Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Actress Chase Masterson (Leeta from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) joins us live at Neosho ArtCon 2026 for an unforgettable full-length panel packed with laughter, behind-the-scenes stories, and heartfelt inspiration.
Chase shares how she landed her iconic role on DS9, what it was like working with legends like Avery Brooks and Bob Picardo, and why fandom can be a force for real-world good.
She also discusses her nonprofit work through the Pop Culture Hero Coalition and The Heroic Journey, a powerful program fighting bullying and promoting empathy through the stories we love.
Whether you're a lifelong Trek fan or just discovering ArtCon, this panel is a must-watch.
🖖 Live long and prosper — and be kind.
Learn more about Chase’s mission:
popculturehero.org/heroicjourney
Filmed at ArtCon 2026 in Neosho, Missouri
Hosted by the Neosho Arts Council
neoshoarts.net/artcon-2026.html
0:00 – Welcome & Introduction
0:23 – Chase Masterson’s Star Trek & acting background
0:45 – How she landed her role on Deep Space Nine
1:15 – Audition showcases & early Hollywood hustle
2:08 – Trek connections: acting class coincidences
3:16 – Auditioning for Marta before becoming Leeta
4:09 – They wrote Leeta for her (and she still auditioned!)
4:42 – First day on set with Avery Brooks (hilarious story)
7:01 – Favorite DS9 episode: “Dr. Bashir, I Presume”
8:39 – Bob Picardo improv moment (Voyager joke!)
10:04 – What the DS9 sets were really like
10:58 – The emotional last day of filming Deep Space Nine
12:47 – Chase “rescues” Dr. Bashir’s medicine cabinet props
13:56 – Working on the record-breaking episode “High Water”
15:12 – Don’t rule yourself out: career advice
17:19 – Life as a recurring character on DS9
18:36 – Does she watch herself in Star Trek?
19:56 – The sets were freezing… and the costumes weren’t comfy
20:53 – Star Trek Online & becoming Mirror/Emperor Leeta
23:22 – Upcoming projects (that she can’t talk about yet)
23:30 – Founding Pop Culture Hero Coalition
24:06 – Personal experiences that led to her anti-bullying mission
26:11 – Bringing empathy and heroism into real life
28:43 – The “Star Wars lunchbox” bullying story
30:10 – Calling the United Nations to start a coalition
31:21 – Building The Heroic Journey curriculum
32:46 – Pivoting during the pandemic & going nationwide
34:24 – YMCA partnership and impact stories
35:48 – “Do the next right thing” — closing life lesson
36:59 – Quick Trek updates & modern Starfleet chatter
37:44 – Funny Lower Decks casting story
38:53 – Final message: Be kind & thank you
#ChaseMasterson #startrekdeepspacenine #ds9 #ArtCon2026 #startrek #PopCultureHeroCoalition #heroicjourney #conventionlife #TrekFans #NeoshoArtsCouncil
Reach out!
doyounerd2010@gmail.com
Rock your Nerdling fandom!
doyounerd.dashery.com
teepublic.com/stores/do-you-nerd
Don't forget to find us on Facebook:
facebook.com/doyounerd2010
And Instagram:
instagram.com/doyounerd
Twitter / X:
twitter.com/Do_You_Nerd
Actress Chase Masterson (Leeta from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) joins us live at Neosho ArtCon 2026 for an unforgettable full-length panel packed with laughter, behind-the-scenes stories, and heartfelt inspiration.
Chase shares how she landed her iconic role on DS9, what it was like working with legends like Avery Brooks and Bob Picardo, and why fandom can be a force for real-world good.
She also discusses her nonprofit work through the Pop Culture Hero Coalition and The Heroic Journey, a powerful program fighting bullying and promoting empathy through the stories we love.
Whether you're a lifelong Trek fan or just discovering ArtCon, this panel is a must-watch.
🖖 Live long and prosper — and be kind.
Learn more about Chase’s mission:
popculturehero.org/heroicjourney
Filmed at ArtCon 2026 in Neosho, Missouri
Hosted by the Neosho Arts Council
neoshoarts.net/artcon-2026.html
0:00 – Welcome & Introduction
0:23 – Chase Masterson’s Star Trek & acting background
0:45 – How she landed her role on Deep Space Nine
1:15 – Audition showcases & early Hollywood hustle
2:08 – Trek connections: acting class coincidences
3:16 – Auditioning for Marta before becoming Leeta
4:09 – They wrote Leeta for her (and she still auditioned!)
4:42 – First day on set with Avery Brooks (hilarious story)
7:01 – Favorite DS9 episode: “Dr. Bashir, I Presume”
8:39 – Bob Picardo improv moment (Voyager joke!)
10:04 – What the DS9 sets were really like
10:58 – The emotional last day of filming Deep Space Nine
12:47 – Chase “rescues” Dr. Bashir’s medicine cabinet props
13:56 – Working on the record-breaking episode “High Water”
15:12 – Don’t rule yourself out: career advice
17:19 – Life as a recurring character on DS9
18:36 – Does she watch herself in Star Trek?
19:56 – The sets were freezing… and the costumes weren’t comfy
20:53 – Star Trek Online & becoming Mirror/Emperor Leeta
23:22 – Upcoming projects (that she can’t talk about yet)
23:30 – Founding Pop Culture Hero Coalition
24:06 – Personal experiences that led to her anti-bullying mission
26:11 – Bringing empathy and heroism into real life
28:43 – The “Star Wars lunchbox” bullying story
30:10 – Calling the United Nations to start a coalition
31:21 – Building The Heroic Journey curriculum
32:46 – Pivoting during the pandemic & going nationwide
34:24 – YMCA partnership and impact stories
35:48 – “Do the next right thing” — closing life lesson
36:59 – Quick Trek updates & modern Starfleet chatter
37:44 – Funny Lower Decks casting story
38:53 – Final message: Be kind & thank you
#ChaseMasterson #startrekdeepspacenine #ds9 #ArtCon2026 #startrek #PopCultureHeroCoalition #heroicjourney #conventionlife #TrekFans #NeoshoArtsCouncil
Reach out!
doyounerd2010@gmail.com
Rock your Nerdling fandom!
doyounerd.dashery.com
teepublic.com/stores/do-you-nerd
Don't forget to find us on Facebook:
facebook.com/doyounerd2010
And Instagram:
instagram.com/doyounerd
Twitter / X:
twitter.com/Do_You_Nerd
