Get ready to meet your long lost sister, because we’re chatting with comedian and drag queen, Nicky Nasrallah (he/him) about the daytime soap opera that has topped the ratings for decades; THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS! Get ready to learn about the origins of the soap opera, unbelievable production schedules, forbidden lesbians, early nepo babies, murderous twins, true mourning for fictional families and the secret sauce that earned 11 daytime Emmys. Plus, a compelling and inspirational case for gi...
Jul 08, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 94
HELLO NURSE! Buckle up your khakis and set your cap to ‘backwards’ because this weeks ‘good idea’ is a totally zany conversation with comedian and author, Bryn Pottie (he/him) about the Warner Brothers and, of course, their sister Dot; It’s ANIMANIACS! We chat about the unlimited cache of Jurassic Park-era Steven Speilberg, the 90s animation renaissance, gangster pigeons, intellectual lab mice, and a disney-adjacent character design that accidentally humiliated the studio head. Plus, Steph tries...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 93
Come on and grab your friends because we’re talking to professional drag queen, Catfish The Dinosaur (they/them) about Pendleton Ward’s animated fever dream, also known as ADVENTURE TIME! Discover colourful nuclear apocalypses, exploding candy people, low-key vampires, political princesses, fictional fanfiction, deep cut sci-fi references, and all the existential crisis you could ever want from a ‘kids’ show. Plus, an absolute parade of the best character names ever committed to celluloid. The F...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 92
Get ready to serve at the pleasure of the (fictional) president because today we are joined by consultant and crafter, Margo Mullin (she/her) for a walk and talk about the 1990s political classic; WEST WING! We chat about the waves of political burnout and optimism, the rise of the political drama on TV, Aaron Sorkin’s whip-smart dialogue, great speeches, career defining performances and the not-so-enduring fantasy of a competent and morally sound American president. Plus, we play a game of ‘Wes...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 91
Who killed Laura Palmer? This episode we’re joined by comedian and writer, Becky Johnson (she/her), to discover all the strange, small-town secrets of David Lynch’s mysterious masterpiece; TWIN PEAKS. We talk about the massive impact Twin Peaks had on the television landscape, pre-grunge fashion, the log-lady, satisfying reveals, liminal spaces, and why Becky finds the whole thing deeply relatable. Plus, we match each character to their optimal dessert and learn how to find David Lynch on the as...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 90
Grab your measuring tape and roll out the tabletop terrain because this week we’re talking to actor, writer and sound designer, Sean Meldrum (he/him) about a game that's part strategy, part collecting, part craft project: WARHAMMER! Grab a beer(hammer) and relax as we chat about the game of ‘who forgets less’, the art of assembling tiny plastic armies, techniques for painting in miniature, your ‘friendly local game store’, the enduring allure of Space Marines, Robin Williams’ regimen of choice a...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 89
YES AND! This week we’re talking to improviser, comedian and Artistic Director of the Bad Dog Theatre Company, Alia Rasul (she/her), about the art form where everything is made up on the spot - IMPROV! We talk about the health and social benefits of improv comedy, what improv has in common with sports, techniques and rules that make the magic work, the importance of live performance, how improv can help your dating life, the world's most famous improvisers, mindfulness and listening, why mistake...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Strap on the Blasphemous Blade and get ready to die a LOT because this week we’re talking to comedian and writer, Meg Mackay (they/them), about the infamously difficult game they just recently platinum’d; ELDEN RING! We talk about the value of challenging game design, George R. R. Martin’s lore, bosses that have never known defeat, sexy moons, deadly golden hippos, an incredibly dedicated online community, and why you should always call Grandpa for help. Plus, some hot tips on the toughest areas...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 87
You asked for it, now here it is. It’s time to crack open The Colour of Magic and prepare to be whisked (or should I say…Disc’d?) away, because this week we’re talking to podcaster, performer and practicing witch, Brett Seivwright (he/him), about his lifelong love for TERRY PRATCHETT. We talk about Pratchett's unique approach to writing, the setting of Discworld, his legendary hat, fakes news predictions, Death’s Twitter account and how to conclude your forty-one book series in style. Plus, the ...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 86
GAME ON! This week we’re talking with writer and comedian, Rachel Manson (she/her), about the immersive game of pretend that has fully changed her life; LIVE ACTION ROLE PLAYING (LARP). We talk about foam weapons, joyful suspension of disbelief, camping with Slenderman, pro-level costume kits, complex game-systems for running around in fields, player consent, and the myriad ways that ‘immersive play’ communities overlap. Plus, what to look for in a good LARP-ing experience and why we should all ...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 85
And the Oscar goes to..! We’re getting hyped for the 2025 film-nerd superbowl by chatting with cinephile and amateur award historian, Matilda Knarr (she/her), about Hollywood’s Biggest Night; THE OSCARS. Strap into a deeply expensive and uncomfortable ball gown while we chat Oscar bait, red carpet looks, the Weinstein effect, most memorable hosts (for better or for worse), #oscarssowhite and why Bong Joon-Ho called the Oscars ‘a local award show’. Plus, a look back on some of the Oscars' biggest...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 84
IT’S GOJIRA!!! We’re chatting with actor, comedian and superfan, Shannon Lahaie (she/her) about her recent, monster sized hyperfocus, the King Kaiju himself; GODZILLA. Get ready to learn about post-war Japan, groundbreaking special effects, soulless American remakes, epic-monster fights and how Godzilla became an inspiration for a generation of filmmakers. Plus, we review the dating profiles for Godzilla’s kaiju enemies and Steph gets thirsty for some “thicc” thighs. The Fandom Show Podcast is a...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 83
[italic] FONTS! [italic]. We know ‘em, and we love them. But do we know enough of ‘em? Today we’re joined by graphic designer, typographer and professor, Carl Shura, to discuss the design lurking behind every word you read. We chat about the history of typesetting, what makes a really bold font, the rockstars of the typeface world, and the elements that make typeface design so intricate. Plus, we learn some scandalous facts about our favourite fonts and discover a newfound respect for the much m...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 82
LET’SA GO! Today we’re leveling up with game enthusiast Grant Pettypiece, as we talk about the energetic Italian plumber beloved the world over; IT’SA MARIO! We’re talking about Mario’s humble origins as ‘jumpman’, intuitive game design, the Mushroom Kingdom’s questionable doctorate degrees, canonically trans birds, and which character is definitely NOT wearing a hat. Plus, we chat about how Nintendo prioritizes play and indulge in our own game of ‘Smash Bros or Pass bros’. Produced by Andrew Iv...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 81
HO HO HO! Today we’re chatting with ‘Because News’ producer and holiday enthusiast, Erin Conway, about the most wonderful time of the year; CHRISTMAS! We discuss the real (non-capitalist) spirit of the season, unusual traditions, Mariah Carey’s rebirth, thrifty gifting, eclectic ornaments, and why seasonal magic can be real if you let yourself enjoy it. Plus, a battle royale of Christmas movies and the hosts share their strangest holiday decorations (hint: some Halloween decor simply never got p...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 80
Today we are joined by one half of I Hate It But I Love it, Jocelyn Geddie, to discuss her enduring love for writer, composer and broadway legend; STEPHEN SONDHEIM. We discuss Sondheim's Simone-Biles-style lyrical backflips, his humanist outlook, freak stage accidents, influential mentorships, musical pointillism, writing while high and how Sondheim’s unique style (and desire to swear) changed musicals forever. Plus, Steph gets possessed by Sondheim's ghost ‘Steve’ and Jocelyn vibrates through s...
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 79
THE TRIBE HAS SPOKEN! Get ready to outwit, outplay and outlast because today we’re talking to comedian Chelsea Larkin (she/her) about the reality show that just won’t quit: SURVIVOR! We discuss forty-seven seasons worth of iconic contestants, questionable team sorting choices, coach potatoes, competition-beasts and the narrative importance of inclement weather. Plus, Chelsea reveals her enduring love for Jeff Probst and why you should never ever volunteer to do the puzzle. Produced by Andrew Ivi...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 78
Get ready to fulfill all your fictional fantasies because this week we’re chatting with writer and podcaster, Diana McCallum (she/her), about the only artistic medium that is - for legal reasons - fueled exclusively by the power of fandom; It’s FANFICTION! We discuss the history of the genre, best-selling novels that started as fanfiction, the popularity of slash ships, male pregnancy, and all-werewolf universes, what ‘whump’ means, the perils of censorship, and why Anne Rice is probably rolling...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 77
Get hyped for your Halloween costume because today we’re talking to professional makeup artist, Meg Fraser, about the magical and monstrous world of SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP! We’re taking you behind the scenes to talk about fake dirt, biologically correct injuries, old-age makeup, legendary creature designs and the iconic makeup artists whose work you didn’t realize you loved. Plus, some hot tips for your next zombie costume and a handy home-made blood recipe. Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of ...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 76
Today we’re playing padawan to writer and comedian Ben Sosa-Wright (he/him) about the animated Star Wars property that literally saved the galaxy; THE CLONE WARS! We discuss Dave Filoni’s legendary efforts to make the Star Wars canon make sense, how Ahsoka became a fan-favourite, animated world-building, the lightsaber personality test, and which characters are queer coded (cause it’s more than you’d think). Plus, Kyah and Steph invent a brand new word. Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of The F...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 75
Hold onto your butts! This week we’re excavating fascinating fact fossils with comedian and writer Chris Leveille, as we discover a fandom that DOES move in herds; JURASSIC PARK! We dig into the massive success of Crichton’s original book, how Spielberg masters fear and awe, (r)evolutionary special effects, an iconic (and meme-worthy) cast and a bunch of Pratt-keeping sequels that should have stayed extinct. Plus, Chris gives us his safety tips for dinosaur encounters, Kyah muses on the history ...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 74
Grab your straw hat and munch on a devil fruit because we’re talking to Katie Chin about her favorite manga, ONE PIECE! We discuss the loveable optimism of Monkey D. Luffy, geopolitical pirate politics, wacky island themes, awkward ‘kid appropriate’ edits, and how the author, Eiichira Oda, somehow created a narratively coherent world where he was allowed to draw whatever the hell he wanted. Plus, we assemble a crew from Katie’s favorite characters and get our own pirate personas. Produced by And...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 73
Cut an LVAT wire to the tune of Snow Patrol, because we’re talking to drag queen, gamer and superfan, Juice Boxx about the steamy medical drama that kills more people that it saves; GREYS ANATOMY! We discuss iconic soundtracks, weird medical cases, the origin of the ‘Pick Me’ girl, behind the scenes cast drama, a misguided musical episode, a parking lot of no return, the endless string of increasingly ridiculous disasters and why the plane crash episode was TOO far. Plus, a not entirely improbab...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 72
Get ready to stomp the catwalk because we’re learning about FASHION with writer, costume designer and drag queen extraordinaire, Justin Gray (he/him). We talk about the origin of popular fashion, who decides what’s trendy, what ‘au couture’ actually means, the glory of Mary Kate’s Birkin Bag, why you're probably washing your clothing wrong and how fast fashion is, quite literally, demonic. Plus, how you can build your own style without breaking the bank, and a crash course in designers using thr...
Aug 20, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 71
Things are about to get real forkin’ philosophical because we’re talking to actor and comedian Ashley Comeau about the show with an afterlife of its own; THE GOOD PLACE. We talk about Mike Schur’s carte blanche from NBC, how the writers made philosophy funny, which character we think represents us best, and how it may have changed our personal outlook. Plus, we decide which celebrities would end up in the Good Place, and what customizable Bad Place we might dish out to the rest. Produced by Andr...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 70
Grab a long-haired companion and hop a plane to Norway, because today we’re joined by improviser and psychotherapist, Jess Bryson, to discuss the undefinable mythos and subsequent pop-culture phenomena of Trolls (both the doll and the creature). We dig into mysterious stone faces, troublesome sock thieves, family traditions, jerks on the internet, the original Danish doll that started the craze, and why we could all use a little bit more magic in our lives. Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of T...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 69
Kupo kupo kupo! Performer, producer and teacher David Hadley joins us to explain the game series meant to be a saving grace that became a worldwide phenomena that is Final Fantasy. We chat about the golden era of the series, the baddies that make you want to misbehave, and how Square has reinvented the world over 16 times but still hasn’t reached the Final fantasy. Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of The From Superheroes Network ....
Jul 09, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 68
Lace up your sneakers and get ready to sweat because today we’re talking to Kyah and Steph’s personal trainer, Jimmy Kim, about his lifelong passion; EXERCISE AND FITNESS. We chat about the do’s and don’ts of starting a successful exercise habit, prioritizing the fun part of working out, how lifting muscles uses your brain, the prevalence of performance enhancing drugs, how hard it really is to bulk up, good gym manners and questionable instagram fitness trends. And in case you’re wondering, thi...
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 67
We’re talking to comedian, youtuber and one half of the Girl Historian podcast, Carley Thorne , about her obsession with the world’s most famous witch-hunt; THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS. Put on a cauldron of tea and get cozy because we’re talking about the origin of New England’s witch hysteria, American vs. European witches, deadly teenage gossip, political scapegoats, devil-dogs, the cartoon coven that caused bisexual awakening, not-so-just Puritan justice system, Salem tour guide wars and the origi...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 66
It’s time to get spooOOooOOooky. Today we’re talking to actress, comedian and podcast host, Sarah Hillier (she/her) about her paranormal obsession: GHOSTS. Gather round as we discuss ghost stories, other-worldly experiences, why there are no caveman ghosts, why spirits might be annoyed by seances, a brush with an undead spider, and ghost-proof architecture. Plus a lightning round game that quickly descends into ‘which ghost is the hottest’ and never quite recovers. Produced by Andrew Ivimey as p...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 65
