Jimmy Akin Podcast

Did you know about the lost planet Vulcan? Not Mr. Spock's planet nor the explanet around the star 40 Eridani, but one right here in our solar system. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the claims that such a planet exists between Mercury and the Sun and the evidence for and against.

Direct download: MYS020.mp3
Category:Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

The Man Trap was the first episode of Star Trek actually to air on TV. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Original Series episode including the plausibility of a salt vampire and the amazing Beauregard the Plant.

Direct download: SST029.mp3
Category:Secrets of Star Trek -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

The Doctor Who Christmas special became a tradition when the series revived and some have been better than others, but perhaps this one was the best of all. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the 10th Doctor's homage to Dickens, "A Christmas Carol."

Direct download: WHO105.mp3
Category:Secrets of Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Christmas is December 25, but was that the actual date Jesus was born? Some claim evidence from the Bible and temple rituals. Other say evidence from the Bible show it isn't or that it was just a co-opting of a pagan festival. Does it even matter? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at the claims and counter-claims about what we can and can't prove about when Jesus was born.

Direct download: MYS019.mp3
Category:Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

The second episode of Star Trek Discovery is really the 2nd half of the pilot episode. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinellli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this prelude to the series, including where it shines and where it falls short as a story and as a series premiere.

Direct download: SST028.mp3
Category:Secrets of Star Trek -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

In his first proper adventure with Martha Jones, the 10th Doctor whisks her away to meet William Shakespeare. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Doctor's inspiration for old Will, witches who are aliens, and the play that really was lost.

Direct download: SDW104.mp3
Category:Secrets of Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Who was the mysterious doctor in the 1960s who dosed celebrities and even a president with his outlandish concoctions? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the story of Max Jacobson, Dr. Feelgood, and how he affected the JFK presidency.

Direct download: MYS018.mp3
Category:Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Discussing the first episode of Star Trek Discovery, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha conclude that this and the next are essentially a long prologue for the actual series. But how is it as a story in itself?

Direct download: SST027.mp3
Category:Secrets of Star Trek -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

In the season finale, the Doctor and companions deal with an old enemy, a false god, and issues of justice and revenge. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at how this episode works as a bookend for the season, wrapping up a story line that began in the premiere.

Direct download: SDW103.mp3
Category:Secrets of Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:39pm PDT

Some serious people think we could be part of gigantic Matrix-style computer simulations. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss whether its philosophically or scientifically possible and, if it were true, would it matter to us on a partical or theological level?

Direct download: MYS017.mp3
Category:Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the first episode of Star Trek: Enterprise called "Broken Bow," including the Vulcan-Human conflict and whether the introduction of a temporal cold war was a good idea.

Direct download: SST026.mp3
Category:Secrets of Star Trek -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

The Doctor takes a Nordic noir turn with a few twists in present-day Norway. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss It Takes You Away and some of them think it may be one of the best episodes of the season. Listen to their reasons why.

Direct download: WHO102.mp3
Category:Secrets of Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:36pm PDT

In the first century, Jesus’ most famous prophecy—other than his own death and resurrection—was that the Jewish temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed. And it was. But was the prophecy fulfilled? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the claims and counter-claims about the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple.

Direct download: MYS016.mp3
Category:Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look at the first episode of Star Trek: Voyager and discuss whether there could have been a better way for the Caretaker to find a date, how the crew's personalities changed over time, and the set up for Voyager's evolution through the struggle to survive.

Direct download: SST025.mp3
Category:Secrets of Star Trek -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

How do you know she's a witch? The Doctor and companions are back in the 17th century and encounter a witch trial and King James. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the episode's high points, the misses, the religious references, and the real history behind the story.

Direct download: WHO101.mp3
Category:Secrets of Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:18pm PDT

The first episode of Star Trek: Deep Space 9 is perhaps the best first episode of any Trek series. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the introduction of Sisko, his fatherhood, his resentments and reluctance, and the religious overtones that will last through the series.

Direct download: SST024.mp3
Category:Secrets of Star Trek -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

We celebrate our 100th episode with a BANG! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss "Kerblam!" and how it completely subverts your expectations and the usual tropes about technology, automation, and people.

Direct download: WHO100.mp3
Category:Secrets of Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:05pm PDT

Was there more than one gunman? Didn't two different government commissions come to different conclusions? What do we really know about the JFK assassination? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli take a high-level look at the JFK assassination, the mysteries and conspiracy theories, and the evidence to conclude either that Oswald acted alone or there were others involved.

Direct download: MYS015.mp3
Category:Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

The first episode of Star Trek The Next Generation introduced us to the Enterprise crew and Q for the first Trek series since the Original went off the air. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the highs and lows of this first adventure of the Enterprise-D.

Direct download: SST023.mp3
Category:Secrets of Star Trek -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

As the season for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) begins, Fr. Cory Sticha, Steve Nelson, and Jimmy Akin discuss their own experiences leading others through the process or being a part of it themselves, as well as how it has improved in recent years.

Direct download: LTK025.mp3
Category:Let's Talk -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

The Doctor and Companions travel to the Partition of India and reveal Yax's family secrets. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Jimmy Akin discuss the latest episode which addresses religious violence, unconditional love, and remembrance of the dead on Remembrance Day/Veteran's Day.

Direct download: SDW99.mp3
Category:Secrets of Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:31pm PDT

The nation of Israel originally had 12 tribes, but at a certain point 10 were taken into captivity and became "lost." Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the claims and counterclaims about what happened to them, then look at the evidence from both Jewish and Christian traditions as well as historical records and DNA evidence.

Direct download: MYS014.mp3
Category:Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

The Motion Picture was the first evidence that Star Trek could be revived. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha go back to re-examine the movie, whether it still works, and look at the big questions it raises about personhood and being.

Direct download: SST022.mp3
Category:Secrets of Star Trek -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

The Doctor has a P'Ting problem and Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha are here to talk about it, as well as male doulas, antimatter, and a misplaced Tardis... again.

Direct download: SDW98.mp3
Category:Secrets of Doctor Who -- posted at: 2:09pm PDT

Separating fact from science fiction, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss cloning, what it is and isn't, its suprisingly long history, the moral implications, and future prospects.

Direct download: MYS013.mp3
Category:Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Creepy spiders! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode of Doctor Who, including the caricature of a political figure, what humane treatment for spiders looks like, and how Graham’s grief proceeds realistically.

Direct download: WHO097.mp3
Category:Secrets of Doctor Who -- posted at: 6:54am PDT

The second pilot of Star Trek the Original Series was the one that sold it. Was it less cerebral? More action? Were the characters more likeable? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Cory Sticha discuss what made Star Trek's second chance at network TV work.

Direct download: SST021.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union considered and even built doomsday systems that could launch nuclear strikes even if their leaders were dead. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the theoretical and actual doomsday devices as well as their practicality and morality.

Direct download: MYS012.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the very first pilot of Star Trek, The Cage, which featured a different crew, a different ship, and a different kind of Spock, yet still recognizably Star Trek.

Direct download: SST020.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Doctor Who brings us a classic historical story, traveling back to protect Rosa Parks and her world-changing act of bravery from meddling, while addressing the sensitive topic of racism. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the episode, how deftly it handles the topic, and what they liked about this outing by the Doctor and friends. 

Direct download: WHO096.mp3
Category:Secrets of Doctor Who -- posted at: 12:26pm PDT

What or who is the Antichrist? Is he alive today, was he an historical figure, or perhaps he's yet to be born? Does he signal the end of the world? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli tackle the mystery of the Antichrist, what the Bible says, and what the Church says.

Direct download: MYS011.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Enterprise is often the overlooked Star Trek series, with fans often having strong feelings about. Listen to what Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha think about the show, what it got right, and what it missed.

Direct download: SST019.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Since the start of this year, SQPN has been growing by leaps and bounds, adding a bunch of new shows that have been building audiences. In order to continue, we need your help. Fr. Cory Sticha, Dom Bettinelli, and Jimmy Akin talk about how you can help and get some cool stuff at the same time.

Direct download: LTK021.mp3
Category:Let's Talk -- posted at: 9:06am PDT

The Doctor needs her Tardis back and needs to survive a race through a deadly planet to get it. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss whether the fun is back in Dr. Who, the introduction of some new ideas and beats, and what is the Timeless Child.

Direct download: WHO095.mp3
Category:Secrets of Doctor Who -- posted at: 1:38pm PDT

Across billions of stars and billions of years, logic says there'd be at least one alien species advanced enough to be noticed. Hence Enrico Fermi's famous paradox: Where are the aliens? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the mystery of a universe in which we're seemingly alone.

Direct download: MYS010.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha give their overall impressions of Star Trek: Voyager, its strengths and weaknesses, including the breakout character of Seven of Nine, as well as those limitless torpedoes and shuttlecraft.

Direct download: SST018.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

It's finally here. With a new Doctor, a new season, and a new showrunner, Jimmmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha are back to discuss everything about The Woman Who Fell to Earth and to assess all the big changes that have taken place.

Direct download: WHO094.mp3
Category:Secrets of Doctor Who -- posted at: 2:06pm PDT

Where do the Dead Sea Scrolls come from and do they contain secret knowledge about Jesus? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the claims about the ancient scrolls and what we know about them, as well as their personal experiences.

Direct download: MYS009.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in an overview, about the darker tone, the use of religion, and how it ended up being their favorite Trek series.

Direct download: SST017.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the 6th Doctor story Attack of the Cybermen, a real throwback to the mid-80s with its reference to Halley's Comet, as well as connection to the very first 1st Doctor story.

Direct download: WHO093.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the mystery surrounding the 1908 Tunguska incident in Siberia. What flattened 770 square miles of forest without leaving a crater? Aliens, meteor, a mini-black hole?

Direct download: MYS008.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha give their overall thoughts on Star Trek: The Next Generation, its place within Trek lore, and some of the background on how it came to be.

Direct download: SST016.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha wrap up their preparation for the new season of Doctor Who with their much sought-after advice to new showrunner Chris Chibnall on how to make the show a success.

Direct download: WHO092.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli tackle the political mystery of Watergate, including the first question: What did Nixon know and when did he know it? Also, who was really behind the break-in and what were they after and did Woodward and Bernstein really bring down the president?

Direct download: MYS007.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha continue their overview of the various Trek series, including the Animated Series. Is it canon? What caused it to be made? And why are the Klingons in pink?

Direct download: SST015.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

As they prepare for the new season of Doctor Who, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha review the track record of new showrunner Chris Chibnall in the six episodes of the show he's written as well as his work on Broadchurch. Does it show us what we can expect?

Direct download: WHO091.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the mysteries of the Pyramids of Egypt, including the claims of mystical energies, extraterrestrial building help, and prophecies encoded in them. But what do history, reason, and faith have to say?

Direct download: MYS006.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha start their exploration of Star Trek with the show that started it all, giving their overall impressions of The Original Series featuring Kirk, Spock, and McCoy.

Direct download: SST014.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

As we close out the era of Peter Capaldi's Doctor, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha review the 12th Doctor's 40 episodes over 3 seasons to find the best, the worst, and our overall assessment.

Direct download: WHO090.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the claims and counter-claims about the so-called Lost Gospels from both the faith and reason perspectives. Do they tell a suppressed or untold story about Jesus Christ, are they the ravings of lunatics, or something in between?

Direct download: MYS005.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha reboot the Secrets of Star Trek podcast after 6 years by looking at how they became Star Trek fans and what Trek fandom means to them.

Direct download: SST013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the first appearance of the 10th Doctor's companion, Martha Jones. Is she just another girlfriend for the Doctor or does she have something unique to contribute? Plus, what's with the Doctor's fascination with hospital lobby shops?

Direct download: WHO089.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the mystery surrounding Area 51, the claims that the government is hiding alien spacecraft there, the earthly secret programs to develop specialized aircraft, and the secrecy surrounding the existence of the facility itself.

Direct download: MYS004.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the 5th Doctor story, Four to Doomsday, which features frog-men, Australian aborigines, ancient Greeks, and the Pink Panther's Kato.

Direct download: WHO088.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the claims and counter-claims about Bigfoot, the mysterious tall, hairy biped supposedly indigenous to North America. Could there be an undiscovered species of primate out in the woods?

Direct download: MYS003.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the 2006 Christmas special, The Runaway Bride, featuring once and future companion Donna Noble and the change of atmosphere she brings to Doctor Who.

Direct download: WHO087.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the mysteries of Transhumanism, both its promises and dangers, including what the Church says about this effort to perfect humanity through science.

Direct download: MYS002.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Fr. Cory Sticha welcomes Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin to talk about what's new with the Starquest Production Network, including new shows now and in the near future and possible opportunities for the community to gather.

Direct download: LTK013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:48am PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha consider this 4th Doctor (Tom Baker) adventure that brings them to a future space station where cryogenic humans are confronted by their own extinction at the hands of those they caused to die off.

Direct download: WHO086.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Every week, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the weird, the strange, and the unusual from the perspectives of faith and reason. In this first episode, Jimmy and Dom talk about ghosts, what they could be, how they fit in a Catholic understanding of the world, and what a rational mind says about them.

Direct download: MYS001.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the 2nd season finale of New Who and the departure of Rose Tyler. Does it live up to the hype or it is just emotional manipulation of the audience?

Direct download: WHO085.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha delve into the 3rd Doctor story, Doctor Who and the Silurians, the first appearance of the underground dwelling dinosaur descendants who present some unique moral quandaries.

Direct download: WHO084.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

In a special episode, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha react to the Series 11 trailer released for the San Diego Comic-con, including the emphasis on all that's new: faces, places, and times, and what's not emphasized.

Direct download: SDS002.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:40pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Fear Her, in which the Doctor and Rose save the 2012 London Olympics from a little girls whose angry drawings can come to life. Many fans voted it their least favorite episode. Hear how our panel came down on that question.

Direct download: WHO083.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the 2nd Doctor story, The Tomb of the Cybermen, that once again finds that megalomaniacal scientists bent on world domination get hoist on their own petard.

Direct download: WHO082.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this very different episode of Doctor Who that has very little of the Doctor. We agreed that the ELO music was the best part and if we could get rid of the last 20 minutes....

Direct download: WHO081.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha dig into The Aztecs, a great historical story from the First Doctor and confront some deep issues including the morality of a time traveler not ending the practice of human sacrifice when given the chance.

Direct download: WHO080.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this two-part 10th Doctor story that asks the big question: Is the Devil real and is hell really a planet orbiting a black hole? They also discuss whether the Ood really are a slave race, the Doctor’s religion, and Rose wanting to set up house with the Doctor.

Direct download: WHO079.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha join the First Doctor’s quest for the keys of Marinus, a classic hunt for the McGuffins in four different worlds: a deadly island, a beautiful trap, a screaming jungle, a snowbound mountain, and city of justice without mercy. Plus they discuss the morality of enforced consciences.

Direct download: WHO078.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 10th Doctor (David Tennant) story that combines post-WWII optimism, the pitfalls of new technology, and shades of Cold War intrigue with an alien and a coronation.

Direct download: WHO077.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:41am PDT

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