Positively Trek

07/10/2024

Hello to the amazing listeners of the Positively Trek Podcast! Dan here, with an announcement about the future of the show.

Many of you will have noticed that there hasn't been a new episode released for the past few weeks. There are a number of reasons for this, but mostly it comes down to a case of overwork and tiredness, with just a soupçon of burnout.

To dispel any concerns in this respect, let me first say that Positively Trek is not coming to an end. Instead, the term I am choosing to employ for the current state of the show is "hiatus."

Four of us who are most involved in the production of the podcast (myself, Barry DeFord, Brandi Jackola, and Bruce Gibson) have recently met up to discuss the future of Positively Trek. We have jointly agreed that a short break is necessary to regroup, assess, and come back strong with new episodes. Our current aim is to return to full strength at the beginning of 2025.

However, between now and then, we are still planning a few surprises for listeners of the show. There are plans in place for one more flagship episode that we're excited to bring you in the next few weeks. On top of that, we have plans to do a few Book Club episodes for new releases between now and the beginning of the year.

So, if you are subscribed, continue to maintain Positively Trek in your podcast feed, as you don't want to miss some exciting surprises that will come up between now and the end of December!

Regarding the Patreon, supporters will have noticed that they weren't charged for the month of October. This will continue to be the case for November and December, as our output is greatly reduced and I cannot, in good conscience, continue charging Patrons for a show that may or may not come out. However, as I mentioned, we hope to be back at full strength at the beginning of next year. We will, of course, inform you of any changes to these plans and let you know when the Patreon charges will resume.

Thank you all so very much for your patience, your support, and your kindness over the past few years. I very much look forward to getting back to putting out regular episodes, and I truly appreciate your feedback and support during this time. If you have any questions, we would love to hear from you! We can always be reached at [email protected]. As always, live long and prosper, my friends!

- Dan Gunther
October 7, 2024

13/09/2024

Positively Trek 284: Book Club - Logic Without Empathy is Illogical
Strange New Worlds: The Scorpius Run
https://www.positivelytrek.com/book-club-logic-without-empathy-is-illogical/

While investigating uncharted space in the Scorpius constellation, the U.S.S. Enterprise under the command of Captain Christopher Pike is captured by a megalomaniacal dictator named Zyphyx. He forces the Enterprise crew to take part in an interstellar starship race, and in order to escape with their lives, they must win!

In this episode of the Positively Trek Book Club, hosts Dan Gunther and Brandi Jackola discuss Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Scorpius Run, a five-issue comic miniseries from IDW. We talk about all five issues, and give our thoughts on the series as a whole.

Stream below or subscribe!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/positively-trek/id1501468628
Show Page: https://www.positivelytrek.com/book-club-logic-without-empathy-is-illogical/

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Scorpius Run

01/09/2024

Positively Trek 283: The First Week of September, 2024
The Week Everything Changed - “Past Tense” Parts 1 & 2
https://www.positivelytrek.com/the-first-week-of-september-2024/

It’s the morning of Monday, September 3rd. Podcasters Dan and Barry have decided to record Positively Trek in the early morning hours before work. However, they don’t realize that events have taken place thousands of kilometers away that will change everything forever, thanks to one man: Gabriel Bell.

In this episode of Positively Trek, we’re doing something a little different in honor of the impending Bell Riots and the upending of life as we know it! The first half of this episode is a bit of an improv exercise in which we live through the events of September 1-3, 2024 in the Star Trek universe. In the second half, we talk about the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes “Past Tense” parts 1 & 2 and the real world implications of the story.

Stream below or subscribe!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/positively-trek/id1501468628
Show Page: https://www.positivelytrek.com/the-first-week-of-september-2024/

The Week Everything Changed - “Past Tense” Parts 1 & 2

29/08/2024

Hey everyone! Just a heads-up that this week's Positively Trek will be a little later than usual. It'll be worth the wait, though; we have something special planned! Here's a hint: it has to do with the specific dates of September 1-2, 2024.

Hope you enjoy it, we had a really good time recording this one! I'm hoping to have it out on Sunday, September 1st. See you then!

- Dan

15/08/2024

Positively Trek 282: Star Trek in the Wild
Making Trek Connections in Unexpected Places
https://www.positivelytrek.com/star-trek-in-the-wild/

Sometimes as Star Trek fans, it can feel like we’re all alone in our fandom. Certainly, online spaces have changed this quite a bit, but in our day-to-day lives, it often feels like we are the only Star Trek fan around. But then, the unexpected happens and you make a surprise connection with another Trekkie, Trekker, or casual Star Trek fan, and it suddenly feels like you’ve made a friend for life!

In this episode of Positively Trek, hosts Barry and Dan discuss those times when we’ve made surprise connections with fellow Star Trek fans “in the wild.” We also talk about some stories that were shared with us in the Star Trek Forever Facebook group!

Stream below or subscribe!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/positively-trek/id1501468628
Show Page: https://www.positivelytrek.com/star-trek-in-the-wild/

Making Trek Connections in Unexpected Places

09/08/2024

Positively Trek 281: Book Club: Martha Landon Does Do a Judo Flip
Greg Cox - Lost to Eternity
https://www.positivelytrek.com/book-club-martha-landon-does-do-a-judo-flip/

In 1986, Dr. Gillian Taylor of the Cetacean Institute in Sausalito, California, seemingly disappeared off the face of the Earth. In 2024, a true crime podcaster tries to get to the bottom of the nearly 40 year-old cold case. In 2268, a missing scientist threatens to spark open war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. And in 2292, three galactic powers vie for the favor of the advanced and ancient Osori civilization. What do these events all have in common? And how will they help solve the longest missing-persons case in the history of Star Trek?

In this episode of the Positively Trek Book Club, Dan Gunther is joined by guest host Chrissie De Clerck-Szilagyi in welcoming author Greg Cox to the show to discuss his latest novel: Star Trek: The Original Series: Lost to Eternity. We talk about the three different time periods that make up the story and share our thoughts on the novel. The first part of the episode is spoiler-free, but be warned: we get into spoilers later on, so listener beware!.

Stream below or subscribe!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/positively-trek/id1501468628
Show Page: https://www.positivelytrek.com/book-club-martha-landon-does-do-a-judo-flip/

Greg Cox - Lost to Eternity

02/08/2024

Positively Trek 280: The Stars Go To the Stars!
Actors We’d Like to See on Star Trek (And a Few We’d Like to See Back!)
https://www.positivelytrek.com/the-stars-go-to-the-stars/

With nearly 1000 episodes and films over the course of nearly 60 years, there have been scores of actors who have appeared in Star Trek, both before and after they “made it big.” But there is always room for more!

In this episode of Positively Trek, hosts Dan and Barry discuss who they would like to see appear in Star Trek, as well as a few we’d like to see return. What do you think of our picks? Who would you like to see in Trek? Let us know!

Stream below or subscribe!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/positively-trek/id1501468628
Show Page: https://www.positivelytrek.com/the-stars-go-to-the-stars/

Actors We’d Like to See on Star Trek (And a Few We’d Like to See Back!)

25/07/2024

Positively Trek 279: Book Club: Why Can’t We Have the Bajoran Orb of Candy Canes?
Star Trek: The Motion Picture: Echoes
https://www.positivelytrek.com/book-club-why-cant-we-have-the-bajoran-orb-of-candy-canes/

The V’Ger incident has left Kirk in command of the U.S.S. Enterprise, shirking his responsibilities back at Starfleet Command to remain aboard the ship for her shakedown cruise. The cruise is interrupted by the sudden appearance of a doppelganger of Nyota Uhura from a parallel universe, on a mission to apprehend a man responsible for multiple genocides. Kirk and his crew must team with this alternate Uhura to stop a man who looks exactly like Chekov before he allies with the Romulans to develop a devastating weapon!

In this episode of the Positively Trek Book Club, hosts Dan and Brandi discuss the 5-issue miniseries Star Trek: The Motion Picture - Echoes from IDW! We talk about all five issues, what we liked and didn’t like, and share our thoughts on the miniseries as a whole.

Stream below or subscribe!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/positively-trek/id1501468628
Show Page: https://www.positivelytrek.com/book-club-why-cant-we-have-the-bajoran-orb-of-candy-canes/

Star Trek: The Motion Picture: Echoes

18/07/2024

Positively Trek 278: Beautiful Star Trek Starships
Our Favorites, and the People who Designed Them
https://www.positivelytrek.com/beautiful-star-trek-starships/

Over the past 58 years, Star Trek has presented us with a gorgeous vision of the future. A huge part of that Trek aesthetic is the design of the starships that carry their crews boldly to the stars. From the very beginning with Matt Jefferies’ iconic design of the U.S.S. Enterprise, every starship that has come after has carried on the legacy of his original work of art.

In this episode of Positively Trek, hosts Barry and Dan discuss the starships of Star Trek. We talk about our favorite designs, as well as the people whose hard work went into bringing them to life on our screens. We also discuss other modes of transportation within the Star Trek universe, and expand our discussion to ships of other notable franchises.

Stream below or subscribe!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/positively-trek/id1501468628
Show Page: https://www.positivelytrek.com/beautiful-star-trek-starships/

Our Favorites, and the People who Designed Them

11/07/2024

Positively Trek 277: Book Club: Curiosity Killed the Cat … But Satisfaction Brought it Back!
Star Trek: Celebrations
https://www.positivelytrek.com/book-club-curiosity-killed-the-cat-but-satisfaction-brought-it-back/

While the Star Trek universe has recently made great strides in pushing the current societal boundaries of representation and inclusion, it hasn’t always done so. However, with the current slate of new Star Trek shows since the debut of Star Trek: Discovery in 2017, the lineup of LGBTQ+ characters is so great that a new comic issue celebrating Trek’s q***r community can’t even fit all of them in!

In celebration of Pride Month, IDW has released Star Trek: Celebrations, a one-shot comic issue featuring a few of Star Trek’s greatest LGBTQ+ characters, and in this episode of the Positively Trek Book Club, hosts Dan and Brandi are taking a look at the stories that comprise this comic! We discuss five short comic stories featuring Hikaru Sulu, Raffi Musiker, Seven of Nine, Christine Chapel, Paul Stamets, Jett Reno, and Beckett Mariner. We hope you enjoy the discussion, and we also hope you had a great Pride Month!

Stream below or subscribe!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/positively-trek/id1501468628
Show Page: https://www.positivelytrek.com/book-club-curiosity-killed-the-cat-but-satisfaction-brought-it-back/

Star Trek: Celebrations