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
Friday Oct 03, 2025
Friday Oct 03, 2025
Continuing Conversations w/ Peter Norton of Hollowponds Solo Sagas. This week on the show, we sit down with Peter Norton, the creative force behind Hollowponds Solo Sagas, to talk about his bold leap into full-time storytelling. We dive into his upcoming projects, his vision for building a vibrant solo RPG community, and his creative ventures into Star Trek Adventures Captain’s Log. From passion to profession, from the depths of original worlds to the final frontier—this is an episode packed with inspiration, insight, and the art of going boldly… alone.
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
00:00:20 - Meeting Michael, Jim, and Peter
00:06:35 - Solo role-playing and creative freedom
00:12:46 - Solo game design and imagination
00:15:26 - Star Trek, gaming, and show genres
00:20:53 - Captain encounters sentient lichen species
00:25:17 - Captain's Log as role-playing tool
00:29:36 - Capping stories and building arcs
00:35:27 - Writing requires constant practice
00:40:13 - Sign off: Live long and prosper
Friday Sep 19, 2025
Friday Sep 19, 2025
Guest Aaron Pollyea comes on to talk about his latest project: Saucer Squadron. Then we dive into sectors and star systems in Star Trek Adventures Exploration Guide!
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
This podcast features Jim Johnson, Michael Dismuke, and Aaron Pallier discussing Aaron's recent projects. The conversation centers around Saucer Squadron, a 1950s-themed tactical wargame about a Roswell-inspired alien conspiracy, available as a PDF and print-on-demand, with future STL miniatures planned. They also delve into the Star Trek Adventures Exploration Guide, releasing October 3rd, which boasts detailed astronomical accuracy, facilitating in-depth exploration gameplay and world-building. The guide's scientific rigor, layered approach to exploration (sector, system, planet), and compatibility with tools like Starforged are highlighted. The discussion expands on potential uses for the guide in various game formats, including large-scale fleet battles and integrating it with other RPG systems like Captain's Log. Finally, the podcast touches upon Aaron's extensive science fiction movie podcast (covering 270+ films) and the team's future projects, including a new game, "redacted," co-created with Al Spader.
00:21:44 - Intro: Aaron Pallier's Sci-Fi Project
03:28 - Saucer Squadron Game Design
07:00 - Saucer Squadron: Pulp Sci-Fi
10:29:27 - Sci-Fi Movie & Future Plans
13:18 - Star Trek Adventures Guide
16:30 - Scientific Accuracy in Games
20:00 - Star Trek Adventure Design
23:02:22 - Sector Creation in RPGs
25:35 - Expanding Star Trek Systems
29:08 - Detailed Space Battles in Star Trek
37:38 - Closing Thoughts on Guide
40:30 - Childhood & Cosmic Inspiration
46:01 - Farewell
Friday Sep 05, 2025
Friday Aug 22, 2025
Friday Aug 22, 2025
Integrating the Technical Guide, the Exploration Guide, and Captain's Log to Create Memorable Missions. BC Holmes and Eric Campbell join Jim and Michael for an ultimate riff session where dice rolls become the foundation of dramatic stories. Watch and learn!
https://linktr.ee/StudioTembo
Friday Aug 08, 2025
Friday Aug 08, 2025
Star Trek Adventures 2e Exploration Guide! More Talents, Secret Values, probability matrixes galore!!!! Join Jim and Michael as they sit with writers AJ Fox, Aaron Pollyea, and Al Spader to riff about their favorite parts of this handy new tool that promises to make your games even better!
https://linktr.ee/StudioTembo
Friday Jul 25, 2025
Friday Jul 25, 2025
Let's Talk Politics and Factions. The outstanding Aaron Harvey and super-fan Will Parker join Jim and Michael to dive deep into the intrigue, ideology, and interstellar influence that shape the Star Trek universe. From power struggles within the Klingon Empire to the covert maneuverings of Section 31, this episode explores how GMs and players can use factions and political dynamics to build richer, more nuanced Star Trek Adventures campaigns. Whether you're crafting diplomatic showdowns, navigating moral gray zones, or plotting your own version of galactic détente, this episode is packed with ideas to energize your game.
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
Friday Jul 11, 2025
Friday Jul 11, 2025
In Part 2 of their RPG storytelling series, Michael Dismuke and Josh Allen dive into raising the stakes, designing Act Two’s pivotal low point, resolving major conflicts, and using foreshadowing to set up future adventures. They also share bonus tips for refining your RPG narratives.
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
Friday Jun 27, 2025
Friday Jun 27, 2025
Michael Dismuke and writer Josh Allen open the writers' room to explore how to design dramatic stories for RPGs. In Part 1, they cover defining your story’s end goal, structuring a three-act arc, crafting inciting incidents, and building meaningful conflicts that keep players engaged.
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo