Beyond the Final Frontier - A Star Trek Podcast

Rich Matthews, Ian Spelling, Toby Weidmann

'Beyond the Final Frontier' brings together three storied Star Trek veterans for an ongoing mission to celebrate the vast Trek universe. Host Rich Matthews, former senior editor and 20+year contributor to the official Star Trek Magazine and current Trekademic, is joined by his bridge crew: the renowned Ian Spelling, entertainment journalist who has covered Star Trek extensively since the late 1980s for the New York Times, Starlog Magazine, and the official Star Trek Communicator, before editing StarTrek.com for a decade, and Toby Weidmann, former editor of the official Star Trek Magazine, BAFTA comms wizard and launch editor of the official Walking Dead Magazine. Each episode, our trio shocase and discuss favorite episodes, themes, characters – everything Trek! – in depth, sharing insights from their decades of experience covering the franchise. From beloved moments to Trek history and developments in the modern era, plus occasional special guests joining the voyage... Grab your tricorder and prepare to beam aboard as we boldly go Beyond the Final Frontier!

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Ep16: Top 7 Trek Tearjerkers!

    Happy 2026! As we enter the 60th anniversary year for Star Trek, we warp into the new year with the episodes that made us cry, in our first reader-requested themed episode. And as we navigate life, death, love, family and friendship, we finally find Toby's feline kryptonite... And what would be your top picks? Let us know at beyondffpod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you're at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community. Every week our intrepid trio continue on their ongoing mission to explore and celebrate the strange new worlds of the vast Star Trek universe. As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.

    58 min

  2. 23/12/2025

    Ep15: Holiday Star Trek Episodes!

    Happy Holidays! A quick episode to lead us into the festive period where we look at Holiday episodes in Star Trek before we take a brief break to energise back into action in January. And what would be your top picks? Let us know at beyondffpod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you're at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community. Every week our intrepid trio continue on their ongoing mission to explore and celebrate the strange new worlds of the vast Star Trek universe. As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.

    39 min

  3. 16/12/2025

    Ep14: Top Trek with No Villains!

    Most drama needs conflicts and most conflicts need baddies... Not Star Trek! Some of its finest moments are not about villains but about situations, problems and obstacles to overcome. So what are our favourite Star Trek episodes WITHOUT villains? Find out in this week's episode... And what would be your top picks? Let us know at beyondffpod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you're at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community. Every week our intrepid trio continue on their ongoing mission to explore and celebrate the strange new worlds of the vast Star Trek universe. As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.

    1h 1m

  4. 08/12/2025

    Ep13: Top 7 Comedy Star Trek Episodes

    Which Star Trek has the most funnies? Who gets more laughs - Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, Archer, Burnham or Pike? This episode we look at the episodes of Trek that make Rich, Ian and Toby giggle the most. And yes, there are Tribbles aplenty. But what would be your top picks? Let us know at beyondffpod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you're at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community. NOTE: There were some recordings issues this episode so the audio isn't quite up to Starfleet standards this week. Apologies. Every week our intrepid trio continue on their ongoing mission to explore and celebrate the strange new worlds of the vast Star Trek universe. As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.

    1h 8m

  5. 02/12/2025

    Ep12: Top 5 Romulan Episodes with Paul Simpson

    This episode we're joined by author, journalist and editor Paul Simpson, a fellow ex-official magazine captain, to dissect all things Romulan.  For more from Paul please check out his prolific website: https://scifibulletin.com/. But what would be your top picks? Let us know at beyondffpod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you're at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community. Every week our intrepid trio continue on their ongoing mission to explore and celebrate the strange new worlds of the vast Star Trek universe. As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.

    1h 8m
  6. Ep11: Who Saved Star Trek with DR TREK, Larry Nemecek!

    25/11/2025

    Ep11: Who Saved Star Trek with DR TREK, Larry Nemecek!

    This episode we're joined by Dr Trek himself, Larry Nemecek, to talk about the people who saved Star Trek, those key folks who pulled the franchise back from the brink or reanimated it for a new generation, or just plain helped make and keep it great.   Get more from Dr Trek at: https://larrynemecek.com/  https://www.youtube.com/@LarryNemecekTrekland    Who would be your top picks? Let us know at beyondffpod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you're at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community.    Every week our intrepid trio continue on their ongoing mission to explore and celebrate the strange new worlds of the vast Star Trek universe.    As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world.   Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.

    1h 22m
  7. Ep10: Star Trek MOVIES Ranking

    18/11/2025

    Ep10: Star Trek MOVIES Ranking

    Will it be Spock, Khan, V'Ger, whales, Kelvin or Klingons?!? This episode, die-hard Trekkies Rich, Ian and Toby rank ALL the Star Trek theatrical movies from The Motion Picture to Beyond. Will you agree with our choices? Which will come out on top? Which do we think is the worse?  Every week our intrepid trio continue on their ongoing mission to explore and celebrate the strange new worlds of the vast Star Trek universe. If you want to get in contact please email us at beyondffpod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and Facebook As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.

    1h 49m
  8. Ep9: NANA VISITOR part 2! Beyond Star Trek

    10/11/2025

    Ep9: NANA VISITOR part 2! Beyond Star Trek

    This episode we return to our amazing interview with Major Kira Nerys from Deep Space Nine herself, Nana Visitor! CONTENT NOTICE This episode contains discussion of sexual assault and post-traumatic stress (PTS). Our guest shares her personal experience of sexual violence and the trauma that followed. We are featuring this conversation because survivor stories can help break the silence around sexual violence, validate others' experiences, and increase understanding of trauma's effects. We recognise this content may be challenging or triggering for some listeners. We encourage you to prioritise your wellbeing when deciding whether to listen. You may choose to listen with support, take breaks as needed, or skip this episode entirely. If you or someone you know needs support: UK: Rape Crisis England & Wales: 0808 500 2222 (available 24/7) or visit rapecrisis.org.uk Rape Crisis Scotland: 08088 01 03 02 (5pm-midnight daily) The Survivors Trust: 08088 010 818 Samaritans: 116 123 (available 24/7) US: RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 (available 24/7) Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 Please check out Nana's brilliant book Star Trek: Open a Channel: A Woman's Trek (get a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Open-Channel-Womans/dp/B0C7P8NTH2) If you want to get in contact please email us at beyondffpod@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram and Facebook.

    41 min
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5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

'Beyond the Final Frontier' brings together three storied Star Trek veterans for an ongoing mission to celebrate the vast Trek universe. Host Rich Matthews, former senior editor and 20+year contributor to the official Star Trek Magazine and current Trekademic, is joined by his bridge crew: the renowned Ian Spelling, entertainment journalist who has covered Star Trek extensively since the late 1980s for the New York Times, Starlog Magazine, and the official Star Trek Communicator, before editing StarTrek.com for a decade, and Toby Weidmann, former editor of the official Star Trek Magazine, BAFTA comms wizard and launch editor of the official Walking Dead Magazine. Each episode, our trio shocase and discuss favorite episodes, themes, characters – everything Trek! – in depth, sharing insights from their decades of experience covering the franchise. From beloved moments to Trek history and developments in the modern era, plus occasional special guests joining the voyage... Grab your tricorder and prepare to beam aboard as we boldly go Beyond the Final Frontier!

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