Episode Details

Tonight I sat down with Pat Daily—engineer, Air Force test pilot, NASA alum, entrepreneur, and author of the Spark Chronicles—to dive into near‑future sci‑fi, augmented reality, AI optimism, and the high‑risk thrills of test flying. Pat shared how a simple walk playing Pokémon GO sparked the idea for an AR-driven theme park powered by advanced solar tech, which became the backbone of his award-winning series. We explored character dynamics, believable tech, and geopolitics woven through Spark, Fire, Orkland, and Embers, plus what he’d fight to keep if Hollywood comes calling.

Pat also opened up about career pivots from military aviation to industry and startups, the sobering realities of NASA bureaucracy, and why private space is accelerating what government slowed. We closed with faith, his nonfiction work on Lent (“Drunk Every Sunday”), and what’s next—think Stranger Things meets Cocoon—along with a candid, fun rapid-fire on AI fears, fandom, and favorite straight-talker in D.C. If you’re into hard sci‑fi grounded in real tech, AR world‑building, and human stories that carry optimism (and a few fireballs), this one’s for you.

Guest: Pat Daily
https://thepatdaily.com

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(00:01:07) Opening monologue, Valentines banter, and show setup

(00:07:34) Guest intro: Pat Dalys path from test pilot to sci-fi author

(00:08:56) Icebreakers: AI optimism and family competitiveness

(00:13:21) Pats background: Air Force, NASA ties, and life pivots

(00:18:39) Becoming an author: sci-fi roots and career reinvention

(00:24:38) From Poke9mon GO to Spark: AR inspiration and theme park vision

(00:33:55) Building SPARK: solar power, engineering realism, and acronyms

(00:39:43) Inside the story: Will, Feral, AI, and Westworld vibes

(00:45:48) Themes and today: AI, geopolitics, and near-future stakes

(00:48:59) TSA tale: the backpack knife that nuked PreCheck

(00:53:34) Page to screen: what to keep if SPARK becomes a film

(00:54:46) Fan moments: body autographs and a crowdsourced soundtrack

(00:57:32) Whats next: Stranger Things meets Cocoon, and Christian nonfiction

(01:02:38) Faith journeys: denominational paths and living beliefs

(01:28:51) New series: Revelation study plans and teaching approach

(01:29:14) NASA and test pilot life: thrills, risks, and bureaucracy

(01:34:36) Leaders admired: Senator John Kennedy and plain talk

(01:36:55) Where to find Pat: site, socials, and final thanks

(01:38:44) Sign-off segment: taxes, shout-outs, and upcoming shows

- Joe "Rooz" Russiello

- Marisa Lee

- Wayne Rankin

- Rosanna Rankin

- Angela Wetuski

- Carolina Jimenez