This week on Strange New Pod, it's all about S.A.M. We’re reviewing Starfleet Academy Episode 105, “Series Acclimation Mil.”

Episode Synopsis: As a cadet sets out to solve an ancient Starfleet mystery, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and learns the value of forging her own path. Meanwhile, Nahla agrees to help a fellow chancellor with an elaborate alien ritual.

That, plus our episode breakdown, reactions, and your thoughts from the mailbag, on Episode 273 of Strange New Pod.

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This week on Strange New Pod, we’re reviewing Starfleet Academy Episode 104, “Vox in Excelso.”

Episode Synopsis: When an existential crisis threatens to wipe out a beloved but infamous Star Trek species, a cadet is forced to confront his past and strained relationship with his family. As he pursues an unexpected method of coping, Nahla races against time to save this species from extinction.

That, plus our episode breakdown, reactions, and your thoughts from the mailbag, on Episode 272 of Strange New Pod.

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The galaxy changed forever in 2385.

In this Session 0 of our Star Trek Adventures campaign, The Cries of Mars, we set the stage in the aftermath of the Synth Attack that destroyed Utopia Planitia and left Mars burning. With the Romulan evacuation effort dead, Starfleet in crisis, and Admiral Picard resigned, what remains of the fleet has been reassigned to rescue, relief, and evacuation around the Red Planet.

Our story begins aboard the USS Thunder Bay, a Parliament-class vessel sent into the wreckage.

In this episode, we establish the setting, introduce the ship and crew, and forge character bonds using Daggerheart-inspired connection questions that will shape the campaign going forward.

This is a Star Trek story about duty, loss, and holding onto hope when the future feels uncertain.

🎙 Credits:
🔹 Produced & Edited by: Julian Brown
🔹 Intro & Outro Music: Luis Humanoide
🔹 Episode Art: Julian Brown
🔹 Kris "KDubs" as Captain Christopher Morningstar
🔹 Jessie as Lt. Commander Nessa Marik
🔹 Simon as Commander Neldan
🔹 Rebecca as Lt. Commander Vinar
🔹 Fef as Lt. Dati Kakin
🔹 Michael as Lt. Eugene Hawk
🔹 Julian Brown as the Game Master

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Strange New Pod reviews Starfleet Academy, “Vitus Reflux.”

As our cadets compete for a spot on an elite Academy team, things get a little less… Starfleet when an escalating prank war erupts between the Academy and a rival school. With tensions rising, friendships tested, and a blossoming romance caught in the crossfire, the stakes climb fast.

We’re sharing our live reactions, breaking down the character moments, themes, and Trek DNA, plus opening up the mailbag to hear what you think.

All that and more on Episode 271 of Strange New Pod.

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Alternative Space is thrilled to welcome Star Trek: Strange New Worlds fan favorite Melissa Navia, the talented actor behind helmswoman Erica Ortegas.

In this episode, Amy sits down with Melissa for a wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation about her Latina heritage and the importance of meaningful representation in Star Trek. Melissa also speaks passionately about being an advocate for women in space and STEM, how Ortegas embodies that spirit, and what it means to help inspire the next generation of explorers.

The chat takes flight as Melissa shares her real-world journey toward earning her pilot’s license, and how that experience deepens her connection to Ortegas at the helm. They also dive into her standout work in episode 9 of Strange New Worlds, “Terrarium,” exploring the emotional depth, challenges, and craft behind one of the season’s most memorable performances.

It is an inspiring, insightful conversation about identity, ambition, and boldly going both on screen and off.

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This week on Strange New Pod, we’re diving headfirst into Starfleet Academy Episode 102, “Beta Test.” Girafe is joined by Emcee and Hawk to break down the episode’s biggest moments, character beats, and what this early Academy test run tells us about the future of Starfleet. 

Episode Synopsis: With the start of the new academic year, Caleb’s unease about his future at Starfleet Academy persists. But when a delegation from a former Federation ally arrives, and Caleb is tasked with showing their leader's daughter around campus, he must put his uncertainty aside to discover what life at the Academy is really about.

Plus, we open up the mailbag to hear your thoughts, theories, and reactions, and cover even more Trek goodness along the way. All that and more on Episode 270 of Strange New Pod. Engage!

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Thursday's Starfleet Academy premiere kicks off a brand-new era for the franchise, and we are digging into everything from character introductions and world-building to themes, canon connections, and what this premiere sets up for the future of Starfleet. 

Join Girafe and the gang as they share their immediate reactions, favorite moments, and a spoiler-filled deep dive into the episode.

Episode Synopsis: After being on the run since age 6, 21-year-old Caleb, a brilliant street kid, is offered the chance of a lifetime: to join the first new Starfleet Academy class in San Francisco in over a century. There's just one problem – the person offering him the spot is newly-minted Chancellor Nahla Ake, the Starfleet captain who sentenced his mother to Federation prison 15 years ago...

Plus, what did you think about the series premiere? Your thoughts from the mailbag and live chat. That and more on episode 269 of SNP.

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We are officially ONE WEEK OUT from Starfleet Academy, and that means it’s time for WANTS & DON’T WANTS on Strange New Pod.

This episode is primarily YOUR SHOW as we dig into your hopes, concerns, and expectations for the series, along with a few of our own. And for this special edition, we can finally address some of those wants and don’t wants without spoilers, because the review embargo lifted TODAY.

Let’s talk about what we’re hoping Starfleet Academy gets right and what we really hope it avoids as launch day approaches.

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Kick off the New Year with a brand new episode of Strange New Pod as Julian and Giraffe sit down with writer and game designer Carlos Cisco for a wide-ranging conversation spanning Star Trek and tabletop RPGs.

Carlos dives into his work as a writer on Star Trek: Discovery, his contributions to Star Trek Adventures, and his role in helping develop the brand new TTRPG Daggerheart. They also take a deep look at his latest release, Pistolheart, a Western-inspired supplement for Daggerheart that brings six-shooters, frontier justice, and genre-bending storytelling to the system.

From Starfleet to the final frontier of the Old West, this episode explores storytelling across mediums, adapting tone and genre, and what it takes to build compelling worlds, whether on screen or at the table. 

As Data once said, "Saddle up, lock and load." (and roll some dice).

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Merry Christmas and welcome to a special holiday edition of Strange New Pod. 

Julian sits down with Jim Johnson, Project Manager for Star Trek Adventures at Modiphius, for an overdue and insightful conversation about the past, present, and future of STA.

They discuss Jim’s background and love of theater, reflect on how Star Trek Adventures Second Edition has grown since its 2024 launch, and why the Starter Set remains such a strong entry point for new players. The episode also touches on the game’s place in today’s expanding TTRPG scene, recent releases like the Technical Manual and Exploration Guide, and the latest mission brief collection, Five Year Missions.

The conversation wraps with a look ahead at what 2026 holds for Star Trek Adventures. A perfect listen for the holidays and for anyone ready to boldly go.

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This week, we are diving into some of our favorite under-the-radar Star Trek episodes that deserve a lot more love. Deep cuts, strange choices, and episodes that quietly say a lot about the franchise we love.

This week’s picks:

Julian revisits TNG Season 1’s “Arsenal of Freedom,” a rough era classic packed with big ideas, strange tech, and early-series charm.

Hawk breaks down TNG Season 6’s “Schisms,” one of the creepiest and most unsettling hours of Star Trek ever aired.

Emcee charts a course through Deep Space Nine’s “Explorers,” a heartfelt and underrated character piece with legacy, family, and stars in its sails.

Join us as we celebrate the odd, the overlooked, and the episodes that stuck with us long after the credits rolled. Like, subscribe, and engage! And thanks for making this a great year of Strange New Pod.

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