How fans talk about their passions

The most recent figure from 2024 says that 520 million children are living in conflict zones. That's about one in every five children worldwide. Some of the discussions in this episode will be about death and trauma. Neil and Becca hear from a journalist who has spent some time w ... Show More

Football players are faster than ever before. But in a game where every tiny decision counts, elite clubs are turning to neuroscience to understand how players can think, decide and perform even faster. Neil and Georgie discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.Get a free wo ... Show More

When did you learn to ride a bike? Perhaps you learnt as a child and have not cycled for a long time. Well don't worry, you can pick it up again quickly – it's just like riding a bike! And if you have never cycled, it's not too late to start. With new cycle tracks and electric bi ... Show More

Today's topic is "being a fan" of something or someone and some related Korean words and expressions! We hope you enjoy listening : ) Please let us know what you thought of this episode! Leave us comments on Twitter and YouTube! 

Zoe Strimpel reflects on the 'commercial exploitation' of fandom. From Swiftie 'friendship bracelets' to beauty products and sportswear, she argues that you can no longer be a true superfan, or a true popstar, without the merch. 'But it is striking,' writes Zoe, 'that rather than ... Show More

When you think of fangirls, what comes to mind: large swaths of fandom (usually for a boyband) whose feelings culminate in tears and joyful screams? Perhaps you grimace or roll your eyes at the thought. In this fun, lively talk, playwright Yve Blake asks us to reevaluate our reac ... Show More

Are you super devoted to a sports team, superhero or perhaps "Star Wars"? You’re part of a fandom, just like storyteller Jordan Dinwiddie. She shares 10 lessons she’s learned nerding out on all kinds of things and unpacks the joy, creativity and community that comes from being a ... Show More

Being a sports fan means putting a part of your happiness in the hands of strangers. When they lose, you die a little. But when they win, it's incredible. This week, stories about the triumph and tragedy of being a fan.If you want to leave the StoryCorps Podcast a voicemail, call ... Show More

The wildly diverse, thoughtful and hilarious world of fanfiction -- where writers reimagine favorite stories like "Harry Potter," "Pokémon," "My Little Pony" and more -- is ever-growing and becoming a vital social and learning tool. Author, professor and fanfiction writer Cecilia ... Show More

When the writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle killed off his most famous literary creation, Sherlock Holmes, readers were so angry that thousands cancelled their subscriptions to the magazine in which the stories appeared. The editor and Conan Doyle himself were overwhelmed with letters ... Show More

<p>It’s fun to obsess over pop stars and racecar drivers — but is fandom making our politics even more toxic?  </p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal ... Show More

A/N: Fanfiction has long been a very queer, very woman-dominated space. One the biggest names in fanfic is AO3. We trace the history of this site, and ponder its future. Tags: Indulgent, Feels, Fandom, LoveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.