The Fandom Show

Big hearts, slightly smaller regulation balls, can't lose. We're talking with comedian, writer and podcast host, Cathryn Naiker (she/her) about the league that gets more popular with each passing year, the WNBA. With the finals around the corner, we learn about the best teams and players in the league, what makes the WNBA special, behind the scenes drama, community centre gym practices, the Stud B...

Fear is the mind-killer, but this podcast is the mind-thriller! See what I did there? Anyway, today we're talking to interior designer and movie critic, Devan Islas (he/him), about the sandy sci-fi epic that defined a genre; It's DUNE! We discuss gigantic sandworms, badass space witches, books about walking, white saviour tropes, and perpetually relevant gas metaphors. We also touch on Lynch, Vill...

Roll up with a couple friends, a couple dice and all the snacks you can muster because this week we're gathering around the table top with performer, game designer and theatre creator, Julian Frid (he/him) to discuss his experience as a player and creator of INDIE TABLETOP ROLE PLAYING GAMES! We chat about the joy of mutual hallucination, why more failure is more fun, swords vs. can openers, genre...

This week we're chatting with illustrator and amateur cryptid historian, Ben O'Neil, about the big hairy phenomenon that people are dying to lay their eyes on; BIGFOOT. We talk about the Macleans magazine story that 'broke' (read: stole) the story, woodworking pranks, the famous Patterson-Gimlin film (and its possible debunking), conspiracy theories, Bigfoot hunting laws, carefully preserved butt...

Grab your commander deck, because this week we're talking to comedian and actor, Andy Hull (he/him) to tap into the world's most popular collectible card game; MAGIC: THE GATHERING. We discuss some of the world's best game design, armoured seagulls, elegant works of card art, collectors items, how Post Malone got 'the one ring', and what our favourite TV shows might look like as Magic decks. Plus,...

Oel ngati kameie! Get zapped into a big blue cat alien body because today we are joined by comedian and actor Lance Oribello (he/him) on a journey through the paradise planet of Pandora to talk about AVATAR (the James Cameron one). We discuss the spectacle of the original movie, incredible feats of filmmaking technology, motion capture performances, the 'post-avatar' blues, peaceful life-affirming...

Get kidnapped by mind-flayers and form an adventuring party because today we're joined by DM and podcast host, Travis Ryans (they/them) for a quest into the sprawling realm of BALDUR'S GATE! We discuss loveable (and eminently romanceable) party characters, incredibly flexible game mechanics, deadly lake dives, all-bard parties and the many many spreadsheets it must have taken to make this game a r...

FOR THE HONOR OF GREYSKULL! Today we are once again joined by guest co-host Jocelyn Geddie(she/her) to discuss a near and dear fandom of the lovely Stephanie Malek (she/her). That's right, it's the animated show that served as inspiration for the Fandom Show; SHE-RA! We chat about the original 80s cartoon, what changes were made for the Netflix reboot, the battle for queer representation, voice ac...

WITNESS ME! Today we are joined by guest co-host Jocelyn Geddie (she/her) who is lending her mechanical arm to our collective and metaphorical war rig, so we might interview our very own host Kyah Green (they/them) on one of their all time favourite films; MAD MAX FURY ROAD. We talk about outrageously detailed world-building, a disastrous production that never should have resulted in a finished fi...

Grab your ukulele and hamburger backpack, because it's time to save the universe with a bunch of friendly gems. This week, we're chatting with actress and film editor, Kinley Mochrie (she/her) about the weird, beloved little cartoon that grew into a gamechanging cultural force; STEPHEN UNIVERSE! We discuss alien politics, goofy little brothers, implicit and explicit queer themes, the huge hurdles...

Live from Toronto, it's a new episode! This week we're talking to improviser and sketch comedian, Matt McCready (he/him) about the weekly sketch show that launched a thousand careers: SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE! Buckle up, because we're talking about iconic casts, stand out sketches, what makes a good (or bad) host, musical guests, cultural talking points, the insane behind the scenes schedule and why Lo...

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats! Put on your best spandex leotard and get ready to prowl because we're chatting with comedian, writer and musical lover, Brandon Hackett about the world's first mega musical: CATS! Get ready for library cassette rentals, T.S. Elliott, leg warmers, the actual translation of 'jellicle', the failures (and successes!) of the movie adaptation, and why Cats is both the g...

Let's go Blue Jays! Buy some peanuts and cracker jacks because we're hitting the Rogers Centre (a.k.a. the Skydome) with comedian and actor, Paloma Nuñez (she/her) for a real grand slam of an episode about Canada's baseball team; The Toronto Blue Jays! Learn about the 92/93 World Series, the most legendary Blue Jays players, the biggest hits, most controversial bat flips, and what the heartbreakin...

Wanna be on top? Grab your heels and practice your smizing, because we're chatting with comedian Ben Sosa Wright (he/him) here to tell us about the most talked about reality show this year; AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL. We talk about the recent documentary series, Tyra Banks' tenuous grasp on reality, unhinged photoshoots, Squid Game style runways, extremely long buildings, and the true meaning of the...

Pry your ears open, because you won't want to miss this week's discussion with filmmaker Paul Aihoshi (he/him) about the fascinating, the notorious, the visionary: STANLEY KUBRICK. We chat about his outsized impact on cinema (and The Simpsons), his 'difficult' reputation, the 90s Kubrick impersonator, pioneering special effects, fear of flying, misunderstood introversion and how he became the sing...

Pour yourself some blood and contemplate the nature of immortality, because this week we have writer and podcaster, Andrew Wheeler (he/him) to talk about the gay vampires we love to loathe, it's INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE. We chat about Anne Rice vampire lore, book to movie to TV adaptations, messy undead drama, toxic divas, and the (modest) wave of MLM romances sweeping the nation. Plus, some dat...

Dust off your vinyls and get ready to have your mind blown, because we're talking to die-hard music nerd, comedian and radio personality, Miguel Rivas (he/him), about the biggest band you've never heard of; XTC. Learn about this Talking Heads-esque band that, due to wild and tragic circumstances, exerted a Forrest Gump level of historical influence on music without ever making it big. Plus, Britis...

The time has come (back)! That's right, for the first time in Fandom Show history, we have a follow-up episode with comedian and bonafide time nerd, Craig Fay (he/him) for more tick-talking about CLOCKS! Learn about the race to tell time at sea, the creation of Greenwich time, and bonus facts about fan-favourite Sir Shovel Cloudsley. Plus, an update on Craig's homemade clock and some fancy time me...

Hyped up on Superbowl fever and can't get enough of the king of Latin trap? Then put on your white jersey and round up some grass wearing pals because this week we're talking with super fan Matty O'Donnell (he/they) about the singer, actor and beloved SNL host; BAD BUNNY! We discuss his meteoric rise from supermarket bagger to superstar, his best and saddest bops, the exact number of horses he tou...

This week we're chatting with comedian, Beaverton writer and satirist extraordinaire, Clare Blackwood (she/her) to discuss the fandom that keeps us laughing (so we don't cry!); Political Satire! We get into the details of what makes something satirical, punching up vs. punching down, the unseen prevalence of political comedy, when jokes become reality, the best comedians in the game, why satire is...

We're coming to the cottage! Put on your coziest Olympic fleece because today we have 'I Hate It But I Love It's Kat Angus (she/her) back to talk about two hockey players so hot, they're melting our frozen hearts; it's HEATED RIVALRY! We chat about the unforeseen success of this small Canadian show, why it appeals to such a wide variety of demographics, steamy sex scenes, Russian accents, and a wh...

Let's roll! Get out your shiny math rocks, because today we're talking to comedian, writer and certified bard, Kris Siddiqi (he/him) about the world's most popular role-playing game; Dungeons and Dragons. Join our party as we discuss classic published adventure modules, epic monsters, the satanic panic, how to create a great character, the popularity of actual plays, and why everyone should take t...

There is no escape! Get ready to go on an epic run through hell, because this week we're talking to writer, mythology nerd and self-proclaimed 'sweaty gamer', Motzie Dapul (she/her), about the rogue-like game that keeps her coming back for more; HADES. We chat about Ancient Greek deep-cuts, Hermes level speed runs, never-ending dialogue options, the online Hades community, and how they made the pe...

Get ready to unbox all the secrets of the craze that is sweeping the internet, because we're chatting with Jaime Lujan (he/him) about his love for the little gremlins called LABUBUS. Come with us as we learn about their nordic origins, version types, secret Labubu's, blind boxes, their rise to viral stardom, some surprisingly deep lore, best unboxing practices and hardcore resale markets. Plus, ho...

KA-KAW! Grab your field guide and a pair of binoculars because today we're joined by avid avian nerd, Rob Cumming (he/him) to learn all about our flying, feathered friends and the people who love to watch'em; BIRDING! We chat about which birds are assholes, memorizing bird calls, terrible nests, epic adventures around the world, listing vs. watching, Birder drama and why the Red Wing Blackbird is ...