Podcasts about starquest media

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. The post Vitus Reflux (SFA) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Do pets reach back after death? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli assess new scientific studies on animal after-death communications. Can warning apparitions, shared sightings, and sensory details offer evidence for animal life after death? The post Ghost Pets! (Animal After Death Communications, ADCs) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What does real faith look like under fire? Jeff Haecker, Lisa Jones, and Victor Lams unpack sacrifice, belief, and resistance as SG-1 tests dangerous tech, Vala challenges false gods, and the Ori reveal their true nature. The post Line in the Sand (SG1) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What happens when a war hero finally comes home—and finds rot everywhere? Alix Murray, Jeff Haecker, and Thomas Salerno debate trauma, kingship, Penelope's choices, and the epic story of Odysseus. The post The Secrets of The Return appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Can a digital Sabbath really work in 2026? Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Fr. Andrew Kinstetter tackle whether constant connectivity is stealing our peace—and how intentional tech boundaries can restore prayer, family life, and freedom. The post The Digital Sabbath: A Rule for Life appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What happens when the Doctor arrives too late? As Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin unpack Lucy Miller / To the Death, they confront Dalek plague warfare, shocking companion sacrifices, and the moment the Eighth Doctor learns mercy sometimes costs everything. The post Lucie Miller & To The Death appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What happens when Tolkien meets experimental animation? Jeff Haecker, Robert King, Patrick Mason, and Rob Leonardi weigh Bakshi's Lord of the Rings. Does visual ambition excuse rushed storytelling—or does Gandalf steal the show? The post Lord of the Rings (1978 Bakshi) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

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. The post Kids These Days and Beta Test (SFA) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What if your strangest moment carried meaning? On their 400th episode, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli tackle more listener stories of healings, visions, dreams, and UFOs—asking: coincidence, psychology, or something more? The post Mysterious Experiences! appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Atlantis falls to its creators—then to their greatest mistake. Victor Lams, Jeff Haecker, and Lisa Jones debate the sudden return of the Ancients, the Asurans' brutal logic, and whether saving the city was worth the cost. Was exile the real test? The post The Return (SGA) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Why is your Wi-Fi fast in one room and useless in another? Dom Bettinelli explains what's really slowing you down, how to fix it without being a tech expert, and why Apple turning to Google's Gemini AI could reshape Apple Intelligence. The post Slow Internet? Troubleshoot Your Wi-Fi appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What happens when folklore fights back? Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin break down The Legend of Baba Yaga, belief-powered reality, and the Fugitive Doctor's harder edge. Is magic just psychic tech—and is mercy stronger than myth? The post The Legend of Baba Yaga (Big Finish) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

A Star Wars story without Jedi or the Empire—does it still feel like Star Wars? Robert King, Jeff Haecker, and Thomas Salerno unpack Yukia's Treasure, asking whether family, not credits, is the real inheritance—and why this anime-style episode hits so hard emotionally. The post Visions, Ep. 23 – Yukia’s Treasure appeared first on StarQuest Media.

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. The post Star Trek and Faith with Mark Hansard appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Are Ouija boards really paranormal? Does God know what time it is? And is dark matter real — or is gravity wrong? Continuing his Christmas tradition of spending the holiday with those spending it alone, Jimmy Akin tackles these and many more questions posed by listeners with reason, faith, and curiosity. The post Alone Together for Christmas 2025 appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Can virtue defeat gods? SG-1's hunt for the Sangraal pits faith against force, while Ba'al and Adria turn allies into liabilities. Lisa Jones, Jeff Haecker, and Victor Lams weigh the cost of power—and Daniel's fate. The post The Quest (SG1) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Is 2001 a masterpiece or an endurance test? Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, Robert King, and Jeff Haecker tackle HAL's AI warning, human violence, alien intelligence, and that unforgettable ending. Does progress save us—or undo us? The post The Secrets of 2001: A Space Odyssey appeared first on StarQuest Media.

CES promises the future—but which ideas actually help people? From home robots for seniors to LEGO's screenless tech and worries about AI companions, Dom Bettinelli, Joanne Mercier, and Leo Devick weigh what's hopeful, helpful, and just plain creepy. The post Is CES Showing Us the Wrong Future? appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What happens when Time Lords become gods? A lost Gallifreyan student inspires Egyptian myth, fractures history, and forces the Doctor into an impossible judgment. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin unpack paradox, law, and tragic mercy in this story that guest stars Benedict Cumberbatch. The post False Gods appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What happens when evil isn't fully defeated? Thomas Salerno, Pat Mason, and Jeff Haecker finish their discussion of The Silmarillion as they unpack Isildur's failure, Gondor's long decline, and the fading of the Elves. The Third Age asks a hard question: is victory ever final? The post The Silmarillion: Of The Third Age appeared first on StarQuest Media.

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. The post The Jihad (TAS) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

For New Year's week, Jimmy Akin is answering more weird questions posed by Cy Kellett, including whether psychopaths who feel no remorse can be saved; what happened to the saints who rose at the Resurrection; who was Peter's wife; and more! The post Can Psychopaths Be Saved? And More Weird Questions appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Hallucinations, guilt, and survival collide in “Phantoms.” Victor Lams, Jeff Haecker, and Lisa Jones debate whether mind-control stories still work, why Teyla is the real hero here, and what Shepard's past reveals when reality breaks down. The post Phantoms (SGA) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What does freedom cost when it's forced on you? Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Robert King unpack Visions: The Bounty Hunters—from droid identity and slavery to anime excess and moral gray zones. Can action alone carry big ideas? The post Visions, Ep. 22 – The Bounty Hunters appeared first on StarQuest Media.

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? The post Metamorphosis (TOS) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

It's Christmas week so we're bringing you a special weird questions episode where Jimmy Akin answers questions like: Can identical twins share a soul? What happens if you're excommunicated unfairly? Could a living soul possess someone else? Are demons capable of repentance? Are we insignificant in a vast universe—or still uniquely special? The post How Many Souls Do Twins Have? And More Weird Questions appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What happens when SG-1 wins through deception instead of firepower? Jeff Haecker, Lisa Jones, and Victor Lams break down a space-bound thriller full of cons, double-crosses, and Vala's street smarts—plus why “Company of Thieves” quietly highlights the team's versatility. The post Company of Thieves (SG1) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What if Christmas depends on belief itself? Dom Bettinelli, Patrick Mason, and Shelly Kelly examine Miracle on 34th Street—asking whether faith can survive cynicism, if “common sense” blocks wonder, and why hope still matters in a commercial world. The post The Secrets of A Miracle on 34th Street (1947) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

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. The post Marauders (ENT) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Starting in 1960, comic books began advertising mail order pets known as sea monkeys, the brainchild of inventor Harold von Braunhut. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli investigate the whimsical creatures, their creator, and a series of disappointing revelations connected to them. The post The Amazing Sea-Monkeys! appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What if your alternate self was everything your sister wished you were? As a bold experiment threatens another universe, McKay must face his past, his sibling, and himself. Featuring David & Kate Hewlett, and a fan-favorite sci-fi concept with heart. With Lisa Jones, Jeff Haecker, and Victor Lams.. The post McKay and Mrs. Miller (SGA) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Faith, guilt, and redemption clash in Wake Up Dead Man. Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Chip Hines, and Thomas Sanjurjo unpack this unique Knives Out mystery, spotlighting its rare, authentic depiction of priesthood and powerful Catholic themes. The post The Secrets of Wake Up Dead Man appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Christmas gift panic? We've got you covered with last-minute tech picks for all budgets—plus, a bold look at Apple's stand on privacy and why AI-generated podcasts could ruin what makes podcasting real. With Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Joseph Sund, and Tom Grelinger. The post Last-Minute Tech Gifts That Won't Feel Last-Minute appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What if the best thing to do… is nothing at all? A collapsing void, enslaved lion-men, and cryptic mirrors challenge the Fourth Doctor and Romana. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli unpack this trippy farewell to Romana and the end of the E-space arc. The post Warrior’s Gate appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What if the future Jedi rebuilt their order on faith, hope, and trust—not detachment? Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, and Jeff Haecker unpack The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope and how it might shape a bold new Jedi era. The post Visions, Ep. 21 – The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope appeared first on StarQuest Media.

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. The post Random Thoughts (VOY) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Can coffee really help you live longer and protect your liver? Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle break down studies linking 3–4 cups a day to better health—and ask what really counts when it comes to longevity, lifestyle, and your daily brew. The post 4 Cups a Day Keeps the Doctor Away appeared first on StarQuest Media.

In 1990, two men in Calvine, Scotland took photos of a strange object in the sky that would become the clearest UFO photos ever. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli ask what really happened in Calvine, what happened to the two men, and what was the flying object they photographed? The post The Calvine UFO Sighting appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Vala loses her memory—but does that erase who she is? As SG-1 and the Trust hunt her down, she faces a choice about identity, loyalty, and belonging. Jeff Haecker, Lisa Jones, and Victor Lams unpack this pivotal moment in her arc. The post Memento Mori (SG1) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

How does a felt frog teach us about redemption? Dom Bettinelli, Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason reflect on The Muppet Christmas Carol, unpacking its spiritual depth, musical soul, and surprising emotional weight beneath the whimsy. The post The Secrets of The Muppet Christmas Carol appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What's the best Apple gear to give this year? Should every nerd build their own 8-bit computer? Dom Bettinelli, Joanne Mercier, and Leo Devick share Christmas gift ideas, plus the troubling truth behind Amazon's DRM changes and Instacart's shifting prices. The post The Gift Guide for Apple Fans, DIY Geeks, and Office Productivity appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What happens when a medieval society joins a galactic superpower? The 3rd Doctor and Sarah Jane face war profiteers, fake gods, and class rebellion. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin discuss faith, feminism, and odd-shaped aliens in Monster of Peladon. The post The Monster of Peladon appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Sauron's fake repentance. Celebrimbor's fatal pride. What makes a ring powerful? In our 100th episode, Thomas Salerno, Rob Leonardi, Pat Mason, and Jeff Haecker uncover the roots of evil in the final chapters of The Silmarillion and what Tolkien says about the nature of corruption. The post The Silmarillion: The Rings of Power appeared first on StarQuest Media.

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. The post In the Hands of the Prophets (DS9) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Is lying ever moral? Why did God create Satan—and dinosaurs? What is the eye of Providence? From purgatory to AI ethics, Jimmy Akin fields more questions from fellow pilgrims during his recent Italy pilgrimage. The post The Eye of Providence and More Patrons' Questions appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Is Disney+'s Percy Jackson faithful to the books—or rewriting prophecy? Jeff Haecker and Rob Leonardi break down Season 1, from mythological accuracy to character arcs and surprising betrayals. What should Season 2 get right? The post The Secrets of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Season 1 appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Is coerced labor still virtuous if it saves the universe? Dorium Maldovar returns as the 11th Doctor faces a cosmic light imprisoned in a robotic lighthouse. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin dissect morality, capitalism, and Time Lord ethics in The Light Keepers. The post The Light Keepers (Big Finish) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

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 matched up to $15,000. The post This Advent, Help StarQuest Continue the Mission appeared first on StarQuest Media.

It's our annual Thanksgiving Weird Questions episode, and this time Cy Kellett is asking Jimmy Akin questions about whether the Holy Spirit has chromosomes, what sacraments angels can perform (if any), whether Zoroaster was a savior before Jesus, and what to make of the sword of St. Michael. The post The Sword of St. Michael (and More Weird Questions) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Did the CIA kill JFK? A mysterious woman's testimony at 1985 libel trial apparently indicated CIA agents were in Dallas with operatives and weapons on the night before the assassination. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the credibility of the claims and counter-claims. The post Marita Lorenz and the JFK Assassination appeared first on StarQuest Media.