Join Richard and Christel for a special Star Trek Day episode of Turning Trekkie! They welcome back returning guest Jon to dive into the world of Star Trek fandom! It's delightfully quirky. From unforgettable Star Trek convention experiences from our panel to Denise Crosby’s iconic documentary Trekkies, this episode celebrates the passion, creativity, and community that keep Trek fans boldly going!!! Happy Star Trek Day!

Grab your Starfleet issued tricorders and join Richard, Christel, and special guest Denny as they beam into the wild and wonderful world of Star Trek novels and comics! From galaxy-spanning trilogies to unexpected crossovers with the X-Men and Doctor Who, the literary side of Trek has boldly gone where the shows couldn't due to budget limits, canon rules, or just a lack of imagination. Since the ‘60s, books like Spock’s World, Imzadi, and the Legacies trilogy have given fans deeper dives into favorite characters and alien cultures! The comics from Gold Key, Marvel, and DC all the way to IDW also have kept the starships flying between screen adventures. Come for the nerdy insights, stay for the fun and maybe even add a few titles to your reading list!

Get ready for some Klingon Politics and Shakespearean Vibes! In this episode of Turning Trekkie, Richard and Christel set coordinates for Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, the final voyage of the original Enterprise crew. Joined once again by returning guests Michael and Debra, this crew dives deep into the political intrigue, Cold War allegories, and unexpected Shakespearean flair that define this iconic film.

From General Chang’s dramatic monologues to Kirk’s evolving views on Klingons, we explore how this movie serves as a poignant and powerful farewell. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a new recruit, this episode boldly goes into rich conversation, laughter, and a few surprisingly emotional moments.

Grab your Romulan ale and join us as we decode the mystery, the message, and the magic of The Undiscovered Country.

Join Richard and Christel as they boldly go where few fans dare venture: a deep dive into Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. In this episode, they explore the infamous fifth installment of the original film series. This film was actually directed by William Shatner (Captain Kirk) himself. Join in on the debate of whether this movie deserves its reputation as the "black sheep" of the franchise or if it's just as good as all the rest!

Expect spirited discussion on rogue Vulcans, philosophical questions about faith, and most importantly... campfire singalongs (yes,that's for real). Is there a hidden gem beneath the rocky terrain of Nimbus III? Or perhaps, should this installment remain confiened to the spacedock forever?

Tune in for laughs, thoughtful insights, and the enduring question: What does God need with a starship?

Companion Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_rQZ-SyPxw&pp=ygUQc3RhciB0cmVrIDUgZ29kPw%3D%3D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydOOisUr4NQ&t=335s&pp=ygUQc3RhciB0cmVrIDUgZ29kPw%3D%3D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VawzMHzLuI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7ojpKQvBFA

This week on Turning Trekkie, Christel and Richard are joined by special guests Michael and Debra (from San Fran) for a deep dive into one of the most unconventional entries in all of the Trek Universe:

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

From time-traveling Klingon ships in 1980's San Francisco to interstellar whale diplomacy in the 23rd Century, this episode has it all.

Together, the Turning Trekkie crew unpacks the film’s eco-conscious message, its effortless humor, and its absolute unforgettable scenes! They are as clear as transparent aluminum with their opinions and share them freely. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newly minted Trekkie, beam in for a lively conversation full of laughs, insight, and just a little bit of whale song.

Companion Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIR3i7J-uZE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlCYGFY5xEY

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD_hbCfg3X8

In this special "in-person episode," Richard and Christel beam into Nashville to record they're hot takes and eat Hattie B's! Our Trek-obsessed duo dives into Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, unpacking everything from the emotional weight of Kirk’s heavy decisions to the spiritual science of a Vulcan resurrection. Expect laughs, debates, and a few sentimental moments as they navigate this pivotal chapter in the original Star Trek film saga. Whether you're a lifelong Trekkie or just beginning your "five year" mission, this one is a very pivotal moment!

In this special episode of Turning Trekkie, we boldly go... to the movie theater! Join us as we relive the cinematic magic of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan on the "Silver Screen." Whether you're a seasoned Trekker (like Richard) or a newcomer catching up at warp speed (like Christel), we break down all the reasons why this 1982 classic still hits hard! From the iconic performances to the emotional gut punches (yes, we’re looking at that scene) we cover it all! Hear our fresh reactions, fun facts, and learn how seeing Kirk and Khan clash on the "Big Screen" hits differently than just watching at home. Spoiler alert: We left the theater quoting all the famous lines and humming James Horner’s incredibly catchy score all the way home.

Buckle up, Trekkies!!! In this episode , Richard and Christel take a cinematic voyage to A NEW BEGINNING with a big-screen viewing of Star Trek: The Motion Picture!

Join them as they dive into their experience, fresh from AMC, and react to the film’s ambitious plot. They share their unfiltered hot takes; From awe-inspiring visuals to the slower-than-expected pacing, nothing is off-limits in this lively breakdown.

Was it mesmerizing or just... a showcase of motion? Tune in to find out what made this retro screening a fun and fascinating ride through Trek history!

🎉 Happy 4th Anniversary, Trekkies! 🚀 In this very special episode, Richard and Christel celebrate four incredible years of Turning Trekkie! From their very first mission exploring The Original Series... to their current coverage of the Fan Film Universe... and beyond. They reflect on their journey through Star Trek and the unexpected adventure of podcasting together.

Join them for funny behind-the-scenes moments and guest star shout-outs! See how their perspectives on Trek (and each other!) have evolved. Whether you've been with them from Star-date 1 or just beamed aboard recently, this is an episode full of gratitude, geeky joy, and lots of love for the Star Trek Universe.

Live long, prosper, and thank you for turning Trekkie with us. 🖖

Ben’s BACK, Baby! The Turning Trekkie crew is back for the 10th installment of our epic Fan Film series... and guess who’s rejoining the fun? That’s right!!! Ben has returned ready to bring his opinions (and laughs) to wrap up our fan film journey!

This time around, we're diving into three out-of-this-world Star Trek fan films: Farragut Forward, Crisis on Infinite Excaliburs, and The Child. We’ve got everything from bold adventures to mind-bending multiverse shenanigans, and of course, plenty of Star Trek nostalgia to fuel the conversation.

Join us as we break down each fan film, share our thoughts, and maybe even get a little cheeky with our reviews. It’s a fun-filled ride as we boldly go where only the fans of fan films have gone before! Get ready for some Trekkie fun, because this series may be winding down, but the hot takes are only just getting started!

Fan Film Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIH6asysM3s&pp=ygUQZmFycmFndXQgZm9yd2FyZA%3D%3D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVG7fDuXK5c&pp=ygUTaW5maW5pdGUgZXhjYWxpYnVycw%3D%3D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OJH3DdM0fI&pp=ygUTdGhlIGNoaWxkIHN0YXIgdHJlaw%3D%3D