The 2nd Doctor visits the Lost Civilization of Atlantis where a 20th-century madman plans to destroy the world. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the quality of the story itself and how the special effects of the time may have held it back, the ease with which new Companion 18th century Scotsman Jamie joins in, and whether it's cautionary tale about religion vs. science or just against superstition.

The first Star Trek after the pilot episodes gives us an early look at the Kirk, Spock, McCoy dynamic. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha lift a glass of tranya as they discuss Kirk's leadership, McCoy's insubordination, and Spock's razor-sharp mind and wit as well as Clint Howard's guest spot.

In 1912, a rare book written in an unknown alphabet containing bizarre illustrations was revealed by Wilfrid Voynich and despite decades of effort, it has never been deciphered. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the theories for what it is, including very recent claims made about the book.

It's Christmas 2007 and the Doctor is on the Titanic. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Voyage of the Damned, where a newly Companion-less Doctor ends up on the ominously named spaceliner Titanic along with singer Kylie Minogue when things go wrong, as they do.

Wrath of Khan is perhaps the most popular Star Trek movie of all time. In the second of a two-part discussion, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look at the vice of hubris, the coming of humility, and the themes of sacrifice and resurrection evident throughout the film.

A very religious man in Tennessee named John Hendrix made some remarkable prophecies in 1915 after experiencing tragedy and turning to God. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss Hendrix, his startling prophecies that concerned his hometown, the US, and the whole world, and how they apparently came true in some cases decades later.

The First Doctor travels back to France’s Reign of Terror where he encounters the infamous Robespierre. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss once again their love of the pure historical stories, the inventiveness of the episode, and the difference between classic and modern Doctors.

Wrath of Khan is perhaps the most popular Star Trek movie of all time. In the first of a two-part discussion, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha explore what makes this film stand out above all others, including a great villain, a tight story, and of course, the ultimate self-sacrifice.

In months with five Fridays, we bring you a "Weird Questions" edition of Catholic Answers Live where Jimmy Akin gives shorter answers to all kinds of questions, including this time whether the pope can bless an ocean, self-driving cars and the trolley problem, and Medieval UFO art.

The 4th Doctor and companion end up at a Victorian-era lighthouse with an odd bunch of characters being menaced by an alien. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha enjoy the gothic horror style and Tom Baker's near-maniacal glee at unraveling the deadly mystery.

The second episode of Enterprise focused heavily on the difference between humans and Vulcans as well as the newness of deep space exploration. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss Hoshi's fish-out-of-water fears, Archer's anger, and T'Pol's disdain as we get to know this crew.

King Tut is one of the most famous pharaohs of Egypt, but a mystery surrounds his death, including being wiped from history for 3,300 years. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss Tutankhamun's life and death and power politics to compare with the Game of Thrones.

As the third season and Martha's stint as a companion come to a close, the Doctor grapples with the Master and takes on Messianic overtones. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Doctor's Year of Hell that ends with him alone.

It's the second episode of Star Trek: Voyager and it's off to a rocky start. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin discuss the good--how the crew addresses their predicament of being a lost ship--and the bad--the terribly inaccurate and hole-filled main plot line. It's "some kind of" mediocre script.

The US government began studying UFOs starting in 1947, but we thought those investigations ended in the 70s. Until we learned a new program began in 2007. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss AATIP and the remarkable admissions about just what they're studying.

The Harold Saxon Master's first appearance is huge with the 10th Doctor and his Companions stymied at every turn. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 2nd part of the 3-part season finale.

In the second part of their discussion of this three-part story, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the multi-faceted politics, the twists and surprises, and the character development that takes DS9 to the next nevel of storytelling.

In May 1917, three children in Fatima, Portugal, reported being visited by the Virgin Mary and those visions occurred until October. They also said she gave them three secrets and would perform a great miracle. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss this mystery of Fatima.

The Master returns in New Who for the first time! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this first part of a 3-part season finale, including the having great actor Derek Jacobi, playing the Master, and finding Captain Jack at the end of the universe.

The beginning of Deep Space 9's 2nd season took a gamble by unrolling a three-episode story of political intrigue and a coup d'etat. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this in two-parts, including how it was a rehearsal for the series' long story arc that became its signature.

Since Denver International Airport opened in 1994, numerous sinister conspiracy theories have popped up about mysterious goings-on. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the conspiracies and the evidence cited to see if there's more than just airplanes coming and going at DIA.

The 7th Doctor visits 1959 where he enlists British holiday campers, rock-and-rollers, and some American spies to thwart fascist aliens and save the sole survivors of another alien race. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the nostalgia feast, the famous actors who show up, and a mysterious character who might be a future version of the Doctor.

With the 2nd season of Discovery concluded, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the characters, the story arc, and their predictions for season 3. they cover the good and bad, the breakout characters, and what Secrets of Star Trek iwill be covering next.

A year ago, police announced they'd caught the notorious Golden State Killer using an entirely new method. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the decades-long hunt for the killer and why the mmethod used may make it harder for other criminals to get away with their crimes.

Many fans rank Blink as the greatest Doctor Who story. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha don't necessarily disagree and they have great fun discussing the Weeping Angels, the Doctor-less story, and writer Steven Moffat's two-fold inspiration for it.

In the 2nd season finale of Star TRrek: Discovery, an epic battle sets up a surprising 3rd season possibility and brings resolution to some characters. But there were also plotholes the size of wormholes. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha review the good and not-so-good of this episode.

Easter is a holy day for billions of people where we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. But is belief in the resurrection just a matter of faith or is there evidence for it? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the theories for what happened that first Easter.

The 6th Doctor visits a totalitarian world where the residents vote through their TVs on whether the leaders should be totured and prisoners should be executed. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the similarities to other dystopian stories and the morality of such a system.

It's the penultimate episode of Discovery's 2nd season and Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the long (long!) goodbyes, the hints at future plotlines, and the problem of an all-powerful AI that is going to get more powerful.

A mysterious ranch in southeast Utah, where numerous unexplained weird phenomena have occurred that has scientist study them. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss Skinwalker Ranch, the incredible stories of bizarre events and what their source could be.

In this 2nd of 2 parts, the Doctor in 1913 still thinks he's human and is dealing with alien predators hunting him. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Doctor's temptation and his punishment of the Family of Blood.

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Of all the Dead Sea Scrolls, one stands out because it's made of copper and contains directions for finding a huge secret cache of treasure. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli talk about the origins of the scroll, what it says, and Jimmy's own unique theory for why it exists.

In the first part of this two-part story, the Doctor's memory has been wiped to hide him from a family of hunters in an English military school in 1913. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Doctor as an ordinary man and the inhumanity we sometimes show each other.

The Discovery crew confronts the Red Angel and what her identity means for them  even as the evil AI ramps up its efforts to evolve. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the changes to Star Trek time travel and whether the holes in the plot are really misdirections.

In 1977, a British science program provided claims of shocking government conspiracies, a secret space program, a hidden colony on Mars. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss this decades-old mystery and its astonishing revelations.

We do four episodes of Mysterious World per month, but when there's a fifth Friday, with the permission of Catholic Answers, we'll bring you "Weird Questions" editions of Catholic Answers Live where Jimmy Akin gives shorter answers to all kinds of questions. This is Volume 1.

This 5th Doctor story is filled with Buddhist concepts, references to Eden, and analogies to British colonianism that Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss along with Adric's wavering loyalty and the other companions' sleepiness.

Our theory about the identity of the Red Angel is busted... or is it? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode of Star Trek: Discovery and all the revelations it contained, plus the new mysteries it opened.

The Russian woodpecker was a mysterious radio signal that began in 1976, originating in the Soviet Union and heard around the world. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss its purpose, its connection to Chernobyl, and why it suddenly stopped. 

The 10th Doctor story 42 is your basic run-around-like-mad adventure which is good fun, but is also current showrunner Chris Chibnall's first Doctor episode. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the story's lighter elements and deeper layers.

Mines, cyborgs, and a pesky AI advance the season story arc. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this latest episode and the theme of burdens carried and sacrifices made.

Adolf Hitler may have been the most sinister figure of the 20th century. His ideology of war and racism led to millions of deaths. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine what Hitler's views on religion were, including many claims about them, and whether his views played a role in his actions.

The 4th Doctor (Tom Baker) returns to a future devoid of human life... or is it? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this story that includes the classic villain, the Sontarans.

The latest Star Trek Discovery episode brings us back to Talos IV of the Original Series first pilot "The Cage". Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli agree that this is the best episode so far of Discovery's second season and love the explicit connection to the Prime timeline canon.

On a March night in 1997, thousands of people saw a strange formation of lights over Arizona. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the theories, claims, and counter-claims to sort out what happened and perhaps to find a plausible explanation.

After jumping to the past and the future, the 10th Doctor and Martha Jones deal with a mad scientist in our time. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about another unlikeable mom, the hints of Harold Saxon, and which is more human: facing death or clinging to life.

In the latest Star Trek Discovery, we learn that Spock has a learning disability, that Pike carries baggage from missing the war, and that Section 31 can't be trusted (no surprise there). Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Light and Shadows.

Time travel is a staple of science fiction, but it is really possible? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the mystery of time travel, the theories, the objections, and what the Catholic faith has to say about it (and it does!).

The Second Doctor deals with an alien invasion, but finds the real enemies aren't in outerspace. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this 2nd Doctor (John Pertwee) story, as well as news of Season 12 filming, David Tennant's podcast, and a cool, new Big Finish audio production.

An oppressed species will rise up against its oppressor and ... make peace? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss "The Sounds of Thunder," the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery and ask whether the crew has just ignited peace or a global war on Saru's world. Plus, does Star Trek have 3 timelines now?

Thirty-three centuries ago, Egypt was ruled by a strange, heretic pharaoh who upended Egyptian society. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the mysteries surrounding the pharoah some call the first monotheist in history, Akhenaten.

The Doctor and Martha Jones travel to Depression-era New York and run into the Daleks. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha review this two-part story featuring the Cult of Skaro, some wild New York accents, and some crazy makeup effects.

Sometimes the monsters we perceive aren't really monsters after all. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery where that message finds expression in several different ways.

Some people claim to have died and come back to life and report strange experiences of life after death. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at the claims, the scientific evidence, and the implications for faith of these near-death experiences.

The 2nd Doctor travels to Scotland in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden. Will he and his companions be hung as Scottish spies? Jimmy  Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this last of the Doctor Who pure historicals that survives now only in audio form.

How does a Greek myth about the afterlife relate to this episode of Star Trek Discovery? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss what an obol is, who Charon is, and the three-fold connection to this story.

After more than than 40 years, the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa stills has a hold on the popular imagination. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the mystery of the disappearance of this former Teamster boss and the purported confession of the man  who claimed responsibility.

The First Doctor encounters a race of telepathic beings in conflict with humans, but it's the internal conflicts of the Sensorites that will put the Doctor and his Companions in danger. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this classic episode from the first season.

What are the points of light? Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery, including how the title, "Point of Light," relates to each of the three sub-plots in the story.

Do parallel universes exists and if they do what implications do they have for us, for God, and for the problem of evil? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli tackle this mystery and discuss some unusual theories about the multiverse.

In the future, traffic jams will take forever... literally. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look at the 10th Doctor story, Gridlock, in which David Tennant's Doctor and Martha Jones must find out why people spend their entire lives in an unending commute in far future New York.

The latest Star Trek Discovery brings us into an encounter with religion and that's right in our wheelhouse. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the ideas about religion presented here, the deeper layers behind those ideas, and then how and whether they make a good story for us to enjoy.

One of the most frequently requested topics has been the mystery of Dyatlov Pass. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss what happened on the cold Siberian night in 1959 when 10 highly experienced Russian hikers died under mysterious circumstances.

Take me down to the Paradise Towers with the 7th Doctor and Mel. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the penthouse highs and sub-basement lows of this classic Doctor story about cannibal grannies, homicidal Roombas, and big-hair girl gangs.

As season 2 of Star Trek Discovery premieres, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the first episode, Brother; how it sets a new lighter tone for the series; some of the clues and callbacks to earlier Trek; and where this season might be headed.

Humans have always looked up and wondered what effect the stars have on our lives. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at astrology and the claims that influences our lives and provides glimpses of the future and what Christians have believed about it historically.

In the 2nd part of their look at the recently completed season of Doctor Who, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha rank this season's episodes from worst to best, look at what the US and British ratings say about the future of the show, discuss the fan response the changes this season, and then look forward to next season. 

While we waited for Season 2 of Star Trek Discovery to arrive, we were given the appetizers of Short Treks. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss these short films, including some hidden layers and surprising secrets. Plus news of Star Trek 4's cancellation.

In 1989, Bob Lazar claimed he was employed at Area 51 to reverse-engineer UFO engines. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss Lazar's claims, including a new documentary in which Lazar says the government is still trying to silence him.

Now that Season 11 is complete, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look back on this Doctor Who season and their own hopes for it and come to conclusions about how good it was. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

The Next Generation episode "Clues" is an old-fashioned mystery involving lost time and Data acting strangely (again). Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha dig into the clues and mysteries of this TNG story.

What's so mysterious about weight loss? Given the American obession with dieting even as we're more obese than ever, evidently plenty. Jimmy Akin shares his own story and the science behind the way our bodies are designed to lose weight, rather than the way we've been doing it.

It's a New Year and the Resolution of the the 13th Doctor's first season. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin discuss the Doctor Who New Year's special titled Resolution, what they think of the return of an old foe, and how it works as the season finale.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.