CrunchLabs: Mark Rober

In this episode of How I Built This, Guy Raz speaks with Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer and the world’s most famous science YouTuber. Rober, who has gained nearly 50 million subscribers on YouTube, discusses the evolution of his career from working on the Curiosity Mars rover to creating engaging science videos that entertain and educate.

Rober reflects on his early passion for engineering, his innovative Halloween costume ideas that went viral, and how those moments led him to experiment with videos while working at NASA and later at Apple. He emphasizes the importance of curiosity and relatability in making science fun. As he transitioned to a full-time content creator, he established a unique production process that allows him to maintain high quality while managing a demanding schedule.

The conversation also touches on the creation of Rober’s business, Crunch Labs, which provides subscription science and engineering boxes for kids. He explains how the COVID-19 pandemic inspired him to reconnect with children through live-streamed science classes and how this ultimately led to the birth of Crunch Labs. Rober highlights the importance of balancing creativity with business acumen, while acknowledging the role of luck and timing in his success. He also emphasizes his focus on making science accessible and enjoyable, enabling kids to experience the joy of learning through hands-on projects.