In this season finale, we’re unpacking what it really means to be an “ethical fan” today, and how the system around fandom often makes that harder than it should be. From the rise of the “respectable fan” to the quiet pressures of celebrity worship, this finale takes a look at the systems, marketing and cultural expectations that shape how fans behave — and how they’re perceived. We’re asking tough questions about performance, proximity and power in order to name the dynamics that often go unchecked. This episode isn’t about having the final answers. It’s about making space for a smarter, more grounded kind of fandom. One that sees the full picture, and still chooses to care.

In this solo reflection, we’re exploring how cancel culture, projection, and entitlement shape the modern fan experience.

In this solo reflection, we’re exploring how cancel culture, projection, and entitlement shape the modern fan experience. Is cancel culture really about justice — or just another performance shaped by PR spin, algorithmic outrage, and the need to pick a side? And when fans start filling in the blanks, how much of our disappointment comes from the gap between who we thought an artist was… and who they really are?

From redefining what fan entitlement really looks like to unpacking the industry's role in blurring boundaries, we’re diving into the systems and emotions that fuel these dynamics and what to do with all of it.

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In this episode of School of Pop, we’re diving into the psychology behind competitive fans. From chart battles and fandom feuds to internal hierarchies and stan wars, we're looking to understand: Why do fans get so emotionally invested in wins and losses that don’t directly affect them? Why is sports fandom celebrated while pop fandom is mocked? And what happens when fan spaces become less about community and more about proving you're the best?

Dr. Courtney Plante, a social psychologist and professor at Bishop’s University, joins the class to break it all down. With over a decade of research on media and fan culture, including fandoms like My Little Pony, anime, and furries, Dr. Plante helps us explore what makes competition in fandoms so common, and what it says about how we connect today.

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Class Notes: ⁠⁠https://schoolofpop.substack.com⁠⁠

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In this episode of School of Pop, we’re unpacking the complexities of parasocial relationships: what they are, how they form, and when they might cross a line. 
Dr. Lynn Zubernis, a clinical psychologist and university professor and a passionate fangirl. She has published seven books which celebrate the positive outcomes of being a fan, including two written with the cast of her favorite series, Supernatural. Lynn has a regular column in Psychology Today on the science of fandom, has written for Slate, The Conversation, Frolic and MovieTVTechGeeks, and is a frequent contribution to publications and podcasts. She chairs the Stardom and Fandom area of the Southwest Popular Culture Association and is on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Fandom Studies.

Family Don't End With Blood and There'll Be Peace When You Are Done,
https://www.peacewhenyouaredone.com/

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Join Kat Monroe on School of Pop's very first field trip!!! We're headed to Philadelphia and New York for a special recap on two music festivals - Roots Picnic and Governors Ball.

From concert tickets and merch drops, being a fan is expensive! This lesson at School of Pop explores how to enjoy fandom without breaking the bank.

Kat is joined by financial educator Alejandra Rojas, who shares advice for budgeting and setting financial boundaries, and Kristal Terrell, a concert pro who drops her best savings tips for going to shows.

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Use SeatGeek code TERRELL for $20 off first purchase of $50+

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:50 Why do fans spend?

07:59 Why are things so expensive?

19:35 Budgeting tips from Alejandra Rojas

36:25 Concert saving tips from Kristal Terrell

47:55 Additional saving tips

52:25 Outro

From fan fiction and fan edits to AI-generated songs, this lesson at School of Pop dives into the world of fan-made creations

Kat is joined by intellectual property attorney Kirk Sigmund, who unpacks the legal myths and explains how fan creations can cross into copyright infringement. The episode also explores ethical gray areas with fan-created content.

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Chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:30 School Announcements (Cowboy Carter tour, Tony Award nominations)

06:10 Fan Creation Overview

12:30 Conversation with Kirk Sigmon

35:30 Conclusion

From heartfelt interactions to pushy crowds, this lesson at School of Pop dives into the tradition of Broadway stagedooring and how fan culture, entitlement, and social media have shaped its evolution.

Kat is joined by content creator and podcaster Jillian Hayes to explore the history, ethics, and shifting expectations around meeting performers after the curtain closes.

Plus, Kat shares real fan stories and unpacks how broader fan behaviors across TV, music, and sports reflect similar patterns.

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Class Notes: schoolofpop.substack.com
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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

03:52 School Announcements (The American Music Awards, The Tony Awards, and Lorde's new single)

06:10 Broadway Stagedooring Overview (History + Opinions)

16:02 Conversation with Jillian Hayes

51:50 Conclusion

1:00:45 Extra Credit (What about "stagedooring" after a concert, television taping or sporting event?)

1:03:02 Show-and-Tell: Picks (Role Model, Marina, Lorde)

1:06:00 Outro

From signs and screaming to pushy pit behavior and throwing objects onstage, this lesson at School of Pop explores the unwritten rules of concert culture and where things can go too far.

Kat is joined by concert-goer Cameron Bristow to unpack the evolution of live event etiquette and how artists and fans are pushing back on toxic trends. Plus, indie girlband Double Standard stops by for our first ever Show-and-Tell artist spotlight!

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Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction

01:42 School Announcements (Coachella recap, All Things Go DC lineup, Leslie Odom Jr. in Hamilton)

05:50 Show-and-Tell: Double Standard

25:03 Concert etiquette overview

28:52 History of concert etiquette

35:31 Why do some fans lack concert etiquette?

38:44 Conversation with Cameron on concert etiquette

1:01:03 Conclusion

1:01:52 Extra Credit: Theater audience etiquette with Jillian

1:03:58 Outro

Welcome to School of Pop, the reimagined version of what started as Fan Fave with Katrina. After two years of off and on podcasting and figuring things out, we're back with a clearer vision, a new structure, and a deeper dive into pop culture. Each season is now a "semester," and this one? We're kicking things off with a theme I’ve been wanting to explore for a long time: Fandom Ethics.

This first episode sets the stage. I’m talking about why the show has changed, what School of Pop actually means, and the questions we’ll be asking all season long. We’ll also start to define what it really means to be a fan.

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Class Notes: schoolofpop.substack.com

Pop Recap: poprecap.beehiiv.com

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction

01:38 Why the podcast is changing

05:58 How School of Pop works

07:15 Introduction to Fandom Ethics

13:04 What does it mean to be a fan?