• The role of representation in shaping ambition and why seeing someone like you in space can change everything.
• Behind-the-scenes stories of being selected as an astronaut and what those life-changing moments really felt like.
• How the NASA Space Shuttle programme expanded access to space beyond test pilots.
• The mindset required to navigate adversity, from discrimination to high-stakes decision making in elite environments.
• Why astronauts ultimately represent all of humanity, not just their country, when they leave Earth.
Quote:
“You don’t have to be number one. But you do have to know you’ve done the absolute best you can do.” — Charlie Bolden
00:00 Charlie Bolden's early life
06:08 Early inspirations and Naval Academy dreams
09:10 Encouragement to apply to NASA
11:33 Childhood adventures and exploration
15:49 How Shuttle opened space travel
17:05 Encouraging diversity in astronaut office
21:51 Getting the astronaut call
28:30 Struggling through Naval Academy life
31:42 Growing up
36:22 Visiting and speaking with troops
40:22 Importance of resilience and growth
41:26 Life lessons beyond the classroom
Executive Producer Toby Goodman Edited by Leo Hornak with Sound design by Lee Turner for Inter Astra, The Bolden Group and Kathy Sullivan