Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars
From archeology to zoology, real-world science is everywhere in Star Wars! Every episode includes an interview with an expert discussing how Star Wars relates to their field of study. Explore the many ways science is represented in a galaxy far, far away with hosts Melissa Miller and James Floyd, both freelance writers for Star Wars Insider magazine. Part of the Skywalking Network
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80: Awe in Star Wars
07/14/2026
80: Awe in Star Wars
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we talk to Deana Weibel about her book "The Ultraview Effect" and how to recognize the sense of awe in a galaxy far, far away (as well as our own!). The ultraview effect refers to astronauts who see the depths of space and are awed by the unknown. There may not be much awe of space travel in Star Wars, but there is awe when it comes to the power of the Force. Luke Skywalker's journey in the original trilogy lines up with an astronaut's journey, including him being humbled and coming back to learn more. We also cover Force Ghosts, how awe can become terror, and how religions and the Force may go hand in hand in a galaxy far, far away. And we also talk about Star Trek and Firefly a bit too and how sci-fi and fantasy gives us a sense of awe in our own lives! Show Links: for more about her book "The Ultraview Effect: What we can learn from astronauts about awe, humility, and exploring the unknown" and her other projects. Follow Deana on and ! Learn more about about the Voyager Golden Record. about the recent Artemis II mission's lunar flyby that we talked about, thanks to NASA! You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to never miss an episode of Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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Bonus: Science of Disneyland, recorded at WonderCon 2026
06/23/2026
Bonus: Science of Disneyland, recorded at WonderCon 2026
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we share the recording of Melissa's WonderCon 2026 panel "Science of Disneyland!" Watch of this episode for all the amazing behind the scenes visuals shared during the panel! Panel description: Disneyland is just down the road, so let’s take a virtual field trip to explore the parks from a different point of view. We’ll cover topics including physics, the psychology of play and Disney adults, the history of witches and magic, and the role of technology and automation in the happiest place on Earth. Our panel of experts includes astrophysicist Lisa Will, historian Beth Pollard, psychologist Drea Letamendi, art historian Roland Betancourt (author, Disneyland and the Rise of Automation: How Technology Created the Happiest Place on Earth), paleontologist Stuart Sumida (advisor, Matterhorn animations and co-author, Disneyland Rocks! The Geology of the Disneyland and California Adventure), and biologist Elizabeth Rega (consultant, Hall of Presidents). Moderated by science writer Melissa T. Miller. All are huge Disney fans who can’t wait to geek out and help you experience Disneyland from a whole new angle. Show Links: or the 2025 panel from WonderCon too. Hopefully we'll get to do this every year! You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to never miss an episode of Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic
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79: Chemistry in Star Wars
06/06/2026
79: Chemistry in Star Wars
On this episode of Star Warsologies, we chat with chemistry professor (and Melissa's former boss!) Seth Cohen. We get into a discussion of lightsabers, of course, and learn about the real-life crystals involved in laser experiments that sound a lot like Kyber crystals. There's also a lot of cool info about different metals, including how the strength of beskar might not be in the material itself but how it's prepared. We get into some fun new questions about the cortosis helmet in The Acolyte too. Seth calls chemistry "the central science" and we really do find a variety of topics to cover when it comes to Star Wars! Show Notes: Seth's is currently at UCSD but he's moving soon to ! And learn more about DARPA projects like and that we talked about. (the chemistry kind) that earned the Nobel Prize! You can also check out that we talked about in terms of beskar armor! Check out our related episodes on and one . You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science and other fields in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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78: Star Wars Insider: A Fond Farewell
05/06/2026
78: Star Wars Insider: A Fond Farewell
On this episode of Star Warsologies, we chat with Chris Cooper, editor of Star Wars Insider magazine. The final issue is out now! We send our beloved Star Wars Insider magazine off with a fond farewell discussion with editor Chris Cooper. Hear James and Melissa's origin stories in terms of their work for the magazine! Listen to us compliment each other on our favorite articles that the other has written! Learn more about Chris's work and fandom, and what he wants to do next. And then go pick up your copy of Star Wars Insider issue 237, the end of an era. Show Notes: ! Learn more about Chris and his work in the Star Wars universe on ! Here's the and where he and Melissa met for the first time! Check out the list of . Check out the list of . You can find the Donny and Marie Star Wars special . You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science and other fields in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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77: Cybersecurity in Star Wars
04/21/2026
77: Cybersecurity in Star Wars
On this episode of Star Warsologies, we talk cybersecurity (or lack thereof) in Star Wars with expert Malia Mason. There's a lot of plot points around stolen data in Star Wars - Rebel Base locations, Death Star plans, undercover ISB agents just to name a few. Malia talks about her work and whether she would work for the good guys or end up recruited by the Imperials. Of course we cover R2-D2's ability to plug into a random port on the Death Star and download information. Could that be because he was once Anakin Skywalker's droid and has outdated permissions? And what does our expert think of data centers like on Scarif? Would she have cleared Galen Erso to work on something as critical to the Empire as the Death Star? We also talk about the meta level, as Star Wars uses deep fakes to de-age actors for prequels and uses artificial intelligence to bring us Darth Vader's voice. Note: We recorded this conversation on February 27, 2026 - the day before the US began attacks on Iran, so our discussion of cyberwarfare does not include breaking news. Show Notes: If you haven't already, listen to our previous , which we discuss in terms of cybersecurity of all that personal medical data. Check out about cybersecurity lessons in Star Wars! And it's never a bad time to rewatch Saturday Night Live's sketch, and the . You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science and other fields in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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76: Wearable Tech in Star Wars
03/22/2026
76: Wearable Tech in Star Wars
On this episode of Star Warsologies, we talk to bioengineering professor Benjamin Smarr about technology integrated into the body. There's tons of wearable tech in Star Wars! Luke has a prosthetic hand and Darth Vader is more machine than man. How does that technology integrate into their bodies and minds? Benajmin Smarr shares his insights from researching health technology that helps people understand the patterns our bodies go through. He also speculates about projects he'd pursue if he was a professor in the Star Wars galaxy - including whether Jedi's midichlorian count changes are they age, train, or even just don't sleep well. We also get into women's reproductive health. How could Padme's pregnancy with twins have gone overlooked? Here on Earth, why are there still so many mysteries surrounding the female body? We also tackle circadian rhythms and (just weeks into daylight savings time) ponder how so many species from hundreds of planets manage to adjust to a standard time. Show Notes: Check out for tons more info about his research projects and publications. Book recommendations by Benjamin about circadian rhythm: Satchin Panda's and by Lynne Peeples. Learn more about UCSD's . Listen to mentioned in this conversation. And also ! You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science and other fields in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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75: Earthquake Geology in Star Wars
02/17/2026
75: Earthquake Geology in Star Wars
This episode of Star Warsologies we talk to earthquake geologist Wendy Bohon about planets, lava and lots and lots of explosions! Dr. Wendy Bohon joins us this month to discuss how life might begin and be sustained on planets in a galaxy far, far away. The answer is earthquakes! Or are they called Tatooine-quakes and Hoth-quakes? We dive into Naboo's watery core and discuss whether Mustafar was the right place to build an evil lair. And of course we get in to the Death Star's ability to destroy planets. Alderaan is in pieces but what happened during the tests on Jedha and Scarif? Show Notes: Follow Wendy on , , , and other social media sites. And check out ! Learn more about Wendy mentions, that reminds her of Crait and the crystal foxes! If you can't get enough geology talk, give (from 2021!) a listen. We also talked more about Mustafar in at Star Wars Celebration 2025. You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science and other fields in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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74: Classical Studies in Star Wars
01/13/2026
74: Classical Studies in Star Wars
This episode of Star Warsologies we delve into classical studies - languages, archeology, and epigraphy, which is study of ancient inscriptions! Giraffe joins us to talk about her early introduction to languages with Stargate and The Mummy. She explains the difference between scripts and languages. She also answers important questions like: Does Yoda talk that way just to be different? and Why does anyone hang out with C-3PO? We also get into the inevitable discussion of AI's role in translating and understanding ancient languages and scripts, as well as how the Empire removing people from their individual cultures comes straight from the colonizer's playbook. Show Notes: Check out Giraffe on the Star Trek podcast , which is live every Thursday at 6:30pm Pacific time! And find her on and ! We mentioned some relevant past episodes during this discussion: check out with David Peterson, who created languages for Game of Thrones, Marvel movies, and more, and with historian and author Chris Kempshall. You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science and other fields in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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Bonus: Celebrating the Puppetry Arts panel at San Diego Comic-Con
12/23/2025
Bonus: Celebrating the Puppetry Arts panel at San Diego Comic-Con
As a holiday bonus, please enjoy this recording of a panel from San Diego Comic-Con 2025 - Celebrating the Puppetry Arts! Panel Description: Puppets have entertained and educated the masses for centuries but the artistry also changes and advances with new technology. Professional puppet builders and performers share insights from their careers working on franchises like Star Wars and the Muppet movies, as well as their experiences with non-traditional puppetry like animatronics, motion capture, and claymation. Panelists include Cheralyn Lambeth (puppet builder, Dinosaurs!, Avenue Q), Kirk Thatcher (writer and director, The Muppets Haunted Mansion), and Fon Davis (model maker, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline). Moderated by Melissa T. Miller (Star Warsologies podcast). Links from the panel discussion: Check out and the for puppetry building tips. Watch Fon mentioned where he shows Adam Savage around 's effects lab. Here's mentioned where the baby in Dinosaurs talks back to the director. If you want to hear more about Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas, check out about those movies that Melissa and Fon did together in 2024.
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73: Cartography in Star Wars
12/02/2025
73: Cartography in Star Wars
This episode of Star Warsologies is all about maps! We talk with Jason Fry, who helped map the galaxy far, far away in The Essential Atlas. How do you map a galaxy? Storytellers get to add their own details in movies, books, comics, TV shows, and even board games, so it's a huge job and nearly impossible to keep it all straight. Jason shares what went into creating the lore for Star Wars: The Essential Atlas and how the book is literally a childhood dream come true. It turns out a lot of the mapping framework came from a video game mechanic! Show Notes: Follow Jason and send any cartographic errors you find to essential.atlas@gmail.com Check out ! Buy your copy of Jason's Star Wars: The Essential Atlas, or peruse . Check out , including The Last Jedi (adult novelization) and Rebels: Servants of the Empire series. Other books mentioned in this episode include , , from the Reign of the Empire series. You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science and other fields in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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72: Feminism in Star Wars
11/04/2025
72: Feminism in Star Wars
This episode of Star Warsologies covers feminism and gender representation in Star Wars with author and historian Becca Harrison. Becca Harrison tallied up all the screen time for female characters in Star Wars movies over the decades and even made cuts of the film with only dialogue from female characters. They get a lot more screen time these days and we talk about why that's important. We discuss feminism, gender identity, and the importance of representation when it comes to Star Wars, including within the fandom itself. Becca is a freelance academic who has studied Star Wars from multiple academic angles including historical, data technology, gender identity, and even environmental. Show Notes: Check out for more of her work on Star Wars as well as resources for for film analysis and research. Get your copy of Becca's book recreating the panel from 2023's Celebration in London about Andor that included Becca and other experts. Find out more about . And if you do sign up to go, make sure to put “Star Warsologies” in the Order Notes when you check out! You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science and other fields in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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71: Star Wars Critters at LA Comic Con
10/15/2025
71: Star Wars Critters at LA Comic Con
This episode of Star Warsologies is our LA Comic Con panel about critters in a galaxy far, far away! Hear our panel of experts talk about their favorite animals in Star Wars! Melissa and James are joined by herpetologist Earyn McGee, conservation biologist Sam Wynns, and geochemist Randy Flores. Also as it includes our slides and other visuals! From womp rats to wampas, Star Wars creatures great and small are a beloved part of the galaxy far, far away. Moderator S.T. Bende (author of Star Wars Bestiary, Vol. 1: Creatures of the Galaxy) will quiz this panel of animal experts and fans on how everything from porgs to purrgil are adapted to their environments and show similarities to life here on Earth. New members to the Galactic Society of Creature Enthusiasts are welcome, bring questions about your favorite sci-fi and fantasy animals! Show Notes: Buy the ! Check out our episode with panelists , and with ! We love to talk about critters, as you may have noticed. Here's our panels from and ! Find out more about . And if you do sign up to go, make sure to put "Star Warsologies" in the Order Notes when you check out! You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science and other fields in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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70: Mass Media in Star Wars
09/16/2025
70: Mass Media in Star Wars
This episode of Star Warsologies covers mass media, propaganda, and media literacy in a galaxy far, far away! Author Samuel Spitale joins us to talk about the difference between journalism, news, propaganda, advertising, and other media terms. He posits that the lack of media in the original series was a deliberate (and wise) choice for storytelling. While it plays a role in the recent series Andor, there are also some hints in the holiday special, so of course we talk about that! Join us to help fight misinformation with the truth! An illustration from "How to Win the War on Truth: An Illustrated Guide to How Mistruths Are Sold, Why They Stick, and How to Reclaim Reality" provided by Samuel Spitale. Show Notes: Check out and . He's also . Get a copy of Samuel's book Get a copy of Samuel's coffee table book Find out more about . And if you do sign up to go, make sure to put "Star Warsologies" in the Order Notes when you check out! You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science and other fields in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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69: Space Exploration in Star Wars
09/02/2025
69: Space Exploration in Star Wars
This episode of Star Warsologies covers space exploration topics with an operator of the Mars rover! Katherine Winchell is an astrogeologist whose love of Star Wars has a lot to do with her career in the space program. She is also the head organizer of the upcoming convention, which takes place in Burbank on September 13-14, 2025. We talk about the con (and Star Warsologies will be there!), but we also dive deep into the similarities between Mars and Tatooine and how early travelers explored the galaxy far, far away. Since Katherine is so well-versed in the Extended Universe books, we also talk about the few examples of scientific exploration present there. Show Notes: Get involved in the advocacy from the Planetary Society, including participation in October 5-6 ! Learn more about and the that Katherine mentioned. Check out about the Mars samples that look like lightsabers! Find out more about . And if you do sign up to go, make sure to put "Star Warsologies" in the Order Notes when you check out! You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science and other fields in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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68: Andor: From Resistance to Rebellion (San Diego Comic-Con 2025 panel)
08/08/2025
68: Andor: From Resistance to Rebellion (San Diego Comic-Con 2025 panel)
This episode of Star Warsologies is our San Diego Comic-Con 2025 panel entitled "Star Wars Andor - From Resistance to Rebellion" and features Dr. Drea Letamendi, Desmond Hassing, Jendia Gammon, Robert Dagnall, and Dr. Catherine Hicks as panelists, moderated by podcast co-host James Floyd. Panel description: Fighting the tyranny of the Galactic Empire is dangerous work, whether in the halls of power on Coruscant or in the dark recesses of the Outer Rim. Panelists will dive deep into the popular show Star Wars: Andor, especially season 2, and examine themes of resisting authoritarianism and aspects of outright rebellion. How do the choices made by Cassian Andor, Mon Mothma, and Luthen Rael make the galaxy more free but also more perilous? Psychologists Drea Letamendi (Lattes with Leia, The Arkham Sessions, Aliens Expanded) and Catherine Hicks will take you into the minds of Imperial loyalists like Dedra Meero and insurgent fighters like Saw Gerrera. Also charging into the fray will be speculative fiction author Jendia Gammon (Atacama, Doomflower, The Inn at the Amethyst Lantern), San Diego State rhetoric and writing instructor Robert Dagnall, and American Indian studies professor Desmond Hassing. Hosted by James Floyd (Star Wars author, Star Wars Insider regular contributor, Star Warsologies podcast co-host). Fight the Empire! Check out the slides from the panel as well as some panel photos on the YouTube version of the episode:
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67: Star Wars in Bulgaria
07/15/2025
67: Star Wars in Bulgaria
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we talk to Nenko Genov, a huge Star Wars fan who grew up in Bulgaria. We met Nenko through Star Wars Celebration and it was so interesting to learn about his experience growing up in Bulgaria in the 70s and 80s. He shared how hard it was to find Star Wars content and connect with other fans. Nenko is now the Bulgarian translator for Star Wars and other comics, so we also chat about how that came about. Show Links: Follow Nenko on and . Nenko is also an author. All his books are in Bulgarian (no English translations yet!), but check him out on or through publishers and . Plus ! You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to never miss an episode of Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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66: Anti-Fascism in Star Wars
06/17/2025
66: Anti-Fascism in Star Wars
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we talk to historian and author Chris Kempshall about how Star Wars is rooted in politics and anti-fascism, and has been since the beginning. Chris Kempshall joins us to talk about the definition of fascism and how to rebel against it. Star Wars may be fiction but there's plenty of timely lessons, especially in the recently completed show Andor. How can that help us understand what's happening in American politics? Can we practice resistance in an immersive environment like Galaxy's Edge and use it to talk about the ongoing ICE raids? Is there reason to hope? And of course we chat about Order 66. Show Links: Check out Chris's books and The books Chris recommended are by Kevin J. Wetmore and by Cass R. Sunstein. Listen to Chris's earlier appearance on the podcast in our . Chris also joined James's panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to never miss an episode of Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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Bonus: Science of Disneyland, recorded at WonderCon 2025
06/01/2025
Bonus: Science of Disneyland, recorded at WonderCon 2025
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we share the recording of Melissa's WonderCon 2025 panel "Science of Disneyland!" Panel description: Disneyland is just down the road, so let’s take a virtual field trip to explore the parks from a different point of view. There’s something to discover in every land - life on other planets in Galaxy’s Edge, dinosaurs roaming the railroad, and majestic rock formations in Cars Land - just to name a few. There’s also robotics everywhere, from the original audio-animatronics to the advanced Spider-Man that swings across Avengers Campus. Our panel of experts includes astrophysicist Lisa Will, geologist Garrett Vice, paleontologist Stuart Sumida (who worked on the Matterhorn animations), and biologist Elizabeth Rega (who consulted on the Hall of Presidents). All are huge Disney fans who can’t wait to geek out and help you experience Disneyland from a whole new angle. Show Links: Listen to the episode , where Garrett dives even deeper into the cool rocks around both Disneyland parks in California! You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to never miss an episode of Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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65: Fon Davis and the Secret Miniatures of the Star Wars Prequels, recorded at Star Wars Celebration Japan
05/13/2025
65: Fon Davis and the Secret Miniatures of the Star Wars Prequels, recorded at Star Wars Celebration Japan
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we share the recording of our our Star Wars Celebration Japan panel "The Secret Miniatures of the Star Wars Prequels" with Fon Davis! Watch for all the amazing behind the scenes visuals shared during the panel! You should also watch we refer to in (and showed during) the panel, which includes many of the miniatures in the Star Wars prequels. Panel description: Episodes I, II, and III revolutionized the use of computer graphics in film but did you know that the ILM model shop was still in full swing during production? There are more miniatures in each of the prequels than the original trilogy combined! Fon Davis, an ILM model maker during the Special Edition and prequels era, takes us through his favorite behind the scenes photos and stories - many of which involve explosions. From the podracing arena on Tatooine to the lava flows of Mustafar, a surprising number of miniatures were created and used in tandem with other visual effects. Take a deep dive into the movie magic! Show Links: Watch season 2 of now for more from Fon and other ILM behind the scenes images and stories! For more ILM stories, check out with Fon Davis, John Goodson, Kim Smith, Nelson Hall, and Don Bies! Fon has also joined us for convention panels about , , as well as at in 2023! You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to never miss an episode of Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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64: Droids, AI, and Sentience, recorded at Star Wars Celebration Japan
05/06/2025
64: Droids, AI, and Sentience, recorded at Star Wars Celebration Japan
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we share the recording of our our Star Wars Celebration Japan panel "Droids, Artificial Intelligence, and Sentience" Panel description: R2-D2 and C-3PO. BB-8. Battle droids. Star Wars isn't Star Wars without its lovable droids. We'll examine the science of robots, the programming of personality and the ethics of sentient mechanicals in society, plus go behind the scenes on designing droids for the movies. Why do droids in Star Wars look the way they do? Why do we all love R2-D2? How close are we to having droid intelligence and personality in our own world? Let's go inside the gears and processing units to explore all the possibilities. Our team of experts includes Yukie Nagai (Project Professor, International Research Center for Neurointelligence, University of Tokyo), Fon Davis (ILM Model Maker - Star Wars), Chris Kempshall (author, Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire and The History and Politics of Star Wars) and Joel Welch (PhD Law candidate at Western University, Emerging Technology Policies & SciFi). Moderated by James Floyd (Star Wars Insider; Star Warsologies, Star Wars Crossword Puzzles). Show Links: Check out . Check out . You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to never miss an episode of Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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63: Science of Revenge of the Sith, recorded at Star Wars Celebration Japan
05/04/2025
63: Science of Revenge of the Sith, recorded at Star Wars Celebration Japan
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we share the recording of our our Star Wars Celebration Japan panel "Science of Revenge of the Sith" Panel description: Revenge of the Sith is full of connections to real world science and technology - from droids and starfighters to the ecosystems of Mustafar and Utapau. How could we make a working lightsaber? Can you really battle over a river of lava? How would wildlife thrive on Coruscant? Are we close to making robots similar to C-3PO and R2-D2? We'll try to tackle these questions and more with our lineup of experts in all sorts of fields, including Dr. Yukie Nagai (robotics), Dr. Takafumi Maruishi (volcanology), Dr. Kazuo Tanaka (particle physics), Gabriel Santos (paleontology), and Melissa Miller (science communicator). Join host James Floyd (Star Wars author, Star Wars Insider regular contributor, Star Warsologies podcast co-host) in celebrating the 20th anniversary of Episode III with a look into its science and technology. Show Links: Check out . Check out Check out You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to never miss an episode of Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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62: Star Wars Books with Tom Hoeler
04/14/2025
62: Star Wars Books with Tom Hoeler
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we talk to Tom Hoeler, an editor of Star Wars novels and editorial director for Random House Worlds! Tom tells us how Star Wars books come into being and gives us advice for how to get started with the amazing (but daunting) content of The High Republic. We also dive into in-galaxy books and publishing, like the holo-books seen in Skeleton Crew. Who edits and publishes books? Did the Empire erase or burn all books about the Jedi? Did that lead to a renaissance after Return of the Jedi, with stories of Luke Skywalker turning into everything from fairy tales to fan fiction? Show Links: You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to never miss an episode of Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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61: Lasers (and more) in Star Wars
03/12/2025
61: Lasers (and more) in Star Wars
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we talk to Karen Yu about lasers! PEW PEW! This episode, we dive into lasers in Star Wars but it turns out that many of the examples are likely actually something else entirely - plasma! Though lightsabers are sometimes called laser swords, Karen breaks down the reasons that light / lasers simply wouldn't work this way. Same goes for the Death Star's mighty weapon. Somehow we also end up talking about repulsor vehicles, invisible tires, and a lot of other physics and engineering quandaries. Enjoy! Show Links: Want to know more about transparent chicken? Of course you do! . Listen to that Karen was part of, The Science of Return of the Jedi, which we referenced a few times during our discussion! Learn more about and that Karen mentioned in this episode. You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to never miss an episode of Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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60: Dentistry in Star Wars
02/11/2025
60: Dentistry in Star Wars
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we talk to Dr. Ryder Waldron, a dentist and huge Star Wars fan! On this episode, we talk about mouths - teeth, tongues, and lips all contribute to how an animal eats, sounds, and plays musical instruments. Do clone troopers have baby teeth or did they skip right to adult teeth? How might Max Rebo and Sy Snootles eat? Why do Sith Lords have such terrible oral hygiene? We also talk about porgs, of course! Show Links: Check out Ryder's Star Wars podcasts! , follow the show , and , also ! He's also part of the . Here's the video Ryder mentioned where . You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to never miss an episode of Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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59: The Force and Eastern Philosophy
01/20/2025
59: The Force and Eastern Philosophy
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we talk to Dr. Krista Noble about Eastern philosophical traditions and their similarities to the Force! Dr. Krista Noble joins us this episode on Star Warsologies to talk about her new book, One with the Force: 18 Universal Truths in Star Wars. Krista is a professor of Vedic studies and shares what she knows about George Lucas's connection to Eastern philosophies. We also cover the roles of the light and dark sides, supernatural abilities, and intuition. When characters say, "I've got a bad feeling about this," it's more than just a running joke, it's a philosophical moment! We hope you enjoy the episode and your next Star Wars rewatch with some more insights into the connections between the Jedi and real-life traditions. Show Links: You can buy Krista's book on , , and ! . Book summary: Why are the Star Wars films so popular? Of course, viewers love the characters, the plot, the music, and the special effects. However, there is a deeper reason why these films resonate with audiences: Star Wars contains universal truths—principles that are "true for all time, all places and all people." The same principles can be found in religions and philosophies throughout the world, including the Vedic tradition of ancient India, Buddhism, Taoism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Native American/First Nations beliefs. In One with the Force: 18 Universal Truths in Star Wars, Krista Noble explores these principles. She delves into a rich array of topics, from the Force to collective consciousness, and from enlightenment to immortality. Readers will see that the philosophy of the Jedi doesn’t only apply "in a galaxy far, far away"; it is also highly relevant to everyday living. Like Luke Skywalker, we should all look within to discover the deepest truths of life, pursue our individual destinies, and strive to reach our full potential as human beings. In these ways, we can embody the wisdom of the Jedi. Advance praise: "An intriguing addition to Star Wars scholarship, which reveals the timeless substructure underpinning the space-age saga. If you watched the Star Wars movies with a feeling in your bones that you were seeing something unfold that was not merely the product of modern creative storytellers but something ancient and powerful, this book will tell you why." —Joe Holland, Instructor of Consciousness & Human Potential, Maharishi International University "One with the Force reveals why Star Wars touches the souls of its fans, showing that this iconic film series has much more to it than meets the eye. Noble’s book expounds on the universal principles in Star Wars that inspire us and sustain the cosmos." —Marci Shimoff, #1 NY Times bestselling author of Happy for No Reason and Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul "This lucid study takes up a topic dear to my heart—the uses of fiction as a wisdom path—and traces essential principles from South Eastern and other traditions of wisdom and spirit appearing in Star Wars. The parallels mentioned by the author are evocative and even archetypal. The image of a path of spirituality emphasizing balance, experience, mindful action, and unity found in difference speaks strongly to our time of culture wars and increased questioning of traditional creeds." —Craig Chalquist, PhD, author of Soulmapper "Krista Noble's insightful presentation of the Star Wars trilogy highlights and magnifies the inherent nobility of this blockbuster film series, as she unearths and identifies age-old universal principles of life and living embedded in the story. Noble's book provides a happy hunting ground for exploring the profound truths of the world's cultural, spiritual, and religious traditions. A magnificent read!" —Dr. Judy Booth, retired faculty member at Maharishi International University, continuing to serve in an advisory capacity You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to never miss an episode of Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on and or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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58: Geology of Galaxy's Edge
12/17/2024
58: Geology of Galaxy's Edge
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we talk to a geologist and paleontologist about their recent field trip to Disneyland! Garrett Vice recently led field trips into Disneyland during a scientific conference in Anaheim. So nerdy, right?! He and other geologist and paleontologists scoped out the features of Galaxy's Edge, along with other areas like Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Matterhorn. Give it a listen and, like us, you'll see the parks in a brand new light next time you visit, no matter how many times you've been before! What a gift! Show Links: Check out Garrett's ! He's also ! You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to never miss an episode of Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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57: Archaeology in Star Wars
11/19/2024
57: Archaeology in Star Wars
Dr. Samantha Porter joins us to chat about her work using lasers and other technology to map archaeological sites without disturbing them. We delves into the historical significance of the ruins of Yavin and whether it's ethical for the Rebellion to hide out there. And of course we cover Star Wars's favorite archaeologist - Dr. Aphra! We even get a little bit into ancient alien conspiracies. Show Links: Check out and ! Check out Samantha showing off her LIDAR on ! Read the paper Samantha mentioned, "" And also check out the Mayan archaeology content creators Samantha mentioned in the show. Stephan Milo () Miniminuteman (, ) Flint Dibble (, ) You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to never miss an episode of Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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Bonus: Galaxy Quest panel at LA Comic Con
11/06/2024
Bonus: Galaxy Quest panel at LA Comic Con
Enjoy this recording of our LA Comic Con panel about the 25th anniversary of Galaxy Quest! This bonus episide is also with images from the slideshow! Panel description: Let's celebrate 25 years of Galaxy Quest with behind the scenes stories from creatives who worked on the movie, including ILM model maker Fon Davis. He'll be joined by fans who were inspired by Galaxy Quest in their own creative work, including Erin Macdonald, the science advisor for the current Star Trek shows, and Jack Bennett, the director of “Never Surrender,” a documentary about making the movie. Moderated by science writer Melissa T. Miller. By Grabthar’s Hammer, what a panel! Stan Winston Studio Galaxy Quest "Making of Images" courtesy of the Stan Winston Studio Archives Learn to create your own alien makeups, costumes, and puppets with Hollywood's master FX artists at Stan Winston School of Character Arts:
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Bonus: Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas panel at LA Comic Con
10/31/2024
Bonus: Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas panel at LA Comic Con
Enjoy this recording of our LA Comic Con panel about Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas! This bonus episide is also with images from the slideshow including storyboard art and behind the scenes photos! Panel description: As we kick off spooky season, let’s celebrate the 15th anniversary of Coraline and the 30th anniversary of The Nightmare Before Christmas with some of the creatives who brought these movie masterpieces to life. Fon Davis (set builder, assistant art director), Kirk Scott (production assistant, stage manager), and Jorgen Klubien (storyboard artist) share their favorite stories and photos from the production of both films and answer all your questions.
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56: Science of The Acolyte at Los Angeles Comic Con
10/18/2024
56: Science of The Acolyte at Los Angeles Comic Con
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we talk about all things Acolyte at Los Angeles Comic Con! We headed to LA Comic Con and talked about The Acolyte! Ecologist Sawyer Markham weighed in on all the critters! Planetary scientist Michaela Leung tells us about Brendok, Khofar, and that unknown planet! Dr. Drea Letamendi delves into the psychology! And James makes sure we're all up on the Star Wars lore (and there's a lot!). Thanks to all who came out to see us in person and to LACC for having us. Show Links: Follow Sawyer on , , and . Follow and her podcast The Arkham Sessions. You can now! For a free puzzle, download ! Subscribe to never miss an episode of Star Warsologies on , , or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? ! Follow us on , , or join our ! Star Warsologies is a podcast about science in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
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