Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi

In this episode, Tony chats with actor Mark O’Brien, who stars as Josh in the mind‑bending parallel‑universe thriller Parallel. The conversation explores how Mark approaches characters caught between moral tension, existential stakes, and the unknown — themes that echo across his standout performances in Arrival and Bad Times at the El Royale.

Mark breaks down the creative and psychological challenges of starring in Parallel, a sci‑fi film where a group of friends discover a mirror that opens doorways into alternate realities.

“Sci‑Fi Talk Plus — your universe, unlocked.”

Building the Dune Prequel Universe

In this chapter of Journey to Arrakis, Tony chatted with bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson, the longtime creative partner of Brian Herbert, to explore how the two architects of modern Dune lore constructed the sweeping prequel era — from House Atreides to The Butlerian Jihad and beyond.

This episode dives into the craft, research, and narrative engineering behind the novels that broadened the Imperium’s history, deepened its mythology, and introduced generations of readers to the political, spiritual, and ecological foundations of Frank Herbert’s universe.

Listeners also experience another atmospheric moment from the Dune Audio Book, courtesy of Macmillan Audio, adding sonic texture to the conversation.

“Sci‑Fi Talk Plus" — premium genre, commercial‑free. Go Plus today!”

Tony zoomed with acclaimed prosthetic makeup effects designer Vincent Van Dyke, whose work continues to redefine how genre characters are built — physically, digitally, and emotionally. From the noir‑soaked streets of Spider‑Noir to the irradiated wastelands of Fallout, Vincent shares the craft, innovation, and storytelling instincts behind some of today’s most memorable transformations.

SAVE 17% ON PLUS TODAY

Featuring Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor & J.J. Abrams**

Time Travel. Marriage, Dinos, and Making Of 

In this episode of BYTE, Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, and producer J.J. Abrams to explore the emotional and cinematic engine behind The End of Oak Street. With  audio from Warner Bros, the trio break down the film’s central relationship, its time‑bending mystery, and the massive scope that transforms Oak Street into one of the summer’s most ambitious genre films.

What I Dive Into

Explore More On Sci-Fi Talk Plus

On Sci‑Fi Talk Plus, you’ll find a longer, extended version of this episode — including:

Podcast And Video Interviews 

Upgrade to Sci‑Fi Talk Plus to unlock the premium experience.

Featuring Christian Convey, Maisy Stella & David Robert Mitchell

Inside The Action, The Heart And Dinosaurs 

In this episode of BYTE, Tony dives into the thrilling world of The End of Oak Street with audio courtesy of Warner Bros. Stars Christian Convey and Maisy Stella, along with writer‑director David Robert Mitchell, break down the film’s pulse‑pounding action, its surprising emotional depth, and the dinosaur‑driven spectacle that powers its biggest moments.

On Sci‑Fi Talk Plus, you’ll find a longer, extended version of this episode — including:

Interviews 

Behind‑the‑scenes Footage

Upgrade to Sci‑Fi Talk Plus to unlock the premium experience.

Paola Lázaro — actor, playwright, and creator of unforgettable characters. Best known for portraying Juanita “Princess” Sanchez on AMC’s The Walking Dead (2020–2022) and Angela Gomez in Netflix’s Obliterated (2023). She holds a Master’s degree in Playwriting from Columbia University, a foundation that deeply informs her approach to character creation and emotional storytelling.

In this episode, Tony chatted with Paola Lázaro for a vibrant, honest, and deeply creative conversation about her journey from playwright to screen actor, the moment she was cast as Princess in 2020, and how she shaped one of the most distinctive characters in The Walking Dead universe.

Paola opens up about the craft behind Princess — her humor, her trauma, her resilience — and how she infused the character with her own lived experiences and artistic instincts. She also dives into Princess’s evolving relationship with Mercer, exploring the emotional layers, trust-building, and vulnerability that made the pairing a fan favorite.

“Go premium with Sci‑Fi Talk Plus — your home for commercial‑free podcasts and videos. Get exclusive Summer Movie coverage, sit‑down interviews, film clips, and red carpet moments from around the world. Sign up now for just $1.99. Click the link to start today.”

August brings a mix of celebration, reinvention, and reflection across the genre landscape. From DC’s latest casting shakeups to Marvel retrospectives, from animated Warhammer to the future of Children of Blood and Bone, this episode captures the pulse of where sci‑fi, horror, and comics are heading next.

Sci‑Fi Talk Plus is in orbit! Get premium, commercial‑free podcasts and videos — including Summer Movie dives, sit‑down interviews, film clips, and red‑carpet action from around the world. Jump in now for just $1.99. Hit the link and go Plus today!”

A Conversation with Emmy Nominee Ashley Michelle Marsh**

Where Characters Live, We Learn Who They Are

In this episode Tony Tellado Zoomed with Ashley Michelle Marsh, Emmy‑nominated set decorator for Pluribus, for a deeper exploration of the lived‑in spaces that define the show’s emotional core. Ashley’s work doesn’t just fill rooms — it reveals character psychology, hidden tensions, and the uncanny dualities that run through the series.

Sci‑Fi Talk Plus is blasting off! Get premium, commercial‑free podcasts and videos — including Summer Movie deep dives, sit‑down interviews, film clips, and red‑carpet action from around the world. Jump in now for just $1.99. Hit the link and go Plus today!”

Strange New Worlds hitting Season Four is a milestone — not just for the series, but for modern Trek itself. This season is bolder, stranger, more emotionally charged, and the cast you spoke with brings that evolution into sharp focus. These show notes lean into your signature blend of character insight, thematic resonance, and production craft.

In this episode, Tony attended a press day with the with the cast at the start of season two to explore how relationships deepen, identities evolve, and the show continues to push the boundaries of what Star Trek can be.

go premium with Sci‑Fi Talk Plus — your home for commercial‑free podcasts and videos. Get exclusive Summer Movie coverage, sit‑down interviews, film clips, and red carpet moments from around the world. Sign up now for just $1.99. Click the link to start today.”

Composer of Pluribus, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, El Camino

In this episode, Tony chats with Dave Porter, the award‑winning composer behind the sonic identity of Pluribus. Known for his long‑standing creative partnership with Vince Gilligan — beginning with Breaking Bad and continuing across multiple series — Porter brings a rare combination of classical training, electronic innovation, and narrative instinct to every project he touches.

This conversation explores how Porter shaped the sound of Pluribus, from the unexpected use of vocals in the main theme to the way he threads vocal textures throughout the score. He breaks down how his classical foundation led him to electronic music, how experimentation became a core part of his process, and why one of his standout pieces draws inspiration from 1970s cinematic style.

Tony also asks the question only Pluribus fans would dare: If Dave were absorbed into the collective, how would it change his music? His answer is as thoughtful as it is surprising.

Go premium with Sci‑Fi Talk Plus — your home for commercial‑free podcasts and videos. Get Summer Movie coverage, sit‑down interviews, film clips, and red carpet moments from around the world. Sign up now for just $1.99. Click the link in the show notes to start today.”