The Dragon Con Report

The countdown is nearly over! In episode 9 of the Dragon Con Report, we’re checking in with three groups bringing music, competition and futuristic firepower to downtown Atlanta.

DJ Nemesis joins us to represent Dragon Con’s party DJs and give us a look at the music and late-night events that keep the convention moving after dark.

Dave West returns with details about the Big Damn Game Show, where audience participation, geeky knowledge and unpredictable challenges come together for one of Dragon Con’s most entertaining live events.

Karen and James Henson also stop by with a preview of the Military Sci-Fi Media Track, including the stories, franchises and programming fans can expect from the track this year.

Whether you are finalizing your schedule, searching for nighttime entertainment or deciding which track rooms to visit, this episode will help you finish planning your Dragon Con weekend.

The Dragon Con Report is a part of the ESO Podcast Network, Producer Jen “Lil’ Bit” Schleusner, Executive Producer Mike Faber

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Special Guests: DJ Nemesis, Dave West, James Henson, and Karen Henson.

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Join Jen for a laid-back conversation with legendary comic book creator Bob Burden, the wonderfully unconventional mind behind Flaming Carrot Comics and Mystery Men.

Recorded while hanging out in my home tiki bar, Smuggler's Hideaway - we talk about Bob’s career, his unique approach to comics and storytelling, his history with Dragon Con and plenty more along the way.

From cult comics and creative inspiration and beyond - spend some time getting to know the man behind some of comics’ strangest (and most memorable) characters.

The Dragon Con Report is a part of the ESO Podcast Network, Producer Jen “Lil’ Bit” Schleusner, Executive Producer Mike Faber

Edited by Matthew Skinner, at Skinner Productions, LLC

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Special Guest: Bob Burden.

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Welcome to the Trackrooms

What happens when you wander the halls of Dragon Con and take one wrong turn? You might just end up in the Trackrooms.

Join us for the latest Dragon Con Report as we catch up with two fan-favorite programming tracks: Digital Media and American Sci-Fi Classics. Inspired by the eerie internet phenomenon The Backrooms, our "Trackrooms" theme is all about exploring the hidden corners of Dragon Con and discovering what makes these tracks so special.

Digital Media Track

Charles McFall returns from the Digital Media Track to hear some of what to expect for this year. Podcasting, content creation, streaming, mixers & more - we get a preview of the panels and events that you won't want to miss.

American Sci-Fi Classics Track

We also wander over into the beloved American Sci-Fi Classics Track, where nostalgia reigns supreme. Joe Crow & Gary Mitchell are back to chat movie lock-ins, anniversaries and maybe even Manimal?! Whether you grew up with Saturday morning TV, video stores, or watching late-night creature features - this track always delivers laughs, nostalgia and a healthy appreciation for classic science fiction and pop culture.

Don't Get Lost

Time to slowly begin planning your con schedule? Why not add some hidden gems?

The Dragon Con Report is a part of the ESO Podcast Network, Producer Jen “Lil’ Bit” Schleusner, Executive Producer Mike Faber

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Special Guests: Charles McFall, Gary Mitchell, and Joe Crowe.

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Celebrating Pride at Dragon Con

Dragon Con has always been about finding your people, celebrating creativity and embracing what makes each of us unique. In this special Pride Month episode of The Dragon Con Report, we're joined by Joshua Duart, Chandra Free, Josh Coleman, and one of Dragon Con's beloved resident Klingers, Patric Good for a conversation about the LGBTQIA+ community at Dragon Con.

We explore what makes Dragon Con feel like home for so many fans and why the convention has become a place where people can truly be themselves.

Is Dragon Con a Safe Space?

One of the biggest topics of the discussion is what it means to feel safe and welcomed at a convention the size of Dragon Con. Our guests share their own experiences, discussing how the community has supported them through the years and why they believe Dragon Con continues to foster an atmosphere of acceptance and belonging.

While no community is perfect, the conversation highlights the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels seen, respected and encouraged to celebrate who they are.

Pride Events and Representation

From organized events to informal gatherings throughout the weekend, Dragon Con offers countless opportunities for LGBTQIA+ fans to connect and celebrate together.

We discuss some of the events attendees can look forward to, the growing visibility of LGBTQIA+ representation across the convention, and why representation matters both on and off the stage.

Costumes, Creativity, and Self-Expression

Cosplay has always been one of Dragon Con's defining features and for many fans it provides another avenue for self-expression.

Our guests share thoughts on costumes, gender expression through cosplay, and the freedom Dragon Con provides for attendees to experiment, create and simply have fun without fear of judgment.

Why Dragon Con Feels Like Home

At its heart, this episode is about community.

Joshua, Chandra, Josh, and Patric reflect on the experiences that keep bringing them back year after year. Their stories serve as a reminder that Dragon Con is at its best when everyone is welcomed, celebrated and encouraged to be themselves.

The Dragon Con Report is a part of the ESO Podcast Network, Producer Jen “Lil’ Bit” Schleusner, Executive Producer Mike Faber

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Special Guests: Chandra Free, Josh Coleman, Josh Duart, and Patric Good.

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Behind the Scenes with the Dragon Con Puppetry Track

This month, Jen, Mike & Channing sit down with Beau from the Dragon Con Puppetry Track, along with special guests Bob & Carl, The Sci Fi Janitors.

From foam, felt, and fabrication to live performances and character work, the crew digs into what it really takes to bring puppets to life on stage and on screen. They also talk about the creativity, teamwork, technical challenges, and happy accidents that happen behind the curtain.

Whether you love practical effects, convention performance, comedy, or just want to know how these characters go from piles of materials to believable personalities, this episode pulls back the curtain on the craft of puppetry at Dragon Con.

Plus: stories from the track and why puppetry continues to connect with fans of all ages.

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Special Guests: Beau Brown and Bob and Carl.

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Urban Fantasy and Horror Tracks Take Over the Show

The shadows are deep, the music is loud and the creatures of the night have claimed another episode of the Dragon Con Report. This time, we’re joined by the directors from the Urban Fantasy and Horror Tracks at Dragon Con, along with legendary Goth Party DJ - DJ Ichabod, for a conversation packed with storytelling, music, and late-night energy.

From modern monsters and supernatural storytelling to dance floors filled with black velvet and industrial beats, this episode explores why these tracks continue to be fan favorites year after year.

Exploring the Worlds of Urban Fantasy & Horror

We dive into what defines urban fantasy and horror in today’s landscape and how both genres continue evolving with new creators, fresh perspectives, and changing audience tastes.

Whether you love supernatural detectives, haunted cities, cosmic terror or creatures lurking in dark alleyways - there’s something here for every fan of the strange and unusual.

Building Dragon Con Programming

Creating programming for Dragon Con involves balancing longtime fan favorites with exciting new ideas and the Urban Fantasy and Horror Tracks are no exception.

The track directors also share insight into what makes Dragon Con audiences unique and why these genres connect so strongly with convention fans.

Inside the Legendary Dragon Con Goth Party

No conversation about these tracks would be complete without discussing one of Dragon Con’s most iconic late-night events: the Goth Party.

The result is part dance club, part vampire ballroom, part sleep-deprived fever dream fueled by excitement and excellent music.

Music, Mood & Fandom Energy

Horror and urban fantasy are about more than books and movies. Atmosphere matters. Music matters. Community matters.

This episode explores how music helps shape fandom experiences and why events like the Goth Party become lasting memories for Dragon Con attendees year after year.

Why These Tracks Continue to Thrive

One of the biggest themes throughout the conversation is community. Fans return to these tracks because they offer welcoming spaces for creativity, self-expression and shared enthusiasm for all things eerie, magical, and delightfully strange.

Whether through storytelling panels, late-night parties or hallway conversations with fellow attendees - these tracks help create the unforgettable energy that defines Dragon Con.

For more Dragon Con coverage, interviews, and fandom discussions, keep following the Dragon Con Report throughout the season.

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Special Guests: Carol Malcolm, DJ Ichabod, and Derek Tatum.

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The Dragon Con Report is heading across the pond… without leaving Atlanta.

This episode, we sit down with Caro and Rob from the Brit Track to explore one of Dragon Con’s most charming and cheeky programming tracks. From British pop culture and fandom deep cuts to tea-fueled panels and a healthy dose of wit, Brit Track brings a unique flavor to the con experience.

We dig into what makes Brit Track a fan favorite, how the team curates its programming, and what attendees can expect this year.

Whether you're a die-hard Anglophile or just Brit-curious, this conversation is packed with insights, laughs, and plenty of reasons to add Brit Track to your Dragon Con schedule.

Grab your cuppa and join us as we celebrate the fandoms, fandom culture, and community spirit that make Dragon Con feel like a global gathering.

The Dragon Con Report is a part of the ESO Podcast Network, Producer: Jen “Lil’ Bit” Schleusner, Executive Producer: Mike Faber

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Special Guests: Caro McCully Tidwell and Ron "in the hat" Bowen.

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This episode, we chat with attendees who met their partners at con and are still rolling initiative together years later.

Our guests this month are Josh Duart, Tyra Burton, Lauren & Nikki Evallen-Muller and Kristi & Justin Grub. Each of them (along with one of our hosts, Jen!) met their partners at Dragon Con.

Were they looking for love at con? Meeting through happy accidents? We hear their meet-cutes and more on episode 2.

The Dragon Con Report is a part of the ESO Podcast Network, Producer: Jen “Lil’ Bit” Schleusner, Executive Producer: Mike Faber

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Special Guests: Josh Duart, Kristi & Justin Grub, Lauren & Nikki Evallen-Muller , and Tyra Burton.

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Season 15 of The Dragon Con Report launches with a look back at where it all began.

In honor of Dragon Con’s 40th anniversary, Mike, Jen, and Channing are joined by longtime Dragon Con attendee Darin M. Bush, along with a bonus appearance from Marilyn Teague, to discuss what Dragon Con was like at its very first show and how it has grown and evolved over the past four decades.

From early days of a much smaller convention footprint to the massive, multi-hotel fan experience Dragon Con is known for today, this episode explores how fandom, community, and the con itself have changed while still holding on to the spirit that made Dragon Con special from the start. Along the way, the conversation is filled with personal memories, historical insight, and a whole lot of love for a fan-run convention that continues to define what Dragon Con is all about.

Whether you’re a decades-long attendee or gearing up for your first Dragon Con, this Season 15 premiere is the perfect way to celebrate forty years of cosplay, creativity, and community.

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Special Guests: Darin M. Bush and Marilyn Teague.

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In honor of the upcoming 40th anniversary, we're starting a new series delving into some of the histories of the various cults of our beloved Dragon Con.

There are SO MANY different obsessions us con goers have become enamored with, we couldn't keep them contained to just one episode!

This episode, we're joined by Mera, Joshua, Heather & Maggie to open up the discussion in this new series.

The Dragon Con Report is a part of the ESO Podcast Network, Producer Jen “Lil’ Bit” Schleusner, Executive Producer Mike Faber

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Special Guests: Heather Stephenson, Joshua Thomas, Maggie Wilson, and Mera Rose.

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