Zena Cardman was among the more than 18,300 people who applied to NASA's most recent class of astronaut candidates. Shortly after submitting her application, Cardman heard those numbers and figured she'd try again next time.

But then came a call from Houston for her first interview. Then another call for the finalist interview. And last week, Cardman had her named called as NASA introduced its 12 newest astronaut candidates.

This week, the two-time Carolina graduate calls in from Houston to talk about her new position, her time at Carolina and her future as a potential astronaut.

Well Said: Astronaut candidate Zena Cardman

From March Madness to Cuban relations, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill community is playing a role in some of the most important topics and issues making headlines around the world.

Join us every Wednesday for the UNC-Chapel Hill's “Well Said” podcast as we talk with Carolina’s newsmakers and experts. Each week, students, faculty, staff and alumni will discuss whats going on in classrooms, labs and around campus, and how it pertains to the local, national and international headlines.