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Artwork for In Defense of Fandom

In Defense of Fandom

Sadie Witkowski
Supernatural
Conventions
Yaga
Dragoncon
Parasocial Relationships
Fandom
Creation Entertainment
San Diego Comic-Con
Costume Design
Denim-Wrapped Nightmares
Louden Swain
Cozie Chapter Events
Music Licensing
Streaming Rights
Science Track
The Original Experience
Fan Conventions
Music
Star Trek
Heated Rivalry

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 monthlyEpisodes62Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTV & Film

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Artwork for In Defense of Fandom

Latest Episodes

Welcome to a special edition of In Defense of Fandom! This week, Sadie, along with fellow Geekscaper Joshua (Fright School), sit down for a chat with YAGA costume designer Sarah Runnalls!

We're halfway through the season for our weekly YAGA recap se... more

YouTube

It seems like over the last year, the Heated Rivalry fandom has taken the world by storm! And with growing fandoms, we have new fan events! Enter: Cozie Chapter Events. They are a new company on the scene (though their founders are old hats in the fa... more

YouTube

Taking a quick break from this season to share the news about this fun collaboration with fellow Geekscape Network show Fright School!

Check out Yaga on October 23rd for the first two episodes. Then, tune into our livestream as we talk about the sho... more

YouTube

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

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Sarah Runnalls
Costume designer for Yaga with experience in television, film, theater and drag.
Episode: S5, Episode 8: Sarah Runnalls (Yaga)
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)

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 64 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 States2 years 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 Kingdom4 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.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
The Viall Files
The Viall FilesNick Viall
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Behind the Bastards
Behind the BastardsCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
I've Had It
I've Had ItJennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan
The Binge: Free Shelley Jensen
The Binge: Free Shelley JensenSony Music Entertainment

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S5, Episode 8: Sarah Runnalls (Yaga)
Q: Is there anything cultural or historical that inspired the costumes for Yaga?
Runnalls points to a Midsommar-inspired flower crown, a Seven-inspired leather jacket for the detective and a Saltburn-like party scene, alongside the show's own visual references.
S5, Episode 8: Sarah Runnalls (Yaga)
Q: What is the difference between costuming for a full-blown television series and costuming for a play?
Runnalls says the biggest difference is budget: theater may rely on whatever is available or actors' own clothes, while television can allow for more spending.
S4, Episode 7: Cozie Chapter Events
Q: What are some of the behind-the-scenes work that are vital to pulling off an event's success?
They emphasized venue selection, ADA accessibility, event materials and menus, local business relationships, talent schedules and breaks, and careful graphics. They also stressed coordinating with representatives and attending to small details that can otherwise be overlooked.
S4, Episode 7: Cozie Chapter Events
Q: What inspired you to start hosting these events?
The organizers had years of convention experience, missed the work after their former company stopped holding events, and saw an opportunity to serve the passionate Heated Rivalry fandom. They also valued the friendships and sense of community that fan events had brought them.
Are you ready for Yaga?
Q: In the play, as you mentioned, it's only a few actors playing ghouls. Because you got to open this cast up, did you think about ways that you wanted these characters' dualities to still be represented in the show, and how did you try to bring that onto the screen?
Cat Sandler says each character is complex, with both heroic and villainous qualities. She wanted that dark-and-light duality to come through rather than making anyone one-dimensional.

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. Supernatural Then and Now
3. Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce
4. Search Engine
5. Nevermind the Music

How many episodes of In Defense of Fandom are there?

In Defense of Fandom launched 4 years ago and published 62 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. Sarah Runnalls
2. Daniel Regueira
3. Tammie Buchignani
4. Gary Berman
5. Irena Chernova
6. Berly Land
7. Matt Jarrett
8. Vaughan James

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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