Tales from the Fandom
Tales from the Fandom is a podcast that explores a variety of fandoms with a different guest each week. Fandom topics range from Sci-Fi, to Fantasy, Anime, Cosplay, and more.
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Episode 398: Holly Davis talks A Diamond Bright & Broken, and her work as an Author
02/17/2025
Episode 398: Holly Davis talks A Diamond Bright & Broken, and her work as an Author
Continuing the goal to have more authors on the podcast, author Holly Davis joins me to talk about her journey as an author and her first published book. We kick things off by going back in time. To a time where Disney and video games collided to form the Kingdom Hearts franchise. This is where Holly first started her journey, writing fan fiction based in the Kingdom Hearts setting. Holly talks about why fanfic is a great place to start your author journey. From there, she talks about the in-between times, from fanfic, to her real world work, and making time to get her ideas out of her head and into written form. Then we talk about her first published book, "A Diamond Bright & Broken". This book released November of 2024. Holly talks about how she came up with the ideas and story, her characters, and how she based some real world items into the fantasy realm that this book takes place. Interested in the book? Holly's elevator pitch includes it being a Tangled retelling with a female Flynn Rider, has a ride or die sister relationship, LGBT representation, and mages with unique magic, to name a few. Holly wraps it up by talking about her advice to those who wish to also start their author journey, and what is to come from her in the future! You can find Holly at: You can buy "A Diamond Bright & Broken" at:
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Episode 397: Slope talks Time Travel in Fandom, and Minecraft
02/10/2025
Episode 397: Slope talks Time Travel in Fandom, and Minecraft
A person I've known for quite some time, I had the pleasure of having Slope join me from The Netherlands to talk about two of his current favorite things in fandom. Time Travel in Fandom, and Minecraft. We kick things off by talking about Time Travel in Fandom. Where did Slope first find this? In The Legend of Zelda! We talk about a variety of fandoms within the time travel scope. From Back to the Future, the Bill and Ted movies, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (for multiverses). However, we spend a good deal of time on the German TV series, Dark (available to stream on Netflix). This show comes highly recommended, and we dance around any potential spoilers. We also do circle back to talk more Zelda! Then, we switch gears and travel into the world of blocks. Minecraft. Slope talks about how he first started playing Minecraft, and the evolution of the game since it got its start. He talks about running the Hyrule Gaming Group SMP server. What is the HGG SMP server? You'll find out all about it, what he and his team create for those who play - and most importantly - how YOU can join! We wrap up talking about Slippy Studios, and what you can find with Slope doing Flash animations and what he's working on. You can find Slope at: (coming soon!) You can join the Hyrule Gaming Group Minecraft Server by following these instructions: Connect to IP: - Port: 25565 (Java & Bedrock) Currently running version 1.21.1. type /discord in-game to verify - Discord:
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Episode 396: Myka Silber talks Rider's Blood, Moonlit Black, and their work as an Author
02/03/2025
Episode 396: Myka Silber talks Rider's Blood, Moonlit Black, and their work as an Author
November 2023, I posted on Threads wanting to have more authors come on the podcast. One of those who threw their hat into the ring was Myka Silber. A little over a year later, and I had the pleasure of getting to have them on! Myka talks first about how they started down the author path, from their first writings back in high school, to pandemic lock down writing and self publishing, to their latest works, "Rider's Blood, Moonlit Black", and "The Pigment Thief" We explore "Rider's Blood, Moonlit Black" more in depth, as I read that late last year. We explore how Myka came up the world and characters in this book, and developing it into what it became. Seriously a good read. We wrap up with talking about what's coming next from Myka, and how you can stay up to date with what they are doing. You can find Myka at: You can buy Rider's Blood, Moonlit Black at:
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Episode 395: Nat aka ScruffySpaceElf talks Star Trek, House of the Dragon, Opera & Classical Music, and Cosplay
01/27/2025
Episode 395: Nat aka ScruffySpaceElf talks Star Trek, House of the Dragon, Opera & Classical Music, and Cosplay
The first international guest of 2025 is here! Nat aka ScruffySpaceElf on socials joins me from Austria to talk about her favorite fandoms! We kick things off with what may be her number 1 fandom, Star Trek. Nat talks about which series started things off for her, some of the shows she's watched (and others she hasn't), favorite characters, and so much more as we explore the Trek space. Then we go from Sci-Fi to Fantasy, as Nat talks about House of the Dragon. She talks about her interest in the show, the actors & characters, and what she's liked so far after having only seen the first season. We also touch on Game of Thrones, which she has not seen. Then we talk about her work in the Opera and Classical Music space. From her experience in grade school to the work in her degree program and internships, Nat talks about what attracts her to this realm and offers some music recommendations to us (check out the links further down). Lastly, Nat talks about how she got into Cosplay. We talk about her and her families background in faires, the work her dad and mom do, and the characters she's cosplayed. Plus, we talk about what the future holds for Cosplay. You can find Nat at: Aria from Dvorak's "Rusalka" Aria from Puccini's "Tosca"
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Episode 394: MG aka MangaGirl1114_cosplay talks Disney, Barbie, Dungeon Meshi, Art, and Cosplay
01/20/2025
Episode 394: MG aka MangaGirl1114_cosplay talks Disney, Barbie, Dungeon Meshi, Art, and Cosplay
After seeing her work alongside a previous guest, I'm glad to welcome MG aka MangaGirl1114_Cosplay on to the podcast to talk about her favorite fandoms. We start off with Disney. Disney is such a wide and varied fandom with so many entry points, it's always fun to hear how people get into it. MG talks about her entry point to Disney, some of her favorite movies and shows, and what keeps her coming back to a fandom that's been around for such a long time. From there, we talk Barbie. We talk about the dolls, the movies, and just bounce around the Barbie fandom. Then we're on to an anime and manga called Dungeon Meshi. MG talks about how she discovered Dungeon Meshi and why she enjoys this specific anime. We talk characters and food (if you know, you know. And if you don't know, well maybe you'll know after listening) Then we get to talk all about MG. MG first talks about all the different forms of art she does - from metalworking to photography to nail art. She seemingly has done it all. Then we talk about Cosplay. She talks about how she first got started doing cosplay and some of the characters she's done. We also talk about characters she'd love to do in the future. You can find MG at:
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Episode 393: Amanda aka TheHauntedManda talks Arcane, The Owl House, Bridgerton, and Cosplay
01/13/2025
Episode 393: Amanda aka TheHauntedManda talks Arcane, The Owl House, Bridgerton, and Cosplay
I love stumbling across cosplayers who take a character and make it their own. One of those cosplayers is Amanda. You may know her as TheHauntedManda on socials. After finding her work and following her, I was glad she said yes to being on the podcast! We start things off with a new to the podcast fandom, Arcane. Amanda talks about how she got into the show and if she played League of Legends prior to this. We discussed favorite characters, and what she'd love to see in the future. This is mostly spoiler free, as I was only 3 episodes into the show at the time of recording. After Arcane, we continued in animation, with Disney's The Owl House. We discuss how we both found ourselves watching this show, the characters and storylines, and we lament how Disney did the show dirty with its final "season". From one house to a bigger house, we find ourselves talking about Bridgerton. We first talk about Queen Charlotte, which is how Amanda got into the fandom. We talk about the series, the love matches and characters she likes, and who/what she's looking forward to in future seasons. Lastly, we talk cosplay. If you haven't checked out Amanda's work, definitely do so now. Amanda talks about how she first got interested in cosplay, the characters she does and how she puts her spin on them. You can find Amanda at:
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Episode 392: Emily Engel talks Muppets & Fiber Arts, True Crime, and Back to the Future
01/06/2025
Episode 392: Emily Engel talks Muppets & Fiber Arts, True Crime, and Back to the Future
We're back! 2025 is here! Our first guest of the year is Emily Engel. You may know her on the socials as Axepersonified. Emily is a fiber artist who makes wicked cool Muppet replicas. Emily and I start things off by talking about, what else, Muppets and the replicas she creates. She talks about her history with the Muppet franchise (shows and movies), and how she got her start in making these replica figures. We talk about her process, and characters she will and will not do. Seriously, they are wonderful and you should bring one home to your house. We then jump over from Muppets to True Crime. Emily talks about what got her interested in the world of True Crime and what keeps her coming back for more. Then we go Back.... TO THE FUTURE! Yes, we're talking about the Back to the Future franchise. Emily talks about what attracted her to the movies, the characters, and cast, and what the franchise means to her. You can find Emily at:
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Episode 391: CosplayAncestorEri talks James Bond, Anime in the 90s, and the Evolution of Fandom, Conventions, and Cosplay
10/28/2024
Episode 391: CosplayAncestorEri talks James Bond, Anime in the 90s, and the Evolution of Fandom, Conventions, and Cosplay
After stumbling across her cosplay of Taylor Swift's Evermore cosplay outfit from The Eras Tour, I knew I'd like Eri. I checked out her work and knew I had to have her on the podcast. Eri aka CosplayAncestorEri joins me to talk all about fandom and the history from the 90s (which is when I also started getting into fandom!) We kick things off first with a mini conversation about Taylor Swift, before jumping into our first topic - Bond, James Bond. Eri gives me the behind the scenes look on how she got into the world of 007. She talks about her favorite movies, the different Bond actors, and some of her favorite Bond girls. We also talk about the future of the franchise. Then, we change gears from Bond into Anime. Specifically, we talk about our experiences with anime in the 90s. Eri talks about how she first found anime through Speed Racer. From there, we recount the struggles to find anime through rental stores, conventions, and tape trading before it anime became more of a thing. Eri talks about some of the shows she grew up on. Lastly, we devote a section to the evolution of fandom, conventions, and cosplay from those early 90s times to now. Eri talks about her experiences in the convention scene and how it has changed since then. We talk about how the shows have evolved, fandom, and events at conventions (like masquerades, and skits). We also talk about cosplay, the preservation of old fandom/convention websites and information, and Eri's book that is releasing soon, The Fangirl Diaries. You can find Eri at: ?
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Episode 390: Queen Amy Dala Cosplay talks Final Fantasy and Cosplay
10/21/2024
Episode 390: Queen Amy Dala Cosplay talks Final Fantasy and Cosplay
Amy aka Queen Amy Dala Cosplay joins me from Vancouver, Canada, to talk about two of her favorite things - Final Fantasy and Cosplay! I stumbled across Amy's cosplay on Instagram in March and I really enjoyed what she had, particularly, her love of representing Final Fantasy characters, including characters from Final Fantasy 4 and 6. So luckily for us, she said yes to being a guest. We kicked off with Final Fantasy. Amy talks about how she first got into Final Fantasy through watching her older brother play and then sneaking into his room to play for herself. From there, she fell into the realm of Final Fantasy. Amy talks about which games she's played and which she hasn't. We talk about some of our favorite games and characters, her favorite relationships, and so much more. If you're someone who enjoys this franchise, you'll definitely enjoy this talk. On the back half of the episode, Amy talks about getting into cosplay and being a cosplayer. She talks about how she got into the world of cosplay later in life and her thoughts on being an "older" cosplayer. She talks about the benefits of cosplay for her, what others could get out of doing cosplay, and she talks about her favorite cosplays, comfiest ones, and plans for the future! You can find Amy at:
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Episode 389: The Bridgerton episode with BajanPrincessBrittany
10/14/2024
Episode 389: The Bridgerton episode with BajanPrincessBrittany
It's time! Time for the Bridgerton episode. I finally decided to sit down and watch the entire series. After binge watching all 3 seasons, plus the Queen Charlotte series, I knew I needed to talk to someone about it while we wait for Season 4. Who better to come back than Brittany aka BajanPrincessBrittany. This is a spoiler episode, so if you haven't watched any of the seasons yet, this episode is not for you. Brittany and I talk about the series overall, including some of the themes and stories that happen throughout. We talk about our favorite seasons, favorite Bridgerton family member, favorite member of the 'Ton, including some dark horse choices. We do speculate about Season 4 and the length of time between seasons. This episode was recorded prior to the casting announcement of Yerin Ha as Sophie. If you like Bridgerton, make sure to comment on Instagram or Facebook and let us know who you think is the best Bridgerton or 'Ton member! You can find Brittany at:
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Episode 388: Joshua aka HylianDescent of Hyrule Gaming Group Returns as we talk video games, his Twitch growth, and balancing Hylian and Joshua
10/07/2024
Episode 388: Joshua aka HylianDescent of Hyrule Gaming Group Returns as we talk video games, his Twitch growth, and balancing Hylian and Joshua
HylianDescent returns again for his 5th episode! HylianDescent aka Joshua, founder of the Hyrule Gaming Group comes back for another entry into his time capsule of his Twitch streaming experience as we look back on the previous year. We check in on how he's doing and how his past year was. Then I talk to Joshua about a number of games he has played over the year, including games like: Fields of Mistria, Graveyard Keeper, Moonstone Island, Supermarket Simulator, Fallout, Tears of the Kingdom, and Animal Crossing. We talk about games that work for Twitch and his community, and other games that work for him and that he ultimately keeps to himself for his enjoyment. Joshua talks about the continued opportunities he is able to take for sponsored streams and promos, his 12 and 24 hour streams showcasing Indie games, and more. Plus, we talk about his continued balance of streaming versus real life, taking care of himself, his relationship and getting out and "touching grass". All this, and more! You can find Joshua at: You can listen to his first four episodes here:
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Episode 387: LilipopeCosplay talks Star Wars, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Taylor Swift, and Cosplay
09/30/2024
Episode 387: LilipopeCosplay talks Star Wars, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Taylor Swift, and Cosplay
Rounding out the month of September, I am joined by LilipopeCosplay as we get a wonderful episode filled with fandom! Li has a number of fandoms we get to talk about, and we kick things off with one of her favorites, Star Wars. We talk all about how she first got into the fandom. We're talking about the movies, TV shows, books, and so much more. We're both fond of the Legends run of books (formerly called the Expanded Universe), and we do have to talk about one of her favorites - Mara Jade. Then we go from one big fandom to another, as we join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Li talks about the movies and TV series that she's drawn to in the MCU, along with some of her favorite characters. We also talk about the future of the MCU and what she's looking forward to. Then we go to my birthday twin, Taylor Swift! Taylor is like a wizard, she arrives precisely when she's meant to. Li talks about how she first got into the music of Taylor Swift. We talk about favorite Era's, favorite songs, and how her music has been a part of Li's life. Then we're wrapping up with talking about Cosplay. Li talks about how she first got into cosplay, and the characters that she cosplays as. Li also talks about her experiences with costuming groups like the Rebel Legion and the 501st, and volunteering for charity. She also talks about what she's working on for the future. You can find Li at:
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Episode 386: Judy Gallagher talks Avatar: The Last Airbender, Dance, and Cosplay
09/23/2024
Episode 386: Judy Gallagher talks Avatar: The Last Airbender, Dance, and Cosplay
National Dance Day is a yearly day to celebrate dance. It happens on the third Saturday of September. Today's guest is here to help celebrate that day. Judy Gallagher joins me to talk about dance and more! We start things off with one of my favorite shows, Avatar: The Last Airbender. Judy talks about how she first discovered the show, and of course, we have to talk about Zuko and his arc through the series. We also talk about her favorite characters, what kind of bender she'd want to be, and much more. From there, we celebrate Dance for National Dance Day! Judy talks about how she first got into dance and her background with dance. She talks about being a professional ballroom dancer and dance instructor. She also talks about how her students slowly introduced her to her next topic... Cosplay! That's right. Dancing involves costumes and music, some of her students started bringing music from various fandoms and costumes to go along with it, and well, the rest is Judy history! Judy talks about how she went to her first comic convention (MegaCon Orlando!), her shift into doing more cosplay, and some of the characters she's done (or will do!) You can find Judy at:
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Episode 385: Dreams in the Noct talks K-Pop, Resident Evil, Final Fantasy, Twitch, and Cosplay
09/16/2024
Episode 385: Dreams in the Noct talks K-Pop, Resident Evil, Final Fantasy, Twitch, and Cosplay
This guest has been a long time coming. Dreams in the Noct (Dreams) joins me to talk about some of her favorite fandoms! We start things off by talking about K-Pop! Dreams has been into K-Pop for a very long time, as we reminisce about finding international music in music stores way back in the day. She talks about first getting into J-Pop, and then finding her way into the K-Pop scene. We talk about some of her favorite groups over the years, the evolution of the music, and so much more. From there, we shift to video games. Dreams talks first about how she first got into video games and how her other was a dominating force when she was younger. We talk about two of her favorite franchises, Resident Evil and Final Fantasy. We cover the full gamut of both, from favorite games, to characters, and how both series have evolved over time. For those who don't know, you can find Dreams regularly streaming on Twitch. She generally plays a variety of games, but includes Resident Evil and Final Fantasy in her streams. She talks about how she first got into streaming on Twitch, her community, and what you can expect to find. On the flip side of things, we talk about Cosplay. Dreams talks about how she first got into cosplay, and some of the characters she's done. We talk about some of the unique designs, and some of the cosplay plans she has for the future. You can find Dreams at:
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Episode 384: Morgan of That Nerd Thing Podcast talks The Office, Bridgerton, Books, and her podcast
09/09/2024
Episode 384: Morgan of That Nerd Thing Podcast talks The Office, Bridgerton, Books, and her podcast
A lot of new fandom oriented podcasts have started up this past year, and I for one am here for it. That Nerd Thing, hosted by Morgan, started in January of 2024. After 9 months of hosting, Morgan joins me to be on the other side of the mic, answering questions instead of asking them (and not having to edit the podcast too!) We start things off by heading to corporate America, as we talk about The Office. Morgan talks about how she first got into The Office, and we dive deep into the characters. From favorites, to favorite Dunder Mifflin managers, and even some outstanding background characters. Then we go to the Regency era, as we explore Bridgerton. Morgan talks about how she first got into the Netflix TV series. We talk about some of our favorite characters, favorite couples, and even take a detour Back to the Future, before returning to the 'Ton. Bridgerton begets books. Morgan talks about her love of books, the new arrival of the Romantasy genre, along with book clubs and how they've made a comeback in recent years. Morgan gives some book recommendations as well! Then we wrap up talking about That Nerd Thing. Morgan talks about how, and more importantly, why she started the podcast. She talks about some of the background of the podcast, her format, and some of her prior and current guests. Definitely give it a listen. You can find Morgan and That Nerd Thing Podcast at:
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Episode 383: Drew Orozco aka DrewBearded returns to talk Community Theater
09/02/2024
Episode 383: Drew Orozco aka DrewBearded returns to talk Community Theater
Another year, another Drewbearded podcast episode. What can I say? I like to have some friendly voices return every year, and Drew is one of those. Normally, with a Drewbearded episode, you'd get us talking about Twitch and the latest videogames that Drew had been playing. NOT THIS TIME! Drew talks about his return to the stage, and specifically community theater. Drew talks about his history in theater, from Orlando to the bright lights of New York City. He talks about his break from the stage, and his time on Twitch. Eventually, the desire to return to the stage was strong enough to pull him back in. Drew talks about his experiences in his return, from the auditioning to rehearsal, navigating his experience being older and wiser, and what he's looking forward to in the future. He talks about his first show back, Big Fish, and his show he was in rehearsal for during the recording (Into the Woods, since completed its run). Maybe Drew's story will light that passion for you to try theater, or maybe go back to something you love and had set aside. Want to watch or find Drew? You can find him at: You can listen to his first five episodes here:
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Episode 382: Keli aka Kelz1977 talks growing up in the 80's, Twitch Streaming & Video Games
08/26/2024
Episode 382: Keli aka Kelz1977 talks growing up in the 80's, Twitch Streaming & Video Games
Sometimes in life, you find people that you just connect with. Sometimes, when you connect with those people, all plans are thrown out the window and you get to have a wonderfully authentic conversation based on how those people grew up. Such is this episode with Keli aka Kelz1977 on Twitch. As I told Keli when we started recording, a lot of the time, the people that come on the podcast are younger than I am. It's a rare occasion when I have someone around my age. Being that we're 2ish years apart, Keli and I spend the first half of the episode throwing out our original plans and instead we reminisce about growing up in the 80's and early 90's. From staying out until the street lights came on, to our experiences as kids coming home from school, to certain iconic movies and shows (including Labyrinth, The Last Unicorn, and The Dark Crystal). It was wonderful to take the time and just enjoy going back to that time period and having that same shared experience. Then, we talk about the most unlikeliest thing to happen for Keli. Her journey into being a streamer on Twitch. Keli talks about how she started in the streaming community, on Facebook! She talks about going from watching to being a mod, and then ultimately taking that leap into streaming on Twitch. We talk about the video games she plays and why she chooses those certain games, her community, and more. You can find Keli at:
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Episode 381: Lili aka Floris_Lilium talks Dancing and Cosplay
08/19/2024
Episode 381: Lili aka Floris_Lilium talks Dancing and Cosplay
After someone shared her work to their stories, I fell in love with the energy, style, and mashups that Lili aka Floris_Lilium had on her Instagram. I knew she would be someone I'd enjoy getting to have on the podcast and share her stories. One "Yes" later, and here we are! We focus solely on two topics for today. The first conversation is one then goes back to her childhood. Dancing. Lilil talks about how she first got into dance, and the styles of dance she did and currently does. We talk about how she got back into dance when she got older, and more importantly, why she does it. She talks about some of her dance experiences, parade dancing, and more. The other half of the episode, and blending in with dance, is Cosplay. We hit the normal questions - why and how she got into cosplay, some of her works... but here at Tales from the Fandom, we ask the hard hitting questions. Like how hard is it to dance while wearing a Mandalorian helmet? Plus, she talks about the various mashup Mando's she done, the popularity of her Squirtle playing the Saxophone, and much more. You can find Lili at: Referenced in the podcast: Eddie Torres Jr - Crafty Contraptions - The Kantolorians - In the Orlando area? Check out Santo Rico Dance Studio -
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Episode 380: Amy aka MogwaiLatte talks Princess Parties, Cosplay, and Bridgerton
08/12/2024
Episode 380: Amy aka MogwaiLatte talks Princess Parties, Cosplay, and Bridgerton
It's always a wonderful time when guests say Yes to being a part of the podcast. I've been looking forward to having Amy aka MogwaiLatte join me. Now from her mouth to your ears! We start things off by talking about Princess Parties. Amy talks about how not everyone can just put on a princess dress and entertain the kiddos. We talk about how they got into doing princess parties, some of the characters they get to represent (and some they don't), representation in the princess party industry, and more. We segue from princess parties to cosplay, as Amy guides us into how they started doing cosplay. We talk about some of the characters they've cosplayed as, some future cosplay projects, and more. Amy wraps up the episode as we talk about Bridgerton. We talk about how we both got into the series, and what and who got Amy into watching. We talk about some of season 3 (as we had not finished by the time of recording), and do a little compare/contrast from the books to the show. You can find Amy at:
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Episode 379: Corazon aka VintageFilAmGlam talks Dr. Who, Disney, Asian Representation in Media, Vintage Looks, Bounding, and Cosplay
08/05/2024
Episode 379: Corazon aka VintageFilAmGlam talks Dr. Who, Disney, Asian Representation in Media, Vintage Looks, Bounding, and Cosplay
I'm always on the lookout for people to ask to come on the podcast and bringing new topics to the podcast. I'm excited that Corazon aka VintageFilAmGlam on Instagram said yes, and now you get to listen and learn from her! We kick things off with one of the long running fandoms, Dr. Who. Which I still have yet to watch. Corazon talks about how she got into the fandom, some of her favorite Doctors, and we talk about who she'd love to see play the Doctor in the future! From there, we bounce over to Disney. We talk about Corazon's history with Disney from childhood to present. We delve into some of the products under the Disney umbrella, like Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar. It's a wide ranging conversation about the House of Mouse. Then Corazon leads a discussion about Asian Representation in Media. We talk about some of the representation of recent, what more needs to be done, and more. I'm grateful for the discussion and education. Lastly, we wrap up with a triple threat of fashion. We're talking vintage fashion, bounding, and cosplay. Corazon talks about how she got into all three, what she looks for in vintage fashion, how she bounds, and the characters she represents! You can find Corazon at:
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Episode 378: Emmanuel aka The Samoan Lone Wolf talks Marvel & DC, Pro Wrestling, Musicals, and Cosplay
07/29/2024
Episode 378: Emmanuel aka The Samoan Lone Wolf talks Marvel & DC, Pro Wrestling, Musicals, and Cosplay
Stumbling across members of The Real Assemblers earlier this year, I was pleased to have Emmanuel aka The Samoan Lone Wolf join me! We get to talk fandom, his passions, and so much more in this episode. We kick things off with the dual threat of Marvel and DC. We stay mostly in the realm of the movies, talking about the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Universe. We talk about his favorite characters, favorite movies, and I catch him off guard when I ask him to form his own Avengers team. We talk about the upcoming DC slate of movies and more. (This was recorded prior to Deadpool & Wolverine's release) From there, we journey into the realm of Professional Wrestling. Emmanuel talks about what drew him to Pro Wrestling, the time period that he grew up watching wrestling, and some of his favorite wrestlers. While the focus is mostly WWE, we do touch on AEW briefly. Then it's time for... musicals?! That's right, Emmanuel is a big fan of musicals. We talk about some of his favorites, but then the conversation swerves into unexpected territory - and I will not spoil it here. You have to listen to find out! We wrap things up with a conversation about Cosplay. Emmanuel talks about his first steps into the world of Cosplay as a Power Ranger here in Orlando, and then taking the big steps in the Big Apple. He talks about some of his favorite characters and cosplays, and some of what he has planned for the future. And I'd be remiss if we didn't share some love about The Real Assemblers too! You can find Emmanuel at: You can find The Real Assemblers at:
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Episode 377: Lilly aka HeyItsLilly talks Video Games and Cosplay
07/22/2024
Episode 377: Lilly aka HeyItsLilly talks Video Games and Cosplay
I'd been following Lilly (HeyItsLilly on Instagram) after falling in love with her X-Men: Evolution Rogue cosplay. Not only did I find someone who was passionate about cosplay and did a variety of characters, I really dug their captions and stories as well. She's now here to talk about two of her favorite things - video games, and cosplay! Video games have been around with Lilly since her parents introduced her to them at a young age. You'll get to hear just which game franchise she may have discovered at an early age, along with some of her first games. We then talk about games like Animal Crossing, The Walking Dead, Until Dawn, and Immortality. The back half of the episode is all about Cosplay. Lilly talks about how she first got into cosplay, along with some of the characters that she's done. We also talk about how her parents support her with her cosplay from make up to being in cosplay as well, along with the evolution of some of her unique looks, like Ghost Rider. Plus, we talk about how she loves to represent characters from Studio Ghibli. You can find Lilly at:
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Episode 376: Nesreen aka thenessdiaries_ talks Star Wars, True Blood, F1 Racing, Bounding and Content Creation
07/15/2024
Episode 376: Nesreen aka thenessdiaries_ talks Star Wars, True Blood, F1 Racing, Bounding and Content Creation
I'm excited to have Nesreen aka thenessdiaries_ on Instagram join me for this latest episode, after having followed her account for awhile. Nesreen brings new fandoms and a wonderful conversation. We start with Star Wars. Nesreen talks about how she got into Star Wars from a young age, to rediscovering it later in life. We talk about some of her favorite movies and shows, including Star Wars Rebels. Plus, we of course talk favorite characters, unexpected ones we fell in love with, and the future of the franchise (this was recorded prior to The Acolyte releasing). From there, we talk about a show that has not been talked about on this podcast! We're talking about HBO's True Blood series. Nesreen did a rewatch, inspiring me to rewatch (and finish) the series. We talk about what we loved about the show including the wonderful character, Lafayette. Nesreen answers the Bill vs Eric question, and we talk about the show overall and how it was watching it during the height of vampire popularity. Another new fandom to the podcast is F1 Racing. Nesreen educates me about the sport of F1 racing. She talks about the trials and tribulations of being able to watch it live, and we talk about how she got into the sport and her favorite driver. Lastly, we talk about a combination of content creation. From Nesreen doing Disneybounds and bounding in general, to creating content at Disney, and balancing that side of life with social activism when it comes to Palestine, genocide, and more. This is a very open and honest discussion and I really appreciate and thank Nesreen for providing the education and information that she did on the podcast, and with what she does on her social media. You can find Nesreen at:
/episode/index/show/talesfromthefandom/id/32126172
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Episode 375: Amy aka ThreadsandStarlight talks Dungeons and Dragons, The Lord of the Rings, and Cosplay
07/08/2024
Episode 375: Amy aka ThreadsandStarlight talks Dungeons and Dragons, The Lord of the Rings, and Cosplay
Amy aka ThreadsandStarlight on Instagram joins me to talk about some of her favorite fandoms. We start things off with Dungeons and Dragons. Amy talks about how she first learned about the game, her experiences with the game, and some of her adventures. From there, we talk about one of the oldest fandoms, The Lord of the Rings. Amy talks about her first experiences with it, her favorite characters, and what keeps her coming back to the series. Plus, hear about one epic day of The Lord of the Rings goodness. Then we wrap up with Cosplay. Amy talks about how she started cosplaying and the characters she cosplays. We talk about body paint, props, and some of the characters she's hoping to cosplay in the future. You can find Amy at:
/episode/index/show/talesfromthefandom/id/32032012
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Episode 374: Mayanna Berrin returns and talks Improv, writing for movies & television, tabletop roleplaying, and video games
07/01/2024
Episode 374: Mayanna Berrin returns and talks Improv, writing for movies & television, tabletop roleplaying, and video games
After over 4 years, Mayanna Berrin returns to the podcast for a third time! This time, we have a lot to catch up on and share with you. Mayanna and I talk about her many accomplishments and projects out in Los Angeles. We talk about her Improv work in the comedy scene, being named in 2022 as one of the comedic writing fellows by Kevin Hart's Hartbeat and the Sundance Institute, and in 2023 getting a writing fellowship with Nickelodeon Studios. Plus, being a producer for Polly Pocket Adventure Studios, and as a voice actor for Fire Emblem Heroes. Mayanna also details how she and her writing partner get the ideas onto the page, and how pitching ideas works out in LA. If that's not enough, Mayanna talks about her experience playing Vampire: The Masquerade roleplaying game as a character on actual play series, New York by Night. We also talk about how she's now into Dungeons and Dragons, how she creates her characters, how many games she's in, and her upcoming work with TTRPG's and the actual play space. Then we circle back to one of our mainstays, video games. Mayanna talks games like Final Fantasy 7, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Baldur's Gate 3. You can find Mayanna at: You can find The Wandering Path at: You can find StoryQuest at: You can listen to Mayanna's first two episodes at:
/episode/index/show/talesfromthefandom/id/31941292
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Episode 373: Jazz aka NerdyBlasianCosplays talks Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, and Cosplay
06/24/2024
Episode 373: Jazz aka NerdyBlasianCosplays talks Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, and Cosplay
After a long and patient wait, I am pleased to have Jazz aka NerdyBlasianCosplays join me for an episode of this podcast. We get to talk about the big three fandoms that go hand in hand. First, we're talking Disney. From before she was born to now, Jazz has been in the Disney fandom. Find out her history with Disney, some of her favorite movies and shows, and what keeps her connected to it. From there, we talk Star Wars! Find out the parts of the fandom Jazz loves. From the TV shows to movies, characters, how important animation is to Star Wars, and so much more. The third fandom we hit is Marvel. Specifically, we're talking about the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From her first movies she got exposed to, TV shows that she's enjoyed, characters, and what she'd love to see for the future. Last, we wrap up with Cosplay. Jazz talks about how she got into doing cosplay, along with some of the characters she loves to do. We talk body paint, costuming, and her work volunteering while in cosplay. You can find Jazz at:
/episode/index/show/talesfromthefandom/id/31849457
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Episode 372: MzMedooza returns and talks Elder Scrolls Online, Mental Health, and Twitch
06/17/2024
Episode 372: MzMedooza returns and talks Elder Scrolls Online, Mental Health, and Twitch
After 5 years, MzMedooza (formerly CardiaPlays) returns to the podcast! We get to catch up and talk about what has been going on the past 5 years! After catching up, we talk about her experience playing cRPGs (also known as ISO RPG's) like Baldur's Gate and Pathfinder: Kingmaker, and her switch to games like Elder Scrolls Online, Helldivers 2, and the original Fallout games. From there, MzMedooza talks about her change and experiences on Twitch and going hand in hand with mental health. We have an extended discussion about streaming and the need for mental health and taking time away from streaming. MzMedoosa also talks about what she dubs "The Twitch Endgame" similar to endgames with MMOs and how she sets her goals and expectations. You can listen to MzMedooza's original episode here: You can find MzMedooza at:
/episode/index/show/talesfromthefandom/id/31758213
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Episode 371: Katherine talks Roleplaying, Vampires, the Horror Genre, and Pro Wrestling
06/10/2024
Episode 371: Katherine talks Roleplaying, Vampires, the Horror Genre, and Pro Wrestling
The first official episode of Year 8 begins with one of my longtime friends. You may have heard her many years ago on a Game of Thrones episode, but now, I have Katherine joining me for her first stand alone episode! Katherine and I have known each other since 9th grade, so you're not only getting the podcast episode, but you're getting some throwback stories as well! We kick things off with a conversation about roleplaying games. We're covering Tabletop Games like Dungeons and Dragons (including Eberron!) to live action roleplaying games, like Vampire: The Masquerade and fantasy LARP's like NERO. Katherine talks about her experiences, how she got introduced to both kinds of gaming and what keeps her coming back for more. From there, we talk about her love of Vampires and how she got hooked into the Horror genre. From classic VHS tapes at a young age, to going all out for Halloween, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal, and so much more. You'll find out what kind of genre that Katherine is into and some of her favorites. We talk about her love of True Crime as well, including her stay at the Lizzie Borden house. Then we wrap up with Professional Wrestling. Katherine talks about some of her favorite wrestlers, PPV experiences, and much more. It was truly special to have Katherine on and getting to share her love of fandoms and some of our stories from "back in our day" You can listen to Katherine on the Game of Thrones Season 7 Review here:
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Episode 370: Eight Year Anniversary Special with Taylor
06/06/2024
Episode 370: Eight Year Anniversary Special with Taylor
Another year. We're now at Eight! Eight years of doing the podcast. Thank you to all who listen, support, and come on as guests to share your stories. This year, Taylor aka TayMakesMagic on IG returns. We get to catch up, and then dive into the history of the podcast. From the creation of the podcast, to highlights, and memorable moments. Plus, you get to hear about some of the behind the scenes of the podcast. My day to day, the editing process, and guests themselves. And some possible other podcast projects are tossed around. Plus, Taylor gets to talk about some of her new cosplays, her job, and some looks to the future. Take a listen, go follow Taylor, and onward to Year 9! You can listen to Taylor's original episode at: You can find Taylor at:
/episode/index/show/talesfromthefandom/id/31555432
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Episode 369: Taylor Swift and The Eras Tour
06/03/2024
Episode 369: Taylor Swift and The Eras Tour
A Taylor Swift centric episode was always going to be in the works. It was just a matter of when, where, and with who. After a successful first leg of The Eras Tour, and with the release of it into the movie theater and then Disney Plus, it was the perfect time to sit down and talk about Taylor, the tour, and the differences from Tour to Theater to streaming. Kris aka cafe.contessa on IG returns for her 5th episode as we talk all things Taylor. Kris is a Swiftie and its through her that we can explore all three Eras Tours experiences, as she has done all three. She went to the concert in Tampa, saw that Tour in the theater, and then watched on Disney Plus. We talk all about the differences in the experiences, from songs to timing, and to general vibes and what in-person vs at home viewing offers. Kris and I talk about her wardrobe, song choices, and viewing experience with the set design and choreography. This was recorded prior to The Tortured Poets Department and subsequent European leg of the tour. You can find Kris at: You can listen to her previous episodes here:
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