Where does the game end and the story begin? Continuing Conversations is your weekly deep dive into the art of Science Fiction storytelling, narrative design, and the creative process—hosted by Michael Dismuke and Jim Johnson.
While our roots are firmly planted in the Star Trek Adventures RPG, our mission has expanded. We are exploring how Sci-Fi worlds are built, how characters are forged, and how stories are told across every medium. Whether you are a Gamemaster crafting a campaign, an aspiring novelist, or a fan of deep lore, we bring you the insights you need to fuel your imagination.
Produced by Studio Tembo, this show is dedicated to "Infinite Stories in Infinite Combinations." Whether you're rolling dice or writing chapters, let's continue the conversation.
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
Science Fiction Writing, Narrative Design, Star Trek Adventures, Creative Writing, RPG Design, World Building, Sci-Fi Authors, Jim Johnson, Michael Dismuke, Studio Tembo, Speculative Fiction, Tabletop RPGs, Game Writing, Storytelling.
Episodes
9 hours ago
9 hours ago
49 min
Get ready for a fantastic conversation with Diana Keng, whose sharp insights and deep love of genre storytelling make them a perfect guest for Continuing Conversations. We’ll be talking about the current season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Diana’s work with TV Fanatic and The Televixen, and more. Tune in for a thoughtful, inspiring, and wonderfully Trek-filled episode.
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
Sep 25, 2026
Sep 25, 2026
57 min
This week on Continuing Conversations, Michael and Jim welcome writer Christopher Cantwell to talk about IDW’s upcoming Star Trek #1 and the bold new era it launches for Captain Seven and the Enterprise. The conversation digs into Seven’s evolving voice, the challenge of moving Star Trek “forward, forward, forward” while honoring everything that came before, and what it means to explore not just strange new worlds, but the inner lives, histories, and contradictions of the characters who carry the franchise into the future.
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
Sep 11, 2026
Sep 11, 2026
41 min
Jim and Michael get back on the soapbox to talk about lessons learned over the last 5+ years in the RPG and writing game. From where we are to where we have been, and how to shut down negativity and uplift others...we chat about it all and hope it inspires you to KEEP WRITING and DREAMING!
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
Sep 10, 2026
Sep 10, 2026
43 min
Unleash the power of probability matrices in this "Riffing Random Tables" session with Al Spader, Jim Johnson, and Michael Dismuke. Random tables are more than rolling and accepting the prompt. It takes creativity, imagination, and some flexibility to make each roll--and each gaming session--a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You're sure to be excited and educated by watching this show!
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
Aug 28, 2026
Aug 28, 2026
51 min
Al Spader guest stars to talk about how to market your RPG and your personal brand. I would like to call this a master class, but honestly, it is a tricky game where some strategies win and others lose. Tune in. Maybe you will find the perfect strategy that takes your game from bust to boom. https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
Aug 21, 2026
Aug 21, 2026
1 hr 7 min
In this episode of Continuing Conversations, hosts Michael Dismuke and Jim Johnson welcome back the dynamic writing duo Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly (the Hive Mind), fresh off San Diego Comic-Con 2026. The creators share their 20-year journey as collaborative partners, offering invaluable business advice for aspiring writers, including establishing an S-Corp, hiring legal/accounting professionals, and their financial blueprint under Ego Death Inc. They also preview their highly anticipated projects, including taking over Dark Horse’s Dungeons & Dragons comics (pitched as the 'Avengers of D&D'), their original horror miniseries You'll Never Leave This Place Alive, and their upcoming indie film Synthetic.
Learn more about the duo's creative synergy here: https://magmacomix.com/blogs/creators/hive-mind-jackson-lanzing-collin-kelly
Aug 17, 2026
Aug 17, 2026
55 min
Jim and Michael at STLV and the Star Trek Timelines panel!!!
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
Aug 7, 2026
Aug 7, 2026
1 hr 7 min
We are diving deep into the world of sequential art to profile a creator who completely redefines what a comic book page can look like: the incredible J.K. Woodward. If you’ve ever flipped through the dark, atmospheric pages of Peter David’s Fallen Angel, or marveled at the hyper-realistic, stunningly painted characters in IDW’s Star Trek universe, then you already know his work. Woodward bridges the gap between traditional fine art and modern comic storytelling. By choosing gouache on hot-press cotton paper over standard digital inks, he brings a textured, expressionistic depth to mainstream Marvel, DC, and indie titles. He belongs to that elite class of mixed-media visionaries, proving with every single panel that comic book art belongs in a fine art gallery.
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo