In the first half, space historian and author Rod Pyle discussed the renewed U.S. lunar ambitions under NASA’s Artemis program, along with other space news. Describing the recent Artemis rocket launch as "smooth as silk," he praised the Space Launch System (SLS), though he acknowledged its high cost and reliance on shuttle-era technology. He explained that the SLS was built under NASA's traditional cost-plus contracting model, contrasting it with private-sector efforts like SpaceX and Blue Origin, which assume more financial risk. Comparing Artemis to the Apollo-era Saturn V, Pyle noted both rockets are "remarkable machines" suited to their missions, but highlighted that Artemis cannot carry both the lunar module and capsule in a single launch as Saturn V did.
He outlined the Artemis timeline, with Artemis III originally planned for a Moon landing next year, now delayed to Artemis IV in 2028. Pyle also commended NASA chief Jared Isaacman for navigating budgetary challenges and advancing the Artemis program despite delays. Reflecting on the historic Apollo 8 mission as "a remarkably daring and dangerous mission" driven by Cold War geopolitics, he recalled the iconic "reading of Genesis from lunar orbit" and the transformative Earthrise photo. Elon Musk's pivot from Mars to the Moon was driven by financial incentives and NASA funding delays, he suggested, noting that lunar missions are "a few days away, instead of seven or eight months," making the Moon a more achievable target.
Addressing current spacefaring nations, the guest identified the U.S., Russia, China, Japan, and India as major players, with China rapidly advancing. China's lunar program is "very steady and consistent," Pyle said, and is aiming for a 2029-2030 landing that will replicate Apollo 11's short visit, with longer-term plans for a lunar base. He raised the question of whether the U.S. and China can coexist on the Moon if both establish bases. On technology, he cited AI's role in rover autonomy despite hardware limitations, noting successful AI-driven test drives on Mars. Looking further ahead, he projected human Mars missions in the mid-2030s, contingent on nuclear propulsion and necessary infrastructure.
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In the latter half, master herbalist and classical homeopath Sara Chana addressed the growing concern over the widespread use of psychotropic medications in American children. Citing 2023-2025 data, she revealed that over 4 million U.S. children and adolescents—about one in 12—are prescribed such drugs, starting as young as age five. She attributes this trend partly to overcrowded public schools where teachers struggle to manage diverse learning needs, leading to increased diagnoses of ADHD and subsequent medication. Chana shared a poignant case of a girl put on antidepressants at seven after witnessing her father's drowning, who later suffered dependency and severe withdrawal, underscoring the risks of early and prolonged drug use.
Speaking of alternative approaches, she mentioned herbal medicine, homeopathy, essential oils, and natural oxytocin-boosting activities like hugging and foot massages. She emphasized the importance of recognizing normal childhood emotions amid pressures from social media and unrealistic beauty standards, which fuel eating disorders. Detailing botanical remedies for anxiety and focus, she highlighted herbs such as lemon balm, hawthorn, valerian, and skullcap, known for their safety and effectiveness. "Lemon balm... calms you down, helps you center and focus, and helps you feel less anxious," she said, recommending it for kids heading to school and adults going to work. Hawthorn, she added, supports heart health and concentration, even showing promise for children with ADHD.
Differentiating between herbs and essential oils, she explained that oils are highly concentrated and not taken internally, but can be used topically or diffused. She offered an intriguing tip from an aromatherapist: "If you have a child or an adult with low self-esteem, you can put some diluted essential oils on the back of their knees and the back of their neck to help them stand up straighter and feel more confident." She also raised a critical issue about children's hydration in schools, linking dehydration to poor concentration and mood.
News segment guests: Charles R. Smith, Sandra Champlain
EMERGING ARTISTS:
The first Sunday of every month, George Noory presents emerging artists for some of our bumper music selections. Tonight, we heard from The Illusion Vox, Paul Rogers, Charles Andrew Bates, Israel Saenz, Sam Maldonado, Brad Rose, and the Derek Cochran Project. For more info on how to submit your own original music, visit this page.