Moon Snacks
Podcast Description
Moon Snacks is the podcast where extraordinary leaders pack their bags for an extraordinary journey.Each week, Dr. Ed Hoffman—former NASA Chief Knowledge Officer—and author Jessica Fox sit down with a visionary from the worlds of management, technology, and the arts who's about to embark on the ultimate business trip: a one-way ticket to the moon.With strict weight restrictions (and the need for radiation-proof DVDs), our guests can only take three films for the journey. Through these carefully chosen movies, we discover what drives the most innovative minds in their fields—uncovering the stories, lessons, and leadership insights that have shaped their remarkable careers.Plus, they get to choose one movie snack for the endless supply and one book to keep them company among the stars.It's part career masterclass, part film club, part space odyssey. Welcome aboard.New episodes every Moonsnacks Monday starting July 2025 - your weekly dose of leadership lessons, served with popcorn.================================HOSTSDr. Ed Hoffman spent 33 years at NASA, including serving as the agency's first Chief Knowledge Officer. He founded NASA's Academy of Program/Project and Engineering Leadership—the world's top-rated Project Management Academy—and helped establish new governance systems after the Columbia Shuttle accident. Now a lecturer at Columbia University and CEO of Knowledge Strategies LLC, Ed knows what it takes to lead teams through the impossible. He also knows that the best leaders never stop learning—whether they're launching rockets or just trying to get to Moonsnacks Monday.Jessica Fox is an author, screenwriter, and co-creator of The Open Book—the world's first bookshop holiday Airbnb. Her memoir "Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets" was Waterstones book of the month, and as a former NASA storyteller, she's spent her career proving that the best science happens when you can tell its story. She currently writes for film and TV, and believes that whether you're writing a screenplay or running a company, it all comes down to character development.================================Produced by Light Dark LightEdited, produced and original sound design by Ben PleaseIn Partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="h...
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on leadership insights, personal stories, and the influence of cinema on innovative thinking. Episodes feature discussions on topics such as resilience in telecommunications with guests like Walda Roseman, exploring the lessons drawn from their selected movies like It's a Wonderful Life and Arrival, and insights into managing creativity in tech and arts industries.
Moon Snacks is the podcast where extraordinary leaders pack their bags for an extraordinary journey.
Each week, Dr. Ed Hoffman—former NASA Chief Knowledge Officer—and author Jessica Fox sit down with a visionary from the worlds of management, technology, and the arts who’s about to embark on the ultimate business trip: a one-way ticket to the moon.
With strict weight restrictions (and the need for radiation-proof DVDs), our guests can only take three films for the journey. Through these carefully chosen movies, we discover what drives the most innovative minds in their fields—uncovering the stories, lessons, and leadership insights that have shaped their remarkable careers.
Plus, they get to choose one movie snack for the endless supply and one book to keep them company among the stars.
It’s part career masterclass, part film club, part space odyssey. Welcome aboard.
New episodes every Moonsnacks Monday starting July 2025 – your weekly dose of leadership lessons, served with popcorn.
================================
HOSTS
Dr. Ed Hoffman spent 33 years at NASA, including serving as the agency’s first Chief Knowledge Officer. He founded NASA’s Academy of Program/Project and Engineering Leadership—the world’s top-rated Project Management Academy—and helped establish new governance systems after the Columbia Shuttle accident. Now a lecturer at Columbia University and CEO of Knowledge Strategies LLC, Ed knows what it takes to lead teams through the impossible. He also knows that the best leaders never stop learning—whether they’re launching rockets or just trying to get to Moonsnacks Monday.
Jessica Fox is an author, screenwriter, and co-creator of The Open Book—the world’s first bookshop holiday Airbnb. Her memoir “Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets” was Waterstones book of the month, and as a former NASA storyteller, she’s spent her career proving that the best science happens when you can tell its story. She currently writes for film and TV, and believes that whether you’re writing a screenplay or running a company, it all comes down to character development.
================================
Produced by Light Dark Light
Edited, produced and original sound design by Ben Please
In Partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise
From high school dropout to VP of Operations at MiTek, John Khoury‘s journey proves that authentic leadership can emerge from the most unexpected places. This self-made leader discovered his superpower isn’t traditional storytelling—it’s planting powerful ideas that stick, whether he’s renaming a “Delivery Control Centre” to the more inspiring “Solution Hub” or assembling his “deadly viper squad” of analytics experts.
His lunar film selection reflects the emotional range he seeks as a leader: Reservoir Dogs for its raw authenticity and edge that centred him as a young adult learning to navigate the world; The Intouchables for its celebration of genuine connection across differences and the profound joy of mentoring others to fly; and Inception for Christopher Nolan’s masterful exploration of how the right idea, planted at the right moment, can transform everything.
John’s insights on leading at scale—from connecting with difficult clients that stumped IBM to learning that not every relationship has to work—reveal a leader who’s mastered the delicate balance between authenticity and effectiveness. His vision of building a drive-in cinema on the moon, complete with lunar landers as cars, perfectly captures his ability to blend the practical with the inspirational. Armed with endless Twisties and the controversial masterpiece Shantaram, he’s ready for his cosmic adventure.
Since recording this episode, John has become the Vice President of Operations at MiTek.
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