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 31, 2025
Friday Oct 31, 2025
Kelli Fitzpatrick joins this week show to discuss the question "Is there a genre that Star Trek has NOT touched?" Enjoy the discussion and insights about how to bring different genres into your Star Trek Adventures game.
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
00:00:20 - Introductions and writing discussion
00:04:12 - Q's powers: Science or magic?
00:07:49 - Star Trek: Technology, magic, spirituality
00:14:13 - Star Trek's classic Hollywood themes
00:20:27 - Egyptian magic as advanced technology
00:23:21 - Earth post World War III setting
00:26:27 - Kelly's website and diverse work
Friday Oct 24, 2025
Friday Oct 24, 2025
Continuing Conversations: Starfleet in the 23rd Century! Announcing the newest supplement to the Star Trek Adventures 2e universe! Join writers Aaron Pollyea, Al Spader, Sarah Kennedy, Chris McCarver, Bill Barbato, Michael Dismuke, and Jim Johnson as we get hype over all the goodness that came from the TOS, TAS, DIS, SNW, and Movie-era of Trek!
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
00:00:20 - Introductions of Michael, Jim, and Aaron
00:06:13 - Reimagining the Gorn in Star Trek
00:12:51 - Revisiting the original Star Trek series
00:15:56 - Speaker loves Discovery and Klingon redesigns
00:18:47 - Condensing Star Trek lore challenges
00:25:06 - Genesis project's political powder keg
00:30:45 - Distilling Star Trek's Century for RPGs
00:37:58 - Klingon and Romulan psychology across time
00:43:57 - Book focuses on entire century of Trek
00:49:40 - Gratitude to Peter David, Star Trek writer
Friday Oct 17, 2025
Friday Oct 17, 2025
AJ Fox joins Jim and Michael as we break down the character of Kira Nerys: her relevance, her strengths, her dynamics. Then we talk about how to create a similar-type character for your STA campaign: the dangers, the perks!
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
00:00:20 - Introductions: Michael, Jim, and guest AJ
00:01:46 - Kira character analysis and RPG modeling
00:06:53 - Deep Space Nine's political commentary
00:10:29 - Kira, Opaka, and Bajoran perspectives
00:16:44 - Kira's character arc and relationships
00:23:23 - Bajor, Federation, and wormhole control
00:26:29 - RPG session zero: Kira and safety tools
00:33:10 - Building contrasting characters for role-playing
00:39:43 - Discovery rewatch reveals nuances
00:42:38 - AJ's projects: TTRPG talk show, editing
Friday Oct 10, 2025
Friday Oct 10, 2025
Yep, back to weekly) AJ FOX is back to talk about the stupendously amazing 5-4-3-2-1 system for character development! Listen in and prepare to flesh out your PCs in new and imaginative ways.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jNyH7-7gpK61q1z0FiDoBONjhDfulP_C/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107248546059831663146&rtpof=true&sd=true
https://linktr.ee/studiotembo
Chapters
00:00:16 - Introductions of Michael, Jim, and AJ Fox
00:03:11 - Developmental, integral concepts for characters
00:05:57 - Character development as a writing tool
00:08:40 - Player versus character goals in RPGs
00:11:29 - Failing forward and character development
00:13:18 - Important NPCs: friends and foes
00:14:24 - Players creating character backstories
00:17:07 - Character secrets and Rutherford's implant
00:19:56 - Kirk's son reveal and motivations
00:22:43 - Motivations beyond Starfleet Academy graduation
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