A critical (but fun) analysis of Star Trek!

The Pensky Podcast is dedicated to analyzing episodes of Star Trek. We aim to provide a unique mix of analysis, humor, and conspiracy theory!

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Click the following links to listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or our RSS feed. You can also download episodes via this website.

You can find the show on the Podcast Index.

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This image shows the set of the TNG bridge as an artificial construct. The Pensky Podcast aims to analyze that divide.
Let’s “pull back the curtain” on Star Trek.

Recent Episodes


  • Wes on “Star Trek Stories”

    Wes on “Star Trek Stories”

    In this episode of the podcast, Wes sits down with fellow Trek podcast “Star Trek Stories” to discuss an old DS9 episode – “A Man Alone”. Check out Star Trek Stories at https://star-trek-stories.captivate.fm/


  • Message in a Bottle

    Message in a Bottle

    Seven of Nine finds an abandoned subspace relay network that has the ability to send a message, or in this case The Doctor, to a Starfleet ship detected in the Alpha Quadrant. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss “Message in a Bottle” and Andy Dick’s appearance as a second EMH. Plus!…


  • Waking Moments

    Waking Moments

    The crew begins to experience vivid nightmares, all containing the same mysterious alien. In this episode of the podcast, Wes and Clay discuss “Waking Moments” and Voyager’s reliance on dream sequences. Plus! The guys chat about seeing the same person in your dreams, capturing Voyager, and “Inception”.


Reviews of The Pensky Podcast


I really enjoy Podcasts, but good ones are rare. Too many times people talk about random stuff and 20 minutes in finally get around to talking about the actual content. Then when they do it’s rarely insightful… Not so with this one! They always get right to the content at hand, they talk about the good, the bad, the ugly, and the great without either gushing or being overly critical. Content is peppered with non sequiturs and humor which elevated it but never devolves into “two friends shooting the sh*t and we all have to listen to it”. Been listening since their TNG days and look forward to new episodes regularly for my commute. Also enjoy Reel Ripe & Reel Rotten!

Jkeys7 via Apple Podcasts

I am absolutely loving this podcast. I’ve only recently watched TNG all the way through and am currently making my way through DS9 and your podcasts are fun to listen too afterwards. I love your guests and the interesting conversations you have. Thank you for deepening my interest and understanding of Star Trek! You’re the Trekkie friends that I lack in real life.

J-W-F via Apple Podcasts

I’ve been enjoying this podcast for a long time and am finally leaving a review. (If the podcasters see this, sorry it took me so long!) Very enjoyable takes on TNG, often pointing out things that I missed the first 5,000 times I saw each episode, and only occasionally failing to make the points most important to my thinking. This amounts to a listening experience that feels like discussing the show with Trekkie friends. I’d love to see the same folks take on DS9 when they’re done with TNG!

Vermont Trekkie via Apple Podcasts

I’ve tried what feels like every Star Trek podcast on the planet, especially episode recap shows. This is, BY FAR, my favorite ST podcast. In fact, it’s in the top 3 of podcasts I listen to across the board, maybe #1 for consistent quality. Some things I truly appreciate: 1. 35-50 minute typical run time. 2. Discussion stays on track and relevant to episode featured. 3. Alternates guests, but they are well selected and have interesting viewpoints. He also keeps them on track (again VERY appreciated). 4. Organized. 5. Pensky does some deep analysis, but its smart and practical. In other words, this is not the ST podcast where people stretch one line into some theorem on the universe itself. 6. Regular posting schedule he actually sticks to. 7. No ads, no breaks, no interrupting the podcast—forcing you to fast forward while driving. Not that I do that kind of thing. That would be, um, dangerous. 8. Did I mention he was organized and stays on topic, while providing interesting analysis? One would think this would be a requirement for all podcasts. To each his own, I suppose!

Kirathena via Apple Podcasts

The success of a podcast rests not on its subject matter but on the character, insight and dynamics of presenter(s) and guests. The Pensky Podcast has amiable, thoughtful and often very witty guests who work off each other very well and are expertly channeled by Wes, an open-minded, intelligent host. A highly welcoming, thoughtful series that has made my rewatch of Trek that much more engaging.

Nostromed via Apple Podcasts

If you’re after a podcast that isn’t unabashedly gushing in its praise or unrelentingly negative for no real reason then this is the show for you. Balance mixed with perceptive insights into every iteration of the franchise and a unique take on the writing and production of Trek makes this a must listen.

tariqlatif42 via Apple Podcasts