Idling In The Impala | a ride through SPN fandom and fanfiction

Join us for an exploration of fandom as we dive into a first-time experience at the CreationCon in Philadelphia! In this episode, Sandra takes three family members along for an unforgettable adventure packed with SPNFamily moments. From the Saturday Night Special concert to exciting photo ops, panels, and an amusing encounter in the bathroom, the discussions offer insight into the vibrant world of fandom and fanfiction. 

Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the SPN fandom, this episode is a delightful peek into the community. Tune in to get inspired by our tales and share in our excitement for all things Sam and Dean Winchester!

It should also be noted that Kasey had not yet listened to the breakdown before this episode was put together. They did the best co-host thing by helping Sandra intro and outro this baby blind!

~~~

We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat.

Dean's House Rules - Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole, and the ones in the back enjoy the ride... idling in the Impala.

~~~~~

TL;DR - If you can’t be bothered clicking on all the things in this description, just visit our website: idlingintheimpala.com

We'd love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email ([email protected])!

All the Socials and AO3 and Fiction links: https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast

Our Discord #backseat Channel.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Give us some info about you here so we can connect.

Feel inclined to leave us a tip for all this AWESOME content? Visit our Ko-fi page. Monthly supporters will get special behind-the-scenes perks!

We’ve got podcast merch for our fellow idlers. Take a look!

~~~~~

Charities IITI Supports: Check out the Causes, ‘cause page on our website for the whys:

World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

~~~~~

For Those in the US: Educate and Empower Yourself, Find Ways to Take Action

Support Basic Human Rights - American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Prioritize Your Mental Health - National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Thrive (Not Just Survive) After Abuse - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)  

~~~~~

LGBTQ+ Charities

Switchboard LGBT UK

The Trevor Project - USA and Global

~~~~~

Our podcast occasionally incorporates brief excerpts from the CW television show "Supernatural" for transformative commentary and analysis. This use falls under the Fair Use doctrine codified in Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. The included clips are short, constituting only a minuscule portion of the original work, and illustrate specific points within our critical commentary. Our podcast does not compete with the show's market. This use promotes public discourse and understanding of the work, strengthening its cultural significance.

~~~

Chapter Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:39 - The Day After PhillyCon

00:03:30 - Each Con Experience Hits Different

00:08:15 - Kasey is going in blind for this breakdown listen

00:08:55 - We are family

00:11:14 - Wanting to share more con stories

00:13:33 - Join our Discord and listen to a tangent or two

00:20:03 - Con Breakdown Time

01:12:51 - Final thoughts and outro

In this episode, we dive deep into the intricacies of writing Gender Neutral Reader-Insert (GNRI) fanfiction. Recently, Sandra and Kasey spoke with Reader-Insert writers who successfully incorporated culture and diversity into their characters. Now, they flip the script and explore what it means for authors to focus on writing GNRI, a topic that is both personal and nuanced in the realm of fandom. By spotlighting the voices of writers tackling this complex subject, Sandra and Kasey aim to honor their perspectives and experiences. Through a survey of various authors, they gathered diverse responses that provoke thought and discussion around the motivations and challenges involved in creating inclusive fanfiction.

Content/Trigger Warning ~ This episode discusses gender identity and related topics, including gender dysphoria. If this subject matter might cause distress, please proceed with caution or skip this one for now.

If any LGBTQ+ listeners of the podcast need support or are in crisis, reach out to an organization like The Trevor Project for help.

The Episode Doc and GNRI Survey Responses can be accessed here.

Links to Fics Discussed:

Warm Brown Jacket by samsblade

I Really Wish I Hated You - D.W. - by flawlesslyspellbound

Kasey’s fics: A Tale of Two Minds, Scents of Home, Second Base with Sammy

~~~

We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat.

Dean's House Rules - Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole, and the ones in the back enjoy the ride... idling in the Impala.

~~~~~

TL;DR - If you can’t be bothered clicking on all the things in this description, just visit our website: idlingintheimpala.com

We'd love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email ([email protected])!

All the Socials and AO3 and Fiction links: https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast

Our Discord #backseat Channel.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Give us some info about you here so we can connect.

Feel inclined to leave us a tip for all this AWESOME content? Visit our Ko-fi page. Monthly supporters will get special behind-the-scenes perks!

We’ve got podcast merch for our fellow idlers. Take a look!

~~~~~

Charities IITI Supports: Check out the Causes, ‘cause page on our website for the whys:

World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

~~~~~

For Those in the US: Educate and Empower Yourself, Find Ways to Take Action

Support Basic Human Rights - American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Prioritize Your Mental Health - National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Thrive (Not Just Survive) After Abuse - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)  

~~~~~

LGBTQ+ Charities

Switchboard LGBT UK

The Trevor Project - USA and Global

~~~~~

Our podcast occasionally incorporates brief excerpts from the CW television show "Supernatural" for transformative commentary and analysis. This use falls under the Fair Use doctrine codified in Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. The included clips are short, constituting only a minuscule portion of the original work, and illustrate specific points within our critical commentary. Our podcast does not compete with the show's market. This use promotes public discourse and understanding of the work, strengthening its cultural significance.

~~~

Chapter Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:48 - What spurred the GNRI discussion

00:04:06 - Our Reader Insert Roots

00:05:02 - Kasey is Gender Neutral

00:08:00 - GNRI research

00:09:04 - What is GNRI?

00:15:45 - AO3 stats on GNRI

00:18:43 - Gendered Language

00:20:10 - Gender Dysphoria

00:21:52 - Kasey takes the wheel

00:23:57 - Gender Identity vs. Gender Expression

00:30:21 - Proactive pronoun usage

00:36:00 - Nonbinary expectations

00:37:41 - People on the journey understand the difficulty

00:42:20 - Survey responses from writers

01:19:02 - Kasey’s thoughts on two GNRI fics

01:24:19 - Kasey accidentally wrote GNRI

01:31:23 - Outro

Join us for an insightful conversation about SPN fanfiction with Nyxocity, a celebrated author within the Supernatural fandom. In this episode, Kasey and Sandra welcome Nyx to discuss her groundbreaking works and the impact of fandom on her creativity. After her first appearance in December 2024, we delve into her latest J2 fanfic, "Retroactive", and her exciting plans to revisit the iconic "Homework Verse" for SPN’s 20th Anniversary. Celebrate the brilliance of fanfiction and what the SPN fandom has meant to Nyx and countless others over the past two decades!

Find Nyxocity on tumblr and AO3.

If you haven’t read Retroactive yet, check it out here!

~~~

We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat.

Dean's House Rules - Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole, and the ones in the back enjoy the ride... idling in the Impala.

~~~~~

TL;DR - If you can’t be bothered clicking on all the things in this description, just visit our website: idlingintheimpala.com

We'd love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email ([email protected])!

All the Socials and AO3 and Fiction links: https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast

Our Discord #backseat Channel.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Give us some info about you here so we can connect.

Feel inclined to leave us a tip for all this AWESOME content? Visit our Ko-fi page. Monthly supporters will get special behind-the-scenes perks!

We’ve got podcast merch for our fellow idlers. Take a look!

~~~~~

Charities IITI Supports: Check out the Causes, ‘cause page on our website for the whys:

World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

~~~~~

For Those in the US: Educate and Empower Yourself, Find Ways to Take Action

Support Basic Human Rights - American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Prioritize Your Mental Health - National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Thrive (Not Just Survive) After Abuse - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)  

~~~~~

LGBTQ+ Charities

Switchboard LGBT UK

The Trevor Project - USA and Global

~~~~~

Our podcast occasionally incorporates brief excerpts from the CW television show "Supernatural" for transformative commentary and analysis. This use falls under the Fair Use doctrine codified in Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. The included clips are short, constituting only a minuscule portion of the original work, and illustrate specific points within our critical commentary. Our podcast does not compete with the show's market. This use promotes public discourse and understanding of the work, strengthening its cultural significance.

~~~

Chapter Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:20 - Finishing the epic Retroactive

00:05:08 - The idea for Retroactive

00:07:33 - Breaking out of writing in a vacuum

00:11:22 - The comment gallery for Retro

00:15:40 - Releasing in a serialized format again?

00:19:34 - If Nyx can do it, GRRM can

00:21:03 - Writing support

00:22:19 - Retroactive highlights and points of pride

00:25:47 - Any character surprises?

00:27:34 - Retroactive spoilers

00:30:58 - When the ending of Retroactive was in sight

00:37:47 - Dipping back into Retroactive in the future?

00:43:24 - Supernatural: the inspiration that keeps going and going

00:44:35 - What is it like being fandom famous?

00:47:21 - Retroactive pulled Nyx back into fandom

00:49:09 - Getting assigned more Homework Verse

00:55:02 - A Touch of Evil

01:06:26 - Jealous Sky Verse

01:10:42 - Nothing Ever Really Ends

01:15:00 - Stranger Than Fiction

01:17:20 - How the muse uses music in fics

01:28:12 - Superposition

01:37:23 - Supernatural fandom

01:49:14 - A Stephen King tangent

01:58:14 - Celebrating Retroactive

01:59:26 - Future chats with Nyx

02:03:29 - Outro

Podfic Narration Time – “It’s a Moose” by Masoena and art by AomaSade

This story is a perfect example of an awesome collaboration where one creative spark ignites another. Masoena provided a prompt for Winternatural 2023 that artist AomaSade grabbed by the antlers. From the idea came some amazing artwork and a sweet, hurt/comfort fic.

AomaSade went above and beyond, actually redesigning the original artwork for this podfic. Many thanks for letting your creativity flow into this remix of all your work with Masoena!

Visit the fic on AO3 and give it a kudo and comment - it deserves a ton of praise!

Listen to all of our Ramble On Podfics by visiting the Podfics in the Impala series on AO3.

~ Sandra

~~~~~

Supernatural Fandom

Rating General

Dean Winchester & Sam Winchester

Summary:

A real, live moose in the bunker’s library pulls Dean out of his sleep in the middle of the night, he goes to explore trusty 1911 and knife in hand as he comes face to face with the massive wild animal who looks to be injured. Meanwhile Sam is nowhere to be found and Dean questions his sanity because he must be seeing things.

In this episode, Sandra and Kasey are joined by Masoena, a prolific creator and passionate cheerleader in the Supernatural fandom. Known on Tumblr and AO3, she first made her mark with a Supernatural fanfic back in 2018, but it wasn't until 2023 that her writing truly flourished. Since then, she's embraced the world of fanfiction, participating in various bangs as both a writer and artist, and taking on the role of challenge mod. 

Join us for a deep dive into her experiences, as we discuss the complexities of writing about the beloved Winchester brothers, Sam and Dean, and the joy of J2 and multishipping. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about fan fiction and the vibrant SPN community!

Find Masoena on tumblr and AO3.

Find details on the SamWinJarPad Reverse Bang here.  

Mas’ Sam Winchester and the Grinch fic can be read here. 

Bang event summary from Midnight Silver can be found here.

~~~

We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat.

Dean's House Rules - Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole, and the ones in the back enjoy the ride... idling in the Impala.

~~~~~

TL;DR - If you can’t be bothered clicking on all the things in this description, just visit our website: idlingintheimpala.com

We'd love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email ([email protected])!

All the Socials and AO3 and Fiction links: https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast

Our Discord #backseat Channel.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Give us some info about you here so we can connect.

Feel inclined to leave us a tip for all this AWESOME content? Visit our Ko-fi page. Monthly supporters will get special behind-the-scenes perks!

We’ve got podcast merch for our fellow idlers. Take a look!

~~~~~

Charities IITI Supports: Check out the Causes, ‘cause page on our website for the whys:

World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

~~~~~

For Those in the US: Educate and Empower Yourself, Find Ways to Take Action

Support Basic Human Rights - American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Prioritize Your Mental Health - National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Thrive (Not Just Survive) After Abuse - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)  

~~~~~

LGBTQ+ Charities

Switchboard LGBT UK

The Trevor Project - USA and Global

~~~~~

Our podcast occasionally incorporates brief excerpts from the CW television show "Supernatural" for transformative commentary and analysis. This use falls under the Fair Use doctrine codified in Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. The included clips are short, constituting only a minuscule portion of the original work, and illustrate specific points within our critical commentary. Our podcast does not compete with the show's market. This use promotes public discourse and understanding of the work, strengthening its cultural significance.

~~~

Chapter Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:19 - Recording on Jared’s Bday

00:02:40 - When did Mas get into Supernatural?

00:05:17 - Seeing the boys film on location

00:09:18 - It’s the moose for Mas

00:14:50 - Why did Mas take a break from watching SPN?

00:17:48 - Longevity of a show lessens quality

00:19:52 - Finding fandom and fanfiction

00:26:54 - IdlingCon is still in the infancy stage

00:28:59 - But, also, whales - tangent

00:30:25 - Fanfiction and writing journey

00:38:25 - What does Mas muse about?

00:39:55 - Mas, the multishipper

00:42:33 - Think kink

00:44:45 - The malleability of ships

00:46:18 - J2 personas spark RPF for Mas

00:52:16 - Take on tropes

00:54:37 - Rare pair realizations

01:00:01 - The writing sweet spot

01:01:34 - Plot or improv?

01:04:19 - Here for the happy endings

01:05:14 - When to collab and when to hoard

01:06:45 - The decision to mod a writing challenge

01:12:35 - Fostering creative connection

01:17:43 - Juggling responsibility and fandom

01:20:04 - Kasey’s questions

01:23:32 - Final thoughts from Mas

01:27:38 - Outro

In this episode, Sandra and Kasey chat with Tsukiyo-7, an exceptionally talented artist in the Supernatural (SPN) fandom. As a part-time fan artist and a vibrant member of Idling’s Discord community, Tsukiyo-7 shares their artistic inspiration, process, and the joy of engaging with the SPN fandom. 

The conversation explores the intersection of creativity, fan collabs, and the beloved characters Sam and Dean Winchester, and how these elements thrive within the rich tapestry of the supernatural fan community.

Link to Tsukiyo-7’s tumblr and commissions info.

"Lest I burn, set afire by flames" (Wincest) by Tsukiyo-7 ~ https://archiveofourown.org/works/57781453

~~~

We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat.

Dean's House Rules - Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole, and the ones in the back enjoy the ride... idling in the Impala.

~~~~~

TL;DR - If you can’t be bothered clicking on all the things in this description, just visit our website: idlingintheimpala.com

We'd love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email ([email protected])!

All the Socials and AO3 and Fiction links: https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast

Our Discord #backseat Channel.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Give us some info about you here so we can connect.

Feel inclined to leave us a tip for all this AWESOME content? Visit our Ko-fi page. Monthly supporters will get special behind-the-scenes perks!

We’ve got podcast merch for our fellow idlers. Take a look!

~~~~~

Charities IITI Supports: Check out the Causes, ‘cause page on our website for the whys:

World Central Kitchen andDoctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

~~~~~

For Those in the US: Educate and Empower Yourself, Find Ways to Take Action

Support Basic Human Rights - American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Prioritize Your Mental Health - National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Thrive (Not Just Survive) After Abuse - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)  

~~~~~

LGBTQ+ Charities

Switchboard LGBT UK

The Trevor Project - USA and Global

~~~~~

Our podcast occasionally incorporates brief excerpts from the CW television show "Supernatural" for transformative commentary and analysis. This use falls under the Fair Use doctrine codified in Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. The included clips are short, constituting only a minuscule portion of the original work, and illustrate specific points within our critical commentary. Our podcast does not compete with the show's market. This use promotes public discourse and understanding of the work, strengthening its cultural significance.

~~~

Chapter Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:52 - When did Supernatural enter Tsukiyo’s life?

00:03:55 - Dropped out and dipped back into the show

00:05:50 - Fandom immersion

00:07:19 - Catholicism portrayal in American media

00:11:02 - Sam or Dean?

00:14:41 - Thoughts on the show

00:16:45 - Sam in pain is great

00:18:14 - Show quality in later seasons

00:20:46 - Would SPN fandom be the same without 15 seasons?

00:24:59 - Favorite characters

00:28:36 - Kasey’s show questions

00:31:45 - Mystery Spot

00:35:36 - When did fanfiction grab Tsukiyo?

00:39:14 - Tsukiyo’s reading habits

00:47:08 - Wincest for the win

00:55:58 - Has Tsukiyo written fanfic?

00:56:39 - Tsukiyo’s artistic start

00:59:07 - Creating SPN fan art

01:10:10 - Fan collabs and commissions

01:21:16 - Participation in any challenges?

01:27:59 - Fanning over other artists

01:32:46 - Kasey’s questions

01:42:10 - Advice for the hesitant fan artist

01:45:00 - Final thoughts and outro

PodTogether 2025 Story | Podfic Narration – “Stuck In The Middle With You” written by Sam_Is_My_Safe_Word, darali_starscream, jinkieswouldyoulookatthis and narrated by talltalesandbedtimestories

Supernatural Fandom

Rating Teen

Dean Winchester & Sam Winchester

Summary:

Sam and Dean have been told, time and time again, that they argue like an old married couple. It used to bother them. But when you spend your life with someone, regardless of who that someone is, you’re bound to have disagreements about things like money—how you get it and what you spend it on. Here are three little moments over the years when money was an issue and how priorities change when you learn to accept and appreciate what you’ve got.

Read the story here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/68148861/chapters/176296121#workskin

~~~~~

Chapter 1

Sound Effects Credit:

• Buyout Licenses for: Book, Turn Pages; Auto, Chevrolet; Auto, Chevrolet, Door; Auto, Trunk

Chapter 2

Sound Effects Credit:

• Buyout Licenses for: Door, Wood; Auto, Chevrolet, Door; Auto, Chevrolet

• Hotel Room Ambience (City) by moviebuffgavin -- https://freesound.org/s/399251/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

• CLAP_lyhyt_napakka.wav by jannevse -- https://freesound.org/s/614385/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

• Rubbing Hands Together.wav by bbrocer -- https://freesound.org/s/382658/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

• Opening a small cardboard box by Aiwha -- https://freesound.org/s/415488/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

• Sketchy Neighborhood Night Ambience by PostProdDog -- https://freesound.org/s/535760/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Chapter 3

Sound Effects Credit:

• Buyout Licenses for: Auto, Chevrolet, Door; Auto, Chevrolet

• Diner.wav by AllenStacy -- https://freesound.org/s/240652/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

• 03143 dishware cleaning table.wav by Robinhood76 -- https://freesound.org/s/134065/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

• Keyboard and mouse by ScouseMouseJB -- https://freesound.org/s/329052/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

In this episode, Sandra and Kasey celebrate an exciting journey in the world of fandom through their PodTogether 2025 project, a unique podfic collaboration. Joining forces with Jackie (jinkieswouldyoulookatthis) and BJ (darali_starscream), they explore the creative process of writing and producing a podfic together.

PodTogether is an innovative challenge where writers create text designed specifically for audio, and podficcers bring that text to life through their performances.

Tune in as they reflect on their experiences and the engaging finale titled 'Stuck In The Middle With You.'

Whether you're a fan of Supernatural, fanfiction, or podfics, this episode promises an entertaining look into collaborative storytelling.

Read and listen to “Stuck In The Middle With You” here.

Check out the PodTogether collection on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/collections/Pod_Together

~~~

We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat.

Dean's House Rules - Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole, and the ones in the back enjoy the ride... idling in the Impala.

~~~~~

TL;DR - If you can’t be bothered clicking on all the things in this description, just visit our website: idlingintheimpala.com

We'd love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email ([email protected])!

All the Socials and AO3 and Fiction links: https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast

Our Discord #backseat Channel.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Give us some info about you here so we can connect.

Feel inclined to leave us a tip for all this AWESOME content? Visit our Ko-fi page. Monthly supporters will get special behind-the-scenes perks!

We’ve got podcast merch for our fellow idlers. Take a look!

~~~~~

Charities IITI Supports: Check out the Causes, ‘cause page on our website for the whys:

World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

~~~~~

For Those in the US: Educate and Empower Yourself, Find Ways to Take Action

Support Basic Human Rights - American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Prioritize Your Mental Health - National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Thrive (Not Just Survive) After Abuse - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)  

~~~~~

LGBTQ+ Charities

Switchboard LGBT UK

The Trevor Project - USA and Global

~~~~~

Our podcast occasionally incorporates brief excerpts from the CW television show "Supernatural" for transformative commentary and analysis. This use falls under the Fair Use doctrine codified in Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. The included clips are short, constituting only a minuscule portion of the original work, and illustrate specific points within our critical commentary. Our podcast does not compete with the show's market. This use promotes public discourse and understanding of the work, strengthening its cultural significance.

~~~

Chapter Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:34 - How the PodTogether collab came together

00:04:53 - Recent works by BJ and Jackie

00:08:47 - The support of our ride or die beta, Dreamer

00:10:08 - Did Jackie realize this would backfire?

00:11:47 - BJ’s initial thoughts on collaborating

00:13:50 - Low-pressure group challenge

00:16:07 - Prior collab experience

00:21:21 - A three-act story

00:22:35 - The brother’s relationship

00:23:46 - The brainstorming

00:25:35 - Playing with sound

00:27:22 - The theme that emerged

00:33:47 - How the scenes built on each other

00:37:04 - The song inspiration

00:48:16 - Did we have a clue about what we were doing?

00:52:39 - Writing in the same POV by accident

00:59:23 - Tying the perfect bow on the story01:35:50 - 

01:03:07 - The soundtrack

01:05:44 - The podfic collaboration

01:14:33 - The result

01:21:54 - Final thoughts

01:35:50 - Attempting an outro

Sandra and Kasey welcome a relatively new initiate to Supernatural on today’s episode. Crowleysmistress is a Samifer lover whose philosophy is “proship even if not my personal headcanon.” Straight from her tumblr bio, she believes fanfic “helps process life, improve writing skills, and make online friends.” A member of Idling’s Discord server, Crowleysmistress exemplifies and shares all of those beliefs in fandom communities.

Enjoy a chat about fanfic, fandom, and much fanning over Sam!

You can find Crowleysmistress and her fics on tumblr and AO3.

~~~

We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat.

Dean's House Rules - Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole, and the ones in the back enjoy the ride... idling in the Impala.

~~~~~

TL;DR - If you can’t be bothered clicking on all the things in this description, just visit our website: idlingintheimpala.com

We'd love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email ([email protected])!

All the Socials and AO3 and Fiction links: https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast

Our Discord #backseat Channel

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Give us some info about you here so we can connect.

Feel inclined to leave us a tip for all this AWESOME content? Visit our Ko-fi page. Monthly supporters will get special behind-the-scenes perks!

We’ve got podcast merch for our fellow idlers. Take a look!

~~~~~

Charities IITI Supports: Check out the Causes, ‘cause page on our website for the whys:

World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

~~~~~

For Those in the US: Educate and Empower Yourself, Find Ways to Take Action

Support Basic Human Rights - American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Prioritize Your Mental Health - National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Thrive (Not Just Survive) After Abuse - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)  

~~~~~

LGBTQ+ Charities

Switchboard LGBT UK

The Trevor Project - USA and Global

~~~~~

Our podcast occasionally incorporates brief excerpts from the CW television show "Supernatural" for transformative commentary and analysis. This use falls under the Fair Use doctrine codified in Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. The included clips are short, constituting only a minuscule portion of the original work, and illustrate specific points within our critical commentary. Our podcast does not compete with the show's market. This use promotes public discourse and understanding of the work, strengthening its cultural significance.

~~~

Chapter Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:55 - How did CM get into Supernatural

00:03:57 - Early season folklore and legends

00:05:20 - CrowleysMistress’ background

00:09:58 - Astrology and Birth Charts

00:12:43 - Ghosts, spirits, and dreaming on SPN

00:13:27 - “They’re so dumb.”

00:19:27 - Favorite brother?

00:22:59 - The SPN learning curve sans media growing up

00:26:03 - Favorite media and fandom connection

00:29:05 - Fanfic ep inserts is CM’s jam

00:29:32 - Show thoughts

00:33:28 - Threading themes throughout the show and having time to self-correct

00:38:42 - Samifer

00:41:27 - Free Will versus Fate

00:43:38 - Family is an election

00:49:51 - Fave characters

00:52:58 - When did CM start writing?

00:54:28 - CM’s intro to SPN fanfic

01:00:17 - Pairings and ships that dominate CM’s writing

01:01:31 - Dr. Cara Roberts

01:06:27 - The tiniest of ships

01:09:51 - Exploring Samifer

01:18:18 - CM’s Big Bang Journey

01:21:39 - When and how CM writes

01:26:11 - CM’s first bang experience

01:27:06 - CM’s 2025 word count goals

01:28:02 - Reverse Bang surprise

01:32:20 - Getting caught up on CM’s Bang schedule

01:35:12 - The humanity behind collaborations

01:38:53 - Kasey’s questions

01:39:51 - Mark Sheppard = Master Connector

01:42:39 - Kasey’s last question

01:45:16 - From puppies to puppy play

01:48:43 - CM’s writing advice

01:51:06 - Final thoughts and outro

Two special guests join Sandra and Kasey to discuss maturing in fandom and a contest geared for writers aging like fine wine.

Kym (aka deanwinchesterswitch) and Beka (aka impala-dreamer) are all SPN fanfic writers who’ve been around the fandom block a time or two. 

Beka and Kym’s “Storytellers Contest - The Jensen Ackles Chronicles” (TJAC) recently opened up for author sign-ups. So, listen up to learn about this challenge that plans to showcase the talents of mature fans and stories involving older characters.

Buckle up, it’s a full backseat and lots of facts and opinions are shared!

Wanna learn more about TJAC contest? You can find all the details here! Sign-up for the contest through October 15, 2025!

Creator tumblr links: Beka and Kym

~~~

We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat.

Dean's House Rules - Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole, and the ones in the back enjoy the ride... idling in the Impala.

~~~~~

TL;DR - If you can’t be bothered clicking on all the things in this description, just visit our website: idlingintheimpala.com

We'd love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email ([email protected])!

All the Socials and AO3 and Fiction links: https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast

Our Discord #backseat Channel

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Give us some info about you here so we can connect.

Feel inclined to leave us a tip for all this AWESOME content? Visit our Ko-fi page. Monthly supporters will get special behind-the-scenes perks!

We’ve got podcast merch for our fellow idlers. Take a look!

~~~~~

Charities IITI Supports: Check out the Causes, ‘cause page on our website for the whys:

World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

~~~~~

For Those in the US: Educate and Empower Yourself, Find Ways to Take Action

Support Basic Human Rights - American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Prioritize Your Mental Health - National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Thrive (Not Just Survive) After Abuse - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)  

~~~~~

LGBTQ+ Charities

Switchboard LGBT UK

The Trevor Project - USA and Global

~~~~~

Our podcast occasionally incorporates brief excerpts from the CW television show "Supernatural" for transformative commentary and analysis. This use falls under the Fair Use doctrine codified in Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. The included clips are short, constituting only a minuscule portion of the original work, and illustrate specific points within our critical commentary. Our podcast does not compete with the show's market. This use promotes public discourse and understanding of the work, strengthening its cultural significance.

~~~

Chapter Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:51 - Storytellers Contest inception

00:05:55 - The right time for a contest

00:06:57 - Combining strength and skills for the contest

00:11:31 - Why Jensen?

00:12:58 - A plethora of mature Jensen content

00:13:56 - The most important thing to nail in the contest

00:15:10 - Scoring the contest entries

00:16:22 - How you can tell when a writer gets a character

00:19:04 - Tangent | My Bloody Valentine and Friday the 13th

00:21:04 - Characterization isn’t the only judging criterion

00:23:31 - The judges and contest details

00:25:13 - Minimum age for a Jensen character in this contest

00:27:41 - Experiences that come with living

00:30:34 - Ageism in fandom and support from older creatives

00:37:08 - Word length categories for contest submission

00:41:53 - The prizes

00:47:04 - Spotlighting the winner

00:50:02 - Champion mature fans

00:55:59 - Fandom changes over the years

01:04:30 - Finding nuance and common joy in fanfic

01:09:33 - Judging responsibilities

01:12:00 - The judging panel

01:13:39 - The draw of prizes

01:16:12 - Handling the possibility of many entries

01:19:18 - A mid-point jolt

01:21:43 - Countdown plans with Kasey and Beka

01:32:29 - Hopes for the contest and some last-minute tangents

01:48:26 - Final thoughts and outro