Worse than the Borg

Shane is joined by co-hosts Steph and CJ and special guest Dio to discuss the final episode of the first season of Star Trek: Lower Decks. They vibe to some jazz trombone, feast on First Contact Day salmon and discuss Starfleet-brand colonialism. Peace and long life to all of our co-hosts and special guests from this intensely fun, surprisingly deep and highly illogical season of Worse Than The Borg. And the Starfleet Medal of Valor goes to you, our listeners! Thank you for exploring the vast reaches of the galaxy with us yet again. See you in Season 3! Expect new uniforms and/or shaved heads. ------- DIRECT ACTION Rainbow Railroad Their mission: Since 2006, Rainbow Railroad has helped more than 800 persecuted LGBTQI people from 38 countries travel to safety. To donate: rainbowrailroad.org/donate ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

This week Shane is joined by co-hosts CJ and Kadeem and returning special guest Jack. They boldly explore everyone's favourite Trek films, successful therapy, chartering flights to Risa in the future, Xon-lore, and the economy of the alpha quadrant. ------- DIRECT ACTION Queer Asterisk Colorado Their mission: To act as a safe haven for queer and transgender clients and as an educational powerhouse for clinicians looking to improve their cultural competency around gender and sexual diversity. These conversations are important to have if we are to be truly prepared for the future. To donate: queerasterisk.com/donate ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Shane is joined by co-hosts Jia Qing and Ronnie and special guest Jomar! Spoiler alert: they LOVE this episode of Lower Decks. They talk Species 8472, cultural appropriation and Voyager, and fawn over Roga Daynar. Give a listen to Metis In Space after you listen to us! ------- DIRECT ACTION Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre Their mission: To provide counselling, material assistance and other direct services to First Nations people as well as to encourage and enhance spiritual and personal growth. To donate: councilfire.ca/donatesupport ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Happy First Contact Day! On this episode, Shane is joined by co-hosts Steph and CJ and special guest Dio. They discuss the concept of winners vs. lower deckers, how Star Trek mishandles disability consistently, and question the economics of Starfleet. Plus some love for Tendi and The Dog. ------- DIRECT ACTION Side By Side Virginia Their mission: To create supportive communities where Virginia's LGBTQ+ youth can define themselves, belong, and flourish, including a commitment to the flourishing of Black LGBTQ+ youth. To donate: sidebysideva.org/donate ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Shane is joined by co-hosts Ron and Jia Qing and special guest Tim. They contemplate whether Badgey is the culmination of every holodeck malfunction ever or just a villain of the week, ask why Starfleet operates on Earth time (hint: colonialism!), and they question white male exceptionalism. But mostly it's just ship noises. ------- DIRECT ACTION HIV/AIDS Regional Services (HARS) Their mission: To provide comprehensive services including education, prevention, and support for people living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted bloodborne infections (STBBIs), in addition to advocating for broader social change to reduce stigma and discrimination. To donate: donate.micharity.com/hiv-aids-regional-services ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Shane is joined by co-hosts Kadeem and Stephanie and special guest Kat as they try to unravel the mysteries of the universe. What is a Q? How is one supposed to celebrate Captain Picard Day? What is a stardate. We won't get to the bottom of any of it. To support the families of the victims of the March 16 terrorist attack visit gofundme.com/f/support-aapi-community-fund ------- DIRECT ACTION Black Creek Community Farm Their mission: To serve and enrich our community through a thriving farm, healthy food, hands-on training and learning experiences and to inspire the next generation by providing leadership in food justice, and supporting diverse natural and social ecosystems. To donate: www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/32601 ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Shane is joined by co-hosts CJ and Kadeem and special guest Jack Whelan as they discuss Orion pheremones, how many omniscient beings actually control the universe and filters of all kinds - carbon, bio, you name it! ------- DIRECT ACTION Colorado Name Change Project Their mission: To improve the lives of transgender Coloradans by assisting them with their legal name change and gender marker corrections. Through workshops across the state, pro bono legal assistance, nonpartisan advocacy, and innovative technology implementation, they seek to make being who you truly are easier to accomplish. To donate: namechangeproject.org/donation ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Shane is joined by co-hosts Ron and Jiaqing and special guest Jomar as they breakdown a wild relatable episode of Lower Decks. They truly are the worst and open with a tech issue. They discuss thriving in chaos, the empowerment that comes with our scars and ways to combat anti-Asian violence. Check out the campaign #facerace to learn more about ways you can help in Canada. ------- DIRECT ACTION Homes First Toronto Their mission: Home First provides Housing First. Homes First has been providing supportive housing and shelter for over 35 years to all populations. They were the first and remain one of the largest providers of homes for people with the fewest options in Toronto. To donate: homesfirst.on.ca/donate/ ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Shane is joined by co-hosts Commander Ronnie and Ensign Jiaqing as they welcome aboard Ambassador Tim Packulak - an Engineering Enthusiast by passion and profession. They discuss Mars, finding your passion, white suburban tourists and crash head first into the Janeway Protocol! ------- DIRECT ACTION Black Health Alliance Their mission: To reduce the racial disparities in health outcomes and promote health and well being for people from the diverse Black communities in Canada with emphasis on the broad determinants of health, including racism. Donate: blackhealthalliance.ca/donate ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Shane is joined by co-hosts Ravi and Ron once again to introduce the first episode of the animated comedy, Star Trek: Lower Decks! They discuss @TNG_S8, loving and wanting even more diversity within their character tropes, Caitians, and ship schematics. ------- DIRECT ACTION Support Native Canadian Centre of Toronto at ncct.on.ca/donations Their mission: To provide a welcoming space for all and deliver innovative programs and services reflecting traditional indigenous cultural perspectives. ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

A special recap episode with Shane, Ronnie, and Ravi breaking down their highlights and flops from Season 3 of Star Trek Discovery. Thank you everyone for an incredible season and stay tuned for our upcoming season where we cover Star Trek Lower Decks! ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worsethanthantheborg Anchor: https://anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

In this episode, Guest Ambassador Kristen joins us to wrap up our season with this last episode of Star Trek Discovery “That Hope Is You, Part 2”. What an incredible end to an incredible season! Thanks to our amazing guests and listeners! Donate to support A Different Booklist Cultural Centre's Buy-a-Brick campaign: https://adbcc.org/donations/buyabrick ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worsethanthantheborg Anchor: https://anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

In this episode, Guest Ambassador Matty joins us to talk about the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery “There Is A Tide…”. This week, Ravi drops a bombshell of what could happen in the next episode which Shane disputes with some HOT GOSSIP. Donate to support the ALS Society of Canada: https://www.als.ca/ ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worsethanthantheborg Anchor: https://anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

In this episode, Guest Ambassador Jia Qing RETURNS!!! to talk about the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery “Su'Kal”. This week, we reach peak-Doug Jones fandom and Ron uncovers a mole! Also, it was all just a God Child. New York Times: What Scandinavians Can Teach Us About Embracing Winter - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/15/well/mind/Scandinavia-Norway-Winter-Mindset.html QI's Star Trek themed episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua7OGABJDwU @TrekOnTheTube's Star Trek Timeline: https://twitter.com/TrekOnTheTube/status/1342970401484378118 Donate to Street Health: https://www.streethealth.ca/donate ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worsethanthantheborg Anchor: https://anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

In this episode, Guest Ambassador Kadeem warps in to talk about the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery “Terra Firma II” and a special appearance from last week's guest, Steph! Donate to Across Boundaries: https://www.acrossboundaries.ca/donate ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worsethanthantheborg Anchor: https://anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

In this episode, Guest Ambassador Steph joins us to talk about the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery “Terra Firma I”, Levar Burton ('s image) takes over for Shane due to flakey internet, and more late night pronunciation butchering! Give to Applegrove Community Complex: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/3495 ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worsethanthantheborg Anchor: https://anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

In this episode, Guest Ambassador Emily (@emilyloveskale) beams-in to talk about the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery “The Sanctuary”, Shane gets Jonathan Frakes a buttery Chardonnay, and none of us manage to discuss the actual plot of this episode! Donate to Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence: https://www.nextdoorsolutions.org/give/ ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worsethanthantheborg Anchor: https://anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Mission Log 1.7 - Defund Starfleet (S03E07 - Unification III) In this episode, Guest Ambassadors Elliott and Thom from Do You Queer What I Queer join us in a *cross-over episode* latest episode of Star Trek Discovery “Unification III”, Ravi doesn't completely butcher the recap and Shane shows off his Star Trek trading cards. Donate to the Black Legal Action Centre: https://www.blacklegalactioncentre.ca/ Find Elliott and Thom's podcast Do You Queer What I Queer (@dyqwiq) at: https://doyouqueer.com/ ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worsethanthantheborg Anchor: https://anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

In this episode, Guest Ambassador Erin takes the plunge and talks about the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery “Scavengers”. Donate to the Glad Day Lit: https://www.gladdaylit.ca/donate Follow Erin (@emarchak): http://twitter.com/emarchak ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worsethanthantheborg Anchor: https://anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Mission Log 1.5 - Black Alert!!! (S03E05 - Die Trying) In this episode, Guest Ambassador Andrew discusses the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery “Die Trying”. Donate to Supporting Our Youth (@soy_toronto): https://soytoronto.com/donate/ Help support Levar Burton to be the next Jeopardy! Host: https://www.change.org/p/sony-pictures-entertainment-levar-burton-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy Follow Andrew on Twitter (@Wheeler) and pick up his new comic Wonder Woman: Agent of Peace: https://m.readdc.com/Wonder-Woman-Agent-of-Peace-16/digital-comic/T2104400165001 Follow Shane and Andrew's new podcast Kiss Kiss Bang Bang - The Queer James Bond podcast: https://twitter.com/kkbbpod ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worsethanthantheborg Anchor: https://anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

In this episode, Guest Ambassador CJ comes aboard to share her perspectives on the US elections and the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery episode "Forget Me Not”. Donate to support the Gender Reveal Podcast (@gendereveal): https://www.genderpodcast.com/donate Catch CJ (@filmbuffcw) on MileHiCon Virtual: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITrYy029pFs Follow Shane's new podcast Kiss Kiss Bang Bang - The Queer James Bond podcast: https://twitter.com/kkbbpod ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worsethanthantheborg Anchor: https://anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

In this episode, Guest Ambassador Divyesh joins us as we unwrap into the Star Trek Discovery episode "People of Earth". Donate to support Native Women's Association of Canada. ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worsethanthantheborg Anchor: https://anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

In this episode, Guest Ambassador Jia Qing joins us as we dig into the Star Trek Discovery episode "Far From Home". Donate to support Aboriginal Legal Services. Find Jia Qing's writing at Metonymy Press.... and her music at Bandcamp. Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Anchor

In this episode, Guest Ambassador Kat joins us to unpack the incredible season 3 opening episode "That Hope Is You, Part 1". Donate to support Mi'kmaq treaty rights: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u_LF_bCFBbSijzqJgHNh4-MfpYz0hfdv/view?fbclid=IwAR1uaRjMpzQkF-10qYaYnx5POqRB_kQdWFweGTVNox086r1k7Zoct_R92Vo