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Artwork for In Defense of Fandom

In Defense of Fandom

Sadie Witkowski
Supernatural
Conventions
Dragoncon
Parasocial Relationships
Fandom
San Diego Comic-Con
Denim-Wrapped Nightmares
Louden Swain
Music Licensing
Streaming Rights
Science Track
Creation Entertainment
Fan Conventions
The Original Experience
Music
Star Trek
Marvel
DVD and Blu-Ray
Science Identity
Science Communication

In Defense of Fandom explores the world of fandom, focusing on creativity, community, and collaboration. The show, pulling from interviews with creators and fandom research, illuminates the ways that fandom can be an incredibly positive influence in our lives.In season one, the podcast focused on the creative output of the SPN Family, as Supernatural fans call themselves, a lens to understand fand... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes59Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTV & Film

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Artwork for In Defense of Fandom

Latest Episodes

It’s always struck me as odd, how many convention attendees inevitably become volunteers or part time workers for conventions they previously attended. Why make the jump to long hours during what might be your break from your 9-to-5?

I spoke with fe... more

If you noticed that I was supposed to publish a new episode last week
. No you didn’t.

I am excited to bring you this post-con conversation between myself and head distiller and founder of Chicago Cane Cooperative, Daniel Regueira, all about our Dra... more

YouTube

As someone who has never seen The Vampire Diaries or The Originals, despite my otherwise extensive genre fandom credentials, I really appreciated hearing about what this event means for fans and how it brings them into a completely immersive experien... more

YouTube

Founded in 1971 by Gary Berman and Adam Malin, two young teenage sci-fi fans in New York, Creation Entertainment continues a 53 year tradition of producing the world's leading fan conventions for followers of genre television and film. In this episod... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Daniel Regueira
Founder and head distiller of Chicago Cane Cooperative
Chicago Cane Cooperative
Episode: S4, Episode 5: Post DragonCon Report with Daniel
Tammie Buchignani
Co-owner of The Original Experience
The Original Experience
Episode: S4, Episode 4: The Original Experience
Gary Berman
Co-founder of Creation Entertainment
Creation Entertainment
Episode: S4, Episode 3: Creation Entertainment
Irena Chernova
Divorce lawyer and f an at panelist; has worked cons and writes fic
Independent; works on conventions
Episode: S4, Episode 2: SDCC Panel - Supernatural vs The Boys
Berly Land
Fandom participant and contributor at the panel
Denim-Wrapped Nightmares (in context of Supernatural rewatch)
Episode: S4, Episode 2: SDCC Panel - Supernatural vs The Boys
Matt Jarrett
Science Track Director, DragonCon
DragonCon
Episode: S4, Episode 1: What it takes to organize the DragonCon Science Track
Vaughan James
Assistant Director, Science Track, DragonCon
DragonCon
Episode: S4, Episode 1: What it takes to organize the DragonCon Science Track
Phil Sgriccia
Executive producer and director, known for work on Supernatural and other series
Amazon's The Boys and Gen V; Peacock's Twisted Metal; Supernatural
Episode: Supernatural Music Extravaganza: Series Finale - Carry On My Wayward Song (Rights)
Alexandra Patsavas
Music supervisor and founder of Chop Shop Music Supervision
Chop Shop Music Supervision; Netflix
Episode: Supernatural Music Extravaganza: Series Finale - Carry On My Wayward Song (Rights)

Hosts

Sadie Witkowski
Host with multiple affiliations tied to the show and convention community; central to guiding conversations and framing guest insights.
Mochi
Host who introduces guests and steers the dialogue.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 63 ratings
  • A Delightful Listen

    Sadie has a very soothing voice, first and foremost 😌. The podcast is exceptionally put together—and entertaining, yes, even for folks who may not be the biggest Supernatural fans. Her enthusiasm and dedication to each episode are enough for me to support her in this project—and hopefully many more in the future.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TLS321!
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great show and great presentation

    Sadie obviously spends a lot of time on this podcast, and it shows through in every way. Great guests, great topics, great editing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ecececec
    United States3 years ago
  • Hooked!

    After listening to bonus episode three and then episode one of In Defence of Fandom, I’m hooked! My own Supernatural experience is similar and doing to Sadie’s experience. It started out as my husband’s show because it was too scary for me, haha! I began to watch more episodes with him after season four but it wasn’t until March 2023 that we binge watched every episode of Supernatural. And then I found the rabbit hole of the SPN family! I started selling my art this year as a way to save up for ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Knerq
    United States3 years ago
  • The SPN podcast we didn’t know we needed

    There are a LOT of SPN Podcasts out there but this one is a new take focussing on the fans themselves and their creativity around the show. It takes an intellectual and interesting look into all things fan and I look forward to a deeper dive in future seasons. (International fandom would make a good episode too by the way)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pinafore
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Super fun!

    Really interesting stories that we don’t often hear, about how people form new fan communities and why they matter! I haven’t seen Supernatural, which is the main focus, but the podcast gives enough context that everything makes sense, and it’s fun to hear from people who are so passionate about the show and how being a fan has impacted their lives!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Curiositation
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans appreciate the insightful, guest‑driven conversations and behind‑the‑scenes access to con culture.
Listeners praise the warm, enthusiastic hosting and high production quality.
The show is valued for highlighting fan creativity and community impact beyond the primary media it centers.

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Behind the Bastards
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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S4, Episode 4: The Original Experience
Q: Have there been elements of the show you want to integrate in future iterations?
Yes, there is a desire to expand beyond traditional floor experiences toward more personalized, themed events like brunches, dinners, and small group experiences that fit within the universe and the show's world, while continuing to leverage the original TVD/The Originals setting as a focal point.
S4, Episode 4: The Original Experience
Q: What is The Original Experience?
The Original Experience is an entertainment company that creates immersive fan experiences at different locations, growing to multiple shows and focusing on delivering unique, intimate moments for fans with cast involvement.
Season 3 Bonus: Sadie & Anna answer your questions!
Q: How can we get people out of parasitical relationships and instead organize for a better world?
The hosts discuss separating fandom from political or social action, noting that fame can be leveraged to support causes without conflating fan admiration with personal access, and that parasocial dynamics do not preclude meaningful real-world organizing.
Season 3 Bonus: Sadie & Anna answer your questions!
Q: What is the inverse of a parasocial relationship, or can parasocial be negative or reciprocal?
The conversation explores that inverse could be a scenario where someone knows everything about a public figure but the figure knows nothing about them, and that not all intense knowledge constitutes a healthy or reciprocal relationship, indicating complexity in the concept.
Season 3 Bonus: Sadie & Anna answer your questions!
Q: Is there a limit or line in parasocial relationships where fans should pull back?
Respondents discuss boundaries as fluid and situational, noting that while it's hard to define a universal line, volumes of information, personal disclosures, and crossing into private life can push boundaries, with cautions about privacy and respectful distance.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About In Defense of Fandom

What is In Defense of Fandom about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on fandom as a positive social force, exploring how communities form around shared media, events, and creative output. Episodes frequently spotlight conventions, immersive experiences, music ecology within long‑running shows, and the ways fans contribute to and shape their own cultural ecosystems. The format often blends industry insights from event organizers, creators, and musicians with first‑hand fan perspectives, producing a lively, backstage look at conventions, cosplay, live performances, and the evolving dynamics between fans, casts, and organizers. A notable strength is its willingness to elevate fan voices and community-led moments, while also unpacking practical aspects like event logistics, pricing, accessibili... more

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Which podcasts are similar to In Defense of Fandom?

These podcasts share a similar audience with In Defense of Fandom:

1. Kings of Con: The Podcast
2. Monster Of The Week: A Supernatural Podcast
3. Supernatural Then and Now
4. Once We Were Spacemen
5. 99% Invisible

How many episodes of In Defense of Fandom are there?

In Defense of Fandom launched 4 years ago and published 59 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on In Defense of Fandom?

Recent guests on In Defense of Fandom include:

1. Daniel Regueira
2. Tammie Buchignani
3. Gary Berman
4. Irena Chernova
5. Berly Land
6. Matt Jarrett
7. Vaughan James
8. Phil Sgriccia

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