Roddenberry Podcasts

In the  Star Trek: Voyager episose Endgame , after 23 years in the Delta Quadrant, Admiral Janeway finally made it home, but at too high a cost. Now she's crossing time and space to rewrite history, determined to give her crew a better ending. But who decides what the "right" ending is? And is it worth risking everything they already sacrificed to find out? One timeline, two stubborn Janeways, and...

In the 1993 Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Interface," Geordi La Forge uses experimental technology to remotely explore a stranded starship and is confronted by a deeply personal mystery. Was the image of his mother real, or something else entirely? This week, returning guest Dr. David Williams joins Larry to explore the real-world science behind this episode. Using a vintage press summar...

In the  Star Trek: Voyager episose Renaissance Man , The Doctor doesn't quite seem himself. In fact, he seems like just about everyone else on the senior staff. But the impersonations are part of a high-stakes mission: rescue Captain Janeway from a hostile alien race despite her very specific orders not to. It's EMH meets ECH meets identity crisis when Renaissance Man goes into the Mission Log. Ho...

Imagine being invited to visit the Star Trek: The Next Generation set before it even aired by none other than Bob Justman. This week, The Trek Files welcomes back Doug Drexler to share the story of his very first visit to the TNG set in 1987, spurred by a letter from legendary Trek producer Robert H. Justman . That visit changed everything. Doug quickly transitioned from fan to crew member, taking...

In the  Star Trek: Voyager episose Homestead , there are Talaxians on that asteroid, and Neelix isn't just drawn to their cause… he might be drawn home. With Janeway's hands tied by the Prime Directive and hostile space-miners closing in, it's Neelix who must decide where he belongs and who he wants to be. Mission Log says goodbye in Homestead. Hosted by John Champion and Norman Lao Welcome to Mis...

Before he was an Oscar-winning makeup artist and Star Trek's go-to designer, Doug Drexler was just a teenage fan fighting to save the show he loved. This week, Doug joins The Trek Files to reflect on a remarkable journey—from the 1968 Newsday article that quoted him as a 14-year-old letter-writing activist, to working for the legendary Federation Trading Post in New York, and eventually becoming o...

On the Star Trek: Voyager episode Natural Law , Chakotay and Seven find themselves stranded in a protected zone among a pre-industrial alien society. Seven plays catch-up with cultural sensitivity while Chakotay's inner anthropologist intensifies. But even good intentions have consequences when modern colonists arrive. Meanwhile, Tom Paris is cited for flying while cocky. This week, Mission Log ex...

Before "merch" was a mainstream business, Star Trek fandom had Lincoln Enterprises —and behind the scenes was a small, tight-knit team led by Majel Barrett Roddenberry. This week, The Trek Files welcomes Reinelda Estupinian , who started as Rod Roddenberry's nanny in 1974 and later worked directly with Majel beginning in 1980. Reina shares stories from the early convention circuit: selling scripts...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episose Friendship One , an old Earth probe was supposed to spread friendship across the galaxy. Instead, it sparked a planetary apocalypse. When Voyager finds the wreckage of  Friendship One , they also find a civilization devastated by misused antimatter and eager to hold someone, anyone, accountable. Can Starfleet ideals survive the consequences of their own curiosity?...

The first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation was famously turbulent, but behind the scenes, it was also a hive of creative experimentation and open doors for new voices. This week, we welcome veteran writer/producer Cash Edwards , whose original story pitch "The True One" caught the attention of Gene Roddenberry, D.C. Fontana, and his longtime friend, producer Herb Wright. Though the script...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode Author, Author , The Doctor takes his first stab at fiction, but his holonovel hits a little too close to home. Captain Jenkins is a sadist, Tulak relishes punishment, and Lt. Marseilles just wants to get in your pants. The crew is shocked. The Doctor calls it "art," and a Federation publisher calls it "contractually locked." As Voyager debates creative expression...

Long before the internet brought fans together, the Star Trek community thrived through newsletters, potlucks, and passionate word of mouth. This week, The Trek Files celebrates the 50th anniversary of the United Federation of Phoenix (UFP) ,  the longest-running independent Star Trek fan club, with guest Dr. David Williams , UFP member and Arizona State University planetary scientist. Using a 197...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode Q2 , Q drops by Voyager for a surprise visit, and he brings Q with him. No, not himself… the other Q. His son. This junior Q is every bit as powerful, unpredictable, and exasperating as his old man, with none of the charm (yet). When the Continuum threatens to de-Q him permanently, it's up to Aunt Kathy to teach Q some responsibility before he's stuck living as an...

Just because #StarTrek is off our screens for a while doesn't mean the story is over - Kirsten Beyer drops by to talk about the #StarTrekKhan audio series and hear some questions from Mission Log Live's callers. 🌟 About Mission Log: Live: Mission Log Live is a call-in show that encourages fan participation. We discuss episodes, themes, and the future of Star Trek while welcoming your thoughts and...

In 1973, Star Trek: The Animated Series debuted as a Saturday morning cartoon, but early reviewers quickly realized it was something far more ambitious. A contemporary article from the  Pantagraph (Bloomington-Normal, IL) praised the show's complex themes and emotional storytelling, declaring it a breakthrough in children's animation that adults could take just as seriously. This week, The Trek Fi...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode Human Error , Seven of Nine is trying something new: a little music, a little cooking, and a little romantic roleplay—typical holodeck experiments in humanity. But when feelings get real and a Borg failsafe kicks in, the cost of vulnerability may be more than just emotional. Oh, and yes, Voyager is also facing a dangerous space-time shockwave, but honestly? We're...

Capping off our discussion of the third season of #StarTrekStrangeNewWorlds is a discussion with Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry on his own reactions to the show's third year, and its future - and, of course, questions from Mission Log Live's callers! 🌟 About Mission Log: Live: Mission Log Live is a call-in show that encourages fan participation. We discuss episodes, themes, and the future of Star Trek...

The introduction of Hugh in Star Trek: The Next Generation's "I, Borg" added emotional depth to the franchise's most terrifying villains and reshaped Trek's approach to individuality and redemption. This week on The Trek Files , returning guest Adam Kotsko joins us to examine the legacy of Hugh's first appearance, using a March 6, 1992 call sheet as our launch point. From behind-the-scenes insight...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode Workforce , Captain Janeway's new life comes with decent hours, fair pay, and a promising romantic prospect. There's just one catch: she doesn't remember being Captain Janeway. Most of Voyager's crew have been given new jobs and new identities thanks to some suspiciously convenient amnesia. Is this an alien utopia, or forced labor? Maybe a stranger called "Amal Ko...

Our callers have made their hot takes known about each episode in real time - but what about their takes-up-the-whole-widescreen-main-viewer opinion of the season as a whole?  Mission Log Live's callers carried on a lively conversation (and ended on a song!). 🌟 About Mission Log: Live: Mission Log Live is a call-in show that encourages fan participation. We discuss episodes, themes, and the futur...

How did Star Trek go from television soundstage to national treasure? This week, we continue our conversation with Glen Swanson , former NASA historian and author of Inspired Enterprise , to explore a deeper chapter in Trek's relationship with the Smithsonian. Through an exchange of letters between Gene Roddenberry and F.C. Durant , Assistant Director of the National Air and Space Museum, we trace...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode The Void , Voyager gets pulled into a dark, starless region of space—no exits, no resources, and no friendly neighbors. Other ships trapped there have survived by attacking anyone new… so naturally, Janeway decides to make friends instead. Can a little Federation idealism light the way out of The Void ? Mission Log finds out. Hosted by John Champion and Norman Lao...

Long before Star Trek props toured conventions and museums, one historic copy of the pilot episode found its way into the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum with help from Leonard Nimoy and Gene Roddenberry. This week, The Trek Files welcomes Glen Swanson , former NASA historian and author of Inspired Enterprise , to share the remarkable story of Star Trek's first contact with one of Amer...

It's a battle between two ancient forces that defy description.  It's also a Wonderful Life.  It's the season finale of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and Mission Log Live's callers definitely had thoughts about it. 🌟 About Mission Log: Live: Mission Log Live is a call-in show that encourages fan participation. We discuss episodes, themes, and the future of Star Trek while welcoming your thoughts...

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode Prophecy , after decades adrift in the Delta Quadrant, a Klingon generation ship crosses paths with Voyager and finds what they've been looking for: a prophesied savior. Or rather, the unborn child of B'Elanna and Tom. Cue the ceremonial declarations, theological debates, and one very reluctant bat'leth duel. But when the Doctor uncovers a life-threatening illness...