The Clonestar Podcast

This week on The Clonestar Podcast, Jodi Pickens sits down with veteran Star Trek author Greg Cox to discuss his latest novel, Identity Theft, written to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Star Trek: The Original Series.Set across two pivotal eras, Identity Theft revisits the legacy of Captain James T. Kirk and the USS Enterprise, while placing Pavel Chekov at the heart of a political mystery that questions how fragile peace really is. What once seemed like effortless diplomacy on the planet Voyzr begins to unravel, revealing old resentments, hidden agendas, and a dangerous plan waiting decades to be triggered.In this conversation, Greg talks about:• Writing Chekov as a central point-of-view character• Exploring the long-term consequences of “easy” peace• Balancing classic TOS voices with later-era continuity• Crafting a story that honours Trek’s past while questioning its ideals• What it means to write Star Trek at a milestone anniversaryThoughtful, timely, and deeply rooted in Trek’s moral core, Identity Theft is a story about identity, memory, and the uncomfortable truth that peace must be actively protected. This is a must-watch for fans of classic Trek and Star Trek novels alike.

This week on The Clonestar Podcast, Seo sits down with actor Timothy Carhart to talk about his unforgettable role as Lieutenant Commander Christopher Hobson in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Redemption II.”Carhart reflects on stepping into the USS Sutherland as Data’s first officer, portraying a character written with sharp edges, buried prejudice, and a pivotal role in one of TNG’s defining command stories.We explore how he approached playing a Starfleet officer who doubts an android captain — and why that tension remains one of the most memorable parts of the episode.We get into:• His path through film, television, and theatre• Crafting Hobson’s fraught dynamic with Captain Data• What it was like bringing emotional conflict into a story built on logic• Behind-the-scenes memories from filming Redemption II• Why the episode still resonates with fans decades laterInsightful, honest, and full of great storytelling, this conversation digs into what makes Redemption II such a standout moment in the TNG legacy.

This week on The Clonestar Podcast, Mike Overton sits down with the remarkable Avaah Blackwell—stunt performer, creature actor, and the woman behind some of the most unforgettable aliens in Star Trek: Discovery and Strange New Worlds.From wrestling heavy prosthetics to bringing movement, emotion, and life to characters hidden beneath layers of makeup, Avaah shares what it really takes to build Star Trek’s aliens from the inside out. She talks about her time on Discovery, her return in Strange New Worlds, and the physical and creative craft that most fans never get to see.We dig into:• Her journey into stunt work and creature performance• What it’s like working inside full-body prosthetics for long shoot days• The collaborative process with makeup, VFX, and stunt teams• How she shaped the movement, personality, and presence of multiple Trek species• Her favourite behind-the-scenes moments from both seriesIf you love the artistry behind Trek’s aliens — or just want to hear from one of the franchise’s hardest-working performers — this is an episode you won’t want to miss.HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR COOLWATERS PRODUCTIONS LEARN MORE HERE https://coolwatersprods.com/

This week on The Clonestar Podcast, Jodi Pickens and Mike Overton sit down with veteran Star Trek writer and producer Mike Sussman for an in-depth look at his time shaping two defining eras of modern Trek — Voyager and Enterprise.From the alternate realities of “Twilight” to the fan-favourite “In a Mirror, Darkly” and the thought-provoking “Author, Author”, Sussman reflects on the creative process behind some of the most memorable episodes of 1990s and early-2000s Star Trek.He shares candid stories from the writers’ room, the challenges of balancing continuity and innovation, and what it was like collaborating with Trek icons from Janeway to Archer.If you love discovering how the best Star Trek episodes were imagined and built, this is an interview you won’t want to miss.

This week on The Clonestar Podcast, Mike Overton sits down with the brilliant Susan Diol to explore her remarkable career and her unforgettable role as Dr. Danara Pel in Star Trek: Voyager.From her moving on-screen chemistry with the Doctor in “Lifesigns” and “Real Life,” to her diverse career across stage and screen, Susan shares candid stories from her time on set, her connection to the character, and what it meant to bring compassion and depth to one of Voyager’s most touching episodes.We also look back on her wider career — from early guest roles in television classics to her ongoing creative work today — and reflect on how Star Trek continues to inspire both actors and fans alike.Join us for a heartfelt and insightful conversation celebrating one of Trek’s most beloved guest stars.