About Beyond the Final Frontier - A Star Trek Podcast
'Beyond the Final Frontier' brings together three storied Star Trek veterans for an ongoing mission to celebrate the vast Trek universe. Host Rich Matthews, former senior editor and 20+year contributor to the official Star Trek Magazine and current Trekademic, is joined by his bridge crew: the renowned Ian Spelling, entertainment journalist who has covered Star Trek extensively since the late 1980s for the New York Times, Starlog Magazine, and the official Star Trek Communicator, before editing StarTrek.com for a decade, and Toby Weidmann, former editor of the official Star Trek Magazine, BAFTA comms wizard and launch editor of the official Walking Dead Magazine.
Each episode, our trio shocase and discuss favorite episodes, themes, characters – everything Trek! – in depth, sharing insights from their decades of experience covering the franchise. From beloved moments to Trek history and developments in the modern era, plus occasional special guests joining the voyage...
Grab your tricorder and prepare to beam aboard as we boldly go Beyond the Final Frontier!
In this episode of Beyond the Final Frontier, we step into the holodeck (and the holosuite) as we count down our Top 7 holodeck episodes from across the franchise. From TNG to Lower Decks, we take in Moriarty’s fight for sentience, Barclay’s escapist addiction, Captain Proton’s pulp heroics, Nog’s road back from war and a Bond-style romp or two - and with Toby’s predictions for Rich and Ian’s number ones sealed on a scrap of paper, will he prove himself the pod’s resident Sherlock?
Let us know which holodeck adventures you’d program in the comments, email us at beyondffpod@gmail.com (mailto:beyondffpod@gmail.com) or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you’re at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community.
As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.
12 Oct 2026
BFF#48 Top 7 Underrated Star Trek Episodes!
In this episode of Beyond the Final Frontier, we go hunting for hidden gems as we count down our Top 7 underrated Star Trek episodes from across the franchise. From TOS to DISCO, we span the known universe in our selections - and will we manage to embody Gene Roddenberry's no-conflict vision of humanity in the future? Nope. :)
Let us know which overlooked episodes you’d champion in the comments, email us at beyondffpod@gmail.com (mailto:beyondffpod@gmail.com) or find us on Instagram and Facebook. And while you’re at it, please rate and review the pod to help us grow our Star Trek community.
As three entertainment journalists who have written about Star Trek for decades, Rich, Ian and Toby are bringing their extensive geek universe experience, longtime camaraderie and in-depth behind-the-scenes knowledge to the podcast world. Each BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER mission will see our trio explore a unique topic from across the Trek-verse, discussing everything from their personal favourite stories, characters and themes to the ongoing cultural impact of the science fiction phenom. Expect deep-dives into beloved moments in Star Trek history, extensive breakdowns of developments in the modern era and occasional special guests from the Star Trek cast and crew to provide even greater insight.
5 Oct 2026
BFF#47: Enterprise @ 25! Our Top 7 Star Trek ENT eps!
This week on Beyond the Final Frontier, our intrepid Trek trio celebrate 25 years of Star Trek: Enterprise by counting down their top seven episodes of the NX-01's voyages. Expect fierce debates, a few rule-bending ties and one controversial number one... it would appear not everyone on the bridge is reading from the same star chart.
beyondffpod@gmail.com (mailto:beyondffpod@gmail.com) | Instagram @beyondffpod | Facebook /BFF: Beyond The Final Frontier
Like, rate and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and pass the pod on to a fellow Trekkie – it genuinely helps us grow.
Beyond the Final Frontier is a Star Trek podcast with Rich Matthews, Ian Spelling and Toby Weidman. Join us on Patreon at BFF: Beyond The Final Frontier. Original music by Alex Weidmann, opening monologue by Sissy Jones, artwork by Russell Seal.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
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