Fandom often gets a bad rap, with communities surrounding popular texts like "Star Trek," "Lord of the Rings," and professional wrestling framed as toxic, desperate, or some combination of both. But fan communities are also the source of vibrancy and community-building with fans who make and share art, fan fiction, fanzines, clubs/message boards, cosplay, and conventions. Participatory culture helps expand the boundaries of the text, expanding its reach and meanings. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis explores these communities with Drexel University student, artist, writer, and consummate fan Kat Heller, who discusses their own research and relationship with fandom. The conversation also dives into the depths of the HBO Max series "Our Flag Means Death," offering overt queer representation with its characters and, in turn, plenty for fans to enjoy.

"Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University.

Recorded May 20, 2022 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA).

Featured Guest: Kat Heller (Undergraduate, Animation & Visual Effects, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University)

Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media)

Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College)

Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media)

Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media)

Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD

Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek

Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek

Production Assistance: Noah Levine

Social Media Outreach: Jaelynn Vesey

Graphic Design: Bhavna Ganesan

Logo Design: Michal Anderson

Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis

The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College.

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