

Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi
Tony Tellado
Where Imagination Meets What It Means To Be Human
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 1, 2025 • 40min
Batman Legend : Kevin Conroy
A vintage conversation with a Batman legend. Kevin talked to me about his days graduating Julliard at 21, then moving on to daytime television. During his audition for Batman The Animated Series, he remarked that Batman is Hamlet which surprised the producers. We chat about recording with the cast and his work with Mark Hamill and Tim Daly. A legend.
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Apr 30, 2025 • 34min
Greg Grunberg on Heroes, JJ and His Son
The actor talks about his son's epilepsy and his efforts to bring awareness. We also chat about Heroes and his character of Matt Parkman and looked forward to more.
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Apr 29, 2025 • 7min
Trek Tuesday Special Volume 4
This is Trek Tuesday, another special by Volume 4, and we have two conversations.First, At a junket for another TV series, I had a chance to chat with F. Murray Abraham, and he told me an interesting story about Star Trek Insurrection. Morgan Shepard is a great actor. He's had a distinguished career. Unfortunately, we did lose him a few years ago. He's been on Star Trek The Next Generation several times, and we talk about that a little bit, but his last appearance, it turned out to be, was one of the Vulcan council of the Vulcan Science Academy, that Spock had applied for membership. That's a key moment in Spock's life, and Zachary Quinto was the only actor that did that scene from Spock's life.
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Apr 28, 2025 • 7min
Becoming Eva Nine: Jeanine Mason on Finding Her Voice in "WondLa”
In this inspiring conversation, Jeanine Mason—actress, dancer, and the newest star of Roswell, New Mexico and Netflix’s WondLa—opens up about her ever-evolving creative journey. Jeanine shares her reflections on artistry, identity, and how to trust yourself through reinvention.
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Apr 25, 2025 • 25min
Time Capsule 411: Exploring Sci-Fi Craft: From Silo’s Set to Invincible’s Sound and Dark Matter’s Worlds
Welcome to another episode of Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi, In this Time Capsule edition, we kick things off with Nicole Northridge, the talented production designer for "Silo" Season 2, as she reveals the secrets to building the rich, atmospheric environments that define the series—including the art of transforming a set to create an entirely new silo.
Next, we dive into the world of animation sound with Brad Meyer and Jeff Shiffman, the masterminds behind the audio of "Invincible" Season 2. From seamlessly integrating subtle city sounds to crafting powerful emotional moments, they share how sound shapes the storytelling experience.
We then shift dimensions with John Heller, visual effects supervisor for "Dark Matter," who unpacks the creative challenges of designing unique alternate worlds and ensuring each universe has its own distinct look and feel.
Rounding out the episode, Janine Mason joins us to discuss giving voice and emotional depth to Eva Nine in "Wandla," capturing the innocence and savvy that endear her character to fans of all ages.
Finally, we spotlight a deeply personal cause as "Star Trek" favorites John Billingsley, Jonathan Frakes, and Armin Shimerman, Juan Carlos Coto, and Kitty Winn reflect on their experiences with pancreatic cancer and the importance of community and support through the Purple Stride Walk.
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Apr 24, 2025 • 12min
Explore Weekly: Star Wars: Starfighter Unveiled, Supergirl Movie Wraps, The Last of Us Heartbreak
Welcome to a brand new episode of Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi. On this week’s Explore Weekly, an episode is packed with exciting headlines—most notably, a rundown of the newly announced Star Wars projects revealed at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, including a standalone Star Wars Starfighter movie starring Ryan Gosling and directed by Shawn Levy, as well as updates on other anticipated films and series set in the galaxy far, far away. You’ll also hear reviews and previews from across the genre spectrum, including a look at Andor Season 2, the upcoming Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow film, and an insightful review of the unique Cinderella retelling, The Ugly Stepsister. Plus, there’s fresh casting news for the animated Animal Farm adaptation, updates on the next Godzilla vs. Kong sequel, and a detailed discussion on the heart-stopping twist in HBO’s The Last of Us. The episode wraps up with insights on Alexander Skarsgård’s new role in Murderbot, a nostalgic ranking of performances in John Carpenter’s The Thing, and lots more.
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Apr 23, 2025 • 20min
Inside Surreal Estate: Tennille Read Unpacks Haunted Houses, On-Set Bonds, and Flirting With the Paranormal
Welcome to another episode of Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi. Today, we’re taking you back to season one of Surreal Estate, the hit SyFy series that puts a supernatural spin on haunted house real estate. Host Tony Tellado sits down with special guest Tennille Read, who played Megan Donovan, a pragmatic and skeptical med student who inherits a mysteriously haunted house with a life of its own. Tennille dives into what it was like bringing Megan to life—a character torn between logic and the paranormal—as she navigates spooky occurrences, a tangled love life, and a not-so-average real estate agent, Luke Roman.
Tennille shares behind-the-scenes stories about the striking set, working opposite Tim Rozon, and how the show skillfully blends horror, humor, and genuine heart. We also get an insider peek at on-set special effects, the challenges of filming during the height of COVID-19 in the hauntingly beautiful St. John’s, Newfoundland, and teases about Megan’s journey as she confronts both haunted hallways and her own personal crossroads.
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Apr 22, 2025 • 8min
The Inner Light’s Lasting Legacy: Reflections with Star Trek’s Richard Riehle
Welcome to Trek Tuesday on Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi, where I dive deep into all things Star Trek. In this episode, host Tony Tellado celebrates one of the most beloved Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes—“The Inner Light.” Partly inspired by a George Harrison Beatles song and rooted in Taoist philosophy, “The Inner Light” takes Captain Picard on a powerful journey as he lives 4o years of the life of the scientist Kamin.
Joining Tony is actor Richard Riehle, known for playing Kamin’s close friend Batai , who shares behind-the-scenes stories about the making of this iconic episode, his experiences working alongside Patrick Stewart, and the camaraderie built on set. Richard also reminisces about his time on Star Trek: Voyager and the unforgettable moments he shared with the cast. Plus, we reflect on the legacy of Picard’s Ressikan flute and “The Inner Light’s” lasting impact on Star Trek fans and the franchise as a whole.
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Apr 21, 2025 • 15min
From Nuclear Paranoia to Giant Ants: Revisiting the Classic Sci-Fi Film Them
Welcome to today’s episode of Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi, where I dive deep into the world of science fiction to understand ourselves a little better. In this special installment, I take us on a nostalgic journey back to the atomic age with a spotlight on the classic 1954 film, Them. Against the backdrop of 1950s nuclear paranoia, Them pits humanity against giant, mutated ants in a chilling cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of nuclear testing. We’ll explore the film’s plot, its standout cast—featuring names like James Whitmore, James Arness, and even a young Leonard Nimoy—and the pioneering production techniques that brought these monstrous creatures to life before the age of CGI. We’ll also uncover fascinating behind-the-scenes details, discuss the film’s critical reception and lasting legacy, and trace its influence on everything from Japanese kaiju flicks to modern video games and pop culture.
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Apr 18, 2025 • 39min
Purple Stride with Trek Stars: Research, Resilience, and Building Supportive Communities
Welcome to the latest episode of Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi, where we dive into a special cause close to the heart of these Star Trek actors raising awareness and funds in the fight against pancreatic cancer. This episode brings together an extraordinary panel: Team Trek captain Kitty Swink, her husband Armin Shimerman, Jonathan Frakes, John Billingsly, and Juan Carlos Coto, joined by host Tony Tellado. They share a candid and heartfelt conversation about their personal experiences with pancreatic cancer, the progress being made in research and patient care, and the power of coming together—whether it's at the annual Purple Stride walk or by supporting Pancan.org online. You'll hear stories of loss, hope, community, and the drive to make a difference, not only for those battling pancreatic cancer but also for families and caregivers. The team discusses advancements like robotic Whipple surgery, the importance of early detection, and how organizations like PanCAN are changing the landscape through research and support. It’s an episode filled with warmth, humor, advocacy, and an unbreakable sense of camaraderie. So whether you’re a Trek fan, someone touched by cancer, or simply inspired by people uniting for a good cause, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.
purplestride.org/teamtrek


