Science, space, and gaming journalist and StarTrek.com contributor Swapna Krishna helps Paul and Tawny answer one very important question about the sky above: ‘What’s all goin’ on up there?’ They talk through the latest news in space and interstellar travel; including NASA’s plans for 2023 and beyond, the future of space tourism, and more. Finally, Swapna recommends our hosts watch two of her favourite DS9 episodes and we learn why those Kira/Damar scenes leave her wanting more every time.

And… action! Jonathan Frakes joins Paul and Tawny for the Season 3 premiere to discuss his first exposure with Trek and how he came to act and direct over 100 TV episodes along with the film “Star Trek: First Contact”. Plus, he talks about his experience being an official Marvel character actor as Captain America.

Join Tawny Newsome (Beckett Mariner on Lower Decks) and Paul F. Tompkins (Doctor Migleemo on Lower Decks) for another season of Star Trek: The Pod Directive. You’ll hear a wide-ranging and often hilarious take on the Star Trek universe in every episode. Paul and Tawny will also be joined by fellow Trekkies, from cast members to diehard fans. This season, go behind the scenes of hit shows with guests from Deep Space Nine and The Next Generation and explore the impact of the franchise— including Picard season 3! New episodes every other Tuesday.

In case you missed it at Star Trek Day, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan writer and director, Nicholas Meyer, surprised the audience with the announcement of a new podcast, Star Trek: Khan – Ceti Alpha V. The scripted podcast will examine what happened in the years after Captain Kirk left Khan on the untamed world of Ceti Alpha V and tells the story of Khan and his followers prior to the iconic film. Additionally, Star Trek: The Pod Directive hosts Tawny Newsome and Paul F. Tompkins announced the third season renewal of their podcast. Learn more at StarTrek.com. 

It’s the last pod of the season, and Tawny and Paul are sitting down with producer and StarTrek.com Managing Editor Kendra James. Together, they’re recapping season 2 of The Pod Directive, talking shop, Star Trek News, and more before leaving listeners with a few Trek-centric recommendations to tide us all over until season 3. See you in a few months, everyone!

Tawny Newsome (Beckett Mariner, Star Trek: Lower Decks) and Paul F. Tompkins (Dr. Migleemo, Star Trek: Lower Decks) are joined by Jack Quaid (Brad Boimler, Star Trek: Lower Decks) for a… well, you can probably guess what we’re talking this week. Get some exclusive insight on the Lower Decks’ audition process, listen as the trio discusses Jack’s Star Trek learning curve, what it’s like being the representatives of major fandoms, and even drop a few clues about Lower Decks season 2 (August 12, 2021)! 

This week, Tawny and Paul sit down with the architect behind the modern Star Trek Universe, Alex Kurtzman. In an hour-long conversation, the three discuss what it takes to build a franchise, the amazingly talented people in front of and behind the camera who make the shows come to life, and why in 2021 Star Trek is now more important than ever when it comes to understanding the world we live in. It’s an episode fans won’t want to miss!

Vox TV Critic Emily VanDerWerff drops by the pod to talk about what it’s been like rewatching Star Trek: Deep Space Nine for the first time, not only as an adult, but during a global pandemic with her newly minted TV ‘book club.’ Together, Emily, Paul, and Tawny discuss DS9’s enduring legacy and why it speaks to so many LGBTQ fans, Emily’s very first experiences with Trek, and dip into the state of media criticism before leaving listeners with some great recommendations for what to watch next!

Director Justin Simien (Dear White People, Bad Hair, and the upcoming Lando Calrissian series for Disney+) joins Tawny and Paul this week to talk all things Trek and nostalgia. From stories of Simien’s childhood in the American South watching The Next Generation on an antenna TV, to learning all the, er, creative ways he figured out to make his own amateur sci-fi adventure, and the beauty of TNG’s series finale, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

Talia Lavin spent months immersing herself in the internet’s darkest corners, becoming an expert on how white supremacists organize online and what that means for the rest of us. After publishing Culture Warlords: My Journey into the Dark Web of White Supremacy, she went for a palate cleanser and started watching Star Trek for the very first time. This week, Talia joins Tawny and Paul to discuss what it was like to watch Star Trek during the pandemic and her hopes for making a more Trek-like future out of our current reality.