Star Trek Voyager: Season 8

In this time-limited episode (will be deleted when Episode 8 arrives), I share updates on Season 8 production, discuss the challenges of using AI voices for this fan project, and respond to the newly enabled listener comments from Spotify. Learn about Episode 8's progress (a Janeway-focused chapter), why I chose AI narration over traditional voice actors, and my thoughts on fan feedback about the series.
I also dive into why I'm keeping this project audio-only rather than animated, address licensing concerns with Paramount, and explore how I'm staying true to Star Trek canon while continuing the story 25 years after Voyager's finale.

YouTube Version of this discussion: https://youtu.be/fcYt3pm_oIg

Chapters:
0:00 Intro & Episode 8 Status
0:27 Episode 8 Writing Details
1:02 Evolution from human vocals to AI voices
2:45 Main Channel Migration
3:13 YouTube & AI-Generated Fan-Animation Challenges
4:29 Spotify Comment Moderation Update
5:52 Episode 1 - Feedback
7:41 Licensing Rules and Audio Drama Formats
9:32 Inversely Reading the Show Descriptions
10:11 Desiring an EXTRA Cool-Down Episode (Voyager Finale Reflection)
10:52 Dealing with "Mid-Sentence Cuts" & Re-recording
11:42 AI Voices vs Voice Actors and Discord flaking
13:09 Comparing the AI Craft to a "Japanese Chef" vs "Knife Throwing"
15:10 Reading Comments - Criticism of AI Voices
19:16 Episode 2 - Seven of Nine Accent & Holodecks Logic
20:32 Episode 3 - Australian Catch-22 Paradox
21:20 Episode 4 - Error Verification Playback
25:09 Thoughts on "Star Trek: Destiny" & Large Scale Book Failures
29:09 Episode 5 - Trek Economics Explained
33:14 Wrap-up & Listener Outro

Resources mentioned:

Jonathan JK Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JonathanJK
Star Fleet Dreams YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16KdIwxoC5I
Endless Vigilence: https://twosoberdwarvesproductions.com/endless-vigilance/
Starship Excelsior: https://starshipexcelsior.com/

This episode makes use of the podcast chapters feature. If your podcast player of choice has this feature you can use it to save your position or skip ahead. A huge thank you to those who have donated and been listening to the story already.

Show Links and Credits
To join the Patreon for early access to episodes and other perks, donate here: www.patreon.com/voyagerseason8
Email - crackedbutter@gmail.com
X - https://x.com/TrekTrekkie
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/voyagerseason8.bsky.social

New Podcast - Star Trek: Reverie
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►►► Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/star-trek-reverie/id6801186604
►►► Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0346vv1Hlm20g52CqOMpXk?si=747ee700a1694a75

Disclaimer
"Star Trek" and all related marks, logos and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios Inc. This fan production is not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other "Star Trek" franchise, and is a non-commercial, not for profit, fan-made audiobook and ebook series intended for recreational use. No alleged independent rights will be asserted against CBS or Paramount Pictures.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Lt Harry Kim receives some unsettling news and Icheb is assimilating into his time at Starfleet Academy.

This episode is thematically all about connection. It's a Harry Kim focused episode with one chapter for Icheb as the B story (also about connection). I really hope people not only enjoy the story, but also all the Star Trek references I've managed to insert.

Timestamps
0:00 - Pre-Titles (Family Ties)
5:36 - Title Sequence
7:22 - Family Ties 2
12:54 - County Cavan
20:03 - James Mooney McCallister
30:31 - 'Hello, I am Icheb'
38:25 - Add Oil 1
40:46 - Add Oil 2

Please turn OFF any features in your podcast app that removes silence or ‘enhances’ the audio.

This episode makes use of the podcast chapters feature. If your podcast player of choice has this feature you can use it to save your position or skip ahead. A huge thank you to those who have donated and been listening to the story already.

Show Links and Credits
To join the Patreon for early access to episodes and other perks, donate here: www.patreon.com/voyagerseason8
Email - crackedbutter@gmail.com
X - https://x.com/TrekTrekkie
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/voyagerseason8.bsky.social

Disclaimer
"Star Trek" and all related marks, logos and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios Inc. This fan production is not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other "Star Trek" franchise, and is a non-commercial, not for profit, fan-made audiobook and ebook series intended for recreational use. No alleged independent rights will be asserted against CBS or Paramount Pictures.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Chakotay reorientates himself after being discharged by Starfleet. Icheb attends his first class at Starfleet Academy.

Timestamps
0:00 - Pre-credits - Cadet Icheb
12:00 - Ashtabula
19:24 - Remember Gul Evek?
26:40 - A Howl in the Night
33:41 - Mercy Kill
38:48 - The Sky Spirits

‘Tahyuni’ in the Oneida language means ‘wolf’. Other variations of this word exist, ‘Othahyu:ní’, Thahyu:ni or Tahyuni, all pronounced oh-tah-yoo-nee with a short "o" sound.

Please turn OFF any features in your podcast app that removes silence or ‘enhances’ the audio.

This episode makes use of the podcast chapters feature. If your podcast player of choice has this feature you can use it to save your position or skip ahead. A huge thank you to those who have donated and been listening to the story already.

Show Links and Credits
To join the Patreon for early access to episodes and other perks, donate here: www.patreon.com/voyagerseason8
Email - crackedbutter@gmail.com
Discord - https://discord.gg/tWTKDpZq9N
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/voyagerseason8.bsky.social

Disclaimer
"Star Trek" and all related marks, logos and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios Inc. This fan production is not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other "Star Trek" franchise, and is a non-commercial, not for profit, fan-made audiobook and ebook series intended for recreational use. No alleged independent rights will be asserted against CBS or Paramount Pictures.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Seven of Nine and B'Elanna Torres are reacquainted with domestic life. Tom reconciles with aspects of his past and future.

Chapters
0:01 - 'The Treaty of Bajor'.
8:57 - No Blooms in Bloomington
12:31 - It's Been A Long Road...
17:42 - State Your Intentions
24:02 - Our House In the Middle of Our Street
30:37 - A Re-Branding Is in Order
37:01 - Modern Lifestyles
41:55 - February in Paris

Please turn OFF any features in your podcast app that removes silence or ‘enhances’ the audio.

This episode makes use of the podcast chapters feature. If your podcast player of choice has this feature you can use it to save your position or skip ahead. A huge thank you to those who have donated and been listening to the story already.

Show Links and Credits
To join the Patreon for early access to episodes and other perks, donate here: www.patreon.com/voyagerseason8
Email - crackedbutter@gmail.com
X - https://x.com/TrekTrekkie
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/voyagerseason8.bsky.social

Disclaimer
"Star Trek" and all related marks, logos and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios Inc. This fan production is not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other "Star Trek" franchise, and is a non-commercial, not for profit, fan-made audiobook and ebook series intended for recreational use. No alleged independent rights will be asserted against CBS or Paramount Pictures.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Icheb’s send off to Starfleet Academy, the Doctor starts his new career at Pathfinder HQ.

Chapters
0:00 - Commander R'Mor
4:00 - Starfleet Academy
9:39 - Q&A
16:25 - The Emitter
22:45 - The Midnight Oil
25:14 - Admiral Curtanis Den Curry
28:45 - Bunking on the Holodeck
36:19 - Br-briefing the Admiral
42:39 - The Devil Take the Waltz

Show Links and Credits

To join the Patreon for early access to episodes and other perks, donate here: www.patreon.com/voyagerseason8
Email - crackedbutter@gmail.com
X - https://x.com/TrekTrekkie
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/voyagerseason8.bsky.social

Disclaimer:
"Star Trek" and all related marks, logos and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios Inc. This fan production is not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other "Star Trek" franchise, and is a non-commercial, not for profit, fan-made audiobook and ebook series intended for recreational use. No alleged independent rights will be asserted against CBS or Paramount Pictures.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.