In this episode, I sit down with Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry, son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and CEO of Roddenberry Entertainment. Rod is an executive producer on many current Star Trek iterations and founder of the Roddenberry Foundation, which supports causes advancing humanity.

We discuss Rod's formative years training Jiujitsu under my good friend Sensei Steve Copping in Los Angeles during the 1980s, earning his black belt as a teenager. Rod shares how the dojo became a second family where respect, vulnerability, and strength coexisted—lessons that shaped his approach to leadership and life. We explore the philosophy of IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations), a core Star Trek principle about appreciating different perspectives, and how it mirrors the martial arts values of learning from everyone regardless of rank.

We dive into Rod's journey stepping out of his father's shadow to forge his own identity while honoring Gene's vision, the responsibility of being guardian to a cultural phenomenon that's more than entertainment, and why Star Trek's optimistic future—where humanity has solved scarcity and values ideas over possessions—remains relevant today. Rod reflects on the challenges of maintaining that hopeful vision across ten different Star Trek shows, why we need inspirational storytelling now more than ever, and how shows like The Orville and Ted Lasso carry forward that same spirit of humanity at its best.

Whether you're a Star Trek fan interested in its philosophical foundations, a martial artist exploring how training shapes character beyond the mat, or someone seeking perspective on leadership, ethics, and building a better future in tumultuous times, this conversation delivers wisdom on finding your own path while honoring what came before.

Roddenberry Entertainment
https://www.roddenberry.com/
Rod Instagram: @eugeneroddenberry  http://www.instagram.com/eugeneroddenberry
Roddenberry Entertainment Instagram @roddenberryofficial https://www.instagram.com/roddenberryofficial
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roddenberry/
Roddenberry Foundation
https://roddenberryfoundation.org/
Roddenberry Foundation’s IG @theroddenberryfoundation http://www.instagram.com/theroddenberryfoundation  
Trek Nation documentary
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1529666/

Steve Copping

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbq6Wpb1DVk

George Kirby

https://budoshin.com/about-bjj/budoshin-lineage/george-kirby/

Gene Roddenberry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Roddenberry

Star Trek

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek

Gracie Jiu Jitsu

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_jiu-jitsu

Paul O'Connor

https://www.paulryanoconnor.com/about

Air Protein

https://www.airprotein.com/

The Orville

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5691552/

Ted Lasso

https://tv.apple.com/us/show/ted-lasso/umc.cmc.vtoh0mn0xn7t3c643xqonfzy

Jeremy Corbell

https://www.weaponizedpodcast.com/

Get in touch!

This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.