Studio Tembo

Continuing Conversations: Sci-Fi Storytelling & Star Trek Adventures

Leisure EN ↓ 200 episodes

Where does the game end and the story begin? Continuing Conversations is your weekly deep dive into the art of Science Fiction storytelling, narrative design, and the creative process—hosted by Michael Dismuke and Jim Johnson. While our roots are firmly planted in the Star Trek Adventures RPG, our mission has expanded. We are exploring how Sci-Fi worlds are built, how characters are forged, and how stories are told across every medium. Whether you are a Gamemaster crafting a campaign, an aspiring novelist, or a fan of deep lore, we bring you the insights you need to fuel your imagination. Prod...

Author

Studio Tembo

Category

Leisure

Podcast website

studiotembousa.podbean.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

How Star Trek Comics Are Made: From Pitch to Print w/ Heather Antos 09.01.2026

In this episode of Continuing Conversations, Michael Dismuke flies solo to sit down with Heather Antos, the Senior Editor of Star Trek comics at IDW Publishing. Heather opens up about her journey from Marvel (Star Wars, Gwenpool) to reshaping the Star Trek comic landscape. We discuss the creation of the first-ever Star Trek comic universe, the massive Day of Blood crossover event, and the return o...

Star Trek at 60 – Writing, Editing, and the Future of Trek Stories 02.01.2026

It’s the first episode of 2026—and that means we’re officially in the 60th anniversary year of Star Trek. To kick things off, we’re also widening the show’s scope: we’re not just talking Star Trek Adventures at the table anymore—we’re going Beyond RPG into the more expansive Trek storytelling universe. Tonight’s guest is Scott Pearson, a longtime editor in the Star Trek fiction space (including ye...

2025 In Review 26.12.2025

Jim and Michael recount all the Star Trek Adventures goodness that came out in 2025 and usher in 2026 with a very cool announcement. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo   Beam aboard for a special episode! We're reviewing the incredible year for Star Trek Adventures RPG, looking back at the amazing releases of 2025 and teasing what's to come as we approach Star Trek's 60th Anniversary in 2026! Join us a...

Continuing to Continue: The 200th Episode 17.12.2025

John Freeman is a comics writer and editor, and the founder of the award-winning comics news and features site, downthetubes.net, which he established in 1998. He's worked professionally in the British comics publishing industry for over 30 years, describing himself as a "freelance comics operative", working as an editor, Creative Consultant, and as a comics writer and events promoter.  Initially...

Mapping Character Growth: Tracking Values and Determination in Star Trek Adventures 12.12.2025

In this Continuing Conversations episode, Michael Dismuke, Jim Johnson, and Alex Boer explore innovative ways to track character growth in Star Trek Adventures. Alex demonstrates his visual value-tracking system—using index card-style boxes and arrows to map how values evolve and generate determination through callbacks. The group discusses both digital (Obsidian, Google Sheets) and physical appro...

Star Trek Adventures: Awards, Accolades, and Character Development 05.12.2025

In this episode of Continuing Conversations, Michael Dismuke sits down with Alex Boer and John Mierau to discuss how Star Trek Adventures gamemasters can transform Awards and Acclaim into powerful storytelling tools. The trio explores ways to balance reputation tracking with narrative flow, from John’s courtroom drama that turned into a standout role-playing moment to Alex’s regular award ceremoni...

Anna Margaret on Star Trek, Magic, and the Importance of Failure 28.11.2025

This week on Continuing Conversations, Michael Dismuke and Jim Johnson beam up the wildly brilliant Anna Margaret—educator, science communicator, cosplayer, and the self-proclaimed “nerdy lifestyle content creator” who turns fandom into fuel for learning. Anna brings infectious energy to every topic she touches. Join us as we dive into her creative process, the art of blending education with enter...

One Off Characters 21.11.2025

The wonderfully creative Aki returns to help Jim and Michael tackle the subject: Bringing back one-and-done characters from Trek into your RPG game! Share link: https://edenhousing-org.zoom.us/rec/share/soJ5JD9qDxoCBsV9iYF9NQ9BBekdB68HxBhNUjQk_0JKmqUerCTQBi5q93ZajS-f.uIHDVF6OUfdjvAqj https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

Building a 5-Year Star Trek Adventures Campaign: Lessons from USS Pioneer 14.11.2025

The U.S.S. Pioneer completed its five-year mission in uproarious fashion. Now meet the GM and players who pushed the limits of Star Trek Adventures storytelling to create a life-changing epic to span the ages. Get good advice on forming great bonds with your players, utilizing Discord to make for a top-notch gaming experience, and learn how a good gaming group can launch your writing career! Guest...

The Magic of Star Trek RPGs: Intentionality and Positive Impact 07.11.2025

Kelli Fitpatrick, Jim Johnson and Michael Dismuke ask "Does writing hopeful science fiction and fantasy even matter with everything that's going on in the world right now?" Join the deep dicussion and let us know what you think in the comments section. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo 00:00:22 - Introductions: Dismuke, Johnson, and Fitzpatrick 00:01:40 - Employee morale and hopeful sci-fi 00:03:32 -...

Beyond Sci-Fi: Genre-Bending in Star Trek RPGs 31.10.2025

Kelli Fitzpatrick joins this week show to discuss the question "Is there a genre that Star Trek has NOT touched?" Enjoy the discussion and insights about how to bring different genres into your Star Trek Adventures game. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo 00:00:20 - Introductions and writing discussion 00:04:12 - Q's powers: Science or magic? 00:07:49 - Star Trek: Technology, magic, spirituality 00:14:...

From TOS to Strange New Worlds: The 23rd Century in Star Trek Adventure 24.10.2025

Continuing Conversations: Starfleet in the 23rd Century! Announcing the newest supplement to the Star Trek Adventures 2e universe! Join writers  Aaron Pollyea, Al Spader, Sarah Kennedy, Chris McCarver, Bill Barbato, Michael Dismuke, and Jim Johnson as we get hype over all the goodness that came from the TOS, TAS, DIS, SNW, and Movie-era of Trek! https://linktr.ee/studiotembo 00:00:20 - Introductio...

Kira Nerys: Modeling a Complex Character in Star Trek Adventures RPG 17.10.2025

AJ Fox joins Jim and Michael as we break down the character of Kira Nerys: her relevance, her strengths, her dynamics. Then we talk about how to create a similar-type character for your STA campaign: the dangers, the perks! https://linktr.ee/studiotembo 00:00:20 - Introductions: Michael, Jim, and guest AJ 00:01:46 - Kira character analysis and RPG modeling 00:06:53 - Deep Space Nine's political co...

5, 4, 3, 2, 1: A Quick & Easy Character Development Guide for RPGs & Writing 10.10.2025

Yep, back to weekly) AJ FOX is back to talk about the stupendously amazing 5-4-3-2-1 system for character development! Listen in and prepare to flesh out your PCs in new and imaginative ways. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jNyH7-7gpK61q1z0FiDoBONjhDfulP_C/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107248546059831663146&rtpof=true&sd=true https://linktr.ee/studiotembo Chapters 00:00:16 - Introductions...

Unleash Your Creativity: Solo RPGs and the Power of Storytelling 03.10.2025

Continuing Conversations w/ Peter Norton of Hollowponds Solo Sagas.  This week on the show, we sit down with Peter Norton, the creative force behind Hollowponds Solo Sagas, to talk about his bold leap into full-time storytelling. We dive into his upcoming projects, his vision for building a vibrant solo RPG community, and his creative ventures into Star Trek Adventures Captain’s Log. From passion...

From Star Trek to Saucers: Aaron Pallier's New RPG Projects 19.09.2025

Guest Aaron Pollyea comes on to talk about his latest project: Saucer Squadron. Then we dive into sectors and star systems in Star Trek Adventures Exploration Guide! https://linktr.ee/studiotembo This podcast features Jim Johnson, Michael Dismuke, and Aaron Pallier discussing Aaron's recent projects. The conversation centers around Saucer Squadron, a 1950s-themed tactical wargame about a Roswell-i...

Star Trek Adventures Character and Ship Creator app 05.09.2025

BC Holmes is back with the latest and greatest with the Star Trek Adventures Character and Ship Creator app!!!!!   https://linktr.ee/StudioTembo

Create Memorable Missions 22.08.2025

Integrating the Technical Guide, the Exploration Guide, and Captain's Log to Create Memorable Missions. BC Holmes and Eric Campbell join Jim and Michael for an ultimate riff session where dice rolls become the foundation of dramatic stories. Watch and learn! https://linktr.ee/StudioTembo

Star Trek Adventures 2e Exploration Guide 08.08.2025

Star Trek Adventures 2e Exploration Guide! More Talents, Secret Values, probability matrixes galore!!!! Join Jim and Michael as they sit with writers AJ Fox, Aaron Pollyea, and Al Spader to riff about their favorite parts of this handy new tool that promises to make your games even better! https://linktr.ee/StudioTembo

Politics and Factions 25.07.2025

Let's Talk Politics and Factions. The outstanding Aaron Harvey and super-fan Will Parker join Jim and Michael to dive deep into the intrigue, ideology, and interstellar influence that shape the Star Trek universe. From power struggles within the Klingon Empire to the covert maneuverings of Section 31, this episode explores how GMs and players can use factions and political dynamics to build richer...

Designing Dramatic Stories - Part Two 11.07.2025

In Part 2 of their RPG storytelling series, Michael Dismuke and Josh Allen dive into raising the stakes, designing Act Two’s pivotal low point, resolving major conflicts, and using foreshadowing to set up future adventures. They also share bonus tips for refining your RPG narratives. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

Designing Dramatic Stories - Part One 27.06.2025

Michael Dismuke and writer Josh Allen open the writers' room to explore how to design dramatic stories for RPGs. In Part 1, they cover defining your story’s end goal, structuring a three-act arc, crafting inciting incidents, and building meaningful conflicts that keep players engaged. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

Building Character Arcs 13.06.2025

Jim and Michael welcome back Al Spader to show you how to build character arcs into your episodic Star Trek Adventure games. Drive drama. Encourage character growth. Create stories that you and your crew will remember forever. WARNING: We make it look easy. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

Integrating the Technical Guide into your Star Trek Adventures and Captain's Log games 30.05.2025

Jim and Michael invite Al Spader to talk about integrating the new Technical Guide into your Star Trek Adventures and Captain's Log RPG games. Time to riff! https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

Keith R.A. DeCandido 16.05.2025

Massive Star Trek and media tie-in writer Keith R.A. DeCandido graces us with his presence this week. From how he got started in his amazing career to his methodology for writing, we cover it all plus some! Keith R.A. DeCandido has been writing about popular culture for this site since 2011, primarily but not exclusively writing about Star Trek and screen adaptations of superhero comics. He is als...

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