This week on Star Trek: The Pod Directive, Tawny and Paul meet up for a quick chat before Paul dives in solo with renowned environmentalist and professor Bill McKibben. From rainstorms and earthquakes on Risa to a quest to save two whales, Star Trek has always paid attention to issues of the environment, and McKibben has taken note. Together, Paul and Bill talk through issues of Global Warming, what makes environmentalism so crucial, and what Star Trek has done right that we can actually do and apply here in the real world.

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This week, Tawny and Paul sit down with someone who's been closer to the stars than most people will ever get. You may know Samantha Cristoforetti from her famous cosplay of Kathryn Janeway on the International Space Station. Calling in from Germany, she talks to our hosts about what it's like to be a fan of Star Trek while also working towards the future of space exploration the show so clearly envisions.

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This week, Paul F. Tompkins sits down with his old friend Tig Notaro. They talk about her role as Jett Reno on Star Trek: Discovery, adapting to Trek Tech Talk, their mutual loves of comedy, and more.

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We could not have asked for a better guest in this last month before the 2020 election, than Georgia Gubernatorial Candidate Stacey Abrams. After running a hard fought campaign for governor, Abrams went on to found her organization, Fair Fight. Somehow, this powerhouse finds time between fighting for voter rights, delivering political commentary, and, yes, writing romance novels, to also maintain her status as a massive fan of Star Trek. Hosts Tawny Newsome and Paul F. Tompkins talk to Abrams about politics, ethics, and one of her favorite episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

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It’s always a great time when a buddy drops by the studio! This week, Tawny introduces Paul to her friend (and showrunner!) Mike McMahan. The trio sits down for a hilarious discussion of all things Star Trek, comedy, and how the two have always been in lock step with each other, even before the premiere of Star Trek: Lower Decks.

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Flying solo with hosting duties this week, Tawny is joined by Michelle Hurd (Raffi, Star Trek: Picard), Angelica Jade Bastién (Staff Writer, Vulture), and Kendra James (Managing Editor, StarTrek.com) for an hour long, roundtable conversation about Black stories, Black culture, and Black lives in Star Trek.

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Tawny and Paul sit down with religious scholar, writer, and commentator Reza Aslan to discuss religion and Star Trek. Sound scary? Don't worry, this week's episode is filled with humor and dry wit as our hosts broach this fascinating topic, and Reza takes us on a deep dive on the symbolism behind a fan favorite, Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Darmok."

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In their debut episode, hosts Tawny Newsome and Paul F. Tompkins sit down with actor, director, and producer Ben Stiller to talk all things Star Trek memorabilia. The trio go deep into Stiller's Trek collection, his childhood memories of the show, and the way his fandom pops up in many of his projects - even to this day!

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Join Tawny Newsome (Star Trek: Lower Decks) and Paul F. Tompkins (BoJack Horseman, Comedy Bang Bang) in a wide-ranging and often hilarious take on the Star Trek universe. With unparalleled access to Star Trek luminaries, celebrity superfans, and behind-the-scenes creative professionals, The Pod Directive takes a smart, witty and thoughtful look at all things Trek – both old and new.

Starting September 14th join Tawny Newsome and Paul F. Tompkins as they talk with Ben Stiller, Reza Aslan, Michelle Hurd, Stacey Abrams, Tig Notaro and more.

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