September 2026 Update - Story Progression, Spotify Comments, Destiny Books, Ai Creators

In this time-limited episode (will be deleted when Episode 8 arrives), I share updates on Season 8 production, discuss the challenges of using AI voices for this fan project, and respond to the newly enabled listener comments from Spotify. Learn about Episode 8's progress (a Janeway-focused chapter), why I chose AI narration over traditional voice actors, and my thoughts on fan feedback about the series.
I also dive into why I'm keeping this project audio-only rather than animated, address licensing concerns with Paramount, and explore how I'm staying true to Star Trek canon while continuing the story 25 years after Voyager's finale.

YouTube Version of this discussion: youtu.be/fcYt3pm_oIg

Chapters:
0:00 Intro & Episode 8 Status
0:27 Episode 8 Writing Details
1:02 Evolution from human vocals to AI voices
2:45 Main Channel Migration
3:13 YouTube & AI-Generated Fan-Animation Challenges
4:29 Spotify Comment Moderation Update
5:52 Episode 1 - Feedback
7:41 Licensing Rules and Audio Drama Formats
9:32 Inversely Reading the Show Descriptions
10:11 Desiring an EXTRA Cool-Down Episode (Voyager Finale Reflection)
10:52 Dealing with "Mid-Sentence Cuts" & Re-recording
11:42 AI Voices vs Voice Actors and Discord flaking
13:09 Comparing the AI Craft to a "Japanese Chef" vs "Knife Throwing"
15:10 Reading Comments - Criticism of AI Voices
19:16 Episode 2 - Seven of Nine Accent & Holodecks Logic
20:32 Episode 3 - Australian Catch-22 Paradox
21:20 Episode 4 - Error Verification Playback
25:09 Thoughts on "Star Trek: Destiny" & Large Scale Book Failures
29:09 Episode 5 - Trek Economics Explained
33:14 Wrap-up & Listener Outro

Resources mentioned:

• Jonathan JK Channel: youtube.com/@JonathanJK
• Star Fleet Dreams YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=16KdIwxoC5I
• Endless Vigilence: twosoberdwarvesproductions.com/endless-vigilance
• Starship Excelsior: starshipexcelsior.com

This episode makes use of the podcast chapters feature. If your podcast player of choice has this feature you can use it to save your position or skip ahead. A huge thank you to those who have donated and been listening to the story already.

Show Links and Credits
To join the Patreon for early access to episodes and other perks, donate here (patreon.com/voyagerseason8): www.patreon.com/voyagerseason8
Email - open.acast.com/crackedbutter@gmail.com
X (x.com/TrekTrekkie) - x.com/TrekTrekkie
Bluesky (bsky.app/profile/voyagerseason8.bsky.social) - bsky.app/profile/voyagerseason8.bsky.social

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Disclaimer
"Star Trek" and all related marks, logos and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios Inc. This fan production is not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other "Star Trek" franchise, and is a non-commercial, not for profit, fan-made audiobook and ebook series intended for recreational use. No alleged independent rights will be asserted against CBS or Paramount Pictures.
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