TrekTivism

Welcome to TrekTivism: applying Star Trek's core values to foster community and bring about positive social change.

Colonel Bree Fram 06/29/2025

Colonel Bree Fram Colonel Bree Fram shares her story, from her first experience with Star Trek to her career in astronautical engineering and as a Space Force Colonel. In an emotional conversation, Bree opens up about the pain of the Trump administration’s ban on transgender people serving in the military, how it directly impacted her career and life, and how she’s moving forward. Links: /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/37205000

Boldly Going with Bruce Horak 05/26/2025

Boldly Going with Bruce Horak "How would you describe yourself to someone who couldn't see?" asks Bruce Horak, Engineer Hemmer on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Bruce joins us to talk about his work as an actor, painter, and now filmmaker with his upcoming documentary Boldly Going for which there is currently an active IndieGoGo campaign. Boldly Going is described as "a groundbreaking documentary that chronicles Bruce Horak's inspiring journey as the first blind actor to play a blind character in the Star Trek franchise (Strange New Worlds). But this a story that goes far beyond Bruce's on-screen character. Despite losing 90% of his vision to childhood cancer. In this film, we follow him across North America and beyond as he meets others who have overcome barriers to find creative freedom and purpose. In each encounter, Bruce paints a portrait of the person he encounters creating a moment of connection captured on canvas." Support Bruce's fundraiser at /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/36706550

Advocating for the Homeless 05/09/2025

Advocating for the Homeless We are excited to be joined by Jarrah Hodge of the legendary Women at Warp podcast which recently just wrapped with its final ever episode. In addition to co-hosting and producing Women at Warp, Jarrah is also a communications, advocacy and engagement specialist with extensive experience in the non-profit sector and labour movement. She is now serving as the communication lead at the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. In light of Canada's recent Federal Election and ongoing housing crisis, we were eager to hear about Jarrah's ongoing work. We also talk about visiting another podcast – The Treksperts Briefing Room where we talked DS9's "Past Tense" with Star Trek writer Lisa Klink! Links from the Episode: Ladies Who Trek Ottawa Fan Group IKV Phoenix Ottawa Fan Group Treksperts Briefing Room featuring the TREKtivism Podcast /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/36483550

Library for the Kind and Trek Long Island 04/04/2025

Library for the Kind and Trek Long Island and founder Stefanie Gangone and Paul Adams, Director of Diversity Programming and Convention Operations at TLI, appear on the podcast to talk about the history of both organizations and what to expect from the upcoming Star Trek-focused event happening May 30 - June 2. /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/35998855

Star Trek Family L.A. Fire Relief 02/03/2025

Star Trek Family L.A. Fire Relief This month's guest is science fiction author, science communicator, and host of The Big Sci-Fi Podcast, Adeena Mignogna. Adeena is currently spearheading a grassroots fundraising campaign by the "Star Trek Family" online community group. which is providing financial relief to those impacted by fire damage in Los Angeles. The Star Trek Family campaign has already raised nearly 7,000 dollars! You can support the fundraising effort by visiting And also be sure to visit Adeena's website and check out her expansive science fiction body of work, including Star Trek tie-in material, at /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/35125260

STEAM Superheroes 12/20/2024

STEAM Superheroes Scientists are superheroes! And those scientist superheroes can be and look like anybody. That's the message of STEAM Superheroes - an organization that creates content, programs, and an upcoming comic book series designed to inspired and motivate youth to pursue careers in STEAM. In this episode, we speak to STEAM Superheroes team members (and Star Trek fans) Linda Zaruches, Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez-Serricchio, and LaShana Lewis about the STEAM Superheroes Comic series, the importance of representation in STEAM, and how scientists are agents of social change. Find out more about STEAM Superheroes and support their comic at /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/34541660

Chase Masterson & Pop Culture Hero Coalition 10/30/2024

Chase Masterson & Pop Culture Hero Coalition October is both Mental Health Awareness and National Antibullying Month. Chase Masterson stops by the show to talk about her 501(c)3 nonprofit , its history, as well as her own super hero origin story. Pop Culture Hero Coalition uses evidence based video and tools with engaging pop culture references to teach behavior health skills in ways young people find relatable, teaching inclusion and acceptance in hopes to end bullying. For more information or to donate, /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/33645382

Emily Levy & Scrutineers 10/20/2024

Emily Levy & Scrutineers In our special Trek the Vote episode, Heather Rae Barker interviews Emily Levy, founder and director of Scrutineers, an action-oriented, nonpartisan online community working for USA election fairness & transparency. Heather and Emily talk about the history of the organization and how they help educate, train, and mobilize nonpartisan election scrutineers. For more information or to donate to Scrutineers: For more information about Trek the Vote - /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/33532657

Trektivism at ThunderCon '24 10/02/2024

Trektivism at ThunderCon '24 In late September, we were invited to host a TREKtivism panel at Thunder Bay's ThunderCon! Thunder Bay is Matthew's hometown and he was honoured to be invited back for Canada's first TREKtivism panel and our first TREKtivism booth at a convention! We were joined by Patrick Kwok-Choon of Star Trek Discovery, the Ontario Klingon Cosplaying group of Peter and Caelan Hutchison, and ThunderCon representative Elise Frizado to talk about fundraising as Klingons, how conventions can support local initiatives, and being neurodivergent on a starship! You can also support a current ALS research fundraiser spearheaded by the Klingons in memory of Discovery's Ken Mitchell by going to /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/33290997

Catrina Dennis 09/04/2024

Catrina Dennis Catrina Dennis is both a Star Trek and Star Wars fan. Producer, Entertainer and Community Activist, she's championed and spearheaded multiple fundraising initiatives by animating science fiction and table top gaming communities and recently became a character in Star Trek Online. Catrina’s fundraising efforts include producing Roll for the Arts in support of the Entertainment Community Fund during the writer & actors' strikes, which raised $2000 for the fund in less than six hours; performing on similar fundraising streams for causes like Techqueria, a global nonprofit that benefits Latines in Tech); and participating in a live streamed game of Star Trek Adventures in support of local Seattle tea shop Friday Tea when repairs needed to be made to the shop. Catrina's site: /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/32880147

Trektivism Panel - STLV 2024 08/07/2024

Trektivism Panel - STLV 2024 John Billingsley hosts a spirited conversation with a live audience about the values of Star Trek and how to nurture community spirit. Guests include Jonathan Frakes, Chase Masterson, Kitty Swink, Trektivism team members Matthew Cimone, Heather Rae Barker, Laurie Ulster, and Yvette Blackmon Tom and guests Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, Efaon Cobb, and Randy Frank! For more information: /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/32468077

To Proudly Go 07/03/2024

To Proudly Go We are joined by Heather Wood (CEO/Chair) and Sonyl Nagale (COO/Vice Chair) of To Proudly Go! To Proudly Go is a 501c3 nonprofit organization formed on March 1, 2021 for the purposes of creating safe and supportive spaces that celebrates science fiction, promotes the LGBTQIA+ community and partners with important community causes to empower and foster a kinder and better world. The organization has raised over 10k dollars for queer positive and anti-bullying organizations through fundraising initiatives like their charity drag shows! Learn more about To Proudly Go at /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/31992497

Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 06/05/2024

Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein This month, we're honored to welcome Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein to the TREKtivsm Podcast. Dr. Prescod-Weinstein, author of "The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred" is an Associate Professor of Physics and Core Faculty Member in Women's and Gender studies at the University of New Hampshire. Essence Magazine recognized her as one of 15 Black women Who Are Paving the Way in STEM and Breaking Barriers. Her scientific work intersects particle physics, cosmology, and astrophysics. Our amazing conversation with Dr. Prescod-Weinstein spans the hunt for Dark Matter, Queer and Black representation in STEM, Palestine, feminism, and aiming for that Star Trek future. Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein's site: Other Organizations talked about in this episode: Dark Sky International African American Women in Physics /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/31608417

Efaon Cobb 05/08/2024

Efaon Cobb Heather Rae and Matthew interview Efaon Cobb, previous Trektivism panelist and Deputy Director for the ACLU. Efaon discusses his life story, what led him to practicing law, and how he became involved with the ACLU. CW: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault and police brutality. For more information: /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/31185092

The Pablove Foundation with Todd Stashwick 04/15/2024

The Pablove Foundation with Todd Stashwick Todd Stashwick stops by the show to talk about his D&D campaign livestream fundraiser for . Todd’s event will be streamed live on on Saturday, April 20 starting at 5:00 PM Pacific (8:00 PM Eastern, 1:00 AM BST). /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/30821798

PanCAN PurpleStride with Kitty Swink, Armin Shimerman, and John Billingsley 04/03/2024

PanCAN PurpleStride with Kitty Swink, Armin Shimerman, and John Billingsley Heather and Matthew interview Kitty Swink, Armin Shimerman, and John Bilingsley about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the upcoming Purple Stride event. You can support the Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer Team by going to click donate, donate to a team, and search for “Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer” as your chosen team. The team is also high in the leaderboard which you can find at the bottom of the mainpage. And we’ve also included the team’s fundraiser link below. Purple Stride is Saturday April 27th and on the purple stride website you can also find a stride near you! For more information: /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/30656883

Mike Simmons - Astronomy for Equity 03/06/2024

Mike Simmons - Astronomy for Equity Heather, Rae Barker and Matthew Cimone interview Mike Simmons, founder, and CEO of Astronomy for Equity. Astronomy for Equity uses the proven ability of astronomy to foster inclusive programs that inspire, educate, and provide hope for unserved communities. The discussion explores Mike’s personal history with astronomy and why he founded his organization; the importance of building community and hope by bringing telescopes to refugees and others without accessibility to see the stars; why you should make the Trek to view a solar eclipse; and more! For more information: /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/30247268

TrekTivism on TrekTalks 3! 02/07/2024

TrekTivism on TrekTalks 3! Heather Rae Barker and Matthew Cimone recap 3 followed by their TrekTalks panel “Trektivism as Community Building” featuring Yez from ; Mel from ; Mark from Star Trek Family; and Ethan from For more information: /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/29835618

What is TrekTivism? 01/04/2024

What is TrekTivism? Matthew Cimone and Heather Rae Barker introduce the concept of Trektivism, its history, and evolution of the podcast, as well as a bit about their own backgrounds and efforts in activism. For more information: /episode/index/show/9a4b639a-c801-4706-b740-ef7b7ee752f7/id/29334103

TrekTivism

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