Mat Kaplan loved hosting and producing Planetary Radio for 20 years. He was just 17 when he got his first job in broadcasting, yet it wasn't until the 2002 premiere of the Society's popular, weekly podcast and public radio series that he combined his twin loves of space and radio. A Planetary Society staff member for 24 years, Mat moderates many of the Society's events and webinars. He recently served as the MC for the Society’s two-day Eclipse-O-Rama celebration in Texas.
Mat's extensive background in journalism has ranged from public radio reporter covering the political conventions to movie reviewer for an international magazine. Some may remember him as a correspondent for a pioneering national TV series about personal computers. Mat also enjoyed a 30-year career in higher education that included major television awards and recognition for service to the community. He and his wife live in the San Diego region near his two adult daughters who were raised to be citizens of the solar system.