In Defense of Fandom
In Defense of Fandom

In Defense of Fandom

Sadie Witkowski

Overview
Episodes

Details

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 fandom activities as a whole. Season two broadened the premise by exploring how the ending of a TV series can affect its fandom. Topics ranged from whether the ending is good/terrible/divisive to whether it matters if the show is cancelled or goes out on its own terms to attempted revivals and reboots. Season three took a step back from television and expanded the scope even further, looking at parasocial relationships. The third season examined how and why we form parasocial bonds, how these bonds can be beneficial (and detrimental), and what a parasocial relationship looks like from the side of the star/musician/creator. Season four, created in collaboration with Denim-Wrapped Nightmares, celebrates the 20th anniversary of Supernatural by taking a look at the music of the show: the music that made the show, music inspired by the show, and music from the show's cast, writers, and crew.

Recent Episodes

SPN20 Music Extravaganza: Backstage Pass - The Crew's Turn in the Spotlight
DEC 2, 2025
SPN20 Music Extravaganza: Backstage Pass - The Crew's Turn in the Spotlight
Ever wonder what happens when a TV show's crew forms a band? We got answers from two members of The Impalas - Supernatural's incredibly talented crew band that rocked wrap parties and even appeared as the Roadhouse band in an actual episode. Jim Michaels (Producer) reveals that crew bands are a TV tradition, explains The Impalas' "full-time crew members only" rule, and shares how their drummer was SO good that recording studios started hiring him. Also confirmed: Jensen Ackles is annoyingly talented at everything. Brad Creasser (Camera Operator/Saxophonist) played with the band despite being "terrified" of performing. He recalls the Hunker Down Festival where Vancouver crews battled with their bands, and the magical moment filming Rob Benedict's "Fare Thee Well." PLUS: Ben Edlund on writing the Ghost Facers theme, his recorder orchestra trauma, and his own band Ghost Tyger & Friends (where he's definitely NOT being possessed by a pro-cannibalism interdimensional tiger who wants you to recycle grandma into furniture). Highlights: The physics-defying Kansas Comic-Con surprise, why "Renegade" is the perfect needle drop, Jensen's musical beginnings, and a passionate defense of paying for real music instead of cheap sound-alikes. Warning: Contains references to eating the dead and bismuth discussions. Special thanks to Ghost Tyger & Friends for allowing us to feature some of their music. Find tracks and more at https://bit.ly/4ixhyjN. Catch up on Supernatural Music Extravaganza episodes below: Meet your co-hosts | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spn20-music-extravaganza-meet-your-co-hosts/id1674695211?i=1000736281187  More than Background Music - Creating the Convention Experience | https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/spn20-music-extravaganza-more-than-background-music/id1674695211?i=1000737194995  Splitting the Score - Two Composers, One Iconic Soundtrack | https://www.buzzsprout.com/2076426/episodes/18236856 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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82 MIN
SPN20 Music Extravaganza: More Than Background Music - Creating the Convention Experience
NOV 18, 2025
SPN20 Music Extravaganza: More Than Background Music - Creating the Convention Experience
Welcome to episode two of the Denim Wrapped Nightmares and In Defensive Fandom crossover! This episode dives deep into the sonic soul of Supernatural—from the classic rock that made us fall in love with the show to the music keeping the fandom alive today. Billy Moran - Guitarist for Louden Swain, Billy was actually a Supernatural fan BEFORE he joined Rob Benedict's band. Discover how a Flash website with a virtual car radio led him to the show, why he had to learn 70 classic rock songs (spoiler: he didn't), and the origin story of the mysteriously named "Elastic Waistband" (RIP to those wigs). Billy shares tales from the road, explains why the tour van's worst seat is forever known as "the butthole," and reveals which Louden Swain song was directly inspired by a disastrous snowy Atlanta tour. Chris Schmelke - Creation Entertainment's official photographer and the maestro behind those perfectly curated photo op playlists. Chris explains why music is absolutely critical to creating magic in the photo room, how he DJs on the fly while shooting, and why certain songs are permanently banned (looking at you, "Africa" by Toto—sorry Jen!). Plus, learn about his own rock band origins and why he kisses Rob Benedict on the cheek every time he joins Louden Swain on stage. Key Moments The exact moment Billy discovered Supernatural (hint: it involved an interactive website) Why Mark Sheppard told them to ditch the Elastic Waistband persona Chris's philosophy: treat photo ops like experiences, not cattle calls Why the Saturday Night Special is really about celebrating that Rob Benedict is still here Grab your flannel, crank up the classic rock, and join us for a conversation about how music became the beating heart of the Supernatural fandom—both on screen and off. Special thanks to Billy for allowing us to feature some of his music. Find tracks and more at https://www.billymoran.com/. A Denim Wrapped Nightmares and In Defensive Fandom podcast crossover Follow Denim-wrapped Nightmares for our next episode: https://denimwrappednightmares.buzzsprout.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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78 MIN
SPN20 Music Extravaganza: Meet your co-hosts
NOV 11, 2025
SPN20 Music Extravaganza: Meet your co-hosts
Sadie, along with Denim-wrapped Nightmare's Berly and LA, kick off their massive 10-episode collaboration celebrating the 20th anniversary of Supernatural by diving into the show's iconic musical legacy. And yes, they interviewed over 20 people for this series because apparently they're all insane. The episode opens with a power move: Sadie asking Jared and Jensen about Supernatural's music at a convention panel (using Berly's name callout because Berly is a good friend who understands true J2 fandom priorities). From there, the hosts explore why music became so fundamental to the show's DNA—including Eric Kripke almost quitting over the network wanting to ditch classic rock for "current, exciting, young music." They discuss fan-favorite needle drops, with Death's entrance to "O Death" taking the crown as most mentioned, followed by the "Renegade" escape in "Night Shifter" and "Rooster" in "Folsom Prison Blues." There's also a moment of silence for all the needle drops lost to streaming music licensing (RIP "Don't Fear the Reaper" in the Faith episode). The hosts break down the convention music experience—Saturday Night Specials, Louden Swain as the house band, Jason Manns, and the revelation that there's literally music everywhere at these things. LA admits she had no idea conventions even had concerts before attending her first one. Important PSA: This series features interviews with composers Chris Lennertz and Jay Gruska, musicians inspired by the show, and approximately everyone talented in the Supernatural universe (who was willing to meet with us). Subscribe to both podcasts to hear all the interviews, because yes, you have to follow both feeds. It's free though, so they're really not that evil about it. The series drops November 11th and runs through the end of the year! Special thanks to Steve Hein, producer of the hit podcast, Supernatural Then and Now, for permission to include the conversation with Eric Kripke. Find their full discussion at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spotlight-on-eric-kripke/id1605385289?i=1000646839769 Find and follow Denim-wrapped Nightmares at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2076426. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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40 MIN