In Defense of Fandom

I have a little theory about TV endings. Good endings are fondly remembered, bad endings kill fandoms, and divisive endings make them stick around forever (to argue!). So, am I actually right? Let’s find out… 

Spoiler Warnings! 

Want to avoid all spoilers? Use these timestamps to skip them completely:

Avatar the Last Airbender: 7:37-8:30

Dexter: 11:16-11:40

Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/in_defense_of_fandom

Hav...

New season, new topic!

This season, we’re talking about how television shows bring their stories to a close, and how that affects the fandom. We’ll talk about great endings and terrible endings. Shows that got to go out on their own terms and shows that were canceled, only to later be revived in a new format. 

And of course, there will be discussion about the ending of Supernatural. A LOT of discussion.

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I was so excited to meet Gabe at San Diego Comic Con last summer! He graciously agreed to an interview for this little podcast, all about his experiences writing for The Winchesters.

Tell me your thoughts on shows ending: https://forms.gle/d2KGqChpietazZh29

Definitely stick around to the end where he answers some fan questions that I collected!

Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/in_defense_of_fandom

Thanks to Gabe...

While I assumed costume designers would have a heyday with Halloween, it turns out costumers just want to dress others up - not themselves. At least, that’s according to costume designer Jennifer May Nickel. For this bonus episode, I’m bringing you a conversation with the costume designer from Gotham Knights!

Editorial Support by Dr. Anna Funk: @DrAnnaFunk

Music written & performed by Chris Scott: @Chrispscott

Cover art by Li...

What’s it like to be on the other side of fandom, when you’re not the famous one? And how does having a famous family member affect a non-fandom business? Family Business Beer Co CEO Gino has seen it all. It turns out when fandom and ‘normies’ mix, you get all sorts of stories.

Stay tuned for a unique contest at the end!

Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/in_defense_of_fandom

Competition Details:

Send your best, you...

SPN Family shows up to help picket for fair contracts for both the WGA (writers guild of america) and SAG (screen actors guild). Oh, and a small personal update.

Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/in_defense_of_fandom

Thanks to the voices you heard in this episode (in order of appearance):

Eric Kripke: @therealKripke

Kaelee

Rhiannon

Ben Edlund: @ben_edlund

Misha Collins: @mishacollins

Valeria

Dean

Shanda: @shandataber

The first season may be over, but we aren’t done yet!

In this first bonus episode, hear some of the voices from across the season tell their stories of how they discovered Supernatural and what hooked them on the show, and the fandom.

Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/in_defense_of_fandom

Thanks to the voices you heard in this episode (in order of appearance):

Shontill: @abeautifulswan

Lynn Zubernis: @FangasmSPN

Li...

Somehow we’ve come to the end of this road trip, and we’re bringing things back to where it all started. In this final episode of season one, we reflect on the SPN family and how conventions play a major role as a “family reunion” for fans across the world.

It seems Bobby wasn’t just referring to the Winchesters when he said that, family don’t end in blood. 

Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/in_defense_of_fandom

Th...

The SPN Family doesn’t just support each other. Fans and cast alike have started campaigns, founded nonprofits, and committed charitable acts to support both those in the community and the world beyond. In this episode, learn about the international impact of the Supernatural Fandom.

Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/in_defense_of_fandom

Oh! And don’t forget to perform an Act of Kindness with Random Acts: https://www...

We’ve spent quite a bit of time on the creativity of the SPN Family, and now we’ve even talked about the darkside. But in this episode, let’s hear how fandom studies has grown as a field and how community aspects of fandom have come to the fore.

Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/in_defense_of_fandom

Thanks to the voices you heard in this episode (in order of appearance):

Lynn Zubernis: @FangasmSPN

Shawn Taylor: https...

As much as we’d like to believe that fandom is all supporting each other’s nerdy interests, that’s not always the case. What are some of the pitfalls of fandom? And which are specific to SPN Family? Let’s find out.

Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/in_defense_of_fandom

Thanks to the voices you heard in this episode (in order of appearance):

Chris Scott: @Chrispscott

Cassie Scott: @itscassiescott

Shawn Taylor: https:/...

Enjoy this mini-episode while I take a mini-break to work on the second half of this season! In this episode, we’re taking a peek at video, youtube, and a very short discussion on TikTok.

Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/in_defense_of_fandom

Thanks to the voices you heard in this episode (in order of appearance):

Alana King: @_AlanaKing_

Chris Scott: https://www.instagram.com/chrispscott/

Editorial Support by D...

Welcome to my world, the world of audio! In this episode, we hear from podcasters, a podficcer, and even some musicians you might just recognize.

Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/in_defense_of_fandom

Thanks to the voices you heard in this episode (in order of appearance):

Jeremy, Monster of the Week podcast: @MOTWcast

Marie, Carrying Wayward podcast: @maryturner_

Steven Hein, SPN Then and Now podcast: @StevenHein, @...

I may not be a native of Tumblr, but I thoroughly enjoyed learning about how the platform helped launch the careers of multiple fan artists! And let’s not forget to include our SPN convention ‘photogs’ in this episode examining the visual world of fandom.

Thanks to the voices you heard in this episode (in order of appearance):

Jackie Dee (Winchester Reload): @JackieDeeArt 

Liz: @__ellie

Lizlee: @lizleeships

Scout: @scoutstiel

Wa...

In this episode, we explore the written world of SPN Family. Which, yes, does include a deep dive into fan fiction.

Thanks to the voices you heard in this episode (in order of appearance):

Jenn: @rupertgayes

Jen: @jenjld71

Northern Sparrow: @NorthernSprw

CastielsLostWings: @caslostwings

Lynn Zubernis: @FangasmSPN

Nightsky: @Lsangel2

Editorial Support by Dr. Anna Funk: @itsdrfunk

Music was composed and performed by Chris Scott...

Welcome to the first episode of In Defense of Fandom! We’ll be exploring the world of fan creativity, using Supernatural as a lens. In particular, over the course of this short series I hope to show how SPN Family, as the Supernatural fans are known, display a strong sense of creativity, community, and collaboration.

I really hope you enjoy this labor of love.

Thanks to the voices you heard in this episode (in order of appearan...

Welcome to the promo for In Defense of Fandom! This is just an introduction to the show, and episode 1 will be available March 7th (to celebrate the end of S1 of The Winchesters!).

Make sure to hit subscribe so you don’t miss out!

https://youtu.be/M0QhgQ-g4C0

Sarah Z video on Destielgate

Voices heard in this episode/promo (in order):

Jenn: @rupertgayes (twitter)

Robin: @caslostwings (twitter)

Dani: @lotrspnfangirl  (twitter...