Episode 16

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Published on:

14th May 2025

Can parenting and start-up life mix?

Welcome to VHTB, your guide to the talent, culture, and finance side of the space startup ecosystem. In this heartfelt episode, Seyka Mejeur, CEO of Ad Astra Talent Advisors, is joined by Matt Gjertsen of Better Everyday Studios and Justus Killian of Space Capital for an honest conversation about work-life balance, the realities of startup culture, and the unique challenges faced by parents and founders in this industry.

Drawing from their own journeys—balancing high-growth careers with the demands and joys of family life—the hosts share personal stories, lessons learned, and practical strategies for setting boundaries, prioritizing what truly matters, and thriving in an environment where expectations can vary dramatically from team to team. Whether you’re contemplating joining a startup, thinking about founding your own, or navigating your path as a parent or caregiver in the fast-paced world of space tech, this episode offers valuable insights, encouragement, and the reassurance that clarity, communication, and intentional choices are key to making it all work.

Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of culture fit, expectations from both organizational and personal perspectives, and the advice Seyka, Matt, and Justus have for building a truly sustainable career in space startups—no matter where you are in your life or professional journey.

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About the Podcast

A VC, a Headhunter, and a Trainer Walk into a Bar

VHTB is your guide to the talent, culture, and finance side of the space start-up ecosystem. Each episode, hosts Matt Gjertsen from Better Every Day Studios, Seyka & Brian Mejeur of AdAstra Talent Advisors, and Justus Kilian of Space Capital will share stories and insights from their experiences working with some of the most innovative companies on the planet.

About your hosts

Brian Mejeur

Founder, CTO/COO, Advisor | Space, Clean Tech & Defense Talent Expert | Ex-SpaceX Engineer | Husband | Dad

Brian is one of the founders of AdAstra Talent Advisors where he functions as CTO and COO while partnering with leading early stage startups in Space, Defense, and Clean Tech.

Having spanned 7 years at SpaceX, a stint at an early stage startup, and holding BS & MS degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Brian’s experience in the trenches as an engineer and in operations allows him to relate first hand to the talent and hiring needs of AdAstra's clients.

Seyka Mejeur

Founder, CEO, Advisor | Space, Clean Tech & Defense Talent Expert | Pilot | Wife | Mom
(titles not in order of importance)

Relentlessly resourceful and unusually optimistic, Seyka is deeply involved with world-changing startups. As a founder and CEO of AdAstra Talent Advisors, she builds thriving teams in NewSpace, Clean Tech, and Defense - empowering innovation that future generations depend on.

With a passion for relationships and a belief in the power of empowered teams, she helps visionary leaders turn bold ideas into reality.

Justus Kilian

Justus is a Partner at Space Capital, a seed-stage venture firm investing in space-based infrastructure and their applications. Portfolio companies include SpaceX, Impulse Space, Varda, and Xona. He is active on multiple portfolio company boards and manages the firm’s recruiting platform, Space Talent. Before his current roles, Justus worked at Acumen, a $250M early-stage venture firm investing across East Africa and South Asia supporting over 50 companies through growth, turnaround, and exit.

Matthew Gjertsen

Matt Gjertsen is the founder of Better Every Day Studios, a leadership development company that focuses on turning great engineers into great managers. Prior to starting his own company, Matt spent five years as the head of Training & Development at SpaceX, and 10 years training future military leaders as an Instructor Pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He and his team are on a mission to help train better managers that build better companies, to create a better world.