Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi

For this special Halloween edition of Rewind, actress Valerie Pettiford joins the podcast to look back at her memorable role in A Discovery of Witches. As one of the maternal figures helping guide young witch Diana Bishop through a world of magic, secrets, and destiny, Pettiford brought warmth, wisdom, and strength to the acclaimed fantasy series.

In this conversation, Valerie reflects on joining the richly imagined world of witches, vampires, and daemons, working alongside a talented ensemble cast, and how the show's themes of family, mentorship, and self-discovery continue to resonate with audiences. She also discusses the special bond between her character and Diana, helping shape the journey of a young woman coming into her extraordinary powers.

As part of our Halloween celebration, we explore what makes A Discovery of Witches such a perfect seasonal watch, blending supernatural intrigue, romance, historical mystery, and spellbinding storytelling. Valerie shares behind-the-scenes memories, insights into her performance, and why the series remains a fan favorite years after its debut.

Step into a world where magic is real, ancient secrets are waiting to be uncovered, and family can come from the most unexpected places.

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Few actors have left a mark on Star Trek quite like Sir Patrick Stewart. In this special Trek Tuesday episode, I revisit three unforgettable roundtable sessions I attended with the legendary actor across the Star Trek: The Next Generation movie era, offering a fascinating snapshot of both Captain Picard's evolution and Stewart's own reflections on the franchise.

Drawing from conversations surrounding Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek: Nemesis, Stewart discusses the origins of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and how the character developed into one of science fiction's most respected leaders.

The conversation then moves to Star Trek: First Contact, where Stewart shares his thoughts on the film and addresses a question I asked in 1996 about whether he would consider directing again. 

For Star Trek: Insurrection, Stewart discusses where Picard was emotionally and professionally at that point in the character's life.

Turning to Star Trek: Nemesis, Stewart examines the growing sense that the movie could represent the end of the Next Generation crew's big-screen adventures.

The episode concludes with Stewart sharing stories about improvised moments during the making of Nemesis, revealing how spontaneity and collaboration helped shape key scenes

A emarkable personal journey  for me through the Next Generation movie years as Sir Patrick Stewart reflects on Picard, filmmaking, and the enduring legacy of one of science fiction's greatest characters.

On this episode, I welcome Rory Alexander, who plays Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser, and Ruby Fubara, who portrays Grace, for a conversation about their characters' growing connection in Outlander: Blood Of My Blood's "Heart Of The Highlands."

We discuss the evolution of Murtagh and Grace's budding romance and how their relationship develops from shared moments and emotional vulnerability into something much deeper. Rory and Ruby reflect on building the chemistry between their characters and the importance of making their journey feel authentic and meaningful for viewers.

The conversation also explores the episode's most intimate moments, as Murtagh and Grace take their relationship to the next level. Rory and Ruby discuss approaching those scenes as actors, the trust required to bring them to life on screen, and how those moments reveal new layers of both characters.

Beyond the romance, we talk about where Murtagh and Grace find themselves emotionally by the end of the episode and what makes "Heart Of The Highlands" such an important chapter in their story.

For even more Outlander: Blood Of My Blood coverage, check out the exclusive Sci-Fi Talk Plus edition featuring:

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Go beyond the scares and spectacle as Byte takes a deeper look behind the scenes of Clayface with director James Watkins. In this episode, Watkins explores how the screenplay balances horror, tragedy, and comic book mythology while bringing one of Gotham's most fascinating villains to life.

We discuss who Clayface is at his core, tracing the character's comic book origins and examining why his story remains one of the most emotional and relatable tales in the Batman universe. Watkins talks about grounding the film's larger-than-life elements in recognizable human struggles, making both Clayface and the people around him feel authentic and emotionally real.

The conversation also focuses on Matt and Caitlyn, their importance to the story, and how their relationships help anchor the film's emotional journey. Watkins shares how character-driven storytelling became the foundation for everything from the script to the film's visual design.

We also dive into the unique look of Gotham City, discussing the team's approach to creating a version of the iconic setting that feels both familiar and distinctive. Watkins reveals why practical effects played such a major role in the production and how hands-on creature work helped give Clayface's transformations a more visceral and believable presence. Thanks to Warner Bros for the audio.

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For even more Clayface coverage, check out a video edition of Behind The Curtain on Sci-Fi Talk Plus, featuring exclusive interviews, two film clips, and behind-the-scenes footage from the production.

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A journey into the haunting origins of one of literature's greatest creations with a look back at A Nightmare Wakes, the film that explores the life, imagination, and emotional struggles of Mary Shelley as she creates Frankenstein.

Joining me are stars Alix Wilton Regan and Giullian Yao Gioiello, who portray Mary Shelley and Percy Bysshe Shelley in this atmospheric and deeply personal examination of the author's life. Rather than a traditional biography, the film blurs the lines between reality and fiction, revealing how Mary's grief, loss, fears, and complex relationships shaped the novel that would become the foundation of modern science fiction and gothic horror.

In our conversation, Alix discusses bringing the legendary writer to life and capturing the emotional struggles that fueled Mary's creativity. Giullian reflects on portraying the passionate and often turbulent relationship between Percy and Mary, and how their partnership influenced her artistic journey. Together, they explore the film's unique approach to storytelling, weaving the creation of Frankenstein into the deeply personal events that inspired it.

In part two of our Halloween Horror Double Bill, we shift from the groundbreaking 1973 film to the acclaimed television adaptation, The Exorcist. Although the series only ran for two seasons, it earned praise for expanding the mythology of the original story while delivering some of television's most unsettling supernatural horror.

Recorded at New York Comic Con, this episode features conversations with Geena Davis, Brianne Howey, and executive producer/showrunner Jeremy Slater as they discuss the series' first season and its shocking connection to the classic film.

Geena Davis talks about portraying Angela Rance, a mother whose family becomes the center of a terrifying demonic presence. Brianne Howey reflects on playing Kat Rance and bringing emotional depth to a story that balances family drama with supernatural horror. Meanwhile, Jeremy Slater shares how the creative team approached adapting a beloved horror property for television, building suspense over multiple episodes while remaining true to the spirit of The Exorcist.

Few horror films have left a mark on popular culture like The Exorcist. In this special Halloween Horror Double Bill, we begin our exploration of one of the most influential and controversial horror movies ever made with Mark Ramsey, creator and host of the acclaimed podcast Inside The Exorcist.

Mark takes us deep behind the scenes of William Friedkin's 1973 classic, examining how the film came together and why it continues to terrify audiences decades after its release. We discuss the adaptation of William Peter Blatty's novel, the unforgettable performances, and the creative choices that transformed The Exorcist into a cinematic landmark.

The conversation also explores the film's lasting cultural impact, the stories and legends surrounding its production, and how its themes of faith, fear, and good versus evil resonate with audiences to this day.

Three of horror's most enduring monsters take center stage in this special Halloween Horror compilation episode. Drawn from a collection of past interviews, this episode explores the evolution, mythology, and lasting appeal of vampires, werewolves, and zombies through conversations with the creators and stars who helped bring them to life.

On the vampire side, James Marsters reflects on making Spike one of television's most beloved vampires on Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Kelly Overton discusses her role in Van Helsing and portraying a modern descendant of the legendary vampire hunter. Eiza González talks about stepping into the iconic vampire role made famous by Salma Hayek in From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, while Guillermo del Toro shares his unique and terrifying vision of vampirism in The Strain.

The undead rise as Robert Kirkman explains how The Walking Dead television series expanded upon the world he created in the comics. Andrew Lincoln discusses the evolution of Rick Grimes as he navigates a world overrun by zombies. For a different spin on the apocalypse, Michael Welch discusses how Z Nation brought humor and adventure to the zombie genre.

Then it's a monster showdown as horror creator Steve Niles makes the case for vampires, while author Max Brooks argues why zombies remain horror's ultimate survivors.

The werewolf segment howls into action with Jeff Davis discussing the mythology and world-building behind Teen Wolf. Horror icon Dee Wallace looks back on her unforgettable transformation in The Howling, and the cast of Bitten explores the family bonds, pack hierarchy, and wolfpack mentality that set their series apart.

From bloodthirsty vampires and shape-shifting werewolves to relentless zombie hordes, this special compilation celebrates the monsters that continue to shape horror across television, film, and literature.

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Are legends real, or is there something still waiting to be discovered in the wilderness? In this special Halloween Horror episode, renowned anthropologist, primatologist, and explorer Dr. Mireya Mayor joins us to discuss her work on Expedition Bigfoot and the ongoing search for one of the world's most enduring cryptids.

Dr. Mayor shares insights into the investigation taking place at the time of our conversation, examining the evidence, eyewitness accounts, and mysterious findings that continue to fuel speculation about the existence of Bigfoot. We explore the scientific approach behind the investigation and how researchers balance skepticism with curiosity when confronting unexplained phenomena.

What happens when a terrifying urban legend steps out of folklore and into reality? In this Halloween Horror Special, filmmaker Peter Sullivan joins us to discuss The Cucuy, a chilling horror film inspired by the legendary creature that has haunted stories and warnings for generations.

The conversation also dives into the creation of the creature itself, from early concepts and visual design to bringing this nightmare figure to life on camera. Peter shares insights into balancing practical and cinematic horror, building suspense, and crafting a monster that feels both ancient and terrifyingly real.

If you're fascinated by folklore, creature design, and the art of modern horror filmmaking, this is a haunting behind-the-scenes look at how an enduring legend became a chilling movie experience.

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