In this very special episode of The Space Nurse Podcast, I’m joined by my twin sister, Catherine Rincon, LMHC! Catherine is the founder of Happy Thoughts Mental Health, a practice specializing in trauma-informed care, somatic therapy, and decolonizing mental health.

Today, we are bridging the gap between terrestrial mental health and bioastronautics to discuss a critical hurdle in human space exploration: power dynamics in isolation.

We dive into the research behind our upcoming paper on Isolated, Confined, and Extreme (ICE) environments, exploring how rigid hierarchies foster conflict and abuse, and why the old "Right Stuff" mentality of emotional suppression is a danger to future missions. We also break down our proposed framework for psychological safety in space—including decentralized leadership and peer accountability—and explain how the principles of group therapy on Earth are the exact tools astronauts will need to survive the trip to Mars.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Bridging the gap between rural/low-resource health and space medicine.

• The impact of chronic power imbalances on the nervous system and the threat of the "Right Stuff" mentality.

• Why rigid hierarchies and isolation in ICE environments can lead to mission failure.

• Our proposed framework for spaceflight: psychological crew selection, rotating leadership, and embedded support.

• How terrestrial group therapy builds agency, normalizes stress reactions, and provides a blueprint for crew cohesion.

• A look at the future of AI monitoring and why it must be a supplement, not a replacement, for human connection.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• The Daily Show Skit: Check out the hilarious and informative segment featuring Dr. Maria Santaguida and Dr. Simon Dubé discussing their Kinsey Institute research and the space suit that facilitates intimacy in microgravity.

• Happy Thoughts Mental Health: Learn more about Catherine’s private practice, group counseling, and mindfulness training.

• Healing Couch: The group therapy firm Catherine works with, offering expanded support in somatic treatments, EMDR, and sex therapy.

• Shoutouts: A huge thank you to the researchers and theorists we mentioned in this episode, including Dr. Suzanne Bell (NASA), Irvin Yalom, Carl Rogers, Dr. Kostukina, and Dr. Devjoy Dev.

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(And as always: Lupe Fiasco, the invitation to come on the podcast is still open!)

Welcome to the very first installment of The SBAR Sessions on The Space Nurse Podcast, where I sit down with fellow nursing experts to think through real-world clinical challenges and brainstorm how we can close the gap in aerospace medicine

In this episode of The Space Nurse Podcast, we are tackling one of the most complex clinical challenges in aerospace medicine: managing burn trauma. What happens when the standard terrestrial protocol of cooling a burn with running water is impossible because water simply floats?

Joining the show is Kristina Stiles, a former burns and plastic surgery nurse specialist with 23 years of critical care experience and the founding chair of the British Burn Association's Pre-hospital Special Interest Group. Kristina is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Birmingham, focusing on the "burn care gap"—the critical window of time between an injury occurring and the patient receiving professional medical attention.

Together, we dive into the stark realities of burn trauma and explore how we can translate Earth-based first aid into effective clinical protocols for the microgravity environment.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Burn Care Gap: We explore the critical window of time immediately following a burn, addressing the severe lack of public and professional knowledge regarding appropriate first aid.

• The Terrestrial Gold Standard: A breakdown of the "Remove, Cool, Cover, Call" protocol, emphasizing why cooling a burn with running water for at least 20 minutes is absolutely essential for patient outcomes.

• Hazards in Microgravity: How fire behaves differently in space—crawling on surfaces and forming spherical flames—and why traditional cooling is impossible when water forms floating globules instead of flowing.

• Off-Grid Solutions: We brainstorm potential alternatives for austere and space environments, from utilizing hydrogel dressings and cooling sleeves to applying synthetic skin substitutes.

• The Nursing Imperative: A look at why clinical boots-on-the-ground experience is vital, and why nurses need to be at the table when aerospace medical protocols and safety standards are being designed.

Whether you're a terrestrial first responder, an aerospace engineer, or a fellow space medicine enthusiast, this conversation highlights exactly why clinical expertise is essential for human survival in the final frontier.

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Stop letting your clinical resume get lost in translation. The Clinical-to-Operational Translation Matrix is a free, quick-reference guide that teaches you how to convert standard hospital jargon into the technical Human Systems Integration (HSI) language that aerospace hiring managers are actually looking for.

Download it today to decode the 'hidden' job titles in the space sector and start positioning your critical care experience as a vital asset for mission success.

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Engineers build the vessel, but medical teams ensure the crew survives the trip. In this episode of The Space Nurse Podcast, we bridge the gap between the bedside and the launchpad with Colin Hills, RN, a NASA HMS Operations Specialist supporting the International Space Station and the Artemis program.

From the high-pressure environments of Level 1 Trauma centers to the technical complexities of Mission Control, Colin explains how a background in austere medicine prepares nurses for the rigors of spaceflight. We dive deep into the concept of "Systems Thinking," the necessity of planning for your "second worst failure," and what it really means for a clinician to be the vital "Human in the Loop" within aerospace engineering. Whether you are looking to translate your clinical jargon into "NASA-speak" or want a behind-the-scenes look at 800-page medical checklists, this episode is your blueprint for the future of nursing in the final frontier.

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Colin said your first priority is to learn "your patient" you can do that with me by joining The Space Nurse® Academy, learn about the 5 hazards of space flight AND what microgravity does to EACH body system. What NASA knows and what they don't know (the gaps WE need to solve). PENDING approval for Florida Board of Nursing CEUs (valid in 48 states!)