Jimmy Akin Podcast
812 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 247 ratingsAn AWESOME podcast by Jimmy Akin! The EPIC podcast journey begins . . .
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Episodes
Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1 - The Secrets of Star Trek
March 23, 2020 19:43It's the penultimate episode and Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about how evil and death enter into paradise and the way that the ongoing story arc of Picard bears much resemblance to Battlestar Galactica and other scifi series.
Mysterious Corona Virus Update - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
March 23, 2020 14:30In this special episode, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli give a brief update on how they'll be handling the topic of the coronavirus pandemic on the show and give brief faith and reason perspectives.
Black Magic Harem Conspiracy (Ancient Egyptian Murder Mystery) - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
March 20, 2020 14:30More than 3,000 years ago, a conspiracy was launched against the most powerful man on Earth, the Egyptian pharaoh. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore who the conspirators were, what they were trying to accomplish, and what dark arts they used in their plot.
Looking Back at Series 12 - The Secrets of Doctor Who
March 17, 2020 18:52Now that the latest season has ended, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look at what worked, what didn't, how the season improved over the last, give their thoughts on each character, and then look ahead to what they expect to come in the future.
Broken Pieces (Picard) - The Secrets of Star Trek
March 16, 2020 19:48The broken pieces are coming together as Picard races to its season conclusion. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the "dinner table of madness"; the revelations of plot threads; and the ultimate question of what it means to be a person.
Nemesis Death Star Theory - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
March 13, 2020 14:30Does our solar system contain a dramatic secret object, a hidden second star that has caused the destruction of countless life forms on Earth? Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the Nemesis death star theory and whether it's responsible for a regular cycle of mass extinction on Earth.
Nepenthe (Picard) - The Secrets of Star Trek
March 09, 2020 19:23It's a TNG reunion! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode of Picard, which includes the return of Riker and Troi, now retired and living on an idyllic world. The episode explores identity, especially as a child becomes an adult, as the bonds of trust and seeking healing in tragedy.
The Mysterious Nephilim of the Bible (Aliens? Angels? Or Something Else?) - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
March 06, 2020 15:30Genesis 6 mentions a group called the Nephilim and their identity has puzzled scholars for thousands of years. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the theories that they are angels or aliens or even something else, then ask what Genesis 6 is trying to say.
The Timeless Children - The Secrets of Doctor Who
March 03, 2020 20:23For the season finale, Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the big reveals, twists, and revelations from the Doctor's confrontation with the Master and the new cybermen, plus the roots of the new mythos in classic Who and the implications for the future.
The Impossible Box (Picard) - The Secrets of Star Trek
March 02, 2020 20:55Is the Impossible Box of the title, the Romulan puzzle box? Is it Soji? Is it the Borg cube Artifact? Maybe all three? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the latest episode including the great acting by Patrick Stewart to show Picard's tortured psyche when encountering the Borg again.
Devil's Den Arkansas UFO Encounter - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
February 28, 2020 15:30In 1977, two Air Force medics had a frightening encounter while camping in an Arkansas state park named Devil's Den. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli consider their dramatic account and physical symptoms and discuss whether this was an authentic UFO encounter and what the government might know.
Ascension of the Cybermen - The Secrets of Doctor Who
February 25, 2020 16:01The 13th Doctor's 2nd season nears its end with the first half to the two-part finale. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha dig into their theories about what's really going on, who is the mysterious Brendan, who the Timeless Children are, and how it will fit into the Doctor Who canon.
Stardust City Rag (Picard) - The Secrets of Star Trek
February 24, 2020 20:35It's a heist job! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha talk about the latest episode of Picard, the revelations about 7 of 9's post-Voyager history, the unmasking of betrayal, and the morality of lies and revenge. Plus the Easter eggs connecting back to other Trek series and a prequel novel.
America's Dyatlov Pass? (The Boys from Yuba City) - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
February 21, 2020 15:30Five men from Yuba City, California, disappeared in 1978 after a trip to a nearby town. Four of them died, perhaps months later, and 1 was never found. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the bizarre circumstances, how any of them survived for so long before dying, and what actually happened to them.
The Haunting of Villa Diodati - The Secrets of Doctor Who
February 19, 2020 00:00The Doctor visits Mary Shelley on the night she had the inspiration for Frankenstein. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the modern Prometheus, the connection to a Who villain, the big setup for the season finale, and of course English country dancing.
Absolute Candor (Picard) - The Secrets of Star Trek
February 17, 2020 20:35In Absolute Candor, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli talk about Picard's revisiting his past failings and having to reckon with them, reconnecting with a boy that he'd become a father figure for and abandoned, and seeking help from an order of Romulan warrior-nuns who only speak the truth without any filter.
Vision, Prophecies, Private Revelation - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
February 14, 2020 15:30God has made Himself known throughout history, but after the Bible something changed in the way He does that. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the different kinds of revelations, how we can tell which are credible and which aren't, and what it means when the Church approves an apparition.
Can You Hear Me? - The Secrets of Doctor Who
February 11, 2020 14:47The Doctor and friends face their nightmares and some old foes from the Classic series. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the Eternals and Guardians as well as the new character developments in the Doctor's Companions.
The End is the Beginning (Picard) - The Secrets of Star Trek
February 10, 2020 21:02Picard returns to space, fights Romulan ninjas, and deals with the aftermath of his own decisions that led to the collapse of a friends' life. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha also discuss whether the creation of a religion ex nihilo for ex-Borg is really a good idea.
The Case of the Missing Universe (Dark Matter, Dark Energy) - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
February 07, 2020 15:30Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein revolutionized physics and our understanding of the universe with the fundamental laws of gravity. But in 1933 scientists noticed the galaxies were not behaving the way they should. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the theories to explain why, including the mysterious dark matter and dark energy.
Praxeus - The Secrets of Doctor Who
February 04, 2020 16:42Was Praxeus a terrible mess or a perfectly good episode of Doctor Who? This time Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha have a diversity of opinion on this episode. One thing they agree on is they were expecting more about that other Doctor.
Maps & Legends (Picard) - The Secrets of Star Trek
February 03, 2020 20:50Should we treat robots humanely? Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss a central question of the Picard series that asks how much an android is akin to humans, how we should treat them, and what our behavior toward them says about us. Plus the interesting new exploration of Romulans and Borg.
Can Angels Appears as Dogs and Cats? (Weird Questions) - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
January 31, 2020 15:30It's a fifth Friday of the month, so Jimmy Akin is answering more weird questions, including teleporting the Eucharist, parallel universes, ghost haunting, resurrecting space colonists, angels appearing as dogs and cats, and more.
Fugitive of the Judoon - The Secrets of Doctor Who
January 28, 2020 15:17The unexpected return of a fan favorite character isn't even the biggest surprise of this episode. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the big twist that could potentially change everything and use their extensive Who knowledge to come up with credible theories for what to expect next.
Remembrance (Picard) - The Secrets of Star Trek
January 27, 2020 21:49The new Star Trek: Picard series is here and Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory are excited to talk about it. Is this real Star Trek? Is it worth your time? Is Patrick Stewart Captain Picard again? But the show raises even deeper questions, such as the nature of life and being.
Caligula: The Mad Emperor - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
January 24, 2020 15:30In AD 41, the Roman emperor Caligula was killed by his own guards, ending the rule of an uncontrollable mad tyrant. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the mystery of whether the stories of Caligula were true, what led to his death, and what mysterious connection he might have to the Bible and prophecy.
Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror - The Secrets of Doctor Who
January 22, 2020 00:00The Doctor encounters the mysterious inventor Nikola Tesla and has to save him from aliens. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the real history of Tesla and Edison and how much the episode pulled from actual events, plus the story's connections to classic Who.
Short Treks Season 2 - The Secrets of Star Trek
January 20, 2020 20:00The 2nd season of Short Treks gave us the broadest range of stories yet, including two animated shorts, the origin story for Tribbles, and a revealing sneak peek at Picard. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha look at the good, the bad, and what they say Trekkies have to look forward to.
Alien Implants - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
January 17, 2020 15:30People have reported being abducted by aliens for decades and in some cases have discovered inexplicable metal objects in their bodies after. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore what these objects are, where they come from, what their purpose is, and whether they provide proof of alien contact.
Orphan 55 - The Secrets of Doctor Who
January 15, 2020 20:00The Doctor takes a cut-rate vacation at a spa on a toxic planet and then lectures the audience. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss why this episode falls flat, starting with the messy plot and unrealized characters and ending with heavy-handed preaching that breaks the fourth wall.
Ex Post Facto (Voyager) - The Secrets of Star Trek
January 13, 2020 20:00When Tom Paris is convicted of murdering a jealous husband, Tuvok is on the case. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the film noir inspiration for the story, where it works and where it doesn't, and how the episode puts the answer in front of the viewer from the beginning.
Religion, Magic, Psychic, Science - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
January 10, 2020 15:30Since the beginning of history, people have offered many explanations for how the world works, including religion, magic, psychic phenomena, and science. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli sort out what these terms mean now and historically and how faith and reason approaches each.
Spyfall - The Secrets of Doctor Who
January 06, 2020 20:44The new season of Doctor Who is here and Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli are excited to talk about the premiere two-part episode, especially the great writing, the James Bond theme, and the big reveal of an old "friend". Find out why they think this is a promising start to the 13th Doctor's second season.
Captive Pursuit (DS9) - The Secrets of Star Trek
January 06, 2020 20:00Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this first O'Brien-centric DS9 episode, which also was an early inspiration for the Jem'Hadar. They also talk about what the episode is saying about big-game hunting and the nature of free will.
Ancient Astronauts, Indian Burial Grounds, St. Malachy and More Patron Questions - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
January 06, 2020 15:30We regularly give Patrons the opportunity to ask Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli to answer their questions and make them available exclusively to them first and then later to the whole audience in a special bonus release. This time, we have a very broad range of questions.
The Real Da Vinci Code? (Holy Blood, Holy Grail) - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
January 03, 2020 15:30The 1982 book Holy Blood, Holy Grail claimed a secret conspiracy to control the future of Europe would undermine the Bible and the Christian faith. It would eventually be the basis for the Da Vinci Code. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at what the book said and whether any of its claims could be true.
Big Finish: Mastermind - The Secrets of Doctor Who
January 01, 2020 20:00We wrap up our Big Finish to 2019 with a story of the Master that not only brings back a classic Who actor, but also the actors from the 8th Doctor TV movie as UNIT agents. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how the sinister Master recounts a tale of being trapped in 20th century America. But what's his plan?
Darmok (TNG) - The Secrets of Star Trek
December 30, 2019 20:00Darmok is one of the most beloved episode of TNG. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha explore why this is so loved as well as the concept of a culture that communicates only in idiom and metaphor. Plus the unusual circumstance of Starfleet being more aggressive during first contact.
New Books in the Bible? (& More Weird Questions) - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
December 27, 2019 15:30It's time for more weird questions with Jimmy Akin, including this time new books in the Bible; Heaven on another planet; impeaching the Pope; time travel & the Eucharist; marrying aliens; zombie apocalypses; and more.
Big Finish: The Chimes of Midnight - The Secrets of Doctor Who
December 25, 2019 20:00Merry Christmas! Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha are discussing this set-at-Christmas audio play featuring the Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann), his Companion, and a strange Edwardian household. How does it compare to televised Christmas specials? Our Big Finish of 2019 continues.
One of Our Planets is Missing (Animated Series) - The Secrets of Star Trek
December 23, 2019 20:00This brief animated episode both pays homage to some Original Series stories, but also prefigures The Motion Picture as well. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss planet-eating stellar clouds with digestive and nervous systems, mind melds, and saving the children.
The Mysteries of the Magi - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
December 20, 2019 15:30The Bible says, that when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men (or in Greek, "magi") came from the East to find Him. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the mystery of who these magi were; whether they were kings; if there was just three of them; what a magi was; and they knew to come look for Jesus.
Big Finish: Trial of the Valeyard - The Secrets of Doctor Who
December 18, 2019 20:00Continuing our Big Finish of 2019, Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory talk about this Big Finish audio play featuring the Sixth Doctor and the Valeyard. The tables are now turned and it's the Valeyard on trial for his life. And the Doctor has to defend him. But what's really going on?
Charlie X (TOS) - The Secrets of Star Trek
December 16, 2019 20:00What if a petulant, immature teenager had god-like powers? That's the premise of Charlie X, which Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss in this episode, as well as the emergence of Kirk as a 1960's-style father-figure.
Fatal Colares UFO Encounters in Brazil (1977) - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
December 13, 2019 15:30When strange objects appeared over Colares, Brazil in 1977, locals were terrified as light rays from the UFOs struck and injured people on the ground and some even died. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli ask what happened, what the investigations said, and what the objects could have been.
Big Finish: Live 34 - The Secrets of Doctor Who
December 11, 2019 20:00To start the "Big Finish to 2019," Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss this innovative 7th Doctor story told in the form of a series of radio broadcasts, a format only possible through an audio play like this. To finish out the year, SDW is doing four special episodes featuring favorite Big Finish audio plays.
Choose Your Pain (Discovery) - The Secrets of Star Trek
December 09, 2019 20:00This pivotal first season episode of Discovery introduced both Ash Tyler and Harry Mudd. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Rainn Wilson's Mudd, talk about Tyler in light of what we later learn, and highlight Tilly's prayer for the alien creature.
The Mysterious Death of Somerton Man (Tamám Shud) - Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World
December 06, 2019 15:30On Dec. 1, 1948, an unknown man died on a beach in Somerton, South Australia and in his pocket was a piece of paper with the words "tamám shud." Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore what it could mean, why the man's identity is still unknown, and why the mystery may be solved soon.
Journey's End - The Secrets of Doctor Who
December 04, 2019 20:00In the final episode of the season, Donna becomes the Doctor Donna and Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss what it means, as well as whether the Meta-crisis Doctor is really a separate person from the Doctor. Plus a roundup for all the "Doctor's Children".
The Andorian Incident (Enterprise) - The Secrets of Star Trek
December 02, 2019 20:00One of the best episodes of the first season of Enterprise reintroduced the Andorians. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha recall who the Andorians were, marvel at actor Jeffrey Coombs versatility, and talk about Vulcan religion.