Continuing Conversations: Sci-Fi Storytelling & Star Trek Adventures

Jim and Michael have a big announcement about Star Trek Timelines and Star Trek Adventures riffing! We’re inviting all Trek fans to join us for this spread-by-spread fun fest. Tune in to hear what’s coming. Lots of excitement and endless storytelling possibilities!

David Mack, the New York Times bestselling author of forty novels, has built a wide-ranging career across science fiction, fantasy, and adventure, with credits spanning Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, audio drama, and comics. Join us as we talk about Echoes in Eternity, his new Star Trek novel celebrating the original series’ 60th anniversary, Picard: Firewall, and his Wolverine novel Road of Bones.

Science fiction and fantasy have always let us envision worlds beyond our own. But who gets to imagine those worlds, and whose voices get to shape the future?

Today, we're joined by Shawyonia Pettigrew, the visionary behind Moonlight and Mawazo, an initiative dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices in speculative fiction and creating space for stories that challenge conventions, celebrate cultural identity, and expand storytelling possibilities.

We'll explore the power of imagination as a force for change, the importance of representation in science fiction and fantasy, and what it takes to create opportunities for the next...

Writer and producer Jake Black joins Jim and Michael for his first appearance on Continuing Conversations! From head-writing The Ready Room with Wil Wheaton to crafting Star Trek stories, trading cards, and Starfleet Logbook, Jake has explored the final frontier across a remarkable range of formats. Get to know the creative mind behind the work—and a career built on writing, learning, and saying yes to new adventures.

Adam Good and Jamie Perez, creators of the amazing Infinity of Ships!! Learn about their journey from poetry to unlimited possibilities.

An Infinity of Ships is an expansive toolkit for creating truly unique spaceships for your sci-fi tabletop roleplaying games. Featuring evocative ship illustrations by Rob Turpin (aka thisnorthernboy) and over 150 pages of tables, generators, and adventures, An Infinity of Ships is the perfect resource for spacefaring GMs and players alike. With a wide, inclusive range of styles and tones, An Infinity of Ships lets you create spaceships that fit any sci-fi galaxy and any type of...

Get ready for a fantastic conversation with Diana Keng, whose sharp insights and deep love of genre storytelling make them a perfect guest for Continuing Conversations. We’ll be talking about the current season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Diana’s work with TV Fanatic and The Televixen, and more. Tune in for a thoughtful, inspiring, and wonderfully Trek-filled episode.

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This week on Continuing Conversations, Michael and Jim welcome writer Christopher Cantwell to talk about IDW’s upcoming Star Trek #1 and the bold new era it launches for Captain Seven and the Enterprise. The conversation digs into Seven’s evolving voice, the challenge of moving Star Trek “forward, forward, forward” while honoring everything that came before, and what it means to explore not just strange new worlds, but the inner lives, histories, and contradictions of the characters who carry the franchise into the future.

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Jim and Michael get back on the soapbox to talk about lessons learned over the last 5+ years in the RPG and writing game. From where we are to where we have been, and how to shut down negativity and uplift others...we chat about it all and hope it inspires you to KEEP WRITING and DREAMING!

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Unleash the power of probability matrices in this "Riffing Random Tables" session with Al Spader, Jim Johnson, and Michael Dismuke. Random tables are more than rolling and accepting the prompt. It takes creativity, imagination, and some flexibility to make each roll--and each gaming session--a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You're sure to be excited and educated by watching this show!

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Al Spader guest stars to talk about how to market your RPG and your personal brand. I would like to call this a master class, but honestly, it is a tricky game where some strategies win and others lose. Tune in. Maybe you will find the perfect strategy that takes your game from bust to boom. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

In this episode of Continuing Conversations, hosts Michael Dismuke and Jim Johnson welcome back the dynamic writing duo Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly (the Hive Mind), fresh off San Diego Comic-Con 2026. The creators share their 20-year journey as collaborative partners, offering invaluable business advice for aspiring writers, including establishing an S-Corp, hiring legal/accounting professionals, and their financial blueprint under Ego Death Inc. They also preview their highly anticipated projects, including taking over Dark Horse’s Dungeons & Dragons comics (pitched as the 'Avengers of D&D'), their original horror miniseries You'll Never Leave This Place Alive, and their upcoming in...

Jim and Michael at STLV and the Star Trek Timelines panel!!!

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We are diving deep into the world of sequential art to profile a creator who completely redefines what a comic book page can look like: the incredible J.K. Woodward. If you’ve ever flipped through the dark, atmospheric pages of Peter David’s Fallen Angel, or marveled at the hyper-realistic, stunningly painted characters in IDW’s Star Trek universe, then you already know his work. Woodward bridges the gap between traditional fine art and modern comic storytelling. By choosing gouache on hot-press cotton paper over standard digital inks, he brings a textured, expressionistic depth to mainstream Marvel, DC, and in...

Jim and Michael break down Star Trek Adventures RPG Core Rulebook chapter 8, Weapons and Gear! Are you optimizing the use of gear and Weapons in your game? Tune in for some serious riffing to inspire amazing ways to use equipment traits, insane weapons, and outlandish inventions. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

What does it really take to turn an RPG idea into a finished game?

In this episode of Continuing Conversations, Michael Dismuke and Jim Johnson sit down with veteran game designers Meric Moir, and Al Spader for an engaging discussion about the realities of RPG development. From the spark of an initial idea to the challenges of playtesting, refinement, and publication, the panel explores what happens behind the curtain of game design.

Together, they tackle big questions: Does a great RPG begin with mechanics, setting, theme, or emotion? How do designers know when to stop...

Jim and Michael invite 2D20 System Designer Nathan Dowdell onto Continuing Conversations to chat about the NEW Star Trek Adventures Allies and Adversaries Sourcebook. Learn about new encounters, optional rule sets, and a menagerie of NPCS to throw into your games for unlimited fun!

Sorry for the late episode, folks. But we wanted to do something special. We were in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for Shore Leave 46 and in fabulous hands with many of Star Trek adventure’s most prolific writers. We will take you on the tour of Vendor Hall, meet some familiar faces, and talk about convention etiquette. Let us know what you think of this episode. It’s different than what we usually do.

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Adam Selvidge, founder of Star Trek Book Club, joins Jim and Michael to talk about the vast universe of stories contained within Star Trek novels and comics. Hear about our favorite books in addition to how to choose where to start if you want to get into the novels and comics. It is a big galaxy of stories. This episode will give you some good options for starting points.

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Star Trek Adventures writer Stephen Near joins Jim and Michael to riff about building an episodic campaign to tantalize your players. How to do it? What are some cool ways to keep players invested in the episodes and character development? What tools are available (FOR FREE) to help build a great episodic gamer? Tune in to help plan your next great adventure.

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Star Trek Adventures writer Stephen Near joins Jim and Michael to tackle the controversial question, "Can the captain be an NPC in your Star Trek Adventures game? What are the pros and cons? Opportunities and threats?" Get ready for some distinct opinions and new ideas to get your tribbles chirping.

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Join us on Continuing Conversations as we sit down with legendary Star Trek author Dayton Ward to discuss his thrilling new novel set after Season 3 of Star Trek: Picard. We dive into temporal mysteries, Wesley Crusher’s return, Romulans, what’s at stake when history itself begins to unravel, and how Star Trek Adventures seeps into the novel. Along the way, we also celebrate 60 years of Star Trek history and explore Dayton’s incredible career writing across one of science fiction’s most beloved franchises. If you love Trek lore, storytelling, and behind-the-scenes insights, this is an episode you won’t wa...

What happens when tabletop roleplaying moves beyond entertainment and becomes a tool for transformation? On this episode of Continuing Conversations, Jim and Michael sit down with storyteller, educator, and game designer Marcy Brown to explore how roleplaying games can unlock creativity, build empathy, and create deeper learning experiences for young people. As Lead Storyteller with the Mycelium Youth Network, Marcy helps shape spaces where storytelling, community, and youth empowerment intersect—using game-based learning to help students find their voice, build confidence, and imagine new possibilities. If you’ve ever wondered how RPGs can become powerful tools in the classroom, this...

Al Spader and Alex Boer join Jim and Michael to dish out some good advice about running a one-shot Star Trek Adventures RPG. Whether your friends are short on time, you are introducing the game to newbies, or you are taking up the GM mantle at a convention or online, these tips will ensure everyone has an incredible time in 2-3 hours (or even less sometimes). https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

Al Spader and Alex Boer join Jim and Michael to explore Scars and Trauma in STA. Featured in the 23rd Century Sourcebook, scars and trauma can deepen your characters' back stories and make for amazing storytelling. Time to riff! https://linktr.ee/studiotembo

In this episode of Continuing Conversations, we sit down with acclaimed cartoonist and animation director Derek Kirk Kim to explore a creative journey that moves seamlessly between indie comics and major animated series. From his Eisner and Harvey Award-winning work on Same Difference and Other Stories to his time directing on Amphibia, Derek shares how his approach to storytelling has evolved while staying rooted in deeply human moments.

We dive into his early childhood memories—including a surprise reunion with host Michael Dismuke from their 4th-grade days—and discuss how his experience as an immigrant influenced his conn...

Unlock the Secrets of Global Storytelling with Author Nova McBee! 

How do you turn real-world adventures into an international bestselling series? In this episode of Continuing Conversations, we sit down with Nova McBee, the powerhouse author and screenwriter behind the hit young adult thriller series, Calculated.

Drawing from over 20 years of living in China, Asia, and the Middle East, Nova reveals how her cross-cultural life shaped her "oak tree" stories—books designed to last for generations. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a Star Trek fan, or curious about the future of media, this interview is pac...

The definitive Star Trek history is finally here! Join the "Trekstorians"—Derek Tyler Attico, Kelli Fitzpatrick, Jim Johnson, and Michael Dismuke—for an exclusive look at the groundbreaking new release from DK Books: Star Trek Timelines. Launching November 3, 2026, for the Star Trek 60th Anniversary, this 336-page hardcover masterwork charts the entire franchise history from the Big Bang to the end of the universe. We’re diving into the Prime Universe, the Mirror Universe, the Kelvin Timeline, and even the "Year of Hell." Plus, we show you exactly how to use this book to level up your Star Trek Adventures RPG ca...

Dr. Una McCormack is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling science fiction author known for bringing depth, politics, and humanity to some of the genre’s most beloved universes. With more than twenty novels, she has written acclaimed stories for Star Trek, Doctor Who, and Firefly, including Star Trek: Picard – The Last Best Hope and the autobiographies of Spock and Kathryn Janeway. 

An academic with a PhD in sociology and a longtime lecturer in creative writing, Una blends rigorous thought with compelling storytelling, exploring themes of identity, power, and culture within science fiction worlds. 

Her...

Two writers. Two vantage points. One honest conversation about breaking into science fiction. In this episode, Jim and I sit down with Candace Kade, an experienced voice in the field, and Kyra Walters, a new writer navigating the path to publication. Together, we dig into flash sci-fi, storytelling craft, and the real questions every writer asks when starting out—cutting through the noise with candid insights, practical advice, and a few Star Trek detours along the way.

Thomas Marrone flies back in to Continuing Conversations to talk about 15 years of Star Trek Online goodness! For a quarter of Trek's existence, Thomas and team have been creating a portal into the Trek universe via STO for hundreds of thousands of video gamers. Now in lead of STO development, we dive into the stories that have riveted new and old Trek fans and keep them coming back for more. Also, we will take a look at some of the ships that have warped out of STO and onto our television screens!

Susan and Tilly Bridges grace us with their presence as they give us the dish on their run on Star Trek Voyager comics from IDW Publishing. Ever wish for that 8th season of Voyager? Well, here it is in comic form!

Today on Continuing Conversations, we’re joined by Laurie Ulster—a New York-based writer, freelance journalist, TV producer, and seasoned copy editor whose work spans digital, print, audio, and television. Laurie’s bylines have appeared in outlets like Biography, ScreenRant, CBS Watch, and TrekMovie.com, and she’s a Senior Editor and podcast co-host for All Access Star Trek, blending deep fandom with insightful cultural commentary. She’s the author of Gilmore Girls Life Lessons and many essays on entertainment, pop culture, parenting, and lifestyle. She brings a unique blend of wit, expertise, and passion to every conversation.

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Star Trek legends Bonnie Gordon (Star Trek: Prodigy) and John Billingsley ("Phlox" on Star Trek: Enterprise) join us to banter about storytelling, boxer shorts, and amazing events like the Trek Talk Telethon to support the Hollywood Food Coalition. Join us for good laughs and great causes!

We sit down with the stunning sci-fi writer Dylan Johnson in this week's episode! YAY! Dylan emphasizes community—championing other writers, supporting their causes, and the belief that every life has worth and a story to tell. Tune in for an inspiring sit-down!

This week we have the brain-bursting Christoper Cantwell on the show and WOW!! Some insider previews of the NEW Star Trek comic launch coming on Star Trek Day 2026 in celebration of Trek's 60th anniversary!

Christopher Cantwell is an American writer, producer, and director who has worked in television, film, and comic books. He is best known as one of the two co-creators of the TV series Halt and Catch Fire, for which he also served as a producer, showrunner, screenwriter, and director. He also directed the 2019 film The Parts You Lose. Cantwell is a writer of comic...

In this episode, Michael and Jim welcome Pavel “Flour” Dąbrowski, one of the brilliant minds in the Star Trek Adventures community, to discuss his innovative reimagining of the Extended Task mechanic. Pavel explains how adapting this system for personal and professional missions adds depth to character arcs—transforming what was once a mechanical hurdle into a storytelling engine that tracks growth, struggle, and success. From starship repairs to emotional breakthroughs, this conversation boldly explores how mechanics can serve narrative and enrich the role-playing experience.

This week, Jim and Michael sit down with editor and publishing pro TwylaBeth Lambert for a candid conversation about the unsung hero of writing—editing. From recognizing when to hire an editor to understanding the levels of edits—developmental, line, and copy—they explore how trust, communication, and role clarity can turn revisions into revelations. Whether you’re querying agents or going indie, TwylaBeth shares expert advice on how to make every edit count—creatively, professionally, and financially.

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In this episode, we dive deep into the creative process behind Star Trek Adventures Mission Briefs with writers Cory Belote and Marco Rafala. We explore how to craft compelling narratives for JAG-style legal dramas and expansive Five Year Missions. Cory and Marco share their tips for balancing Federation ideals with high-stakes conflict, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the storytelling techniques used to bring these mission briefs to life for GMs and players alike.

This week on Continuing Conversations: We’re joined by Larry “Dr. Trek” Nemecek — legendary Star Trek authority, bestselling author of Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion, archivist, host of The Trek Files podcast, and creator of the deep-dive fan experience Portal 47. With decades of insider knowledge from behind-the-scenes archival interviews, convention stages, and documentary work, Larry breaks down Trek lore like no one else. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the galaxy, this conversation will take you boldly where few podcasts go.

Want a tour of famous Star Trek shooting locations? Check out geeknationtours.com.

Ever wondered how a video game writer handles the "Kobayashi Maru" of storytelling? Dan Martin (Writer, Star Trek: Resurgence) joins us to reveal how Telltale-style branching narratives are built and why Riker makes the perfect Captain.

In this episode of Continuing Conversations, Michael and Jim sit down with Dan Martin to discuss the challenges of writing for a beloved IP like Star Trek. Dan breaks down the "Ludo-narrative dissonance" in game design, shares stories from the Resurgence writer's room, and explains why Spock, Kirk, and McCoy are the ultimate model for video game choices.

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