fannISh, a fan studies podcast, was conceived as a way to make a dull academic topic — the concept of interdisciplinarity — come to life. Fan studies is interdisciplinary by nature; plus, everyone is a fan of something. There aren’t many topics more engaging and fraught with drama and intrigue as media fandom.

By combining a well-researched video essay, a one-on-one interview, and high production value in each episode, we’ve created a product that reaches all over UT Dallas and well beyond it, to fan studies scholars at other universities, and even to random people scrolling YouTube for commentary on their favorite shows, games, or music.

Each episode features a scripted intro and an interview with a fan who takes us into their world. As we explore one fandom after another, we see how every fan object — from Megan Thee Stallion to Naruto — is a world, and fandom is a universe.

The visuals for fannISh were created in collaboration with graphic designer Erin Gutschke. As creator and director of the podcast, I wanted the branding to evoke this galactic mood, so I asked my designer to explore the midcentury atomic decorative art style. This echoes the celestial branding of the university while remaining distinct. My own handwriting was the basis for the logo, with the IS emphasized as a nod to Interdisciplinary Studies. In collaboration with my team and university facilities, we chose colors, fabrics, and design elements for our studio, which is mostly finished. In collaboration with our school fiscal officer, we’ve purchased audio and video equipment for the studio.

Our first episode, which launches October 6, 2025, explores the fandom for a cancelled Disney original cartoon series called The Owl House. You can read the script here, and start to get a feel for how we use a single fan object as a framework to confront a galaxy of subjects, from childhood trauma to Disney adults.

Read a summary of the project and first three episodes online.