Laika: The Space Dog

The Shape of Outer Space · Apr 7, 2026 · 55m

Host Paul Cuminale is joined for the first time by a three-person panel: Justin Pallini, Tom Chew, and resident “bad boy” Dan Perry, to discuss Laika, the first dog sent into space. The group reflects on Laika’s contribution to science and the humans who betrayed her trust, while also veering into conversations about animals more (or less) deserving of such a fate, hot dogs, and Tom Chew’s controversial solution to the homeless epidemic. They close things out with a very special round of “Guess the Star: Famous Animal Edition.”