Fansplaining
@fansplaining.bsky.social
The podcast—and publication!—by, for, and about fandom. Writing on fan culture published once a month, with 250+ podcast eps in our back catalog!
fansplaining.com // patreon.com/fansplaining // https://ko-fi.com/fansplaining
fansplaining.com // patreon.com/fansplaining // https://ko-fi.com/fansplaining
Pinned
Fansplaining’s Next Chapter — Fansplaining
We’re relaunching as a weekly publication featuring reporting, analysis, criticism, personal essays, and much more—all by, for, and about fandom.
www.fansplaining.com
🎉 THE BIG NEWS IS HERE 🎉
This spring, Fansplaining will relaunch as a full weekly publication, featuring reporting, analysis, criticism, personal essays, and much more, all under our longtime strapline: “By, for, and about fandom.”
Check out our full announcement (in written and audio form):
This spring, Fansplaining will relaunch as a full weekly publication, featuring reporting, analysis, criticism, personal essays, and much more, all under our longtime strapline: “By, for, and about fandom.”
Check out our full announcement (in written and audio form):
🎉 THE BIG NEWS IS HERE 🎉
This spring, Fansplaining will relaunch as a full weekly publication, featuring reporting, analysis, criticism, personal essays, and much more, all under our longtime strapline: “By, for, and about fandom.”
Check out our full announcement (in written and audio form):
This spring, Fansplaining will relaunch as a full weekly publication, featuring reporting, analysis, criticism, personal essays, and much more, all under our longtime strapline: “By, for, and about fandom.”
Check out our full announcement (in written and audio form):
Fansplaining’s Next Chapter — Fansplaining
We’re relaunching as a weekly publication featuring reporting, analysis, criticism, personal essays, and much more—all by, for, and about fandom.
www.fansplaining.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:13 PM
🎉 THE BIG NEWS IS HERE 🎉
This spring, Fansplaining will relaunch as a full weekly publication, featuring reporting, analysis, criticism, personal essays, and much more, all under our longtime strapline: “By, for, and about fandom.”
Check out our full announcement (in written and audio form):
This spring, Fansplaining will relaunch as a full weekly publication, featuring reporting, analysis, criticism, personal essays, and much more, all under our longtime strapline: “By, for, and about fandom.”
Check out our full announcement (in written and audio form):
We've got a very exciting announcement coming tomorrow....
(Patrons who listened to our recent special episode know what's happening. 😉)
(Patrons who listened to our recent special episode know what's happening. 😉)
January 20, 2026 at 6:50 PM
We've got a very exciting announcement coming tomorrow....
(Patrons who listened to our recent special episode know what's happening. 😉)
(Patrons who listened to our recent special episode know what's happening. 😉)
Reposted by Fansplaining
Okay it's officially time for the MANY terrible recent takes on fandom to stop. There are literally decades of academic work and reams of fandom journalism by ppl like me and @gavia.bsky.social and @fansplaining.bsky.social that are intended to save you from embarrassing yourselves to this degree!
January 4, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Okay it's officially time for the MANY terrible recent takes on fandom to stop. There are literally decades of academic work and reams of fandom journalism by ppl like me and @gavia.bsky.social and @fansplaining.bsky.social that are intended to save you from embarrassing yourselves to this degree!
Reposted by Fansplaining
It was a DELIGHT to record a Fansplaining episode again!!!
You guessed right! In one final treat before the end of the year, real live priest @fatherflourish.bsky.social returns to Fansplaining to discuss the latest Knives Out installment, WAKE UP DEAD MAN. 🙌🏼
Patrons at $3 and up get access to audio + a full transcript: www.fansplaining.com/episodes/spe...
Patrons at $3 and up get access to audio + a full transcript: www.fansplaining.com/episodes/spe...
December 31, 2025 at 1:10 AM
It was a DELIGHT to record a Fansplaining episode again!!!
You guessed right! In one final treat before the end of the year, real live priest @fatherflourish.bsky.social returns to Fansplaining to discuss the latest Knives Out installment, WAKE UP DEAD MAN. 🙌🏼
Patrons at $3 and up get access to audio + a full transcript: www.fansplaining.com/episodes/spe...
Patrons at $3 and up get access to audio + a full transcript: www.fansplaining.com/episodes/spe...
December 30, 2025 at 5:23 PM
You guessed right! In one final treat before the end of the year, real live priest @fatherflourish.bsky.social returns to Fansplaining to discuss the latest Knives Out installment, WAKE UP DEAD MAN. 🙌🏼
Patrons at $3 and up get access to audio + a full transcript: www.fansplaining.com/episodes/spe...
Patrons at $3 and up get access to audio + a full transcript: www.fansplaining.com/episodes/spe...
Reposted by Fansplaining
Thee @tamarherman.com on K-pop is always worth reading. notesonkpop.com/2025-ends-wi...
(My only suggestion is instead of reading that sorta basic NYT piece she links, read this much better one I wrote for @fansplaining.bsky.social 🔥 ) www.fansplaining.com/articles/kpo...
(My only suggestion is instead of reading that sorta basic NYT piece she links, read this much better one I wrote for @fansplaining.bsky.social 🔥 ) www.fansplaining.com/articles/kpo...
2025 ends with K-pop overlooked by success 'Of K-pop'
I was in Korea last month, and spent a lot of my time running around to have coffee with industry friends. One journalist and I were talking about the success of K-pop Demon Hunters, and what 2026 wou...
notesonkpop.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Thee @tamarherman.com on K-pop is always worth reading. notesonkpop.com/2025-ends-wi...
(My only suggestion is instead of reading that sorta basic NYT piece she links, read this much better one I wrote for @fansplaining.bsky.social 🔥 ) www.fansplaining.com/articles/kpo...
(My only suggestion is instead of reading that sorta basic NYT piece she links, read this much better one I wrote for @fansplaining.bsky.social 🔥 ) www.fansplaining.com/articles/kpo...
Reposted by Fansplaining
Your hint is: What current movie would draw this PRIEST back onto Fansplaining's airwaves???
We’ve got one more holiday treat for patrons before the year ends, featuring a special guest star… 🥰 Keep an eye on your inboxes tomorrow!
December 29, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Your hint is: What current movie would draw this PRIEST back onto Fansplaining's airwaves???
We’ve got one more holiday treat for patrons before the year ends, featuring a special guest star… 🥰 Keep an eye on your inboxes tomorrow!
December 29, 2025 at 4:57 PM
We’ve got one more holiday treat for patrons before the year ends, featuring a special guest star… 🥰 Keep an eye on your inboxes tomorrow!
Reposted by Fansplaining
I'm so glad I got to work with this batch of talented writers, and very proud of all the pieces I edited in 2025. At a moment when mainstream coverage of fandom is more dire than...possibly when I started covering this beat in the early 2010s?? I'm grateful I can try to counter that in a small way.
✨✨✨ Fansplaining's 2025 year in review! ✨✨✨
Over on Tumblr, a few thoughts about the (bleak) state of cultural—and especially fandom-related—coverage in the mainstream media, followed by a full rundown of the fantastic writing we've been able to publish this year: www.tumblr.com/fansplaining...
Over on Tumblr, a few thoughts about the (bleak) state of cultural—and especially fandom-related—coverage in the mainstream media, followed by a full rundown of the fantastic writing we've been able to publish this year: www.tumblr.com/fansplaining...
December 27, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I'm so glad I got to work with this batch of talented writers, and very proud of all the pieces I edited in 2025. At a moment when mainstream coverage of fandom is more dire than...possibly when I started covering this beat in the early 2010s?? I'm grateful I can try to counter that in a small way.
✨✨✨ Fansplaining's 2025 year in review! ✨✨✨
Over on Tumblr, a few thoughts about the (bleak) state of cultural—and especially fandom-related—coverage in the mainstream media, followed by a full rundown of the fantastic writing we've been able to publish this year: www.tumblr.com/fansplaining...
Over on Tumblr, a few thoughts about the (bleak) state of cultural—and especially fandom-related—coverage in the mainstream media, followed by a full rundown of the fantastic writing we've been able to publish this year: www.tumblr.com/fansplaining...
December 26, 2025 at 6:11 PM
✨✨✨ Fansplaining's 2025 year in review! ✨✨✨
Over on Tumblr, a few thoughts about the (bleak) state of cultural—and especially fandom-related—coverage in the mainstream media, followed by a full rundown of the fantastic writing we've been able to publish this year: www.tumblr.com/fansplaining...
Over on Tumblr, a few thoughts about the (bleak) state of cultural—and especially fandom-related—coverage in the mainstream media, followed by a full rundown of the fantastic writing we've been able to publish this year: www.tumblr.com/fansplaining...
In our latest piece, @kaytiburt.bsky.social digs into the motivations behind fandom tourism—and how both entitlement and respect often come from the same emotional place.
Read or listen to an audio version: www.fansplaining.com/articles/can...
Read or listen to an audio version: www.fansplaining.com/articles/can...
December 12, 2025 at 5:57 PM
In our latest piece, @kaytiburt.bsky.social digs into the motivations behind fandom tourism—and how both entitlement and respect often come from the same emotional place.
Read or listen to an audio version: www.fansplaining.com/articles/can...
Read or listen to an audio version: www.fansplaining.com/articles/can...
"The best of fandom isn't transactional. It’s moments of unlikely connection between strangers or friends who might not have crossed paths, let alone traveled them together, if not for loving the same thing."
@kaytiburt.bsky.social on fan tourism—and how to make it collaborative, not extractive:
@kaytiburt.bsky.social on fan tourism—and how to make it collaborative, not extractive:
Can Fandom Make Us Better Tourists? — Fansplaining
In an era of overtourism, South Korea’s Jeju Island and international BTS fans are building bridges of mutual respect.
www.fansplaining.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:06 PM
"The best of fandom isn't transactional. It’s moments of unlikely connection between strangers or friends who might not have crossed paths, let alone traveled them together, if not for loving the same thing."
@kaytiburt.bsky.social on fan tourism—and how to make it collaborative, not extractive:
@kaytiburt.bsky.social on fan tourism—and how to make it collaborative, not extractive:
Reposted by Fansplaining
Such a pleasure to publish @kaytiburt.bsky.social again—an incredibly thoughtful writer!! Commission her!! I was also excited to dive a bit deeper on fan tourism conceptually, because I feel like a lot of media coverage about the subject is about the "what," and rarely goes too far into the "why."
Our final piece of 2025 is live! 💞 @kaytiburt.bsky.social writes about fan tourism: the good, the bad, and...the basis for deeper cross-cultural connection? On Purple Festa, an event that brings fans of Korean pop culture closer to traditional Korean culture. Read or listen to an audio version:
Can Fandom Make Us Better Tourists? — Fansplaining
In an era of overtourism, South Korea’s Jeju Island and international BTS fans are building bridges of mutual respect.
www.fansplaining.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Such a pleasure to publish @kaytiburt.bsky.social again—an incredibly thoughtful writer!! Commission her!! I was also excited to dive a bit deeper on fan tourism conceptually, because I feel like a lot of media coverage about the subject is about the "what," and rarely goes too far into the "why."
Reposted by Fansplaining
I continue to be grateful—as a writer, reader, lifelong fan—that Fansplaining exists as a space to properly wonder about how fandom shapes modern life. In this piece, I am wondering about how fandom can make us better and worse tourists, with the editorial guidance of @elizabethminkel.bsky.social.
Our final piece of 2025 is live! 💞 @kaytiburt.bsky.social writes about fan tourism: the good, the bad, and...the basis for deeper cross-cultural connection? On Purple Festa, an event that brings fans of Korean pop culture closer to traditional Korean culture. Read or listen to an audio version:
Can Fandom Make Us Better Tourists? — Fansplaining
In an era of overtourism, South Korea’s Jeju Island and international BTS fans are building bridges of mutual respect.
www.fansplaining.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
I continue to be grateful—as a writer, reader, lifelong fan—that Fansplaining exists as a space to properly wonder about how fandom shapes modern life. In this piece, I am wondering about how fandom can make us better and worse tourists, with the editorial guidance of @elizabethminkel.bsky.social.
Our final piece of 2025 is live! 💞 @kaytiburt.bsky.social writes about fan tourism: the good, the bad, and...the basis for deeper cross-cultural connection? On Purple Festa, an event that brings fans of Korean pop culture closer to traditional Korean culture. Read or listen to an audio version:
Can Fandom Make Us Better Tourists? — Fansplaining
In an era of overtourism, South Korea’s Jeju Island and international BTS fans are building bridges of mutual respect.
www.fansplaining.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Our final piece of 2025 is live! 💞 @kaytiburt.bsky.social writes about fan tourism: the good, the bad, and...the basis for deeper cross-cultural connection? On Purple Festa, an event that brings fans of Korean pop culture closer to traditional Korean culture. Read or listen to an audio version:
We're putting the finishing touches on the final Fansplaining article of the year, by the inimitable @kaytiburt.bsky.social! Out tomorrow—here's a sneak peak. 😘
December 9, 2025 at 4:24 PM
We're putting the finishing touches on the final Fansplaining article of the year, by the inimitable @kaytiburt.bsky.social! Out tomorrow—here's a sneak peak. 😘
"Some people go to therapy, and some people write with their friends about semi-fictional pirates having sex. Some people do both!"
In our latest, @mossheadlives.bsky.social writes about text-based roleplaying in fandom. Read or listen to an audio version:
In our latest, @mossheadlives.bsky.social writes about text-based roleplaying in fandom. Read or listen to an audio version:
Alternate Universes — Fansplaining
Through fandom text-based roleplaying, I’ve lived so many other lives—and experienced so many other bodies.
www.fansplaining.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:47 PM
"Some people go to therapy, and some people write with their friends about semi-fictional pirates having sex. Some people do both!"
In our latest, @mossheadlives.bsky.social writes about text-based roleplaying in fandom. Read or listen to an audio version:
In our latest, @mossheadlives.bsky.social writes about text-based roleplaying in fandom. Read or listen to an audio version:
Reposted by Fansplaining
ALSO MARY SUE 2 IS OUT ON ARCHIVE OF OUR OWN’S 16th BIRTHDAY?! Happy birthday AO3, you and Cassie are the same age.
💛🧛♀️ MARY SUE ISSUE 2 OUT NOW 🧛🏻♀️💗
What would you do if your Mary Sue popped out of your fic? Cassie calls on the Greek Choir of fandom friends while her Mary Sue Jessica experiences a new AU - reality!
What would you do if your Mary Sue popped out of your fic? Cassie calls on the Greek Choir of fandom friends while her Mary Sue Jessica experiences a new AU - reality!
November 19, 2025 at 10:02 PM
ALSO MARY SUE 2 IS OUT ON ARCHIVE OF OUR OWN’S 16th BIRTHDAY?! Happy birthday AO3, you and Cassie are the same age.
Reposted by Fansplaining
I'm so excited that this piece is out!! I've always found fandom roleplaying to be weirdly under-discussed (in media, academia) considering how much crossover there is w/ fic spaces. And @mossheadlives.bsky.social took an initial sort of explainer draft to such a beautiful essay in the end—read it!
Our November piece is live! ✨ @mossheadlives.bsky.social writes about text-based roleplaying in fandom—and about using these existing characters to explore their gender identity.
Read the piece or listen to an audio version (and check out the gorgeous art by @thebeanbaguette.bsky.social):
Read the piece or listen to an audio version (and check out the gorgeous art by @thebeanbaguette.bsky.social):
Alternate Universes — Fansplaining
Through fandom text-based roleplaying, I’ve lived so many other lives—and experienced so many other bodies.
www.fansplaining.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:59 PM
I'm so excited that this piece is out!! I've always found fandom roleplaying to be weirdly under-discussed (in media, academia) considering how much crossover there is w/ fic spaces. And @mossheadlives.bsky.social took an initial sort of explainer draft to such a beautiful essay in the end—read it!
Reposted by Fansplaining
IT’S LIVE!!!!!!!
this piece means the world to me, it’s about connection and exploration, but it’s also about how old man yaoi can be a transformative thing. thank u to everyone who made this piece real!
this piece means the world to me, it’s about connection and exploration, but it’s also about how old man yaoi can be a transformative thing. thank u to everyone who made this piece real!
Our November piece is live! ✨ @mossheadlives.bsky.social writes about text-based roleplaying in fandom—and about using these existing characters to explore their gender identity.
Read the piece or listen to an audio version (and check out the gorgeous art by @thebeanbaguette.bsky.social):
Read the piece or listen to an audio version (and check out the gorgeous art by @thebeanbaguette.bsky.social):
Alternate Universes — Fansplaining
Through fandom text-based roleplaying, I’ve lived so many other lives—and experienced so many other bodies.
www.fansplaining.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:19 PM
IT’S LIVE!!!!!!!
this piece means the world to me, it’s about connection and exploration, but it’s also about how old man yaoi can be a transformative thing. thank u to everyone who made this piece real!
this piece means the world to me, it’s about connection and exploration, but it’s also about how old man yaoi can be a transformative thing. thank u to everyone who made this piece real!
Our November piece is live! ✨ @mossheadlives.bsky.social writes about text-based roleplaying in fandom—and about using these existing characters to explore their gender identity.
Read the piece or listen to an audio version (and check out the gorgeous art by @thebeanbaguette.bsky.social):
Read the piece or listen to an audio version (and check out the gorgeous art by @thebeanbaguette.bsky.social):
Alternate Universes — Fansplaining
Through fandom text-based roleplaying, I’ve lived so many other lives—and experienced so many other bodies.
www.fansplaining.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Our November piece is live! ✨ @mossheadlives.bsky.social writes about text-based roleplaying in fandom—and about using these existing characters to explore their gender identity.
Read the piece or listen to an audio version (and check out the gorgeous art by @thebeanbaguette.bsky.social):
Read the piece or listen to an audio version (and check out the gorgeous art by @thebeanbaguette.bsky.social):
Reposted by Fansplaining
hehehe ☺️
We're putting the finishing touches on our November piece: @mossheadlives.bsky.social on fandom text-based roleplaying and gender exploration! ✨ (Plus: Here's a sneak peak of the gorgeous art we commissioned for the piece by @thebeanbaguette.bsky.social.) Out this coming Wednesday!
November 18, 2025 at 1:05 AM
hehehe ☺️
Reposted by Fansplaining
being illustrated for rocks. so excited for this piece to meet the world!!! <3
We're putting the finishing touches on our November piece: @mossheadlives.bsky.social on fandom text-based roleplaying and gender exploration! ✨ (Plus: Here's a sneak peak of the gorgeous art we commissioned for the piece by @thebeanbaguette.bsky.social.) Out this coming Wednesday!
November 17, 2025 at 6:59 PM
being illustrated for rocks. so excited for this piece to meet the world!!! <3
We're putting the finishing touches on our November piece: @mossheadlives.bsky.social on fandom text-based roleplaying and gender exploration! ✨ (Plus: Here's a sneak peak of the gorgeous art we commissioned for the piece by @thebeanbaguette.bsky.social.) Out this coming Wednesday!
November 17, 2025 at 6:58 PM
We're putting the finishing touches on our November piece: @mossheadlives.bsky.social on fandom text-based roleplaying and gender exploration! ✨ (Plus: Here's a sneak peak of the gorgeous art we commissioned for the piece by @thebeanbaguette.bsky.social.) Out this coming Wednesday!