A Heart for Space: the Origin Story

In this debut episode of A Heart for Space, Dr. Eiman Jahangir introduces the story behind his book and subsequent podcast—and the journey that led him here.A cardiologist by profession and the 704th individual to travel to space, Dr. Jahangir has spent his life navigating two very different paths: one defined by structure, the other by uncertainty. In this opening conversation, he reflects on what it meant to pursue a lifelong dream without a clear roadmap, and the resilience required to keep moving forward in the face of setbacks, near-misses, and self-doubt.Dr. Jahangir also shares the pivotal moments that shaped the trajectory of his life—from his family’s immigration journey during the Iran-Iraq War to the experiences that followed his spaceflight, where conversations with audiences around the world revealed a common thread: many people are quietly pursuing ambitious goals of their own. This realization became the foundation for A Heart for Space, and the resulting exploration of the stories and mindsets of those who have pushed beyond conventional limits.This episode is both an introduction and an invitation into a series of conversations about perseverance and courage, revealing what it truly takes to pursue something extraordinary.(00:00) Opening Hook and Welcome to the Podcast(01:16) Cardiologist, Astronaut, Father, and Author(02:03) Chasing Two Difficult Dreams(02:47) Why He Started A Heart for Space(03:54) Why the Book Matters Too(05:05) The Astronauts Featured in the Book(06:12) Reading from Chapter One: From Iran to Tennessee(09:09) Final Thoughts and Invitation to Follow the JourneyDiscover more about Dr. Eiman Jahangir, and preorder your own copy of A Heart for Space, now at https://AHeartForSpace.com