
Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi
byTony Tellado
FictionScience
Take a journey to explore our humanity through science fiction, horror, fantasy and comics to learn about what makes us human. In this every changing world, it’s not as simple as it sounds.
Episodes(40 episodes)
Season 18 - Episode 4
Star Trek at 60 — “Star Trek: Lower Decks — Boldly Going Below Deck”
In this episode of Star Trek at 60, Tony dives into Star Trek: Lower Decks, the ninth series in the franchise and the first animated Trek since 1974 — as well as the first full‑on comedy in Trek history. Created by Mike McMahan for CBS All Access (later Paramount+), the series debuted in 2020 as part of Alex Kurtzman’s expanded universe and quickly became a fan favorite for its mix of heartfelt storytelling, deep‑cut references, and chaotic energy.
As the foul‑mouthed, no‑nonsense Caitian chief medical officer Dr. T’Ana, Gillian Vigman brings a feral charm and comedic bite t...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 13m 54s
Season 18 - Episode 3
Star Trek at 60 — Prodigy: The Next Generation of Fans
In this installment of Star Trek at 60, Tony turns to the tenth Star Trek series — Star Trek: Prodigy, created by Kevin and Dan Hageman and released from 2021 to 2024 as part of Alex Kurtzman’s expanded universe. As the franchise’s first fully 3D‑animated series and the first designed specifically for younger viewers, Prodigy carved out a unique place in Trek history.
Set in the 24th century, the story follows a group of young aliens who discover the abandoned starship Protostar and, through its holographic mentor Kathryn Janeway, begin learning what it means to be Starfleet. It’s a coming...
Published: Sep 9, 2026Duration: 11m 3s
Season 6 - Episode 22
🖖 “Star Trek: Echoes Across the Quadrants”
A 59-Year Celebration Through Voices, Memories, and Missions
My combined three-volume oral history and tribute, weaving together rare interviews, behind-the-scenes reflections, and heartfelt anecdotes from cast and crew across Star Trek: First Contact, Insurrection, and Nemesis. Supplemented by intimate conversations with actors from The Next Generation, Voyager, Deep Space Nine, Enterprise, and even a special Star Trek literary event.
Featuring
🎙️ Roundtable Revelations: Press junket gems from the TNG movie era
📞 Personal Frequencies: Phone, Zoom, and convention interviews with legacy actors
A blend of nostalgia and discovery—part memoir, part documentary...
Published: Sep 9, 2026Duration: 58m 16s
Season 18 - Episode 2
Star Trek at 60 — “Enterprise: The First Bold Step”
To launch Star Trek at 60, Tony revisits the series that dared to go earlier than ever before: Star Trek: Enterprise. Premiering in 2001 and set a century before Kirk and Spock, Enterprise chronicles humanity’s first true leap into deep space — fragile, inexperienced, hopeful, and determined.
This episode blends franchise history with fresh reflections from two beloved cast members:
Linda Park, who played linguist Hoshi Sato, shares candid memories of the show’s earliest promos, her admiration for Scott Bakula’s leadership, and the emotional vulnerability built into her character.
John Billingsley, the ever‑delightful...
Published: Sep 8, 2026Duration: 17m 7s
Season 20 - Episode 9
The Walking Dead Season Three Norman Reedus Gale Ann Hurd
Roundtable with Norman Reedus and Gale Ann Hurd from New York Comic Con.
Published: Sep 7, 2026Duration: 14m 45s
Season 10 - Episode 7
The Ghosts Of Devils Perch
Interview with paranormal investigators Dave Schrader and Cindy Kaza about their eight part series where they investigate the paranormal in Butte, Montana. This old mining town has greed, murder, and many vices. A prime reciepe for the paranormal.
Published: Sep 4, 2026Duration: 28m 2s
Season 13 - Episode 19
Michael Shapiro’s Frankenstein
I talk to the talented composer about his score for the classic 1931 film which is performed live in a variety of ways including an operatic version.
Published: Sep 3, 2026Duration: 29m 46s
Season 5 - Episode 11
Naomi Grossman
Actor talks about her new movie, Bite Me, a kind of vampire romcom. We also talk about her role as Pepper on American Horror Story plus her one woman shows.
Published: Sep 2, 2026Duration: 29m 10s
Season 18 - Episode 1
Rewind: Person of Interest with Caviezel, Chapman, Henson, Plageman, Acker & Shahi
The Early Days Of A Groundbreaking Series
In this Rewind episode, Tony revisits the formative era of Person of Interest, when the show was still defining its identity — a fusion of crime drama, artificial intelligence, and moral complexity. Recorded at the start of its run, these conversations capture the cast and creators as they shaped what would become one of television’s most influential sci‑fi thrillers.
Jim Caviezel-The Mystery Of John Reese
Kevin Chapman - Detective Fusco's Grit
Taraji P. Henson - Detective Carter - A sense of justice grounded
Executive producer...
Published: Sep 1, 2026Duration: 38m 49s
Season 17 - Episode 24
Rewind: From Dusk Till Dawn TV Series with Cotrona & González
REVISTING A CULT WORLD REBORN FOR TV
In this Rewind episode, Tony heads back to New York Comic Con for an inside look at the TV adaptation of From Dusk Till Dawn, the pulpy, supernatural crime saga reimagined for a new generation. The cast reflects on expanding the mythology, deepening character arcs, and honoring the wild, genre‑bending spirit of the original film.
D.J. Cotrona discusses stepping into the role of Seth Gecko
Eiza González shares how she approached transforming Santanico from an iconic film presence into a fully realized character with agency, vulnerability, and power.
“U...
Published: Aug 31, 2026Duration: 18m 55s
Episode 126
Dog Stars: Josh Brolin, Ridley Scott & Guy Pearce
Courtesy of 20th Century Fox
In this follow‑up Byte episode, Tony continues exploring the stark, emotional universe of Dog Stars, shifting focus to the film’s broader creative backbone. Through conversations with Josh Brolin, Ridley Scott, and Guy Pearce, we dig into the film’s layered performances, world‑building, and the philosophical undercurrent that drives its tension and humanity.
Josh Brolin discusses the emotional architecture of his character
Ridley Scott talks the appeal for him to direct Dog Stars
Guy Pearce brings his trademark intensity to Dog Stars
Unlock the universe with Sci‑Fi Talk Plus...
Published: Aug 30, 2026Duration: 7m 22s
Byte Dog Stars:Elordi, Scott & Qualley
Dog Stars: Jacob Elordi, Ridley Scott and Margaret Qualley
Courtesy of 20th Century Fox
In the first of a pair of Byte episodes, Tony dives into the world of Dog Stars, the bold new sci‑fi drama blending isolation, hope, and the fragile bonds that keep humanity alive. Through exclusive conversations with the film’s stars and director, we explore how the story’s intimate emotional core is elevated by sweeping cinematic ambition.
Jacob Elordi opens up about crafting a performance rooted in vulnerability and quiet resilience.
Director Ridley Scott gives his take on zombies.
Margaret Qualley shares how sh...
Published: Aug 29, 2026Duration: 3m 38s
Season 17 - Episode 23
Pen Densham: Photography & Iconic Storytelling
Pen Densham returns to my podcast with a deeply personal conversation about Qualia, his new book of impressionistic nature photography — a collection born from capturing images in the most unlikely places, from Hawaiian surf to shimmering reflections and experimental long‑exposure landscapes.
Pen Densham returns to Sci‑Fi Talk with a deeply personal conversation about Qualia, his new book of impressionistic nature photography — a collection born from capturing images in the most unlikely places, from Hawaiian surf to shimmering reflections and experimental long‑exposure landscapes.
Densham shares the behind‑the‑scenes story of a key scene in Robin...
Published: Aug 28, 2026Duration: 29m 6s
Season 17 - Episode 23
The Terminator Chronicles Of Garret Dillahunt
Garret Dillahunt reflects on joining the Terminator franchise through Cromartie — one of the most chilling, relentless cyborgs in The Sarah Connor Chronicles. He breaks down how he approached the physicality, precision, and eerie calm required to play a machine built for one purpose.
We explore how he found humanity within the inhuman, how the show’s tone shaped his performance, and what it meant to step into a legacy defined by iconic characters, mythology, and fan expectations.
Long before his turns in Fear The Walking Dead and Lanterns, Dillahunt was already proving his range — shifting from ge...
Published: Aug 27, 2026Duration: 50m 18s
Season 17 - Episode 22
Retro: DC 10th Anniversary Movie Collection
The DC Animated Movie Universe didn’t just celebrate ten years — it marked a turning point. This retrospective revisits how the creative team unified standalone films into a shared continuity, aligning animation style, character arcs, and story events across multiple releases. What began as bold experimentation became a defining era for DC’s animated storytelling.
our conversations at New York Comic Con brought together the architects and performers who shaped this era:
Bruce W. Timm
Alan Burnett
James Tucker
Vanessa Marshall
James Krieg
Jason O’Mara
...
Published: Aug 26, 2026Duration: 22m 8s
Season 17 - Episode 21
Dark Matter Season Two
Interviews with Jennifer Connelly, Joel Edgerton & VFX Supervisor John Heller
In this episode, Tony steps back into the fractured realities of Dark Matter — Blake Crouch’s mind‑bending multiverse thriller — to explore the emotional, philosophical, and technical layers shaping Season Two.
Jennifer Connelly and Joel Edgerton return to reflect on the consequences of the Box, the expanding moral terrain of identity and choice, and how Season Two pushes their characters into even more volatile territory.
As a bonus, Tony is joined by John Heller, the Visual Effects Supervisor from Season One, who breaks down the...
Published: Aug 25, 2026Duration: 18m 59s
Season 17 - Episode 20
Building Worlds Lost to Time: Russell Dodgson on Prehistoric Planet
Tony Zoomed with Russell Dodgson, Visual Effects Supervisor and Sequence Director for Prehistoric Planet. Season Three expands the show’s ambition in every direction — more creatures, more environments, more scientific nuance — and Russell walks through how his team pushes CG to the edge of believability.
From saber‑toothed predators to deadly otters, from La Brea Tar Pits reconstructions to planet‑scale environmental enhancement, Russell reveals how natural history filmmaking becomes cinematic world‑building. The conversation also dives into his earlier work on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the National Geographic series Mars, and the Emmy‑winning Black Mirror e...
Published: Aug 24, 2026Duration: 22m 57s
Byte — D23 Spotlight: Vision Quest, Percy Jackson, and Ahsoka Season Two
At D23, the future of genre storytelling feels electric — and in this special episode of Byte, Tony brings listeners inside the heart of the celebration with exclusive conversations courtesy of Disney. From the Marvel multiverse to Camp Half‑Blood to the far reaches of the galaxy, this episode showcases three creators and performers stepping into defining new chapters of their characters.
Paul Bettany, who returns to explore one of Marvel’s most enigmatic and emotionally rich characters. Bettany reflects on the evolving identity of Vision, From the halls of D23 to the shores of Camp Half‑Blood, Walker S...
Published: Aug 23, 2026Duration: 4m 16s
Byte — D23: Ahsoka Season Two
At D23, the galaxy feels closer than ever — and in this special episode of Byte, Tony brings listeners inside the celebration with exclusive conversations courtesy of Disney+. With Dave Filoni, Hayden Christensen, and Rosario Dawson all taking the stage, this episode captures the anticipation, emotion, and creative fire powering Ahsoka Season Two.
“Beyond the bright lights of sci‑fi lies a deeper truth. Full episodes, behind‑the‑scenes footage, interviews, and clips — all unlocked for $1.99 a month, with your first month free. Sci‑Fi Talk Plus. Step into the dark.”
Published: Aug 22, 2026Duration: 4m 34s
Season 17 - Episode 19
The Stunts Of Fallout: Power Suits
Tony Zooms with Tim Soergel, Emmy‑nominated stunt performer for Fallout, whose work inside the iconic Power Armor helped define the series’ brutal, immersive action. Tim shares what it’s really like to embody one of the most recognizable figures in the Fallout universe — from the physical toll to the creative thrill — and how the stunt team brought the wasteland to life with authenticity and grit.
Inside The Power Armor
The physical challenges — weight, heat, restricted movement, and the mental discipline required
Daily coping strategies — staying centered, staying safe, staying sharp
Working alongsid...
Published: Aug 21, 2026Duration: 25m 28s