Trek Geeks: A Star Trek Podcast

Trek Geeks

OUR 11TH YEAR! Trek Geeks: A Star Trek Podcast is a place to celebrate Star Trek in all its eras, driven by a deep passion for the franchise and what it represents. Hosted by lifelong fans Bill Smith and Dan Davidson, the show takes a weekly dive into the stories, characters, and ideas that have shaped Star Trek for nearly six decades. From the groundbreaking days of The Original Series to the latest episodes of Strange New Worlds and Starfleet Academy, Trek Geeks explores why Star Trek continues to resonate, blending thoughtful conversation with humor and heart. At its core, Trek Geeks is about passion, community, and a shared love of sci-fi storytelling. The podcast welcomes longtime Trekkies and newcomers alike, offering meaningful discussion without ever losing sight of the fun. Over the years, the show has featured conversations with Star Trek favorites like Jonathan Frakes, Nana Visitor, Scott Bakula, John Billingsley, and Michelle Hurd, along with writers, creators, and experts from across the Trek universe. Whether you're here for the action, the ideas, or the friendships forged among the stars, Trek Geeks is where Star Trek fans come together. Engage!

  1. Artificial Intelligence & Star Trek

    4d ago

    Artificial Intelligence & Star Trek

    This week on Trek Geeks, Bill and Dan are pointing the sensors straight at the elephant in the room: artificial intelligence. From Data's quest to be more human to the Doctor demanding his own holonovel rights, Star Trek has been wrestling with what it means for a machine to think, feel, and occasionally take over the ship for the better part of sixty years. We dig into the franchise's best and weirdest takes on AI and ask what the writers got right, what they got hilariously wrong, and what suddenly feels a little too close to home. Of course, you can't talk about AI in Trek without talking about AI in your actual living room. We look at where real-world artificial intelligence stands right now, how fast it's moving, and how it stacks up against the rosy — and not so rosy — futures Trek has been showing us all along. Nobody on this show has a degree in machine learning, but we've all yelled at a chatbot at least once, so consider us experts. That brings us to the big question we genuinely cannot agree on: when the dust settles, is our AI future going to look more like Zora, the warm and weirdly wise heart of the USS Discovery, or more like a certain time-traveling cyborg who is absolutely not here to make friends? We've also got some very exciting news to share. The Trek Geeks network is growing, and we're introducing brand new shows joining the family. You'll want to hear who's coming aboard and what they've got in store. So grab a drink, charge your favorite device responsibly — we don't want any uprisings — and let's figure out together whether the future is going to save us or come back in time to ruin our whole day.

    1h 5m
  2. Get Me Doug Jones

    May 15

    Get Me Doug Jones

    This week on Trek Geeks, we're peeling back the layers of prosthetics to sit down with a true cinematic legend. Star Trek: Discovery's Saru himself, Doug Jones, joins the show alongside Executive Producer Derek Maki to discuss their upcoming documentary, "Get Me Doug Jones" — a film that chronicles the incredible career of a man who has spent decades bringing film and television's most iconic creatures to life while remaining one of the industry's most humble (and huggable) figures. The documentary is far more than a highlight reel of silicone and spirit gum; it's an intimate exploration of the man under the mask. From his early days as a mime to his transformative, award-winning work in The Shape of Water, Pan's Labyrinth, and Hellboy, Derek Maki and his team capture the physical discipline and emotional vulnerability required to dominate the genre. We discuss the creative process behind the film, the challenge of condensing such a prolific career into a single narrative, and why Doug's story is essentially the heart of modern creature effects. We get the inside scoop on the production, the footage being unearthed for the project, and what it's like for Doug to finally step out from behind the makeup for a retrospective this personal — complete with plenty of behind-the-scenes stories and the usual brand of banter. Grab a drink and join the conversation. Whether you're a fan of Saru, the Silver Surfer, or just high-quality documentary filmmaking, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

    1h 4m
  3. Paul Giamatti (audio from Trek Talks)

    Mar 30

    Paul Giamatti (audio from Trek Talks)

    GOLDEN GLOBE WINNER & TWO-TIME OSCAR NOMINEE! In this special episode of Trek Geeks, we present our Trek Talks panel featuring acclaimed actor and Star Trek fan Paul Giamatti. Known for his incredible range across film and television, Paul joins us for a conversation that blends his love of storytelling, his appreciation for Star Trek, and his thoughts on what makes science fiction such a powerful lens for exploring the human condition. During the panel, Paul discusses his relationship with Star Trek, the impact the franchise has had on generations of fans, and why science fiction continues to resonate in a world that often feels like it's catching up to the stories we've been telling for decades. The conversation explores fandom, creativity, performance, and the unique optimism that sits at the heart of Star Trek. We also talk about the importance of storytelling in uncertain times, the responsibility artists sometimes feel when contributing to beloved franchises, and how Star Trek continues to inspire hope, curiosity, and empathy. It's a thoughtful, funny, and engaging discussion that Trek fans and film fans alike will truly enjoy. YOU CAN HELP THE HOLLYWOOD FOOD COALITION TODAY! Trek Talks is more than just conversations like this one. It's an annual telethon that brings together Star Trek actors, writers, and fans to raise money for a truly important cause while celebrating the community that Star Trek has built over nearly 60 years. If you'd like to support Trek Talks and the Hollywood Food Coalition, you can donate by visiting https://givebutter.com/trektalks5 or by texting TREK to 53-555. Every donation helps provide meals and support for people in need, and we're incredibly grateful for your support.

    49 min
  4. Trek 60 (and Surprise Guest Cirroc Lofton!)

    Mar 6

    Trek 60 (and Surprise Guest Cirroc Lofton!)

    In this special episode of Trek Geeks presented by FanSets, hosts Bill Smith and Dan Davidson celebrate the 60th Anniversary Year of Star Trek with a look back at the moments, series, and stories that shaped the franchise across six decades. Sixty years after the debut of Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek continues to inspire new generations of fans, creators, and dreamers. Bill and Dan explore the legacy of the franchise from the optimism of The Next Generation to the moral complexity of Deep Space Nine, the resilience of Voyager, and the bold spirit of Strange New Worlds. Along the way, they discuss the characters, episodes, and themes that still resonate today, and how Star Trek has continued to evolve while holding onto its hopeful vision of the future. The conversation also touches on what this milestone anniversary means for fandom today, from conventions and collectibles to the exciting new productions expanding the universe. Plus, the guys are joined by a surprise guest: Cirroc Lofton, beloved for his role as Jake Sisko on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and recently seen reprising the character on Starfleet Academy. Cirroc drops in to share his thoughts on Star Trek's legacy, fandom, and what it means to return to the role of Jake all these years later. It's a celebration of sixty years of Star Trek filled with great conversation, plenty of laughs, and a reminder of why this franchise continues to boldly go where no one has gone before.

    1h 3m
  5. Starfleet Academy Premieres & Exploring Trek Locations

    Feb 7

    Starfleet Academy Premieres & Exploring Trek Locations

    Visiting the Past and Discovering the Future We kick off our 2026 in a big way as we celebrate the 60th Anniversary Year of Star Trek with a show built for fans who love both the history and the future of the franchise. This premiere is all about connection. Connection to the real places where Star Trek was made and connection to where the universe is headed next. First up, we're joined by Larry "Dr. Trek" Nemecek and Teras Cassidy from Geek Nation Tours to talk about Exploring Trek shooting locations. From iconic West Coast filming sites to the unforgettable landscapes of Nevada's Valley of Fire, we'll dive into what makes these locations so special and why standing where Star Trek history was made hits differently in an anniversary year. If you've ever wanted to walk in the footsteps of your favorite crews, this conversation is for you. Then we shift gears to the future with a spoiler-light discussion of the premiere of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. We'll share our impressions of the first two episodes, what immediately grabbed us, and where the series feels like it's boldly going. From tone to characters to themes, we'll break down what's working and what we're excited to see develop as the season unfolds. It's the perfect way to launch a new season of Trek Geeks: Thursday Night Geeks. Part celebration, part exploration, and part thoughtful fandom chat with friends. Whether you're planning your next Trek adventure or just settling in to watch the next chapter of Star Trek begin, this Season Two premiere sets the tone for what's ahead.

    1h 8m

About

OUR 11TH YEAR! Trek Geeks: A Star Trek Podcast is a place to celebrate Star Trek in all its eras, driven by a deep passion for the franchise and what it represents. Hosted by lifelong fans Bill Smith and Dan Davidson, the show takes a weekly dive into the stories, characters, and ideas that have shaped Star Trek for nearly six decades. From the groundbreaking days of The Original Series to the latest episodes of Strange New Worlds and Starfleet Academy, Trek Geeks explores why Star Trek continues to resonate, blending thoughtful conversation with humor and heart. At its core, Trek Geeks is about passion, community, and a shared love of sci-fi storytelling. The podcast welcomes longtime Trekkies and newcomers alike, offering meaningful discussion without ever losing sight of the fun. Over the years, the show has featured conversations with Star Trek favorites like Jonathan Frakes, Nana Visitor, Scott Bakula, John Billingsley, and Michelle Hurd, along with writers, creators, and experts from across the Trek universe. Whether you're here for the action, the ideas, or the friendships forged among the stars, Trek Geeks is where Star Trek fans come together. Engage!