Jon and Keith explore The Hero's Journey and how George Lucas was influenced by and utilized the text of Joseph Campbell’s The Hero With a Thousand Faces while creating Star Wars, and most specifically the character of Luke Skywalker. Luke’s path is laid out through the journey, and along the way - we can all see ourselves in Luke.

Episode Guest: Professor Mark C.E. Peterson, Ph. D, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Continuing from the last episode, the focus is on Star Wars cosplayers who amaze the world with their skills, talking with members of the legendary 501st. Then, Jon and Keith investigate the ability to physically step on to a Star Wars planet, right here on Earth, thanks to the Disney Parks. From Star Tours to Galaxy’s Edge to the Galactic Star Cruiser, Disney has made an unmatched physical connection between Star Wars and its fans.  

Episode Guests: Filmmaker Brian Volk-Weiss, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Lynn Zubernis, Fan Convention Producer Mitch Hallock, Disney Parks expert Kirk LaVecchia, and 501st Member Lou Secki.

Star Wars has obtained a physical connection with its fans unlike almost any other fandom. From the toys, to cosplay, to beyond, there's a bond that fans can create with this galaxy far far away. Join Jon and Keith as they dive deep into why this tangible aspect of the fandom helps to make that connection even tighter. This topic is so large, the episode will run in two parts!

Episode Guests: Filmmaker Brian Volk-Weiss, Author Brian Jay Jones, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Lynn Zubernis, Fan Convention Producer Mitch Hallock, and 501st Member Quentin Salgado.

Everywhere you look, people are fans. Not just of Star Wars, but of things such as; musicians, celebrities, sports teams, movies, classic cars, and television shows. Most people can find something to be ‘fannish’ of. But, what factors contribute to making us a fan?

Keith and Jon dive into the connection fans have to one another, the impact of social media, the perceived stigma of being a Star Wars fan, and even the science of love.

Episode Guests: Dr. Lynn Zubernis, clinical psychologist and author. Mitch Hallock, fan convention producer. Quentin Salgado, member of the famed 501st Legion. 

In a year full of political and financial uncertainty, the first Star Wars movie debuts. Join hosts Keith Padin and Jon Gustaitis as they explore the factors that led to it being so irresistible to audiences in 1977.

Episode Guests: Film studies professor, Dr. Todd Berliner, fan convention producer Mitch Hallock, and New York Times bestselling author Brian Jay Jones.

The vast majority of the people you know have a familiarity with Star Wars. A good number of them may consider themselves fans on some level. But why? Why has Star Wars impacted our culture like no other entertainment franchise in our history?  And why does it still?

Join hosts Keith Padin and Jon Gustaitis for a sneak peak as they explain how they will talk with experts on subjects including: filmmaking, music, psychology, philosophy, and cinema, to hunt down the answers. Full episodes debut May 25th.