NASA Engineer Turned Author, Zach Taylor
Mad Props with Chris Schnabel
04/27/26
•55m
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What’s it like to work at NASA... and then go write a novel about rockstars?
In this episode of Mad Props, host Chris Schnabel sits down with NASA engineer and author Zach Taylor to dive into two completely different worlds—space exploration and storytelling.
Zach shares:
- How he became a NASA engineer and what the job is really like
- The pressure behind working on missions that impact human spaceflight
- Why space exploration still matters (and what’s holding it back)
- The reality of NASA funding, missions, and long-term goals
- His journey into writing and publishing his debut novel Rockstar Echoes
The conversation then shifts into Zach’s book, exploring:
- The inspiration behind Rockstar Echoes
- Fame vs. the grind of making it in the music industry
- Building complex characters and long-form storytelling
- The realities of being an independent author
🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with athletes, creators, engineers, and storytellers.
Follow Zach Taylor
Instagram & TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/@ZachTaylorBooks
https://www.tiktok.com/@ZachTaylorBooks
Buy Rockstars: Echoes: https://bit.ly/4czPn2D
Follow Mad Props
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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod
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Follow Chris Schnabel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel
YouTube: @Chris.Schnabel
Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production
Chapters
00:00 – Intro
02:00 – Chris announces Comicpalooza appearance
03:30 – Meeting Zach through Reddit
04:00 – How Zach got into NASA
06:30 – Life as a NASA engineer & pressure of the job
08:30 – Managing teams, workload & mission stress
10:15 – Why Huntsville is “Rocket City”
12:15 – NASA launches & witnessing history
14:30 – Why space exploration still matters
16:45 – Funding challenges & political impact on NASA
19:00 – Why getting to the Moon is so difficult
21:00 – Conspiracies, perception & public understanding
24:00 – Why Zach started writing
26:00 – Inspiration behind Rockstar Echoes
28:00 – Writing process & publishing journey
30:00 – Independent publishing vs traditional publishing
32:45 – Fame vs grind: themes of the book
35:30 – Female perspective in rock music storytelling
38:00 – Music industry realities & gender dynamics
41:00 – Research process behind the story
42:30 – What Zach wants readers to take away
44:30 – Future books & series expansion
47:30 – New project idea: “Skinsuit”
50:30 – Where to find Zach & his book
52:30 – Outro
Previous Episode
Life After Football, Momo Sanogo
April 20
•75m
What happens when the game ends?
In this episode of Mad Props, host Chris Schnabel sits down with former Ole Miss standout and UFL champion Momo Sanogo to talk about the reality of life after football — from chasing NFL opportunities to making the difficult decision to step away from the game and build a new career.
Momo opens up about:
- His journey through college football at Ole Miss and Louisville
- The transition from XFL to UFL and winning a championship
- The emotional side of walking away from football
- Finding purpose outside of sports
- Breaking into medical device sales and building a new future
The conversation goes beyond sports — diving into mindset, identity, discipline, and what it really takes to move on from something you’ve dedicated your entire life to.
Plus, Chris and Momo get into everything from YouTube rabbit holes to streaming culture, content creation, and life experiences that shape who you become after athletics.
If you’re an athlete, former athlete, or just someone navigating a big life transition — this episode is for you.
🎧 Subscribe for more real conversations with athletes, creators, and professionals.
Follow Momo:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/_momosanogo/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@momosanogo7
Follow Mad Props
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod
X: https://www.x.com/madpropspod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod
Follow Chris Schnabel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel
YouTube: @Chris.Schnabel
Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production
Chapters
00:00 – Intro
01:00 – YouTube Music vs Spotify rant (and why it matters)
06:20 – Momo joins the show & UFL connection
12:00 – What Momo does now: Medical Device Sales
13:15 – Why he left finance for a more competitive career
14:00 – Football journey: Ole Miss → Louisville → UFL
15:00 – Inside UFL training camp & roster cuts
17:45 – The decision to walk away from football
19:00 – Trusting the process & finding signs
20:00 – Life after football: identity, purpose & family
21:30 – Why coaching wasn’t the right path
23:00 – Chris’ career journey & pivot into media
26:00 – Social media, content, and building visibility
28:00 – Why athletes NEED content in today’s world
30:00 – YouTube habits, streaming & rabbit holes
40:00 – Spotify vs YouTube Music debate
45:00 – Content creation struggles & engagement
50:00 – Viral strategies & intentional “wrong takes”
56:00 – Random stories: spiders, snakes & Texas life
58:00 – Final thoughts
Next Episode
What does it take to create some of the most iconic voices in animation?
In this episode of Mad Props, host Chris Schnabel sits down with legendary voice actor Carlos Alazraqui—known for bringing characters like Rocko, Denzel Crocker, and roles in Reno 911! to life.
Carlos dives into:
- How he created voices for Rocko, Crocker, Lazlo, and more
- The improv and real-life inspirations behind iconic characters
- What it’s like hearing your voice come out of characters fans love
- Why nostalgia hits so hard for fans (Rocco, Spyro, Fairly OddParents)
They also talk about:
- The impact of conventions and meeting fans in person
- Behind-the-scenes stories from animation, gaming, and live events
- His documentary project Mr. Big and bringing a 60-year-old film idea to life
If you love cartoons, voice acting, animation, or behind-the-scenes stories from your favorite shows, this episode is packed with insight and nostalgia.
Follow Carlos Alazraqui
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosalazraqui
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carlosalazraqui
See Carlos:
Come to our Comicpalooza Panel 5/24 at 4:15 pm
Follow Mad Props
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod
X: https://www.x.com/madpropspod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod
Follow Chris Schnabel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel
Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production
Chapters
00:00 – Intro: Voice Acting Legend Carlos Alazraqui
04:30 – The impact of Rocco, Spyro & iconic roles
07:00 – Seeing your voice come to life for fans
10:00 – Why nostalgia hits so hard
12:00 – Creating the Crocker voice (Fairly OddParents)
15:00 – Improv and influences behind voice acting
18:00 – Building characters from real-life inspiration
21:00 – Practicing voices & developing range
24:00 – Sound-alikes vs original characters
27:00 – Playing roles on Family Guy & new shows
30:00 – Hearing yourself in new characters
32:00 – Ocean plunges, routines & mental reset
36:00 – Daily routines & staying energized for conventions
39:00 – Soccer, LAFC & passion outside acting
44:00 – Why live sports feel like “real-life comics”
48:00 – Fan culture, community & identity
52:00 – The “Mr. Big” documentary explained
56:00 – Film festivals & future distribution plans
59:00 – Social media, branding & fan engagement
01:02:00 – Con experiences & interacting with fans
01:05:00 – Reno 911 stories & cosplay moments
01:07:00 – Outro
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