This week’s Summit Replay is a personal favorite—and easily one of the most unforgettable sessions from Summit 2025. What does it take to lead under pressure—when failure isn’t an option, and your team is orbiting 250 miles above Earth?

We were joined live from the International Space Station by Dr. Jonny Kim—former Navy SEAL, Harvard-trained physician, and now NASA astronaut. In an awe-inspiring downlink conversation, Dr. Kim shared lessons from combat missions, emergency surgeries, and life aboard the ISS—focusing on what it truly means to lead with purpose in the most extreme conditions.

️ Moderated by NASA’s Brittany Brown and Meltwater’s ​@Ben Kessler, the session also featured a panel of marketing leaders from NVIDIA, Cobra Puma Golf, and the ISS National Lab, diving into how experimentation, trust, and bold storytelling drive innovation—both in orbit and on Earth.

Key Takeaways & Timestamps

• Leadership is about human connection – especially when you inherit the team, not build it.
  • → 11:24 – “We don’t always get to choose who we work with—but we can always choose how we lead.”
• Marketing in space = real impact. It’s not just a headline—it’s a platform for R&D, reach, and relevance.
  • → 26:03 – Hear how Cobra Puma and NVIDIA approached their ISS partnerships.
• Data + storytelling = clarity. Use insights to say no, simplify your message, and reach the right audience.
  • → 44:50 – “Data shouldn’t drive your journey, but it should inform your strategy.”
• There is space for vulnerability in leadership—just not always in the moment.
  • → 18:40 – “Don’t confuse emotional transparency with emotional liability.”
     

Whether you’re managing crisis comms or launching your next big campaign, this session is a masterclass in staying grounded—while aiming higher than ever.

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