In Defense of Fandom
Podcast Intelligence Profile

In Defense of Fandom

Sadie Witkowski

English United States Society & Culture
Recently Active · Publishes every 2 weeks

Key Metrics

Episodes
52
In catalog
Apple Rating
5.0 / 5
27 Apple ratings
Cadence
Every 2 Weeks
~every 14 days
Avg Length
35m
Per episode
Latest
Jan 06, 2026
Recently Active

About the Show

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.

Partnership & Audience Signals

Guest Interviews

Regularly hosts outside guests

Established Catalog

52 episodes — long track record

Production & Distribution

Active Since
Feb 28, 2023
Consistency
53%
Format
Episodic
Hosting
feeds.megaphone.fm

Recent Episodes

Supernatural Music Extravaganza: Series Finale - Carry On My Wayward Song (Rights)

Jan 06, 2026 36m

Welcome to the series finale of Supernatural Music Extravaganza! In this episode, the Denim Wrapped Nightmares and In Defense of Fandom crews tackle the eternal question: "Why does my Supernatural…

Supernatural Music Extravaganza: Finding Their Voices - Briana Buckmaster & Lisa Berry

Dec 26, 2025 49m

Welcome back to another installment of the Denim-wrapped Nightmares and In Defense of Fandom collaboration, Supernatural Music Extravaganza! What happens when two powerhouse voices (who spent years…

Supernatural Music Extravaganza: The Family Business - Supporting Local Musicians

Dec 16, 2025 1h 8m

Our collaboration special between Denim-wrapped Nightmares and In Defense of Fandom continues with hosts Sadie, LA, and Berly exploring the world of Supernatural-inspired music—because apparently,…

Supernatural Music Extravaganza: Backstage Pass - The Crew's Turn in the Spotlight

Dec 02, 2025 1h 22m

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…

Supernatural Music Extravaganza: More Than Background Music - Creating the Convention Experience

Nov 18, 2025 1h 18m

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…

Supernatural Music Extravaganza: A Mixtape 20 Years in the Making - Meet your co-hosts

Nov 11, 2025 40m

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…

Promo: Supernatural Music Extravaganza

Oct 21, 2025 4m Trailer

A Mixtape 20 years in the making In a multi-part Supernatural 20th anniversary special, we’re collaborating with Denim-Wrapped Nightmares to explore music that made the show, music inspired by the…

Bonus: Interview with Meghan Fitzmartin

Sep 09, 2025 59m Bonus

Here's another bonus episode while I work on the next season! A conversation with writer of television, animation, comics, and audio: Meghan Fitzmartin. And for my fellow SPN family out there, you…

Bonus: SDCC Post Con-versation

Aug 26, 2025 1h 22m Bonus

This conversation with fellow Geekscapists is a post-San Diego Comic Con(versation) covering press passes to running activation booths to attending as a panelist! Check out the other Geekscape…

Bonus: Interview with Jerry Wanek

Aug 12, 2025 49m

While I’m still working on creating both a special collaboration mini series and mapping out season 4, I wanted to provide you listeners with a special treat! This episode is an interview with…

Season 3 Bonus: Sadie & Anna answer your questions!

Jul 22, 2025 37m Bonus

With season 3 wrapped, we wanted to see what lingering questions you have about parasocial relationships. Editor Anna Funk joins Sadie on the mic to answer some listener questions and reflect on the…

Season 3 Episode 6: Benefits, Risks, & the Future of Parasocial Relationships

Jul 09, 2025 32m

In this final installment of the season, we wrap up final thoughts on the state of celebrity worship, fame, and parasociality. We’ll also hear a bit more about the positive things that we can get out…

Season 3 Episode 5: Making Parasocial Relationships Reciprocal

Jun 17, 2025 37m

We’ve talked about parasocial relationships as a one-way street, but can that ever change? Is there a way for a parasocial bond to become just a regular friendship? What would that even look…

Season 3 Episode 4: Modern Celebrity Worship

Jun 03, 2025 26m

Has the internet made us all worse at relationships, including the parasocial ones? We’ll talk about the celebrity attitude scale, which measures how intensely an audience member feels about a…

Season 3 Episode 3: Parasocial-Adjacent

May 20, 2025 39m

What’s it like to be in-between a celebrity and their fans? What’s it like to have a real relationship with a famous person—and have fans think you might be an access point to that person? Editorial…

Short Hiatus Note

May 06, 2025 3m Trailer

I'm so sorry for the delay, but I promise you will have a brand-spanking-new episode in your feed in 2 weeks. In the meantime, support NPR/PBS! Support local journalism! And find ways to give back…

Season 3 Episode 2: The Medium is the Message

Apr 22, 2025 54m

Explore how parasocial relationships may, or may not, differ across mediums. I speak with creators in music, podcasting, youtube, and musical threater spaces to hear how each of their experiences are…

Season 3 Episode 1: Parasocial Relationships

Apr 08, 2025 27m

What happens when our minds fixate on an actor or band member or podcaster and we start to see things that aren’t there? When a fan feels so much closer to their idolized famous person than they…

Season 3 Episode 0: Rebroadcast of Carrying Wayward

Mar 18, 2025 49m

A HUGE thank you to Marie for letting me rebroadcast this lovely conversation with her from March 2024. If you aren't already, you should subscribe to Carrying Wayward for all their excellent…

Bonus: Conversation with Jonathan London

Feb 04, 2025 38m

Don't forget to send me your fan questions! You can reach out via twitter (@SadieWit), instagram (@Sadie_Wit) or my website form (sadiewit.com)Link to Jonathan's Kickstarter:…

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Profile compiled from public podcast metadata · Last refreshed June 15, 2026