Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi

A Cadet at a Crossroads  In this Trek Tuesday Thursday Special, Tony Zoomed with George Hawkins, the performer behind Darem Reymi on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Episode seven marks a turning point for Darem — a moment where the young cadet must confront a life‑altering decision that will shape not only his future, but his place within Starfleet itself.  Inside the Episode Seven Deep Dive George and Tony explore: The internal conflict between personal desire and Starfleet responsibility A Klingon Connection: Jay-Den and the Power of Unlikely Friendships One of the most intriguing threads this season has been Darem’s dynamic with his Klingon classmate Jay-Den. War Games, Rivalries, and Leadership Under Pressure George also reflects on the standout episode where Darem unexpectedly leads the cadets in a war game against the War College — a storyline sparked by a series of escalating practical jokes between the two groups. SAVE 17% ON SCI-FI TALK PLUS  

In this episode of Rewind, we return to one of the most pivotal and emotionally charged chapters of The Walking Dead: Season Six. Through rare roundtable conversations recorded at San Diego Comic-Con 2015, we hear directly from the people who helped shape the show’s evolving mythology and escalating stakes. Featured voices include: Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon) Chandler Riggs (Carl Grimes) Lennie James (Morgan Jones) Showrunner Scott M. Gimple Key Events In Season Six  Alexandria Under Siege  Rick’s High‑Risk Plan The Wolves Attack  The Wall Collapse  Morgan’s Return & Philosophy  The Saviors & the Shadow of Negan  A New Connection: Hilltop Save 17% On Plus

A Rare Glimpse at a Legend Before the Phenomenon In this newly restored 1996 conversation from Tony Tellado’s original radio program — co‑hosted with Ernest Lilley — George R.R. Martin joins the show just as A Game of Thrones is beginning its journey into the world. Long before the global phenomenon, before the adaptations and cultural tidal wave, Martin speaks with the candor and enthusiasm of a writer who knows he’s building something ambitious but has no idea how far it will reach. This archival episode, now presented on Exploring Humanity Through Sci‑Fi, offers a remarkable snapshot of Martin’s creative philosophy at a pivotal moment in his career. Highlights From the Conversation 🖋️ On Writing Novels 🧬 On His Favorite Characters 🔥 On Writing Evil Save 17% On Plus Today  

In this episode of Rewind, we return to the enchanted, mysterious, and emotionally rich world of Once Upon a Time—the series that reimagined fairy tales for a modern audience while grounding them in the very human struggles of identity, destiny, and redemption. Set in the fictional town of Storybrooke, Maine, the show begins with a startling revelation: the residents are actually fairy‑tale characters ripped from their magical realms and cursed to live ordinary lives with no memory of who they once were. Through its signature dual‑timeline storytelling, the series explored the hidden pasts of beloved characters—from Snow White to Rumpelstiltskin—and the ways their fairy‑tale histories shaped their present‑day lives. This episode features conversations with Jennifer Morrison, who brought emotional depth and grit to Emma Swan, and showrunners Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis, the creative minds who fused Disney’s iconic storybook legacy with bold, serialized fantasy drama. SAVE 17% ON PLUS TODAY  

In this episode, Tony sits down with two visionary forces shaping the future of visual storytelling: Rachel Meinerding and Nicole Hendrix Herman, co-founders of the Concept Art Association. Together, they’ve helped elevate the craft, visibility, and advocacy of concept artists across film, television, and games—championing the people who imagine worlds long before cameras roll. This conversation is a deep dive into creativity, career evolution, and the fight to ensure artists receive the recognition they deserve. Save 17% On Plus Today    

Featuring Eric McCormack on Jack Nash, Alien Viruses, and the Thrill of a Classic Techno‑Thriller I revisit the 2008 mini‑series adaptation of Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain — a story that blends hard science, government secrecy, and the terrifying possibility of an extraterrestrial pathogen. This look‑back is built from a press conference at the time of release, featuring Eric McCormack, who stepped into the role of investigative cable‑news reporter Jack Nash. Nash becomes the unlikely first witness to a fallen satellite and the classified alien microorganism known as Andromeda — a discovery that pulls him into a crisis far bigger than any breaking‑news cycle. 🎙️ Eric McCormack on Becoming Jack Nash McCormack reflects on crafting a reporter who is both dogged and deeply human. He shares: His inspiration for Jack Nash — a blend of real‑world journalists, classic conspiracy thrillers, and the relentless curiosity that drives people to chase truth even when it puts them in danger. SAVE 17% On Plus, Now  

In this episode, Tony Tellado Zooms  with the rising stars in London as they step into three of the most beloved characters in modern fantasy: Jaxon Knopf as Harry Potter, Rhys Mulligan as Ron Weasley, and Nina Barker‑Francis as Hermione Granger. Together, they unpack the emotional core of the trio’s journey—friendship, fear, growing up, and the quiet moments that shape legends. This conversation goes beyond wands and wizardry. It’s about the human story beneath the magic. ✨ Inside the Episode ⚡ Harry & Ron: When Friendship Fractures Jaxon and Rhys open up about portraying the tension between Harry and Ron 📚 Hermione’s Transformation Nina Barker‑Francis reflects on Hermione’s evolution from brilliant girl to young woman finding her voice. 🔥 The Scene Before the Showdown The most difficult moment to film wasn’t the confrontation with the one‑who‑must‑not‑be‑named—it was the quiet, intimate scene right before it. Listen to a commericial free episode on Plus and save 17%

A Conversation with the Voices Behind the Galaxy This episode takes us back to the buzzing halls of San Diego Comic-Con, where I sat down with some of the standout performers who brought Star Wars: The Clone Wars to life. It’s a chance to revisit the early days of the series, hear candid reflections from the cast, and celebrate the artistry behind one of the most beloved animated chapters in the Star Wars universe. Ashley Eckstein – Ahsoka Tano Ashley shares her journey stepping into the role of Ahsoka, the evolution of the character, and how she approached voicing a young Padawan. Catherine Taber – Padmé Amidala Catherine reflects on giving voice to Padmé’s strength, diplomacy, and emotional depth. Tom Kane – Yoda and Narrator Tom brings his trademark warmth and humor as he discusses voicing both the wise Jedi Master and the show’s signature newsreel-style narrator. SAVE 17% On Plus Today

In this special episode of Exploring Humanity Through Sci‑Fi, Tony sits down with one of the most influential — and often unsung — figures in modern space exploration: Gentry Lee, Chief Engineer for Planetary Exploration at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and longtime collaborator of Arthur C. Clarke. Lee’s fingerprints are on some of humanity’s most iconic voyages into the unknown: the Viking missions, which delivered the first close‑up look at Mars But Lee is more than an engineer. He’s a storyteller. A philosopher. A bridge between the scientific frontier and the imaginative frontier. His collaborations with Arthur C. Clarke helped define the future before it arrived, and his friendships with figures like Carl Sagan shaped the way we dream about the cosmos. Save 17% On Plus Today

In this episode of Byte, Tony sits down with actor Aleks Paunovic, who brings the legendary Cyclops Polyphemus to life in Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Known for his towering presence and emotional depth, Aleks delivers a performance that’s equal parts monstrous, tragic, and unexpectedly human. From the challenges of prosthetics and heat to the delicate balance of myth and emotion, Aleks shares how he approached one of Greek mythology’s most iconic figures—and why Polyphemus is more than just a beast. Save 17% On Plus Today