Hailing Frequencies Open Podcast

This week on Hailing Frequencies Open , Mike, Damian, and Lanita are joined by @Zilatreks , a Star Trek content creator whose videos have entertained and connected fans across social media. We talk about creating Trek content, navigating fandom online, favorite series and characters, the ever-growing Star Trek universe, and the community that keeps fans coming back for more. Along the way, we shar...

Brace yourselves—this one's going to start arguments. Hosts Mike, Damian, and Lanita are joined by Nzinga, Leigh Ellen, and Sonyl to confess their biggest, boldest, and most controversial Star Trek opinions. From beloved captains and overrated series to unpopular character takes and fandom taboos, nothing is off-limits. Will you agree? Will you rage in the comments? Either way, we want to hear you...

The Hailing Frequencies Open Away Team has returned from Trek Long Island and they're ready to report in! Mike, Damian, and Lanita are joined by Audrey, Derick, Greg, Leigh Ellen, and Sonyl to recap a weekend packed with Star Trek fandom, celebrity guests, cosplay, panels, memorable moments, and plenty of convention chaos. What were the highlights? What surprised us? And what made Trek Long Island...

Episode Description: This week on Hailing Frequencies Open , we're stepping into the Holodeck with the incomparable Nzinga from Holodeck Heauxs Instagram for a conversation that's equal parts Star Trek fandom, queer joy, and unapologetic holodeck-level chaos. We talk Trek, identity, fandom spaces, and what it means to build community and creativity in the final frontier (and beyond it). Nzinga bri...

This week on Hailing Frequencies Open, we're honored to welcome Mary Chieffo , best known to Star Trek fans as the fierce Klingon leader L'Rell from Star Trek: Discovery . We dive into her journey into the Star Trek universe, the challenges of bringing a Klingon to life under layers of prosthetics, her love of Shakespeare, fandom, creativity, and what it means to be part of the ever-growing Star T...

Before AO3, before fanfic was mainstream, there was McSpirk. This week, Maxwell Warp beams aboard Hailing Frequencies Open to take us deep into the fascinating history of Kirk/Spock/McCoy fan fiction and fandom culture. From mimeographed zines to convention hall whispers, we explore how one of Star Trek's most enduring fan-created relationships helped shape modern fandom as we know it. It's nerdy,...

Damian, Lanita, and Mike dive into Legacy Returns , the latest installment from Trek Shorts from Power 543 Fan Films and friend of the pod, Samuel Cockings . From performances and production value to story choices and deep-cut Trek references, nothing is off-limits in this full breakdown review. The crew shares what worked, what surprised them, and where the film lands in the ever-growing world of...

This week, we're diving into the world of Star Trek fan films with filmmaker Samuel Cockings , the creative force behind Trek Shorts . Known for turning limitations into cinematic strengths, Samuel shares how he built a loyal following through interconnected storytelling, innovative visual effects, and a deep love of Trek. We talk about the realities of indie filmmaking in the Star Trek universe,...

Hop in the ARGO as we continue our "Lanita Watches Trek for the First Time" series with a no-holds-barred review of  Star Trek: Nemesis —and let's just say… we have thoughts. A lot of them. Joined by guest co-host Leigh Ellen, we break down everything from questionable plot choices and missed character opportunities to the chaotic energy of Shinzon and that very intense final act. For Lanita, it's...

This week, we go full warp into the world of on-screen transformation with Emmy-level hair wizard Ryan Reed —the creative force behind the iconic looks of Star Trek: Discovery , Star Trek: Section 31 , and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy . From designing bold new alien aesthetics to shaping deeply intentional character arcs through hair, Ryan pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to run a de...

In this special recap episode, we gather a full roundtable of friends, collaborators, and Star Trek superfans to break down everything that went down in Season 1 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy . Joining us are Alex from Deosil Designs, Anna Rozay, Jodi from Clonestar, Leigh Ellen, Austin, Jackson, and Matthew Jennings from 1701: A Blerd Story —and no topic is off-limits. From standout cadets and...

Order in the court! ⚖️ This week we convene a very special session of Q's Court , where the fate of the Star Trek franchise hangs in the balance. Presiding over the chaos is our all-powerful judge, Honorable Judge Lanita Q Ward-Jones , with Austin dutifully serving as the bailiff and keeping the proceedings (somewhat) under control. Joining us for this cosmic courtroom debate are returning guests...

This week we're joined by writer and fandom historian Jackson Torii Bart for a deep dive into the origins of Kirk/Spock slash fiction and the larger history of fan-created slash. From mimeograph machines to modern fan archives, we unpack the creativity, resistance, community-building, and joy that fueled early slash writers—many of them women and queer fans carving out space in a media landscape t...

This week, we're heading to the Briar Patch and asking the big question: is Star Trek: Insurrection the most underrated Star Trek film… or a 2 hour episode?  Lanita is back in the captain's chair for another first-time watch as we continue her journey through the Trek films — and this one comes with fountains of youth, space diplomacy drama, and some extremely questionable Federation ethics. 👀 Jo...

Class is in session at Starfleet Academy —and we've got thoughts. This week, we're joined by friends of the pod Leigh Ellen and Alex to dig into the characters shaping Star Trek: Starfleet Academy , from the power players at the top to the cadets just beginning their Starfleet journeys. We break down leadership styles, messy brilliance, and the kind of character choices that tell you exactly what...

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Jodi Pickens from the Clonestar Podcast for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about storytelling, connection, and the power of asking the right questions. As a co-host with a deep background in storytelling, Jodi brings warmth, curiosity, and emotional intelligence to every exchange. She has a rare ability to put guests at ease while gently steering...

We're thrilled to welcome Madot from Star Trek Khan: Zuri Washington! We discuss Zuri's introduction to the Star Trek universe, her career and lived experience as a Black woman working in Broadway and Hollywood today. Zuri speaks candidly about navigating the industry, finding her voice across stage and screen, and the realities—both challenging and rewarding—of building a sustainable, creative ca...

As another year in the Final Frontier comes to a close, we're taking a moment to reflect on Star Trek in 2025—the highs, the surprises, the debates, and the moments that kept the fandom buzzing. From new episodes and familiar faces to the ever-evolving state of Trek on streaming, we look back at what worked, what challenged us, and what it all means for the franchise we love. Then, we set our phas...

The Star Trek movie journey continues with one of the franchise's most talked-about entries: Star Trek: First Contact . For Episode 126, we're joined by special guest host Sonyl Nagale as Lanita watches the film for the very first time , continuing her path through the Star Trek movies as a true film virgin. With the Borg threatening humanity, Picard confronting his trauma, and the unforgettable B...

This week, Mike, Lanita, and Damian take a closer look at the hair of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 — from Pike's gravity-defying pompadour to Chapel's sleek style and Una's impeccable updo. Joining the crew is stylist and Trek fan Anna Rozay , who helps unpack how the show's hairstyles reflect personality, rank, and the evolving aesthetic of the Enterprise. ✨ It's science fiction, style...

Halloween special! Mike, Lanita, and Damian beam into the history of  Star Trek Halloween costumes —from the classic Ben Cooper era to the screen-accurate cosplay of today. Along the way, they take a fun trip down memory lane to share their own favorite (and sometimes embarrassing) Halloween memories. Images & Show Notes: https://hailingfrequenciesopen.wordpress.com/?p=2556 Support us at: http...

This week, we're joined by Dr. Trek himself — Larry Nemecek , the ultimate Star Trek insider, historian, and fan ambassador. Together, we explore the roads not taken on Star Trek: The Next Generation.  Larry shares stories from decades of exploring the Final Frontier, from his early Trek research to behind-the-scenes tales of fandom, production, and the evolving legacy of Gene Roddenberry's univer...

Mike beams down with an Away Team report from the Trek to Orlando convention — sharing the best panels, cosplays, and Star Trek fan moments from the weekend. Then the crew looks back at the standout episodes, surprises, and unforgettable moments from Season 4 of Hailing Frequencies Open . ☕ Support us at  ko-fi.com/hailingfreqopen

From the Star Trek Adventure at Universal Studios to The Star Trek Experience in Las Vegas, the franchise has a long and fascinating history with theme parks. This week, Mike, Damian, and Lanita explore that legacy and chat with Matthew Jennings from Star Trek: Red Alert at Universal Studios Hollywood's Fan Fest Nights. Matthew shares what it's like to bring Trek to life for fans in person—and how...

Hosts Mike Jones and Damian team up with guest host D'Manda Martini (drag queen and die-hard Trekkie) for a retro warp back to Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country . Special guest Lanita is seeing this legendary Trek film for the very first time—will she love it, laugh at it, or both? D'Manda's links: https://linktr.ee/DMandaMartini  More HFO at http://hailingfrequenciesopen.com Support Us at ht...