This week on Aspiring Martians, I speak with Anastasia Medvedeva—a Moscow-based space communicator, event organizer, and the force behind Yuri’s Night Russia. Anastasia’s story begins with a childhood spark: a signed book from Valentina Tereshkova and the poetic notion that if a seagull can go anywhere, so can she. That metaphor turned into a mission—using media, parties, and pop culture to bridge the gap between the space industry and the everyday dreamers it should serve.

We talk about the moment she realized space needs storytellers just as much as scientists, how she crafted a version of Yuri’s Night for a wider audience, and why space events should be equal parts education and celebration. Anastasia also opens up about the challenges of inspiring people in tough times, how to explain Mars without PowerPoints, and why building community might be humanity’s greatest preparation for the stars. Along the way: rainstorms in Milan, space debris awareness before it was cool, the ethics of colonization, and what it means to stay fascinated—even when the universe is complicated.