As command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission to the moon in 1971, Al Worden flew on what is widely regarded as the greatest exploration mission that humans have ever attempted.

He spent six days orbiting the moon, including three days completely alone, the most isolated human in existence.

During the return from the moon to earth he also conducted the first spacewalk in deep space, becoming the first human ever to see both the entire earth and moon simply by turning his head. The Apollo 15 flight capped an already-impressive career as an astronaut, including important work on the pioneering Apollo 9 and Apollo 12 missions, as well as the perilous flight of Apollo 13.

A good friend of Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood) Al made multiple appearances on the show and, at Rogers’ prodding, even wrote a children’s book about his mission to the moon.

Here is a link to Al Worden’s other books as well.

Before Al Worden, political analyst and reporter, Michael Shure stops through. Michael updates the politics of hate and violence and then gives us the races to watch in the upcoming mid-terms.

The show ends with Mark Thompson offering some thoughts on Prop 12, the proposed farm animal confinement law.


00:-5:20 Mark intro featuring Al Worden on Mister Rogers Neighborhood and overview of this episode

5:21-31:25 Michael Shure on politics, mid-terms and the language of hate translated into politics

31:25- 1:25:00 Astronaut Al Worden talks about Apollo 15 mission and his life

1:25:00-1:30:15 Mark talks about Calif’s Prop 12 (farm animal confinement legislation)