Worse than the Borg

Shane is joined by co-hosts Steph and CJ and special guest Dio to discuss the final episode of the first season of Star Trek: Lower Decks. They vibe to some jazz trombone, feast on First Contact Day salmon and discuss Starfleet-brand colonialism.  Peace and long life to all of our co-hosts and special guests from this intensely fun, surprisingly deep and highly illogical season of Worse Than The Borg. And the Starfleet Medal of Valor goes to you, our listeners! Thank you for exploring the vast reaches of the galaxy with us yet again. See you in Season 3! Expect new uniforms and/or shaved heads. ------- DIRECT ACTION Rainbow Railroad Their mission:  Since 2006, Rainbow Railroad has helped more than 800 persecuted LGBTQI people from 38 countries travel to safety. To donate:  rainbowrailroad.org/donate ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

This week Shane is joined by co-hosts CJ and Kadeem and returning special guest Jack. They boldly explore everyone's favourite Trek films, successful therapy, chartering flights to Risa in the future, Xon-lore, and the economy of the alpha quadrant. ------- DIRECT ACTION Queer Asterisk Colorado Their mission:  To act as a safe haven for queer and transgender clients and as an educational powerhouse for clinicians looking to improve their cultural competency around gender and sexual diversity. These conversations are important to have if we are to be truly prepared for the future. To donate:  queerasterisk.com/donate ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Shane is joined by co-hosts Jia Qing and Ronnie and special guest Jomar! Spoiler alert: they LOVE this episode of Lower Decks. They talk Species 8472, cultural appropriation and Voyager, and fawn over Roga Daynar. Give a listen to Metis In Space after you listen to us! ------- DIRECT ACTION Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre Their mission:  To provide counselling, material assistance and other direct services to First Nations people as well as to encourage and enhance spiritual and personal growth. To donate:  councilfire.ca/donatesupport ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Happy First Contact Day! On this episode, Shane is joined by co-hosts Steph and CJ and special guest Dio. They discuss the concept of winners vs. lower deckers, how Star Trek mishandles disability consistently, and question the economics of Starfleet. Plus some love for Tendi and The Dog. ------- DIRECT ACTION Side By Side Virginia Their mission:  To create supportive communities where Virginia’s LGBTQ+ youth can define themselves, belong, and flourish, including a commitment to the flourishing of Black LGBTQ+ youth. To donate:  sidebysideva.org/donate ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Shane is joined by co-hosts Ron and Jia Qing and special guest Tim. They contemplate whether Badgey is the culmination of every holodeck malfunction ever or just a villain of the week, ask why Starfleet operates on Earth time (hint: colonialism!), and they question white male exceptionalism. But mostly it's just ship noises. ------- DIRECT ACTION HIV/AIDS Regional Services (HARS) Their mission:  To provide comprehensive services including education, prevention, and support for people living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted bloodborne infections (STBBIs), in addition to advocating for broader social change to reduce stigma and discrimination. To donate:  donate.micharity.com/hiv-aids-regional-services ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Shane is joined by co-hosts Kadeem and Stephanie and special guest Kat as they try to unravel the mysteries of the universe. What is a Q? How is one supposed to celebrate Captain Picard Day? What is a stardate. We won't get to the bottom of any of it. To support the families of the victims of the March 16 terrorist attack visit gofundme.com/f/support-aapi-community-fund ------- DIRECT ACTION Black Creek Community Farm Their mission:  To serve and enrich our community through a thriving farm, healthy food, hands-on training and learning experiences and to inspire the next generation by providing leadership in food justice, and supporting diverse natural and social ecosystems. To donate:  www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/32601 ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Shane is joined by co-hosts CJ and Kadeem and special guest Jack Whelan as they discuss Orion pheremones, how many omniscient beings actually control the universe and filters of all kinds - carbon, bio, you name it! ------- DIRECT ACTION Colorado Name Change Project Their mission:  To improve the lives of transgender Coloradans by assisting them with their legal name change and gender marker corrections. Through workshops across the state, pro bono legal assistance, nonpartisan advocacy, and innovative technology implementation, they seek to make being who you truly are easier to accomplish. To donate:  namechangeproject.org/donation ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Shane is joined by co-hosts Ron and Jiaqing and special guest Jomar as they breakdown a wild relatable episode of Lower Decks. They truly are the worst and open with a tech issue. They discuss thriving in chaos, the empowerment that comes with our scars and ways to combat anti-Asian violence. Check out the campaign #facerace to learn more about ways you can help in Canada. ------- DIRECT ACTION Homes First Toronto Their mission: Home First provides Housing First. Homes First has been providing supportive housing and shelter for over 35 years to all populations. They were the first and remain one of the largest providers of homes for people with the fewest options in Toronto. To donate: homesfirst.on.ca/donate/ ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Shane is joined by co-hosts Commander Ronnie and Ensign Jiaqing as they welcome aboard Ambassador Tim Packulak - an Engineering Enthusiast by passion and profession. They discuss Mars, finding your passion, white suburban tourists and crash head first into the Janeway Protocol! ------- DIRECT ACTION Black Health Alliance Their mission: To reduce the racial disparities in health outcomes and promote health and well being for people from the diverse Black communities in Canada with emphasis on the broad determinants of health, including racism. Donate: blackhealthalliance.ca/donate ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg

Shane is joined by co-hosts Ravi and Ron once again to introduce the first episode of the animated comedy, Star Trek: Lower Decks! They discuss @TNG_S8, loving and wanting even more diversity within their character tropes, Caitians, and ship schematics. ------- DIRECT ACTION Support Native Canadian Centre of Toronto at  ncct.on.ca/donations Their mission: To provide a welcoming space for all and deliver innovative programs and services reflecting traditional indigenous cultural perspectives. ------- Follow Worse than the Borg on: Twitter: twitter.com/worsethanborg Instagram: instagram.com/worsethantheborg Anchor: anchor.fm/worsethantheborg