The BIG Sci-Fi Podcast

A Look Back at an Often Overlooked Trek Film Star Trek: Insurrection is a film most TNG fans never got particularly excited about. It's probably not on anyone's top 5 favorite Trek films, however, it's probably better than you remember! In this hysterical and out of control episode, our crew, having recently re-watched the film, discuss its highs and lows with fresh perspective. You do...

Long-time Planetary Radio Host Get ready for a cosmic journey like no other! This episode of The BIG Sci-Fi Podcast is about to launch you into an interstellar conversation with none other than Mat Kaplan. With a 20-year legacy as the voice behind Planetary Radio up through the end of 2022, and his current role steering the comms ship at The Planetary Society, Mat's insights are truly out of t...

Discussing the popular, iconic, and graphic film RoboCop was a film that sparked the imagination of movie-goers and launched a franchise. It is iconic, cheesy, violent, and filled with satire. Our crew discusses all the gruesome details of this film and talk about what makes it great and not so great. We have our opinions and whether you're a fan of this film or not, we hope you will enjoy our...

Actress, Mother, Songwriter, and more! (THIS EPISODE WAS RECORDED ON JULY 5, 2023, PRIOR TO THE STRIKE BY SAG-AFTRA.) We were pleased to visit with the multi-talented Margot Rose who portrayed Eline (Picard's wife) in one of TNG's most popular episodes, The Inner Light. We talk all about this amazing and touching episode, get some great behind the scenes stories along the way, but we were...

More Than Meets The Eye We unpack the action-packed film that brought Transformers to the "big screen" in 2007! This special effects heavy film still looks great in 2023 and we talk about the things we love and flat out hate about this film. We mostly love it, though! There's always a lot to talk about when we sit down together to talk about sci-fi films like this one! Calling all au...

This week we discuss the work of science fiction legend, Harlan Ellison. Whether you're a fan or a critic, his work continues to stand the test of time. Star Trek fans love him for his contribution to the original series in City on the Edge of Forever. His career covered lots of ground, so much so, that we couldn't begin to fit it all in one episode. So we chose the material that speaks mo...

Start up the flux-capacitor and grab your hoverboard as we go Back To The Future! This week we discuss the ground-breaking film trilogy that changed everything and gave us a thrilling new way to experience cinema. Our team has gathered under the clocktower to talk all things Back To The Future. Buckle up and get ready to go back to 1985 for this week's fun episode! We're a proud part of th...

Bruce Horak portrayed Hemmer in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and quickly became a fan favorite. Then, they killed him off the show! It was one of the most beautiful and tragic moments in Trek history (in our opinion). We had the chance to visit with this dynamic and multi-talented actor and artist. You will love the stories from his experience with Trek as well has hearing about his other project...

Films That Define A Generation The BIG Sci-Fi Podcast, dive deeper than the Mariana Trench as we tackle the cinematic universe of esteemed director James Cameron! Reaching the dizzying heights of Avatar's floating mountains, it's a podcast episode packed with action, drama, and a bit of humor. Plug in, power up your neural-nets, and join us as we explore the visionary films that've def...

An Interview with the Inspiring Actress We had the delightful privilege of talking with Michelle Hurd (Raffi of Star Trek: Picard) and we had an amazing time discussing her experience with Star Trek, her acting career, her family and heritage, and more! You don't want to miss this episode because you will hear her passion for her work and life! It is inspiring! If you loved her in Star Trek: P...

Reviewing the Epic Final Season The BIG Sci-Fi Podcast is back and better than ever for season 4! We're kicking this season off with a bang as we review the epic and sensational final season of Star Trek: Picard! Join our crew for a lively discussion of all things season 3 of Picard. We're also excited to now be a part of the Trek Geeks Podcast Network! Great things are ahead as we trek in...

It's our Season 3 finale and we're talking all things Trek Long Island! Joining us are the organizers of this brand new Trek convention - Stefanie Gangone, Edwin Thrower, and Dana Brusa. Our crew is excited to be heading to Long Island to be a part of this convention.  We get to be on the main stage to do an actual show and some trivia, we get to have a table to promote the podcast, and we get to...

Michael and Denise Okuda join the crew this week for an in-depth and insider look at Trek, Picard, and even the AppleTV+ show, For All Mankind (upon which they are tech consultants). Mike and Denise are legends within the Trek community as they have worked on TNG, DS9, VOY, ENT, the four TNG movies, and now season 3 of Picard! They are graphic designers of iconic status, as well as authors and one...

This week Cris takes us on a trippy journey as we review on of the classic all-time science fiction films, 2001: A Space Odyssey.  This film is usually ranked near the top of most all-time great science fiction films rankings and we explore why.  We also explore what we love and dislike about this film!  The banter is epic this week as we all have passionate ideas and feelings about this movie and...

This week we welcomed the beautiful and multi-talented, Laura Banks!  Laura co-starred in Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan as one of the female genetically enhanced humans.  She manned the helm and had some great moments on screen in that classic film.  Her story is a remarkeable one as she worked in comedy with none other than Whoopi Goldberg, dated William Shatner, starred in classic b-movie films...

The crew reviews the first 2 episodes of Picard (Season 3) this week.  At the time of this recording these episodes were freshly released.  If you haven't watched this season...you are in for a ride!  And, there are an amazing, action-packed, intriguing, and heart-wrenching 8 episodes for you to enjoy!  We'll circle back around to a review of the entire season of Picard eventually, but for now, en...

J.D. Cullum joins us this week to talk about his role as Toral in the TNG 2 part episode - Redemption.  He played the role of the son of Duras, and brither to the infamous Duras sisters!  He has had a long and impressive career outside of his guest role on Trek, however, appearing in such shows as The Orrville, NCIS: Los Angeles, Bones, Grey's Anatomy, The Mentalist...and the list goes on and on! ...

The Day The Earth Stood Still is one of the all-time classic and best science fiction films ever made.  The entire crew agrees and we enjoyed rewatching and reviewing this film so we could discuss it and argue about it on this week's episode!  WARNING WILL ROBINSON: Much banter and many tangents are ahead! This podcast is part of the Listen Frederick Podcast Network ! Email us: thebigscifipodcast@...

We welcome Jamie Anderson, son to the legendary Gerry Anderson to the podcast this week!  We had the best time talking to Jamie about his dad's groundbreaking legacy in television, and he tells us some incredible and amazing stories of his own life and experience growing up and in the entertainment industry.  Gerry Anderson is responsible for such classic shows as Thunderbirds, Supercar, Thunderba...

Former NASA astronaut, Rick Mastracchio, joins us for a fascinating conversation about his time in NASA and the many different adventures and experiences he's had over the years.  He also consults on various sci-fi shows and films!  We had a blast with Rick and so will you as you listen to this week's engaging episode! This podcst is a part of the Listen Frederick Podcast Network ! Learn about Ric...

This week our crew reviews the 2021 Netflix film, Stowaway.  The film, starring Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Toni Collette, and Shamier Anderson is a rivetting outerspace (journey to Mars) adventure gone wrong as an accidental passenger is discovered.  This fourth person threatens to ruine the mission as they are taking up more oxegen and supplies than the crew has to sacrifice.  A moral dilema...

It's our one year anniversary here at The BIG Sci-Fi Podcast! We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than to invite back one of our favorite guests, Doug Drexler.  Doug is an Academy Award winner and has worked extensively on Star Trek through the years.  He's made his mark in television and film as a visual effects artist and in make-up as well.  He loves science fiction and Trek, in part...

The crew got together to discuss the classic sci-fi film Blade Runner and it's sequel, Blade Runner 2049.  These unique and innovative stories stand apart in the world of science fiction film making and Adeena, Brian, Cris, and Steve really dive deep into the themes and storylines of these two incredible films. This podcast is a part of the Listen Frederick Podcast Network ! Join our Facebook grou...

We love the Star Trek films and we love talking about them! Ranking them, however, is another story!  Soooo hard to rank the films we adore (for the most part), but we are willing to sacrifice for the sake of our listeners and their entertainment.  Let us know what you think about our list!  This is part 2 of The BIG Star Trek Movie Ranking Episode! This podcast is a part of the Listen Frederick P...

Without a doubt, this is the BIGGEST topic we have ever tackled!  Ranking our beloved Trek films is hard enough when we make our own individual lists.  Put all four of us in a Zoom room and ask us to make one single list, an official list of The BIG Sci-Fi Podcast, and you're asking for lots of back and forth debate, tons of banter, and even more laughter.  Even an occassional gasp and sigh can be...