posted 05-01-2026 12:50 PM               

In this fearless and deeply inspiring book, part memoir, part guide; astronaut and cardiologist Dr. Eiman Jahangir invites readers into a journey shaped by war, rejection, loss, and an unshakable belief in possibility. Born in Tehran during the Iran–Iraq War and raised in Nashville, Jahangir grew up gazing at the night sky with two impossible dreams: to become a doctor and to travel to space. One dream followed a defined path. The other demanded resilience, reinvention, and extraordinary persistence.

After multiple NASA finalist rounds, career pivots, infertility struggles, and the wildfire that destroyed his family's home, Jahangir faced a choice familiar to anyone who has dared greatly: shrink the dream or redefine the path. In the new era of commercial spaceflight, he chose the latter. On August 29, 2024, he became the first Iranian American man to travel to space and the first commercial physician astronaut, proving that the road to extraordinary achievement is rarely straight.

Interwoven throughout his story are eight compelling interviews with modern space pioneers, including current NASA administrator Jared Isaacman; Nicole Stott; Sian Proctor; Kellie Gerardi; Hayley Arceneaux; Eytan Stibbe; Chris Huie; and Drew Gaffney. Their candid reflections on risk, identity, leadership, and perseverance broaden the narrative beyond one man's journey and illuminate what it truly takes to reach orbit — literally and figuratively.

More than a space memoir, this book offers a hard-earned blueprint for purposeful living. Through eight practical lessons, Jahangir shows how setbacks can become fuel and doubt can become momentum. The stars, he reminds us, belong to those willing to keep reaching.

• Hardcover, 256 pages
  
• Forefront Books (August 25, 2026)
  
• ISBN13: 9781637635964

posted 05-01-2026 12:58 PM               

Astronaut Dr. Eiman Jahangir Launches A Heart for Space Podcast, Exploring the Mindset Behind Extraordinary Achievement

Featuring conversations with remarkable guests – astronauts, entrepreneurs, innovators, and trailblazers – about the experiences that shaped them, the failures that tested them, and the resilience that ultimately propelled them forward

Astronaut, cardiologist, author, and speaker Dr. Eiman Jahangir today announced the launch of his new podcast, A Heart for Space Podcast, a thought-provoking series that explores what it truly takes to pursue — and achieve — the dreams that shape our lives.

Hosted by Dr. Jahangir, the 704th person to travel to space — and the first Nashvillian and first Iranian-American man to do so – the podcast features candid, deeply personal conversations with remarkable guests. From astronauts and physicians to founders and innovators, the guests share the experiences that shaped them, the failures that tested them, and the resilience that ultimately propelled them forward.

Blending storytelling with practical insight, A Heart for Space invites listeners to look beyond conventional limits and embrace the courage required to turn possibility into reality.

For Dr. Jahangir, the theme is personal. After immigrating to the United States from Iran as a young child when his family fled the Iran-Iraq war, he spent more than two decades pursuing a dream many considered impossible: becoming an astronaut. In 2024, that dream became reality when, after multiple NASA finalist rounds fizzled out, he traveled to space on Blue Origin's 26th New Shepard mission—and proving that the most meaningful goals are often the ones that demand the greatest perseverance.

"On my long journey to space, I faced moments where it would have been far easier to give up than keep going," said Dr. Jahangir. "But those experiences taught me that the dreams that define us are the ones that require courage, resilience, and a willingness to keep moving forward. This podcast is about sharing those stories — and helping others see what's possible for themselves."

Inspired by his forthcoming book, "A Heart for Space" (Forefront Books/Simon & Schuster, August 25) the podcast expands on these ideas through powerful conversations that uncover the mindset behind extraordinary achievement—offering listeners both inspiration and a blueprint for navigating their own ambitions.

The debut lineup of guests reflects that spirit and includes (partial list):

• May 26: Chris "Hanks" Sembroski is a commercial astronaut and member of Inspiration4 — the first all-civilian orbital space mission. A U.S. Air Force veteran and aerospace professional, his story reflects the power of curiosity, preparation, and saying yes when opportunity — and risk — arrive at the same moment.
  
  
• June 23: Richard Wiese is a world-class explorer, TV host, scientist and author. He climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro at age 11 and has since journeyed to all seven continents, tagging jaguars in the Yucatan jungles, leading expeditions to Australia's Northern Territory participating in the largest medical expedition ever conducted on Mt. Everest, traveling with Bedouins in Africa, and cross-country skiing to the North Pole. The youngest president in the history of The Explorers Club, Richard is also host of the Emmy-winning TV series, Born to Explore, and co-host of Weekends with Yankee, the public television series about New England.
  
  
• July 7: Leah Solivan is the founder of TaskRabbit who transformed a simple idea into a global marketplace before its acquisition by IKEA. Now Founder and Managing Director of Precedent.vc, she supports the next generation of founders building transformative companies. Her journey is one of vision, resilience, and reinvention—offering a candid look at what it takes to turn an idea into something that changes how people live and work.
  
  
• July 21: Dr. Scott Parazynski is a physician, inventor, and NASA astronaut who flew five Space Shuttle missions and conducted seven spacewalks before becoming the first astronaut to summit Mount Everest. Now CEO of OnwardAir, his career continues to push the boundaries of exploration and innovation, embodying a lifelong commitment to testing the limits of human potential.
  
  
• August 4: Andrew Parris is a three-time Emmy Award–winning engineer and NASA engineer who spent 13 years supporting Space Shuttle and International Space Station operations, as well as astronaut training. Now co-founder of The Inspired 24, he is helping others pursue their own spaceflight ambitions, demonstrating that there are many paths to reaching beyond Earth.

Through each episode, A Heart for Space Podcast explores a central idea: that extraordinary achievements are not defined by a single moment, but by the mindset and persistence required to reach them. A Heart for Space Podcast is now available on major podcast platforms.