THE SECRETS OF
Star Trek
The Secrets of Star Trek is a podcast that goes beyond phasers and starships to explore the ideas, meanings, and deeper themes that make Star Trek one of the most influential storytelling universes in modern culture. Each episode examines the philosophical, moral, and human questions woven into Star Trek’s many series — from The Original Series to The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise, and the modern iterations on television and streaming. The show looks at what Star Trek says about justice, identity, hope, diversity, technology, and the human future.
Hosted by Jimmy Akin, Domenico Bettinelli, and Fr. Jason Tyler, The Secrets of Star Trek blends narrative insight, cultural context, and open-hearted reflection. Episodes unpack character arcs, recurring motifs, speculative worlds, and the franchise’s evolving treatment of ethics and humanity’s place in the cosmos. Far from simple recap or fandom chatter, the podcast invites listeners into conversations about why Star Trek resonates so deeply — its aspirations toward peace and understanding, its grappling with contemporary issues through science-fiction allegory, and its enduring optimism about human potential.
As part of the StarQuest Production Network, the show reflects SQPN’s broader mission to bridge modern culture and faith-informed values: exploring how stories like Star Trek shape our imagination, inform our moral intuitions, and reveal humanity’s search for meaning in an expanding universe. Whether you’re a lifelong Trekkie or new to the franchise, this podcast offers insight, reflection, and thoughtful engagement with one of science fiction’s richest legacies.
Send us your feedback at [email protected] and visit us at the StarQuest Media Facebook page.
Get the official Secrets of Star Trek shirt. Join Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory on the starship Enterprise boldly going! Find it at sqpn.com/merch.
Are you new to the Secrets of Star Trek and want to listen to our first 100 episodes? Just copy THIS SPECIAL LINK to your podcast player app of choice to listen to them all. To listen to episodes 101 to 300, copy THIS SPECIAL LINK. (See THIS VIDEO for how to do this in Apple Podcasts; other apps will be similar.) And subscribe to our recent and future episodes with the links below:
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Purchase seasons of Star Trek TV series, movies, and related books discussed on Secrets of Star Trek at the Secrets of Star Trek Bookstore. Your purchases support the work of SQPN and ensure future episodes of the Secrets of Star Trek.
Listen Now
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Vitus Reflux (SFA)
Can a prank war teach future Starfleet officers real lessons? Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Jason Tyler, and Jimmy Akin highlight the humor, character beats, and surprising focus on empathy—and ask if lighter stories help set up stronger Trek themes.
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Kids These Days and Beta Test (SFA)
Is Starfleet Academy smart Trek—or just stylish noise? Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler discuss what it gets right as well as its political hinting, teen drama vs. diplomacy, and whether this new series earns its place in the Trek universe.
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Star Trek and Faith with Mark Hansard
Can Star Trek challenge belief—or strengthen it? Author Mark Hansard joins Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler to explain how Trek shaped his faith, why Spock’s sacrifice echoes resurrection, and whether free will survives destiny.
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The Jihad (TAS)
A stolen “Soul” that prevents a galaxy-wide jihad—what could go wrong? Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler weigh TAS “The Jihad”: bold premise, shaky logic, and the eerie ethics of memory wipes and “healing” villains.
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Metamorphosis (TOS)
What if eternal life costs your humanity? This week, Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler wrestle with love, consent, and immortality in Metamorphosis. Is Zefram Cochrane right to reject paradise—and who really pays the price?
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Marauders (ENT)
When a bullied mining colony needs help, Archer steps in—but can a paint-by-numbers caper stand up to The Seven Samurai legacy? Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler dissect “Marauders” andits clumsy caper.
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Random Thoughts (VOY)
Are violent thoughts as dangerous as actions? A telepathic society says yes—and wants to erase B’Elanna’s memories. Jimmy Akin, Fr. Jason Tyler, and Dom Bettinelli dissect moral justice, mental privacy, and Voyager’s problematic First Contact policies.
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In the Hands of the Prophets (DS9)
A school lesson turns explosive—literally—as Bajoran religious politics collide with Federation ideals. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler debate freedom, faith, and hypocrisy in DS9’s powerful season one finale.
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Home Soil (TNG)
Is it arrogance or ignorance that leads to war with a microscopic lifeform? Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler unpack TNG’s “Home Soil,” its murky themes, awkward writing, and what truly makes something alive.
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This Advent, Help StarQuest Continue the Mission
Advent begins. Help StarQuest bring faith and reason to the world. Become a $10/month patron (or increase your current donation by $10 per month) and be among the first 400 donors to receive a Mysterious World sticker signed by Jimmy and Dom. Your gift is…
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The Eye of the Beholder (TAS)
Super-intelligent elephant slugs who are telepathic zookeepers and vague off-screen resolutions—are humans just amusing pets? Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler unpack The Eye of the Beholder from The Animated Series.
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Catspaw (TOS)
A haunted castle, mysterious aliens, and Star Trek’s first Halloween-themed story! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler unpack the spooky fun of Catspaw, from Lovecraftian undertones to classic Trek tropes. What makes this strange episode stand out? How does it connect to deeper…
See Our Discussions by Trek series and original episode airdate:
