Star Trek: The Pod Directive

Latest Episodes:

The Creation of the Klingon Language | Unsung Science with David Pogue Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

Where do fictional languages come from? How are they devised? Hear from the creator of the Klingon language, Marc Okrand, on his process of designing the famous conlang (constructed language) and his first few Star Trek gigs. You'd be surprised by the amount of vocabulary, syntax, and grammar that go into inventing the conlang. Host David Pogue also interviews language creator David Peterson on his conlangs, including Dothraki and High Valyrian from Game of Thrones, and Angela Carpenter, a linguistics professor at Wellesley College on the history of constructed languages. We'll be back with a new episode of the Pod Directive soon!

From Fan to Science Fiction Consultant with Erin Macdonald Jul 25, 2023

Show notes

Ever wondered how warping would work in real life? Astrophysicist Dr. Erin Macdonald knows. Erin takes the inner workings of science and makes them possible in the science fiction universe we love on Star Trek. She also highlights one of her favorite Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes, “The Magnificent Ferengi”, because everyone loves an Iggy Pop appearance. This episode originally aired on May 17, 2021.

John Hodgman’s Favorite Episode of The Next Generation Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

Author and actor John Hodgman is throwing it back with Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: The Original Series. He and our hosts analyze how these shows have impacted their views on interpersonal relationships and John dives into one of his favorite Next Generation episodes, “Lonely Among Us”. He is also desperately looking for a Judge Q costume if anyone has a spare! This episode originally aired on April 12, 2021.

Sir Patrick Stewart (Extended Cut) | The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

Sir Patrick Stewart makes a special appearance on The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert. Following Colbert's commentary, he and Stewart discuss the final season of Star Trek: Picard. Stewart also shares tidbits about himself including how he stays so young, his role as King Oberon, and what he sees as the best way to start your day. This is an episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert originally aired in February 2023.

Meaningful Asian Representation with Phil Yu May 30, 2023

Show notes

Creator of “All the Asians On Star Trek” and the “Angry Asian Man” blog, Phil Yu, discusses Asian representation in Star Trek and beyond. He speaks to his own experiences from watching Rosalind Chao as a kid to making it a mission to interview every Asian actor who has appeared on Star Trek. Throughout the years diversity has developed, but we’re also asking: What is meaningful representation? How is Asian representation doing in Star Trek and beyond? This episode originally aired on April 26, 2021.

Building Character Inspirations with Michelle Yeoh May 16, 2023

Show notes

The wonderful Michelle Yeoh, also known as Captain Philippa Georgiou, talks about her time working on Star Trek: Discovery and her experience with her Star Trek family. She gives us the background on her extensive career from dancing to acting, including how her inspiration for Georgiou came from contemporary dance. She also shares the things she wants to do in her career that she hasn’t done yet! This episode originally aired on April 19, 2021.

Comics and Klingons with Christopher Cantwell May 02, 2023

Show notes

Writer Christopher Cantwell joins the podcast as a fan and is greeted by fans of his own! Tawny and Paul are excited to welcome the creator of one of their favorite shows, Halt and Catch Fire, before diving into Cantwell’s Star Trek fandom, his IDW comic series, Star Trek: Defiant, and why everything always comes back to Klingons… not that we’re complaining.

Check out a first taste of his next book, the crossover event "Day of Blood", in the Star Trek Free Comic Book Day 2023 one shot available for free at comic book shops across the country on May 6.

The Possibility of Life with Jaime Green Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

Debut author and science journalist Jaime Green is bringing her expertise and passion for life on our planet and others! Our hosts get a chance to ask her about evolution on earth and beyond, chat AI, revisit their conversation on SETI and METI from season 2, and discuss the uniqueness of alien life on Star Trek, in science fiction, and in the real world.

Jaime’s book, The Possibility of Life, is out today and available from booksellers everywhere.

Marrying a Trek Fan with Moshe Kasher and Natasha Leggero Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

Comedians, married couple, and -- most importantly -- friends of our hosts, Moshe Kasher and Natasha Leggero join the pod to help us find out what happens when a Trek fan marries someone who couldn't care less. Listen in as Tawny, Paul, and Moshe introduce Natasha to the classic DS9 episode, Trials and Tribble-ations.

Want more Natasha and Moshe? Listen to their relationship advice podcast, Endless Honeymoon. You can also catch them in Honolulu at the Blue Note on May 19, and doing Endless Honeymoon live on June 29 at Polaris Hall in Portland.

Into the Stratosphere with Swapna Krishna Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

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.

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